News
We are Kustom Industries and Smart Launcher. We are joining forces to create Wild Pixels. Ask us anything!
Hi!
This is Frank from Kustom Industries (u/frankmonza) and Vincenzo from Smart Launcher (u/ginlemon), today we can finally share something we have been working on for a while.
After many years of building Android customization apps independently, our teams have decided to join forces and we are now working on the creation of a new company: Wild Pixels.
The idea is pretty simple. Instead of continuing as two separate teams that happen to work in the same space, we want to build one larger family around our products.
This is not an acquisition by a large company, and there is no external investor behind it. We are still the same independent teams, with the same people working on the same products. The difference is that we can now share a lot more between us.
Kustom and Smart Launcher have always been close. Plenty of you already use them together, and our communities have overlapped more and more over the years. Working as one team means we can take what works well in one app and bring it to the other where it makes sense. We can build integrations that would have been much harder as separate companies, try out new ideas across our apps, and maybe even start entirely new projects together.
There's still a lot to figure out, and we don't want to promise too much too soon, but the possibilities are a lot bigger than they were.
We also want to be very clear about what isn't changing. We're not changing the identity of our apps, and we're not building a closed ecosystem. Smart Launcher stays Smart Launcher. Kustom stays Kustom. Third-party launchers, apps and creators are a vital part of Android customization, and that's not going to change.
What does change is that we'll have more people, more experience, more technology and more ideas in the same room. We hope that over time this lets us build things neither team could have easily done alone.
Honestly, we're really happy to bring our two communities closer together. Both have been around for many years and both have helped shape our products, so it feels like the right time to start building something bigger around them.
The formal process behind Wild Pixels is still ongoing, but we have already started collaborating and some of this work is already happening behind the scenes.
So, ask us anything! Wild Pixels, Smart Launcher, Kustom, how this all came together, what will and won't change, integrations, development, future plans, or whatever else you're curious about. We'll be here answering questions throughout the AMA.
And if you've got ideas, start asking for WILD things in our forums. We're ready!
Since Kustom and Smart Launcher are coming together, I want to know what is actually going to change, there are unlimited possibilities here, but how exactly will the two shape the product, and what will it actually be like for users?
Does getting premium in one affect the other? I believe not, since they are still their own companies. If not, then how will those two apps function together, specifically regarding premium features if you have premium for one but not the other? Will it be exactly as it is currently, or is there integration involved?
Is the design language of the app UI going to be unified, or will they remain two separate entities that are just combining in certain areas?
Do you have any examples right now of where this collaboration will work wonders? Since I have personally used Kustom widgets and Smart Launcher, what sort of advantages can I expect with this collaboration?
note: You can choose to answer whatever questions you prefer. I am just excited for this collaboration so I wrote what comes to mind.
1. We'd certainly like to offer combined bundles, as that's something we already wanted to do with both the SL apps and the Kustom apps. It's not trivial and requires some work, but that's exactly the idea behind the partnership: do this kind of work once and take advantage from it together. We've already explored the idea to offer bundles in the past and we'd absolutely love to make it happen, although it probably won't be available from day one.
2. Yes, we're already working on it. In fact, both companies were already collaborating with the same designer, so we were already using a compatible design system.
3. We're experts in different fields, and as mentioned, we're already helping each other by sharing code and knowledge and by working together on things we both benefit from. For sure, you'll see more SL in Kustom apps and more Kustom in SL apps, so we'll definitely become faster and ship better products.
But what I most excited about is the idea to explore deeper integration between our apps. SL can already back up KWGT widgets as part of its backup feature, and I'm sure we can push this integration even further.
Hi! I think we will try to make the apps work better together and have a more consistent look and feel, especially on my side (Kustom) i think there is lot of space for improvement on the UI/UX side, thats probably first thing we are going to do
Is there anything you can do to fix the gesture animation bugs that so many phones have when using third party launchers? Or is that fundamentally a problem at the OS level?
Starting with Android 9, Google moved the new Recents interface from SystemUI into the launcher through Quickstep. With the introduction of fully gestural navigation in Android 10, third-party launcher integration became more problematic. The stock launcher handles much of the gesture navigation related to Home and Recents, including their animations, which is why third-party launchers can experience these issues.
As a great fan of smart launcher I can't wait to see where this will go!
1. Do you have any plan of how to better integrate them?
2. What's your favourite widget for kwgt either free or paid?
3. Have you ever thought to contact some smartphone manufacturers to be better integrated or just the official launcher? Something like what oxygenos made with motorola
I'd rather not anticipate anything we're not yet sure we can deliver, but the idea is that there's a lot of friction we could eliminate by improving how our apps work with each other, and we can build better features by working on some new communication protocol. For example, SL could coordinate better with KWGT and KLWP to react to certain events, or offer new APIs to make new features possible.
That's a tricky one for me. I'm always testing things, so I never keep the same setup for more than a couple of days and I'm not attached to any one in particular. I've bought tens of KWGT packs over the years, but I never use a specific widget for long. If I had to pick, I'd say packs from devs like JustNewDesigns and Raj Arya are my favorites.
Yes, we've worked with some smaller manufacturers in the past and we'd love to collaborate with a bigger player in the future. What happened between OxygenOS and Motorola? I can't find anything about it.
I hope so. I'm on a little hiatus because I'm running out of ideas to customize 😅, specifically because my setups are sometimes a little out of the norm. When I create a setup right now, sometimes I don't feel it is good enough to post, at least for me 😄. I'm still waiting for some of my past suggestions to be implemented so I can create more 😁.
My understanding is that standard android widgets can only get updated around every 500ms - 1000ms. However, for built-in widgets launchers can get silky smooth animations. With the joining of forces and potentially better integration, would it be feasible and something of interest to make it possible to have KWGT widgets have faster updates/smoother animations?
I know KLWP is often mentioned as having smooth animations, however, I see it as a separate use case as widgets offer unique benefits and ease of use over a live wallpaper implementation.
With the joining of forces and potentially better integration, would it be feasible and something of interest to make it possible to have KWGT widgets have faster updates/smoother animations?
I loved how two giants are coming together! Do you have already have any idea and working on your first launch? Can't wait to see what's there in the future? Hopefully near future 🤞
No love for my question? This is I think second AMA or something where my question is flatout ignored. Look, I see there are "similar" questions where you have replied we think we would do this or that and I was excited if there's already something out of it which you know like ok now this is first we are going to do together.
Answer like "We are not sure, it's too early" would also have been understandable, however getting excited twice and then no body bothers to answer twice, that too in AMA - not good guys.
Sorry, it's just that I didn't know what to answer.
I wanted to share something exciting but while there are a lot of ideas, I don't want to anticipate anything before we're sure we can deliver it.
The formal process is still ongoing. Even though we've already started optimizing our workflow and studying each other's products, we'll only start working on something together once things become official.
But it was also very important for us to announce this now so we could be transparent about what is happening behind the scenes.
We also really wanted to hear from our community, and we're happy the feedback has been as positive as we hoped.
Thanks for the honest reply and I am looking forward to hear another announcement when you guys are clear with what you are bringing together first for us 🚀
SL7 will be just a number update. We don't want to keep everyone waiting for months while we hold back new features just for a bigger surprise effect.
As mentioned in the SL7 announcement, we moved from a development cycle made of big releases to continuous delivery. When we will have enough new stuff to call it a meaningful update we will bump the version number.
Any integration with Kustom apps could arrive at any time, before SL7, as part of it, or after.
If I'm not wrong, there are more or less four-five pixel feature drops every year. What we do is different.
If we have a new feature ready to be released, we release it as soon as it is available. In some months, you may receive four small feature drops, in another none. Of course, we may occasionally have bigger updates that include more features all at once. It only depends on what it is ready at a certain time.
I use both of these so heavily and I am soooo excited by this announcement! My current hardships are a.) BEGGING for better cover screen support for my flip phone and b.) Please bring the liquid glass design language from SL widgets to Kustom!
Can you address some of my feature requests for Smart Launcher? I want to switch but am still using Nova Launcher 8.1.6 but have grown too reliant on the following:
Feature
Nova Launcher Prime
Smart Launcher 6
Feasibility
Loose Icons Over Widgets
Native drag-and-drop (Allow overlap)
Requires wrapping icons in an elevated Icon Group Widget
Workaround required
Pinned Drawer Folders + A-Z List
Native single-page hybrid drawer
Categorized rail or flat list; no hybrid pinned folder strip
Hey, when can we expect a new version of KWGT and other former Kustom apps featuring a new interface similar to Wallpaper Studio?
Will the upcoming Smart Launcher 7 also get a UI redesign in the style of Wallpaper Studio, or are the plans limited to further developing the interface currently available in the Smart Launcher 6 developer options, also what about Icon pack studio - this app also get new UI?
It will not be a big bang approach most likely, you will probably see subtle changes at the beginning and then release after release look and feel will be more consistent as we start using shared components internally.
To be honest, not really. Our vision for SL7 has changed quite a bit since we first announced it, and it’s still evolving.
Most of the features we originally planned for SL7 have already been released in SL6, so it's not like we're holding anything back.
We want SL7 to be a meaningful update, not just a new version number. Until we have something that justifies that, we'll keep bringing new features and improvements to SL6
I use both of your apps and have been following you for years😊 They were always the first two apps installed when I changed smartphones. No questions asked, just lots of compliments! I look forward to see new things from you in the next updates! Thanks!
I am personally sick of so many subscriptions, and avoid them like the plague.
I bought KWGT (and KWLP to support them, although I don't use it) precisely because they are one time payment only.
¿Is KWGT going to change to another subscription service, or is it going to be abandoned in order to switch to a new version with subscription, like SmartLauncher is?.
I'm not the right person to answer that, but in Smart Launcher subscriptions are just an alternative purchase option, you can always get SL pro with a one time payment. I guess that will always be the case for Kustom apps too.
I don't like subscription either to be honest, but about many people (about 50% of our users!) prefers subscription over one time purchases, and that's why we decided to offer that option.
Curious what if anything you can share about plans for KWGT updates? Been a long time user and still very happy with it but I definitely would love to see some new features and UI/UX updates.
Hey I noticed that the wildpixels website section where the products are listed doesn't wrap and there is no bottom scroll bar to see all of them on narrower windows. I had to make my browser almost the full width of my 27" monitor to see the full product lineup.
I've been a user of Smart Launcher for years. And I haven't changed a thing in my layout for years. Will I still be able to use it as I currently have it?
It wasn't a single moment, more a gradual process. We've known Kustom apps for a long time and it was always clear that our apps complement each other very well. Funny enough, we didn't know their author was Italian too, we only found out when we got in touch with Frank by email in 2019.
We often talked about working more closely, but as two separate companies it was hard to make that real. Lending people and resources to each other's apps was difficult to justify, and sharing source code with a potential future competitor was a potential problem. At the same time, we kept running into the same issues and needing the same skills, so tackling them separately was simply inefficient.
Merging solves exactly that. We've been seriously discussing it for almost a year now, we're just waiting for the paperwork and the legal and financial side to be finalized.
Here's an idea I think would be "Wild" but not sure how difficult. What about venturing into wearos? I mean I know Kustom did it for a few years and I loved it but what about bringing it back but with smart launcher's most popular features. I mean I don't know if it's doable or what anyone else thinks about it but I'd definitely pay for it. Anyway just a thought 🤔
All our products are developed to work with different aspect ratios. At the moment we are not aware of specific issues with these devices but of course we are ready to address any possible issues.
I'm sorry if someone asked this already, but what about people who DONT use Smart Launcher. Or people who use Smart Launcher but don't use Kustom. Does this mean certain users will be alienated because they use a different launcher?
Nope, we already mentioned that in the announcement. We don't want to close the ecosystem, all our apps will continue working with every other apps like they do now.
Hello! No one bought anyone here we are equal partners and we'll decide together what's best. I will still lead Kustom stuff and Vincenzo will still lead SL apps. Are you afraid for some specific capability?
Not specifically, I just came here from Nova and I'd hate to see this launcher fall victim to the problems Nova had. Please give some thought to what your users want, when you're thinking about new features...just because you have two products that you feel synergize well, does not mean your users will feel the same way.
For us synergies is more around look and feel or UI patterns not mission, Kustom will still be an hardcore customizations tool and SL a smart and friendly launcher that won't change simple because products will still be led by the same people, I will lead Kustom apps and Vicenzo SL, we won't change that
they clearly have put thought into this, and have been working together in the past. SL brought kwgt backup support and it had a good response. this announcement too had a good response. the users do seem to feel the same way, and im sure none of thsse updates will take anything away from users
How long before the apps get "updated" and it breaks everything that people liked about using the apps before? Or how long before you sell the apps to a data farming microtransaction hell company like Nova did?
I'm a bit confused by your comment. We haven't been sold to anyone. We still earn our revenue from people paying for our apps, so if our users stop using them, we're out of business.
Keeping users happy is simply in our best interest, and the people in our communities can vouch for that.
We were two proudly small independent companies. With Wild Pixels, we'll be a slightly bigger, proudly independent one.
KWGT is Microtransaction hell. In-app purchases alongside Pro unlocks.
I remember the days where you simply paid for the app and you got all the features. Not needing to buy multiple bundles just to have what you had before.
Updates for updates' sake that ruin/break functionality for users is a common issue between both KWGT and SmartLauncher users in their reviews.
I don't think so, Wild Pixels is just the name of the new team. Our company used to share its name with the launcher, and we wanted to avoid that confusion going forward :)
Thank you! So Smart launcher and KLWP/KWGT brought to you by Wild Pixels. I have noticed my KLWP setup seems to be working better and better since switching to SL. Keep up the great work! Oh btw I always loved playing that classic snake game on the old Nokia...🐍
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u/nigel_ydv 5d ago edited 5d ago
Since Kustom and Smart Launcher are coming together, I want to know what is actually going to change, there are unlimited possibilities here, but how exactly will the two shape the product, and what will it actually be like for users?
Does getting premium in one affect the other? I believe not, since they are still their own companies. If not, then how will those two apps function together, specifically regarding premium features if you have premium for one but not the other? Will it be exactly as it is currently, or is there integration involved?
Is the design language of the app UI going to be unified, or will they remain two separate entities that are just combining in certain areas?
Do you have any examples right now of where this collaboration will work wonders? Since I have personally used Kustom widgets and Smart Launcher, what sort of advantages can I expect with this collaboration?
note: You can choose to answer whatever questions you prefer. I am just excited for this collaboration so I wrote what comes to mind.