The phrase describes applications designed to replace a device’s default home screen with a simplified, streamlined interface. These applications prioritize functionality and efficiency by reducing visual clutter and minimizing the number of features presented to the user. As an example, such an application may feature a single home screen with a simple text-based app list rather than multiple pages filled with widgets and icon grids.
The importance of such applications lies in their ability to enhance user experience, especially for individuals who prefer a distraction-free environment or those seeking to improve device performance on older hardware. Historically, these applications emerged as a response to the increasing complexity and resource intensity of default home screen environments offered by device manufacturers. Their benefits include reduced cognitive load, improved battery life, and faster app launching times.
