AGI Launcher
I built AGI Launcher because Google TV does not provide a simple or reliable way to use a custom launcher. On some hardware, forcibly replacing the system HOME application can even leave the device unusable.
AGI Launcher does not delete, modify, or disable the stock launcher. Instead, it registers itself as a HOME application, boot receiver, and accessibility helper. When the device starts, or when the stock launcher attempts to appear, AGI races it to the foreground and gets there first. The same helper brings AGI back when a supported HOME, Windows, or Command key is pressed.
It is a simple and reversible hack. Disable AGI's accessibility service or select the original HOME application and the stock launcher remains exactly where it was.
I was tired of walking past my television and immediately seeing algorithmic distractions: children talking about slime, couples arguing, and movie promotions appearing before I had even decided what I wanted to do. I wanted my television to serve me, not advertise to me.
AGI Launcher (Android General Interface) is the straightforward alternative. It presents your installed applications through a smooth, OS X-inspired dock, accompanied by animated OpenGL shaders and a calming background ambience.
Notifications and home automation:
Many Android TV devices provide no practical notification panel for messages from other applications. AGI listens for notifications and displays them as custom toast-style cards in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
AGI can also receive notifications from other devices through its local TCP interface. Your computer can forward new email alerts, your phone can send incoming or missed-call notifications, and a home automation server can report doorbells, alarms, sensors, downloads, or other events.
These messages appear on your television while you continue watching a movie, playing a game, or using another application. No cloud service is involved. Communication remains on your local network.
Features:
- Animated, OS X-inspired application dock
- Clean home screen without recommendations, sponsored content, or advertising
- Calming background ambience with real-time OpenGL shader animation
- Layouts optimized for televisions and phones in portrait or landscape orientation
- Touch, keyboard, gamepad, D-pad, and remote-control support
- Custom bottom-left notification cards with titles, messages, icons, and sound effects
- Receive email, call, doorbell, alarm, and automation notifications from local devices
- Quick access to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, audio, date, and system settings
- Automatic boot handling without removing the original launcher
- Persistent HOME launcher support through a lightweight accessibility helper
- Alerts for application changes, USB devices, networks, memory, and storage
- Local TCP command interface for automation and remote control
- Interface designed to remain clear and readable from across a room
Setup and access requirements:
1. Select AGI Launcher as the HOME application so Android can open it when HOME is requested.
2. Enable the AGI accessibility helper. This detects when the stock launcher takes over, returns AGI to the foreground, and supports dedicated keyboard HOME shortcuts.
3. Grant notification access so AGI can read notification titles, messages, and icons from applications installed on the device.
4. Allow display over other applications so AGI notification cards can appear while another application is open.
5. Allow notifications so AGI can display its foreground service status and device alerts.
6. Grant nearby device and Bluetooth access for Bluetooth connection information and controls.
7. Grant Wi-Fi and location access where required by Android for Wi-Fi status and nearby network detection.
8. Allow exact alarms and startup access for more reliable launcher recovery after boot.
9. Exempt AGI from battery optimization so its launcher helper, notification listener, and local automation service remain available in the background.
For dedicated, embedded, or development devices, the included grant.bat script can apply most required permissions and system roles through ADB.
Privacy:
- No user account
- No advertising
- No analytics or telemetry
- No cloud service or remote backend
- No uploading of notifications, application lists, or device information
- Notification and device data is processed locally on your hardware
- AGI does not initiate connections to Internet servers
- The TCP interface accepts commands only from clients that connect to your device over the local network
- Responses and notification traffic remain between devices on your own network
Compatibility:
- Android 5.0 or newer (API 21+)
- Target SDK: Android 15 (API 35)
- Supported ABIs: ARM64-v8a, ARMv7, x86, and x86_64
Version: 1.0 (build 3)
Last modified: July 12, 2026
The launcher that your $10,000 8K OLED television deserves.
