[Release] HomeSpike v1.0 — a real home screen for Ubuntu Touch (multi-page, dock, drag-to-reorder, three placement modes, true multitasking)

Linus67

@Zer0 I installed HomeSpike v1.0 on a Pixel 3a running 24.04-1.3 rc. My respect for the work, but there’s still a lot to do before it works really well. As an app in the OpenStore—perfect!
I still find it to be a bit of an overlap in user interface concepts. The launcher already covers 90% of standard daily use. I think a moderate restructuring of the existing app drawer would make more sense.

Zer0

@Linus67 hey thanks for the feedback. i just added a system setting menu where you can turn it on and off. I just did some reading on how to get this ready for open store so that will be coming soon. also did some bug fix. v2 will have this fearure along with widgets and folders i hope. lol

Linus67

@Zer0 Turning it on and off or using it as an app sounds great. A lot of people will love it.
I have a Pixel 3a as a test device. Moving apps around is a bit clunky. A video would be the best way to explain this. I had a bit of trouble installing V1. Is version 2 available yet?
How can I update it?

Linus67

@Zer0 I'm sure you're familiar with this initiative as well:

Issue #127€2000

Personally, I prefer this solution. Instead of sorting strictly by alphabet, it should be possible to create custom categories.

Communication
Development
Tools
News
Education
Games
Favorites (fixiert) Like the iphon allway visible bar.

A way to pin a Favorites category (at the top or bottom)

And if anyone wants it, a toggle (App Drawer as Home Screen always on)

Zer0

@Linus67 nope. I haven't seen that

Keneda

@Linus67 said:

The current user interface design of UT is very good.

It is.

But if you hang in there since a long time, what @zer0 try to achieve is a long demand from some part of UT users.
And "home apps" like Launcher Modular or Home, got lot of downloads (xenial versions disappeared but had thousands).

So it is very good, but that doesn't mean adding possibilities for people who want more personalization is not a good way to make UI better for some people.

Linus67

@Keneda Please excuse me, but I’ve only been using Ubuntu Touch for about 4 or 5 months. So I’m still pretty new to it. I studied mechanical engineering—I’m not a Smartphone software engineer.
Anyway, my daughter wants to keep HomeSpike on her Pixel 3a (which is also the device I use for experiments).

Zer0

@Linus67 your welcome.

arubislander

@Zer0 said:

True multitasking + reliable home: BFB or the spread home button always returns to HomeSpike; running apps stay alive in the background and resume instantly when re-tapped

So apps are no longer suspended when not in focus? How does this impact how long the battery lasts between charges?

Zer0

@arubislander HomeSpike doesn't actually change app lifecycle. It's loaded inside the Lomiri shell process as the wallpaper layer (z=-2 in Stage.qml), not a separate app. Lomiri still suspends/resumes background apps by its own existing rules. any apps that are not declared background services will still "sleep" in the background.

Zer0