Database Users

Google Experience Launcher

Just wonderering if anyone is using the Google Experience launcher? Looks really good on the note almost feels like a Nexus experience. Also it responds to the OK google command on the home screen. Always listening which I thought was only a feature on the Nexus 5 / Motorola?
I hate touchwiz and it was one of the main reasons I was hesitant about buying the note. Now I have the best of both world, best tablet and nexus like experience. The Spen etc still work perfectly. Worth giving it a try..
http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57618555-285/get-the-google-now-launcher-on-your-android-device/

andyzarins said:
Just wonderering if anyone is using the Google Experience launcher? Looks really good on the note almost feels like a Nexus experience. Also it responds to the OK google command on the home screen. Always listening which I thought was only a feature on the Nexus 5 / Motorola?
I hate touchwiz and it was one of the main reasons I was hesitant about buying the note. Now I have the best of both world, best tablet and nexus like experience. The Spen etc still work perfectly. Worth giving it a try..
http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57618555-285/get-the-google-now-launcher-on-your-android-device/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used it but ended up back on nova as i am comfortable with it and love the endless customizing.

I'm using it. Wont go back to TW anymore. I wish that there would be option to make folders in application list.
Sent from my Lumia 800 using Tapatalk

Sudbury78 said:
I used it but ended up back on nova as i am comfortable with it and love the endless customizing.
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Click to collapse
I was using Nova previously. Agree Nova is also superb. I have moved over to google experience as I have a nexus phone and like the fact basically consistent. I have been using android devices for years now but only used Nova a few months ago. Really impressive how it changes the feel / look of the tablet.
Googles launcher is free of course. I got the paid version of Nova...

Doesn't it work in landscape view??!

Ahmedmoataz said:
Doesn't it work in landscape view??!
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Yes it does.

valexi said:
Yes it does.
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Click to collapse
But how?!
When I launch it the portrait view is the only one available and I don't know how to access the launcher settings
Thanks in advance ?

Hello guys,
I'm coming in from the Note Pro side and wanted to reflect the OP comments. The launcher is smooth as butter and as stated it's as though the GNL was made for the Galaxy Note lineup. I've noticed all S Pen functionalities are fully intact. The best of both worlds...multi Window SPen features with a PURE Google experience!!!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

Ahmedmoataz said:
But how?!
When I launch it the portrait view is the only one available and I don't know how to access the launcher settings
Thanks in advance ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me it is portrait when tab is horizontal, and vertical when held normally.
As you can see in this picture:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=50487738
Sent from my SM-P605 using Tapatalk

Ahmedmoataz said:
But how?!
When I launch it the portrait view is the only one available and I don't know how to access the launcher settings
Thanks in advance ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you turned off screen rotation by mistake?
Just access the normal Samsung setting screen (by tugging the top of the screen down with your finger) and it is the 4th option from the left. Make sure it is selected... Only thing I can. Think of. Bet you have unselected it by mistake.

andyzarins said:
Have you turned off screen rotation by mistake?
Just access the normal Samsung setting screen (by tugging the top of the screen down with your finger) and it is the 4th option from the left. Make sure it is selected... Only thing I can. Think of. Bet you have unselected it by mistake.
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Click to collapse
No bro....., it is off!!!
Could u please post the version u r using?

is there a dock for the homescreen?

nymikey said:
is there a dock for the homescreen?
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Click to collapse
Yes, if you put the icons on the bottom row, then it is a dock and doesn't move as you swipe between screens.
I've got the paid Nova Launcher as well. I've stuck with it on my S3, but I haven't gone back on the tablet yet. On the S3, I thought the icons were too big and there is zero customization. However, I've enjoyed the Google Now Launcher on the tablet more so than I thought I would.
If there was a Google Now widget that is always listening that I could use with Nova, I would go back. Heck, I might still go back after the novelty of "Ok Google" wears off.

I finally did it......GREAT LAUNCHER!!!

[Q] Best Launcher For Note 3?

Im sorry if this question has been asked and answered for several time. I did google but it seems i cannot find the answer. I just wanna ask what is the coolest and latest launcher for our Note 3 that not drain my Note 3 battery too much? I've been using TSF Shell and all it's apps and widget for a while now, looking cool tho but i think i want to try another launcher. Any recommendation? Thank you.

Personally I use Apex, as it's clean and fast. Nova is pretty much the same.
Next is also a very, very awesome one. Full 3D.

personally....
I still love TW launcher.

ShadowLea said:
Personally I use Apex, as it's clean and fast. Nova is pretty much the same.
Next is also a very, very awesome one. Full 3D.
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antique_sonic said:
personally....
I still love TW launcher.
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Click to collapse
Yup its true i like tw launcher the most. But you know, sometime we might want to change the feeling of the screen. I loved to theme my note 3 to impress my friend I recently downloaded nova. It look cool tho with kitkat experience theme, but then, when i try to restore my tw layout, it only restore the page layout not the apps drawer. But im gonna hit Apex and Next and see how it goes. Thanks guys.
Sent from Hacker OS

I would probably use TW more if it allowed some scaling of the grid size. My Timely clock widget is so massive it covers a third of my screen and on a screen over 5,5 inches that is just too much. I've waited for Samsung to add scaling since the Note 1 and now I just don't use TW anymore.

I use Nova launcher and I'm very happy with it.

GEL with the xposed module xposed GEL settings
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

Most lightweight and fast launcher...any recommendation?

So far, I have tried Apex, Google Now, Nova, and Smart Launcher 2; however, none of these are as smooth as the built-in TouchWiz Home. I like to keep my homescreen simple with a nice wallpaper and four mostly used app icons at the bottom. What I hate about TouchWiz Home is that it puts that ugly page indicator right in the middle even if you just have one page. Since I'm not rooted (AT&T), there is no way to get rid of it. So, are there any launcher that is very lightweight and fast?

Heh... this is the first guy who says tw is smoother than nova or apex

I have Apex, Nova, ADC, and have tried a bunch of others. Experienced using them on my ASUS tablet so they aren't new to me. I'm still using TW on my Note4 because I don't want to lose functionality of some stuff, most notably s-pen. Oh... and paid versions of all of those if there is a paid version. I guess I'm not after something that people will envy when they see it. I just want to learn to use all the stuff my new phone can do! heheheh.... coming from a moto Razr. I tried Themer and I really like the concept, but it was a bit overwhelming. Maybe I just need to spend time with it. My s-pen still worked but I didn't explore what DIDN'T work, so... *shrug* .... still on TW.

bat0nas said:
Heh... this is the first guy who says tw is smoother than nova or apex
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Click to collapse
Trust me...after disabling bunch of craps on my Note 4, TW launcher actually has been very smooth for me.

cjparker said:
I have Apex, Nova, ADC, and have tried a bunch of others. Experienced using them on my ASUS tablet so they aren't new to me. I'm still using TW on my Note4 because I don't want to lose functionality of some stuff, most notably s-pen. Oh... and paid versions of all of those if there is a paid version. I guess I'm not after something that people will envy when they see it. I just want to learn to use all the stuff my new phone can do! heheheh.... coming from a moto Razr. I tried Themer and I really like the concept, but it was a bit overwhelming. Maybe I just need to spend time with it. My s-pen still worked but I didn't explore what DIDN'T work, so... *shrug* .... still on TW.
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Click to collapse
Correct me if I'm wrong but you loose nothing with nova. S-pen works perfectly there. I didn't find any differences.

bat0nas said:
Correct me if I'm wrong but you loose nothing with nova. S-pen works perfectly there. I didn't find any differences.
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Click to collapse
Same with apex, been running fine since launch day.

sherpa said:
So far, I have tried Apex, Google Now, Nova, and Smart Launcher 2; however, none of these are as smooth as the built-in TouchWiz Home. I like to keep my homescreen simple with a nice wallpaper and four mostly used app icons at the bottom. What I hate about TouchWiz Home is that it puts that ugly page indicator right in the middle even if you just have one page. Since I'm not rooted (AT&T), there is no way to get rid of it. So, are there any launcher that is very lightweight and fast?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How about lightning launcher. The only problem I have with it is the app drawer can be a bit slow to launch. Otherwise, as the name suggests, lightning fast and ultra customisable!

Nova
Sent from my SM-N910H using XDA Premium HD app

stock touchwiz is the best. nova was super laggy when i tried it. stock touchwiz has no lag once you switch animations/transitions etc off in developer options.

I always used Nova on my previous devices (s2, s4).
For now on my note 4, I'm still on TW...
There were some reports here on xda that TW gives the best battery life... [emoji15]

Nova.

Since SGS2 through SGS4 and N4 now i`m using Go Launcher EX and it`s the best, the most featured, most customizable launcher in my opinion and btw i don`t have any regrets for speed/lags.

gabi11 said:
I always used Nova on my previous devices (s2, s4).
For now on my note 4, I'm still on TW...
There were some reports here on xda that TW gives the best battery life... [emoji15]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
then I choose customizability and functionality over the few % of battery life.

Nova. Have never experienced lag. Maybe it's because I have Aggressive Desktop selected. S-Pen works fine with it, too. Didn't really give TW a shot because I love the gesture control and infinite scrolling on Nova. I swipe up to open my house alarm app and double tap to turn off the screen. Also, holding the Recents button brings up a sub menu that links to Nova settings, system settings and app list, rather than just settings for the launcher. And just a theory, but I think "OK Google" hotword detection with the screen off works better with Nova.

I've usually stuck with Nova, but find myself using TW for the Note 4. I've purchased Nova and Apex. For fast light launcher, use Hola. It's still installed on my Note 4 while Nova got the boot already

Whilst I'm another Nova fan, and TW this time is pretty decent, I'm a converted Dodol user. Very fast and light (85mb for two screens) even with themes and gestures and many other customisation options. Also has some nice built in widgets.
Sent from my SM-N9100

For light use smart launcher is the pinnacle of light, and remarkably easy to use, however using the GEL has to be my favourite, different strokes for different folks though. Used apex and nova for years, have both pro versions, apex for me is the better of the two. I also have the spb shell 3D, quite heavy, loads of eye candy, also very expensive and hasn't had an update in years. So much potential though.
If you decide to install cm12 then launcher 3 with lollipop is fantastic, I wouldn't swap it.

cjparker said:
I have Apex, Nova, ADC, and have tried a bunch of others. Experienced using them on my ASUS tablet so they aren't new to me. I'm still using TW on my Note4 because I don't want to lose functionality of some stuff, most notably s-pen. Oh... and paid versions of all of those if there is a paid version. I guess I'm not after something that people will envy when they see it. I just want to learn to use all the stuff my new phone can do! heheheh.... coming from a moto Razr. I tried Themer and I really like the concept, but it was a bit overwhelming. Maybe I just need to spend time with it. My s-pen still worked but I didn't explore what DIDN'T work, so... *shrug* .... still on TW.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I originally tried Themer with my HTC One and also thought it was overwhelming. But really just don't like TW so I tried it again and spent a weekend setting it up. Wow! I love it. I easily customized a theme, and lag is minimal. It has gesture control and I've completely eliminated the bottom bar as I use Swapps sidebar. All Spen functions are working.
Sent from my Galaxy Note 4

Howie Dub said:
Nova. Have never experienced lag. Maybe it's because I have Aggressive Desktop selected. S-Pen works fine with it, too. Didn't really give TW a shot because I love the gesture control and infinite scrolling on Nova. I swipe up to open my house alarm app and double tap to turn off the screen. Also, holding the Recents button brings up a sub menu that links to Nova settings, system settings and app list, rather than just settings for the launcher. And just a theory, but I think "OK Google" hotword detection with the screen off works better with Nova.
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Click to collapse
How do you get hotword detection with screen off?

jh787 said:
How do you get hotword detection with screen off?
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Google Now voice settings

Nexus 10 Homescreen layout

Hello N10 owners. I've had an issue that's been ongoing for some time, and would like to figure this out.
Somewhere long ago between roms, my homescreen started to not use all the available space. There are huge margins on the each side. I'm able to remedy this by restoring an old version of Nova Launcher, however, this locks me in to using Nova all the time. When I start with a clean Rom, it does it. When I use another launcher, it does it. Any clues as to why this is happening? Here's two screen shots, one with Action launcher and one with Nova.

I use action launcher on my N10 as well. This is normal behaviour in action launchers. It doesn't have customizable margins settings.
I'm pretty sure nova does though, so try changing those.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

shuli81 said:
I use action launcher on my N10 as well. This is normal behaviour in action launchers. It doesn't have customizable margins settings.
I'm pretty sure nova does though, so try changing those.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Action launcher is just an example. Launcher3 and even Nova does this with the margins until I restore the old version.

jblaylock said:
Action launcher is just an example. Launcher3 and even Nova does this with the margins until I restore the old version.
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Click to collapse
Not sure I understand your problem.
I just installed latest nova from play store and set width margins to none. This seems to work fine.
This doesn't work on AL because it doesn't have adjustable margins.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk

So then is the stock version of this just to have huge margins? When I clean flash a new ROM, it always has these huge margins.

jblaylock said:
So then is the stock version of this just to have huge margins? When I clean flash a new ROM, it always has these huge margins.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mean in the stock launcher?
No idea. I never use stock launcher.

Favorite Launcher

I've been using Nova since it came out basically and have moved around a little trying some of the new ones but I don't think I've had a fully set up experience on a different launcher since the Launcher Pro and ADW days.
I was wondering if there is a favorite launcher that people like especially if it makes the huge amount of screen space on the Note a little more usable. Currently with Nova I leave the top half of both screens mostly unfilled as it can be hard to reach.

Nova launcher pro version is neat, I got it 99 cents when there was a promotion.
The best thing is it allows you to back up your setting, so when you transfer data to a new phone, you can just use one click to have the exactly screen setting!!!

preston66002425 said:
Nova launcher pro version is neat, I got it 99 cents when there was a promotion.
The best thing is it allows you to back up your setting, so when you transfer data to a new phone, you can just use one click to have the exactly screen setting!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea that's I'm currently using. It's nice and all but I see a lot of launchers that do cool stuff like automatically figure out your most used apps and all that.

Another best launcher for me is Smart Launcher
Inviato dal mio SM-N960F utilizzando Tapatalk

I've used so many launchers. Best so far for me are a couple,
1. Microsoft launcher. Hands down the best, just needs more options.
2. Squarehome launcher. Because I'm a big fan of windows phones. This one is very very elegant and very well made. A little on the expensive side (I believe it was $7), but well worth the money. Only gripe is that its settings are all over the place and you have to get used to it to master its customizations.
3. CPL and hyperion if you want stock android launchers. Very nice launchers. Clean and fast. Hyperion has more customizations, but CPL is free.
4. Nova launcher. Have had it for over 4 years now. It has been mostly the same and getting a little too outdated. Dev needs to bring some new features around. Otherwise, competition will destroy them very soon.
5. Samsung One UI house launcher is phenomenal itself.
I've tried next launcher 3D and it was overwhelming then left it in about a month or so.

Using nova launcher. Fast and smooth. But downside when using samsung weather widget, resizing quite wacky.

Gil Smash said:
I've been using Nova since it came out basically and have moved around a little trying some of the new ones but I don't think I've had a fully set up experience on a different launcher since the Launcher Pro and ADW days.
I was wondering if there is a favorite launcher that people like especially if it makes the huge amount of screen space on the Note a little more usable. Currently with Nova I leave the top half of both screens mostly unfilled as it can be hard to reach.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well you can try Niagara Launcher. Been using it since I got my note 9 and when I had the previous models of Samsung eg s9+ and s8+. Its clean fast and everything is ready for your reach.

K-alz said:
I've used so many launchers. Best so far for me are a couple,
1. Microsoft launcher. Hands down the best, just needs more options.
2. Squarehome launcher. Because I'm a big fan of windows phones. This one is very very elegant and very well made. A little on the expensive side (I believe it was $7), but well worth the money. Only gripe is that its settings are all over the place and you have to get used to it to master its customizations.
3. CPL and hyperion if you want stock android launchers. Very nice launchers. Clean and fast. Hyperion has more customizations, but CPL is free.
4. Nova launcher. Have had it for over 4 years now. It has been mostly the same and getting a little too outdated. Dev needs to bring some new features around. Otherwise, competition will destroy them very soon.
5. Samsung One UI house launcher is phenomenal itself.
I've tried next launcher 3D and it was overwhelming then left it in about a month or so.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome thanks! I'm giving Microsoft Launcher another shot as I used it a while ago but stopped. So far so good!

Gil Smash said:
Awesome thanks! I'm giving Microsoft Launcher another shot as I used it a while ago but stopped. So far so good!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome. Let me know what you like and what you don't.

K-alz said:
4. Nova launcher. Have had it for over 4 years now. It has been mostly the same and getting a little too outdated. Dev needs to bring some new features around. Otherwise, competition will destroy them very soon.
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Click to collapse
nah, i rather have an rock solid launcher instead of some bloated one.
but besides. there isn't much missing on Samsung stock launcher nowadays. they now allow the swipe down from anywhere on the screen to bring up notifications.
i am only missing indefinite scrolling between homescreens and some advanced gesture options like double tap. once Samsung stock launcher can do this, i don't need nova no more.

Always been nova for me, but will try some of the others listed here.
Thinking about spicing up my screen a bit.
Another onecthstcwas light weight and free is Evie. It needs some work. The best thing I liked about it was I could get nadge icons on apps with out installing a helper application. Not as stated it needs a lite work.

I've been using Nova for years now and I have a hard time using something else, but I think Lawnchair is very promising

Nova launcher

Used nova for about 5 years on all my devices... I've found Evie last year... Never come back to nova!

I use Evie on my S8+, Note 9, Nexus 6 and Note 4 (yeah yeah...) and love it.

I am using total launcher. those who need customization should try this once.

Been using Nova for years, but the last few months I've been using Lawnchair V2. Really nice and simple, and they've implemented App Actions in the app drawer recently. Pretty handy.

Used Total Launcher for a long time. Very customizable but somewhat complex.
Recently switched to Nova Launcher along with Kustom Live Wallpaper (KLWP). This makes a great team, but like Total Launcher, lots of under the hood to get the right look for the power user.
Sent from my SM-T820 using Tapatalk

preston66002425 said:
Nova launcher pro version is neat, I got it 99 cents when there was a promotion.
The best thing is it allows you to back up your setting, so when you transfer data to a new phone, you can just use one click to have the exactly screen setting!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This, all this.
I have briefly tried other launchers, but they quickly fail to live upto what I know of Nova.

I guess a lot of it comes down to me kind of wanting a launcher to give me a way of automatically improving efficiency not because I don't want to put the work in to figure out how to set up something complex but because I don't know what I want!
So far I'm digging the Microsoft Launcher but it doesn't do a whole lot that Nova doesn't. I've tried things like Niagara too but those tend to be a little overly simplified.