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.
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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
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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.
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Thanks guys any recommendation which one to use?
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Kick-Ass Joe said:
Thanks guys any recommendation which one to use?
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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.
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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
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Related
Is there any way to add more than 5 home screens to the Nexus 4? Wife wants more and cannot figure out how without downloading third-party app?
This party launcher. Apex or nova
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use a 3rd party launcher. stock launcher is 5 pages.
5 home screens
If I use a launcher though, I lose stock android which my wife likes. Defeats purpose.
coonberry23 said:
If I use a launcher though, I lose stock android which my wife likes. Defeats purpose.
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Apex or Nova are pretty stock. Its just gives more customization...
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coonberry23 said:
If I use a launcher though, I lose stock android which my wife likes. Defeats purpose.
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Yeah you can barely notice a difference with Nova, and you can import all your shortcuts and widgets easily. Just go through all the settings pages to customize it to exactly how you want it.
You don't really lose "Stock" or anything. You're still on the Stock ROM, and with Nova, you can reproduce the same style as the stock screen, except with more pages. Are they just Widgets or something taking up too much space?
coonberry23 said:
If I use a launcher though, I lose stock android which my wife likes. Defeats purpose.
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Click to collapse
Having more than 5 home screens isn't stock Android, by that logic. All customization that can be done without root or an unlocked bootloader is "stock Android." And as was said above, Apex, Nova and others imitate the stock launcher in appearance. You have to know what to look for to be able to tell they aren't.
yahoowizard said:
You don't really lose "Stock" or anything. You're still on the Stock ROM, and with Nova, you can reproduce the same style as the stock screen, except with more pages. Are they just Widgets or something taking up too much space?
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Ya, she just wants more space for widgets and such to do more things
No, the android development wizard says "No, you must buy an iPhone."
Go with nova or apex. They look the same as stock. I personally like nova better. Slightly simpler interface than apex, at least IMHO.
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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....
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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
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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.
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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..
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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
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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:
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Me too :thumbup:
Go Launcher on stock and Trebuchet on JB
I like Holo launcher because it is smooth like butter.
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TrojanDad said:
I like Holo launcher because it is smooth like butter.
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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
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I'm about to receive my s4 just wanted to know which launcher you guys recommend. I tried touchwiz before and never really liked it so I'm using golauncher.Just wondering if anyone recommends anything better for the s4.
I like Nova and Apex about equally of the free alternatives on the market and better than I do the GO launcher but some of this is going to be subjective. There is what you like personally and also based upon how you go about doing things on your phone some launchers will be a little better suited to you. That said the latest versions of TW are quite a bit better than the older versions and you will be giving up some of the tw widgets by switching up. Most of them are junk but some are not.
Myself I tend to go back and forth between Apex and TW because I like to change it up to keep things fresh. Apex BTW is the only other launcher I have tried with it so far but I'm likely to take a gander at others as boredom strikes.
You don't like Touchwiz
Nova launcher...
Using Apex launcher. It is amazing :-O
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You guys have to try Action Launcher.
Not free but there is nothing better for Android. Use it for a few days and you just can't go back to traditional launchers.
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sadekmefti said:
You don't like Touchwiz
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I see what you did there
I love Nova, but I haven't tried Action. I'll have to check it out.
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Go Launcher can also be an alternative, i guess Nova and Apex doesn't have lock screen customization feature.
How many of you have replaced the default launcher on your S4? What launcher are you currently using?
I switched from the TouchWiz launcher to Nova Launcher. It now has the ability to utilize the "Transparent Status Bar." If you are using one of the stock wallpapers, your status bar can be transparent while you are in the launcher, just like TouchWiz.
DarqAnshin said:
How many of you have replaced the default launcher on your S4? What launcher are you currently using?
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I've used go launcher for a long time. I'm thinking about switching to nova though. It seems like it has a lot of cool features.
Buzz Launcher ftw.
I've tried both Nova and Go on my S4. I liked both but am staying with Go for now. No big reason why. I just like some of the Go widgets better.
I use to use Nova all the time on my EVOs, but I didn't know if anyone noticed a performance degredation by switching launchers or not. I know until rolled Nova into my ROM on the EVO that it would chew down memory and slow down the device.
I use Nova.
Sent from my SPH-L720
nivron said:
I switched from the TouchWiz launcher to Nova Launcher. It now has the ability to utilize the "Transparent Status Bar." If you are using one of the stock wallpapers, your status bar can be transparent while you are in the launcher, just like TouchWiz.
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I guess I'm in the minority but I use Apex launcher.
Hey nivron, or anyone using nova. Does that transparent nav bar feature only work on stock wallpaper? Or does user wallpaper show thru too? I'm willing to give Nova a run if so. I hate not having a transparent bar. And just confirming its the top bar with the clock/wif etc.?
Thanks
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I just tested it with one of my other wallpapers and it seemed to work for me.
roninep said:
I guess I'm in the minority but I use Apex launcher.
Hey nivron, or anyone using nova. Does that transparent nav bar feature only work on stock wallpaper? Or does user wallpaper show thru too? I'm willing to give Nova a run if so. I hate not having a transparent bar. And just confirming its the top bar with the clock/wif etc.?
Thanks
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Thanks nivron. Guess ill try out nova for a bit!
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Using TSF Shell.
I use Nova, too.
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Apex and Nova are the most popular, but I use ADW Ex for some of the options that the others don't have. Consensus is usually Apex is smoothest.
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I use nova as well. Try to make it look like touchwiz tho
use luncher pro all the time.
I use nova launcher prime. The best launcher to date in my opinion. Im not a fan of spending money but this one was worth it for the gestures, unread count, extra dock pages, and other features.
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I've been using Apex since my e4gt, don't see myself using anything either.
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inlineboy said:
Apex and Nova are the most popular,
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No offense to you or either of those launchers, but that is just not true. Go has between 50 and 100 million downloads. The other two are between 1 and 5 million downloads. Heck, Go has over 1.2 million reviews! So I'd say Go is, by far, the most popular.
My question to you all that have replaced your default launcher with the launcher of your choice is this:
Do you notice a higher memory consumption or an increase/decrease in lag vs the default / Touchwiz
For me, Nova is as fast, if not faster than TouchWiz. I didn't really think TouchWiz was really laggy though.
DarqAnshin said:
My question to you all that have replaced your default launcher with the launcher of your choice is this:
Do you notice a higher memory consumption or an increase/decrease in lag vs the default / Touchwiz
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Hi people...im using nova launcher for a long time... in relation the battery is better option using touchwiz? Any another good launcher...?
What launcher you use?
thanks!
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tutufjv said:
Hi people...im using nova launcher for a long time... in relation the battery is better option using touchwiz? Any another good launcher...?
What launcher you use?
thanks!
Sent from my GT-I9500 using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
Well, there are many lauchers out there, in my opinion, Nova/Apex Launcher is the best one, because of it's customizability.
Touchwiz Launcher isn't bad, but there aren't much options to customize it, like larger app grid.
If you want to try a comletely new Launcher, you should try out Themer (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mycolorscreen.themer).
Agreed
Shad0wKn1ght93 said:
Well, there are many lauchers out there, in my opinion, Nova/Apex Launcher is the best one, because of it's customizability.
Touchwiz Launcher isn't bad, but there aren't much options to customize it, like larger app grid.
If you want to try a comletely new Launcher, you should try out Themer (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mycolorscreen.themer).
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Themer is quite good, but annoyed me that it has no "keep in memory" option, as I'd press home and wait for it to load. Currently I'm using, and loving, the Google Experience Launcher. Aviate is also quite good.
Nova launcher is my main primary launcher, it's speedy and timely updates. The customisation is excellent to although I use the prime version. I've got Apex as well but prefer Nova. Aviate as mentioned above is unique but still needs further development before I contemplate using it primarily.
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