[DISCUSSION] What launcher you prefer on Jelly Bean? - Samsung Galaxy Nexus

Hi,
We all know that stock launcher in JB is soo smooth and fast.
And we all know that popular launchers (Nova, Apex and others) are not yet updated to run on JB or to run as smooth as stock JB launcher.
What are your experiences with 3rd party launchers on JB?
Are you planning to use stock while those 3rd party launchers are updated?
Any other houghts?
Good luck!!!

For me, Nova Prime is smoother than the stock Jellybean launcher.

Stock is by far the smoothest.
Apex is laggy especially in the app/widget drawer.
Same experience with nova.
I'll stick with stock for now.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Dameon87 said:
Stock is by far the smoothest.
Apex is laggy especially in the app/widget drawer.
Same experience with nova.
I'll stick with stock for now.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But the guy above says Nova ir smoother. How come?!
I've noticed in other forums (outside XDA) people say the same about Nova (it's same smooth as stock JB).
I'm a heavy Apex user.. and I don't want to switch to other launcher. What are chances Apex dev will update his launcher with JB vSync (or whatever feature JB launcher uses)?

Stock.

I have 2 GNex both running 4.1.1 and one with Nova and the other with Apex.
I can definitely say for the moment, Nova is smoother. Especially with transition effects.
However I have been running Atom since last night and damn I'm impressed!
Now if it will only take icons from theme packs....
Sent from my GNex running Jelly Bean 4.1.1

bat0nas said:
But the guy above says Nova ir smoother. How come?!
I've noticed in other forums (outside XDA) people say the same about Nova (it's same smooth as stock JB).
I'm a heavy Apex user.. and I don't want to switch to other launcher. What are chances Apex dev will update his launcher with JB vSync (or whatever feature JB launcher uses)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you change Nova's animation speeds from Nova to Stock, you'd notice a major improvement in transition smoothness. Hence why I still use Nova.

I usually use ADW Launcher but I tried it on Jelly Bean and it is pretty slow in comparison to stock launcher so I will be using the stock launcher till updates happen to it (and others too).

I prefer stock for now, its super smooth
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

Stock has some great benefits, like fling to remove apps and widgets, app reflow, etc, but I'm still sticking with Nova. Kevin is updating the launcher with all the JB features, so we'll have JB smoothness with customizations from Nova. Winning!
Galaxy Nexus - Slim Bean a4

Apex for me. I just like it.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

Lol still rocking adw ex
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

apex hands down

GO Launcher.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

Nova Prime only because of Unread Count notification (on Gmail, MMS and Phone). Also the backup and restore function has proved very nice to me in a few ocasions

Amowagou said:
GO Launcher.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
China data stealing launcher? No thank you...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

MДЯCЦSДИT said:
China data stealing launcher? No thank you...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe he doesn't have any china data to steal.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

I love apex and reinstalled it as soon as it was updated for JB but its not as smooth as the stock launcher so for now I'm running that and hoping for an apex update.

MДЯCЦSДИT said:
China data stealing launcher? No thank you...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I wouldn't touch Go apps with a ten foot pole.
-----
I'll use stock until Apex makes a Jelly Bean version.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus

Apex for sure.

Related

Go Launcher on the Nexus OK ?

I have heard that Go Launcher is frowned upon on the Nexus, saying its not an ICS launcher, should only use Apex...Nova...or CM9 launchers.
Is Go not optimized to work for ICS ?
I got pretty used to all the Go features on my last phone, would like to use again.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
then use it... no one's forcing you to use apex or nova.
apex or nova is preferred because it builds off of stock ICS launcher and improves on it for further customizations.
people just want to retain the "holo" look of ICS.
zephiK said:
then use it... no one's forcing you to use apex or nova.
apex or nova is preferred because it builds off of stock ICS launcher and improves on it for further customizations.
people just want to retain the "holo" look of ICS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+ 1
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Launchers wont send your device to the depths of hell. Use GO launcher and if it doesn't work right, go with stock or find something new.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Thanks for advice. Will Go be updated to be more of a ICS base ? Or is it stuck as a Gingerbread launcher mainly ?
This is for my Brother actually, who just got the Nexus and installed all the Go stuff. I freaked on him, like Dude WTF you can't use Go on a Nexus.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Y not?
Sent from my SGS2 powered by cm9 love
Only time will.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Zorachus said:
Thanks for advice. Will Go be updated to be more of a ICS base ? Or is it stuck as a Gingerbread launcher mainly ?
This is for my Brother actually, who just got the Nexus and installed all the Go stuff. I freaked on him, like Dude WTF you can't use Go on a Nexus.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They probably won't because I believe Apex/Nova requires Android 4.0+ and GO Launcher EX includes phones who are on pre-ICS.
If they were to do that, it'd be very similar to Apex / Nova so what's the point? ICS is only a small % of Android users for now. The vast community is on 2.3.X.
And yeah, he should just get Apex/Nova it should be FAR more superior than GO Launcher or LauncherPro or ADW EX. I won't go into the debate of Apex vs Nova because there's a whole thread for that. Both are similar, Apex is more popular and offers more features for FREE. Both paid versions for Nova & Apex cost $3.99 respectively.
I personally use Apex. But it's up to you.
And coincidentally after posting that, http://golauncher.goforandroid.com/2012/05/go-launcher-v3-00-beta/
GO Launcher 3.0 Beta

Nova on JB?

Anyone using Nova on JellyBean? Any thoughts as to if it's better, smoother or just preferred? Allows for more flexibility it seems
I'm using Nova on JB. Some widgets like the new Google sound search widget causes it to crash though.
Tried Nova and Apex. For me, lagging slightly. For the first time EVER I'm using the stock launcher. Lacking in options sadly, but I can live with it. Having natively resizable widgets makes it more bearable.
Sent from my Jelly Belly using xda app-developers app
chugger93 said:
Anyone using Nova on JellyBean? Any thoughts as to if it's better, smoother or just preferred? Allows for more flexibility it seems
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have been using Nova with Jelly Bean for the past 3-4 days. On of the major reasons is that folders on stock Android max out at 16 app icons. Such is not the case with Nova.
And no, I haven't faced any performance issues, or incompatibility issues, yet.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Been using nova with no complaints. Just as smooth as stock.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
I used Nova for a little while, but ended up going back to the stock JB launcher. Nova has some really nice features and customization, but it did not seem as smooth as the stock IMHO.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
shilent said:
I'm using Nova on JB. Some widgets like the new Google sound search widget causes it to crash though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Odd, its working just fine for me on the Sprint ROM.
I've had nothing but a great experience with it and have been running JB since Thursday.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
I am using Nova with no issues.

Are there any custom launchers based on jelly bean yet?

Reason I ask is that the stock jb launcher is way faster and smoother than apex or nova but I can't use the stock launcher right now because I use 240 DPI and want 7x6 grid. The stutter when opening app drawer is unbearable. I tried different kernels and even different Roms same thing.
Anything available yet or should I just go back to stock density.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
godisanatheist said:
Reason I ask is that the stock jb launcher is way faster and smoother than apex or nova but I can't use the stock launcher right now because I use 240 DPI and want 7x6 grid. The stutter when opening app drawer is unbearable. I tried different kernels and even different Roms same thing.
Anything available yet or should I just go back to stock density.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why? Just why?
nbell13 said:
Why? Just why?
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Click to collapse
Why not? I bought a nexus so I could implement mods like this. I think the stock density is a waste of the huge display.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
I'm using Apex Launcher that you mentioned and I do not notice any difference in smoothness.
IceBean said:
I'm using Apex Launcher that you mentioned and I do not notice any difference in smoothness.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't get or stutters when opening the app drawer?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Dunno about Apex launcher but with Nova reportedly* you'll get smoothness if you go in to the animation speed options and select stock speed.
(* not my tip - I've always stuck with stock speed on Nova is working fine for me on JB)
I am using the paid version of Nova, which was updated yesterday to support JB animations and it is nothing but butter.
I am stock no root.
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Clancy_s said:
Dunno about Apex launcher but with Nova reportedly* you'll get smoothness if you go in to the animation speed options and select stock speed.
(* not my tip - I've always stuck with stock speed on Nova is working fine for me on JB)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is my setup right now. Its better than anything else but still leaves a lot to be desired.
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dschreiber69 said:
I am using the paid version of Nova, which was updated yesterday to support JB animations and it is nothing but butter.
I am stock no root.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
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Click to collapse
What version? I'm on 1.2.2 beta 4
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I still can't quite work out if I find Apex or Nova as smooth as stock, and can thus switch back to them and get customising.
There'a a mod in the themes section. I havent tried it, but it might be worth a look.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1741038
godisanatheist said:
What version? I'm on 1.2.2 beta 4
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm... mine says 1.22 beta 3?
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godisanatheist said:
Reason I ask is that the stock jb launcher is way faster and smoother than apex or nova but I can't use the stock launcher right now because I use 240 DPI and want 7x6 grid. The stutter when opening app drawer is unbearable. I tried different kernels and even different Roms same thing.
Anything available yet or should I just go back to stock density.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's because stock launcher has nothing in it compared to Apex. I've run 3 JB roms now with apex launcher and Franco kernel. Fast as fast can be. I have to say I am quite disappointed in JB though, I find there is not much to their update.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Tried Nova Prime on a couple of JB roms, set to fast (2above stock) smoooooth transition. Ive never had issues with Nova on GNEX.
Found a solution!! http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=28750050&postcount=5709
gpfnzl said:
Tried Nova Prime on a couple of JB roms, set to fast (2above stock) smoooooth transition. Ive never had issues with Nova on GNEX.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK now I feel stupid because even though I found a solution, your way feels much better.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Try holo launcher
Sent from my GT-S5360 using xda premium
I found a REAL solution, this is built from the jelly bean launcher source code and also works on ICS, search for holo launcher hd beta.
Remove
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S II
Aokp/Team Skyfire
Another reason to like the stock JB launcher is the fling to remove apps. Now that should be implemented into every launcher.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

Just curious, what LAUNCHER everyone is using?

Just curious what launcher everyone uses? Pros/Cons?
Thanks!
sandman512 said:
Just curious what launcher everyone uses? Pros/Cons?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nova
Send From My GS3 Untouchable Thanks to Blazer V 1.6
redline57 said:
Nova
Send From My GS3 Untouchable Thanks to Blazer V 1.6
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apex Pro on cm10/aokp because it can be themed pretty good, trebuchet on cm9 because I think it is a great launcher, the touchwiz one I modded with scrolling wallpapers on touchwiz because there is no point in running touchwiz unless you want the full experience.
All stock homey
Sent front my SGS3 Epic 4GLTE Touch
TW
Touch wiz
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
nova
Sent from my SGS3 using Tapatalk 2
I've found Nova to be the best since it's based off of the JB launcher. You can also rotate the screen into landscape mode while in the launcher which is a huge pro.
yousefak said:
I've found Nova to be the best since it's based off of the JB launcher. You can also rotate the screen into landscape mode while in the launcher which is a huge pro.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apex can also be rotated into landscape mode When I had the gnex I was a big Nova fan but lately Apex has been winning me over. Also, the latest betas for Apex are based off JB. It really comes down to personal preference though.
GoLauncher EX here. Try it.....you'll like it! Very smooth. Never had a problem. Tons of themes.....many free. Check out "Cubed Theme".....my current weapon of choice
Sent from me and my SG3
Stock TW
stock jelly bean
Touchwiz 6x5 mod... Notice the beautiful 49ers LWP
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda premium
I find it funny that a lot of people are using a stock based ROM with a different launcher and claim their stock based ROM is the best, when every single ROM available has virtually the same tweaks in them. lol.
started with apex pro. didn't feel as smooth so i went with nova.
I've been using ADW EX for years and everytime I try a different one I go right back to ADW.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda premium
Touch Wiz
I'm rolling with Touch Wiz, the first phone I've ever owned where the stock launcher is very nice.
freeza said:
I find it funny that a lot of people are using a stock based ROM with a different launcher and claim their stock based ROM is the best, when every single ROM available has virtually the same tweaks in them. lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't want to flash because stock based ROMs don't offer enough improvements and new features to spend time flashing and reinstalling everything, while risking to brick the phone. I rooted the phone mainly to install AdBlock and Titanium Backup.
I run Go Launcher and Dialer One.
A question for those who went from Go to something else- what do other launchers have that Go doesn't?
Nova launcher prime ftw.
FTL launcher is good also .
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda premium

Best performing launchers?

I recently switched to Nova launcher and it seems like its overall smoother than Apex launcher which is what I've been using previously. What launchers have given you the best performance on ICS.
I'm also trying to figure out how to get other governors that would help with performance without killing my battery for AOKP Milestone 6.
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I like nova prime. But atom launcher is also a good favorite. Very light. I used atom on CNA and aokp and had great results
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Everything except go launcher ex is good.
All others have pros and cons. Go launcher feels like too much bloat. Dont know why.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app
I have had good performance with apex, however I do like nova as well. Would put them as top 2, in no order.
In my experience, apex is far smoother than nova. Nova was very unresponsive for me.
I looove apex or stock launcher
Tappin' Typin'
I always use apex.. tried nova didn't like it
And go launcher is a big hell no
-TeaM VeNuM Like A Boss
Nova seems nice to me especially since I got it for 25 cents. Lol
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app
Another vote for apex, smooth and great on battery.
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I really don't get the Apex/Nova rave on our device. Sammy gives us the stock launcher, you just have to switch to it. I only use Nova because I got it when it was on sale, not worth the regular price in my opinion.
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kingsway8605 said:
I really don't get the Apex/Nova rave on our device. Sammy gives us the stock launcher, you just have to switch to it. I only use Nova because I got it when it was on sale, not worth the regular price in my opinion.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apex just gives me a "Stock +" experience. I don't even use as many features as it has. Mainly just to use home button as app drawer(when on home screen), and have app/folder options in the scrollable dock.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
Best performance is stock launcher for me.
I have purchased and tried out both Nova and Apex Pro launchers. After using them both for a while I settled on Apex launcher. I am on a rooted stock jellybean firmware, Poland rollout. Both launchers are very similar in terms of overall design and behaviour but i chose Apex for the following reasons;
1.Fewer ui and app drawer redraws this is possibly because of the keep in memory feature which is not there in Nova. This might consume more memory but for me the resulting smoothness is worth it.
2. Unread email count, to put this into perspective understand I have three Gmail accounts set up on my phone. In Apex I get the total unread count across all 3 accounts whilst Nova gives me total unread for only the main account associated with my device.
The one thing i missed in Apex from Nova was the import homescreen feature as i had to set up my widgets all over again in Apex. That said i am sticking to Apex for now.
GoLaucher Ex is now unistalled from my S3 until further notice but it seems to still work reasonably well on my S2
Sent from my Pebble Blue Sammy GT-I9300 via XDA Premium App.
Other devices : Sammy GT-I9100, Huawei Ideos 7" tab.
Previous : HTC Desire Z
im using nova prime and liking it. came from apex pro which is very good
Wrong section much?
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
apex, holo hd, and tsf shell
Nova Prime. The best so far. IMO
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Another vote for Apex here.
Mattix724 said:
Wrong section much?
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nobody likes a rent-a-mod sir.
+1 for Nova prime.
I always choose Apex, its been my favorite since ICS. However, on Slick_Rick's latest AOKP it redraws almost every time I return to the home screen.
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