Orbit is the ‘iPhone Expose’ like concept that has been getting a lot of mileage on video demos this week – for fast switching between iPhone home screens. It’s from the creator of the Stacks jailbreak app, and it is has hit the Cydia store today.
I’m in full springboard experimentation mode this weekend, so I grabbed up Orbit a little earlier today and gave it a go. I honestly gave it only the briefest of looks though so far, as of course it does not work at all with PogoPlank, which I just started using yesterday as a revolutionary change to the normal springboard, and it has reduced me to just a single home screen.
I flipped PogoPlank off for a few minutes earlier – reverting back to my 11 home screens worth of apps – to give Orbit a quick look.
Orbit launches quickly and does just what it says on the box – shows you thumbnails of all your home screens and provides one tap access to all of them.
I’ll spend more time with it at some point, but for now I am finding the grouping of apps by folders and access to them that way (that PogoPlank offers), as opposed to a quick visual of all my home screens that orbit uses, is a more interesting way to operate for me.
You can grab Orbit in Cydia now, for $1.99. I’m not sure if there is possibly a trial available – I didn’t spot one.
Have any of you been giving Orbit a whirl yet? If so, let us know your thoughts on it.
*** This app was independently purchased by the post author in the Cydia App Store. For further information regarding our site’s review policies, please see the “About” page.
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Hey Patrick, did you see the coverflow concept that was on the web recently. That reminds me of mquickdo but a little more flashy. I'll try out orbit as well. How does pogoplank affect you battery life? performance? Any issues? Is it similar to Categories? Thanks for the great post.
Sure did. Looks quite interesting. As for the PogoPlank questions:
Not sure on battery life yet – seems like not much effect at all as just an initial feeling
Performance is the same, no noticeable change at all.
No issues apart from those I've mentioned in my main initial post about it.
I used Categories and never liked it much. IMO this is a much slicker, better approach.
I may just pick this one up as well and use them like Spaces.
I loved PogoPlank but I must say Orbit has already become my favorite. I have added categories in PogoPlank to a total of 9. I still had a hard time categorizing the apps….where do they belong? Now when I try to find a program….I have to check a few places before I find it. I know I'd eventually remember. Also it means or feels like more presses to get to what I need.
But with Orbit, since I already have idea where programs are on which page (habit) and the resolution is so good on the iphone, I can see the tiny icon and go right to the right page. It's great! It's quick. There is no delay at all! I really believe this is the way the launcher page should be!
I just bought Orbit – definitely a great little app. I think its going to replace mQuickDo for me and my needs. The first load up of apps takes only a second – from there its darned quick! Apple needs to buy the source code, and bind this to a home button double or triple click.
@ Dripps and Brandon – it's cool seeing how personal this stuff is. I find it easier to remember and get to stuff quickly – so far anyway – with PogoPlank. Orbit is obviously the better medium for you.
It's also just very nice to finally see something to help at all in these areas – thanks for nothing Apple.
I was thinking today about how it would be easier to categorize apps ….. why not create folders that represent letters of the alphabet …. something like A-C / D-G , etc. That way you'll be able to find the app by name. Just a thought.
I like that idea, too, although I think it'll only work if you're the type who knows exactly what's on his iPhone. For folks who've got app counts in the 100's it'll probably be a real sucker punch trying to remember what the heck that one app was called
I'm probably in the 50's, so the A-C… trick would work for me.
This is similar to the TapSB hack that was talked about early in the year. I hoped that would come true, but didn't. This is excellent. I tried Categories, then looked at Pogo Plank. Both well done and I really like the look of Pogo Plank, but they are both, IMHO, far to labor intensive. I have given up on themes with icons. Too much trouble.
This is simple, and requires no fussing! It has a place in my dock (need I say more). A couple suggestions:
Home button should dismiss back to where I was.
How about no icon and some kind of swipe to activate (ala SBSettings)
How about some zoom functionality where I could tap and hold to view a page then select or not.
Page titles?
Thanks for this wonderful utility.
I'm not currently using Orbit, but I like your two suggestions for it.
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