Database Users

ADW launcher

Hey all,
So I am not new to Android, but I am new to using a launcher or anything other than regular apps. I want to try the ADW launcher, but I have some questions since I don't really know anything about how launchers work.
Can someone explain to me the very basics of what installing a launcher will do? Also, if I don't like it or don't understand it, can I uninstall and not have to hard reset?
Is there a how-to for using ADW?
Thanks ahead of time!

Install it thru the Android market place just search adw launcher and if you don't like it uninstall like any other app from the Android market
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Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide

So I can just uninstall and not have to do any reset?
Can you explain to me what a launcher does (briefly)?
Sorry for such a basic question, but hey we all have to learn sometime.
Thanks!

go hear its anderwebs dev page the dev for adw launcher. it should be able to tell you everything about the launcher and show you some picture of what it looks like and what it does. but yea just install from android market and if you dont like just uninstall like any other app without having to reset your device just go to market/downloads then uninstall.
http://jbthemes.com/anderweb/

hears a video of it to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5gRgpuQE_k&feature=fvst
the version in this video is 0.7.1 and it is now on 0.7.8 so theres been plenty of new features since then

I really appreciate the info. I installed it this morning, but couldn't even figure out how to change the settings. I read the instructions on adw's page so I might try again.
My calendar widget wouldn't work and there were also only 5 screens instead of 7. Can you have 7?
Maybe I need to mess with it more. I guess I'm just not sure of the benefits of using it. Will it help my battery last longer? Will the MTS be faster? Or is it more of an aesthetic thing?
thnx

I didn't have any problems with it other than lag here and there. It might just need the dev to do a bit of fine tunning, or could be me with my luck. Nice interface. Good features, and a lot of flexibility. I do like sense though and I think I will just deal with all of TMobiles extra crap for the time being. All in all a great replacement though.

Press the menu key while on the home screen, then you can select the ADW settings. You can have 7 screens if you want.
The HTC Sense widgets will not work outside of the sense launcher.

Etype R said:
Press the menu key while on the home screen, then you can select the ADW settings. You can have 7 screens if you want.
The HTC Sense widgets will not work outside of the sense launcher.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what he said

also keep in mind that My Modes function will not work with a launcher program. I tried Helix, ADW, and launcherpro and since they seem to be just a "skin" so the apps don't rearrange and stuff when you change modes. It meesses it up. Then when you uninstall you have to set up modes again. Just FYI, not sure if you use the modes or not.

Thanks for all of the info. I don't use modes, but I do like the widgets, particularly calendar and weather. Being able to see what I have to do every day right on the home screen(s) is very helpful!

http://androinica.com/2009/09/24/dont-like-the-android-calendar-widget-get-a-pure-one/
And for the weather/clock I am using beautiful widgets. There are options out there

[Q] [Req] Homescreen Switcher + several questions

Hey mates,
i have this friend (he's the typical iDork) who keeps annoying me with comments about how ugly he finds my homescreens...
i used to have only one scene (The Sense HD remix scene in minimal grey).
now i'd like to install launcher pro and make it look awesome, custom icons, everything designed as minimal as it gets.
only problem, every time i hit "home" my beloved desire asks me what homescreen it should return to. i know i can make it remember one of the two, but if i want to change then, i'd have to work through the settings and options...
so, here's my request:
a SIMPLE, SEXY WIDGET, that can instantly change the launcher assigned to the home button. i think it's not much work to do, if the API allows apps to change settings (not sure about that).
I'm a C++ programmer with zero experience in java, so i can't do it myself.
finally, i'd like to know how i can mod the launcher pro in the ways seen around on this forum (e.g. Mnml Icons as buttons etc.)
Thanks for your time,
Max
PS: does anyone know a widget for email/sms with a minimal style, such as Cal Widget with transparent background.

Settings > Applications > Manage Applications > LauncherPro > Clear Defaults.
Do you need a widget for that? ..

this isn't my point
i want to be able to switch between two launchers FAST, so i have, let's say a private and a business launcher, one designed for usability, and the other for style.
i don't want to reassign the home button everytime i want to switch, thats why i wnat a widget, or a shortcut, which i just touch once.
but since it seems like i'm the only person here switching frequently between launchers, i guess i'll have to code something myself.
anyway, thx for your time.

Oh.
Not a bad idea.
Good luck.

maxupp said:
Hey mates,
i have this friend (he's the typical iDork) who keeps annoying me with comments about how ugly he finds my homescreens...
i used to have only one scene (The Sense HD remix scene in minimal grey).
now i'd like to install launcher pro and make it look awesome, custom icons, everything designed as minimal as it gets.
only problem, every time i hit "home" my beloved desire asks me what homescreen it should return to. i know i can make it remember one of the two, but if i want to change then, i'd have to work through the settings and options...
so, here's my request:
a SIMPLE, SEXY WIDGET, that can instantly change the launcher assigned to the home button. i think it's not much work to do, if the API allows apps to change settings (not sure about that).
I'm a C++ programmer with zero experience in java, so i can't do it myself.
finally, i'd like to know how i can mod the launcher pro in the ways seen around on this forum (e.g. Mnml Icons as buttons etc.)
Thanks for your time,
Max
PS: does anyone know a widget for email/sms with a minimal style, such as Cal Widget with transparent background.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is an app on the market that can do that.

TheRedDrake said:
There is an app on the market that can do that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HomeSwitcher.
Works from 1.5 - 2.1, I think.
Certainly doesn't support 2.2

zHk3R said:
HomeSwitcher.
Works from 1.5 - 2.1, I think.
Certainly doesn't support 2.2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No,not home switcher. It was called easy switcher or something like that, can't say for sure. It supported widgets for quick switching also. I found several with similar function Launcher switcher/Home manager/, don't know if this one has widgets.

thanks mates,
homeswitcher does indeed not support android 2.2.
anyway, i found "Launcher Switcher" BUT:
- doesn't provide a widget
- sends me to the android settings screen, when i want to re-bind the home button
so, i stiiiiiiiiill haven't fouuuuuuuuund, what i'm looking foooooor....

Cleardefaulthome
It takes you straight to the current launcher info page where you press clear defaults, then press home and select the one you want. Its the best option atm.
Sent from my HTC Desire

I will buy the first homescreen replacement launcher that has this implemented

Android i good. The scrolling homescreen with widgets is good. Only one thing is terrible: The app launcher. No categories/catalogs i launcher?!
So you have to scroll along xx times until you finally spot the application you're looking for.
Here are suggestions on different solutions:
When you open the app launcher you see custom folders ex. "Office, Games, Multimedia, Utils, Settings". When you install a app, you get a question in what folder to put the app link". Besides the folders in the launcher you can have a option to also see latest run apps.
This solution would show the usual vertical scroll down app list. But with a important twist. A line, or the backgroundcolor is different, when you are scrolling on a different category, + a OSD text stays front telling on what category you are, ex "Work, Entertainment, Hobbies, Health, Internet".
One launcher actually has almost made it, don't know if it's Launcher Pro or ADW launcher. You can have apps in different groups and click between them. Only thing missing is name of the categories so you see where you're at. And option to disable the group "All"

I'm pretty certain that Slick UI will have this when it launches.

MIUI already does this

bobjase said:
MIUI already does this
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be fair, MIUI doesn't even have an app drawer, it just puts all of your apps on the launcher and you're forced to put every app into a folder.
Hell, vanilla Android has folders, which is exactly what MIUI is using.

TooSlo said:
To be fair, MIUI doesn't even have an app drawer, it just puts all of your apps on the launcher and you're forced to put every app into a folder.
Hell, vanilla Android has folders, which is exactly what MIUI is using.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oooooooooo flamed.
yeah to start with i thought Miui was amazing, but now I realise other than looking completely different its pretty sh!t

If you want categories in your home-replacement. I suggest you head over to my website http://futurinnovations.blogspot.com/ to see what I am working on. If you are a dev yourself, you can help all that you can. It's still a work in progress and I haven't come up with any fancy renderings of it, yet. I do, however, have some sketches of what it is supposed to look like and how it functions. Tell what you think of it. It will be the second post from the top (under my live wallpaper screen shots).

DxTop has an amazing implementation of categorized app drawer - with corresponding live folders.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

go launcher has app drawer sorted I believe
Swyped on my OG Droid using Tapatalk

Go launcher has app sorting, not sure about categories though.

I think LG Optimus One has that kind of launcher
Starts at 1:17
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZLaId_ep68&feature=player_embedded#!
And here is thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=812302
And u can send the money to me. j/k

I wish this feature would be implemented into LauncherPro. I love all the other features of LauncherPro, so it would be nice to be able to keep those and still have this category feature.

auto app organizer .apk
create shortcut in homescreen or dock and voila you got what you want in all the launchers ...

LG Home does what you're asking its in the market but only really works for the galaxy s line up.
Sent from my phone...which is faster than my laptop.

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

Launchers

Is there anyway app/way to back up home launchers (adw, go, lp) screens and switc,h them from launcher to launcher? I tried backing up from one launcher and restorin with another (renaming and putting them in the correct directories) but that doesn't work. Othr than replacing all my icons and widgets, is there a way to backup and restore from launcher to launcher?
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

Not sure what you mean about backup/restore. Many launchers include a backup option. If you are worried about a launcher loosing its settings when you switch to a different one, then don't. As long as you don't go into applications and clear the launcher's data it should retain everything fine. Otherwise just use your favorite backup app (MyBackup Root, Titanium, etc).
As for easily switching them, checkout Home Switcher.
Edit:
Nvm - I get it now. No, none that I know of - they are all different as far as source goes, so I'm guessing you're out of luck.

yeah i dont think this is possible dude.

Home Switcher

Alright...I was jw because it was bugging me. Maybe someone can develop a app of some sort, but untl then o well.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

You can, if you were able to find the actual apk's you could throw them in the backup folder if you ever use sdxappremover, then you could always restore from there, but these files go into system not data, but I havnt seen this being a problem since they all still get updated from what I've seen...
Help support autism awareness,it only takes 2 seconds to help make a difference...
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Sent from MyEF02 using XDAPA...

If I'm reading what you're asking correctly you want to be able to back up your GoLauncher settings for example and then switch those settings to your ADW launcher? That wouldnt work because several things for the launchers are specific to them. Go themes for example that will not work on ADW or LP icons that wont work with Zeam etc... But check out CrazyHome. You can theme 3 different 5 screen desktops basically all different.

I could care less about the settings, I just want to be able to have all the icons and widgets. Lets say I have a music widget and a facebook icon in adw (main launcher) I want to be able to transfer the widget and shortcut to a different launcher (say go launcher) without doing it by hand. Having 7 home screens full of icons and widgets is not easy to switch over to a different launcher.

ugothakd said:
I could care less about the settings, I just want to be able to have all the icons and widgets. Lets say I have a music widget and a facebook icon in adw (main launcher) I want to be able to transfer the widget and shortcut to a different launcher (say go launcher) without doing it by hand. Having 7 home screens full of icons and widgets is not easy to switch over to a different launcher.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the only possible way that I can think of (if you regularly switch between launchers) is to set one up, then switch to another, set it up, then switch.. lather rinse, repeat..
once set up, it will remain the same as long as it's installed on your phone.
There's no way to (easily) save a configuration setup/style/whatever and have it transfer seamlessly from one launcher to another that I'm aware of.

Yep, I get it and no it cant be done. (And I doubt someone ever could do it in the future for the reasons MikeyLee mentioned.) I totally agree it would be nice though...

Ok, thanks for all the help. I was going to try to check out some different launchers but I can't switch all the home screens by hand.