[Q] Touchwiz features on Google Edition ROM - Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi all,
I really want to use the Google Edition ROM on my i9505 - but a couple of things keep me on the bloaty Touchwiz ROM.
1) Touchwiz Camera
2) Touchwiz Video Player
There are other things, but if these 2 were working on Google Edition I would be there in a flash.
Does anyone know if these are working?
The other alternative is to get Google Now 'OK Google' working with my Nova Launcher .... but looks quite far off.
I recently updated to the S5 video player and that works perfectly on the S4.
Any help appreciated.
Many thanks.

I was in the same boat, would like a rom like cyanogenmod but I was to use features like gestures, air view etc and the camera app is way better than the stock app.
Anyway I installed Omega rom which is the same as the s4 stock rom with touchwiz but lets you deselect all the bloatware before installing, so I've got all the samsung features but without the crap. Also downloaded the google launcher which is nice

Thanks a lot. I've used the Omega ROM a while ago, but didn't think about it for this.
Does the Google Launchers allow you to change the grid layout on the home screen? I want 5 columns and 6 rows if possible.

barrygoddard said:
Thanks a lot. I've used the Omega ROM a while ago, but didn't think about it for this.
Does the Google Launchers allow you to change the grid layout on the home screen? I want 5 columns and 6 rows if possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could use Nova, looks like the Google launcher but way more customisable (you can change the columns/rows), dont think there google now integration on the home screen though.
Another couple of options are to try the AOSP themed touchwiz roms. You can keep all the touch wiz features and have the vanilla android look. Or you can also dual boot a touchwiz rom and CM11 to get the best of both worlds.

Thanks.
I'm already using Nova ... even paid for the extras. What I really want is Touchwiz with the 'always on' OK Google command.

Related

[Q] When I'm rooted can I remove Touchwiz?

Is there a simple way to remove touchwiz from Samsung Galaxy S4? Can it just be lifted out/off somehow so that the handset is left just running Android on it's own?
Thanks in advance
haha no - only way would be to flash cyanogenmod, however that has yet to be developed for the s4
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
flipflop104 said:
Is there a simple way to remove touchwiz from Samsung Galaxy S4? Can it just be lifted out/off somehow so that the handset is left just running Android on it's own?
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
beaver2233 is correct. Touchwiz isn't just a launcher, its a complete framework including all the samsung apps and system customizations. Its pretty ingrained with the android os. The easy way to remove it is to flash a custom AOSP/CM/AOKP etc rom which is generally built from the ground up from source.
Shame, thanks guys
Are you saying that we can't put something like Apex Launcher on the S4?
ilabs said:
beaver2233 is correct. Touchwiz isn't just a launcher, its a complete framework including all the samsung apps and system customizations. Its pretty ingrained with the android os. The easy way to remove it is to flash a custom AOSP/CM/AOKP etc rom which is generally built from the ground up from source.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
.....which will happen in due time!
deserthi said:
Are you saying that we can't put something like Apex Launcher on the S4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TouchWiz is the entire skin that Samsung puts on Android. As others have said, it is deeply integrated into Android, removing a lot of the things in stock Android. One part of TouchWiz is the launcher, which can easily be replaced. However, you are still left with the rest of TouchWiz, such as the dialer, messaging, settings, and contacts apps, the framework, many default widgets, lockscreen, and more.
It might be worth mentioning that if you went the route of removing TouchWiz by installing Cyanogen for example, you'd lose all the Samsung features like Smart stay, Smart pause, Smart scroll, Air view, Air gestures, IR Remote control, and a few more. I realize that a lot of people don't care about these features, but some people (like me) bought the phone for that reason and might miss them after the switch to AOSP
My Galaxy Nexus is my AOSP phone, my Galaxy S4 is my 'Samsung' phone
You might be happy with just a different launcher. Try Nova
deserthi said:
Are you saying that we can't put something like Apex Launcher on the S4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've got Apex Launcher on mine - it automatically appeared when I restored all my apps via google (had it with JellyBam ROM on previous SGSII). And it seems to work. I keep getting the Apex Launcher and Touchwiz Home options of "Always" or "just once" everytime I hit the home key as I've not decided which to go with yet.
prodigyX said:
It might be worth mentioning that if you went the route of removing TouchWiz by installing Cyanogen for example, you'd lose all the Samsung features like Smart stay, Smart pause, Smart scroll, Air view, Air gestures, IR Remote control, and a few more. I realize that a lot of people don't care about these features, but some people (like me) bought the phone for that reason and might miss them after the switch to AOSP
My Galaxy Nexus is my AOSP phone, my Galaxy S4 is my 'Samsung' phone
You might be happy with just a different launcher. Try Nova
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow thanks. I didn't realise that. Looks like I will be sticking with TouchWiz and trying a different launcher. Will try Nova, ta, as I've seen it mentioned before. :highfive:
use other launcher
Same bs answers as usual
1. Root phone
2. Install Clockwork mod recovery
3. Make a backup of the current stock rom to an external sd card for safe measures
4. Reboot and download Titanium Backup app
5. Then download your favorite launcher (Go Launcher is the best I have found)
6. Make Go launcher default launcher (option should popup when you press the home key)
7. Open Titanium backup and Make a backup of touchwiz then press clear app data then press uninstall
The launcher you choose will now stand alone. That's if the S4 works like the S3. I doubt there is much of a difference in this case. If things go sideways, just restore your ROM backup
How to kick a dead horse... :laugh:
touchwiz removed
flipflop104 said:
Is there a simple way to remove touchwiz from Samsung Galaxy S4? Can it just be lifted out/off somehow so that the handset is left just running Android on it's own?
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can remove touchwiz with titanium bkup like i did but ruined my phone which im yet to get help how to fix it

[Q] TouchWiz + Holo UI ROM

I'm looking for a ROM that blends the Holo UI with TouchWiz apps (like S Memo, Planner, Adapt Sound...) for my I9505. Has to be stable, as I do not want to be flashing bug fixing updates everyday.
So far I've checked Foxhound, seems good but it looks like it's only a dark version of TouchWiz. The Nature UX 5 is annoying me, and I miss the Holo UI.
The ROM needs to be stable, ready for everyday use, packing S Memo/Planner and music app, AirView/Gesture, Camera and, if possible, CMAccount, transparent status bar, working Focal and everything else working fine.
Bonus: what do you guys think it's the best/most recommended TouchWiz and AOSP ROM?
Bonus 2: is there a Samsung Music widget that's transparent, or a third party widget that controls the music app?
And if I ever want to go back to stock TouchWiz 4.2.2, what is the procedure?
Zkaar said:
I'm looking for a ROM that blends the Holo UI with TouchWiz apps (like S Memo, Planner, Adapt Sound...) for my I9505. Has to be stable, as I do not want to be flashing bug fixing updates everyday.
So far I've checked Foxhound, seems good but it looks like it's only a dark version of TouchWiz. The Nature UX 5 is annoying me, and I miss the Holo UI.
The ROM needs to be stable, ready for everyday use, packing S Memo/Planner and music app, AirView/Gesture, Camera and, if possible, CMAccount, transparent status bar, working Focal and everything else working fine.
Bonus: what do you guys think it's the best/most recommended TouchWiz and AOSP ROM?
Bonus 2: is there a Samsung Music widget that's transparent, or a third party widget that controls the music app?
And if I ever want to go back to stock TouchWiz 4.2.2, what is the procedure?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check out the *new ROMs at the link below (*dev is currently working to get them uploaded), there are AOSP themed dark and light version of the latest touchwiz ROMs, so you get the AOSP look without losing the TW apps.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2454205

how can i change home page scrolling on touchwiz?

hey guys, i've been looking for ages but can't find what i'm looking for, was wondering if anyone knows where i could find a mod, to replace the touchwiz home screen's carousel effect with the new s5/old icecream sandwich "card stack?" effect without using another launcher, i'm looking for a flashable zip or a xposed framwork module that can be used on touchwiz, sumthin like this must surely exist?
thanks
hey guys, i've been looking for ages but can't find what i'm looking for, was wondering if anyone knows where i could find a mod, to replace the touchwiz home screen's carousel effect with the new s5/old icecream sandwich "card stack?" effect without using another launcher, i'm looking for a flashable zip or a xposed framwork module that can be used on touchwiz…
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wanam offers three minor tweaks to TW launcher (among many other valuable phone tweaks):
1 – infinite scrolling on/off
2 – wall paper scroll with pages on/off
3 – dock icon labels on/off
sumthin like this must surely exist?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I’m not so sure. Using Xposed to tweak the stock launcher seems like unnecessary overkill (considering the huge doorway into your phone's security that you give to every dev who's module you install). People who want to customize launchers generally go with alternate launcher. Then you don't even have to reboot to try out changes (like Xposed would have to). Nova would be my recommendation. I know it’s not the recommendation you’re looking for but you got it anyway.
electricpete1 said:
Wanam offers three minor tweaks to TW launcher (among many other valuable phone tweaks):
1 – infinite scrolling on/off
2 – wall paper scroll with pages on/off
3 – dock icon labels on/off
I’m not so sure. Using Xposed to tweak the stock launcher seems like unnecessary overkill (considering the huge doorway into your phone's security that you give to every dev who's module you install). People who want to customize launchers generally go with alternate launcher. Then you don't even have to reboot to try out changes (like Xposed would have to). Nova would be my recommendation. I know it’s not the recommendation you’re looking for but you got it anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is exactly what i figured, i found those options in exposed but not quite what i'm lookin for.
i used nova launcher on my s3 for a year and loved it, i just want to keep my high def lookin stock touchwiz icons since the nova launcher icons look like they belong in the 90's, i seen a stock touchwiz icon looking pack for nova launcher but they didn't have that "high def" look/feel to them (no shadows/reflections? or bad shading? on the icons, i dunno they just look bland compared to stock icons where they feel kinda 3d)
the reason i don't wanna use nova launcher is because if i do use nova launcher and go back to that stock android feeling i midaswell be on stock android itself, GPE or Cyanogenmod and it feels to bland which is why i'm on a touchwiz based rom.
i'm just kinda hopeing someone will come along with an idea of how i can impliment this without removing touchwiz launcher, ORRR maby get the real stock touchwiz icons (the acual stock ones, not just look alikes) into nova launcher.

Replace Touchwiz Launcher with Google Launcher

If like me, you dislike the look and feel of Touchwiz ... it is possible to replace at least the launcher portion of it with Google Launcher. This will make the Note look cosmetically similar to a Nexus device. The remainder of the Touchwiz interface will remain unaffected.
For those of us on JB 4.3
Download the zip file from this post (credits @geoworld_200)
Extract the 3 apks but copy only GoogleHome.apk to external storage
Install (requiring temporary disabling of the "unknown source" security block)
Run the app and it will invite use of GoogleNow which you can either accept or decline
Press the physical "Home" button and you can now chose to use the Google Launcher instead of Touchwiz
I've tried this on my (rooted and custom ROM) P605 and it works just fine with no FC or issues so far. But, per usual, YMMV. And it obviously won't get updates via Play.
Presumably the same could be achieved for KK using the more recent version of the apk found here. But I haven't tested it yet pending a 4.4 ROM release ...
rickinoz said:
If like me, you dislike the look and feel of Touchwiz ... it is possible to replace at least the launcher portion of it with Google Launcher. This will make the Note look cosmetically similar to a Nexus device. The remainder of the Touchwiz interface will remain unaffected.
For those of us on JB 4.3
Download the zip file from this post (credits @geoworld_200)
Extract the 3 apks but copy only GoogleHome.apk to external storage
Install (requiring temporary disabling of the "unknown source" security block)
Run the app and it will invite use of GoogleNow which you can either accept or decline
Press the physical "Home" button and you can now chose to use the Google Launcher instead of Touchwiz
I've tried this on my (rooted and custom ROM) P605 and it works just fine with no FC or issues so far. But, per usual, YMMV. And it obviously won't get updates via Play.
Presumably the same could be achieved for KK using the more recent version of the apk found here. But I haven't tested it yet pending a 4.4 ROM release ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or just use Apex or Nova - which will be updated in Google Play? My personal preference is Apex, and I also use the LG Lock Screen app on the Play Store too.
I'm rooted, so have removed TW Launcher via Titanium completely.
YmmV
I own NOVA launcher on GS3 and tried on P600 but I prefer Touchwiz ability to show unread FB notification count directly on icon. I didn`t find any replacement with similar feature.
kornelius1982 said:
I own NOVA launcher on GS3 and tried on P600 but I prefer Touchwiz ability to show unread FB notification count directly on icon. I didn`t find any replacement with similar feature.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just place the FB widget on the home screen, and resize to 1x1. Does the same thing. Then you can escape the lag that TW gives.
cdinoz said:
Just place the FB widget on the home screen, and resize to 1x1. Does the same thing. Then you can escape the lag that TW gives.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the solution, I`ll give it a try later, but to be honest, Touchwiz on KK isn`t as laggy as older one, at least I for me.
p.s. I just tried on GS3 but when I try to resize I get white little widget without any info on it.
I was excited about trying the Google Experience Launcher because it would respond to "OK Google" on any launcher screen.
However, I was extremely disappointed with the lack of ability to configure the launcher. No, that's too general. There's absolutely no configuration options at all.
One of the things I don't like about the TouchWiz and Google Launcher is that there's no way to control the number of rows/columns and the spacing between them. I use Apex where I can get a lot more rows and columns on the page. And I can control the spacing so I can get icons right up to the edge of the screen. In addition I can reduce the size of the icons for a better look.
It's not like I want to fill the screen with icons, on the contrary, I like to have the icons near the edges and out of the way so I can better see the wallpaper. The TouchWiz and Google launchers are pretty much an iPad launcher. No flexibility and no configurations.

[Q] need help finding launcher

Right now I'm currently running nova launcher on a new note 3. Unfortunately I dont like the launcher other then the fact that I can adjust the grid size (5 apps down) and that I can change the icon theme. Other then that I don't like it as much as the stock touchwhiz. I'm wondering if anybody knows a plain launcher that just leaves everything running as stock except for grid customization and if possible icon themes. Thanks!
Nova, as well as Apex, are Vanilla Android launchers. They stick closest to the Stock Android experience. As plain as they get.
What you're looking for is a Touchwiz inspired launcher. (About as far from plain Stock Android as you can get.) Try S Launcher or Galaxy Launcher.
etienne4477 said:
Right now I'm currently running nova launcher on a new note 3. Unfortunately I dont like the launcher other then the fact that I can adjust the grid size (5 apps down) and that I can change the icon theme. Other then that I don't like it as much as the stock touchwhiz. I'm wondering if anybody knows a plain launcher that just leaves everything running as stock except for grid customization and if possible icon themes. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try Yahoos's Aviate or Terrain Home.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gtp.nextlauncher.trial&hl=en
ShadowLea said:
Nova, as well as Apex, are Vanilla Android launchers. They stick closest to the Stock Android experience. As plain as they get.
What you're looking for is a Touchwiz inspired launcher. (About as far from plain Stock Android as you can get.) Try S Launcher or Galaxy Launcher.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I apologize I got the wording flipped from stock and touchwhiz, but the galaxy launcher is exactly what I was lookinh for, thanks for the help!

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