Key Takeaways
1. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold has an IP68 rating, making it one of the few foldable smartphones with water and dust resistance.
2. Users cannot customize the home screen layout for the inner and outer displays, as it replicates the same layout.
3. Octopi Launcher allows for separate layouts for inner and outer screens, accommodating both landscape and portrait orientations.
4. Octopi Launcher offers extensive customization options, including adjustable icon sizes, app drawer settings, and background opacity.
5. Third-party launchers like Octopi help fill the software gaps in Pixel Fold devices, as Google still needs to improve basic functionalities.
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold has the notable distinction of being one of the rare foldable smartphones with an IP68 rating. However, it still lags behind other foldable devices when it comes to the software experience. A significant drawback is that users cannot customize the home screen layout based on whether they’re using the inner or outer display. Instead, the standard Pixel launcher merely replicates the second page of the portrait front screen across the inner display.
Custom Solutions
Fortunately, Octopi Launcher addresses this limitation by allowing users to create entirely separate layouts. This feature is available not just for the inner and outer screens, but also accommodates both landscape and portrait orientations. Octopi is recognized for being one of the most customizable and lightweight launchers, similar to Lawnchair, Niagra, and the now discontinued Nova.
Extensive Customization Options
Beyond separate home screens, Octopi Launcher offers a plethora of additional customization features to appeal to even the most dedicated fans of Nova or Lawnchair.
Like any quality Android launcher, it supports icon packs, but it also provides the flexibility to adjust icon sizes independently across the app drawer, dock, and home screen. Users can even resize individual icons as they please.
The app drawer is also customizable, including options for background opacity, folder support, label scaling, and the ability to move all icons to the bottom half of the screen for easier access. Naturally, there’s an option to hide apps, and the number of horizontal apps can be adjusted to fit any screen size.
Filling the Gaps
While Octopi Launcher addresses a fundamental feature that Google still hasn’t provided for Pixel Fold users, its extensive feature set and customization options make it a valuable tool for any Android user. This is particularly true for those seeking alternatives to Nova Launcher.
Google has a considerable amount of work ahead to enhance its software to match that of the Galaxy Fold 7 (which you can find on Amazon), as even basic functionalities like a proper free-form window experience are missing from their foldable devices. Nonetheless, it’s reassuring that third-party launchers are available to bridge at least some of the gaps.
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