Engineering:Jolla Launcher

Launched in June 2014 as alpha phase software for testers-volunteers, the software by Jolla designed to replicate Sailfish OS user interface behaviour and features on Android OS devices.

Overview

The aim is to allow the user to feel the Sailfish OS experience with an Android device, in a risk-free method as installation does not change any firmware and can be uninstalled. It works on the top of Android, provides gesture-based UI and basic tools similar to the ones found in Sailfish OS which allows the user to manage and launch Android apps. It is not possible to uninstall Android apps from the launcher. An applications can be removed from the application grid found in the Jolla Launcher, but they are not uninstalled from the Android system of the host device. When starting the launcher for the first time, there is a tutorial which teaches the basics of the UI.

Marketing and development purposes

It should be also recognised as a kind of a beta test tool, as testers are to report remarks or eventual bugs in both the Launcher and Sailfish OS itself via together.jolla.com portal tools. Jolla declared that feedback will have an influence on further development like a feedback from any other Jolla users. As a marketing tool it is supposed to help to convince potential users to try and use Sailfish OS.

Supported devices

The alpha release, as of June 2014, is targeted mainly for Nexus 4 and Nexus 5 devices Android 4.3 or later. The release can be installed in many other devices as well, which run Android 4.3 or later but there might appear issues due to hardware differences.

External links

• Jolla Sailfish OS Launcher for Android Preview, pre-beta recorded with permission
• Sailfish OS Launcher for Android | Overview & Install