adding an icon to launcher without installing

Question

I have certain apps which i want to show on launcher . When i click on it it should say app not installed . Is that possible ? I checked AllAppsList.java of ICS . I think we need to provide ApplicationInfo object for that . Is there any alternate ?

Answer 1

Please correct me if I am wrong.

As far as I have understood it this is not possible unless you control the launcher itself. The launcher will add Apps that have the "android.intent.action.MAIN" and "android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" in their manifest to the App drawer.

If there was a good way to add shortcuts to the launchers app drawer I am pretty sure the Ad Networks would use that to inject Ads there.

I guess your most viable option is to create shortcuts on the homescreen.

If you manage to find a solution for it though it would be awesome.

Good luck!

Answer 2

It ISN'T possible. Unless I am misunderstanding the question. Perhaps make a seperate app altogether, with the same name and the same icon, but instead of any content in it, just link it to the market where the full app resides; Or something along those lines.