In the Android community there has been a bit of a hoo hah over a new type of launcher that is gaining a lot of popularity, but also has caused some controversy. It’s called Aviate and its aim is to provide the apps you want in the context you want.
Custom launchers are one of the really nice features that separate Android from iOS. If you are an iOS fan you might well argue that the iOS launcher is simple and set up for simplicity. All you need is to unlock, and then get to the app you want, which will be where it always is. However, the customization of Android means you can easily change simple things such as the icon sets, the size of the icons, add in widgets that provide you a preview of information from an app straight from the screen, or the ability to instantly use the app from your home screen. Or you can edit more advance features such as the way you slide between different screens, introduce different touch action shortcuts (such as double swipe up to open X), but Aviate is truly a revolution in terms of launchers.
AVIATE
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Arranged and Alphabetical
It replaces your interface with a simple homescreen containing a small space for widgets, pictures and your favorite apps. If you swipe to the right, then you get your app collections. Basically, Aviate groups your apps by certain topics (such as work, games, social, music etc), you can add apps to different sets and choose which sets you have (with a selection of over 30 options).
If you swipe right again, you get access to all your apps arrange alphabetically where you can quickly transition by pressing the letter.
So far it’s a nice simple way to change between your apps with some easy organization, but it’s the next feature from the home screen that really completely changes the launcher.
Contextual Homescreens
At the top left of the screen you’ll see a “hamburger menu” button and a little icon which a different color. This is your setting for your home screen. These settings include, Home, work, going somewhere and any place where you are (more on this later).
Aviate works out where you are based on your settings, information and use so that when you are at home, your homescreen is the “home” homescreen. When you are at work you have the work homescreen. If you then pull down on your home screen, it will bring up the apps and widgets that you have set for your home/work setting. So if you tend to read/use Duolingo to learn a language, listen to music, etc… at home, and want to have access to your daily Bible reading widget at home…it’s there. Conversely, if you usually use your to do list widget, email, Evernote, etc… for work, then it will be there.
More Intuitive the More You Use It
The really smart thing is that as you use the device more, it will work out what apps you usually use better and put them into your different homescreens. The more you use the launcher, the more intuitive it gets.
In fact, Aviate will use information about what apps you use at night to create a night homescreen that only appears in the evening, and if you are near an attraction or restaurant, then it will provide a homescreen you can look at that includes reviews and relevant apps based on that restaurant.
The Bad News
It’s currently an approval only beta (though I have some invites so leave a message below if you’d like one) and perhaps more worrying…you are giving Aviate access to a lot of information about yourself in the hands of Aviate and it really isn’t clear how well Aviate is guarding your information.
An intuitive launcher like this looks very much like the future of Android, with Google now already offering you similar services within a homescreen widget that can take up a whole page.
Learn more on the Aviate website.
Kelley Langkamp says
That looks awesome! Can I get an invite? twinsmommy05 at gmail
Chris Wilson says
I think it’s sent check your mail ๐
Kelley Langkamp says
I got it. Thanks!
winterfell says
can i get an invite plz
blu3xnow gmail.com
Chris Wilson says
Sent!
winterfell says
thanks๏ผ๏ผ
Dean says
Still have Invites available?
Chris Wilson says
yup 3 want one? I just need your email address
Eric Dye says
This is a really cool app, Chris. Thanks for highlighting this and passing out the invites! #toocool
Chris Wilson says
Well I seem to know lots of iOS people so it’s hard to find people to share it with! I hope people who get the invite will leave a little review *hint hint*
maeksimus says
Hi there,
Thanks for the write up ๐ It does look interesting. If you have another invite can you please send it to sonadorAToutlook.com Many thanks! ๐
Chris Wilson says
Sent!
maeksimus says
Hi Chris,
Thanks for the very kind gesture. But I have not received it yet. I hate to have to ask you to do this again…but could you please re send to [email protected] as I think a character or two might have been omitted from the email address when you sent it. Sorry again for the hassle! ๐
Chris Wilson says
I typed the address wrong last time. I think I sent it but I MIGHT have run out. It now says I’ve run out for sure.
maeksimus says
No problem. Thanks for posting the article and offering the invites! Have a great weekend ๐
jh0085 says
Any invites left? [email protected]
Chris Wilson says
sent it, second to last one. You should get 5 invites too so maybe you could help me spread the app?
Tre Lawrence says
NICE!!! Great stuff, Chris!
Johnny Hansen says
Looks very handy, any more invites left?
jh at ckirken.dk
Chris Wilson says
Sorry, I’m all out ๐
Josh Crampton says
Any invites left?
[email protected]
Chris Wilson says
I certainly don’t maybe someone else will be kind and share the love!