[Q] Kid Friendly Home Screen - Nook Color Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi All,
I am handing down a NC with manualnooter on it to my son for video watch, kids books and game play but would like a better Home Screen for him to see the available icons and such. Is there anything out that would be better suited to kids? I am not looking to reduce functionality, just have bigger icons and if possible customized icons.
Thanks,
Tim

Try GO Launcher EX, with version 2.6 (v2.7 changes a few things i dont like). You can size the icons pretty large. My 4 and 6 yrs olds can use it just fine.
Sent from my NOOKcolor Android eReader

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HeLauncher - Launcher

Haven't seen this Launcher on the Atrix forums:
HeLauncher
Might be worth a looksee!
Doesn't load anything
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
It's very minimal I know, but it was meant to be this way. It's also open source, so the code is available for anyone to play with themselves.
Might be good for some people who don't want a hundred settings they have to mess with.
Features:
- Based off of Launcher+
- 5 screens
- Drop to Uninstall
- Scrollable Widgets
- Re-sizable Widgets
- Screen indicators
- Ten custom dockbar styles
COMING SOON:
- 3D Application Drawer
Ill try it out, before this thread turns ugly.
Ah, that's why. The link is broken to FF, but when used in Chrome its normal. The bashing problem still exists, though.
Sent from my GingerBlur'd, de-odex'd, modded Motorola Atrix 4G (ish.)
Well I am going to try and save this thread. Its a great launcher if you do not need all the animations of other launchers. Loads real fast and is easily customized.
A lot of cleaning here, yes I'm lurking everywhere. Please back on topic.
You deleted a bunch of relevant posts to get this thread "back on topic"?

Hey guys, a new tab 10.1 owner here

Hey guys,
I thought I'd drop by and say hi to everyone, you'll be seeing me here more often - just picked up my Galaxy Tab 10.1 3G from the store - totally loving it. I used to own the Galaxy Tab 7" previously, I sold that for this.
Still snooping around, initial impressions are great !
Any recommendations or any particular threads or apps that I must see to love my tab more? just drop the links here I'll check 'em out.
Once again, Great to know you'll
Cheers
Jackie
here's a tip for you;
When I got my 10.1 (day after launch) I was at first disappointed at the "lack of apps" for it but that disappointment was unfounded BECAUSE, I should NOT look for tablet specific apps which is unimportant....just look for apps because they don't have to be "tablet specific" to work, work well and look great on your device.
I now have more apps than I have space (16GB)
enjoy your 10.1
Thanks a lot Jon,
To be honest, I've been lurking around in this forum for quite some time now, I've understood that most apps are actually optimized for honeycomb just that they don't mention it !
Lack of apps is of least concerns to me, apps for honeycomb keep growing, I also feel they'll be loads of new apps in the coming months !
Thanks a lot for the warm welcome !
Cheers
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Welcome. There are many apps out, but these are some of my favorites.
Thumb Keyboard. Makes typing a breeze. I also like the new text shortcuts button. Great for entering common words and phrases.
ADW Launcher EX. Faster than the Honeycomb Launcher. I really like the bottom dock as well.
Screen Off and Lock. I have it on the bottom dock of my home screen. Don't have to use the power button all the time.
Sent from my GT-P7510 using Tapatalk
are there any apps that are wanted?
i'm a developer who recently got a 10.1 and would like to know what kind of apps there are demand for for honeycomb optimization
Would love, love, love a sports live scores app. Especially baseball. Right now the only ones out there are phone versions which only work in portrait mode and the text is teeny tiny. Can't wait for MLB At Bat to get tablet-ized (hoping it does anyway!). The only tablet version apps I really miss are some of the biggies like Yelp and TripAdvisor.
Welcome. I will second the thumb keyboard (life saver) and the adw ex launcher. Many forums here will help you set it up.
I would also like to suggest the following.
Multipicture Live Wallpaper- honeycomb crops wallpaper horribly, this fixes that and you can have more than one wallpaper.
Some good Widgets are wizz widgets, android pro widgets, HD Widgets, desktop vizualizer, folder organizer lite, and minimilistic text (although have fun- I needed you tube videos for this one.
As for apps I like- pulse for greader, xda premium, dropbox, folder organizer hd, Pandora, tune in radio and Netflix. (Which you have to side load-again other forums for those directions)
Have fun with it and kiss time goodbye due to customizing.
Sent from my GT-P7510 using xda premium
jackie_jagger said:
Hey guys,
I thought I'd drop by and say hi to everyone, you'll be seeing me here more often - just picked up my Galaxy Tab 10.1 3G from the store - totally loving it. I used to own the Galaxy Tab 7" previously, I sold that for this.
Still snooping around, initial impressions are great !
Any recommendations or any particular threads or apps that I must see to love my tab more? just drop the links here I'll check 'em out.
Once again, Great to know you'll
Cheers
Jackie
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as games go, I am addicted to the labyrinth games. My fave is Atilt 3D Labyrinth (by Fridgecat). There is a free version for it. Also, there is a similar game called Labyrinth (by Illusion Labs) and a free version called Labyrinth lite.
Stardate Tab 10.1 said:
Welcome. I will second the thumb keyboard (life saver) and the adw ex launcher. Many forums here will help you set it up.
I would also like to suggest the following.
Multipicture Live Wallpaper- honeycomb crops wallpaper horribly, this fixes that and you can have more than one wallpaper.
Some good Widgets are wizz widgets, android pro widgets, HD Widgets, desktop vizualizer, folder organizer lite, and minimilistic text (although have fun- I needed you tube videos for this one.
As for apps I like- pulse for greader, xda premium, dropbox, folder organizer hd, Pandora, tune in radio and Netflix. (Which you have to side load-again other forums for those directions)
Have fun with it and kiss time goodbye due to customizing.
Sent from my GT-P7510 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've got some of those apps mentioned like pulse and stuff - I'll check the rest out ! Netflix and Pandora don't work in my country so I'm going to skip that. Thanks anyways
Half Decaf said:
As far as games go, I am addicted to the labyrinth games. My fave is Atilt 3D Labyrinth (by Fridgecat). There is a free version for it. Also, there is a similar game called Labyrinth (by Illusion Labs) and a free version called Labyrinth lite.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great - I love games, I'll check them out - thanks
P.S. Should I root my tablet now? any particular plus point in doing so - I am quite familiar with rooting, all my other Android devices are rooted. Just curious how it helps in Honeycomb.
Root would be good for using a ps3 controller for MAME / Genesis / Snes roms (which mostly work like a dream - check out jrioni arcade and gensoid etc.) I haven't done this yet but its getting more and more tempting.
Re ADW: does it run as fast as touchwiz? I was put off by reviews saying it was laggy... cheers
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Adw ex runs on top of touchwiz. You don't get rid of touchwiz. Its as simple as an app. You don't like it, uninstall it. I believe all the launchers have a lite version so you can check it out to see if you like it. Mostly you pay so you can resize Widgets and icons and download themes. Adw ex and launcher pro are the two that I have tried, Alot less lag, almost none at all. Wish Google would try one out so they could improve stock.
Sent from my GT-P7510 using xda premium

[Q] How can I make the Nexus 7 super-easy to use?

How can I make the Nexus 7 super-easy to use?
I have an elderly relative who has never used any Android device, or much technology at all to be honest besides old feature phones and television boxes, and we shall soon be purchasing her a Google Nexus 7. We settled on this idea after noticing that the 8GB Nexus 7 model is only £159 GBP, which isn't much more than the Kindle Touch and also offers a slightly larger screen. I am looking to make the experience personal and also easy for her.
Since I am going to use a custom launcher to prevent access to the app menu and simplify the user experience by showing her only the apps she will need to use (preventing access to the settings will prevent her accidentally deleting things), I am looking for a widget which will allow me to add my own custom text set to a custom size to the home screen. With this, I'll separate up the few apps she plans on using. Any recommendations for such an application?
Since this person does not have full function of a second arm, are there any applications which make one-handed operation easier on the tablet's 7 inch display?
Is there a widget which will allow me to add "picture frames" to the home screen? I could put some pictures of the family in these, which will add a nice personal touch.
Are there any keyboards which are good for one-handed use? Please do not say Swype.
Any suggestions to any of my issues I face? Also, any general app recommendations are welcome, but keep in mind who this tablet is for when making suggestions. For example, no messenger apps.
No ideas to any of those applications/features I'm looking to implement?
Twenty minutes before the first bump and between the first and second - get a bit of patience! People aren't lurking on forums waiting to jump on your every post...
1. Yes - Minimalistic Text and others
3. Yes - search Play store for "picture widget"
4. Why not Swype? What makes it unsuitable (that'll make it easier for others to make suggestions.
Swype probably requires two-handing on a device this big.
Honestly, any keyboard that works well with one hand, will also reconfigure so much that you'll essentially have to relearn it.
Messagease and 8pen are good with one hand, but they obviously don't look anything like qwerty. And one-hand typing is really only feasible with phones anyway.
Best bet is just to use voice recognition and hope it really is as up to snuff.
You're probably not going to like my answer, but I tried this (also with a person who had use of only one arm) and it didn't work. I mounted it to a table on a movable arm to make it easy to use.
Beyond the shaking hands and weak eyes, the biggest problem is understanding the UI. To you and I it's not complicated, but we grew up with computers. That's not any sort of judgment; the guy was capable of using a windows XP computer (very very slowly), it's just that switching to a new IU is much more confusing to the older brain than for a younger brain. They just don't have the filters to pick out the important information from the screen quickly, and every step requires conscious thought. This can be very tiring for an older person, and--at least in my experience--older people don't have a lot of tolerance for frustration.
I don't want you to be discouraged by this; I spent weeks on this (and several hundred dollars) and ended up getting him a small laptop on which I installed a simplification program that allowed only basic email and internet. But your relative may be more savvy, have better coordination, or just more interest in making it work. Here's what I'd suggest:
1) "minimalist text" can be customized to put static text on the screen. You'll have to play with it a bit.
2) There's no applications I can think of that make it easier, but I'd suggest giving her some system to mount it where she can both see and reach it. Have her sit as she would when she wanted to use it (chair, table, bed) and figure out how she can use it with her arm resting on something.
3) I think the picture frames widget is included in stock android. I'd strongly suggest against using anything other than a solid-colored background though. Again, it's difficult for an older brain to parse large amounts of information, and older eyes to see past the contrasts. I'm sure there's some way to have a rotating photo widget on some part of the screen in the market though.
4) Swiftkey. It's a bit advanced, but has one major advantage: predictive text. She can enter a few letters and the software will come up with a few words. Often it will get the intended word within a few letters, which can save a lot of inputs. That said, I think the stock android keyboard in JB has this functionality too, so you might hold off and try that.
A few other suggestions:
1) Get a launcher that can be cut down to just one screen. ADW EX does this. And get rid of the elastic screens (allows it to stay static). You said you already have a custom launcher in mind; which one were you thinking of?
2) When AOKP gets their hands on this, they'll allow you to add and change buttons to the notification bar. Get rid of the long-presses, maybe even get rid of everything but the home and back button.
3) Forget the speech recognition stuff. Old voices are not easy to understand for anyone, much less a computer, and convincing an older person to speak slowly and annunciate is not easy. Also, the first time it doesn't work you'll have a very frustrated relative to deal with...
4) Keep it simple. The first time you show her how to use it pick one thing (probably email or video chat) and show her how to do just that. If you take just one suggestion from me it's this. Add something next time, once she gets how to do email or video chat (test her first). Seriously, everyone will end up happier as a result.
OK, good luck! Hope it works better for you than it did for me!
I would say, a very simple background. No live wallpapers. A Big clock widget,
Get her a Bluetooth Keyboard, there is no sense in trying to force an older person to use a touch screen, that requires near perfect fingers. A normal keyboard is something she most likely has seen and used before. So it will feel normal.
A Widget for changing volume. Something with like a large Plus and Minus sign, and a big percent so she can easily see how loud it is.
Brad387 said:
How can I make the Nexus 7 super-easy to use?
I have an elderly relative who has never used any Android device, or much technology at all to be honest besides old feature phones and television boxes, and we shall soon be purchasing her a Google Nexus 7. We settled on this idea after noticing that the 8GB Nexus 7 model is only £159 GBP, which isn't much more than the Kindle Touch and also offers a slightly larger screen. I am looking to make the experience personal and also easy for her.
Since I am going to use a custom launcher to prevent access to the app menu and simplify the user experience by showing her only the apps she will need to use (preventing access to the settings will prevent her accidentally deleting things), I am looking for a widget which will allow me to add my own custom text set to a custom size to the home screen. With this, I'll separate up the few apps she plans on using. Any recommendations for such an application?
Since this person does not have full function of a second arm, are there any applications which make one-handed operation easier on the tablet's 7 inch display?
Is there a widget which will allow me to add "picture frames" to the home screen? I could put some pictures of the family in these, which will add a nice personal touch.
Are there any keyboards which are good for one-handed use? Please do not say Swype.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Brad387 said:
Any suggestions to any of my issues I face? Also, any general app recommendations are welcome, but keep in mind who this tablet is for when making suggestions. For example, no messenger apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Brad387 said:
No ideas to any of those applications/features I'm looking to implement?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol man, RELAX. Bumping your thread like that is terrible forum etiquette.
I'd refer to your own thread that you opened not long before this one:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1757848
Aps at startup
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
This might dumb the phone by a lot but: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=name.kunes.android.launcher.activity&hl=en
Here's a photo widget app that people seem to like though : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.thinkjava.androidphotowidgetfree
If you can wait for further development.. flashing MIUI seems to attract a lot of newer android users due to the similarities with iOS. If not you can always get the MIUI style launcher.
Thanks. I will likely use Nova Launcher to keep the amount of screens to a minimum.
darkamikaze said:
This might dumb the phone by a lot but: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=name.kunes.android.launcher.activity&hl=en
Here's a photo widget app that people seem to like though : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.thinkjava.androidphotowidgetfree
If you can wait for further development.. flashing MIUI seems to attract a lot of newer android users due to the similarities with iOS. If not you can always get the MIUI style launcher.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yuck. No thank you on miui. I hate the unorganized nature of having every icon on the home screen. App drawer please.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
blackhand1001 said:
Yuck. No thank you on miui. I hate the unorganized nature of having every icon on the home screen. App drawer please.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fascinating. But this isn't for you; it's for an older person.
OP, the folks pointing out that it's bad forum etiquette to create multiple threads and bump them are right. And considering the time folks put into answering your question, it wouldn't hurt to respond and click the "thanks" button.
thebobp said:
Swype probably requires two-handing on a device this big.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't understand how you would use Swype with two hands even if you wanted to. Swyping requires one continuous swipe with one finger across all of the letters that spell out your word, and besides the actual act of swyping, I don't understand how using it would be any different from using one finger to type on a non-Swype keyboard.
blackhand1001 said:
Yuck. No thank you on miui. I hate the unorganized nature of having every icon on the home screen. App drawer please.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry that you don't know much about MIUI. It's the easiest ROM that I have used and now have it on my Infuse and Nook Color.
I am 66yo and like very simple and clean screens that are easy to use. The attached s/s's are from a 7" Nook Color screen.
1. Home screen.
2. Favorites expanded
3. 2nd Page....only have 2 pages...show all my apps in folders...no app drawer.
4. Reading folder opened
EDIT: You can set up as many or as few folders as you need and name them anything you choose.
dparrothead1 said:
Sorry that you don't know much about MIUI. It's the easiest ROM that I have used and now have it on my Infuse and Nook Color.
I am 66yo and like very simple and clean screens that are easy to use. The attached s/s's are from a 7" Nook Color screen.
1. Home screen.
2. Favorites expanded
3. 2nd Page....only have 2 pages...show all my apps in folders...no app drawer.
4. Reading folder opened
EDIT: You can set up as many or as few folders as you need and name them anything you choose.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've used miui on several devices. I just find it clunky. I like having an alphabetically sorted app drawer.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
I'm working on the same issue for my mom, who just turned 86.
I downloaded Minimalistic Text for her, but I had assumed it would be simple to set up - it isn't.
Am I correct that it's very limited as to what it can display? It appears to be able to display the time, date, temp, and then a few other things not important to your typical 86 year old, such as battery level, cpu speed, etc.
I had hoped I would be able to have it launch apps, so I could for instance, have it show "Email", Facebook", etc.
Older people have difficulty remembering the names of apps sometimes. "K9" for instance, would not mean email to my mom.
Something that would allow you to make app icons larger might help. But I had high hopes for Minimalist Text!
Btw, we did a four way hangout with her yesterday. She has beginning Alzheimer's, but she loves technology!
Edit: I see in the OP's other thread someone mentioned Simple Text . Can that be used on a stock N7? Must I use a different launcher?

Chameleon Launcher thoughts??

I just install ed this wonderful launcher from the play store ...
So far so good. Was just wandering if anyone else had tried it/customised it/hacked it? I was all about ready to start trying to build my own html built ui launcher for android when I stumbled on it! Cheers guys saved me a whole lot of work
Has anyone used it? Any tips ? Anyone know where I can find the main files for it? I want to customize it as much as possible and have email the dev team in the hopes that theyre a friendly bunch.
I personally wouldn't pay ten dollars for a launcher but that's me. I looked at it and it seems really cool, I almost wish there was a trail version or lite. As for the main files, you would have to google for them, since it is not a free app. Titanium backup should works to extract the apk.
A lite version would be very adventageous. I have emailed the support team at Chameleon and posted in all the right places on their forum, but unfortunately its no xda. No response so far and its going on 4 days now. The idea behind it is a very good one, but it needs more support and active members. Fingers crossed answers will be here shortly as I am loosing patience with them and am seeking alternative launchers. Anyone know any good ones? Theres is nothing wrong with the default one i use but i like to customise as much as i can so need something a little more special
I've been pretty happy with Go Launcher EX. Not so much in the way of fancy widgets, but nice home screen transitions, customizable quick launch area, very flexible.
I installed Chameleon. It looks really nice, but super laggy. Also, they need more widgets.
K1Andy said:
I've been pretty happy with Go Launcher EX. Not so much in the way of fancy widgets, but nice home screen transitions, customizable quick launch area, very flexible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go launcher HD is better for tablets. I had it but I am back to the launcher that comes with CM10

[Q] Placing apps in drawers question

We have a new Nexus 10 that I installed Nova Prime on and have a question - when an app is downloaded from Google Play the icon always ends up on the home screen which is ok but is there an easy way to put that app into one of the created drawers without having to go into Nova Settings, drawers, drawers, and then the actual drawer where it is to be checked off?
Thanks for any help
Just drag 'em, I guess?
Sent from my GTN7100 or the Nexus 10, heaven knows.
Those who help noobs go to heaven. True story.
nope, that just stacks them on top of each other and they still remain on the home screen
You have to do it a bit carefully. Move them over one another very slowly, until a shape is displayed in the background as in the screenshot below, when I move the xda app icon over another app. Just try it a couple of times and you will get the hang of it
Sent from my GTN7100 or the Nexus 10, heaven knows.
Those who help noobs go to heaven. True story.

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