Database Users

Launcher pro questions...

I see several screenshots posted here from people who use Launcher pro.
I do like those screenshots and there are some handy things about it what i like.
However.... I am a bit afraid to mess up my Desire. So i have a couple of questions....
1. If I install this app Can I switch easily between Sense & launcher Pro
2. How can i Switch
3. The most important Widget from sense is the contacts Widget, is there a widget that can replace this functionality ?
4. I also the mail widgets from Sense is there a replacement for those ?
I hav a stock rom with the latest Update. I don't want to root or dos something like that. Can I have a go with LauncherPro ?

If your in bed with sense why not stay there for now and see what happens on the 23rd when we get FroYo?

1. If I install this app Can I switch easily between Sense & launcher Pro
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you can use an app on the market called Home Switcher.
3. The most important Widget from sense is the contacts Widget, is there a widget that can replace this functionality ?
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Click to collapse
Not exactly, but similar widgets are available.
4. I also the mail widgets from Sense is there a replacement for those ?
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Click to collapse
There are widgets out there... give Executive Assistant a spin
Why not just install it and see what you think... you might like it and ditch the sense stuff... which imo isn't that great!

Yes, switching is easy! You can either go through the "Manage Applications" menu (Settings -> Applications -> Manage Applications), select your current launcher and tap "Clear Defaults", or go to marketplace and download "Home Switcher" which makes life really easy if you're indecisive. ;P
You're also asked which launcher to use the first time you tap the Home button when one is installed or removed. You have to tap the checkbox at the bottom to set one as the default, so one of the easiest way to try it out is to leave it unchecked, then you get prompted each time, once you've made your choice, you can just tap the checkbox.
I'm not sure about specific replacements for those widgets, but in general there are solutions. You can add contacts to your homescreen directly the same way you add widgets (Hold a blank area -> Select "Shortcut" -> "Person").
cardiak said:
see what happens on the 23rd when we get FroYo?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You act like it's been confirmed...

ZTE Blade Optimisation Guide

I have had the ZTE Blade for about a month now and I have noticed that sometimes it can become a bit slow and laggy but with the use of some free apps from the market I was able to help speed up the Blade's performance without much effort.
Advanced Task Killer
Launch the app > Press "menu" button > Go to settings > Change "Auto Kill Level" to "Safe" also change "Auto Kill Frequency to "When screen off"
AutoStart Killer
Disable all apps you don't need to start up when the phone boots
Launcher Pro
Make sure Launcher Pro is the default launcher. I recommend that you only have 3 homescreens with minimal use of widgets. i have found that keeping the default settings improves performance.
Zeam
I found that LauncherPro and Zeam are similar in performance but they are both great launcher replacements.
Titanium Backup
Only needed if you are using a stock rom or one with a lot of apps you don't use or want. Remove any Orange or ZTE apps you don't use to free up space on the phone's internal memory.

Cheers for the info
ive been using TB to remove apps or old apps works well and seems to speed things up
ive also been using cache cleaner and rebooting (which i hope helps keep things running a little better)
Cheers
Ricey

Isnt Advanced Task Killer supposed to be evil?

russellc1 said:
Advanced Task Killer
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Click to collapse
You don't ever need a autokiller. Use auto-starts, and don't install crap apps!

russellc1 said:
Launcher Pro
Make sure Launcher Pro is the default launcher. I recommend that you only have 3 homescreens with minimal use of widgets. i have found that keeping the default settings improves performance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to change home launcher in order to optimize performance, Zeam is the best choice. It has a very low footprint (and a very handy home screen, btw.).

There's no way a task killer is going anywhere near my phone......

Agreed - Zeam seems to be a bit smoother than launcher pro on the stock rom. On 2.2 theres very little difference between them. Personally i prefer ADW - although pretty much the only thing it has over Launcher Pro is the ability to set three columns instead of four in the app drawer. (sad i know)
The best optimization is to get 2.2 on there

I've not tried out zeam yet, but running Launcher pro on 2.2, with memory settings set to 10, and caching enabled, I find it hard to believe that much it going to beat it, mine is liquid smooth on the home screen.
Mike

I've just tried out Zeam, and actually I was suprised at how smooth it is, not quite a smooth going into the appdraw, but really quite good
Mike

Wait till Launcher Pro get its rewrite, then we will see who is smoother

You shouldn't use an auto task killer. Autostarts is a better bet to prevent stuff you don't want starting the first place. And Watchdog if the reason you're wanting to kill stuff is that they're going wrong.
Zeam is faster than LauncherPro imo. It's just a shame it doesn't have the option to hide apps in the app drawer.

faster blade
use adw launcher it is the best homescreen by miles, once you get used to it all others will seem pointless, stick to a minimal amount of widgets and a max of 3 screens.
a good task manager I've found is task panel x. it gives you a widget for your homescreen with a kill all button and has ignore and autokill options to keep things running smoothly
avoid live wallpapers like the plague, try using something like wallswitch instead to auto change your wallpapers. there are loads of apps to get nice wallpapers and most of them look miles better than the gimmicky live wallpapers anyway.
I have spent hours trying out every widget and app out there and can highly recommend the following...
My current widgets
countdown timer widget,
mort player music widget,
sticky pad pro widget (totally customizable and great for shopping lists)
guage battery widget
jorte calander
wifi manager
task panel
widgetsoid
digital clock widget
favourite apps
angry birds
system panel light (best looking task manager by far)
app brain (better than the market)
chrome to phone
daily horoscope
ezpdf reader (has night mode)
laputa (excellent free ebook reader)
myplayer (old version still works)
Slideit keyboard (like swype but much better)
uk tv droid (excellent tv guide with reminders)
Uloops studio (THIS ROCKS, BEST ANDROID APP EVER)
wall switch
if anybody knows of any better alternatives to these I would love to hear about them.

what to kill though
hi,
I have had my blade for about a month now, and it is my first Android.
this thread is just what I am needing right now to try and optimize it
and get better battery life for use on my golf course with Freecaddie.
currently I am using 2 apps: Advanced Task Killer (the little green man icon) and 'Quick Settings'
and have set phone to 2G, with Auto sync and Background Data disabled.
I fancy trying Titanium Backup and Autostart Killer as mentioned earlier
but have not the faintest idea as to what Apps to backup, nor which to Autokill.
I actually only need my Blade for basic phone usage, as a Satnav, and for Golfing.
if anyone can advise me what to 'kill' I would be very greatful.
a great forum this, and a Happy New Year to all.
Kevin

I have now installed Autostart Killer and quite like it,
but Titanium Backup seems to be for rooted phones only and mine is not rooted.
is there a similar app to Titanium Backup for non rooted phones ?
thanks,
Kevin

Yeh, I'm kind of in a dilema whether to use advanced task killer or not..
can anyone point me in the right direction?

olyloh6696 said:
Yeh, I'm kind of in a dilema whether to use advanced task killer or not..
can anyone point me in the right direction?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Add to whitelist anything you want to keep open it doesn't display core processes anyway so can't go wrong.
There's an ilogic in the logic as far as android is concerned apparently there is no need for taskillers due to androids own task manager, happen to disagree as any process increases battery also many programs use net in background to which again uses battery, the argument you will find is in the clock we use to clear "doesn't need to be done every minute" also another app worth getting if rooted is Droid wall a firewall very handy to stop program communications..
Sent from my BladeVillain using XDA App

Launchers
I wholeheartedly agree with 'Twistedvegan' that the ADW Launcher is the best.
amongst it's many good points are the ability to change the 3 main launcher icons,
and to customomize what you add to each screen. (eg: I have just icons with no text for my main apps)
and I have tried all the most popular launchers

Downloaded Apps Not in Alphabetic Order

Is there a way to get the Tab to display downloaded apps in alphabetical order? My other Android devices all mange to do it.

Ive noticed that if you delete a app, and then download a new one it, that app will get placed in that "empty" spot in alpha order, also there should be a search function like the htc's

If you're talking about the Launcher Tray, TouchWiz (the Samsung Launcher) just plain doesn't do this. You can use a replacement launcher like ADW, ADW EX, Launcher Pro, Home+, Open Home, et cetera. Most Launcher's do, with reason, alphabetize, but Samsung's does not, and has no setting to make it sort.

... or you can manually rearrange the icons. Applications>Soft Menu Button>Edit ... Drag&Drop

just cls cache in apps management

Jarez - could you walk me through the steps to do that? thanks
Mike

The best option is to throw touchwiz away and install LauncherPro, ADW or so... it will make your life happier in the end...

jarez said:
just cls cache in apps management
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi, can somebody elaborate on the steps to do this. many thanks.

This works: Go to Settings->Applications->Manage Applications->All tab->Samsung Home and click on Clear cache.
Note: This will clear your widgets and desktop settings too.

codewisp said:
This works: Go to Settings->Applications->Manage Applications->All tab->Samsung Home and click on Clear cache.
Note: This will clear your widgets and desktop settings too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you say clear do you mean remove them? I only want to have them in order not removed completely.

codewisp said:
This works: Go to Settings->Applications->Manage Applications->All tab->Samsung Home and click on Clear cache.
Note: This will clear your widgets and desktop settings too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks, as this will clear my desktop settings, i think i'll skip it for now....

EDV11 said:
The best option is to throw touchwiz away and install LauncherPro, ADW or so... it will make your life happier in the end...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This really is the best advice. You're better off getting used to a more advanced launcher replacement early on, than regularly butting up against the limitations of the stock or Samsusng ones until you finally give in and use one. YMMV, but if you use your Tab a lot, you'll appreciate the added features. There are plenty out there, but LP and ADW are the most popular and certainly the easiest ones to find help/info on on the forums.

I would suggest you get ADW Launcher or ADW Launcher Ex (seems to be a tad faster than ADW) if you want to retain the horizontal pagination style of the app drawer. It also sorts alphabetically and has catalogs which let you create icon groups.
I find ADW Launcher Ex is the closest to TouchWiz when configured correctly. It also has the option of coloring the icons' backgrounds similar to what TouchWiz does if a bit off from the original. Then again no launcher is perfect.

I've actually recently fallen in love with the "4D" vertical in ADW Ex. The little flow at the top and bottom is nice, but in general the verticals with the smooth unpaginated view seems to make it faster for me to get where I want to go, especially as an app junkie. It seems like the paginated ones in any launcher are just a bit slower to load too (maybe determining the page breaks, I don't know). I also agree that none is perfect, but ADW is getting there

Help... Lost the text under my homescreen icons

Not too sure where this needs to be (sorry of it's in the wrong place)
I am running CM7 with netarchy kernel
Here is my problem... After trying the theme changing option and well changing theme, I decided I didn't like it and changed it back to the original.
Since the change all of the icons across my home screen have lost their description... Example the facebook icon no longer says face book.
It might not seem like a massive issue (it's not like I'm bricked) but it is really annoying.
Any ideas, help, mind tricks or solutions would be greatly received.
I have tried going back through all the cm7 and adw settings but with no results.
Many thanks
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

Menu -> ADW Settings -> UI Settings -> Screen Preferences -> Advanced -> Hide icon labels (uncheck)
[if using the CM7 ADW; menu -> settings -> ADW -> .... ]

THANK YOU.
It was so simple. Yet over looked.
It had been annoying me all day.
(I feel like such a noob *hangs head in shame*)
Thank you
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

3 dot menu and widgets

I wonder if someone can help me replace the recent apps menu button for the settings button (3 dot menu) like how it is done on the one X, also is there a way to remove the widgets section on the app drawer.
Thanks and please .

replace the recent apps menu button for the settings button (3 dot menu)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can flash a ROM (I use AOKP and it has this) that has settings for manipulating the Navigation Bar.
remove the widgets section on the app drawer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, you can always try out a different launcher. The closest I can think of that mimics stock the best is Nova Launcher and it can remove the Widgets menu (I forgot if you have to pay for the Prime version to do this.)

jerieljan said:
You can flash a ROM (I use AOKP and it has this) that has settings for manipulating the Navigation Bar.
Well, you can always try out a different launcher. The closest I can think of that mimics stock the best is Nova Launcher and it can remove the Widgets menu (I forgot if you have to pay for the Prime version to do this.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh so theres no mods currently available to do this, id rather not flash a new rom i do like what i have atm .