dxTop : Android Home Alternative
dxTop is an alternative to the Android home interface. It's based on the original Home launcher code from the 1.0 release of android which uses the Apache 2.0 license. When you install dxTop it will install as an alternative to the default Home interface allowing you to choose which on to use. Pressing the Home button on the phone prompts you to choose which Home interface to use and you can set dxTop as the default so you won't have to choose anymore.
Why is it better?
Performance
Lightweight with persistent mode to help prevent long waits returning back home. When another app requires more memory, dxTop will release memory to free memory, but keep enough to allow a fast startup for when you return.
Themes and Icons
Themes a now available for dxTop. No root required! Themes are available on the Android market. Press the menu button on your phone, and pick Appearance from the pop-up menu.
If your interesting in making a theme read the Theme Howto
Support for BetterAndroid's icon packs. Just long-click an icon (pick it up and drop it without moving) and the context menu will open allowing you to change the icon or rename the shortcut.
Live Folders
Live Folders allow dxTop to show information in a folder that is provided to dxTop from another application. Search the market for live folders to find these apps. Some examples are digg.com headlines and call logs.
Widgets
Anyone can make them! Existing apps can even include a widget inside them and dxTop will find it and allow you to install it. Very little is needed to make a widget or add a widget inside your existing app! A new menu item in the Widget menu (long press on the desktop) allows dxTop to scan your installed apps for widgets. If it finds any, they will be added to the widget menu so you can pick it.
If your interesting in making a widget read the Widget Howto You publish your own widgets to the market (For free or pay); I'm not involved.
Dock
Swipe the tabs left or right to bring in the 5 icon dock. Drag items to the dock, or long-press on it to open the add menu. Using folders on the dock is an excellent way to add groups of apps with just a single click.
Four screens
Unlike the default home interface where you have three screens and to get from the left screen to the right, you have to scroll past the center screen, dxTop offers four screens that are all accessible with a single swipe. For any screen, just swipe up, down, left or right to access ane one of the directional screens. No more double swiping to get to a screen.
Dual trays
There are now two tray handles for viewing applications. One tray is the existing all application view we are all used to.
The other new tray is a view that shows a combination of recent run apps along with currently running apps. It even shows what apps are running as services. The recent/running apps tray color codes the application name as follows:
Red = Application is currently running
Yellow = Application is not running, but it is running as a service
White = Application is not running anymore
dxTop is an alternative to the Android home interface. It's based on the original Home launcher code from the 1.0 release of android which uses the Apache 2.0 license. When you install dxTop it will install as an alternative to the default Home interface allowing you to choose which on to use. Pressing the Home button on the phone prompts you to choose which Home interface to use and you can set dxTop as the default so you won't have to choose anymore.
Why is it better?
Performance
Lightweight with persistent mode to help prevent long waits returning back home. When another app requires more memory, dxTop will release memory to free memory, but keep enough to allow a fast startup for when you return.
Themes and Icons
Themes a now available for dxTop. No root required! Themes are available on the Android market. Press the menu button on your phone, and pick Appearance from the pop-up menu.
If your interesting in making a theme read the Theme Howto
Support for BetterAndroid's icon packs. Just long-click an icon (pick it up and drop it without moving) and the context menu will open allowing you to change the icon or rename the shortcut.
Live Folders
Live Folders allow dxTop to show information in a folder that is provided to dxTop from another application. Search the market for live folders to find these apps. Some examples are digg.com headlines and call logs.
Widgets
Anyone can make them! Existing apps can even include a widget inside them and dxTop will find it and allow you to install it. Very little is needed to make a widget or add a widget inside your existing app! A new menu item in the Widget menu (long press on the desktop) allows dxTop to scan your installed apps for widgets. If it finds any, they will be added to the widget menu so you can pick it.
If your interesting in making a widget read the Widget Howto You publish your own widgets to the market (For free or pay); I'm not involved.
Dock
Swipe the tabs left or right to bring in the 5 icon dock. Drag items to the dock, or long-press on it to open the add menu. Using folders on the dock is an excellent way to add groups of apps with just a single click.
Four screens
Unlike the default home interface where you have three screens and to get from the left screen to the right, you have to scroll past the center screen, dxTop offers four screens that are all accessible with a single swipe. For any screen, just swipe up, down, left or right to access ane one of the directional screens. No more double swiping to get to a screen.
Dual trays
There are now two tray handles for viewing applications. One tray is the existing all application view we are all used to.
The other new tray is a view that shows a combination of recent run apps along with currently running apps. It even shows what apps are running as services. The recent/running apps tray color codes the application name as follows:
Red = Application is currently running
Yellow = Application is not running, but it is running as a service
White = Application is not running anymore
Code:
http://rapidshare.com/files/223387400/com.android.dxtop.launcher.apk
Install Directions:
1. Put the .apk file on your sd card.
2. Use a file manager app (e.g. ASTRO or Linda file manager) to install the apk.
3. You're done! Have fun.