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hey everyone,
I'm fairly new to this forum since i just got my first android device. i've been an iPhone user since 2007 and I'm absolutely loving android so far. One problem i'm having is theming the device is awful there are plenty of theme types , themes for launchers , themes for odexed roms and themes for deodexed roms. it just makes life so much harder specially if you're a new user.
for those who don't know what winterboard does, according to google "previously known as SummerBoard, you will use it in order to apply different themes and visual tweaks to your iPhone or iPod Touch.."
now the way winterboard works is simple, the iOS device has images stored in system/UIimages .. what winterboard does is basically backup the system images and applies new images stored in var/mobile/themes. If the image is there it reads it from var/mobile/themes if not it reads it from system/UIimages that way you'll never mess with the system files even if you decide to delete winterboard from you're device.
Now before you start hating on me , i know JKAY v11 mod is available but it is very limited in the amount of customization you can do. I mean this forum is full of brilliant developers , why can't you come up with a universal way of theming devices?
sorry to bore you with all this info but i really hope to see something like winterboard for android devices soon
I agree tho.
Bump
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
I agree but these things just take time. I am very satisfied with CM7 And the themes I downloaded. The developers here are concentrating on making Roms more stable and fixing bugs. In CM7 If you download themes yourself there is an in built theme Chooser which makes it simple to choose themes. If you would rather customize your own Themes use the UOT KITCHEN.
Hope you enjoy Android
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
Until there is a universal theme app, I suggest using miui rom
They took themeing to a new level
mshfar said:
Until there is a universal theme app, I suggest using miui rom
They took themeing to a new level
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 totally agree.
There's always ninja/metamorph/villainthemes. But even those three do nothing to simplify the single most frustrating element of android theming: 9.pngs.
Until somebody whips up an easy editing tool for the 9s, especially on device, theming will be hard.
I kinda get what the OP is talking about though, but unlike winterboard (which, however people like to deny it, saps resources like nobody's business), android theming so far is just patching up system files with practically zero resource overhead in actual use.
eiraku said:
There's always ninja/metamorph/villainthemes. But even those three do nothing to simplify the single most frustrating element of android theming: 9.pngs.
Until somebody whips up an easy editing tool for the 9s, especially on device, theming will be hard.
I kinda get what the OP is talking about though, but unlike winterboard (which, however people like to deny it, saps resources like nobody's business), android theming so far is just patching up system files with practically zero resource overhead in actual use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thing about winterboard is layers , you can select multiple themes to apply and depending on which order you put them in, they theme different stuff. And really , if you are using an i4 or above you won't notice any slowdown at all. Even with several different themes applied. Just my experience. Its really great I wish theme chooser would be ported to tw roms ! Or universal even better.
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I agree MUIU roms are brilliant but i personally never tried them, i'm just waiting for the official release for S II. It should be out in a month.
I know dev's are too busy trying to make roms stable but the question is how many stable roms do we need ? instead of having all sorts of roms each containing their own customization package , why not make your life easier and develop a 3rd party application that does the job for you.
I just don't get it , the dev's are spending so much time coming up with rom compatible mods and themes which needs a lot of testing and time. I personally use the revolution rom and i love it, one problem i faced twice is bootloop after flashing a theme because the themes were not compatible with the rom take in to consideration i flashed them from the revolution kitchen. I dont blame leomar for that in fact big props for him for the amazing work , the guy just doesn't have time to check the compatibility of each theme on the forum.
Besides theming, there's still no simple way of renaming apps on Android. Wasn't Android supposed to be an open platform unlike iOS?
dubart said:
Besides theming, there's still no simple way of renaming apps on Android. Wasn't Android supposed to be an open platform unlike iOS?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i know you can rename apps if you're using go launcher ex, i don't think there's a way to rename using TW.
I use MIUI rather than waiting... lol
T-Mobile theme engine...
Sent from my Xoom using xda premium
there is finally Winterboard and mobile substrate for android!!
saurik just released it today!
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.saurik.substrate
Cydia substrate and winterboard for android
http://www.xda-developers.com/android/cydia-substrate-released-by-saurik-for-android/
the guy who made it foe iOS has also released it for Android just today .
there is xtheme engine, you can change themes, and there are different launchers
there is also the Xposed Framework
try "buzz launcher" . it gives you many, many different desktops !
Good news
aka12345 said:
hey everyone,
I'm fairly new to this forum since i just got my first android device. i've been an iPhone user since 2007 and I'm absolutely loving android so far. One problem i'm having is theming the device is awful there are plenty of theme types , themes for launchers , themes for odexed roms and themes for deodexed roms. it just makes life so much harder specially if you're a new user.
for those who don't know what winterboard does, according to google "previously known as SummerBoard, you will use it in order to apply different themes and visual tweaks to your iPhone or iPod Touch.."
now the way winterboard works is simple, the iOS device has images stored in system/UIimages .. what winterboard does is basically backup the system images and applies new images stored in var/mobile/themes. If the image is there it reads it from var/mobile/themes if not it reads it from system/UIimages that way you'll never mess with the system files even if you decide to delete winterboard from you're device.
Now before you start hating on me , i know JKAY v11 mod is available but it is very limited in the amount of customization you can do. I mean this forum is full of brilliant developers , why can't you come up with a universal way of theming devices?
sorry to bore you with all this info but i really hope to see something like winterboard for android devices soon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gud news guys.... now winterboard itself is available for android.... just search it in the play store....
I have downloaded cydia substrete but when i click on install it says something like frawy pants. What is that?
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Looks like Google is getting sick of carriers and manufacturers messing with their hard work.
http://androidcommunity.com/google-...theme-requirement-for-market-access-20120103/
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
I hope this sticks. Im sick of Touchwiz
Fantastic.
At first I thought this might chap the asses of Motorola, LG, Samsung and (especially) HTC...but it doesn't seem to be saying "NO CUSTOM UI FOR YOU"...which is probably smart. Since there are many app markets now--an especially notable contender being Amazon--handset makers may not give a ****...though to volley it back again perhaps that would lose them any lawsuit insulation Google may (or may not) have been giving them.
daneurysm said:
Fantastic.
At first I thought this might chap the asses of Motorola, LG, Samsung and (especially) HTC...but it doesn't seem to be saying "NO CUSTOM UI FOR YOU"...which is probably smart. Since there are many app markets now--an especially notable contender being Amazon--handset makers may not give a ****...though to volley it back again perhaps that would lose them any lawsuit insulation Google may (or may not) have been giving them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon tried that with the fascinate and an LG phone, and it didn't work out too well for them. , it seems like the future ui's will be limited to just a launcher and apps, which can easily be replaced with stock.
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I hope they stick to it. This would be great.
kingsway8605 said:
Verizon tried that with the fascinate and an LG phone, and it didn't work out too well for them. , it seems like the future ui's will be limited to just a launcher and apps, which can easily be replaced with stock.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
...so no mucking with the framework beyond what something in an apk and/or widget could provide?
I will pray that this is the case.
I'm not so hopeful.
Either way, if they got pissed enough at google it wouldn't be the same as the Bingification of a couple phones by the carrier--though that is always a (remote) possibility. They could use Google for default search (I'm sure Google would still prefer it), they just couldn't use GAPPS or put a Google logo on the thing. I'm sure you know all of this already...But, alternate apps are available and alternate markets exist....big ones, notable ones with big names behind them (ahem, Amazon and a handful of much smaller fish)....I think the only thing Google might bring to the table for their compliance is implied or actual protection in the WW3 of lawsuits crisscrossing the industry.
But, whatever about that tech-navel-gazing... I hope what you suggest is true. I read the article and got nothing more than "key aspects" of the UI should stay mostly stock, if thats cool....unless Google is planning on putting the screws down, which I pray they do.
Its about God damn time. Scratch touchwiz, sense, and MAP.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
This doesn't prevent companies from using a custom UI. It only assures developers that stock UI assets are there.
^^^THIS^^^
What about device themes?
We have no desire to restrict manufacturers from building their own themed experience across their devices. In fact we’ve gone further to make this even easier. In Android 4.0’s API (level 14) we’ve added a new public theme family to complement the Holo family introduced in Android 3.0: DeviceDefault. DeviceDefault themes are aliases for the device’s native look and feel. The DeviceDefault theme family and widget style family offer ways for developers to target the device’s native theme with all customizations intact.
Formally separating these theme families will also make future merges easier for manufacturers updating to a new platform version, helping more devices update more quickly. Google’s Nexus devices alias DeviceDefault to the unmodified Holo themes.
source
so what this say is we will have touchwiz, and htc will have sense. but developers can call on the holo theme for their apps and the framework will be there.
Good, I'd love for it to stay vanilla.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA App
Maybe I don't understand what the article is saying. Are they saying that places like settings will stay where as the dialer and contacts will be different?
ddrt said:
Maybe I don't understand what the article is saying. Are they saying that places like settings will stay where as the dialer and contacts will be different?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flash a theme in the xda theme section to get an idea of what a theme changes. Google has their official ics theme called Holo. They are saying this theme has to be used if the manufacturers want to have gapps.
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daneurysm said:
Fantastic.
At first I thought this might chap the asses of Motorola, LG, Samsung and (especially) HTC...but it doesn't seem to be saying "NO CUSTOM UI FOR YOU"...which is probably smart. Since there are many app markets now--an especially notable contender being Amazon--handset makers may not give a ****...though to volley it back again perhaps that would lose them any lawsuit insulation Google may (or may not) have been giving them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just have to go on record by asking...
Daneurysm, did i not forsee this (Google market and app restrictions) as being the strategy to enforce less manufacturer meddling in our conversation a week or two ago?
And that it would be subtle, and in baby steps?
I called it
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kingsway8605 said:
Flash a theme in the xda theme section to get an idea of what a theme changes. Google has their official ics theme called Holo. They are saying this theme has to be used if the manufacturers want to have gapps.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not "used" its saying the theme must be left in framework for apps devs to call upon it for their apps. read the whole article, lol.
We have no desire to restrict manufacturers from building their own themed experience across their devices. In fact we’ve gone further to make this even easier. In Android 4.0’s API (level 14) we’ve added a new public theme family to complement the Holo family introduced in Android 3.0: DeviceDefault. DeviceDefault themes are aliases for the device’s native look and feel. The DeviceDefault theme family and widget style family offer ways for developers to target the device’s native theme with all customizations intact.
cordell12 said:
not "used" its saying the theme must be left in framework for apps devs to call upon it for their apps. read the whole article, lol.
We have no desire to restrict manufacturers from building their own themed experience across their devices. In fact we’ve gone further to make this even easier. In Android 4.0’s API (level 14) we’ve added a new public theme family to complement the Holo family introduced in Android 3.0: DeviceDefault. DeviceDefault themes are aliases for the device’s native look and feel. The DeviceDefault theme family and widget style family offer ways for developers to target the device’s native theme with all customizations intact.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, so they're saying "you can have your themes but leave ours there". That's a great standard of practice. I wonder why it wasn't always this way?
squshy 7 said:
I just have to go on record by asking...
Daneurysm, did i not forsee this (Google market and app restrictions) as being the strategy to enforce less manufacturer meddling in our conversation a week or two ago?
And that it would be subtle, and in baby steps?
I called it
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you called this weeks ago. We had 4 pages of me and you pontificating back-n-forth on the ramifications Google enforced stock ICS, etc, et al, ad nauseam....and this was in fact your premise.
I just hope you were right about the rest of the progression...baby steps indeed.
ddrt said:
Ah, so they're saying "you can have your themes but leave ours there". That's a great standard of practice. I wonder why it wasn't always this way?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The thoughts on this is to stop the Fragmentation, and make it easy for app devs to have one app for all devices.
read the whole article... http://android-developers.blogspot.com/2012/01/holo-everywhere.html
cordell12 said:
not "used" its saying the theme must be left in framework for apps devs to call upon it for their apps. read the whole article, lol.
We have no desire to restrict manufacturers from building their own themed experience across their devices. In fact we’ve gone further to make this even easier. In Android 4.0’s API (level 14) we’ve added a new public theme family to complement the Holo family introduced in Android 3.0: DeviceDefault. DeviceDefault themes are aliases for the device’s native look and feel. The DeviceDefault theme family and widget style family offer ways for developers to target the device’s native theme with all customizations intact.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're so smart, thanks for clarification. The OP made it sound much different than it actually is.
.: sent from my Samsung Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch :.
I personally am a fan of touchwiz 4+... what I would like to see is users given the option when they set up the device (IE when you enter google acct, etc) on whether to use the TW interface, or stock Android. I think that would be the perfect medium to satisfy all.
daneurysm said:
Yes, you called this weeks ago. We had 4 pages of me and you pontificating back-n-forth on the ramifications Google enforced stock ICS, etc, et al, ad nauseam....and this was in fact your premise.
I just hope you were right about the rest of the progression...baby steps indeed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am hopeful as well...just play your cards right Google.
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Why doesn't Google just add the best features of all these ROMs into native Android?
It's so stupid that people have to root their phones in order to get these features. I understand that maybe Google doesn't want Android to seem overly complex, but have a Customization area all in a submenu that you can unlock buy sliding Customizations to ON.
Things like this (in order of necessary > bloat):
Global volume rocker as cursor movement keys (hope this baby is patented so Apple doesn't steal it!)
% battery icon
Brightness slider toggle + AOKP toggles!!!!
Screenshot on Power Menu
Volume panel
Custom targets on lockscreen ring
Custom notification LED colors >> this would really make the hardware unique from Apple and it's really handy, esp when you're in meetings / theaters / church / or any quiet time; the different color assignments are really useful! Even vibrate is now disruptive in meetings.
Weather on lockscreen
Show notification count
Custom colors for Nav Bar
I don't think that's so much that it would overwhelm the average user. Whenever a family member or friend sees our phones, they want me to root theirs and make it the same.
Maybe someone at Google can get this message and we can see this in 4.2? They could release it as a "Android Power Toys" add-on type marketing the way Microsoft did with Windows?
I'm sure there are a number of reasons. First many of these things can be done with third party apps. Google mainly keeps to things that have to be built into the os, or related to Google services.
They have incorporated some features like additional lock screen targets, some toggles on tablets, resizable widgets, ect. It sounds like themes may be coming in 4.2 too.
Another thing I've noticed is while these features are great, they do slow things down a bit, so they may not be beneficial to everyone.
I'm fine with getting these features from other sources of they can put out things like project butter and Google now.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
A lot of what you listed up there I would term bloat, lots of unnecessary options for features I don't want.
Toggles are the exception, I'd love to see a really nice AOSP toggle implementation. I think most normal users would like that too.
Copywrite violations.
I think an easy explanation may be, because the Nexus line is currently only two devices (including the N7). Nexus owners comprise a very small segment of the Android population, and Google develops the device with root users, ROM devs, and themers in mind...meaning, they know we're going to change our devices ourselves (which is part of the fun), so they may not find all of those changes necessary for the Nexus line.
As it pertains to Android in general, I think manufacturer skins (Touchwiz, Sense, Blur) would be the primary deterrent. Google would spend all that time, developing features, that manufacturers would either alter or delete entirely, meaning Google had wasted time and man-hours on developing those additions.
However, word on the street is that LG is getting the Nexus next, but that all manufacturers will also have the ability to make a Nexus device, provided they follow Google's guidelines. This means Nexus devices in the hands of more end users, and possibly, an increased impetus for Google to incorporate some of the features you mentioned. I think we'll see 4.2 and 5.0 implementing some massive changes to the system, in regards to customization and personalization.
Personally, I would like to see the launcher improved. There's no reason why Google couldn't spend a little more time, and create a customizable launcher, like Nova or Apex. That would be a massive improvement IMHO, and one that every user could benefit from. The current launcher is nice, but I know very few rooted users who actually prefer Launcher2 to either of the aforementioned launchers.
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I wonder if they are not included for the sake of simplifying the OS for the average user. It's a lot easier to get someone to just add a widget to add functionality than to explain to them how to enable weather on the lock screen or how to pick which pull-down toggles they want. A lot of those options are redundant because you can access them with widgets on the launcher.
redwingfaninnc said:
I wonder if they are not included for the sake of simplifying the OS for the average user. It's a lot easier to get someone to just add a widget to add functionality than to explain to them how to enable weather on the lock screen or how to pick which pull-down toggles they want. A lot of those options are redundant because you can access them with widgets on the launcher.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That makes sense, but honestly, how many Nexus owners do you know that fit into the "average user" category? I know 35 people who own a Nexus device, and only 3 of them aren't rooted. In general Android terms, you're probably 100% correct though...most "average users" would not know what to do with some of those changes, and many would consider them bloat. Geez, Google's even removed Maps from Gapps, because people thought it was bloatware, so they are sensitive to that issue.
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Remoteconcern said:
A lot of what you listed up there I would term bloat, lots of unnecessary options for features I don't want.
Toggles are the exception, I'd love to see a really nice AOSP toggle implementation. I think most normal users would like that too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, what prompted this post was the AOKP toggles, that's what people like the most when they see mine and my gf's phones.
Also, I agree that it's bloat. But, that's why they can release it in the Play Store as a "Power Toys for Android" add-on. It makes it easy for average users to get access to these features and they don't have to root and they don't have to play the milestone game waiting for a stable daily driver.
jjhiza said:
I think an easy explanation may be, because the Nexus line is currently only two devices (including the N7). Nexus owners comprise a very small segment of the Android population, and Google develops the device with root users, ROM devs, and Turner's in mind...meaning, they know we're going to change our devices ourselves (which is part of the fun), so they may not find all of those changes necessary for the Nexus line.
As it pertains to Android in general, I think manufacturer skins (Touchwiz, Sense, Blur) would be the primary deterrent. Google would spend all that time, developing features, that manufacturers would either alter or delete entirely, meaning Google had wasted time and man-hours on developing those additions.
However, word on the street is that LG is getting the Nexus next, but that all manufacturers will also have the ability to make a Nexus device, provided they follow Google's guidelines. This means Nexus devices in the hands of more end users, and possibly, an increased impetus for Google to incorporate some of the features you mentioned. I think we'll see 4.2 and 5.0 implementing some massive changes to the system, in regards to customization and personalization.
Personally, I would like to see the launcher improved. There's no reason why Google couldn't spend a little more time, and create a customizable launcher, like Nova or Apex. That would be a massive improvement IMHO, and one that every user could benefit from. The current launcher is nice, but I know very few rooted users who actually prefer Launcher2 to either of the aforementioned launchers.
Sent from my SCH-I800 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The launcher is a great idea too. I forgot to mention that. However, Nova launcher is easy for the average user to install. You don't even need to be rooted.
Neo3D said:
The launcher is a great idea too. I forgot to mention that. However, Nova launcher is easy for the average user to install. You don't even need to be rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very true, but most normal Android users simply run the out-of-the-box setup from day one, until the day they upgrade. If Google took the time to build a slightly better launcher, those of us who want extra customization (grid size, icon editing, etc) can have it, while those who run stock from day one, won't even notice the changes, because they'll never use them.
Looks like Google might be one step ahead of us.
http://www.androidpolice.com/2012/1...oject-roadrunner-updated-google-play-and-now/
"Customization Center"?
That would be sweet if it were true and included some of these awesome ideas that custom ROM devs have come up with.
That's generally how it works, Google borrows from developers and OEMs' UIs.
Sent from my ADR6400L using xda app-developers app
jordanishere said:
Copywrite violations.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What copyright? If i remembered correctly all custom ROMs are open sourced, which means copyright doesn't apply.
Do correct me if i'm wrong.
jimmyco2008 said:
That's generally how it works, Google borrows from developers and OEMs' UIs.
Sent from my ADR6400L using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is it right here. Let the devs do the muscle and brain work and Google cherry picks what they think should be the next evolution of android.
The great thing about open source is that sharing is what it is all about. If you don't like sharing, then there are two other clubs to join. Both of which could be more awesome if they didn't take the mine all mine approach.
...
@rbiter said:
This is it right here. Let the devs do the muscle and brain work and Google cherry picks what they think should be the next evolution of android.
The great thing about open source is that sharing is what it is all about. If you don't like sharing, then there are two other clubs to join. Both of which could be more awesome if they didn't take the mine all mine approach.
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, all about the cherry picks.
Perfect example is SMS quick reply, I'd say that's a dead cert as the immediate reaction to JB notifications was fantastic but let me do even mooaaar!!!
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
They can't just slap every option in the world in. You'd have a bloated mess. (That's part of why skins are so bad... feature overload).
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Most of those things can be do e from an app, maybe Google let's the door open to the free market and get devs to earn money making these addons.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Besides, if Google took all the best features from our ROMs, nothing would hardly ever need updating in future versions.
I Am Marino said:
Besides, if Google took all the best features from our ROMs, nothing would hardly ever need updating in future versions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I think its important to note that even if Google wanted to implement some of these features commonly found on custom ROMs that it'd take more than just one version of Android to bring them in.
jjhiza said:
I think an easy explanation may be, because the Nexus line is currently only two devices (including the N7). Nexus owners comprise a very small segment of the Android population, and Google develops the device with root users, ROM devs, and Turner's in mind...meaning, they know we're going to change our devices ourselves (which is part of the fun), so they may not find all of those changes necessary for the Nexus line.
As it pertains to Android in general, I think manufacturer skins (Touchwiz, Sense, Blur) would be the primary deterrent. Google would spend all that time, developing features, that manufacturers would either alter or delete entirely, meaning Google had wasted time and man-hours on developing those additions.
However, word on the street is that LG is getting the Nexus next, but that all manufacturers will also have the ability to make a Nexus device, provided they follow Google's guidelines. This means Nexus devices in the hands of more end users, and possibly, an increased impetus for Google to incorporate some of the features you mentioned. I think we'll see 4.2 and 5.0 implementing some massive changes to the system, in regards to customization and personalization.
Personally, I would like to see the launcher improved. There's no reason why Google couldn't spend a little more time, and create a customizable launcher, like Nova or Apex. That would be a massive improvement IMHO, and one that every user could benefit from. The current launcher is nice, but I know very few rooted users who actually prefer Launcher2 to either of the aforementioned launchers.
Sent from my SCH-I800 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahhh jjhiza. Havent seen one of your essays since the droid3 days aha
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
I have a question: why is it that every rom, every new OS all the icons stays the same? Why don't these companies or rom developers just create a whole new icon set? Yes, I know that I can install a launcher and get new icons but I like to just leave the phone just the way it is without installing a launcher and then installing sets of icons. Samsung is the same, KiKat is the same as way back to eclair. No difference. Its just the same ol' same ol' boring icons.
Its one of those, "if it ain't broke" things I guess. It seems to me a lot of folks think they nailed it back on ics, so they are sorta sticking to a lot of that and introducing changes a little at a time. Kk for example does have a different look in some areas such as the status bar and notification area. I also think that most significant changes will be made for different devices. The average person using their S3 for the past 2 years may not want all different icons when they update. They expect to only have to relearn what's what when getting a new device.
Thats a theory anyway...
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk
DocHoliday77 said:
Its one of those, "if it ain't broke" things I guess. It seems to me a lot of folks think they nailed it back on ics, so they are sorta sticking to a lot of that and introducing changes a little at a time. Kk for example does have a different look in some areas such as the status bar and notification area. I also think that most significant changes will be made for different devices. The average person using their S3 for the past 2 years may not want all different icons when they update. They expect to only have to relearn what's what when getting a new device.
Thats a theory anyway...
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have done great things with the 4.3 update, the themes are freaking awesome to change the stock-flat-boring icons from TW. Personally, Im using the AOSP theme on the TW launcher, love that combo! Thanks for giving us taste of KK with your sprint port. Can wait for you to mess with the KK update we will be getting soon. Oh, and I have a request for your future KK rom, include the AOSP theme or the option to use the google launcher like you did on 4.3 :highfive::highfive::highfive:
Actually, I cannot take credit for all of that! If I am not mistaken you are referring to the StockMod rom right? Pretty much the entire rom is the work of @saranhai. All due credit goes to him for that one! And I am certain he will be hard at work on it too.
We just got wifi working, so if we can get screen rotation solved, it wouldn't surprise me if he rebased using my port!
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Yeah, I guess that makes sense. its just that, if you build a rom couldn't the icons be replaced to make it a bit different? I do like the flat samsung icons even though they still look the same, its just flat. I don't like using launchers any more because most of them need to install lots of widgets in order to complete the launcher and then when I install another rom then I have to do that all over again. Thats why I gave up on launchers.
Your roms are great and I love them. I guess what I'm trying to say is that most KK roms gets boring with the same look. I know that there's some that offer more features in settings, but they still look the same in general. I mean, they still using the same stock messaging icon since the beginning of Android, time for a change.
First, admittedly, KK has switched back to drab White over black icons which are not exactly appealing. So I will grant you that. Secondly When it comes to icons, you do have to edit the actual app APK in order to change or replace the icon. That is if you don't want to replace the laucher. There are inherent problems and a ton of time editing the APKs not to mention copyright issues.
If you are not wanting a Launcher change then you can go for either a lightweight launcher with theaming support (Such as Apex) and you can apply Themes. Otherwise you can go for De-Odexed Roms that are skinnable and highly customizable. AOKP (Unicorn) and Pacman come to mind.
Do know there are projects here on XDA such as Team Blackout who invert Google Apps and other apps.
You can't expect OEMs to design new icons every time they push a new update.. And from eclair to KK, I've had a Samsung eclair device and the icons look way better with kk, don't know what you mean that they look the same.. You can use an xposed module to change icon themes on any launcher even stock, gravity box or wanam modules to add mods and change a little appearance, there's flashable themes.. I don't see a reason to rant about this
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I'd like to get some black subtratum theme for my A1 but one thing worries me if its gonna decrease stability of my phone even by slightest bit, like performance, or if its likely to cause any problems (visual or technical) after android updates, or i will have uptade the theme every time something changes visually in OS. One thing to note is that all i need is some black layout for my oreo (menus, default apps like calendar, keyboard, dialer, lock screen, etc), im not interested in customising any third-party apps, not even google apps. Also to note, im using Nova Launcher and wondering if there are no comptability issues with it.
costage said:
I'd like to get some black subtratum theme for my A1 but one thing worries me if its gonna decrease stability of my phone even by slightest bit, like performance, or if its likely to cause any problems (visual or technical) after android updates, or i will have uptade the theme every time something changes visually in OS. One thing to note is that all i need is some black layout for my oreo (menus, default apps like calendar, keyboard, dialer, lock screen, etc), im not interested in customising any third-party apps, not even google apps. Also to note, im using Nova Launcher and wondering if there are no comptability issues with it.
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I use substratum with swiftblack theme it is stable . If you uninstall first all overlays s in substratum manager and then update the theme and then reapply them after each update you dont have many bugs. Sometimes there are some bugs but they fix them . I dont think there is a decrease in phones performance. There is no issue with nova launcher.The thing you should do first is disable the autoupdate of apps in playstore. Update the apps when a new version of the theme is out. I use substratum with my mia1 with april update and with my s7(oreo). With my mia1 i use the nexus or pixel guide in swiftblack theme.
costage said:
I'd like to get some black subtratum theme for my A1 but one thing worries me if its gonna decrease stability of my phone even by slightest bit, like performance, or if its likely to cause any problems (visual or technical) after android updates, or i will have uptade the theme every time something changes visually in OS. One thing to note is that all i need is some black layout for my oreo (menus, default apps like calendar, keyboard, dialer, lock screen, etc), im not interested in customising any third-party apps, not even google apps. Also to note, im using Nova Launcher and wondering if there are no comptability issues with it.
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This is stock Android. Substratum works without issues.
Sent from my Xiaomi Mi A1 using XDA Labs
I use Pitch Black. It's perfect. The only problem you might get is if you have apps set too auto update. As some overlys have vto be set to app version. So YouTube etc can cause hiccups. But the Developer normally updates them as soon as new updates are out. Don't worry too much its easy to fix.
I've updated to the latest June patch with 8.1 Oreo. I've rooted with magisk and substratum works without any issues. No lags or performance problems. Battery also doesn't drain.
I'm attaching a screenshot . Using Pi Dark Theme
Guys im not going to root my phone, all i want is black themed system, not apps other than stock tools from android. Can i install it without applying it to other apps like YouTube, Facebook and all that? And does it cause any glitches after updates as a clean replacement for standard white theme from oreo? I will pass if its gonna bring any extra trouble for me, i simply dont want to deal with it anymore in the future, it just annoys me but a black theme instead white would be great.
costage said:
Guys im not going to root my phone, all i want is black themed system, not apps other than stock tools from android. Can i install it without applying it to other apps like YouTube, Facebook and all that? And does it cause any glitches after updates as a clean replacement for standard white theme from oreo? I will pass if its gonna bring any extra trouble for me, i simply dont want to deal with it anymore in the future, it just annoys me but a black theme instead white would be great.
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You're not getting the gist of what we are explaining. We cannot post the black theme overlay you want because warez is not allowed in the forums. For one, you will need Substratum + you need to buy the Andromeda add-on if you're not going to root. Andromeda will use ADB commands from your PC to enable theme support on your Mi A1. Also, when you access themes through substratum, you can select which apps to enable the overlays on. You can skip the other apps and just theme the Settings app, framework and SystemUI. You will need to update the themes through Substratum whenever an update arrives for the theme you are using. If you are thinking this through too much, I would suggest stay away from theming.
Sent from my Xiaomi Mi A1 using XDA Labs
joeyhuab said:
... when you access themes through substratum, you can select which apps to enable the overlays on. You can skip the other apps and just theme the Settings app, framework and SystemUI. You will need to update the themes through Substratum whenever an update arrives for the theme you are using. If you are thinking this through too much, I would suggest stay away from theming.
Sent from my Xiaomi Mi A1 using XDA Labs
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Thanks, i think i will pass then. That sounds distracting enough for me. Even if its just a periodic update to the theme it will eventually piss me off on occasion when something suddenly breaks, and id rather have the least amount of distractions at the cost of worse design.
costage said:
Thanks, i think i will pass then. That sounds distracting enough for me. Even if its just a periodic update to the theme it will eventually piss me off on occasion when something suddenly breaks, and id rather have the least amount of distractions at the cost of worse design.
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Most themes only breaks on third party apps. Settings app, SystemUI and Android Framework updates are usually minimal and doesn't lead to crashing. Updating the overlay through Substratum then rebooting fixes the issues easily.
Ohh allright then
joeyhuab said:
This is stock Android. Substratum works without issues.
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Can u help me with the process of installing substratum themes
The_Runner said:
I've updated to the latest June patch with 8.1 Oreo. I've rooted with magisk and substratum works without any issues. No lags or performance problems. Battery also doesn't drain.
I'm attaching a screenshot . Using Pi Dark Theme
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Click to collapse
Hi , how do you root your phone ? I only unlocked bootloader
ahmed dzico said:
Hi , how do you root your phone ? I only unlocked bootloader
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I mainly followed the guide.
After updating to the June patch ( i had already unlocked my bootloader before May Patch)
1. Booted to latest twrp and made a back-up of boot .Renamed it to boot.img .
2. Then i installed magisk and patched the boot image.
3. Then from fastboot i booted with the Patched image . And installed magisk via 'Direct Install' method.
The phone rebooted. And it was rooted.
PS. In case u want the patched boot img for June, I'm leaving a link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OvO4dx_pOudfVM2veWvVotVL6_iOxwtG/view?usp=drivesdk