In all the major ROM's for the Nexus, nearly all use ADW Launcher. And for the life of me, I cant understand why. Personally I find it slow, ugly and messy although I can understand why some would prefer it to the the stock one. However, why not just let the users download their preferred launcher from the market? Why does everyone feel the need to include that crap in their ROM?
Im not trying to start a flame war, Im just curious whether there is something Im missing here. Personally, I find myself sticking to Modaco's ROM and using Launcher Pro.
I remember the stock launcher being fairly buggy itself, and it was kind of lame not being able to switch out the Phone/Browser buttons. In my experience LauncherPro has been the fastest launcher out there, but I can't pull myself away from ADW's home screen swipe gestures.
P.S. - I understand not wanting to start a flame war, but you sure did write your post as if you were leaning that way.
isolated_epidemic said:
..P.S. - I understand not wanting to start a flame war, but you sure did write your post as if you were leaning that way.
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Agree!
..cause if you want, it´s no prob to exchange it to stock...
I am just frustrated as I feel I cant get a "clean" ROM with everything I want without having ADW infused into it all. Maybe its just my mild OCD tendencies, but even after installing Launcher Pro, I just know that ADW is there as well, and on Cyanogen it even has its own section in the system settings.. gah!
Well firstly, ADW is free. So it's no problem including it in Roms that are also mostly free.
Launcherpro has a link to a Plus version that is not free, so it's not a good idea to include that since there will be people complaining about trial versions etc.
The stock launcher is still stock, custom roms try to be as non-stock as possible, so it's a good idea to replace it with something like ADW, especially when it's so much better than stock.
If you must know, I only use Launcherpro.
musashiken said:
Well firstly, ADW is free. So it's no problem including it in Roms that are also mostly free.
Launcherpro has a link to a Plus version that is not free, so it's not a good idea to include that since there will be people complaining about trial versions etc.
The stock launcher is still stock, custom roms try to be as non-stock as possible, so it's a good idea to replace it with something like ADW, especially when it's so much better than stock.
If you must know, I only use Launcherpro.
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Good answer! May as I ask what ROM you're using?
Untouchab1e said:
I am just frustrated as I feel I cant get a "clean" ROM...
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Do you consider CM as a clean ROM ?
In my opinion:
Stock launcher is not buggy, it just less functionality & customization.
ADW.Launcher is nice with functionality and free, but recently it has less updates at the moment. It didn't look messy for me.
LauncherPro - due to it plus edition and source close, they is not possiblity added in any rom. At the moment I find it pretty cool, current use launcher and the launcher that make me leaving ADW.Launcher at the moment. I more prefer simplicity on theming, ADW just too complexity to build your own theme even just a small changes on dockbar. For friendly wise, definately LauncherPro. The only draw back I found about LauncherPro is not support semi-transparent status notification bar and no Samsung Galaxy S like apps drawer + off course semi-transparent on it.
Zeam - a new launcher (maybe not so new) I just notice recently, smooth and looks pro as well but less function compare with above 2 at the moment, it looks having a great opportunity in future.
** I also prefer developer keep the original stock one as all third party launcher all can download via Market. I also suggest that developer better don't integrate any third party launcher setting in their custom ROM as if user not using it, it looks weird.
Andrewtst said:
In my opinion:
** I also prefer developer keep the original stock one as all third party launcher all can download via Market. I also suggest that developer better don't integrate any third party launcher setting in their custom ROM as if user not using it, it looks weird.
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Exactly... I just dont see the need to include any non-stock launcher in the ROM to begin with when there are so many out there to choose from.
If you find adw slow and buggy it is user error, adw can be told how fast it needs to be in settings, if your still lagging you probably use a **** ton of useless widgets, in that case change the vm heap size and keep launcher in memory, that should do the trick
CyanogenMod is a collaborative open-source effort to improve Android and provide functionality not available out-of-box. And quite frankly, ADW.Launcher does add a hell of a lot of functionality as compared to the stock launcher (kinda like Eliot's Music Mod which add functionality to the stock Music app which is also included in CM).
Tweak your ADW.Launcher setting to improve it's performance.
If you want the stock Launcher, it's really quite simple to switch to it...
Code:
adb remount
adb push StockLauncher.apk /system/app/Launcher2.apk
adb shell
> rm -f /system/app/ADWLauncher.apk
> pm uninstall com.android.launcher
> reboot
musashiken said:
Well firstly, ADW is free. So it's no problem including it in Roms that are also mostly free.
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Well, community mods like CM use ADW, not because it's free, but because it's open-source.
After all the ROMs i've tried, i still prefer LauncherPro + MCR combo. Even though it doesn't have 720p recording, it's rock stable.
I agree with th OP. If you can get it from the market for free, then why cook it into the rom? Some of us are actually happy with the look and performance of the stock launcher. I do see the attraction to all of the customization of the third party launchers, but I personally don't need it.
I posted the flashable zip below in another thread somewhere on XDA earlier since I agree with the OP.
replace-launcher-hdpi-signed
Just flash it over a 2.2 rom that uses ADW instead of CM. It simply removes ADW and adds stock Launcher2 from AOSP. Works fine on CM6 at least. I used to use this one before but I have since added several more tweaks to make it the way I like it.
Just add it yourself. There are system apps I don't like, that developers add to their roms, but I remove them myself via adb. By ranting you are being less productive than rather learning how to use adb. Google it, it's what I did and it solves all of your problems.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
one thing i hate about the stock launcher is its not as smooth as launcher pro. you can see the frame rate chop when swiping screens. launcher pro is so smooth you cant even see that, unless you use live wallpaper, that makes it a little choppy.
Hmmm....so THAT's my problem...I always wondered why the drawer was so choppy. Well thank ya very kindly!
I'm an iPhone convert, so ADW is one of my favorite launchers for the fact I can put anything into the dock that I want, and make it look pretty at the same time. That's my favorite part about android, all the customization possibilities! Oh, and Flash Player
"All" the roms aren't using adw.
All the roms as just tweaked copies of CM6.
I can understand the OP's frustration. My least favorite part, and possibly only complaint, of CM6 is the replacement of the stock launcher with ADW. I find the feature creep and lack of UI refinement of ADW bothersome. It's not new user friendly, and even I was tripped up the first time I inadvertently swiped up on the screen and lost the status bar. Additionally the stock launcher is not available in the Market like AWD is making it difficult to track down and install manually and when the market version gets is updated, anyone that wants to run the newest version ends up with two copies installed and it's not obvious which is the newest when it comes time to pick the default home app.
Bad decision in my opinion, but the people putting CM together put in a lot of hard work and ask for almost nothing in return so I'm willing to accept it.
I like to change, now and then, the ROM that my 2X is running on.
I back-up my data, my apps (with buck-up and restore) and anything else than I can thing of.
What I cant back-up is the layout of the home screens, including widgets, shortcuts etc.
Is there an easy way, possible an app, that can to this?
I Understand that some Launchers can do this internaly, but what about stock LG launcher?
Mybackup Pro can backup the homescreen buttons and maps
send from my Dropad A8 Evolution 3.0
I have Titanium back-up (bought Pro version). I am backing up all apps and data and will change the rom.
I hope all things to work out!
It will, Titanium Backup is a great tool.
I hate Blur, like im sure a lot of people do, is it possible to get the stock AOSP apks to work as default?
It's possible.
How I would do it, rather than freezing or removing the standard text & messaging applications, is also install a launcher, something like ADW launcher.
Then you can remove all links to the standard services and put shortcuts in the places for the standard apk's.
You 'shouldn't' damage your system by installing the standard APK's, but I would do a back up of your system first, by installing safestrap.
Hello,
I've got a Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini (GT-i8190). I love that phone's size, the 4" screen and the cpu&ram&storage spaces are enough for me.
But (!)
I hate touchwiz. It's lagging, it's have some ugly icons, functions, and GUI elements. I love the HTC's Sense gui, and the android 4.2's stock gui is clean, logical, and pretty too. I tried to use some of launchers but using a launcher is not a solution, because these launchers uses more of RAM (and the Samsung apps are running in the background). I'd like to use a SGS3 Mini with original android OS without any idiot samsung apps.
Is there a solution for that? What about CyanogenMod? I know they have an alpha5 version, but if I install that rom, I won't be able to use my phone as a phone...
Thanks,
Richard
If you are rooted, you can remove Samsung Apps with Titanium Backup or some other app altogether with Touch Wiz launcher and install whatever launcher (Holo, Go, etc) you like.
Today the first usable version of CyanogenMod was released by macław at www.maclaw.pl, give it a try if bugs don't scare you.
Aside TB and freezing bloatware as already suggested, Root is a must, then do some read and eventually deodex and install enox theme, install Nova prime or any other good launcher and choose icon theme of your choice. No memory hogging etc and all the same you can have great looking and performing interface...
I haven't been around in a while... I recently just rooted on A11 and was wondering how I could make a backup without TWRP?
xLoveHateLegend said:
I haven't been around in a while... I recently just rooted on A11 and was wondering how I could make a backup without TWRP?
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Welcome back stranger. I enable all Google's backup capability, use Titanium Backup and Nova Launcher. I ONLY use TiBu for non-Play Store apps. It is configured to NOT back up any system apps nor ANY apps downloaded from the Store. I keep a zipfile of the TiBu folder offline on my PC about once a month, or just before wiping the phone. I use Nova Launcher's backup for home screen, widgets and shortcuts. From a wiped phone condition I allow Google backup to restore everything it can, and it works pretty damn well for me... but I don't use my phone for gaming. Secondly, I use TiBu to restore only "misssing" apps. Once all my apps are back on the phone, I use a Nova Launcher backup and everything is back the way I had it before. Is it as good or easy as a nandroid? No, but it's the best results I've found with the least amount of hassle. Best of luck!
v12xke said:
Welcome back stranger. I enable all Google's backup capability, use Titanium Backup and Nova Launcher. I ONLY use TiBu for non-Play Store apps. It is configured to NOT back up any system apps nor ANY apps downloaded from the Store. I keep a zipfile of the TiBu folder offline on my PC about once a month, or just before wiping the phone. I use Nova Launcher's backup for home screen, widgets and shortcuts. From a wiped phone condition I allow Google backup to restore everything it can, and it works pretty damn well for me... but I don't use my phone for gaming. Secondly, I use TiBu to restore only "misssing" apps. Once all my apps are back on the phone, I use a Nova Launcher backup and everything is back the way I had it before. Is it as good or easy as a nandroid? No, but it's the best results I've found with the least amount of hassle. Best of luck!
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Thanks for the detailed reply dude! Yeah, so google backup really does it's job well when it comes to that. The only discrepancy I've found is that going from stock to ROM it doesn't necessarily bring back the homescreen to what it was. But that brings me to my next point. I believe that's because of the launcher pixel dust uses. I haven't used nova launcher in YEARS. How is it? The backup feature sounds nice. Maybe I'll backup all my stuff and move over to A12 w/ nova launcher and custom kernel instead. But so far I am really liking the pixel dust ROM.
What are you running?
Running stock, Nova, EX kernel here. Nova Launcher's backup feature that includes home screen, all shortcuts, widgets, etc. is a HUGE time saver. Of course it backs up your own custom launcher settings too. It will back up to your cloud account easily in case you are wiping the phone. Just run it last after restoring all your Store apps and "non-market" apps. I run stock because there is nothing the other ROMs have that I need. The exception is legacy devices that are no longer supported. Good luck!