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Hey guys and girls this will be my first android device and reading up on all the apps and widgets is a little daunting.
So this is the question : im going to be changing my dock icons because they remind me to much of my current Iphone 4, So i need a launcher?
What launcher does everyone suggest i try out and why?
I dont mind paying for a launcher just as long as its not to buggy or a memory/power hog.
Thanks in advance.
i'm going to go for LP Sense:
https://market.android.com/details?id=fr.clockwidget.lpslatesense
runs great on my Hero...just need to get a SGS2
why use a different launcher off the block.. try the new twiz 4 launcher that comes with it first for a while..
I personally like ADW EX i like the swipe animations and the overall feel of it on my EVO. I have seen it run slowly on lower power devices. The level of customizations that are available to the user is amazing. And you can get it for free in some Roms. Thats how i stumbled upon it. It has several ways to anaimate screen swipes. But if you want a true 3d effect try shell 3d. I dont know of a way to get it for free but i did try it out for a while and it was pretty cool, but it even felt kind of slow on my evo.
Ive gone with slide screen its beautiful, how about a lock screen, this drag the background thing is so poor
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
Try LauncherPro.. The best in my opinion
I tried launcher pro and finds its not smooth atm on this phone, it feels a bit jerky when going in to the apps window.
Jabbypants said:
I tried launcher pro and finds its not smooth atm on this phone, it feels a bit jerky when going in to the apps window.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's weird, it's flawlessly smooth on my Galaxy S 1. However, if you're using a live wallpaper then the transition into the app drawer (and then scrolling through it) is stuttery.
Apart from that, I'd throw my vote to LauncherPro too, especially if you buy the Plus version.
Reasons:
- Easily resize widgets and change homescreen grid sizes
- Virtual looping of homescreens (get to the end and it'll flick back to the farthest, no need to scroll all the way back)
- Homescreen transitions (instead of boring sideways scrolling can have 3D flips or the widgets rotate away)
- 'Plus' adds lots of extremely handy smooth, scrollable widgets almsot identical to what HTC Sense provides
- These widgets have now been made theme-able as of the latest update
- Can use in landscape or portrait
- Scrollable dock (scroll through 3 docks of 5 icons each)
- Dock icons and background can be changed, so my icons look like WP7's
- Can set an action for swiping up from any dock icon (eg: touching Internet icon launches the browser, but swiping the Internet icon instead displays a list of bookmarks!)
- On my Galaxy S was smoother for me than ADW
minty1978 said:
i'm going to go for LP Sense:
https://market.android.com/details?id=fr.clockwidget.lpslatesense
runs great on my Hero...just need to get a SGS2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm going to use the wp live wallpaper so I don't need a clock, but I do like the animated weather on wake up ( reminds me of my HD2 love you forever and ever ) so that sounds like a good pick.
what about go launcher ? any thoughts?
And I've seen touch wiz in vids I like the tiled widgets but I dislike the dock icons looking like iPhone. so can I Change the dock icons to stock android without a launcher?
Jabbypants said:
I tried launcher pro and finds its not smooth atm on this phone, it feels a bit jerky when going in to the apps window.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its pretty smooth on mine apart from the pinch to zoom for homescreen preview.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
NIK516 said:
And I've seen touch wiz in vids I like the tiled widgets but I dislike the dock icons looking like iPhone. so can I Change the dock icons to stock android without a launcher?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No I dun think so. You would need to use another launcher if the dock is definitely a no-go for you.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
I'm using go launcher atm but I'm also a big launcherpro fan
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
minty1978 said:
i'm going to go for LP Sense:
https://market.android.com/details?id=fr.clockwidget.lpslatesense
runs great on my Hero...just need to get a SGS2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
why
fancy widgets is a lot more customizable, has that skin, plus a lot more features lol
mrvirginia said:
why
fancy widgets is a lot more customizable, has that skin, plus a lot more features lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i actually don't use the LP Sense clock, I use FancyWidgets, like you say...far more customisable.
See screen shot:
My suggestion
What about the VTL Launcher 1.6.2 ??
It's a matter of taste really, GO Launcher, LauncherPro and ADW are all great. SPB Shell 3D is good if you like eye candy, but pretty expensive.
Sent from my Legend using XDA Premium App
minty1978 said:
i actually don't use the LP Sense clock, I use FancyWidgets, like you say...far more customisable.
See screen shot:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can you set the weather widget and have the animation, like rain but have the widget invisible?
I just want to see my wp clock wallpaper and have the weather show like the clouds and the rain and thunder but not see the widget? if you cant ill settle for picking a small widget?
Thanks again for all the replys guys they are helping a tone.
Also what launcher has more icon themes ?
Launcherpro for me. Smooth as silk, really quick and it just works...
Launcher pro is not as smooth as before with sgs2. it was better on my htc desire.
I have been using AWD EX as not being able to change the messaging for Chomp SMS on the touchwiz was driving me mad. But I am getting cronic lag on switching screens. Not all the time. Just often enough to be anoying. Reading what others have been saying, I can only assume we need to tweek the phone a bit.
Hi u guys I'm in a big debate on wether which launcher is best and fast. I want your guys opinions.
I'm running my g2 with cyanogens latest nightly build.
First off
Adw: too slow for me
Launcher pro purchased: I had been using launcher pro for a really long time but it takes forever to come up and when u swtich the launcher to landscape mode everything goes bananas.
Go launcher: was using this for about 2 months but I don't like the theme selections.
Adw ex: what imusing right now, pretty fast but also a lil unstable.
What's best for u guys?
Have you tried the stock gingerbread launcher? What it lacks in customisation options it makes up in speed and stabilty.
[sig]My mission is to hit 1000 posts by 23/05/2011[sig]
can't beat adw ex as far as I'm concerned... the new 3d drawer is perfect (literally, I can't tell the difference between it and a vanilla android launcher), theme engine is solid, customization is much more thorough than LP.
I had way more issues with stability on LP than I do with ADW ex... what ultimately made me give up on LP was the 1 minute wait time upon boot (or force close if you're impatient)... that's just plain sloppy.
Agree with both answers. But I think you can see the smoothness of stock over adw ex. At least I can for sure. I wish stock came with three screens and removed those dots at the bottom. Id be in heaven then. Have you tried zeam?
Sent from my HTC Vision using Tapatalk
popimp315 said:
Agree with both answers. But I think you can see the smoothness of stock over adw ex. At least I can for sure. I wish stock came with three screens and removed those dots at the bottom. Id be in heaven then. Have you tried zeam?
Sent from my HTC Vision using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if on setups not as stripped as mine, the stock launcher is still much smoother.
I'm only running 1 home screen with the google quick search box and eight app shortcuts. along with no transition animations or other eye candy, it's like butter, especially now that they've fixed the 3d app tray.. used to be a little choppy but now it really is reminiscent of a vanilla GB launcher in terms of smoothness.
I been using LP plus, and say I don't really have issue and it runs great and quick for me not real bloat options,I don't have to take 20 mins to setup the launcher how I like it as adw I don't like the dots, don't like thr trash on toop don't don't like drawer slook
For me launcher pro is definitely the best and runs smooth at all times (except when charging the phone).
Go Launcher Ex is fast, smooth and the most reliable. As far as I'm concerned its the best home launcher right now. I was a long time user of Launcher Pro Plus but the bugs and lack of timely updates really irritated me.
ADW/ex both don't have good enough support for icons other than adw icons and that buff icon set. I'm having the same issue with Launcher pro, although I do like their activity options in the widget menu.
Im using EX but i really want to use another but I can't find any good ones. I liked 91 panda, I don't think it's been updated but I haven't checked either.
launcher pro plus for sure! fast, stable and some nice widgets
yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if on setups not as stripped as mine, the stock launcher is still much smoother.
I'm only running 1 home screen with the google quick search box and eight app shortcuts. along with no transition animations or other eye candy, it's like butter, especially now that they've fixed the 3d app tray.. used to be a little choppy but now it really is reminiscent of a vanilla GB launcher in terms of smoothness.[/QUOTE]
How are you able to get one home screen???? Granted I have one screen that has one widget on it, the rest are blank, but there are still 7 total. ....wait...I think you are using adw ex right?
Sent from my HTC Vision using Tapatalk
popimp315 said:
How are you able to get one home screen???? Granted I have one screen that has one widget on it, the rest are blank, but there are still 7 total. ....wait...I think you are using adw ex right?
Sent from my HTC Vision using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, using adw ex. all of the custom launcher apps I've used allow you to choose how many homescreens you have though, shouldn't matter which one you have.
Ashaman_Kupo said:
ADW/ex both don't have good enough support for icons other than adw icons and that buff icon set. I'm having the same issue with Launcher pro, although I do like their activity options in the widget menu.
Im using EX but i really want to use another but I can't find any good ones. I liked 91 panda, I don't think it's been updated but I haven't checked either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can use any icons you want as long as they're PNG (same as any other custom launcher).. creating an icon pack that will replace your app tray icons as well is a piece of cake.
pmcqueen said:
yes, using adw ex. all of the custom launcher apps I've used allow you to choose how many homescreens you have though, shouldn't matter which one you have.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah. I'm a former zeam user but just got back my adw. May go with it until someone finds a way to customize stock
Sent from my HTC Vision using Tapatalk
Launcher pro for me but with the recent update. The slide out keyboard no longer opens go to landscape mode.
I like launcher pro
or you can use ADW launcher
if you like wp7's launcher, you can use 7 launcher
if you like 3D UI, you can use regina
So, of all three which one are you using and why. Just want to get a general idea if your experience.
android4sunny said:
So, of all three which one are you using and why. Just want to get a general idea if your experience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using QQ Launcher with the iphone theme for obvious reasons
(check my sig)
When I'm not using QQ, I run go launcher...most free themes, add ons etc. Plus its easier for me to use
I use GO because of the multiple add apps to home screen. I know this is a little thing but it makes my life easier.
On a side note ADW ex is ten cents today on the Android market.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
I used go launcher for a long time but it isn't as snappy as ADW. So i'm back on adw for now.
Swyped from my iPhone eater
-BeastMOD
-Supercharged 1000HP
Go launcher is by far the best . Never had any issues.
Sent from my SGH-T989D using XDA App
I like go launcher because it's really smooth. Also because in the application screen you can show only the apps that are running, and close them if you want to. I also like it shows the icon dock at the bottom of the homescreen, on every screen, and it also has 5 icons (more if you scroll) so you can easily access useful apps.
android4sunny said:
So, of all three which one are you using and why. Just want to get a general idea if your experience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you forgot to list stock ICS launcher, which is pretty decent finally! for an android stock launcher
but of all of the 4 choices i still like GO Launcher EX better, it has all the features of every launcher combined, but free!
I've used go launcher, adw, adw ex, ics(on my ics rom and as just the launcher), and launcher pro...
Until ics is official in some form, I'm going to keep using launcher pro. It has all the features I want(I'm very no-frills and minimalist), and it feels faster than all the others. Unfortunately, it hasn't been updated in a LONG time, so that's a bummer. But like I said, I'll use this until ICS comes out, then I'll just use that.
Favorite feature: sliding dock bar. I have it setup as (dialer - app drawer - web) on one, and (sms - app drawer - gmail) on the other. This works very well for me, as it allows me to keep stuff in my dock bar without looking too cluttered.
Go launcher is very heavy on memory. It also has the best looks, in my opinion. It just looks cool. Lags at lower clock speeds, too.
Adw is fast and has lots of options to play with. It does not look as cool, but it will do.
TW is very fast. Even at very low clock speeds, it does not lag! It looks ok, but is not as customizable as the other two. It looks bright and cheerful, though.
I chose to go with golauncher. I can play with it for hours. Not as many free themes, but some good free ones. It does everything the others do combined. I have the Honeycomb theme with sphere setting for drawer.
Just download and play with them. See what you think looks better.
trying to get 10 post!
After using all, I always find myself going back to launcher pro. It is the widgets that do it for me. They are a year old and they still are the best. The dock notifications kicked ass until gmail fubared it. Does need an update as sms dock notification does not work with Go SMS but does with regular messenger.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk
Adw ex + android pro Widgets. Nothing compares to the smoothness.
Go launcher for me. Has more features than any other launcher and its theme-able and free...Find it really fast to and the whole Go-Suite seems to have some really nice apps. I use Go SMS also..
I had been using the TouchWiz Launcher until I saw someone mention an update for adw ex, so I redownloaded and I really liked all the new dock settings. Maybe I missed it but I don't think we could use 4 icons on the dock, minimum was 5(?) It works great with my ICS theme.
Sent from my SGH-T989
I need a launcher that is very customizable like ADW or GoLauncher. I tried both of them and for some reason they both had the same problem; when the screen rotates to landscape it jumps to the far right screen instead of staying on the screen I'm on.
Does anyone have any good launchers that are working properly on ICS? I also tried Nova launcher but its not customizable enough. I'm going to try launcher pro now and will report back if it works.
OK so I tried LauncherPro and same problem. This led me to investigate and I beleive I narrowed it down to the calendar widget. No matter what screen I'm on, when I rotate screen it automatically jumps to the screen with the calendar widget. Annoying...
you gotta give devs some time to adjust to the screen/ics etc. I would play around with the current flashable ones and wait for a major update that brings lots of customization options
ps have you tried adw ex?
I use adw ex.works flawlessly.I prefer stock though,its awesome!
sent from my tablet,NOT AN IPAD!
I use zeam Launcher. No problems so far.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App
Go works fine.
Go has always been my first choice. However, now with the Gnex and having folders pop down from the Top of the screen has made accessing apps really difficult with one hand. Because of that one issue, I went to Adw Launcher. That works great too.
Been using ADW Ex since day 1. Working flawlessly
After using ADW it's impossible to go back to anything else....
Ultimately I'd like the stock ICS with rotation and that stupid Google search removed but until the mods on here have their bugs ironed out I’m using GO.
My only bad point on GO is scrollable widgets you have to pause your finger on them a sec then scroll. (Is there a setting in there to fix this?) I like the stock responsiveness where you can swing between screens and flick apps around instantly.
Q.Entity said:
Been using ADW Ex since day 1. Working flawlessly
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I started using it on day 2 . With only one home screen, one clock, one weather widget, a 5 icons dock and three folders, I'm done.
I'm using Nova launcher, it's stock with a very nice twist.
GO completely locked me up and caused reboots to the point that i had to reimage back to stock.
superaj13 said:
I use zeam Launcher.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Zeam Launcher is the best!
~Galaxy Nexus LTE~
Another Vote for Nova
I really like the ICS experience, and Nova allows me to keep that with options (including backup via Titanium & homescreen rotation)
planetes42 said:
I really like the ICS experience, and Nova allows me to keep that with options (including backup via Titanium & homescreen rotation)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, been using Nova since last night. Takes something good and makes it great.
I used LPP on my OG, DX, DX2, RAZR cuz no matter what I did the stock Moto launcher was always a bit laggy. I kept the modded Rosie on my TB cuz it looked lol. And Nowthe GNex ICS launcher was almost perfect to me until Nova came along
Cuz97 said:
Yup, been using Nova since last night. Takes something good and makes it great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Sent from a Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
Caveat: This is by no means meant as a disrespect to the amazing devs behind ADW, LP and Go EX.
when I got my hands on the GN, i was hooked on to the Android 4.0 look and feel. Previously alternative launchers were needed because (a) Android used to be ugly and (b) stock widgets sucked.
All that has changed now. I cannot bring myself to use anything but the stock launcher. However, I WILL like it if (a) I can utilize the space occupied by the stupid Google widget - its not a widget at all but a shortcut, a complete waste of space and (b) homescreens would be increased from 5. All those wonderful widgets need more space.
I don't want to root, although I have a feeling CM9 will have what I am asking for. In the meantime, I am testing out Nova.
Hey Guys,
I have been using Go launcher since its launch, but have been thinking about venturing outside of my comfort zone and trying something new. I've always liked randomizing transition effects, and being able to change the grid layout... as well as having folders in the app menu (which is a great thing I love about the stock touchwhiz experience)
I have heard a lot of mention about Nova launcher, and Apex Launcher, but no actual reasons as to why these are better than what I already use.
Can you tell me the differences between them, and why you use the launcher that you use?
Thanks all:silly:
I know Nova and Apex were built for ICS so they ran better at one time. I'm not sure since ADW and Go were updated if that is still the case. I have been using Apex but the last couple months its not running as smooth as it used to so I switched to Nova. I'm impressed with Nova so far. Lots of options and great performance. Best thing is just try the free versions and buy the one you like best.
i've stayed with stock tw because i like the extra screen that pops up when i use the s-pen
theraker007 said:
i've stayed with stock tw because i like the extra screen that pops up when i use the s-pen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed... I installed Nova since that was my choice of launcher but with all the new feats on the TW, i quickly switched back.
Coming from my S2, I do miss the profile option I had on that rom
Stock so far!
Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2
Holo plus and holo hd. Runs great
sent from a galaxy note2 far far away
Been using GOOGLE for a long time..... Might be time to experiment
Nova.
ADW EX
I like making the icons smaller so they aren't so big and cartoonish on my Note II, as well as all the other various customizations.
Have yet to try my nova prime (run that on my atrix, OG note and touchpad). Leaving things stock atm...and its very hard to do.
Honestly...the only annoyance I have with the TW launcher is no option for 5x5 or 6x6. Thats why I will probably switch it
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda app-developers app
I've used ADW, Go, and Nova... Nova has been the best experience for me performance and options-wise but so far I'm using the stock launcher.
Would rather replace the navigation indicator with an extra row of icons but other than that, I'm quite content!
The power to choose between power and/or simplicity is the beauty of Android.
erick161 said:
Honestly...the only annoyance I have with the TW launcher is no option for 5x5 or 6x6. Thats why I will probably switch it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was my biggest gripe. I need to be able to have more icons on my home screen than TW allows, so much wasted space!
RojasTKD said:
That was my biggest gripe. I need to be able to have more icons on my home screen than TW allows, so much wasted space!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't deal with TW. Maybe it's improved but Nova and others have so many useful features. Extra dock icons, grid sizes, gestures, drawer folders, etc.
What TW features are you guys attached to? With Nova I can still double click the screen with the pen to pop up a note at any time.
Apex baby FTW
You can still always push your S pen and double tap for a note
Apex, but it's not as smooth as it could be, and you can't use the stock Weather widget with it.
I tried Apex launcher since I had it on my s2, but it's super choppy compared to the stock launcher so I switched back. Unless they optimize Apex launcher for jelly bean ill stock with stock.
Phytrax said:
I can't deal with TW. Maybe it's improved but Nova and others have so many useful features. Extra dock icons, grid sizes, gestures, drawer folders, etc.
What TW features are you guys attached to? With Nova I can still double click the screen with the pen to pop up a note at any time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1. It feels the same as TW on GS2 with Gingerbread. I'm giving Go Launcher EX another shot (this time on GN2) because its features but I hate the toyish feel/icons and BS it loads as well.
Apex will be next.
Anyway to get the lock screen to look/act like AOSP? I dont mind the ripple effect but the look (TW) is
I'm using TW but have applied this MOD that allows you to have 5X5 rows and columns. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1990801
Nova largely because of it's backup of layouts which makes it much faster to setup new ROMs etc. Apex I know does the same thing and I don't really have a preference between the two. I had switched to Apex when they were the first to update to 4.1 source which made it smoother than Nova, but switched back after Nova updated.
I like ssLauncher (the original). It's in the play store. It has the most customizable home screen I've ever seen. No more restraining yourself to grids or default icons. It has a bit of a learning curve but so, so much you can do! Send me questions if you're curious & I'll try and answer them.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda app-developers app