If you’re into customizing your Android device, you’ve probably played around with launchers. These apps take over your default home screen and app drawer, letting you make your phone look and work just how you want. They’re a favorite among power users because they add more style, simplicity, or efficiency. Every now and then, a new launcher comes along that’s different enough to make you sit up and take notice. Today, two such options stand out for their fresh ideas and nostalgic touches.

The Scribble Surface: A Nod to Nokia’s Past

Nokia used to be a big name in mobile phones, especially with its classic brick phones and Snake game. But at one point, Nokia tried to make a splash in the Android world with a simple, gesture-based home screen. Instead of tapping icons, you’d scribble on the screen to find your apps. It was quick, intuitive, and quite different from the usual.

Now, an independent developer has revived that concept in a free launcher called ReZ Launcher. It keeps things straightforward with a swipeable widget at the top showing the time, calendar, and media controls. Below that, you see your app list, which you can access by swiping up from the bottom. The interface is clean, minimal, and easy to navigate.

What makes ReZ Launcher stand out is its scribble feature. You can draw any letter on the screen with your finger, and it instantly shows you apps or contacts matching that letter. Want to find your messaging app? Just scribble “M”. Need a contact? Scribble their initial. You can keep scribbling to refine your search further. It’s a fun, fast way to find what you need without digging through menus.

The launcher also offers some customization options, like setting up a bottom dock with your favorite apps. But the real magic is the scribbling system, which turns searching into a playful, almost satisfying experience. If you like doing things a little differently, ReZ Launcher might be a great fit.

The Retro Meets Modern: Mur Launcher and Live Tiles

Another launcher that caught attention blends a classic Windows Phone feature with modern Android design. It’s called Mur Launcher. You might remember those colorful, tile-based interfaces from Windows Phone. Mur brings that style into Android with a fresh twist.

This launcher groups your apps into categories and displays your most-used shortcuts in an easy-to-access layout. When you swipe, you see upcoming calendar events, favorite contacts, and your most opened apps—all at a glance. Swiping up gives you a scrollable list of all installed apps, with an alphabetical slider to jump around quickly.

But the real eye-catcher is the ability to create live tiles. These are tiles that show real-time updates, like song playback, notifications, or weather info. You can arrange these tiles on your home screen for instant, glanceable info. This feature is part of the premium upgrade, costing about $1 a month or $8 a year, with a one-time lifetime option for $26. The free version still offers plenty of features, with no ads or interruptions.

Mur Launcher is a clever mix of old-school style and current Android functionality. It’s different from the typical launchers and shows how creative you can get with Android’s flexible system. Both these launchers prove that there’s still room for fresh ideas that break away from the usual.

In the world of Android customization, these options show how inventive and playful the platform can be. Whether you prefer scribbling to find your apps or arranging live tiles for instant updates, there’s a launcher out there that can make your device feel new and exciting. Give them a try and see if they change the way you experience your Android phone.

Inspired by

• https://www.computerworld.com/article/4073201/weird-android-launchers.html

Sources

• gmpg.org
• theintelligence.com
• theintelligence.com
• jrstart.com
• theintelligence.com