How to display balloon counter over application launcher icon on android

Question

I would like to make an icon counter for andoid just like the Email and the Samsung Apps applications i have seen such requests from other developers, but you all say it can't be done.

if so how come those 2 apps and other apps can do it?

do i have to make like more than one icon image and swap them or something?

is it really cant be done and why?

thanks.

Answer 1

you all say it can't be done.

That is because it cannot be done, except by the maker of the home screen, or via an app widget (instead of a launcher icon).

if so how come those 2 apps and other apps can do it?

Because Samsung wrote the home screen and can do what it wants with its home screen.

do i have to make like more than one icon image and swap them or something?

That will not work, as you cannot change the launcher icon at runtime.

is it really cant be done and why?

It really can be done by making an app widget, or by making your own home screen.