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Touchwiz is ok but if you want a 'pure Google' experience try using nova launcher. Works great, nice and smooth. Give it a try.
nova or apex. they are the two most popluar stock ics launchers
I received my GS3, rooted, installed TB and restored nova.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2
Using apex, working awesome!
Sent from my Obsession
I was using nova but had some lag when opening and closing the app drawer. Switched to Apex and no problems at all.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2
Love Nova, but may give Apex a try.
Nova seems to be running smoother for me than apex. Definitely enough to tide me over for some aosp love
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
i got apex...came from pure ics on my craptivate so touchwiz kinda sucked...it was kinda billed as really close to ics but not so much i think...
apex/nova should make it liveable until we get a nice selection of ROMs
Nova is a nice launcher....now that I've figured out there are two ways to control the speed of it I am much happier with it today than I was yesterday. Yesterday I was just adjusting the "animations" speed, somehow I missed the "scroll speed"....now that I've got that worked out it's much better, even with power savings enabled.
Anyone have recommendations on settings for apex that make the phone feel faster?
stevessvt said:
Touchwiz is ok but if you want a 'pure Google' experience try using nova launcher. Works great, nice and smooth. Give it a try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I downloaded Nova and Apex both yesterday. So far I think I like Nova better. To be honest though I am not sure why people dislike touchwiz. FWIW though I am new to droid coming from iPhone so the learning curve is there either way. I guess it is what you get used to.
i have used apex before on the s3 but didnt really get on with it but the new beta is like lightning on the s3 or is it just placebo ?
It's using Jelly Bean code, so probably it's not placebo.
confirmed.
can confirm its fast as f!!k now. been using since i had a galaxy ace with ics kang and my oh my it's improved. one tip is no animations or transitions. buzz lightyear on my fone lol:cyclops::good::cyclops:
Yep really fast now, didn't realise there was a beta version out so thanks
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
My only problem with apex is the small lag when opening folders with a lot of apps. I just can't stand it and the beta still have it. Using nova until them fix it.
Where can I download it from ?
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
mancuk29 said:
Where can I download it from ?
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have Apex installed just check for updates.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
you should try Holo launcher HD, based on jelly bean and zero lag, folders open instantly
mancuk29 said:
Where can I download it from ?
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To get the new Beta you have to have Apex launcher installed then go to Apex settings>About Apex Launcher>Automatically Check for updates> click Beta then search for updates.... It should now find and install the Beta version.
I'm using the beta as well, before that I was using Nova for a long time. Both are great and both have advantages and disadvantages. I'm going to stick with Apex for now. They are so similar but these are the major difference I have noticed using both
Apex:
Smoother Screen Transitions than Nova
Now has JB widget placement/resize
Nova:
Smoother scrolling in folders(apex folder scrolling is more jerky)
Ability to add and view multiple drawer tabs at once. With Apex it seems you can only have 3 tabs visible at once(2 app and one widget) with apex you can have as many as you like all visible
Other than that they seem pretty much the same
Go launcher us better than both for features.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
graffixnyc said:
Ability to add and view multiple drawer tabs at once. With Apex it seems you can only have 3 tabs visible at once
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can now with the beta add more tabs with apex.
Sent from my GT-I9300
fallenwout said:
You can now with the beta add more tabs with apex.
Sent from my GT-I9300
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for pointing that out
this is nice!!!
Just to make sure i have the right beta ..
I have apex pro version...before apex i was using twizz and nova. Both game me lots of problems apps closing lag etc now with apex it is killer fast and smooth...i had it on stable version just switched to beta...
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
daz_2000 said:
Go launcher us better than both for features.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That dinosaur? Lol. It'll do more harm than good.
Newbie question : what's the advantage of using newer ICS / JB specific launchers? Speed?
using Nova Launcher because Apex transition from homescreen to apps list isn't very nice. instread of homescreen fading back it just blacks out. On Nova it fades in like on the original ICS launcher.
psp888 said:
using Nova Launcher because Apex transition from homescreen to apps list isn't very nice. instread of homescreen fading back it just blacks out. On Nova it fades in like on the original ICS launcher.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You also can do this with apex, ppl should play more with the settings.
Drawer settings - drawer animation and choose fade in. This is NOT the swype animation.
Sent from my GT-I9300
dieselfatal said:
Just to make sure i have the right beta ..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also have the pro version. You have the same beta as me.
Sent from my GT-I9300
Hi,
What launchers are people using?
Which would be the best to be using on a table/Nexus 10. I really dont like the buttons in the middle, and would like the option to increase number of rows/columns on the screen too. Maybe some desktop gestures?
Thanks
stock
Sounds like you need Nova launcher. It's the gestures that make it a winner.
phemark said:
Hi,
What launchers are people using?
Which would be the best to be using on a table/Nexus 10. I really dont like the buttons in the middle, and would like the option to increase number of rows/columns on the screen too. Maybe some desktop gestures?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using Apex, works great
n1r0k said:
I'm using Apex, works great
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't tried Apex on a N10 yet, but it would be the first 3rd-party launcher I would try, if that means anything
I'm using Go launcher HD. It is not on play store yet, gotta go to the go launcher website and find the apk. Pretty nice, has gestures and lots of customization. The 3 main android buttons are sstill in the middle... I don't think launchers alone can change that.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk 2
phemark said:
Hi,
What launchers are people using?
Which would be the best to be using on a table/Nexus 10. I really dont like the buttons in the middle, and would like the option to increase number of rows/columns on the screen too. Maybe some desktop gestures?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're talking about the navigation buttons (back, home, recents), then you can't change that with a launcher. Launcher is only your homescreen. The navigation bar is part of the systemui.apk
Go for apex
Sent from my GT-i9001 using xda app-developers app
Configured Apex, works fine.
Do you know if plus version gives two finger system menu?
And how to change buttons from the middle to the side?
Apex and Nova both do what I want.. they seem pretty similar. What I can't figure out is if one of them is better in terms of battery usage, speed, stability, etc? Apex on my Nexus 7 had a bug where icon/folder labels disappeared when I rotated the device, so I switched to Nova. The Apex dev said he would fix that in the next update though.
Nova. Loved the ability to overlap widgets.
Nova and Apex Launcher are the two most widely used launchers and offer basically the same features on both and will do anything you need. SS Launcher is also good but is much more "difficult" to set up perfect since it has no grid, you just drag whatever you want wherever you want.
This one might be good for some users too:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...1bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5jaGFtZWxlb25sYXVuY2hlciJd
phemark said:
Hi,
What launchers are people using?
Which would be the best to be using on a table/Nexus 10. I really dont like the buttons in the middle, and would like the option to increase number of rows/columns on the screen too. Maybe some desktop gestures?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I like the stock launcher enough, but I'm using Apex launcher so that I can use gestures (I have swipe up launch the app tray, swipe down launch settings, and pinch does the homescreen expose). I think Nova is supposed to be pretty good too; when ICS came out, Apex and Nova were the two most popular ICS launchers. I tried them and remember liking them both, but thought that Apex was smoother, however that was a long time ago and Nova may be just as smooth or even smoother for all I know.
Also, I like that Apex (and maybe Nova as well) has the option to keep the launcher in memory, I don't know if it just raises the OoM value or what but I hate hitting home and then needing to wait for things to reload. I don't know if this would happen much on the N10 but it happened all of the time on my TF201 if I didn't set it to stay in memory.
Also, I know this is a mater of opinion, but I can't imagine wanting to get rid of the navigation buttons! Do you use the recent apps button very much? For me, once I got in the habit of using it and not pressing home every time I wanted to switch apps, I really loved it.
I have Nova Launcher... Here is a screenshot. I know its cluttered and needs sorting but you get the idea. Everything is super quick.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk 2
what is that weather widget you're using?
hahnsdroid said:
I have Nova Launcher... Here is a screenshot. I know its cluttered and needs sorting but you get the idea. Everything is super quick.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using stock for now. I use nova on my phone, but the dock at the bottom is far cleaner join the stock launcher, than nova, at the moment. Plus the drawer and search buttons in the corner are no longer needed. I'll use nova when the ui gets patched for the new tablet layouts.
Using the weather widget from HD Widgets.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk 2
hahnsdroid said:
Using the weather widget from HD Widgets.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Damn! That's crowded desktop.
hahnsdroid said:
Using the weather widget from HD Widgets.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you having ocasional freezes and crashes?
HD widgets it's reported to cause freezes and crashes.
Hey nope, non whatsoever. All good here.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk 2
I currently use the full version of Nova and find it awesome but heard Apex is smoother on the Nexus 7. Discuss
Thanks a ton guys
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
I prefer Nova and use it on my phone, but apex is definitely smoother on this device and is what I use. There's no pullback when moving through homescreens using apex, which is huge IMO.
I use Nova and have extremely fast screen transitions. I don't know what was meant by 'pullback'. I tried Apex also and definitely prefer Nova in conjunction with 'Notification Toggle' which provides true one-touch toggling for rooted users of the various radios.
I tried out Nova and Apex free versions when I first got my Nexus and couldn't tell any difference. It's really personal preference in my opinion. Does it feel smoother to you?
In the end I went with Nova Prime.
ETA: Maybe check out this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1901511
Groid said:
I don't know what was meant by 'pullback'.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=35732908&postcount=616
In my opinion, Nova is smoother than Apex. I'm not sure about on the N7 though. I used Trebuchet on it before it broke .
The Pull back you are talking about was fixed with last update just a couple days ago now nova is smooth as butter and I highly recommend it
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
rcarnes911 said:
The Pull back you are talking about was fixed with last update just a couple days ago now nova is smooth as butter and I highly recommend it
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool, I'll definitely check it out then.
Edit: Yep, they definitely fixed it. Much better. I'll most likely stick with Nova now.
definitely Nova Launcher...
I was using Apex and loving it!!
until for some reason on my Nexus 7, when i landscape mode, widgets didnt work,
i tried reset factory,
delete Apex cache, then reinstall,
still in landscape widgets dont work,
so i changed to Nova and the customization is superb and perfect, loving it at the moment...
I used to use Go Laucher
Now I am using Nova Launcher Prime
It gives you more customization
Apex seems to be much smoother in my opinion.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
I have both paid for versions. I'm currently using Nova Prime on the 7 as u love the fact you can set a custom tap action for folders and have swipe open the folder. So I have a folder with various browsers I use but a tap on the folder opens chrome.
Sent from my HTC Vision using Tapatalk 2
Has anyone tried using custom launchers like Nova on the Essential? Do they use the full screen or do they letterbox around the camera like apps that haven't been updated tend to?
bump.....this is an excellent question I didnt think of. If someone could try action launcher it would be appreciated!!!
Nova and Action Launcher both are not full screen.
bretrick30 said:
Nova and Action Launcher both are not full screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Neither is the pixel launcher port
graffixnyc said:
Neither is the pixel launcher port
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Click to collapse
You just killed any excitement I had for this phone. Nova is an automatic install for me. It may take them several months to update
Yup, nothing is full screen right now. Just the stock Essential launcher which is pretty terrible and has virtually no settings.
Isn't the stock launcher literally Essentials own port of the Pixel launcher?
IM0001 said:
Isn't the stock launcher literally Essentials own port of the Pixel launcher?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably fork of launcher3 from aosp
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
slothdabski said:
Probably fork of launcher3 from aosp
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Which is the same launcher I am using on my U11 right now instead of Sense.
Love it. Simple, fast, smooth.
worldsoutro said:
You just killed any excitement I had for this phone. Nova is an automatic install for me. It may take them several months to update
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They will fix it in no time..
I'm not too sure it's something that Nova can fix. I just received this email response from them when I inquired about it.
Hello,
This is a bug on their end that we are hoping to have a work around for at some point in the future.
Please contact us using Nova Settings -> Contact Support. This helps us help you better!
Answers to your questions are often found in the FAQ's: https://help.teslacoilapps.com/faq
I have an HTC U11 and own the paid version of the Shortcutter app by LeeDrOiD. I've installed it on my PH1 and it's giving me a few more features such as custom quicksettings tiles and a sidebar. I have enabled his version of night mode which adds some red to the screen. It's gonna have to tide me over until we get root and custom launchers etc. rolling.
Sent from my PH-1 using XDA Labs
Arrow launcher is not full screen either.
Sent from my PH-1 using XDA-Developers Legacy app
what about lawnchair? anyone tried?
I want to increase my grid size to 7 by 5 and stock launcher just has 0 customization!
Did anyone who installed a different launcher have any issues switching back to the stock Essential launcher (Launcher3)? I tried Action Launcher and after seeing that it was not full screen I switched back to Launcher3. However, Launcher3 won't run now - it keeps crashing. I tried uninstalling Action Launcher and rebooting but neither helped. I'm stuck on Action Launcher now because the stock launcher crashes before loading the home screen. Any advice? Anyone have the stock launcher apk?
UPDATE - I got it working again by clearing the cache and data for the app. I just have to set it back up with my preferred apps & widgets again.
What sucks is that the the status bar size is HUGE!! I tried many apps for status bar overlay but doesn't work with custom launcher. Pretty stupid of Essential!
varun.gid said:
What sucks is that the the status bar size is HUGE!! I tried many apps for status bar overlay but doesn't work with custom launcher. Pretty stupid of Essential!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That doesn't have anything to do with essential, the custom launcher developers have to update their launchers to work with essential phone.
Sent from my PH-1 using XDA-Developers Legacy app
I sent an enhancement request to Nova and they responded with the following:
"Essential has made it that only apps that are whitelisted will use the full screen. You would need to contact them directly."
Looks like we all need to be submitting requests to Essential. Seems to be a stupid decision on their part.
tigercranestyle said:
folks of you want to use custom launchers, it takes about 60 seconds to submit a request here:
https://support.essential.com/hc/en-us/requests/new
one thing android has always been better than ios at is customization. with this phone we can't say that. fill out the request, please. include the name of the apps... nova launcher, action, lawnchair, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Just submitted asking to whitelist Arrow Launcher.
Sent from my PH-1 using XDA-Developers Legacy app
Ahh the joys of beta testing