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Alt Launcher

Launch apps on boot and fastboot on Phoenix Android (and similar) radios
New in version 1.0.6
[1.0.6] 4/22/2021
Fixed
* Updated email support to request additional information.
The Problem: Phoenix Radios Android tablet style radios do not allow for
running apps on boot or fastboot.

This app solves that problem. When the Phoenix Radio boots (or fast-boots),
the Alt Launcher starts the apps it is configured to start. The primary purpose
is to launch two apps in split screen mode. You can select which app to be on
the top half of the screen, and the app for the bottom half. Prior to starting
those apps, it can launch services or apps that need to run in the background.

Installation Note: The Alt Launcher does not show up in the launcher that comes
with the Phoenix radios. During the installation process, be sure to click the
"Open" button to run it once. From that point on, it will run in the
background. If you don't start it during the installation process, the only way
to start it is with another app that launches apps (like CarWebGuru).

Accessing the app

To get into the Alt Launcher, swipe down from the top of the screen to view
notifications, and click on the "Alt Launcher" notification. It has the
message "Foreground Service Started". If the notification is not available,
start the Alt Launcher using a non-stock launcher like CarWebGuru.

In the main scren, the Alt Launcher displays the services, background apps, and top and bottom apps it is configured to start on booot or fast boot.

Background Apps

At the top of the main screen is the list of apps that will start and then be
put in the background. They are started in the order shown. To add a new one,
click the "Add a new Background App" button, and select the desired app. To
remove an app from the list, click on that app.

Services

Below the background apps is the list of services that will be started. They
are started in the order shown. To add a new one, click the "Add New Service to
Start" button, and select the desired service. To remove a service, click on
the service.

Top and Bottom Apps

Below the background apps are the two apps to launch in split screen mode. To
select the top or bottom app, click on either "None Selected" or the app shown
in either the top or bottom sections, and choose the desired app in the popup.

Permissions

The app requires the following permissions:
1. RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED - needed to be notified after cold boot so it can launch the apps.
2. FOREGROUND_SERVICE - The default launcher on Phoenix Radios hides the application icon for the Alt Launcher. This means that by default, there is no way to get into the app to update configuration. The foreground service provides a consistent way to get back into the app.

Tasker

To start Tasker so that it starts performing actions after boot, do the
following:

1. Select the following Tasker service to be launched:
com.joaomgcd.taskerm.plugin.ServiceRequestQuery
i. There is generally no need to launch the Tasker app itself.
2. In Tasker, if you set up a profile with Profile->Event->Tasker->
Monitor Start, that activates when Tasker starts up.


See the

Readme
for additional details.

Versions

Although APK downloads are available below to give you the choice, you should be aware that by installing that way you will not receive update notifications and it's a less secure way to download. We recommend that you install the F-Droid client and use that.

Download F-Droid
  • Version 1.0.6 (8) suggested Added on Apr 26, 2021

    This version requires Android 9.0 or newer.

    It is built and signed by F-Droid, and guaranteed to correspond to this source tarball.

    Permissions
    • run foreground service
      Allows the app to make use of foreground services.
    • run at startup
      Allows the app to have itself started as soon as the system has finished booting. This can make it take longer to start the phone and allow the app to slow down the overall phone by always running.

    Download APK 2.8 MiB PGP Signature | Build Log

  • Version 1.0.5 (7) - Added on Jan 09, 2021

    This version requires Android 9.0 or newer.

    It is built and signed by F-Droid, and guaranteed to correspond to this source tarball.

    Permissions
    • run foreground service
      Allows the app to make use of foreground services.
    • run at startup
      Allows the app to have itself started as soon as the system has finished booting. This can make it take longer to start the phone and allow the app to slow down the overall phone by always running.

    Download APK 2.8 MiB PGP Signature | Build Log