When comparing Yandex.Shell (Launcher+Dialer) vs Z Launcher Beta, the Slant community recommends Z Launcher Beta for most people. In the question“What are the best launchers for Android?” Z Launcher Beta is ranked 7th while Yandex.Shell (Launcher+Dialer) is ranked 14th. The most important reason people chose Z Launcher Beta is:
Users use their finger or a stylus to write the first letter of an app they are looking for in order to find it and launch it. It allows for a fast way to find and launch apps.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Easy setup
Quick setup and easy customization without sacrificing eye candy.
Pro Categories in apps menu
Pro Number of Yandex widgets
Yandex.Shell’s default widgets include: an indicator bar which you can use to toggle various settings, like WiFi and brightness; a weather widget to show local forecasts; a call log widget to show you recent calls; even a birthday widget to track your friends’ birthdays. There are over 25 widgets available.
Pro Transforms your dialer
Not only is Yandex.Shell a launcher replacement, it transforms your dialer as well by giving it a new interface and some new features.
Pro Clean interface
Clean without loosing detail and variety.
Pro Customizable with themes
Pro Apps can be searched for by scribbling letters
Users use their finger or a stylus to write the first letter of an app they are looking for in order to find it and launch it. It allows for a fast way to find and launch apps.
Pro Allows searching contacts and websites directly from the launcher
By gesture writing the name of a contact or website on the home screen the launcher will show results for the user to click on to go to the corresponding contact or webpage.
Pro Keeps your most used apps at the forefront
The launcher learns what the users most used apps are and adapts what it shows on the home-screen to that usage.
Pro Simplifies your homescreen
Z Launcher is a very minimal launcher where the home screen is 4 shortcuts at the bottom, 6 of the most used apps and phone numbers on the home screen and a clock at top.
Pro Nicely designed context-aware multi-app widget on homescreen
A clean and minimal designed widget that contains info from multiple apps, letting the user scroll between them intuitively.
Pro Unread Counters for docked Apps
Having apps like Hangouts or the Phone Dialer in the docked apps will allow for unread counts on the icons.
Cons
Con Not enough functionality for advanced users
The in built options are a bit limiting when compared to other popular launchers, which makes it difficult to fit all use cases of users.
Con A severe lack of customization options
Being that this is meant as a minimal style launcher, there is not many customization options. It is of course still in beta, so more options may wind up in the app over time.
Con Scribble feature is inconsistent
Just as with writing recognition for keyboards it is not always exact, especially depending on the users own handwriting.