Help finding an app or launcher - Lenovo Yoga Book Questions & Answers

Hi
I am using Lenovo Yoga Book for school and reading. Android's interface is a little bit missing the abilities to make it easier to use with mouse and multitask effectively.
Is there any app or launcher that I can install so I would use the tablet in an easier way? Something that would look like maybe like Chrome OS or give me the experience of DeX (without connecting a monitor), which at least would help me with multitasking (multi-windows).
Thanks.

I used Nova. It works quite well and has a lot of configuration options.

Try leena launcher

Related

How to improve my new Nook ST

I just got a nook simple touch which I am so far impressed with. However, there are a couple things I am disappointed about.
First, it seems difficult to add files to it. It would be much more convenient if I could add dropbox to it.
Second, I thought it would be possible put simple games like sudoku or word games on it.
Third, I was hoping I could have a rss/feed reader on it.
I know this device is very limited due to the grayscale and slow refresh, but I am not looking for a full fledged Android ROM on it. I would actually prefer to keep it as stock as possible, and simply add those three or four apps to it
What is the least invasive way to add these apps to the device?
Can I simply give it root access and install these apps without flashing a whole ROM?
Sent from my T959 using XDA App
Once rooted, you can have dropbox, sudoku, rss feeds and most android applications with little to no animation. Keep in mind the nook ST OS is android 2.1
To root it, you can check either this forum o http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1351719one. The process is simple, you 'burn' an image on a sd card, put it on your nook and restart it. Nevertheless, read the instructions carefully. I strongly advice you to backup your nook before attempting to do anything. Look here.
That looks pretty simple, but it sounds like it will have a new ui with the launcher and app drawer. Will I be able to have the stock
nook ui and still run the apps I want?
Sent from my T959 using XDA App
Well, original nook ui - and launcher, in this case - won't allow you to add apps. ADW or Go launcher, when well setup, won't hinder your experience in using nook.
Ok, I searched YouTube for a video on rooting it. (I can believe I didn't think of this already) it does give a different ui, but there is an option to load the factory launcher. I may just try it and see how a like it and just keep a backup or know how to factory restore it in case I don't
Sent from my T959 using XDA App
Rooting doesn't change the look and feel of the reader that much - the nook button still brings up the little launcher/appdrawer thingy at the bottom of the screen, regardless of if you have a replacement launcher as primary. You can even leave the stock reader app as default as well (I still like it better than the other ones I've tried).
After rooting it's very easy to install dropbox, dropsync(!) and other apps. Go for it.
just root and get apps that you want
Okay, i actually like the BNST, but I really miss basic stuff like gmail and an occasional browser... if I'd root... how about battery life if you mainly use the BN "launcher"? Anyone using it like that?
nicksbrain said:
Okay, i actually like the BNST, but I really miss basic stuff like gmail and an occasional browser... if I'd root... how about battery life if you mainly use the BN "launcher"? Anyone using it like that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FWIW...
I'm running rooted 1.1, using it "purely" for reading (btw, Calibre is great for getting the book covers to show up, and for me at least the books MUST be on the sdcard for them to show the cover. Internal didn't work when I tried).
However, I'm also running Metro UI Lite (https://market.android.com/details?...EsImNocmlzbWFuLmFuZHJvaWQuaG9tZS5tZXRyb3VpIl0.)
Eink-friendly button savior (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1250278)
and:
dropbox (for downloading stuff/'cause I can).
gmail, basic google apps (including reader, although I would prefer a more friendly e-ink type)
opera mini
basic sudoku/reversi/etc
Runs great! Also have setcpu and have changed the governor, seems to run snappier. Battery life is great still.
hmm, okay, miss dropbox too, actually, but i'm sick of rooting each and every android device iown...I already have my Nook Color and my Galaxy S2 rooted, so I think I'll stick with those for my E-Mail and other needs.. Thanks for the clarification though!

Survivalist's Tablet

I've got a friend who's about to be deployed overseas. He has used an Android phone for a couple of years, is an avid reader, has never had a tablet but is proficient with the Android interface.
He expects to have access to Internet (wifi) only periodically, he expects to be without electrical power for days at a time, he needs any non-essential gear to be lightweight and durable. He asked me if he should get an ereader. I think a rooted Nook Simple Touch would meet his ereader needs and go one better. I'm trying to set him up with a rooted NST that will give him access to a few essential tablet apps, an Internet browser for when he's got wifi and a selection of ereader apps so he can read anything that's out there in electronic print.
So far I've rooted the NST using SalsichaNooter (thanks for that), installed Go Launcher because you can easily increase the size of text and icons, SearchMarket to overcome the inability to search in Android Market (wtf?) and ereader apps Kindle and Google Books. I sent my Gmail account a pure white image that I use for wallpaper to make icons easy to see.
Some lingering questions:
Is there a way to reduce "color settings" or whatever it would be called so that the grayscale shades are fewer? I'd gladly trade more contrast for fewer times that a medium gray icon is barely distinguishable against an only slightly darker medium gray background.
Is there a way to make the icons of Button Savior larger? I love the app. I use it on every Android device I've got because I really like having these essential commands right under my thumb but making the icons twice as large would be nice.
Are there themes that are designed to optimize the settings for a grayscale device? I found a couple for "Go SMS" in Market but I don't know exactly what that is.
Is there a workaround for the inability to install the Barnes & Noble Nook ereader app? I keep getting "Installation error. Duplicate provider authority". I don't know if he needs three or more ereader apps but I don't want to limit his choices.
I've read the Nook Touch forums on XDA, I've done Google searches on these topics but haven't found good answers. If there are resources I've missed I'd appreciate a heads-up.
1. To reduce colors or increase contrast, the only method that comes to mind is to use APK Manager or APK Multi-tool and modify the XML, png, and 9 patch files, will need some knowledge about Android layouts, etc. and color codes like #ff000000 is solid black. I had to do some, not really sure how legit that is, but original devs did not reply to emails when requested high contrast color schemes.
2. Replacing images with APK multi-tool might work, I tried google but can't seem to determine if this project is opensource or not, if it is, send me a link and I will modify it for you.
3. The nooter that you used, installs a good launcher and theme with a lot of monochrome icons for various applications, but as you installed another launcher, you will need to come up with a theme. Go SMS is a SMS application useful on cell phones by the same developer as Go Launcher, you will need themes for Go Launcher.
4. You could try modifying the manifest using APK mult-tool, however, I fail to see the point when you have an optimized version for the device already integrated with the device.
I can only provide you optimizations for opensource software or if the dev of the application explicitly allows to modify his APK, I will not provide you with any other modifications out of respect to the developers, I am one too. I hope you understand.
TouchNooter has a version of market that has search working.
You might be able to find with a little searching an e-ink theme for Go-Launcher in market. If all else fails you could probably create your own theme based off of like Minimalist black or use a non e-ink theme that does the trick.
The built in e-reader app is the equivalent if not better than the market nook app.
While I appreciate the various suggestions from tazzix I'm not proficient enough with Android to know how to manipulate APK files or settings. I keep reading that there's a version of TouchNooter that enables search in Market but either I haven't found it or it isn't working for me (I had a lot of problems with the latest version of TouchNooter, which is why I went with SalsichaNooter). I do have basic access to Market and I am using MarketSearch for searching so I could live with this level of functionality if necessary.
I downloaded and installed the Black-N-Blue free theme for GO Launcher, which seemed to help increase contrast and thus visibility. I'd love to find a way (or at least a way that was within my abilities to use) to turn the background behind all the apps white so they were easier to see when I scroll through them all.
All in all I think this device will work for my purpose even if I can't resolve my remaining problems. Oh and I mapped the side buttons, using Nook Touch Tools, for Volume Up and Down (works great to turn pages in Kindle app), Back and Menu. All very handy. Mapping one of these buttons for Home, though, sends you to the Nook home rather than the Android launcher home. I appreciate the help I've gotten and any more ideas that I come across.
lesdense said:
I'd love to find a way (or at least a way that was within my abilities to use) to turn the background behind all the apps white so they were easier to see when I scroll through them all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Somewhere on this forum is a theme with contrast icons for go launcher, it really helps, although it is not for all apps.
lesdense said:
While I appreciate the various suggestions from tazzix I'm not proficient enough with Android to know how to manipulate APK files or settings. I keep reading that there's a version of TouchNooter that enables search in Market but either I haven't found it or it isn't working for me (I had a lot of problems with the latest version of TouchNooter, which is why I went with SalsichaNooter). I do have basic access to Market and I am using MarketSearch for searching so I could live with this level of functionality if necessary.
I downloaded and installed the Black-N-Blue free theme for GO Launcher, which seemed to help increase contrast and thus visibility. I'd love to find a way (or at least a way that was within my abilities to use) to turn the background behind all the apps white so they were easier to see when I scroll through them all.
All in all I think this device will work for my purpose even if I can't resolve my remaining problems. Oh and I mapped the side buttons, using Nook Touch Tools, for Volume Up and Down (works great to turn pages in Kindle app), Back and Menu. All very handy. Mapping one of these buttons for Home, though, sends you to the Nook home rather than the Android launcher home. I appreciate the help I've gotten and any more ideas that I come across.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems odd that you'd have troubles with the latest TouchNooter, the issue I seem to come across for most people using it is the Wait a Day issue with market, but since your Market is already working and the other Nooter has done most of the work you could try running TouchNooter 1.11.20 on top of it (making sure you're upgraded to 1.1 first), or burning the card (and after installing a file manager) try installing the Market+Gapps from there manually to "update" them.
As for setting the B&N button to take you home and ending up on B&N home, try and make sure you have the setting saved for home. Also make sure that your default home is Go Launcher. As long as Button Savior's home will take you to go Launcher the B&N home button should too if you've modified the right button. Perhaps try a reboot.
Go Launcher > Preferences > Visual Settings > Backgrounds > App drawer background > Custom Background
Then just select a blank wallpaper image.

[HowDoI?]Make 3rd Party Launcher Icon Theme Packs

Hello, I am wondering how I can make 3rd party launcher icon packs that I can compile into an application for launchers such as Nova Launcher? I know HTML, CSS, JavaScript basics and want to make icon packs for myself and others. I've never made an app before, but love technology and am going to get a degree in Mobile App Development. I am self motivated and spend lots of time on the computer. I know a bit of coding from CodeAcademy and I know how to root, unlock , and S-off Android devices & am good at finding out how. So let me get to the point. Can someone point me in the right direction to make an Application for 3rd Party Launcher icon pack themes?
Everyone's help is appreciated I am too into tech and can't do everything all @ once. Plus it is hard to figure out how to do these things without help. I am not sure if this is okay, but please check out my blog at www.ThingyTech.com & my Twitter which is a source for tech based facts follow me at [email protected]
All help is really appreciated. Also, I hope this is the right section to post this.
- Zach AKA Techinstein AKA 8BitBacon
Try decompiling an icon pack apk and using it as a base.remove existing images and put your own images..look through all the xml to get a better understanding of how an iconpack.apk work.then you can probably make one from scrarch.i know nothing about coding.ive just done alot of apk modding.so I know cheats.lol but its a start anyways.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2
Building Launcher Like Nova
creating a launcher is not that easy process it takes a lot of effort and time to build a successful launchers like Nova which is quite bit more popular. As you have knowledge of HTML, CSS and JavaScript so should try cross platform mobile app development tools such as React Native and Flutter. Hope you got it.

Best alternative launcher?

What launchers are available out there which offer more than the leanback launcher? I noticed I cannot change wallpaper, live or static, display non-TV apps or change many other settings with it. Do you have any suggestions for others to try?
Unfortunately all which I have tried seem underdeveloped atm. Before Android TV there were already a bunch of mediocre 10-foot launchers for older Android-based boxes. It would be really nice to see somebody develop an improved version of the Leanback Launcher with added customization (like Nova Launcher vs AOSP's launcher), but I heard somewhere that the Leanback launcher isn't open source. It would also be nice for such a launcher to be made compatible with all Android TV and normal Android devices so that you could have the Leanback interface on things like like MiniX devices, Fire TV devices or even an old Android smartphone strapped to the back of your TV. @dhacker29 ported CyanogenMod 12.1 and later AOSP 6.0.1 to the Nexus Player where he included the Leanback Launcher with modifications to the UI and an option to change the background image, though I doubt that you can just extract the app and run it on the Shield.
Ive tried HALauncher on my shield tv (not rooted / stock firmware), that's pretty good. It allows you to choose wallpaper, change font colours, and arrange your own quick launch items. Only problem is that it wont show the Nvidia Shield hub items (game stream etc) except the store place. Its free so worth looking at.
If you like the style of Leanback but would prefer more control and ability to customise, HALauncher is the best option. It also supports mouse control too, unlike the truly awful and crippled Leanback.
If you prefer something a bit different there are numerous launchers out there. You have SquareHome.Tablet launcher. It's very good and allows a metro-like setup and can create some fantastic looking home pages if you put the effort in. Another is Launcher Lab, which has some fantastic effects. Although the downside of this is that you can't use a direction pad, which means it's mouse only. Total Launcher is worth a look too.
See the Minix Forum thread below for examples of what you can do. They're all on Minix devices of course, but there is nothing stopping identical home pages being set up on the Shield.
http://www.minixforum.com/threads/lets-see-a-shot-of-your-launcher-customizations.441/

Element E4STA5517 55" 4K Android TV [TU43GDX] upgrade os?

Hi all, wondering if anyone has attempted messing with this unit - found nothing on Google/duckduckgo.
Had it 2ish years, been a glitchy little monster and apps like Hulu show incompatibility (though they are 'preloaded' and on the menu). So far as I can tell the system OS has never been updated and am curious what might be done to refresh it?
TheDrake2k said:
Hi all, wondering if anyone has attempted messing with this unit - found nothing on Google/duckduckgo.
Had it 2ish years, been a glitchy little monster and apps like Hulu show incompatibility (though they are 'preloaded' and on the menu). So far as I can tell the system OS has never been updated and am curious what might be done to refresh it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately most android TV's don't get updates because the manufacturer doesn't take the time or resources to make an update and push it to the TV's.
As for glitches and apps I would try expanding it's memory using a flash drive and moving apps to it and letting the device use it as internal storage. And I'd use a PC or laptop and download the free program called "adb app control" and use the debloat option and clean some stuff off it. I'd also suggest getting a lighter launcher than the default one. There's a few options here -> Link but I like one called dashboard from the playstore. Also install a launcher manager and/or button mapper (both are free). Hopefully some or all of this helps make your tv a little snappier. I have a fairly new Hisense android tv and I did all this and it feels a lot better than stock.

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