Big launcher full version. Choosing a skin for android smartphones with large icons and large text: BIG Launcher, Necta Launcher and Senior Phone

Ninety percent of all mobile gadgets have become touch. Phones with buttons are produced only by a few companies, and even then in a minimal amount, but their assortment can not be mentioned. But what about those who are not enthusiastic about the standard Android solutions, the elderly or children?

As you know, the Android mobile operating system has global customization capabilities. You can replace any application: browser, and even . And the creators of custom shells think, in addition to the above groups, about people with disabilities.

We will consider several of the most interesting "launchers" for such categories of users.

First and very popular: BIG Launcher

BIG Launcher was the first launcher for visually impaired or elderly users. At first, it looked like an ordinary "launcher", in fact, it is considered to be it on this moment, but this is far from the case. BIG Launcher is a whole "set of essential applications" tailored to the needs of people with a corresponding illness or in old age.

Interface

The main screen is incredibly simple. There is a menu with useful information and six icons.

As is customary, there is a kind of “status bar” in the upper part, while the standard one has not been canceled. There are large and unusual indicators of battery charge and signal strength. mobile network, and displays the day of the week, month, year, and time. By clicking on this area, we will get into the standard alarm clock. For what? After all, if a person has poor eyesight, and he installs the appropriate application, he wants to see all the elements large. As a significant plus, we can note the ability to hide the classic "status bar" with its small elements. Other apps don't do this.

There are five applications located on the main desktop. The most extreme icon, the sixth in a row, is responsible for opening the menu with all applications. About him later. Among the other five: "dialer", SMS-manager, camera, gallery and SOS. The icons are placed correctly, as calls are the most important thing. But a person with poor eyesight simply does not need SMS. It would be worth highlighting the dialer, for example, with a larger icon. But this is on the conscience of the developers.

It is possible to expand the desktop for eight more of your own applications, this is done through the settings. And if necessary, you can add a couple more desktops.

But the desktop is the desktop, but what about the applications? Let's say that a person has opened an application for making calls, and then he has a bunch of small print and unnecessary information. And it would be so, but the developers of BIG Launcher have a good argument - they have redesigned the dialer and SMS manager. But all other applications are standard, only the icons have been changed.

The phone book is presented in the form of a menu with a directory, favorites, dialer and call list. Let not very beautiful, but it is simple, functional and most importantly - in large print! Contacts are displayed in large print, a small photo is displayed, if any. The dialer also received large numbers.

The SMS application is simple and with the same large font. The program received a classic look, there are no additional functions, except for viewing and sending messages.

The application menu looks to match the shell itself. It is presented in the form of a list, in which the icon and the name of the program are horizontally located. Here, the fonts, as in all places of the application, are made quite large. A visually impaired person will be able to read the name without glasses, of course, with a sufficient diagonal of the screen.

If the design of BIG Launcher is not impressive, then changing the theme can solve this situation. Yes, even here support for themes is provided, but is it relevant? Will a visually impaired or aged person take advantage of this opportunity? It is impossible to answer this question unambiguously. Perhaps it will be useful for color blind people.

Above are light and dark theme from BIG Launcher. If necessary, you can download "custom" from Google Play, fortunately, there are more than enough of them in the digital application store.

Functions

When you first start BIG Launcher, everything necessary settings"launcher", we just need to confirm the actions, give access and choose something.

In this case, even with the initial selection of the function, the application is already functioning with the “desired” font. If something important was not configured when you first turned it on, you can run the installation wizard again.

Nevertheless, it’s still worth looking into the application settings, because there are a sufficient number of additional features. You can not talk about changing the font size, choosing the orientation and other useful little things. By the way, the settings are divided into categories, each of which has several functions.

In the display view settings, you can choose the size of the safe borders, so that accidentally touching the edges of the screen does not trigger the click and open any application.

More extensive and truly functional options are located in the special features of the utility. This is where you can turn on the tactile feedback(vibration response), pronunciation of the annotation, launching the application by long pressing and other features.

There are other features, but they are not worth much attention. So it's time to take a look at the intriguing SOS button. There are SOS messages and SOS calls, because situations are different.

The first press on it will open the settings menu for making a call or sending an SMS, but further ones will already work properly. On the first click, if it is for SMS, we will be prompted to indicate the phone number of the guarantor and the text of the message to be sent.

Additionally, you can add location coordinates determined by GPS, both "cold" and accurate indications of the device. But for the call, specify the number and call waiting time.

Work

BIG Launcher will run on a smartphone or tablet running Android 2.1 or later.

It is only necessary to take into account that for the functioning of the sounding of elements, the Google TalkBack program, the Google speech synthesizer and the corresponding languages ​​​​for offline work must be installed. The program itself works well, at least there were no obvious slowdowns of the interface.

Conclusions on BIG Launcher

Taking into account the specifics of the application, the “launcher” came out very good. It looks the most suitable and is really designed for people with impaired vision or aged. All the necessary elements: the dialer, the SMS client and even the "status bar" have been redesigned accordingly.

In addition, the interface looks decent and even received theme support. Let the latter not be appreciated by everyone, but for someone it will not be superfluous. It is worth noting its stability and performance, which are above average.

Unfortunately, BIG Launcher is not a free program. Its price of $10 is a lot, but the application is quite specific. In any case, before buying this "launcher" you can evaluate it on a free demo.

• Matplata for 120 000 rub. Cooler than Navi and Ryzen 3000 :)

BIG Launcher- this is the first high-quality and convenient android launcher designed specifically for pensioners and visually impaired people. From the name it already becomes clear that the main idea of ​​this shell is large and understandable interface and control elements.

Also, the program is ideal for transferring our parents to smartphones and not scaring them with a large number of functions and various icons. All service information here it is very well hidden, and the usual functions are displayed on the first screen.

Interface and features

The main screen defaults to displaying a large clock, a battery charging icon, a date, and an alarm clock. In place of the icons, six more elements are placed here - this is a call, messages, a camera, pictures, an SOS signal and a transition to all applications. When you go to all applications, a list with large names also opens. A similar interface is also implemented in the contact list.

If one screen is not enough for you, then the program allows you to add several more. All of them will be switched by the "all applications" button in order of priority. On the second screen, for example, you can display quick contacts, an icon of a separate application or a small widget with dimensions 1x1 (weather, mail).

Features of BIG Launcher for Android:

• Multiple themes;
• Simple and clear interface;
• Large set of icons;
• Setting up additional screens;
• Pronunciation of elements with a long press (for the blind and visually impaired);
• A good opportunity to start accustoming your parents to modern electronics.

Outcome. BIG Launcher is a great and high quality Android app that will help educate the older generation on how to use a smartphone. The only thing that may disappoint you is the cost of the full version, which is $10. And here the developers play on feelings, because nothing is a pity for parents!

Constant changes in the field mobile technologies easily accepted by young and middle-aged people. Elderly people, on the contrary, suffer from an overabundance of unnecessary information, which must not only be constantly assimilated, but also regularly processed. Given the problems standard interface not always acceptable for an elderly person. To solve this problem, a special shell Koala Phone Launcher has been developed.

All the efforts of the creators of the launcher were aimed at inventing an interface acceptable to most older people. The keypad for dialing is displayed on main screen and large enough, it can be easily read, taking into account any drop in vision parameters. Everything necessary tools are collected on the main screen, while the menu font is always large enough, and the color scheme of the images contributes to easier perception. No need to wear glasses, everything is clear and understandable. Going to the menu opens up all the main features of the smartphone: send a message, take a photo, dial a number. If you need to buy a quality smartphone for your mom and make it convenient for her to use, this customizer will be a great addition. There is nothing superfluous here, only what is necessary for ease of use, high-quality communication and communication.
Download Koala Phone Launcher for Android you can follow the link below.

Developer: Tomas Slavicek
Platform: Android 4.0 and above
Interface language: Russian (RUS)
Condition: Full (Full version)
Root: Not needed

In addition to existing screen readers, for blind users operating system Android of interest may be other software designed to solve some additional problems.

Below is a list of the most interesting programs of this kind, specially designed for users with disabilities. The list does not claim to be complete and can be supplemented, but perhaps someone will find it useful at initial stage mastering the Android platform.

Accessibility Preferences

Accessibility Preferences makes available a menu through which the user can access more fine tuning accessibility. In particular, it is through this menu that the TalkBack and Spiel screen readers are configured.

The application is distributed free of charge and is available on Android 1.6 and higher.

Eyes Free Keyboard

Eyes-Free Keyboard is virtual screen keyboard, which provides the ability to work in edit fields directly from the screen, and also provides a set of gestures for moving around the text field.

Unfortunately, due to the limitations of Android, it cannot completely replace the hardware keyboard in all possible cases.

Eyes Free Shell

This is an alternative desktop created specifically for blind users. It is built into the system and becomes available for selection in the list of desktops if the device supports this function.

Eyes-Free Shell is the home screen of the device, which presents the main shortcuts of the system: clock, battery level, signal strength, application list and some others. The user can also add shortcuts to other programs, both in the main area and in two additional panels.

Work with Eyes-Free Shell is carried out through the touch screen. Without lifting your finger, you should select on the screen desired label, which will be accompanied by voice and vibration feedback, and to activate it, you must interrupt the contact of your finger with the display.

The application is distributed free of charge and is intended for Android 2.1 and higher.

IDEAL Accessible Youtube Viewer

This application is a client that provides an accessible interface for viewing some of the selected channels on the YouTube video hosting service.

At the time of writing the review, IDEAL Accessible YoutubeViewer is in beta version, so the list of channels is quite small, but the developers plan to increase their number.

The application is distributed free of charge and is intended for Android 2.1 and higher.

IDEAL AD Movie Viewer

This application provides access to about fifty public domain movies, which are provided with an additional voice description. The announcer describes what is happening on the screen and reads out various inscriptions that are inaccessible to people with visual impairments in ordinary films.

Materials of this kind are called video description, descriptive video, descriptive video service or simply DVS, while in Russian-speaking countries they are better known as "films with audio commentary".

Unfortunately, at the time of writing, IDEAL AD Movie Viewer only provides access to English-language movies.

The application is distributed free of charge and is intended for Android 2.1 and higher.

IDEAL Android Vox Browser

IDEAL AndroidVox Browser is a screen reader-accessible Internet browser that is the successor to IDEAL Web Reader.

Unfortunately built-in android browser OS versions below 4 are not available for screenreaders, so it becomes necessary to use a third-party solution.

IDEAL AndroidVox Browser, in addition to simply loading and reading web pages, also provides navigation through HTML markup objects such as headings, lists, form fields, tables and much more, and control is carried out through keyboard commands that are familiar to most users from programs such as JAWS for Windows or NVDA. In addition, it implements the principles of navigating through structural levels, borrowed from the ChromeVox screen reader.

IDEAL ePub Creator

IDEAL ePub Creator is designed to convert documents PDF formats, DOC and DOCX to ePub files, as well as previewing the resulting document as a web page in any browser installed on the system.

The conversion is carried out on a remote server, so its free use is limited.

The application is distributed free of charge, but you will have to pay an additional fee to convert a large number of documents, and is intended for Android 2.2 and higher.

IDEAL Self-Voicing NewsReader

The IDEAL Self-Voicing NewsReader program is designed to facilitate access to major news sites and is able to read their feeds through speech synthesizers.

The application is distributed free of charge and is intended for Android 2.0 and higher.

IDEAL WebMath

IDEAL WebMath is designed to provide easy access to www.webmath.com for Android users with disabilities. The www.webmath.com resource helps you learn how to solve mathematical problems of varying complexity: from simple arithmetic to trigonometry and calculus.

The application is distributed free of charge and is intended for Android 2.1 and higher.

kickback

The KickBack program is a development of Google Inc. that provides feedback through vibration signals.

It integrates into the "Accessibility" settings item and illustrates keystrokes, as well as other system events with vibration.

Keyboard Tutor

The application is designed to study the device's keyboard and, in fact, is a keyboard help mode, known from many screen readers for other platforms.

When you press the keys, Keyboard Tutor speaks their name. However, it should be noted that the program does not support working with international keyboards, that is, it does not accept a change in the layout language, voicing only the Latin alphabet.

The application is distributed free of charge and is intended for Android 1.6 and higher.

rock lock

This is a music player from the Eyes-Free Project, designed specifically for blind users, which has a simple and adapted interface.

The application is distributed free of charge and is intended for Android 2.0.1 and higher.

soundback

The SoundBack program is a development of Google Inc. that provides feedback through sound signals.

It integrates into the "Accessibility" settings item and illustrates keystrokes, as well as other system events with various sounds.

The application is distributed free of charge and is intended for Android from 1.6 to 3.2.

Talking Dialer

It's virtual numeric keypad, which allows a blind user to type telephone number directly on touch screens.

The principles of operation are generally similar to Eyes-Free Shell, since both programs are developed by the Eyes-Free Project, you can also press Menu to open the contact list.

The application is distributed free of charge and is intended for Android 2.1 and higher.

Talking Compass

Talking Compass, as the name suggests, is a talking compass. If the device supports this function, then using this application, a blind user will be able to determine the cardinal directions, bypassing the problem of the inaccessibility of the standard graphic representation this information.

Work with the program is carried out through the touch screen: when touched, relevant information is spoken out, and with a gesture of swiping up and down, you can set the information content of the application.

The application is distributed free of charge and is intended for Android 1.6 and higher.

WalkyTalky

WalkyTalky is an application designed to provide assistance to a blind person through the use of satellite navigation.

The program periodically updates the status bar of the current location, and also implements semi-automatic interaction with Maps Navigation. It is important that the device has a GPS module.

The application is distributed free of charge and is intended for Android 2.1 and higher.

Getting data about running applications
The application will be able to receive information about recently launched and running tasks, and therefore about the applications used on the device.

Change/Interception network settings and traffic
The application will be able to change network settings, as well as intercept and view all network traffic (for example, change the proxy server or port for APN). Malware will be able to monitor, redirect and change network packets without your knowledge.

Search for accounts on the device
The application will be able to get a list of all accounts used on the device, including those created by installed applications.

Viewing your contact details
The application will be able to view your personal information (such as name and contact information) stored on the device. After receiving this data, the application will be able to send it to other users.

View contacts
The application will have access to contacts stored on the device, as well as data on the frequency of calls, sending messages Email and other communication sessions with certain people. Applications will be able to store data about contacts. Malicious applications may publish them without your knowledge.

Changing contacts
Allows the app to change the contact information on your phone, including the frequency of calls, emails, and other conversations with specific people. Apps will be able to delete contact data.

Approximate location (network based)
Allows the app to get your approximate location using network services location determination - towers cellular communication and points WiFi access. The relevant services must be enabled on the device and the app must be allowed to use them.

Precise location (based on network and GPS signals)
Allows the app to obtain your precise location using the global positioning system (GPS) and network location services such as cell towers and Wi-Fi hotspots. The relevant services must be enabled on the device and the app must be allowed to use them. This may lead to additional battery consumption.

View SMS and MMS
The application will be able to view SMS messages stored on the device or SIM card, regardless of their content and privacy settings.

MMS reception
The application will be able to receive and process MMS. This means that it will be able to monitor and delete messages sent to your device without showing them.

Receiving SMS
The application will be able to receive and process SMS. This means that it will be able to monitor and delete messages sent to your device without showing them.

Sending SMS messages
The application will be able to send SMS. Please note that malware can send messages without your knowledge, which may result in unexpected charges.

Changing SMS and MMS
The application will be able to modify the SMS stored on the device or SIM card. Malicious programs will be able to delete your messages.

Making phone calls
The application will be able to call any phone number without your participation. This does not apply to numbers. emergency services. Malicious software will be able to make calls without your permission, which may result in unexpected charges.

Change phone status
Allows the app to control phone functions on the device: switch networks, turn the transceiver on and off, and perform other similar actions without notification.

Viewing the call history
Allows the app to read data from the call log, including information about incoming and outgoing calls. Applications will be able to save log entries. Malicious programs will be able to publish this information without your knowledge.

Changing the call history
The application will be able to change the list of calls and data on incoming and outgoing calls. Malicious programs can take advantage of this to delete or change information about calls.

Changing/deleting data on a USB storage device
Allows the app to write data to the USB drive.

Checking access to protected storage
The application will be able to check the permission for the USB drive, which will later be granted on other devices.

View WiFi connections
The application will be able to view information about the Wi-Fi network: its status and the names of connected devices.

Get phone status data
The app will access the phone features on the device. In addition, it will be able to determine phone numbers and serial numbers models, call activity status, and connected remote numbers.

View network connections
Allows the app to view information about network connections, such as which networks are available and which ones you are connected to.

Establishing a connection with Bluetooth devices
The app will be able to view the Bluetooth configuration and establish and confirm a connection with other devices.

Accessing Bluetooth settings
Allows the app to configure Bluetooth settings and discover remote devices and pair with them.

Changing network settings
The application will be able to change the state of the network connection.

Connecting/disconnecting a Wi-Fi network
The application will be able to connect to and disconnect from Wi-Fi hotspots, as well as change the configuration WiFi networks on the device.

Unlimited internet access
The application will be able to create network sockets and use various network protocols. Since the browser and other applications independently implement the functions of sending data to the Internet, this permission is not required.

Changing audio settings
The application can change system settings sound, such as volume level and active speaker.

Launch when the device is turned on
The application will be able to automatically start after the system boots, which will slow down the power-up and operation of the device, since it will be constantly active.

Setting preferred apps
Allows the app to change preferred apps. Malicious programs will be able to silently change the programs you run and collect your personal data on behalf of existing applications.

Vibrate function control
The application will be able to control vibration signals.

Prevent your device from going to sleep
Allows the app to prevent the device from going to sleep.

Changing system settings
The application will be able to change system settings. Malicious programs can corrupt the system configuration.

Widget selection
The application will be able to configure the ability to use widgets in the system various programs. An application with this permission can grant other programs access to personal data. This permission is not used by regular applications.

Installing DRM-protected content
Allows the app to install DRM-protected content.