Making an android launcher? - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

OK, so i am making an android launcher.
The UI
well, it will be very similar to the windows phone UI, swiping left and right between the home screen and vertical, 4 column app drawer. so the app drawer will work like the defualt vertical one on stock android. but the home screens will move vertically, swiping up/down will go to the next screen.
i think, to make the app drawer/home screen left/right swiping work, i need to have a linear layout fragment, (im working in eclipse) so that the screen would be larger than the actual screen, it will simply show PART of the fragment which will be the home screen. i need to find out if that could work.
anything else i need to know for making this app.
i have practicaly no experience but i can learn quickly. the android tutorials are not helping much for this type of app, for some reason i cant import already built android launcher into eclipse.
thanx for all the tips and help.

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Thought of a name???
~RR

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Sounds cool
Sent from my Paranoid Android GT-19100 using xda premium

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You haven't even finished the project but have started its thread? I don't think that's allowed here.
Code:
System.out.println("Sent from my SGY");

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first of all im only a 17 year old highschool who is doing this for senior project, a year long project with a "learning stretch" so i need all the help i can get.
im just wondering, does anyone know anything that could help me. anything at all.
so like bits of code that could help the system recognize the app as a launcher, so when i press home, it asks me if i want to use it.
second: how can i create a 2 page layout, i was thinking a linear layout fragment could work, so it would act as a big screen that can be moved, but then vertical scrolling could become limited.
third: how can i get the vertical app drawer to appear in the fragment.
fourth, how can i make home screens, and make them work vertically, and add widgets and stuff to them.
that is about all i need. if anyone can help, thanks alot
i will not be asking for donations and the app will be free to all when it is done
(want a credits page. ok just tell me)
app name, hmm... i was thinking Dual Launcher (cause it works with two screens vertically side by side. but im still thinking
thanx for thinking this is at least a good idea.

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russian392 said:
first of all im only a 17 year old highschool who is doing this for senior project, a year long project with a "learning stretch" so i need all the help i can get.
im just wondering, does anyone know anything that could help me. anything at all.
so like bits of code that could help the system recognize the app as a launcher, so when i press home, it asks me if i want to use it.
second: how can i create a 2 page layout, i was thinking a linear layout fragment could work, so it would act as a big screen that can be moved, but then vertical scrolling could become limited.
third: how can i get the vertical app drawer to appear in the fragment.
fourth, how can i make home screens, and make them work vertically, and add widgets and stuff to them.
that is about all i need. if anyone can help, thanks alot
i will not be asking for donations and the app will be free to all when it is done
(want a credits page. ok just tell me)
app name, hmm... i was thinking Dual Launcher (cause it works with two screens vertically side by side. but im still thinking
thanx for thinking this is at least a good idea.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Idea is a great one. I'm a noob at apk development so i've no idea about launchers. Just a tip, don't make it two screens side by side. It may look good on tablets, but not on smartphones. And FYI, i'm 16, in 10th grade, and have developed my first app .
Code:
System.out.println("Sent from my SGY");

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ok. look, dont be rude, you had your first time making an app, was it frustrating, probably, same here, since im making a luancher.
im trying to make the launcher simple as can be because i already know this is gona be hard, cause i have no coding xp.
so if you can help out with some starting codes, that would be great. i have to give credit though because its a project at school lol.
if i can get the 2 screens sliding left and right, im basically good to go, the rest i can handle.... probably

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i had another idea.
modifying the cupcake launcher and adding side buttons to the bar, they would move with the app drawer sliding up too.

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We are being taught Java at school since 9th grade, so i just had to learn some new things because i knew basic Java. And yes, it was very frustating. I can't help you with the codes if you don't even know basic Java (you said you didn't have any coding xp). There are many tutorials on the net, first learn some Java, practise it and then you're good to go. The learning will hardly take a week, if you're a quick one.
Code:
System.out.println("Sent from my SGY");

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I have the name for your launcher...
Super Launcher

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Hw about ....star launcher???
Click THANKS button if I helped, or u liked my post.
Will be honored.

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Super2cool said:
I have the name for your launcher...
Super Launcher
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
U think...?
Its a really minimal launcher, it doesn't even have a wallpaper.
But I'll keep that in mind.
If all goes well, I will have a paid version latter on.
Sent from my LG-P506 using xda app-developers app

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Maybe you should think of the name and other stuff once you've actually got a beta going
I'm sure you'll think of a name by then
Good luck
if you need help with a website or anything I can help just pm me
Sent from my MB860 using xda app-developers app

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russian392 said:
U think...?
Its a really minimal launcher, it doesn't even have a wallpaper.
But I'll keep that in mind.
If all goes well, I will have a paid version latter on.
Sent from my LG-P506 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Minimal Launcher

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May i ask if its possible to import a apk file with eclipse and edit it?

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yken said:
May i ask if its possible to import a apk file with eclipse and edit it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can import individual XML and java/.class files but I tried to do a whole project.
Sent from my LG-P506 using xda app-developers app

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inaudibly said:
Maybe you should think of the name and other stuff once you've actually got a beta going
I'm sure you'll think of a name by then
Good luck
if you need help with a website or anything I can help just pm me
Sent from my MB860 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not supposed to be making any money from this project, so j could pay for a website, beside I know how to make one. But than anyway.
I need codes and use full info for coding the app, not a name right now gys
Sent from my LG-P506 using xda app-developers app

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Here is what I have planned out.
1.linear layout with fragment, in.
.XML
2.split up the 2 fragments and make them desperate
3.add vertical 4 column app drawer to right side frag, and enable widgets and icons to be put on left frag.
Make the frags recognize swipe gestures so u could move screens (java)
Done
All I need is the codes. I have some, but they are not helping much. They r confusing.
Sent from my LG-P506 using xda app-developers app

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russian392 said:
Here is what I have planned out.
1.linear layout with fragment, in.
.XML
2.split up the 2 fragments and make them desperate
3.add vertical 4 column app drawer to right side frag, and enable widgets and icons to be put on left frag.
Make the frags recognize swipe gestures so u could move screens (java)
Done
All I need is the codes. I have some, but they are not helping much. They r confusing.
Sent from my LG-P506 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not trying to be offensive, but let me get this straight...
All you need is the codes? That's like most of the work. Sure, I'm all for asking for some help, but read some tutorials -and try making some simple apps first to get used to the logic. Learning the hard way by taking examples and figuring them out works, but only if you have already made some research and have prior experience.
My advise: learn first, try later.

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GermainZ said:
Not trying to be offensive, but let me get this straight...
All you need is the codes? That's like most of the work. Sure, I'm all for asking for some help, but read some tutorials -and try making some simple apps first to get used to the logic. Learning the hard way by taking examples and figuring them out works, but only if you have already made some research and have prior experience.
My advise: learn first, try later.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely right.
People here is not helping you because you are not looking for a little tech help with the code, actually you're asking someone else to make your launcher.
Also, learning java takes a week or less? Sorry guys, this is simply not true. No offence, being able to make a small app does not mean you know the Java nor you're a developer. No way, you have to study, follow tutorials and, at that point only, asking people for some help with codes makes sense.