Cache Launcher
It feels like the launcher tab in the floating menu refreshes the installed apps every time that it is opened. Sometimes instantly, sometimes a second or so with the little spinner. Launcher is my preferred first tab as I run a variety of apps
Suggestion is to cache the applications, to display the list immediately, and either have a refresh button, and/or check install dates first, or seemlessly refresh icons in place rather than staying with a blank scroll area (such as showing list immediately and allowing use but having a spinner overlay to advise checking incase a violent refresh is required). It's not often that an app is installed, and the memory requirement might be similar to that of the desktop launcher or trivial enough