Show HN: LessPhone – A minimal Android launcher to reduce phone use

by aswinmohanme • 7 years ago

103 63 7 years ago

nsilvestri• 7 years ago

I wanted to give this a shot a long time ago, but putting dark mode behind a paywall was the only thing keeping me from using it. I do not enjoy getting my eyeballs fried every time I go to home.

sgarrity• 7 years ago

This is literally a $1 problem.

romseb• 7 years ago

Try Light Android Launcher, it's open source and offers theme support. https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.github.postapczuk.lalaun...

rflec028• 7 years ago

Repost. See KISS launcher on F-Droid for a good alternative.

microcolonel• 7 years ago

I used to use an old launcher that was mostly just a search box (with automatic favourites, generated from how frequently you select certain apps), KISS Launcher seems like a much more refined version of that.

fekunde• 7 years ago

This looks like the way to go for people like me who have used everything from uninstalling apps (then resorting to the browser) to installing usage trackers. Just eliminating the ability to do anything but the minimal.

bvinc• 7 years ago

I like this idea. I went looking for an Android launcher for this purpose. I settled on "niagra". It doesn't really limit anything, but it allows me to hide the app menu visually. I just have 7 apps on my main screen. And there's no "recommended" or "recently used" apps, and there's no google search bar and no browser on my main screen. I like it. I've simply forgotten about a lot of apps over time. Out of sight out of mind.

Another interesting thing that I do: I use uBlock Origin to gimp websites and hide recommendations to limit my browsing, without limiting my use of the actual website.

I want all my actions to be purposeful, no aimless browsing, no recommendations.

SLIB53• 7 years ago

Also nice about Niagara is that you can hide apps from the full list of apps, but allow them in the search. This adds another level for burying distractions.

wtdata• 7 years ago

What I think it would help me (personally) was a way to block certain web addresses (for all apps) at certain time periods (with no easy way of disabling it).

There are a couple of apps that supposedly do that, but they all fail more or less miserably (one of them is easily defeated just by pressing Android's back button for instance).

broahmed2• 7 years ago

Check out FocusMe: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.focusme.an...

It supports what you're looking for: you can block both specific applications and URLs in all applications. It's worked well for me. They also supply a version on their website that includes uninstall protection: https://focusme.com/android/

perfect_wave• 7 years ago

I like the idea of this, but I have one non-negotiable - I have to be able to use Spotify on my phone. I have yet to see a minimalist solution that allows me to use my music player.

bussierem• 7 years ago

I am the same way with Google Music, and I was experimenting with the various minimalist launchers. The one I found is "Before Launcher", which lets you pick 6 apps to have on the home screen. I just added Google Play Music app to that list along with my others, and it seems just fine, outside not having a home screen widget for easy controls.

johnchristopher3• 7 years ago

I installed it today, following that comment, and 20 minutes later... my pocket was burning :D. I spent the next half an hour trying to reboot it and remove the launcher since it was really slow (and hot). Just before leaving work of course and when I wanted to listen to a podcast. Oh, well. Don't try out new things at 4 o'clock when you need them at 5 :D.

jumbopapa• 7 years ago

"Niagra" is a really solid minimal launcher that focuses on one-hand navigation. I think it would be a good option for yo as you can specify about 7 apps that appear on the main screen.

harterrt• 7 years ago

You can still use Spotify with this launcher. It gives you 4 options for custom apps by default. I have it installed and I'm using Spotify now.

jeena• 7 years ago

Interesting that people seem to have that problem, I guess I just sit in front of a real computer most of the day so it's easier to do the things on it.

I almost feel guilty that my job gives me the most expensive phone every year and I'm basically only use it to listen to podcasts on the train while commuting, otherwise it's mostly both at work and at home just laying on the qi charging station the rest of the day.

postscapes1• 7 years ago

I use this in combination with turning off Google's automatic News page on the phone to drastically reduce my *get on the phone for something specific and proceed to get sidetracked rate (barring Twitter where I am a degenerate addict..)

tfolbrecht• 7 years ago

I use a very similar launcher called "Doorways Launcher."

This looks much more refined with extra features.

Thank you!

feiss• 7 years ago

I need 5

quazar• 7 years ago

You can choose a number of allowed apps between 1 and 8 in the full version, which costs $1.

ryanolsonx• 7 years ago

I've been using Slim launcher lately. These sort of launchers definitely have a place and have helped me stay distraction-free.

ignoramous• 7 years ago

Personally prefer an open-source, no-phone-home launcher. I settled on Lawnchair [0], a clone of Pixel's launcher that's highly customizable and pretty much works on all major OEMs flawlessly:

1. Let's you hide apps.

This is important to me since I usually firewall apps that I can't disable but have no use for, esp the ones that are pre-installed. Also, I don't want to see them or accidentally launch them.

2. Remove Google search bar and Google feed.

3. Dark mode that's gorgeous on AMOLED screens.

Lawnchair doesn't track usage nor does it, to my knowledge, phone home to any server.

LessPhone, NoPhone, Siempo [1] et al do have their places, but feel a bit forced and unnatural to use, esp for someone like my mom or my dad, who are used to traditional Android launchers with icons.

A feedback: Not meant as a slight on LessPhone or the others, but I guess, the key to building something for the 2 billion strong Android ecosystem is to abide by the existing UX standards and not surprise the users.

[0] https://lawnchair.app/

[1] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=17126771

jtl999• 7 years ago

Lawnchair doesn't track usage nor does it, to my knowledge, phone home to any server.

Open source too. Assuming you audit the source and either a) manage to produce a reproducible build that matches the existing binary and they don't later add any tracking or b) use your own build, you should be good.

https://github.com/LawnchairLauncher/Lawnchair

pjmlp2• 7 years ago

It seems quite strange that people get so addicted to their phones that they need this kind of external help.

What is so hard about self control?

frankbreetz2• 7 years ago

In a world where thermostats and refrigerators have to go regular software updates, this hardly seems like overkill. Someone made something to help people, I think we should appreciate it.

em-bee2• 7 years ago

it's a fair question. why even install distracting apps in the first place? just remove them from the phone. the problem is apps that mix business with pleasure and that can't be uninstalled or avoided.

pjmlp2• 7 years ago

On my world such thermostats and refrigerators don't exist, it is a matter of being a conscious consumer.

reificator2• 7 years ago

I can't set Google Voice as the default Phone or SMS app, which is obviously Google's fault, but it means I can't really justify using this launcher the way it is.

If there was a way to change the Dialer link in the bottom left to open Google Voice, that would make it a lot easier of a sell.

Apotheos• 7 years ago

I believe you need to install Hangouts Dialer and use that as your primary dialer.

reificator2• 7 years ago

That's what I used to do, but I was naive and tried out the Google Voice app after it updated. If you're not grandfathered in, I don't think you can go back to Hangouts for voice/sms anymore.

fridgamarator• 7 years ago

But what will I do while I poop?

siphon223• 7 years ago

When I see stuff like this, it always makes me cringe and I get this visceral feeling that humans(including me) are really dumb. People spend almost a thousand dollars on some phones, and at first it's always magical and they use it as much as they can while it's still shiny, then they use stuff like this to NOT use their device anymore, or at least crippling the full potential of it. It's absurd to me. On a similar level, it is like the idea of buying a 500 dollar smartwatch in order to avoid taking out your 1000 dollar smartphone out of your pocket as much. What the hell people? Seems like a huge waste of time and money. Both on the part of the makers and the consumers. /rant

the_pwner224• 7 years ago

People buy ridiculously powerful computers to play games at 4k@144fps and to train machine learning models. Then they install software to prevent malicious mind-control-equipped actors like Facebook from taking over their thoughts. Preventing your computer from using popular internet services isn't crippling it, because you do it to be able to use the computer more effectively.

There are are a number of features that are present in higher-end phones which are not available on lower-end ones (though some have started disappearing from high-end models or have become standard, more are always being invented): IR blaster, NFC, wireless charging, AR/VR capability, camera quality, fast charging, battery life, fast wifi, USB-C, OLED display, voice detection coproessor for OK Google / Siri, creating a WiFi hotspot to share WiFi (wireless card can get internet from a network and make its own network - this saved me from a big headache once). And also a fast processor which makes everything faster and improves the user experience.

Blocking usage of certain applications or services from your phone does not reduce the helpfulness those features and does not cripple the device.

Or, to put it another way: most phones these days contain software that exploits weaknesses in your brain to make you do things which do not serve your best interests. This launcher is intended to limit that. Doing so does not cripple your phone; it makes it more useful.

buying a 500 dollar smartwatch in order to avoid taking out your 1000 dollar smartphone out of your pocket as much

Here you're assuming again that people buy hardware in order to use it. But that's not true; we buy computers because of their capabilities. A good device should add maximum value to the user with minimum time and money investment possible. An ideal device would give you those benefits without you ever having to waste time 'using' it. Smartwatches let you see notifications without having to use your phone, that's the entire point (aside from health/fitness tracking). That makes it an effective device for those who want that, but that doesn't mean it makes the phone any less useful. You may still want an excellent phone for when you do need to do a phone.

Your argument is like saying we buy tablets to not use laptop/desktop computer. Their uses may intersect, but each has areas that it is specialized for.

siphon223• 7 years ago

I think we're talking about two different types of people.

Preventing your computer from using popular internet services isn't crippling it,

Right, but that's different from people who are trying to escape from using their $1000 phone as much as possible due to a fear about social media addiction and such things. I don't think these people are the power users like you describe. Power users would figure out how to work around things without crippling their user experience.

Your argument is like saying we buy tablets to not use laptop/desktop computer

Not at all. Tablets can be a comfy hand-held experience while laptops/desktops are totally a different form factor. They have different contexts. And what I'm complaining about in essence is about people blowing so much money on their fancy phone, and then they end up buying a watch so they can avoid looking at their phone as much because it's oh so tiresome to take out their phone. I'm not saying the devices are useless for the record.

readme• 7 years ago

When I see ideas like this, I just get jealous that it wasn't my idea!

mrweasel• 7 years ago

The same launcher will work on significantly cheaper phones. One issue I'm facing is that I can't buy the phone I want, no one makes it.

Installing a launcher, like LessPhone, would be a way for me to get a phone closer to what I want. I don't think I would buy a $1000 phone as the starting point, but ideally nor would I purchase an Android phone. The current phone marked is trapped in a duopoly where a large number of people aren't being serviced by neither of the OS suppliers. The ability to customise the product of at least one of suppliers help a little.

em-bee2• 7 years ago

i don't have any games or other entertainment apps on my phone.

maps, ride share, audio player, call, sms.

and messaging. but here the problem starts. i am counting 5! messaging apps, and they all contain work contacts. because everyone is on a different app. so that's 10!

and, unfortunately, the distractions are also in those apps. if there were an app that is a distraction only, then i could just remove it from the phone.

notice i didn't list the browser. that's there, but it's rarely really needed, mostly for entertainment. but most of the messaging apps have builtin browsers and/or the ability to open a browser from within.

so nope, i am afraid i can't cut out the distractions. they are forced upon me against my will.

visiblink2• 7 years ago

I have this... in the form of a Bold 9900. It calls, it texts, it has great simple apps for calendar, tasks, memos, podcasts and music.

The browser sucks. The camera is a joke. There are almost no other apps. And I can't circumvent the limitations.

It's perfect.

LeSaucy• 7 years ago

The last 3 BlackBerry phones I had for work would randomly power cycle, often during calls. If you need an occasional call I could live with that, but dropping out of conference calls is quite embarrassing.

visiblink2• 7 years ago

That would be annoying. Fortunately, I have never experienced call drops/power downs like that. If I had, I'd be using a different device too.

throwaway876198• 7 years ago

Does anyone an opensource equivalent of this? I do not like closed source apps anymore.

siphon223• 7 years ago

I don't know if it's the same, but KISS launcher has been amazing for me. I have only like 4 or 5 utility stuff on the small favorites bar and everything else is hidden. If I truly need something that isn't in my favorites, I need to actively think about it and search for it by swiping up on the homescreen to open the KISS search bar. I no longer open my phone and see a cluttered mess and procrastinate by opening random stuff that seems appealing at the time.

broahmed2• 7 years ago

I've been looking for ways to cut down my phone use. FocusMe[0][1] is one of my favorites on Android for blocking apps and URLs, Cold Turkey[2] for the same on computers. As for your launcher LessPhone, I downloaded it and immediately paid the single dollar for dark mode. I think paying also allowed me to adjust the number of apps (up to a max of eight). I was delighted to see how few permissions your app required. Love it and keeping it!

[0] https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.focusme.an...

[1] FocusMe version direct from developers that has uninstall protection: https://focusme.com/android/

[2] https://getcoldturkey.com/

barbwire• 7 years ago

Is this what is considered a product page these days? One vaguely non-specific sentence and 2 embedded videos.

They have all the information and images they need available on the play store, so why are they not presenting it on their own site?

(grumble, grumble)

throwaway13000• 7 years ago

Based on the profile, it was done by a new college grad. I think we should appreciate him.

aswinmohanme2• 7 years ago

Thanks for the support and I still got one more year to become a grad :)

aswinmohanme2• 7 years ago

I wanted a minimal aesthetic since it would match the minimal style of the launcher. Also I thought the videos gave sufficient explanation, will be improving the page in the meantime :D

johnchristopher3• 7 years ago

I wanted a minimal aesthetic since it would match the minimal style of the launcher.

Words are more minimal and efficient than voice (think of the passage from oral civilization to writing civilization).

After the introduction "So the thing I have been thinking about a bit recently" with the classical youtuber voice tone I just stopped the video (didn't want to check out if you - or the other guy, I don't know, don't care - were going to show me the product or spend 7 minutes on storytelling) and went to the play store to see what it actually does (since a quick glance to the page didn't show any screenshots or explanation).

Now I am installing the thing :).

sleavey• 7 years ago

Indeed. I don't click videos in public when browsing on my phone because I hate hearing random videos from others. Text should always accompany videos.

choward• 7 years ago

It's kind of ironic that it forces you to use a distracting feature of your phone: speakers. Text describing the product would be more minimal and informative.

rutierut• 7 years ago

I've been using Befor Launcher for the past month, it's pretty similar, LessPhone wasn't a good fit for me. I've been absolutely loving the experience, this is a good concept.

johnchristopher3• 7 years ago

So, only three apps allowed ? More in the paid version ?

luismedel• 7 years ago

This reminds me of my last months as a Windows Phone user. Text interface, limited apps and browsing...and a lot of jokes from my work colleagues.

vackosar• 7 years ago

I have written OSS launcher similar to this. It is search based and you can also hide apps you don't want to see https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.vackosar.searchbasedlaun... https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vackosar.s...

piotrkubisa• 7 years ago

I would say there is worth noting alternative called UltraStamina mode that is available in Sony phones. In this mode you have only limited number applications that are mostly non-internet consumers, removes animations, multiple desktops and also help to last few days more on battery (5-7 days on built in ~3000mAh battery).

ChrisArchitect2• 7 years ago

reminds me of the approach/minimal interface that tiny PALM comeback phone was pushing

ChrisArchitect2• 7 years ago

wait, this is the same thing? And is it called NoPhone or LessPhone ....what is going on here? also, this is from 2018?

mendelmaleh2• 7 years ago

In reality, this app is really underwelming. I'd recommend Niagara launcher, or Before launcher.

Show HN: LessPhone – A minimal Android launcher to reduce phone use

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