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Has the basics, but also security risks

Has the basics, but also security risks

Vote: (4 votes)

Program license: Free

Developer: Sien

Version: 0.1.1509.4

Works under: Android

Vote:

Program license

(4 votes)

Free

Developer

Version

Sien

0.1.1509.4

Works under:

Android

Pros

  • User-friendly mood-based customization
  • Location-specific app suggestions

Cons

  • Persistent and invasive app recommendations
  • App navigation includes unnecessary webpage detour
  • Replaced search bar raises data security concerns

A quick, mood-centered app launcher for Android: UR Mood Launcher

Change Your Mood, Change Your Launcher

Stepping away from the commonly used phone launcher, UR Mood Launcher capitalizes on the Android's built-in customizability, ushering in mood-centric categorization for your applications. Operating depending on location, whether at home, work, or on the commute, it can adapt to various selectable moods, assigning relevant apps to each.

Moods that Adapt to You

UR Mood Launcher is built around seven general categories, such as UR Work, UR Fitness, and UR Night Out, among others, adapting according to your location and activity. It also allows flexibility for personalized groupings for specific apps under labels like UR Secret Apps. Each mood even supports unique attributes such as pre-designated ringer volume settings or Bluetooth activation.

In each selected mood, the launcher manifests eight pertinent apps. During homestays, it might suggest more social media oriented apps while UR Car would prioritize navigation and music. While the launcher auto-selects the apps, it also caters to customization, offering the user the freedom to choose the apps they prefer within the limit of eight apps to prevent over cluttering.

Invasive Recommendation

One persistent feature of UR Mood Launcher is a recommended apps menu that consistently highlights new apps for potential installation, placed just above the app launcher, which might result in accidental activations. The app launcher interface is also altered, offering two sortable variant options, alphabetical or categorical, along with widgets.

A persistent slideout menu discloses recent apps and grants rapid access to UR Preferences, UR customization, and UR Store - a compiled list of recommended apps. Although the UR Mood Launcher replaces the default Google search bar, it still allows for device-integrated searches, using a different search engine for internet browsing.

Seamless customization for wallpapers and icon packs are also an integral part of its features. However, note that the UR Mood Launcher only revamps the primary home screen; other pages remain unaffected and can accommodate apps, folders, or widgets.

Change is Good, but not Always Better

Though the novelty of location or interest-based apps grouped into 'moods' sounds intriguing, it is not a unique concept. Other launchers have tread this path with a bit more flexibility, allowing more than eight apps. Adjacently, UR Mood's imposition of recommended apps comes across as forced and deterrent.

Additionally, the UR Store's sole function seems to be tracking links. Clicking an app from the store results in an unnecessary detour through a webpage before finally reaching the Google Play Store. Moreover, the change in the search bar raises privacy concerns as it forwards search inquiries to a third party, raising questions about data integration and security.

Finding the Best Fit

While the aura of a new launcher might be enticing, UR Mood Launcher's execution leaves room for desired improvements. Nova Launcher continues to remain the benchmark for customization without compromising on the operating system's core features. For those leaning towards adaptive launchers, Aviate or Cover offer a more sensible alternative. UR Mood Launcher proves to be a decent application categorizing assistant but raises several red flags with data privacy and security concerns.

Pros

  • User-friendly mood-based customization
  • Location-specific app suggestions

Cons

  • Persistent and invasive app recommendations
  • App navigation includes unnecessary webpage detour
  • Replaced search bar raises data security concerns