BIG Launcher, an award-winning alternative interface for seniors and visually impaired users, has received a long-awaited update. One of the main features incorporated into this update is the simplified contacts editor.

It was no easy task simplifying a program as complicated as the Android contacts editor. We wanted to retain everything that makes BIG Launcher the simplest launcher available in the Google Play Store such as the linear design of the menus, and its user-friendliness. We conducted many tests with various user groups. The result is an enlarged contacts editor with 100% accessibility support, fully controlled by single taps.

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BIG Launcher is now equipped with an easy set-up of buttons directly linked to the menu available on any screen. You can quickly change the functionality of any button to something different or you can hide this menu to protect technically challenged users from accidentally changing something. The newest update also brings full Android 4.4 KitKat compatibility including recurring SMS/MMS notifications.

Over the past 2 years, BIG Launcher has changed from a simple home screen with six buttons to a complete interface replacement for the entire line of Android devices. Unlike other simple launchers, it integrates all of the phone related functions such as the dialer, messaging, and contacts list. In addition, it offers unparalleled options for customization. This enables users to create a personalized and secure mobile environment, where no one will get lost or confused.

The free demo version of BIG Launcher has recently passed 350,000 downloads and there are more than 30,000 users on the paid version. Join them today and give BIG Launcher a try - your granny will love it!

BIG Launcher free demo

BIG Launcher paid version

BIG Launcher website

Anonymous Asked
QuestionI have two questions. Missed calls are indicated in the status bar, after consulting the missed calls in the Big Launcher menu follows the missed call icon in the Status Bar is it possible that these notices of status bar disappear when viewing missed calls through the menu of big launcher? The second question, when there are missed calls or sms received, the respective icon blinks, wanted to know if notifications would Whatsapps icon may also intermittent flickering out. Thank you. Answer

The first problem is unfortunately unsolvable. This behavior is caused by the Android security system. The notification in the top status bar was created by other app than BIG Launcher (mostly by system phone app) and we don’t have the permission to clear it. On some phones, you can turn off these notifications - but it depends on many factors.

Regarding the second question - we would also like to offer the animated notifications for WhatsApp. But WhatsApp is a closed platform and it doesn’t provide any ways for other developers to communicate with their app. So there is no way how to get notified about the new WhatsApp message. Sorry about that.

Anonymous Asked
QuestionCan you have text instead of a picture for a contact shortcut button? I'd like to be able to have the button that says "Fred" and not a picture of Fred. Is this possible? Answer

Sorry, this isn’t currently possible as it could cause many problems in different languages. Or the text wouldn’t be simply BIG enough for our concept.

You can download the BL ABC Icon Pack and distinguish the contacts not with photos, but with big letters of alphabet.

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Additionally you can go to the Preferences -> Accessibility and turn on the Popup on long press or Speak on long press. This will add text & voice hints to the buttons when you hold the finger on them for longer time.

Anonymous Asked
QuestionI have a Samsung Galaxy SII with Android 4.1.2. I'm trying to set a custom icon for an external widget which I've allocated to a button on a second page of items. I can choose an icon but when I go out of the customisation screen it reverts back to the widget icon. Is this normal? I've tried several external widgets with custom icons and none of them will use a new icon. Answer

This looks like you are using a custom ROM with some developer options turned on. They can seriously break the functionality of many apps, including BIG Launcher. Please do the following:

Go to the System settings -> Developer options and make sure that Do not keep activities option is unchecked. Otherwise lots of things won’t work for you.

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Anonymous Asked
QuestionSomething has gone wrong with my Big Launcher app. I usually only have to swipe to unlock my phone but now I have to double tap and swipe. Only no amount of tapping and swiping will unlock the phone. It happened after I was trying to turn off the accessibility feature. The one that has a hand symbol. I had everything being read out loud which was very annoying. I don't know what to do to fix it. I have tried turning off the phone and taking out the battery. Answer

This problem sounds like it isn’t related with BIG Launcher as it doesn’t include the lock screen. But you have probably still turned on the Explore by touch option of the Talkback accessibility feature. To turn it off, try to use the gestures with two fingers instead of one. For more information please see the Google Help.

Anonymous Asked
QuestionBonjour, j'utilise BigLauncher sur un téléphone avec un écran de 7 pouces (Asus FonePad) et me demandais s'il étais envisagé de permettre d'augmenter le nombre de lignes et colonnes sur l'écran d'accueil, par exemple pour avoir une grille 3x4 ou 5 ? Merci de votre réponse Answer

(Google Translate translation): Hello, I use BigLauncher on a phone with a 7-inch screen (Asus FonePad) and wondered if it was intended to help increase the number of rows and columns on the home screen, for example for a 3x4 grid or 5? Thank you for your reply

Sorry, this isn’t currently possible. But we’ve added this request to our request list, so you can expect some option for an alternative layout later in the future.

Anonymous Asked
QuestionWhat price is the big launcher app, and how much is it when you use it Answer

BIG Launcher costs $10/8€. This is one time fee only. The license is bound to the Google Account used for purchasing, so you can use BIG Launcher on more devices. Also if you upgrade your phone, you can redownload BIG Launcher from the Google Play Store for free - as long as you use the same Google Account. The license isn’t limited by time, there is no recurring fee, so the usage is free.

Anonymous Asked
QuestionHey! Nice launcher! In the case of a missed call or message, is it possible to set the time period how long the call/message blinks? Could improve battery life on older droids... Answer

The Missing call/SMS blinking icon doesn’t consume almost no battery. If the display is off or the launcher isn’t active, the blinking is paused so it drains no battery at all.

You don’t have to be an experienced hacker to download a pirated version of BIG Launcher from the internet for free. You can just google it and the download is only a few clicks away.

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But when you do this, you are not only harming us as the developers. Downloading an Android app from the unknown source can also harm you, your phone, your data and also your phone bill. 

We have to stress that this isn’t the case when you download BIG Launcher from the official stores - Google Play Store or AndroidPIT. We’ve been in the market for 3 years and we’re working hard on being a trusted developer. As the BIG Launcher replaces all the functions of your phone, we are really careful about your data and privacy. We never send or abuse any of your private information.

But when you download the pirated version from the dark parts of the internet, it is likely that it was modified by pirates. And this modification is really easy, as the Android apps are written in Java. They can be easily decompiled and modified. These modifications can include key loggers, trojans, viruses or other types of malware. You can’t be sure whether someone can access your contacts or other data in your phone’s memory. Someone could also call any number from your phone or send the messages without any warning. This is the risk that isn’t worth the few bucks you can save by pirating the app.

The easiest way to avoid this is to buy BIG Launcher from the official store. You will also get good karma for this - you will support our business and fund the future development of the app, including new features, fixes and also some new apps we plan to introduce.

Thank you for your support.

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Last week we have visited two Universities of the Third Age: one at the University of Economics and one at the Czech Technical University in Prague. We have talked about smartphones and how BIG Launcher simplifies them. The audience was marvelous.

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Including this lady; she got her smartphone two days ago from her family and she was totally lost in its menus. Time for the free installation of BIG Launcher by our CEO Jan! After few moments, she started smiling. Now she’s able to use the phone without any doubt. She has thanked us many many times. Situations like this keep us moving forward. We know that our work makes sense.

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