Database Users

color banding

Hi, I was just wondering why there is color banding in Widgets (like power control and music) on the stock android launcher but when u use launcher pro there isn't any? Can this be fixed?
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App

It's to do with the way the launchers render widgets. Without a rewrite of the stock launcher it will always have this problem.
Just stick with Launcher Pro. It's much better than the stock one anyway!

Thanks for the reply. I wanted a completely stock look but I guess ill just use launcher pro. It's much smoother any ways.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App

Lock screen wallpaper (4.2)

On Scott's stock 4.2 ROM with Apex launcher. But I can run Nova if that is the solution.
It's there a way to have a different wallpaper from the home screen on the lock screen? Or do I need to wait for some custom ROMS to get this. I've never tried two different backgrounds but I happened to come across a background that I really like on the lock screen but not so much on the desktop.
TIA
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

I was able to do it by using wallpaper wizzidri and Go locker (which meant go launcher)
I hope there is a different solution. I'm not much of a fan of go launcher especially on the tab.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

What is a launcher?

Hi guys, can you explain what a launcher is. If I add or use a launcher what happens to my stock launcher? Is it running in the background, use more battery? Will it keep my app arrangement in stock saved while I use a new launcher? Thanks for all the help I've been using stock ever since I used a Nexus.
Sent from my Paranoid Nexus 4

A launcher launches apps, app drawer, home screens, etc. If you install another launcher, you will be prompted which you want to use, stock or the one you downloaded. Not sure if the stock runs in the background, but i believe your set up will be the same if you delete your new launcher. Download one and try: for example, there's nova, adw, apex, etc.

Kick-Ass Joe said:
Hi guys, can you explain what a launcher is. If I add or use a launcher what happens to my stock launcher? Is it running in the background, use more battery? Will it keep my app arrangement in stock saved while I use a new launcher? Thanks for all the help I've been using stock ever since I used a Nexus.
Sent from my Paranoid Nexus 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A launcher is where you find your home screens, widgets, apps, etc. If you download and install a third party launcher such as Apex or Nova your stock launcher is still there. It doesn't change unless you change it. You can do whatever you want with the third party launcher and it won't mess with your stock launcher setup. They are completely separate. It won't use more battery. It doesn't really run in the background. Sheen you first install the new launcher and press the home button a prompt for which launcher to use will come up. You can select the such launcher or the new one. You can also chose to use the option you pick just once, in case you want to test it out and go back and forth between launchers, or always if you decide you like the new launcher more.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

Thanks guys any recommendation which one to use?
Sent from my Paranoid Nexus 4

Kick-Ass Joe said:
Thanks guys any recommendation which one to use?
Sent from my Paranoid Nexus 4
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Click to collapse
I personally use Apex, but many people like Nova launcher. Those are the two titans. But there's a dozens of different launchers that offer different features and UI experiences.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

I've used adw, long ago, but now i've been using nova and enjoying it over stock.

I prefer apex. Apex and nova are pretty similar. Go launcher is nice because of all the theme packs but has a lot of extra add on programming I don't care for like there own app store. Adw I've never really used
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

Which launcher do you prefer and why?

Title says it all. I am currently using Apex, but have wondered about Nova, Trebuchet etc...
Is there much of a difference between them? Also, if you select 'always' when asked which launcher to use (if you have more than one loaded) is there anyway to reverse that to use a different one?
BTW, I am using TWA_privs latest (0223) ROM and its unbelievably good...
Thanks....
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

I use the stock CM10.1 launcher. Trebuchet, I like the layout and settings for it. And t change launchers, go to setting an find the launcher you currently use user apps. And click clear defualts

For CM7 I prefer ADW EX and for 4.x.x+, I prefer Trebuchet I try to avoid launchers that will show up in the running category under Settings- Apps like Go Launcher and the newest ADW. The less running processes the better IS MY OPINION because the Kindle's limited memory.
I have grown to love Trebuchet because it usually is included as the stock launcher for JB ROMs. The reason I like ADW EX for CM7 is because ADW was included on the CM7 ROMs and one day I wanted to try the EX version of it and it was quite nice with the density hack to make the icons appear bigger.

bflobills said:
Title says it all. I am currently using Apex, but have wondered about Nova, Trebuchet etc...
Is there much of a difference between them? Also, if you select 'always' when asked which launcher to use (if you have more than one loaded) is there anyway to reverse that to use a different one?
BTW, I am using TWA_privs latest (0223) ROM and its unbelievably good...
Thanks....
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use Apex for it's ease in customization.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus

I also use apex. I feel it is the smoothest and most fluid.
Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using xda premium

holo launcher hd
I use holo launcher hd. It looks and acts a lot like apex and trebuchet, but has HD in the name (so its gotta be good!).

Try chameleon launcher..u would not come back to apex or trebuchet pr anything..and spb shell 3d is also a great launcher..very smooth..keep in mind that chameleon launcher is landscape only..
Sent from my GT-I8350 using Board Express

Chameleon Launcher is a good concept, but it never quite caught on. At first they released it for $12 in the play store. I got it and it need a lot of work it was still betas. I got a refund and haven't tried it since. I was reading reviews and it still is not up to par, with little actual customization and limited widgets. Makes it almost seem like ios
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

I use Go launcher ex because it's only laucher can run on my kindle.
I use rom Modaco 6.3.1.

Nova Prime :good:

FearIsTheMindkiller said:
Nova Prime :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me too :thumbup:

Go Launcher on stock and Trebuchet on JB

I like Holo launcher because it is smooth like butter.
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire using xda app-developers app

TrojanDad said:
I like Holo launcher because it is smooth like butter.
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use action launcher pro on my phone and on my kindle running JB. I've bought the full versions of nova and Launcher, but keep going back to action launcher. The shutters feature is awesome

I use Apex because t is super light and buttery on CM9
shravancodes.nudgepad.com
my new homepage

Atom Launcher
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire using xda app-developers app

Best Launcher???

What is your favorite launcher, and why?
Sent from my SM-N900V using xda app-developers app

Nova but there are some nice 3d launchers too, though nothing is as nice to use as nova
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Sent by my right hand, which is not otherwise engaged.
{Nexus ⁴ stock unrooted 4.3 with Kii Keyboard.}

Nova Prime - with gesture control to bring up My Magazine (or whatever app you want) with 1 swipe up from any page.

Anybody ever tried/ a fan of next launcher?
Sent from my SM-N900V using xda app-developers app

dodgebizkit said:
Nova but there are some nice 3d launchers too, though nothing is as nice to use as nova
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Sent by my right hand, which is not otherwise engaged.
{Nexus ⁴ stock unrooted 4.3 with Kii Keyboard.}
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Notices any better performance with nova? Less lag, do the apps open any faster?
Sent from my SM-N900V using xda app-developers app

XzxBATTxzX said:
Anybody ever tried/ a fan of next launcher?
Sent from my SM-N900V using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The launcher is silky smooth but the phone runs exactly the same on nexus 4
On the Int s3 with 1gb ram though yes apps launched faster and the phone performed better as nova uses far less ram than touch wiz and you can lock the launcher in memory for fewer redraws on low ram devices.
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Sent by my right hand, which is not otherwise engaged.
{Nexus ⁴ stock unrooted 4.3 with Kii Keyboard.}

I've always been a fan of apex launcher. Is there any reason to pick one over the other? I like Apex's ability to make the status bar transparent and auto hide plus tablet mode with hidden dock.

Themer, Nova, apex, tsf shell, spb shell.
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

I use Action Launcher for it's nice static "action menu" on the home screen and also a built in one tap search button and side slide menu for alphabetical app list(no app drawer needed)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.chrislacy.actionlauncher.pro

I like Nova since it comes with the AOSP icon set and easy to change any ones you dont like, close enough to vanilla launcher for me

I like smart launcher. Very simple and organized. Looks great in tablet mode on PA ROM.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

If you be ever ran a miui ROM you might like buzz launcher lots of home packs to look at
Sent from my SM-N900V using xda app-developers app

blap017 said:
If you be ever ran a miui ROM you might like buzz launcher lots of home packs to look at
Sent from my SM-N900V using xda app-developers app
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AGREED!!!!
Buzz Launcher is fantastic

Huge fan of nova. Tons of customization.
I love changing the grid sizes. All my apps show at oncein the drawer I love it.
Sent from my SM-N900V using xda app-developers app

MiHome for me...always loved the uniform look of the icons on a MIUI ROM
JB
Sent from my SM-N900V using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Go launcher EX for me, tons of themes.

I use TSf. After using nova, apex, and a variety of others along the way. This is best to me. Costly at $15. But it is great. No more grid pattern. No more 4x4 or whatever. It's free form like a desktop on a computer. Place icons and widgets wherever you want. Stack em on top of each other if you want. Doesn't matter. No limitation on placement. It's great.
Sent from my GlaDos Baked Potato

Nova Launcher Prime! I love the gestures and tons of customization options!

I just got the full version of apex and love it. I'm in to theming and tablet mode looks awesome and goes along quite nicely with themed search bars.
Sent from my Nexus⁴

Apex for me. I like being able to customize grid size and folder icons. It's also compact and fast.