Z Launcher is the latest contextual launcher, and it’s made by Nokia (sort of)
Contextual homescreens — that is, home screens which aim to bring you the apps and info you need without you having to think about it — seem to be all the rage these days. Apparently there’s a huge need for these things and thankfully there’s no shortage of options. Introduce another one: Z Launcher. And the most interesting thing about it isn’t how it works, but rather who it’s made by.
This is Nokia’s creation, though it’s not quite the Nokia you’re thinking of (the one Microsoft paid X amount of dollars for). This is a different team that worked independently of Nokia’s core business over-the-years, and can be seen as forgotten, yet valuable remnants of the ordeal.
So what does this launcher provide? An easy way to get to your apps. That’s it. Z Launcher learns your habits over time (like all other apps promise to do) and will attempt to serve up the app you need at the moment you need it. If it’s wrong, simply correct it by drawing the first letter of the app you want to use, and you should see the app you need appear in a list of possible candidates. You can also access your contacts and other items this way.
The video above does a far better job of explaining it, as does giving it a spin for yourself. Simple. Effective. Interesting. And Nokia. We’re not sure this is going to become the next big thing, but it could be a very nice app for folks who don’t need widget and folder-infested home-screens. You can sign up for the beta right here if you want to give it a spin.