Foldable smartphones have ushered in a new era of adaptability, yet their software often lags behind in flexibility, particularly when it comes to launchers. Users typically find themselves choosing between the restrictive first-party options or third-party alternatives that lack the tailored experience needed for these innovative devices. This challenge was evident with the vivo X Fold 2, but a promising solution has emerged in the form of Octopi Launcher.
Octopi bends and twists to suit your particular home screen needs
Having monitored the development of Octopi for over a year, I was thrilled to see it recently launch in beta on the Play Store. Even in its alpha phase, it exhibited remarkable potential, and now, as a beta product, it stands out as one of the most compelling Android launchers available, especially for multi-screen devices.
Many third-party Android launchers were designed with traditional single-screen phones in mind, making them less effective for foldables, which feature both a smaller cover screen and a larger display. The need for distinct layouts for each screen is paramount. While previous launchers like Nova and Kvaesitso failed to provide this, Octopi excels in offering unique configurations tailored to each display.
This flexibility is Octopi’s hallmark, allowing users to customize each screen for various orientations and purposes. With options for portrait and landscape modes, users can enjoy up to four distinct layouts. For instance, I can dedicate the outer screen to productivity apps while reserving the larger display for multimedia applications like YouTube and Twitch. Rotating the device seamlessly shifts the layout to travel-specific apps such as Maps and Uber, showcasing the launcher’s versatility.
Octopi simplifies the creation of new layouts, guiding users through setup with intuitive prompts. It suggests various configurations, including padding and icon density, making the process effortless. The Customize button offers deeper adjustments, and if a layout remains unconfigured, Octopi will notify you upon entering that orientation. Users can also replicate layouts across different orientations for consistency.
Love widgets? You’ll love Octopi
For those who appreciate widgets, Octopi delivers an exceptional experience. The launcher allows for independent sizing of widgets and app icons, eliminating the frustration of having to compromise on icon size to accommodate widgets. Unlike Nova, which often requires a 12×12 grid that shrinks icons, Octopi maintains a clean and user-friendly interface.
Moreover, Octopi supports overlapping and stacked widgets, enabling users to create visually appealing layouts. Moving one widget over another automatically creates a stack, resizing the moved widget to fit, thus maximizing the use of both displays.
Octopi’s app drawer options further enhance its appeal. Users can choose between traditional icon shapes or tiles that display app names alongside icons, making navigation straightforward. The ability to configure a 4-wide grid of tabs on the larger screen while maintaining a simpler icon-only layout on the cover display exemplifies the launcher’s thoughtful design.
Not quite the finished product, but it’s getting there quickly
While Octopi Launcher is undeniably impressive, it remains a work in progress. The beta version reveals some limitations, particularly in its gesture library, which currently offers only three options: swipe right from the first screen, swipe down, and double tap. Compared to other launchers with more complex gesture functionalities, Octopi has room for improvement.
Additionally, the search functionality feels somewhat basic. Although it allows users to jump into apps with partial matches, it lacks the capability to search for settings, files, and shortcuts across the device. A more comprehensive search feature would undoubtedly elevate Octopi’s status as a standout launcher for both foldable and traditional devices.
One notable observation is that Octopi seems best suited for foldable phones. While it may serve tablet users well, those with single-screen smartphones might find other launchers more effective. Despite this, the multi-layout system can still be beneficial for traditional phones, although its landscape functionality may not be frequently utilized.
In summary, Octopi Launcher is still evolving, with several areas for enhancement. However, its current offerings are promising, and updates are rolling out steadily. As I continue to refine my layouts across various devices, having a launcher specifically designed for foldables is a significant advantage. Octopi Launcher is tailored for heavy customizers, making it an exciting prospect to watch in the coming months.
