Database Develop

[Q] Which launcher?

Hey all you D3 users. Just wondering if you use a 3rd party launcher and if so, which one and why? Prior to getting the D3 I was using a D2 flashed with Squidly's ROM, which uses ADW. I liked ADW well enough, but I'd like to hear from you all about the launcher you chose and why. Any issues installing a new launcher to the D3? Please post your recommendations, reasons and tips! Thanks!

Hi there.
Personally I am sticking with ADW launcher, paid version. It's extremely fast, has a tons of themes, and highly customizable to my liking.
If you like ADW that came with the rom or as a separate download I would suggest the paid version since you get the most up to date code, bug fixes, and performance enhancements, not to mention so extras here and there.
Works great also on my Xoom
I did have OpenHome 6 and 5 for a while but those were unbearably slow on the D2, and then they got kicked out of the market for some reason.

I agree with jediman. I like ADW launcher a lot. Themes being a big part of it.
I also use it on my NookColor.

Cool, maybe I will try ADW on the D3. Did you guys have any issues installing ADW on the D3? Did you need root? Were you rooted anyway prior to the install?

If you're not into themes but want the most features for free, LauncherPro is the best.
For speed and minimal features, ZeamLauncher.
Customization/speed can swing from GoLauncher to ADW
pick your poison (I use LauncherPro)

Personally I love Launcher Pro. I use the paid version, mostly cause I resize a lot of widgets, not sure anymore if the free version will back up your launcher either now... it's been so long since i've used the normal version.
LP's really customization and easy to do so. But it's all really just a preference thing like bobberb said, pick your poison!

Thanks for the replies. I guess I'll just have to pick one and try it out! Will report back on the one I picked.

g3m1n1 said:
Thanks for the replies. I guess I'll just have to pick one and try it out! Will report back on the one I picked.
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I personally use GoLauncher along with the CyanogenMod theme. Looks sweet and simple, and I love the blue/green color tone. Super snappy and fast, very little widget/homescreen redraw, even after heavy app usage.
I used to love LauncherPro, but as of a few months ago it seems as though the Dev stopped updating and responding to complaints. It's a shame considering it was the best 3rd party launcher on the Market.
I used ADW for a while and it has a ton of customization. The only reason I didn't stick with it is because I hate the dock button setup.

SPB Shell 3D v1.2.2 now supports the D3
I have a Dx2
I dl'ed spb shell 3d v1.2.2. And w/ frozen mkt and airplane on did a diy trial.
Liked it so much I did the email buy off the dev.s webpage. Dx is supported while Dx2 is not(yet) so there is no mkt support. Mine is V122 bld 20139
link for dl, just freeze mkt and maybe put in AP mode
http://spb.com/android-software/shell/current-version

I'm on ADW EX, but I really want the launcher that comes with CM7 again.

Go Launcher. I have all the launchers. GO Launcher combines the best of ADW and LP.

Heelfan71 said:
Go Launcher. I have all the launchers. GO Launcher combines the best of ADW and LP.
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Agreed, and of all launchers, its stock setup is probably the best too.

Heelfan71 said:
Go Launcher. I have all the launchers. GO Launcher combines the best of ADW and LP.
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Cool, and GO Launcher is all good on the D3? No issues?

I've been using go launcher for around 3 weeks now along with go sms. Both come with major improvements over stock. I haven't used adw or lancher pro on the d3 yet but I have on my hd2 and I prefer go. I've had no issues thus far I highly recommend em. Waiting for cyanogen and all the other customs once we get access.
Sent from my DROID3 using XDA App

No issues that I have seen thus far. Although, with ADW I was occasionally getting the dock bar dissappearing and not being able to get it back until after a reboot. Probably just an issue with me though.

I'm a ADW Fan too.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/14612246/CAP201109062107.png

brandonmangan said:
I've been using go launcher for around 3 weeks now along with go sms. Both come with major improvements over stock. I haven't used adw or lancher pro on the d3 yet but I have on my hd2 and I prefer go. I've had no issues thus far I highly recommend em. Waiting for cyanogen and all the other customs once we get access.
Sent from my DROID3 using XDA App
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BRO, you need to change that sig!

bgdwiepp said:
No issues that I have seen thus far. Although, with ADW I was occasionally getting the dock bar dissappearing and not being able to get it back until after a reboot. Probably just an issue with me though.
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Click to collapse
Yeah i get that issue too..

I have become a big fan of GoLauncher. The developer is always updating it with more and more improvements about every couple of weeks. I have tried them all and alway go back to GoLauncher.
Sent from my Rooted Droid3 using XDA App

I have been using Launcher Pro for a long time now. Had it on my D1 too. I like being able to resize the widgets. I also like its built in widgets for Twitter and Facebook.

Stock launcher vs adw

Why did cm force adw on us? Its a memory hog that wastes battery compaired to stock.
Don't even get me started on launcher pro. That's even worse. And its only made by 1 man.
What do you use? R&d by Google or a 1 man progect?
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk

this one is pretty fast, I like it a lot:
Xperia Arc Launcher
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=978806&page=108
but you need to search withing the thread to find a right "version"

CyanogenMod is all about customization. ADW fits with what CM 7 is doing right now.
Personally, I use Launcher Pro+. Yeah, Fede needs to get back to work on it, but its customization is awesome.

they dont force you to use adw, i agree with you though i love the stock launcher for the nexus phones alot better than any custom launcher especially adw launcher, i think it is just a horrible creation that needs to be destroyed and completely re done its horrible. Launcher pro isnt bad i used it alot when i had my EVO with the plus version and all the widgets its pretty nice but yeah it does need an update but its alot cleaner than adw. Go launcher is another good one its pretty customizable plus i think its gpu powered like the stock gingerbread launcher.
This is the mod i use, it works on any custom aosp rom for the nexus s or nexus s 4g, it uses the stock gingerbread launcher for our phones, with some speed tweaks, you still get the 3d app drawer it has the messaging icon in place of where the browser icon would be on the dock bar. It installs easily through recovery and is fast as ****.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1004744
there are also these ...
100% stock nexus s gingerbread launcher or 100% flash-able through recovery...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=933517
or
UD Launcher
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1042096

I have used launcher pro, and adw and i found that GO launcher is best for me, since it offers high levels of customisation (down to the levels of changing backgrounds for the dock and animations) and it's relatively easy to operate.
It's not much of a memory hog too, which is great too

ebhsimon said:
I have used launcher pro, and adw and i found that GO launcher is best for me, since it offers high levels of customisation (down to the levels of changing backgrounds for the dock and animations) and it's relatively easy to operate.
It's not much of a memory hog too, which is great too
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah you can't go wrong with go launcher ex

How is it forced on you? Just uninstall it and use the launcher. You want.
Sent by pure Google™ goodness. F#*$ Apple

I hate ADW

Zeam launcher ftw!!!!
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk

It's very easy to change launcher. I use Zeam Launcher now.

i may be in the minority here, but go launcher ex is freakin sweet. i have never had such a smooth experience with a smartphone as i have with go launcher on bugless pete's rom.

I don't see how its forced on you. I've tried many different launchers. I can only achieve what I want my home to look and act like with adw and go launcher. Different things suit different people. I don't use the stock launcher because I don't use the phone or browser very much. And I hate the box around them. So those shortcuts are pointless for me. Personally my phone shows Google voice use more memory than adw. And that runs in the background. All in all just install another launcher. Adws not forced on you. If it was forced you wouldn't be able to change to a different launcher.

I love adw, but Go ex is much smoother, but there is no option to remove the dock and expand the desktop, so have stuck with adw.
Anway, just flash the stock launcher...no?

v3rk said:
i may be in the minority here, but go launcher ex is freakin sweet. i have never had such a smooth experience with a smartphone as i have with go launcher on bugless pete's rom.
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+1 but on Oxygen(+Trinity) for me.

delete .

I cannot stand the stock launcher, and the very first thing I install after flashing a new rom is either Go Launcher or ADW.
Miui is the only rom that I run w/o a launcher because it's native launcher is customizable and is pretty slick.
Who gives a **** if an app is developed by a single person? Sometimes that is better because decisions aren't made by compromise.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA App

how the hell is adw a memory hog when it only uses 39mb RAM, while the stock launcher uses almost double???! stock launcher + live wallpaper breaks the phone apart, you barely have 50mb RAM left with this combination. so lemme see, no customization, memory hog and those retarded dock dots that cannot be removed, great launcher indeed!

Shark_On_Land said:
Why did cm force adw on us? Its a memory hog that wastes battery compaired to stock.
Don't even get me started on launcher pro. That's even worse. And its only made by 1 man.
What do you use? R&d by Google or a 1 man progect?
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well if its forced on you by all means create your own rom
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using xda premium

BrianDigital said:
Well if its forced on you by all means create your own rom
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using xda premium
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If I were to judge the OP's programming skills based solely on the first post in this thread.... Nevermind.
NS4G NSCollab Sprint 1.0.51, Matr1x 8.0+, Caelum Theme

Braneless said:
If I were to judge the OP's programming skills based solely on the first post in this thread.... Nevermind.
NS4G NSCollab Sprint 1.0.51, Matr1x 8.0+, Caelum Theme
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Click to collapse
Haha <sarcasm>
Sent from my Google Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk

Launchers

So I've been using Go launcher ex, and like it. I've used in the past LP+, and liked it.
I was pondering on purchasing SPB shell 3D launcher after the couple of highly regarded reviews.
So I started looking at some videos of other launchers. I found Nemus launcher and Claystone launcher to look pretty cool. I tried Regina launcher after watching a video and didn't like it at all.
Would like to see other launchers others have used that they have liked or didn't like.

modded TW launcher for all devices.. MY FAvorite... one of CHoice... recommended
QQLauncher.. pretty good
MIUI LAuncher 3.1.. just like miui no app drawer dont like the style... but runs well
netfront lifescreen.. cool idea... not super useful or intuitive
he Launcher 1/ he launcher 2... can make it look like stock GB or Froyo or any flavor of sense or Touch wiz
Itching Thumbs... like web os with task switching and killing
just to name a few.... just google em... to lazy to provide links and pics... haha

I'm using Go Launcher Extreme right now and think its the best thing ever.
SPB Shell 3D is a serious waste of money. Its all eye candy with limited features and I regret buying it every time I go to the Market.
LauncherPro was nice for its time, but feels and looks outdated.
ADW is similar to LauncherPro in this regard, but the EX version shows promise.

lol i use the spb shell 3d launcher and its juuuust fine for me. smooth and fast and very cool.

kiltedthrower said:
So I've been using Go launcher ex, and like it. I've used in the past LP+, and liked it.
I was pondering on purchasing SPB shell 3D launcher after the couple of highly regarded reviews.
So I started looking at some videos of other launchers. I found Nemus launcher and Claystone launcher to look pretty cool. I tried Regina launcher after watching a video and didn't like it at all.
Would like to see other launchers others have used that they have liked or didn't like.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Free:
Adw- great dependable launcher. Has improved so much in performance. My recommendation for free launchers. If you get into the settings this launcher will go toe to toe with any free launcher.
LauncherPro-was my launcher of choice for a very long time but its developement has slowed almost to a halt. Still probably one of the smoothest launchers on market, especially for lower end devices due to the memory settings.
GoLauncher-eye candy. Its smooth and has plenty of nice animations and has themes. But, it lacks in performance compared to some of the others. Buts it not so bad that you shouldn't give it a try. And its a Go app, so you wont have to worry about support. These guys put in work.
Payed:
LauncherPro Plus-same thing but adds ability to resize Widgets and adds some nice themeable Widgets built in.
Spb shell 3D: $15!!!! But hey, think about it this way, it basically has a handful of apps you MIGHT have otherwise payed for with a different launcher built in and integrated seamlessly. Its beautiful and its super smooth. It puts itself in memory and appears to stay there so there's never any lag. If you're a constant themer or on a ramen noodle budget , avoid this one. I personally love it (and I went in skeptical about it).
A final note: those are just the ones I've tried for any amount of time and can remember. try em all. Mess around with em. On a high end device like this you don't need to worry about which one uses a little more memory. If you had a lower end device and a launcher you tried before didn't run so well, try it again on this device. The Thrill is beast enough to run any launcher well. If the launcher doesn't run well on this phone then its just a poor app. On my Aria I had to run launcherpro to get the best performance because I could tweak its memory setting to optimize it for that device and it actually out performed adw. On the Thrill adw blows lpp away performance wise. All these are better than the stock launcher IMO.
Sent from my LG-P925 using XDA App

agreed with aria. as far as loving the spb shell 3d i double agree with him lmao

go laucher +1

Seriously try the modded TW 4 launcher for all devices..
Sent from my LG Thrill 4G...

I just downloaded that SPB 3D launcher and it is QUITE sexy. It's more than I would ever need at one time (world time, weather with current temperature, recent texts in a rolo-dex form, etc) but it was quite responsive. It DOES take up more memory than some would have you believe (try 60+ megs).
Go Launcher EX seemed to be everything I wanted in a launcher. Responsive, able to customize anything, and the ability to skin widgets was very nice.

I've tried it spb launcher for free..
I suggest to download it from a torrent.. put it in your sd card, turn on airplane mode, and then play with it for a while.. see how you like it.. The reason why you turn it on airplane mode is because the android market will detect that you did not buy the item so you wont be able to use it.

Ronacarino said:
I've tried it spb launcher for free..
I suggest to download it from a torrent.. put it in your sd card, turn on airplane mode, and then play with it for a while.. see how you like it.. The reason why you turn it on airplane mode is because the android market will detect that you did not buy the item so you wont be able to use it.
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dude, come on .... no warez guides...

Trekfan422991 said:
dude, come on .... no warez guides...
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Click to collapse
Ahhh, the use of the word warez is waning. Nice to see it again. Hi warez how you been?
But, yeah, this is not a place for warez or warez guides. We develop and release open source and free only, I am sure everyone would like to keep xda as clean as possible since this is sort of our playground. No broken bottles of warez by the slidez please.

i REALLY like qq launcher, its fast ans looks more sophistiacated than the any of the others. regina is too, but it takes up a LOT of memory so its kinda laggy on the thrill.

I think the Guy who mentioned downloading spb for free was just suggesting a way to try it out so it wont be such a huge waste of money if you dont like it, as someone else had mentioned before because it is a bit expensive at $15 for a launcher
Sent from my LG-P925 using XDA App

got to try go loauncher extreme

For something a little different I just started trying life screen. Its interesting. I really like go launcher ex so far the best one I have used.
Sent from my LG-P925g using XDA

Try tfs shell its a really good launcher there is a video of it on YouTube

Has anyone tried the ics launcher?
Sent from my LG-P925 using xda premium

Att.Fan1982 said:
Has anyone tried the ics launcher?
Sent from my LG-P925 using xda premium
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Click to collapse
Which one?
There are no stupid questions, just stupid people.

It's simply called ics launcher in the Google play store
Sent from my LG-P925 using xda premium

Cm launcher vs apus launcher?

Which is better? In terms of speed, app launching, battery consumption overall.

Stock launcher works fine for me, even though that wasn't one of your choices. I guess it comes down to what you're looking for; speed, the stock is plenty fast, app launching is really just shortcuts so all should be the same. If I had to choose it would be the stock or Google now launcher. Both are similar and speedy.

gordonzhao said:
Stock launcher works fine for me, even though that wasn't one of your choices. I guess it comes down to what you're looking for; speed, the stock is plenty fast, app launching is really just shortcuts so all should be the same. If I had to choose it would be the stock or Google now launcher. Both are similar and speedy.
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Click to collapse
Your right it's all about preference. For me I use nova for its insane speed and low ram usage

I wouldn't say its just shortcuts because how you lay the shortcuts out changes how you use the device and how you like to use the device changes how you lay out your shortcuts. This is not the same thing and an important distinction because you cant always do what you want and this is where the launcher matters... Some give you options others do not which can allow you to set up a device more to your preference. Outside of the traditional launcher scheme used by Nova, Apex and many others you can also use contextual launchers like Aviate or launchers that are just plain different like Action 2 which step outside the box.
IMO picking a launcher is highly subjective and they really need to be taken for good test drive.

krabman said:
I wouldn't say its just shortcuts because how you lay the shortcuts out changes how you use the device and how you like to use the device changes how you lay out your shortcuts. This is not the same thing and an important distinction because you cant always do what you want and this is where the launcher matters... Some give you options others do not which can allow you to set up a device more to your preference. Outside of the traditional launcher scheme used by Nova, Apex and many others you can also use contextual launchers like Aviate or launchers that are just plain different like Action 2 which step outside the box.
IMO picking a launcher is highly subjective and they really need to be taken for good test drive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your very right! I have literally used every single launcher out there that's in the top 10 best ones. My top 3 is nova, action launcher 3, and cm launcher

I checked out the action launcher 3 it was pretty awesome I want to check it out more. I have used and can't finding something as good as apex myself. But that advanced seems pretty neat doesn't do much but it does what I need

There is a launcher called dodol launcher that is slowly growing on me .. If I ever man up and pay for nova launcher I think it'd be the obvious choice.
Sent from my XT1254 using XDA Free mobile app

Nova is the best. Worth the money.
Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

Nova, by far.
Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

Best lollipop launcher?

I've been using Solo launcher for a LONG time and love all the customizations it can do, but after I got my nexus 6 the solo will not let me open an app from the app drawer, i have to drag it to my home screen first.
so what launcher do you guys find is best?

Love nova, very smooth and a lot of customizations

I would say either Nova or Apex. They ware about the same, but Nova has a little more customizability.

Nova... Easily...

Just expect majority of the response will be nova.

Stock!

+1

As I said before in a similar thread, I use and love Flow Home. It's like blinkfeed...but better.
Still in development, but I already use it as my daily.
Good luck choosing, there is a lot of choice out there

Action launcher 3
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

Long time nova user but recently switched to action launcher 3 and love it

suboxide said:
Long time nova user but recently switched to action launcher 3 and love it
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Click to collapse
what do you like about it over nova?

Long time nova prime user here. It works good on here besides the odd persistant google search box in the recent apps menu bug that feels a tad glitchy. It seems to me like it could use an update. Anyone try stock with xposed gel settings? So I'm on stock for the moment.
Sent from my Nexus 6

the thing i find about nova that's annoying is that i can't double tap the desktop to make it turn the screen off... which i could do in solo

in_dmand said:
the thing i find about nova that's annoying is that i can't double tap the desktop to make it turn the screen off... which i could do in solo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can do it if you have Greenify, then set the command for "Hibernate + lock screen" and done...!
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

About once a week I'll install Nova, customize the layout and screens, put a new icon pack on... then that same day I'll uninstall it and go back to the stock launcher. I am pretty indecisive when it comes to layouts. I probably change my wallpaper 3-4 times a day.

suboxide said:
Long time nova user but recently switched to action launcher 3 and love it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me too.
It has some amazing features like Shutters, Quickpage and Quickdrawer, which, after you get used to, you just can't live without.

Nova Prime, been using it for years.

nees said:
As I said before in a similar thread, I use and love Flow Home. It's like blinkfeed...but better.
Still in development, but I already use it as my daily.
Good luck choosing, there is a lot of choice out there
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Click to collapse
Nees, I like what I see of Flow Home from their website, but it's asking for an invite to install. Do you have any invites to share?

Thanks for the mention of Quick Launcher 3! I like it!
I set it up with an immediate link to Smart Launcher Pro (which I like) which also has an immediate link to Beautiful Drawers. Best of all worlds - I got a ton of apps.

kvkalidindi said:
Nees, I like what I see of Flow Home from their website, but it's asking for an invite to install. Do you have any invites to share?
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Click to collapse
XDADV2
http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/apps-games/app-release-flowhome-50-to-private-beta-t2861101