Many users do not use the official applications of their favorite web services. For example Facebook. It uses some heavy background processes to make the app fully functional. This effect drains the phone’s battery, which is the biggest reason why some low-end phone users don’t use it. They switch to minified apps or browse the service using a web browser.
This guide is specifically for users who tend to use their favorite web services using a web browser. Here, I will show you how you can easily create a stripped down version of your favorite web service app on your Android phone.
We will create a stripped down app using an app called Hermit. Technically, this is a web browser with full freedom of customization. It allows you to customize a web service to create an application of your own. Hermit creates a shortcut with the web service’s icon on the launcher’s home screen. You can use this shortcut as a standalone application that can be customized to the fullest extent. And best of all, it’s lightweight. It uses the service’s URL to browse the content. It’s basically a web browser that can be fully customized to create your own standalone minified version of a web service.
Wait a minute: You must be thinking that many web browsers, including Chrome, allow users to create a shortcut of a specific URL on the home screen of the launcher. So why use this? Well, as mentioned above, it’s all about customization. No browser allows you to customize keyboard shortcuts the way you want. And, the most desirable is the kind of independent application feeling. You can only achieve that using Hermit.
Now, let’s see how you can create and customize a stripped down version of your favorite web service.
How to create a Lite version of a web service app on Android
Step 1: Download and install Hermit on your Android phone. You will need Android 4.4 or later. However, it can be best experienced on devices running Android Lollipop and above.
Step 2: Now, after opening the app, you can go through all the features. We’ll start by creating Reddit’s first Lite version app. You can only create 2 apps in the free version. You will need to pay Premium to get access to unlimited apps. Now open the sidebar and press Create.
Looking for some cool lite apps for Reddit? Here are some that use less memory and storage space.
Step 3: You will get a list of apps that Hermit has supported. You can even add a custom URL if the service is not on the list. Most of the popular services have been listed. Tap the service and the link will open.
Step 4: Change the name of the lite app and press CREATE on the pop-up dialog.
Step 5: The lite app will appear on the main screen of the launcher. Tap the icon and now we’ll customize it.
Step 6: Tap setting icon in the upper right corner and from the sidebar press Custom.
You also have other options like Block ads and remove the frame from the top. I recommend you choose frameless. That should give the overall app-like feel with just the status bar at the top.
Step 7: Here you can choose how the lite app will work. You can turn off tracking and even enable data saving mode. All of these options are available for all small applications. Now we will change the subject. You can change status bar color and frame color. Also, you have the option to change the icon from the app. However, you can also change that with the launcher.
Step 8: We will now integrate notifications with the lite app using the service’s Notifications RSS feed. Most services provide RSS feeds for specific announcements on their websites. Get the feed link and paste it here.
You can check the feed before saving. However, the feed links for Reddit are not working for me. Facebook and Instagram feed links work perfectly. There is also a search URL field to enable search using the lite app.
User Experience and Performance
Since it is actually a web browser in which you will use the service’s mobile site, the user experience may not be good. However, customizations can make you feel like you’re using an actual app. In terms of performance, it’s completely lightweight. It only takes up about 10MB of RAM and 3.45MB of internal storage with 2 apps onboard.
Hermit is the perfect solution for mobile website users. If you are a casual user of a service, then Hermit might be the best alternative to browsing that service. Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
Also Read: 3 Small Android Apps to Monitor Internet Speed and Data Usage
Categories: How to
Source: thpttranhungdao.edu.vn/en/
