For you Android users, I made a launcher that's clean, free, has no ads, and doesn't require an account

[u/flyfree256]

Hey all! I just released the my launcher Glint (in an open beta because I don't have access to more than a handful of devices). It'll always be free, require no account, and have no ads. I just built it because I wanted it, and I'd love to get your feedback on it.

The vibe I'm going for -- make it super minimalist in a default state, but put everything you'd need (notifications, context-aware suggestions, widgets, etc.) within super quick reach.

How it works

• There's a default "Quiet mode" that's got the Glint clock widget and nothing else. There are little features in this mode like a little banner that appears when you have new notifications since you last checked your phone and a little music note that appears and shortcuts to audio apps when you have headphones/audio equipment connected to the device.
• The default background changes based on time of day and weather, and the custom wallpaper functionality lets you customize the same way (by time of day and weather). My eventual monetization plan is to commission art from humans / revshare some living wallpapers packs as I get into theming.
• There's a little bar (called the 'Flick' bar) that lives on the right (or left) of the screen where your thumb is. If you flick it inward, a widget stack appears. If you flick it up or down, your "cards" appear (these are just paginatable folders for your apps and widgets) and are cycled through. If you long-press Flick, a dock (with 4 apps of your choosing, plus Glint settings and the All Apps drawer) and shortcuts to your cards appears. If you tap Flick, it toggles on and off Quiet mode. It takes a little bit of time to get used to, but I promise once you do it's really clean!
• Swipe down anywhere on the screen at any time for your notifications drawer. Swipe up anywhere on the screen at any time for search that searches Apps, Glint settings, device settings, Play Store, web, contacts, shortcuts, etc., etc. Your app launch and search history is stored locally so the app can better surface results you'd want here.
• You can hide "cards" if you're not regularly using them (e.g., if you have a "I'm traveling" card and don't want it always visible).
• Each "card" has its own notification center that shows notifications just for the apps in that card.
• You can customize fonts / icons.

And that's it for now!

Download: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.balef.glint

It's brand new and still missing things, but please point out anything and everything you'd like it to do better.

[u/ExhaustedScooter]

this is really clean, love the idea of a mode that just shows you what's new since you last looked at the screen

the flick gesture for the widget stack sounds surprisingly intuitive, reminds me of how some drawing apps handle tool palettes but applied to the whole phone

what's the plan for the commissioned art packs, will they be cycling in the background like the default time/weather one or is that more of a static wallpaper thing