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Hi everyone, I've been playing with new Nexus S (my first android phone) for a few days now, and I can't decide on which homescreen launcher to use because each has features I like and lacks some that the others have. Maybe someone can find a remedy for me. I've made some notes about what I like or dislike about the following three launchers I've used.
ADWLauncher EX:
Separate catalogs on drawer
Lacks scrolling dock (hidden dock is less intuitive to me)
Best homescreen transitions
Go Launcher:
Gesture response for icons on dock
Tab to see running apps from app drawer that lets you kill or switch between tasks easily. However, the tab takes away space from the icons. Maybe there's another way to access something like this, a gesture for example? (image here)
Best edit function for screens: provides convenient way to move icons from one screen to another, lets reposition screens, delete
2 touch access to phone settings from menu button
Share access from menu button
Launcher Pro:
Missed calls/sms/email notification in the doc
I personally like Zeam..
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
The main reason I use LPP is because of he cal widget and being able to use custom dock images. Over ADW EX that is.
Launcher Pro Plus, by far.
http://www.appbrain.com/app/homesmack/com.teslacoilsw.homesmack
I like Zeam. Light and fast!
Actually I'll further confuse you.
32 Home Replacements Reviewed
http://hubpages.com/hub/Droid-Home-Replacement-App-Comparison
There's a way to get the "counts" in ADW with paid app "ADWNotifier".
kschang said:
Actually I'll further confuse you.
32 Home Replacements Reviewed
http://hubpages.com/hub/Droid-Home-Replacement-App-Comparison
There's a way to get the "counts" in ADW with paid app "ADWNotifier".
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You're terrible.
That review is crap.
That review is crap. Launcher pro hard to configure my assss.
kevin2516 said:
That review is crap. Launcher pro hard to configure my assss.
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I am guessing you mean LauncherPro? Compared to drag-and-drop of HelixLauncher dock config, LauncherPro dock IS hard to config.
Why is LauncherPro so popular here? I feel like its the most limited. No long-hold uninstall or edit from the homescreen like the others. I liked it the least out ADW, Go Launcher, and LauncherPro.
glasslung said:
Why is LauncherPro so popular here? I feel like its the most limited. No long-hold uninstall or edit from the homescreen like the others. I liked it the least out ADW, Go Launcher, and LauncherPro.
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Yes it is.
glasslung said:
Why is LauncherPro so popular here? I feel like its the most limited. No long-hold uninstall or edit from the homescreen like the others. I liked it the least out ADW, Go Launcher, and LauncherPro.
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I think LPP was the first Launcher to have a drop-to-uninstall function.
Zeam. Minimalistic, light, fast, awesome.
Sent from a piece of ginger bread
I have tried them all and I always end up back with LauncherPro plus.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk
So I have been looking for a launcher that I can have 4 dock icons, something similar to miui or the galaxy s. I have tried the adw miui hack and twlauncher port but both don't offer very much customization. And I don't think the adw miui hack has been updated for a while.
If any one can help me find something, it would be greatly appreciated.
Sent from my ThunderBolt using XDA Premium App
You can use ADW without the dock (choose the no dock/extend homescreen option) and photoshop on the dock/icons. Then use transparent icons with desktop visualizer or through normal adw shortcuts, just be sure to remove the text.
You can still use the hidden dock - just make a shortcut or swipe gesture to reveal it.
If you don't have Photoshop, you can always use GIMP. It's a free alternative with many similar tools and options.
I'm not really sure of another way. I know that this is possible with ADW EX, but I'm not sure if you can only use the hidden dock with the free version.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
plainjane said:
You can use ADW without the dock (choose the no dock/extend homescreen option) and photoshop on the dock/icons. Then use transparent icons with desktop visualizer or through normal adw shortcuts, just be sure to remove the text.
You can still use the hidden dock - just make a shortcut or swipe gesture to reveal it.
If you don't have Photoshop, you can always use GIMP. It's a free alternative with many similar tools and options.
I'm not really sure of another way. I know that this is possible with ADW EX, but I'm not sure if you can only use the hidden dock with the free version.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
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That's a good idea. It's a shame that Launcher Pro doesn't allow 4 icons like the OP (and i), would like. Maybe one day...
Hell I wish I knew how to make a launcher lol.
You can also try vLauncher. It works a lot like the MIUI launcher.
you can try this, it is a paid app but i've been using it and it works pretty good, just like adw with 4 dock icons
adw.miui.launcher
Have you tried zeam?
Sent from my Galaxy Tab 10.1 via Tapatalk
The only reason why I like GO launcher better is because of the Recent, and the built in easy to access task manager.
Why do you guys use the launcher you use?
What has the least amount of ram?
Customizability?
I use go launcher personally because i like the feel and look of go compared to adw
Sent from my VS910 4G using XDA
I really like Go but I won't use it anymore because it is way too bloated for me.
Try 360 launcher. It is translated in the android apps section. Not quite as much theme ability as Go but it is pretty smooth. I use adw because it averages 13 mb of ram usage and has a ton of customization.
I loved GO purely for the locker options. Young straight to sms was sweet. But damn was it hard on my battery. I haven't tried it on Broken Out yet though
Sent from my BROKEN OUT Revolution.
I used to use GO (for about 6 months), but it's all bloated with eye-candy now. I tried ADW briefly, but it didn't really impress me.
I bought the paid version of Launcher 2 (which is basically the full version of the stock LG Home launcher) a while ago and went back to using it. However, I still run GO Contacts Ex and GO SMS Pro (on Launcher 2).
The only thing I miss is the ability to group my apps. Launcher 2 only sorts them alphabetically.
I have tried ADW, launcher pro, and shell 3D, but always find myself going back to GO launcher. I really enjoy the scrolling folder widgets you can use with folder organizer and the "eye candy" transitions are tbe best. Now that I'm on Broken Out 1.1 battery hasn't been an issue.
Sent from my GalaxyTask GT-P7510 using xda premium
I am an admitted Go Launcher EX fanboy. all other launchers are just missing one thing or another. These Go guys are voracious updaters. Some call feature rich software bloated but I can't think of anything in Go Launcher that cant be turned off.
You can rest assured if you leave me alone with your device for more than 10 minutes, when you get it back it will have go Launcher EX on it.
ADW EX
For my phone, I use ADW EX. I used to be a big fan of Go Launcher EX about a year ago, but I received a widget from them that absolutely raped my battery life. Ever since then I switched to ADW EX.
For one, I think I prefer the method of putting icons on the screen on ADW EX. The dragging to a screen from a multi-screen view is a little jarring. I used to favor GO simply for the multiple app bars, but now ADW has this as well.
I guess I switched to ADW EX when I started using a modified version of ADW (VTL) on my Nook Color for its best landscape layout.
Overall, most launchers are basically the same (in portrait mode), and the ones that deviate from the basic formula (e.g. Shell 3d) end up being resource pigs with wonky functionality.
Would like to try Go Launcher. Currently running ADW on Broken Out rom. Do I have to uninstall ADW for Go to work? Or can I just install over ADW?
EDIT: Not compatible with my device? VS910 zv8
n00bzilla said:
Would like to try Go Launcher. Currently running ADW on Broken Out rom. Do I have to uninstall ADW for Go to work? Or can I just install over ADW?
EDIT: Not compatible with my device? VS910 zv8
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It is absolutely compatible. You also do not have to uninstall ADW. I was talking with GO's dev and he promised me he is expanding the functionality of the dock bar to allow 4 or less icons (like home which is my preference) and to have the dock icons expand to fill the dock like adwex does. Once that feature is available I will switch.
This app is compatible with your Verizon LGE VS910 4G.
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Lets hear what launcher you are using, why you are using it, and any negatives that there might be about it . I'll start:
I'm currently using Aviate Launcher because of looks and simplicity. Icons are smaller and you can use Icon Packs to change the look of stock icons. It knows when I am home travelling, at work, shops and restaurants, and even morning and night time, and changes based on what apps are most relavent for those situations. It also will create "collections" of apps depending on what type of app it is. For example under my Entertainment category I have Netflix, YouTube, Flixter, HBO Go and The CW in the main view and I can expand the category to see even more apps such as IMDb and Eventbrite. These collections can be modified, added or removed. It also has all of my apps listed in alphabeticle order on the far right screen for apps that might not be in a specific category. I'll update this post with screenshots for those who are curious to the look of it.
Not sure why I couldn't edit my original post to add pics from the mobile app...
Sent from my XT1254 using XDA Free mobile app
I am using nova for it is the best battery friendly launcher out there. Not only that but also that the performance and speed is unbeatable than any other launcher. I currently am running it with mador icon pack with black wallpaper in order to save battery. I have tried tons of launchers out there in the play store and occasionally revert to aviate launcher too.
How I have my phone set up with nova launcher
Xperia 206b
Best app drawer sorting & more.
A minor bug where upon uninstalling an app from this drawer the launcher crashes, but rare. Not lollipop ready. No longer supported.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x/themes-apps/best-launcher-xperia-206b-workatound-fix-t2704222
Now I am using action launcher 3 plus and is very good closest to nova too in simplicity and battery friendly
Nova is pretty clean
Sent from my XT1254
ccheww said:
Nova is pretty clean
Sent from my XT1254
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Where did you get those widgets with the temperature and what not
CchewW's Nova Home
wadamean said:
Where did you get those widgets with the temperature and what not
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Icon Pack: Moonshine
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nexbit.icons.moonshine&hl=en
Clock Widget: Digital Clock Xperia
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sonyericsson.digitalclockwidget2&hl=en
3 Battery Gauges: Battery Widget Reborn (I added 3 widgets and placed them next to each-other)
$2.49 - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.hubalek.android.apps.reborn.pro&hl=en
Free - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.hubalek.android.reborn.beta&hl=en
P.S. Notice the Hours Gauge - this displays hours left on charge (which is clearly incorrect in my screen shot) - it will take a few charge cycles for the App to calibrate this number.
Nova launcher. It has never ever given me a problem and it has a ton of features. Sometimes I even forget that I'm not on stock launcher, lol.
Sent from my Droid Turbo using XDA
Apex launcher, "smoke & glass" icon pack.
I use Nova. I like having a clean setup and Nova allows me to customize pretty much every aspect of the launcher. I even have Lollipop animations and folder colors now In order: Homescreen #1, Homescreen w/ folder open, App Drawer.
I've been using Apex (free) on my previous Galaxy S3. I went to try Nova on this new phone, but noticed you can't disable the widgets from the app drawer... Apex does this on the free version. So, I'm sticking with Apex on the new phone too... it does everything I need it to, is very customizable (even on the free version), and it's fast too.
schwinn8 said:
I've been using Apex (free) on my previous Galaxy S3. I went to try Nova on this new phone, but noticed you can't disable the widgets from the app drawer... Apex does this on the free version. So, I'm sticking with Apex on the new phone too... it does everything I need it to, is very customizable (even on the free version), and it's fast too.
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You cant disable from the app drawer But u can do one better
and remove it from showing in the app drawer
Action Launcher 2 cause it just works
Nova prime. Gestures alone is win. Don't need to go all the way to top for notifications. Been using it for years.
I use Themer. Can't beat it. With this and Color Status Bar, I have a custom and easily swappable setup that helps me recover from my crack flashing addiction.
Hmmm... I have the pay version of nova, holo, and action. I tend to use action 2 most, the setup for folders and blinds exists nowhere else and is exceptionally useful. I switch to holo otherwise for change of pace, its the same as nova, apex, etc but lighter and smoother. The launchers that try and give you a changing setup depending on time and/or place totally don't work for me.
Lol, I just use stock google now launcher. ?
I used Aviate for a day or 2 and noticed horrible battery life. I'm talking like 12 hours and battery is down to 25%. Switched to Goggle now launcher and have much better battery life, so I'm sticking with that for the moment. I'll bounce between this, themer or Buzz launcher.
I am getting this phone soon and can not wait. BUT, I really do not like the look of MUI. I'm not interested in having some kind of IOS look-a-like with no apps tray. Has anyone else been using Google Now, or any other launcher, for a while? Could someone who knows about these things explain the pros and cons of just using a different Launcher over MUI rather than flashing a new CM based ROM? Do the changes made by MUI interfere with a more traditional Android launcher?
Used miui7 on my my oneplus one for a good while. No trouble at all to just change the launcher. Was one of the first things I did the second time I used it. Mainly because I needed a launcher that would rotate 180°. Miui doesn't do that for the launcher.
But if all you want is an app drawer, you can easily simulate one with miui launcher. Just create a folder, drop every single app in there and place it in the dock area, where a drawer would be. That's all an app drawer is after all.
The only problem is sorting the apps inside the folder since on miui 7 I never found a way of sorting apps inside a folder alphabetically. I just worked around this by swiping up from the home screen and typing in the first letters of whatever app I was searching for.
BTW you're not losing anything by replacing the miui launcher, the miui experience isn't the launcher alone, it's way more than that. If anything, you're gaining extra functionality but just using nova or alike. Can't say about miui8, never used it.
One of the first things I did when I got the Mi5 a couple of days back was to install Nova Launcher for the same reason. The other thing was to swap the hardware buttons around.
It works just as you'd expect - getting an App drawer and the ability to have a centred home screen.
One of the issues with the MIUI base is that you can't change the Lockscreen wallpaper when your active launcher isn't the MIUI launcher. This is easily fixed by switching to the MIUI launcher, changing the lock screen wallpaper from the settings menus, then switching back to your launcher of choice.
I use buzz launcher and think it's great
Change the launcher. Miui is great otherwise!
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