GoKawiilI’d argue that the Android launcher space is the healthiest it has been in decades. Even though contenders like Nova Launcher are no longer considered the pinnacle for many, a slew of others focusing on various use cases and filling multiple niches are available.
Think of Octopi Launcher for its fluidity and support for multiple screen devices and layouts, Kvaesitso for a launcher that’s built with search first and foremost, Niagara Launcher for those who require a stripped-down yet visually engaging experience, or Lawnchair for an open-source taste of Pixel Launcher. And I’m genuinely just skimming the surface of a very deep pool.
However, whenever I think of the products we have now, my mind wanders to those that have paved the way for them. In earlier Android versions, we had access to genuinely revolutionary home screen experiences, many of which I miss to this day. Here are just a few Android launchers I wish were still around for us to enjoy today.
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Z Launcher
Despite losing its lead in the mobile phone race by the mid 2010s, Nokia was still innovating on the software front. After it caved to consumer needs and prevailing trends, the company launched the Android-powered N1 tablet, the first product to feature the now-iconic Z Launcher.
One of the launcher’s biggest selling points was how it ordered icons on the home screen. It always privileged those popularly selected by the user — a stark departure from the static icon arrangement popularized by stock Android home screens.
Scribbling remains one of the smartest ways to initiate a search.
If you couldn’t find the app you wanted, Z Launcher had another trick: scribble search. Users could trace a letter on the home screen with their finger; the launcher would then initiate a fuzzy search using that letter, bringing up contacts, apps, and other shortcuts that contained it. This was a brilliant use of otherwise wasted space, saving users from having to tap a search bar or icon, wait for the keyboard to appear, and then type a search query.
Unfortunately, almost as soon as it arrived, Microsoft-owned Nokia pulled the launcher from shelves, making it one of the bigger what-ifs in the company’s software catalog.
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