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I am thinking about doing some theming with my Thunderbolt. In the past I have stuck with basic tweaks but now I would like to do some more in-depth theming.
I do not plan to manually modify files. Instead, I plan to theme the overall UI by using widgets, lock-screen replacements, and launcher settings.
For example, I would like to customize the look and feel of my device using some of the following tools:
Minimalist Text Widget
Simi Folders Widget
Beautiful Widgets
Desktop Visualizer
Widget Locker
etc
What is the best way to "theme" the device to have customizations such as lock screens and minimalist feel. I have begun using the above tools and can see the power behind them. In combo with launchers such as ADW or LauncherPro you can achieve the look and feel you desire.
I am unsure the best approach for lock screens and dock replacements.
I am planning to research this more but was hoping some more experienced "themers" in the community could chime in and share the best approach!! I understand that there is a lot of tweaking involved in this process.
Please provide your suggestions and advice. Maybe share what widgets you use and other things I may be missing (font packs, backgrounds, launcher docks, widgets, lock screens, etc.)
Thank You!
Most people use widget locker for the lockscreen...
I suggest , (personal taste) ADW Ex for a custom launcher replacement...
Thanks for starting off the suggestions! I plan to use WidgetLocker and ADW Launcher EX.
I need to look into more WidgetLocker themes to see what is possible!! The possibilities seem endless
I also need to find out how easy it is to replace icons/docks for ADW versus other available launchers!
JsinLegacy said:
Most people use widget locker for the lockscreen...
I suggest , (personal taste) ADW Ex for a custom launcher replacement...
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Click to collapse
meh widget locker is like having a 2nd launcher.
just theme the lockscreens!
nitsuj17 said:
meh widget locker is like having a 2nd launcher.
just theme the lockscreens!
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what are you doing trolling the thunderbolt forums lol
mob87 said:
what are you doing trolling the thunderbolt forums lol
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i enjoy trolling...usually its just the continuum or mesmerize...but still
nitsuj17 said:
meh widget locker is like having a 2nd launcher.
just theme the lockscreens!
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Click to collapse
How can I theme the lock screens? I am new to this, so any pointers would be helpful. I can dig deeper into the forums for that info as well.
I just figured using Widget Locker would allow for easy lock screen theming!
bmcclure937 said:
How can I theme the lock screens? I am new to this, so any pointers would be helpful. I can dig deeper into the forums for that info as well.
I just figured using Widget Locker would allow for easy lock screen theming!
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Click to collapse
the lockscreens for htc are different than what im used to for aosp/touchwiz but the images are prolly in framework-res.apk, and htcresources.apk in system/framework and htclocksreen.apk in system/app
the aosp lockscreen would be framework-res.apk...sense slider in the other 2
Ahhh. Okay. So I would need to manually replace the images... makes sense.
One reason I am attracted to Widget Locker is the easy theming and ability to include information on the lock screen. For example, I could use Minimalist Text Widget to display battery level, time, etc.
I also plan to flash CM7 as soon as I feel it is ready (stable enough for regular function). No worries... I am definitely not sticking with Sense!
bmcclure937 said:
Ahhh. Okay. So I would need to manually replace the images... makes sense.
One reason I am attracted to Widget Locker is the easy theming and ability to include information on the lock screen. For example, I could use Minimalist Text Widget to display battery level, time, etc.
I also plan to flash CM7 as soon as I feel it is ready (stable enough for regular function). No worries... I am definitely not sticking with Sense!
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Click to collapse
sense is kinda cool for the rosie mods and lockscreen mods you can do....and honestly i love the theme (i made the sense theme for the fascinate)....but aosp is certainly preferable for many things
Okay. What is the best way to change fonts?!
Also, which launcher do most people prefer for theming. The most popular seem to be ADW Launcher EX, Launcher Pro Plus, and Go Launcher EX.
I used ADW Launcher extensively with CM ROMs. I have not used the EX version but know it unlocks additional features (such as transition animations and the ability to swap dock/icon images).
I recently started using Launcher Pro Plus and am enjoying it very much! I do not know if ADW or Go Launcher has any additional functionality that would make it "better".
Finally, I have no experience with Go Launcher but have heard good things about it...
bmcclure937 said:
Okay. What is the best way to change fonts?!
Also, which launcher do most people prefer for theming. The most popular seem to be ADW Launcher EX, Launcher Pro Plus, and Go Launcher EX.
I used ADW Launcher extensively with CM ROMs. I have not used the EX version but know it unlocks additional features (such as transition animations and the ability to swap dock/icon images).
I recently started using Launcher Pro Plus and am enjoying it very much! I do not know if ADW or Go Launcher has any additional functionality that would make it "better".
Finally, I have no experience with Go Launcher but have heard good things about it...
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search xda for flashable font packs...some subforums have several hundred grouped together
Can anyone who has been using Widget Locker post some of their creative locksceen pics?
I can try to remember this evening after work.
Is anyone working on or have a themed TouchWiz Launcher? I like the TW launcher because it is lightweight and doesn't take up a lot of memory (even with the friends widget active). But it is not very customizable.
The only modified one I have seen is the Crush TW launcher which has a 5 icon dockbar, and I like it but it doesn't allow me to add the friends widget or set custom pictures for icons.
Can the normal TW launchers framework me modified through Ninja Morph, etc?
What are you looking for?
Just a Tw launcher with a 4 icon customizable dock that maybe allows folders and custom shortcuts. Maybe with dark themed touchwiz widgets. I thought something was out there...but am having trouble finding anything.
Sent from my fascinate
stelv said:
Is anyone working on or have a themed TouchWiz Launcher? I like the TW launcher because it is lightweight and doesn't take up a lot of memory (even with the friends widget active). But it is not very customizable.
The only modified one I have seen is the Crush TW launcher which has a 5 icon dockbar, and I like it but it doesn't allow me to add the friends widget or set custom pictures for icons.
Can the normal TW launchers framework me modified through Ninja Morph, etc?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The TeamCarbon Steel Blue theme has a blue themed touch wiz launcher that has a customizable dockbar. (I also use BetterCut to create my own customer app icons.)
ED01 CommROM ~1.3 TeamCarbon/BigLoofs_STEEL BLUE V1.75
stelv said:
Just a Tw launcher with a 4 icon customizable dock that maybe allows folders and custom shortcuts. Maybe with dark themed touchwiz widgets. I thought something was out there...but am having trouble finding anything.
Sent from my fascinate
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good day, find it a tad odd that you're having trouble getting the friends widget to work with my launcher, BuddiesNow should work, and nobody has reported any problems so far. If you're looking for dark themed touchwiz widgets, then it's not the launcher that's responsible for that, but the widgets themselves. I'd suggest the Vibrant's TW widgets, they're the darkest themed out of all of em, I have a modded Vibrant BuddiesNow in my thread. And as mentioned above, BetterCut can be used to edit some images, though from the TouchWizLauncher itself, only folders, the App Drawer icon, Google Search widget I think, and I guess the page dots are what can be changed.
CrushD said:
Good day, find it a tad odd that you're having trouble getting the friends widget to work with my launcher, BuddiesNow should work, and nobody has reported any problems so far. If you're looking for dark themed touchwiz widgets, then it's not the launcher that's responsible for that, but the widgets themselves. I'd suggest the Vibrant's TW widgets, they're the darkest themed out of all of em, I have a modded Vibrant BuddiesNow in my thread. And as mentioned above, BetterCut can be used to edit some images, though from the TouchWizLauncher itself, only folders, the App Drawer icon, Google Search widget I think, and I guess the page dots are what can be changed.
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Click to collapse
Thank you for the advice and your work. I finally did get the TW widgets to work with your launcher. I had to push them into system/apps with root explorer before I pushed your launcher. Its all good now. I have been pushing items with root explorer because amend zips will not work with my edify CWR.
I am currently running the Miuiwiz Rom now, but I am going to use your launcher when I go back to Com Rom or EF. Thanks for the response.
Hi,
is it possible to get the Honeycomb-Style (Theme, Icons) without root?
Or is it neccessary to root the phone and use CM?
EDIT:
I found the "Go Launcher EX" with "Honeycomb" but I don't like the other features like switching the homescreens.
Try honeybread for the cm7 theme chooser:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=943423
Ah okay.
So rooting my Nexus S is necessary.
There is also a honeycomb theme for launcher pro plus (don't need root for that)
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.CLeAndroid.LauncherProHoneyCombTheme
Icons:
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.aac.lpphcicons&feature=search_result
lambda89 said:
Hi,
is it possible to get the Honeycomb-Style (Theme, Icons) without root?
Or is it neccessary to root the phone and use CM?
EDIT:
I found the "Go Launcher EX" with "Honeycomb" but I don't like the other features like switching the homescreens.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To change the status bar, etc. you need root, you can either use a .zip and flash the theme, or use a ROM which supports the themechooser. This isn't required though as you can create your own theme easily via UOT Kitchen.
My suggestion is:
1. Root your phone.
2. Install either Oxygen or CM7, both includes the themechooser.
3. Download and apply Honeybread HDPI Theme.
4. Enjoy.
This way you won't have to mess with the kitchen or anything, and you'll have the Honeycomb style you're after.
Hope it helps
Thanks for the fast replies!
I think I will root my phone today
Great.
It works.
Thanks!
EDIT:
And this works, too.
Epic
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=982286
There's a small problem now.
I tried to install a clock/date widget but if I open the drawer on homescreen there is no widget to choose?
lambda89 said:
There's a small problem now.
I tried to install a clock/date widget but if I open the drawer on homescreen there is no widget to choose?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure what you are asking... you hold down on the home screen and select to choose a widget.
Well, that's the usual way to place a widget.
But my installed widgets aren't listed. There are always only the standard ones.
lambda89 said:
Well, that's the usual way to place a widget.
But my installed widgets aren't listed. There are always only the standard ones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What launcher are you using?
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA App
The standard one.
I didn't change anything.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA Premium App
guys check out the honeycomb launcher! and ripple lockscreen for a real honeycomb experience! still in beta but if they work on it enough it will be awesome.
Hello there,
what is the best launcher for the nook?
I see that Go Launcher is installed automatically with touchnooter, why that one and not another one?
What do you use, why and how did you configured it?
I'm afraid of all the flashes that i saw on some youtube videos...
I like adw launcher since it lets me set a "white" background for my minimalist black adw icon pack.
You can also change the dockbar background to a pure black by installing the honeycomb theme for adw and selecting.that theme from the adw themes in ADWSettings.
Sent from my NookColor using xda premium
Could you please give us your icon pack? Is it possible in ADW Launcher to set to black the text under the icons (in the app drawer)?
With ADW Launcher you mean the free one or the EX version?
I used to use ADW Launcher for its layout and the "Colors" wallpaper from the Market to add a white background. But recently my new favorite is Relaunch. It's a launcher+file browser made specifically for the nook. It doesn't do widgets, but it has a lot of other features I find useful, such as battery display, wireless toggle, task killer, search, recent files, etc. I'm not a fan of the nook Library (vs. my old Sony reader), so I decided to organize my books in folders with Calibre and use Relaunch both to start apps and open books.
seems like relaunch is great, i should consider that instead of standard launchers
Kralik said:
I used to use ADW Launcher for its layout and the "Colors" wallpaper from the Market to add a white background. But recently my new favorite is Relaunch. It's a launcher+file browser made specifically for the nook. It doesn't do widgets, but it has a lot of other features I find useful, such as battery display, wireless toggle, task killer, search, recent files, etc. I'm not a fan of the nook Library (vs. my old Sony reader), so I decided to organize my books in folders with Calibre and use Relaunch both to start apps and open books.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you mind posting a link to it? I did a quick search and couldn't find it.
I can't post links yet (I'm a noob -- I hate myself! ), but you can search Google for "Relaunch nook" and follow the link from the nookDevs result.
One handy thing it can do that I haven't seen any other launcher do is map itself to the nook's "Home" button on the Quicknav. Handy for 1.1.0 since NookTouchTools isn't working yet.
Thanks, from what I've played around with so far, this is my favorite launcher yet.
Here is the link
but i don't like the ui
for now i still waiting XorZone's create the NookTouch launcher
so i keep using the go launcher and create my own theme
widget: minimalist text
Relaunch's UI is rather spartan, yes. I think it's an either love-it-or-hate-it sort of program.
chriscsh said:
...
widget: minimalist text
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From the market it seems that it needs Android 2.2 or better, did you have any trouble using it on Nook's 2.1?
met67 said:
From the market it seems that it needs Android 2.2 or better, did you have any trouble using it on Nook's 2.1?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cause the new version only work on the 2.2+
and i still have the old version
chriscsh said:
cause the new version only work on the 2.2+
and i still have the old version
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any hint on how to find a 2.1 compatible version?
I found a nice one! ADW Launcher (yes, we know) but... add on the Minimalist Black theme from the Market. Black apps and labels on white. This is perfect for the nook screen and with some settings tweaking, you can make all apps fit in one screen. If you want, download "Colors" to use a pure white background for the desktop.
I also found that File Expert is a decent file manager and its default theme is white. The fonts are a little washed out, though, so I tweaked them a bit and it's a nice black-on-white. Most other file managers I've found use annoying graphical backgrounds.
Just did that yesterday installing also a copy of minimalistic text 2.6.2 that I had on a eclair defy, it suits eink perfectly.
Kralik said:
I found a nice one! ADW Launcher (yes, we know) but... add on the Minimalist Black theme from the Market. Black apps and labels on white. This is perfect for the nook screen and with some settings tweaking, you can make all apps fit in one screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hehe, I was wondering when that combo would show up again.
I was advertising for it back when I first got my NST but nobody seemed to care.
Tho I no longer use it, imho it's the best launcher setup for the NST available atm
Btw, you forgot to mention the great icon pack that comes with it!
chriscsh said:
Here is the link
but i don't like the ui
for now i still waiting XorZone's create the NookTouch launcher
so i keep using the go launcher and create my own theme
widget: minimalist text
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where did you find those icons? Would you share your theme?
met67 said:
Where did you find those icons? Would you share your theme?
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Click to collapse
i create that GO Laucher theme for nook touch
attached the file for someone who have interest on this
ENJOY!
chriscsh said:
i create that GO Laucher theme for nook touch
attached the file for someone who have interest on this
ENJOY!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stupid question: How do you apply this theme? (I have installed the go launcher, first the first time...)
THANKS!
case-sensitive said:
Stupid question: How do you apply this theme? (I have installed the go launcher, first the first time...)
THANKS!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
install the apk,
at home screen press menu button, you can see the "Theme" button at the bottom,
then choose the "nook" theme and apply
how do i use the easily available icon packs? i have found a number of icon packs, but dont know how to use them! i would like to change my homescreen AND app drawer icons, can i do that without rooting? is it possible without using any launcher?
i am currently using Go Launcher, can i change the theme icons? This icon pack is for Go Launcher as well. And this one is zip folder pack, how do i use this for my apps?
or do i need to install any other launcher?
please tell me in detail here or link me to a beginner's guide, im reallyy noob at this, and NO i wont be rooting my phone for this.
thanks
ayaznoor said:
how do i use the easily available icon packs? i have found a number of icon packs, but dont know how to use them! i would like to change my homescreen AND app drawer icons, can i do that without rooting? is it possible without using any launcher?
i am currently using Go Launcher, can i change the theme icons? This icon pack is for Go Launcher as well. And this one is zip folder pack, how do i use this for my apps?
or do i need to install any other launcher?
please tell me in detail here or link me to a beginner's guide, im reallyy noob at this, and NO i wont be rooting my phone for this.
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To use icon packs which are in apk format, you have install them like any other app and then use any custom launcher like Go/Apex/Nova to apply them via their theme chooser.
To apply icons which you get in a zip, you'll have to use desktop visualizer.
I made a video on how to apply icon packs.
I have a few icon themes of my own. Check play store link and the last line in my signature.
Well, you can use Go Launcher to change app icons, it also supports icons which is included in themes you use. you can have multiple themes installed in your phone and use those themed icons simultaneously, just not in the app drawer since app drawer only allows 1 theme at a time, homescreen does not have this limitation though.
You can also use Custom Icons which you can customize depending on what kind of style you have in mind. You can use these icons to change your homescreen and dock icons. Do not fear, none of these requires anything like rooting(Though in time you will find yourself being curious about it and eventually rooting your phone, take note, it's not a bad thing! It actually is the best thing to do if want to unleash the inner Android of you device! :good.
You can PM me if you have further questions, I also use Go Launcher btw.