Yahoo releases Aviate Android launcher app


Yahoo has just released Aviate, a new Android launcher app that promises to simplify your phone.


On a basic level Aviate simplifies and orders your homescreen UI, placing apps into categories and favourite contacts into a drag-up menu.


It also offers one-swipe access to daily apps and activities like your alarm clock, weather, your day’s calendar, and a twice-daily news summary.


Yahoo seems keen to separate its new app from existing Android launchers, though. It even goes to far as to namecheck some of them in the app listing.


"Unlike GO, Nova, Apex and other similar launchers, Aviate automatically simplifies and intelligently organises your phone," it reads.


Indeed, Aviate isn't just about a convenient reordering of your homescreen. It actively adjusts it according to your location and the time of day, offering access to one-touch conference calls when at work, music apps when driving, and weather apps first thing in the morning.


It will also alert you if the weather is dramatically different from yesterday, estimate your commute time and offer the ability to quickly email all of your colleagues if you're running late for work.


"Yahoo Aviate isn’t just an app," insists Yahoo. "As your mobile homebase, it’s the last thing you check at night and the first thing you look at when you wake up in the morning."


Yahoo acquired Aviate back in January, and has now launched the free Yahoo Aviate Launcher app onto the Google Play Store. It's only available in English at present.



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