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First of all, I should say, if this topic has already been discussed, then I apologise, and pelase just point me to the right direction. If not, let's get the discussion going!
I started this thread really for 2 reasons. One is to find out for myself (and hopefully for others) which launcher app is more suitable for my needs. And the second one is to have a discussion on the pro's and con's of the different launchers available.
For the GNote as a standard there is the TW launcher of course. I haven't seen any real shortcomings with it. I quite like it. it's clean, smooth and it works.
I am aware of three others: ADW, GO launcher, and launcher pro. I think ADW has a free and a pay version, and I assume the pay version has more features.
I haven't used any of the others on the GNote, and I never used the GO launcher. However, I did use ADW and LauncherPro both on my viewsonic Gtab. On that particular device I found launcher pro more suitable for my needs. Again, it was clean, simple and smooth.
I've never attempted using addons for either, and I am now becoming aware of the different ways to change icons, themes, etc. It'd be interesting to know what can be done with which launchers...
SS launcher
Why: cause it doesn't suck
Sorry, all I can write for now
From the Beast : Galaxy Note
If I'm not mistaken, only the stock TW Launcher has true hardware acceleration thanks to Samsung's work on it. Every other launcher should be software driven (i.e., CPU taxing).
Go Launcher Ex. I tried almost all popular ones and Go is just the best IMO. I can resize widgets, easily create folders and it's highly customizable.
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QQLauncher is the beat imho
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ssLauncher
ssLauncher because:
It's truly different
It is completely configurable, down to the pixel
All widgets can be resized (although some get funny)
shortcuts can be of any style whatsoever (individually) making for a unique layout
It does not lag at all on my set-up (although transitions are a bit tricky to set up right)
You can have page names (the main thing I wanted)
It's truly different!
Nova Launcher!
Otherwise ADW, I like it's customizability. Never tried SS Launcher though.
If you use gb i think go launchr is optimal choice, but for ics nova is the fastest one
Sent from my GT-I9220 using XDA App
sprintuser1977 said:
SS launcher
Why: cause it doesn't suck
Sorry, all I can write for now
From the Beast : Galaxy Note
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow you are damn right. This app makes so much sense. very unique indeed.
I personally use now Go Launcher Ex-highly customizable etc...but I recommend you to have a look at the "Post your homescreen" threads where you'll see different types of homescreens and launchers by the users.
Another site which is quite good for this is mycolorscreen.com/ where you'll see different homescreens and normally the Widgets in use with the market link. So you'll be able to learn how to customize your screen on your own
tap*talked via GT-N7000 (GB.XXLA4)
Am I the only one who dislike multi pages launchers? On the Gnote this artifice is not necessary anymore, I just have ADW with only one screen and with some tuning I have enough room for my often used apps, two folders and a off off my kid. I even disabled auto rotate. On such a big screen landscape makes no sense for home screen and most apps but pictures and video.
guibog said:
Am I the only one who dislike multi pages launchers? On the Gnote this artifice is not necessary anymore, I just have ADW with only one screen and with some tuning I have enough room for my often used apps, two folders and a off off my kid. I even disabled auto rotate. On such a big screen landscape makes no sense for home screen and most apps but pictures and video.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One word: Widgets!
I used to use ADW but it ha gotten too buggy, and it looks like it's not being developed anymore .
These days it's go launcher, but really it's just a place holder until I can load ICS, and the stock launcher
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk
Am I the only one who thinks the none of the launchers are doing it right?
For all I know, TW launcher is the only launcher that uses hardware acceleration. It NEVER lags. Compared to other launchers, I'd stick with it. (I'm on RR v22, ICS for RR v1.6)
TW launcher on ICS for RR looks so much better than stock TW. It makes it bearable. Plus it doesn't lag.
VTL launcher 1.7.0 with left and right docks active, absolutly the more versatile one!
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AA1973 said:
I personally use now Go Launcher Ex-highly customizable etc...but I recommend you to have a look at the "Post your homescreen" threads where you'll see different types of homescreens and launchers by the users.
Another site which is quite good for this is mycolorscreen.com where you'll see different homescreens and normally the Widgets in use with the market link. So you'll be able to learn how to customize your screen on your own
tap*talked via GT-N7000 (GB.XXLA4)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great site, thanks! Just opened it and found a great homescreen containing several widgets I've been literaly looking for and didn't know they exist. Can't post links yet unfortunately, but you can go have a look and see if it also catches your attention Its on a Note too!
guibog said:
Am I the only one who dislike multi pages launchers? On the Gnote this artifice is not necessary anymore, I just have ADW with only one screen and with some tuning I have enough room for my often used apps, two folders and a off off my kid. I even disabled auto rotate. On such a big screen landscape makes no sense for home screen and most apps but pictures and video.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not that I dislike them, but I'm sure gonna go for as few as I can. Thinking about 2 or so, depends on how many widgets I'm actually gonna need. I don't like to keep scrolling to find what I want.
I installed several launchers and launcher modifiers. Most modifiers sucked. I think they put adware on my phone because once a day or so I get an advert pop up that is not from my provider (I recognise some new type of icons in the notification bar). I uninstalled the launcher modifiers very quickly so I forgot their names. I tried ADW, and so far decided to stick with launcher pro, as it gave me what I needed (customised icons for apps and dock). Anything else wasn't really of interest for me from a functional perspective.
Im using launcher pro on the chinese leak ICS and its so smooth its insane. It looks to be rendering in 60p while using a live wallpaper with absolutely no lag at all. I like the animations and options in it but it is getting a little dated and could do with an upgrade to add some more widgets and functionality.
This was fairly smooth on GB roms pretty much the same as TW launcher but on the ICS leak this flies
You can shrink and zoom all widgets in the paid version from 1x1 to full screen and this works well with nearly every widget I have tried. This is very useful when reducing DPI even though atm I am using the stock 320 incase it breaks something reducing this.
The TW launcher is so low for me when scrolling left and right even though its smooth it just moves across pretty slow, I like to get to where I want quick and launcher pro does this. I havent tried many other launchers lately but tried them all before and keep going back to launcher pro even though it hasnt been updated in a while.
@martcerv: So how is that ICS leak working out for you? Many seem to have problems of all sorts with it...
I have been using spb shell 3d in tablet mode with resizable widgets and for me its the best.
It displays 8 rows x 6 columns and is really suited to the Note. The labels maybe small for some, but not really needed.
For me its the best experience, its compatible with the ICS chainfire release and is very smooth and responsive.
I have adjusted dpi to 213 for better views in gmail etc, but this does not effect shell 3d. At 213 dpi you loose the top bar for some reason, but have put info onto homescreen, see pic
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Google seems to have actually managed to gain a competitive advantage with the new stock launcher: the integration of Google Now including the corresponding voice command "OK Google".
Do you think or are you able to tell if this is something, that developers of other launchers will also be able to do?
Furthermore, so far there isn't a launcher out yet with transparent navbar, or am I wrong? Which launcher would you recommend for the nexus 5 in regards to this? I have always used Apex on my GNex and my Nexus 4 and was very happy. But the transparent nav- and statusbars are just too darn sexy.
Put short, if you are looking for an exact copy of the Google Experience Launcher, you're outta luck. It's impossible for a third party launcher to integrate the Google Now 'left swipe' screen or the voice activated "OK, Google" as both features have closed APIs. The good news is, at least the Nova Launcher dev has said that he's planning to implement the same feature but in a different way. For example, placing an entire Google Now widget on the left screen. It won't be exactly how Google has it, but it will be close enough
As for the transparent UI status bar, I believe all third party launchers will support this feature.
esskayy said:
Put short, if you are looking for an exact copy of the Google Experience Launcher, you're outta luck. It's impossible for a third party launcher to integrate the Google Now 'left swipe' screen or the voice activated "OK, Google" as both features have closed APIs. The good news is, at least the Nova Launcher dev has said that he's planning to implement the same feature but in a different way. For example, placing an entire Google Now widget on the left screen. It won't be exactly how Google has it, but it will be close enough
As for the transparent UI status bar, I believe all third party launchers will support this feature.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks..that was kind of what i thought. I don't really need the swipe or voice activation (allthough they're nice to have)...transparent nav- and statusbars are way more important
any word on when which dev is gonna come up with an update including the new features for kitkat? since i've been using apex for the last 2 years or so i'm not really aware of the differences to the other launchers..
maxiv said:
thanks..that was kind of what i thought. I don't really need the swipe or voice activation (allthough they're nice to have)...transparent nav- and statusbars are way more important
any word on when which dev is gonna come up with an update including the new features for kitkat? since i've been using apex for the last 2 years or so i'm not really aware of the differences to the other launchers..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure about Apex, but Nova should be sooner than later. The dev has already implemented the feature, it's just a matter of when he decides to release it.
Action Launcher is what I'm currently using. Very responsive dev, I;m currently running the beta and he's added transparency, white folders and white accents to match the kitkat theme.
maxiv said:
thanks..that was kind of what i thought. I don't really need the swipe or voice activation (allthough they're nice to have)...transparent nav- and statusbars are way more important
any word on when which dev is gonna come up with an update including the new features for kitkat? since i've been using apex for the last 2 years or so i'm not really aware of the differences to the other launchers..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Action Launcher Beta has transparency. I don't like the launcher itself though, and it does cost $3.99. Nova creater says he is working on it, but didn't give an ETA for the actual release or beta. You can sign up for either beta through Google+.
Action Launcher - https://plus.google.com/communities/109326856140078966644
Nova Launcher - https://plus.google.com/communities/103449253667195874971 (no current beta)
The stock launcher. Love it.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
barondebxl said:
The stock launcher. Love it.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Same here.
Stock launcher too basic and plain for my taste waiting for either nova to update as im using their current version.. or for carbom/liquidsmooth/pa rom where u can change the nav bar buttons as well as color. Same with status bar
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
the only thing i dont like about stock is that you can't set your home panel.
it's annoying having to put all my icons to the right
Megiddo2000 said:
the only thing i dont like about stock is that you can't set your home panel.
it's annoying having to put all my icons to the right
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
100% agree with this "it's annoying having to put all my icons to the right"
I like my screens where they were and now centering is left WTF?
I like the stock launcher. But it isn't possible to hide App icons in the Drawer vor can I do this? I didn't find an Option for this
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I will go with stock until nova reveives an update.
I've always used Nova, but I could start using stock launcher (I like the swipe to Google Now) if only there was a way to apply a theme icons as we can do with third party launchers
dachef2000 said:
I like the stock launcher. But it isn't possible to hide App icons in the Drawer vor can I do this? I didn't find an Option for this
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Click to collapse
Same here. I hate not having this function.
Stock Launcher great, but ...
I can agree it would be great if the stock laucher had two small addons, than it would be the best launcher for me:
1. Custom Number of Rows and Columns for Home and App Drawer
2. A chance to organize the App Drawer using either "Folders" or "Tabs"
Is it not possible for some devs to achieve this with the experience launcher an make my dream come true to have
a more experience launcher.
Best Regards ... I would also pay for such a launcher ...
I agree. I love the stock launcher but hate the icons, if they update to allow icon packs that would be great and to have more control over the app drawer.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
AndrasLOHF said:
Same here. I hate not having this function.
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Click to collapse
I found the App "Apphider" ... You can hide all apps you want but you need root... This was a solution for my problem ...
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if someone can post here when nova, or some other launcher, gets the Google now update, it'd be greatly appreciated! :fingers-crossed:
Megiddo2000 said:
if someone can post here when nova, or some other launcher, gets the Google now update, it'd be greatly appreciated! :fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never
You can now install Google launcher so happy.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.launcher
sent from Motorola geeeee
maccboy2010 said:
You can now install Google launcher so happy.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.launcher
sent from Motorola geeeee
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to be clear, this is "Google Now Launcher" not "Google Experience Launcher" that play store edition phones have. Ok, sorry, just checked and it's the same thing, somehow i thought that google now launcher is a simplified version of google experience launcher. It's the same thing
Nevertheless it's a very nice launcher, simple and sleek.
.. and it's available now on all phones with android 4.1+
It is Google now launcher
http://www.androidcentral.com/google-now-launcher-now-available-most-android-devices
sent from Motorola geeeee
GreenToad said:
Just to be clear, this is "Google Now Launcher" not "Google Experience Launcher" that play store edition phones have
Nevertheless it's a very nice launcher, simple and sleek.
.. and it's available now on all phones with android 4.1+
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Click to collapse
What's the difference?
Sent from my XT1032
Clarkiieh said:
What's the difference?
Sent from my XT1032
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Ok, sorry, just checked and it's the same thing, somehow i thought that google now launcher is a simplified version of google experience launcher. It's the same thing
Gnl is very good
I hate the icon size, and the draw is awful, so uninstalled it, shame really.
Xposed GEL Settings (requires Xposed Framework) allows you to change such things as icon size and drawer layout, along with many other things:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.theknut.xposedgelsettings
Slight lag when exiting app drawer to home screen. I will stick with Nova.
Nova launcher FTW!
Sent from my XT1032 using Tapatalk
Nova launcher is the best
I do use Nova Prime with most of its features set to imitate the GNL, icon sizes and drawer included. It feels so much better.
is working really fine with gel settings, but i don't know how to resize the icons of the app drawer
Sergolea said:
is working really fine with gel settings, but i don't know how to resize the icons of the app drawer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Changing the number of rows and/or columns will make the icons smaller / larger.
maccboy2010 said:
You can now install Google launcher so happy.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.launcher
sent from Motorola geeeee
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been running it since Friday. I like it, very similar to the Moto G stock, but it let's us add/delete launcher screens again. Icons are a touch larger. The Google notifications page is just a slide away - I don't use that much, but I may start paying more attention to it.
rogeriorp said:
I do use Nova Prime with most of its features set to imitate the GNL, icon sizes and drawer included. It feels so much better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
same, i dig the bigger icons but i rather use Nova so I enlarged them to look more like GNL.
I dislike GNL because of the drawer... Impossible to sort our applications in tabs... I keep Nova Launcher... The only feature I miss on Nova is the slide to the left to see Google Now.
I used GNL for a couple of months and I really enjoyed the swipe left google now, but I recently swithed to nova because of the customization and backup options. I think that I'm going to stick with nova for a while.
lost101 said:
Changing the number of rows and/or columns will make the icons smaller / larger.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, it worked
Enviado desde mi XT1032
Try this
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2836552
I have been reading a lot of negative comments on the launcher in some of the reviews I have read and thought a discussion of features and quirks might be a good topic.
Personally I have been a TouchWiz fan for a while but lately I have been using Nova. I really like the Asus' customization abilities. If you are in the app drawer, you can click on the 3 vertical dots in the upper right of the screen. There you can change all sorts of characteristics of the drawer like grid size and folder icon options.
Anyone figure out how to change the icon grid for the home screen?
Personally, I use and recommend ActionLauncher 3. Best Lollipop launcher available, IMO! The QuickTheme feature is brilliant and the side drawer is faster than navigating through drawer pages.
Pretty sure the asus launcher doesn't allow changing the grid size.
Just got mine yesterday, but been using Google Launcher. Coming from a Nexus 5, and a Nexus 4 before that, it's what I'm used to. That being said, I'll probably switch to nova launcher, because there are a number of Asus apps you can't get rid of. So I'll use nova launcher to just hide the from the app drawer, and it will be like they don't exist!
nathan118 said:
Pretty sure the asus launcher doesn't allow changing the grid size.
Just got mine yesterday, but been using Google Launcher. Coming from a Nexus 5, and a Nexus 4 before that, it's what I'm used to. That being said, I'll probably switch to nova launcher, because there are a number of Asus apps you can't get rid of. So I'll use nova launcher to just hide the from the app drawer, and it will be like they don't exist!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have been using Nova Launcher on all of my phones for along time.. Decided to try out Action Launcher 3 that rlaw recommended and after trying it out a bit, it just became my new launcher (paid the $5 for the plus version).
I really like the screen swipe to bring up the quick app list (instead of digging thru the app drawer) and the Shutter function in the paid version is really neat take on folders. It also has the ability to hide apps like nova launcher has..
I recommend checking it out, it has the best features in the plus paid version but IMO it's worth it to support apps that make my experience better :good:
I was using nova launcher prime up until I got this phone, and the only thing making me want to switch back is that I could have 6 apps in the dock on nova. On a screen this size, you'd think they'd let you do that.
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.
Click to expand...
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.