Database Info

Which Launcher are you using?

I decided to give adw another try, if you do and change your setup to run 8 columns and 5 rows without icon text you can fit a ton of stuff on your home screens. Just make sure you resize your widgets accordingly.
Will post a couple screenshots soon.
-RB

Running eugenes Vibrant hybrid R3, best thing you can do with the phone if you want to remove most of touchwiz, not just hide it.

flashman2002 said:
Running eugenes Vibrant hybrid R3, best thing you can do with the phone if you want to remove most of touchwiz, not just hide it.
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Click to collapse
I was running that for awhile, and it was super fast.
SRE1.2.3 w ext2 is working better for me as i need gps for the time being.

Anyone have any ideas for a good theme or two from this launcher?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

I've gone between adw and launcher pro and I kinda like launcher pro better but adw has way better configurations. I'd say the speeds about the same.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897

Clienterror said:
I've gone between adw and launcher pro and I kinda like launcher pro better but adw has way better configurations. I'd say the speeds about the same.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried ADW again because after my latest restore LP kept on FC on me.
I like LP's scrollable dock, but the ability to have 20 icons+ Fancy widget on the main screen is working well for me.

I use laucherpro because I can have 5 icons on the dock and have an additonal 5 applications off the dock via swipe.
it is super fast, works, and kinda digging the new facebook widget, works well.

launcher pro-esque scrollable dock possible in sense?

I love the stock sense ui, but I really miss the scrollable dock I had on my launcher pro ui setup. Anyone know of a mod that will replace the sense dock with something more launcher pro-esque without sacrificing access to the sense widgets?
Thanks
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

I know this is like beating a dead horse and yes I do understand that for some reason people like Sense that much more....but what widget is it that you really want that is available in Sense but not Launcher Pro? I say this as someone who was a huge fan of Sense until I actually set up Launcher Pro with the dock and icons and widgets I wanted at which point I could never see myself going back to (at least the current version of) Sense.
Rather than starting the old debate, I mean this more as an offer to help you find a compromise.

I had launcher pro on my epic before I took it back, and really loved it, it was the lite (free) version, so have it didn't have all the widgets avail on the donation version.
I love the live weather clock, the book mark page, the enhanced music player, and the friend stream feed.
I actually just looked at the widgets you get with the donation version, and they seem to cover every thing but the sense clock. Are there free apps that will provide equivalent to the htc sense apps that I could use with launcher pro?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

kanethal said:
I had launcher pro on my epic before I took it back, and really loved it, it was the lite (free) version, so have it didn't have all the widgets avail on the donation version.
I love the live weather clock, the book mark page, the enhanced music player, and the friend stream feed.
I actually just looked at the widgets you get with the donation version, and they seem to cover every thing but the sense clock. Are there free apps that will provide equivalent to the htc sense apps that I could use with launcher pro?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
for a sense clock download fancy widget from the market. works exactly the same, looks exactly the same

There are quite a few weather and clock apps. Beautiful widgets stands out but there are others like Fancy Widget as well. The bookmarks I'm not sure about since I use my browser's bookmarks. There is a Friends widget with LP but I never used it since those kinds of widgets demolish battery and I prefer to just check that stuff from Facebook or whatever. There are quite a few music widgets as well and many are much nicer than the Sense one as well.
Honestly your best bet is to get the full LP. It's a very good app and worth the tiny price. Between their widgets and all of the ones (free and paid...mostly free) in the market, there shouldn't be anything getting in your way. I'd rather just pay for LP and have all of my options than try to hack Sense to be as flexible as LP. Sense is a decent bit of polish on the base Android OS if you like how it looks but it is hard to customize and it is missing some of the best parts of third party launchers. Check out the screenshot and LauncherPro threads in this subforum and you might just find some things that make Sense look boring.
If you really do need something from Sense, you will probably need to give up the scrolling dock but there are some nice themes to make it at least look better than the default scheme.

Thanks guys, the info is exactly what I needed
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Did a search for 'fancy', 'fancy widget(s)' and didn't see anything relevant, is it listed under a different name?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Alternate launchers

If I use one of the alternate launchers available (LP, ADW, etc), and decide to go back to Sense, will my current setup be saved or will I have to redo it again?
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA Premium App

Cmotion said:
If I use one of the alternate launchers available (LP, ADW, etc), and decide to go back to Sense, will my current setup be saved or will I have to redo it again?
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're current setup will remain the same. For example, if you setup folders/widgets in the Sense launcher, then install LauncherPro and setup widgets/folders in LauncherPro. Both settings will be saved. They're actually switchable - you can use Sense and switch to LauncherPro, and switch back to Sense.
When you install another launcher and press the "Home" key, a popup will ask which app you want to perform this action with, Sense or <other_launcher>. This popup will appear every time you hit the "Home" key while you're on the home screen until you check the "remember" box.

That's one of the best explanations I've ever seen
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA Premium App

Good info. Can you use the Sense widgets with Launcher Pro? I used Launcher Pro on my old phone, and I'm still debating switching to it for the TBolt. While I like some of the features of Launcher Pro better, I'm also fond of some of the HTC widgets.

HTC widgets will not work with any alternate launcher, unfortunately.

dirtyfingers said:
HTC widgets will not work with any alternate launcher, unfortunately.
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Click to collapse
But with launcher pro plus you can get several sense like widgets.

FreemanB said:
Good info. Can you use the Sense widgets with Launcher Pro? I used Launcher Pro on my old phone, and I'm still debating switching to it for the TBolt. While I like some of the features of Launcher Pro better, I'm also fond of some of the HTC widgets.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what widgets are you wanting to keep...more than likely there is a better alternate somewhere in the market. That has been my experience anyways.

You can also back up your LPP settings as well... Not sure bout ADW.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA Premium App

I've been using Launcher Pro and never looked back

Launcher Pro and ADW Launcher are both extremely similar and offer nearly identical functionality.
Launcher Pro has a leg up with the sense-like widgets... but I honestly do not use many of them. I also like the swipe-able dock in LPP.
ADW is a solid launcher as well and I enjoy some of the features of ADW (different gestures, UI stuff).
I recommend trying both and seeing what you like best. And always support the developers... get Launcher Pro Plus or ADW Launcher EX.

Just a note... I found the app HomeSmack makes it very easy to switch between Home apps. I found it a pain on the T-bolt unless you have just installed a new home app.
This lets you pick which one you want to switch to and you can switch temporarily or set it as the default.

If you set it to remember an alternate launcher and want to change, how do you do it?
-sent via 1.21 giggawatts of android.

I'm also a big fan of Home Switcher for Froyo. I'm not sure how it differs from Home Smack, but it's a seamless process to switch between two launchers. That being said, I'm pretty much always on Launcher Pro.

Zeam Launcher is a nice simple Launcher with intuitive controls and it supports HTC widgets.

I liked LauncherPro on my Droid X, but I never used it much because It slowed the phone down ever so slightly.
Does LP cause any noticeable performance decrease or noticeable extra battery usage on the TB?

funkybside said:
If you set it to remember an alternate launcher and want to change, how do you do it?
-sent via 1.21 giggawatts of android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go Settings -> Applications and find the launcher you set as default, select the 'clear defaults' button and when you hit Home again it should prompt what launcher to use.

crazed_z06 said:
I liked LauncherPro on my Droid X, but I never used it much because It slowed the phone down ever so slightly.
Does LP cause any noticeable performance decrease or noticeable extra battery usage on the TB?
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Click to collapse
I didn't notice any when I tried it last night.
-sent via 1.21 giggawatts of android.

ApplCobbler said:
Zeam Launcher is a nice simple Launcher with intuitive controls and it supports HTC widgets.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your comments about Zeam appear to be flawed... in no way does Zeam support HTC's widgets. No home replacement application can use HTC's widgets. While I'll give it to you that Zeam is a simple nice launcher that is a false statement

I forgot to mention one of the main reasons i started using launcherpro was that it can hide all the icons in the app drawer. Priceless

trendsetter37 said:
what widgets are you wanting to keep...more than likely there is a better alternate somewhere in the market. That has been my experience anyways.
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Click to collapse
I've seen some of the alternatives already, although I particularly like the weather/clock combo widget with the weather animations. I'm mainly considering the cost/benefit of switching to another launcher, buying alternative widgets(Such as Beautiful Widgets), etc. I think I'll stick with Sense for now though, until I have a more compelling reason to change it.

What Launcher is everybody using?

I'm looking at getting either GoLauncher or Launcher Pro (but Ive seen alot of complaints about not alot of updates for this one). I want one that light, fast, customizable and functions well on this phone any suggestions?

Ive been using Launcher Pro and have had zero problems, easily customizable with some good themes. Have seen good reviews on both of them. Try both of them out yourself and see which one works best for you

Cool thanx should I download a program to manage them like HomeSwitcher or something?
Oh yeah and one other question is Launcher Pro premium worth the price or just the free is good enough?

To me premium is def worth the price. It gives you the option to be able to resize the widgets plus a few more option that you cant get with the free version.
Homeswitcher is def good in case you have a couple of launchers installed or just in case you want to go back to the stock home launcher.

been using adw ex

Every Android phone I have owned has had Go Launcher on it. Not sure why but its never gave me a single problem.

After researching it and taking opinions I went with Go Launcher. Thought I had a problem with it, but it turned out to be ME changing too many options up front. Who would have thought that?

I use Launcher Pro Plus (worthy investment)...I have tried Go Launcher and ADW EX, and both are good but Launcher pro seemed smoother to me. Also, since I already paid for LPP a while back I didn't want to not use it even though it wasn't that expensive.

I have installed:
ADWLauncher EX
Balancer
Launcher Pro(free one)
I use Launcher Pro the most. I had GO Launcher EX and Zeam, but uninstalled those. Launcher Pro is what I use the most. I have not played fully with ADW or Balancer. I do feel I like some of the features of Balancer (built in file manager, transparency when in app drawer).
I say download them all, play with them and use what you like.

Go Launcher EX w/ Honeycomb theme (modified w/ICS icons)
Sent from my MB865 using XDA App

Launcher Pro here. It has worked very well for me and I like customizable and scrollable dock.

I went with GoLanucher EX for now and I love it very smooth and has a theme for every piece of it I Have the GoContacts and GoSMS and both work great Ill try it out for a week or two and see how it goes thanks for all the feedback

I've been using Launcher Pro since I had my original Atrix. Never have any problems. I tried all the rest and like this one the most.

Go Launcher EX, the amount of customization is crazy! Very smooth too.
Sent from my MB865 using XDA App

sweeter home 2

Used them all..... now i'm back on Moto Blurr.

I'm currently using adw launcher because i saw a battery drain while using go launcher ex. Probably its just me and not go launcher BUT adw launcher is giving me more battery life and very simple configurations.

916x10 said:
Go Launcher EX, the amount of customization is crazy! Very smooth too.
Sent from my MB865 using XDA App
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Click to collapse
Yep exactly why I like it you can pretty much customize every facet of it only problem Im having is using GoSMS sometime the regular messaging service will show up on my notifications bar and say I have like 56 new messages when Ive already responded to them through GoSMS

jshinn1 said:
Yep exactly why I like it you can pretty much customize every facet of it only problem Im having is using GoSMS sometime the regular messaging service will show up on my notifications bar and say I have like 56 new messages when Ive already responded to them through GoSMS
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Click to collapse
go into the regular text messaging app, hit menu > settings, uncheck notifications

svtfmook said:
go into the regular text messaging app, hit menu > settings, uncheck notifications
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Click to collapse
Thats a user error problem, not an app or launcher problem. Just do what svtmook said and you'll be fine
Sent from my MB865 using XDA App

Highly recommend Nova Launcher for S3

Hey folks,
I highly recommend replacing the touch Wiz launcher with nova launcher. I have found it much more intuitive, and much easier to use. (I am not affiliated with Nova in any way.)
Several advantages:
1. The bottom bar (dock) of apps is highly customizable, with as many apps as you choose. You can also create multiple pages of docked apps, so it's possible to access 10 or 15 apps on the lower dock.
2. The App drawer is automatically alphabetized, unlike touch Wiz, which I find so much easier to use. There are of course workarounds on touch Wiz, but why bother? I just dock the icon for the app drawer on the lower dock so it's always available.
3. Nova has one step back up of your screen layouts so that if you are wiping your phone regularly in order to reflash ROM's, it's trivial to reset your screen layouts by doing a restore from nova. This saves a lot of tweaking time.
4. You can customize the layout of your desktop with variable margins, a persistent search bar on all pages, gestures, and with nova launcher prime ($4), you also get unread counts for SMS, missed calls, and Gmail, which is very nice.
5. Basically everything is customizable and modifiable. I greatly prefer it over the stock touch Wiz launcher. Check out the free version of nova, as it has virtually all the features other than the unread counts.

I personally prefer apex but I can see the appeal in nova. They are pretty similar.

jsb5388 said:
I personally prefer apex but I can see the appeal in nova. They are pretty similar.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried Apex but had a super annoying rendering hug that would display a box on the main home screen for a split second...
Not even considering that I spent a few hours tweaking Apex for a few hours (loved that it had so many options) but 90% of the Nova defaults were perfect for me and after going from Apex to Nova was convinced that it was right for me.
Sent from my Galaxy S3

android94301 said:
Hey folks,
I highly recommend replacing the touch Wiz launcher with nova launcher. I have found it much more intuitive, and much easier to use. (I am not affiliated with Nova in any way.)
Several advantages:
1. The bottom bar (dock) of apps is highly customizable, with as many apps as you choose. You can also create multiple pages of docked apps, so it's possible to access 10 or 15 apps on the lower dock.
2. The App drawer is automatically alphabetized, unlike touch Wiz, which I find so much easier to use. There are of course workarounds on touch Wiz, but why bother? I just dock the icon for the app drawer on the lower dock so it's always available.
3. Nova has one step back up of your screen layouts so that if you are wiping your phone regularly in order to reflash ROM's, it's trivial to reset your screen layouts by doing a restore from nova. This saves a lot of tweaking time.
4. You can customize the layout of your desktop with variable margins, a persistent search bar on all pages, gestures, and with nova launcher prime ($4), you also get unread counts for SMS, missed calls, and Gmail, which is very nice.
5. Basically everything is customizable and modifiable. I greatly prefer it over the stock touch Wiz launcher. Check out the free version of nova, as it has virtually all the features other than the unread counts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
*1. Love Nova

lowg said:
I tried Apex but had a super annoying rendering hug that would display a box on the main home screen for a split second...
Not even considering that I spent a few hours tweaking Apex for a few hours (loved that it had so many options) but 90% of the Nova defaults were perfect for me and after going from Apex to Nova was convinced that it was right for me.
Sent from my Galaxy S3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried Go launcher?

Just fyi... the "work around" to get the app drawer alphabetized is clicking the menu button with the app drawer open and then clicking, "view type" and switching to alphabetized. Not exactly complicated. Or even a work around.
Nova is great, but I'm actually enjoying touchwiz. I do want to switch over and play with nova more... But eh, not seeing a huge need. Coming from sense (which I hated) I'm quite happy on tw.
Though I do miss being able to back everything up
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

How does ADW work on it. I have been rocking them for a while. I am picking my S3 up next weekend when I get back in town. My wife already has hers though and she is rubbing it in my face lol.

adw for ics is apex, is it not?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

doeboy711 said:
How does ADW work on it. I have been rocking them for a while. I am picking my S3 up next weekend when I get back in town. My wife already has hers though and she is rubbing it in my face lol.
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Click to collapse
i start to use ADW ex on my old EVO and is really good launcher, by personal reasons i movo to iphone and now that i back to android i found more launchers, and Nova is really good maybe even better than ADW ex, IMO

Using Apex launcher plus. I tried Nova first, but Apex has a few more features. Just my opinion. Coming from my Dinc running Holo launcher after a VERY long run with LauncherPro (rip).
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

badseed767 said:
Using Apex launcher plus. I tried Nova first, but Apex has a few more features.
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Click to collapse
Same here, I prefer Apex Plus also.

Installed Nova and noticed it was killing my batter so I uninstalled it.

Apex here... Nova didnt impressed me
Sent from Verizon Galaxy S 3 w/ XDA APP

I've been using nova launcher for about a week and I like it a lot. It's very smooth and very fast. It is easily customizable as well.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

I noticed Nova was a bit smoother than Apex for me, so I've been using Nova and loving it
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA App

Any idea what's up with the widget selector for Nova? I click on the widgets tab and instead of the expected widget drawer I get a list of widgets similar to ginger bread.
Is this a feature that's unlocked with nova prime? Or is that widget drawer option something different? Other than that Nova is pretty sweet!

tars16 said:
Any idea what's up with the widget selector for Nova? I click on the widgets tab and instead of the expected widget drawer I get a list of widgets similar to ginger bread.
Is this a feature that's unlocked with nova prime? Or is that widget drawer option something different? Other than that Nova is pretty sweet!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried this? On my last rooted phone, Droid Incredible, it worked perfectly. Haven't tried it on this phone though cuz I don't feel the need to root. REQUIRES ROOT:
forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=780828
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

piiman said:
Have you tried Go launcher?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm running GL - i like it allot.. runs great on the sgs3 with/ICS theme

Apex and Nova are both based on the stock 4.0.x ICS launcher, so they're very similar, but Apex gives more features for free.
You're definitely making a mistake if you use Go Launcher or ADW or LauncherPro on this phone, since those are Gingerbread-based. The ICS launcher is just a much, much better base.

tars16 said:
Any idea what's up with the widget selector for Nova? I click on the widgets tab and instead of the expected widget drawer I get a list of widgets similar to ginger bread.
Is this a feature that's unlocked with nova prime? Or is that widget drawer option something different? Other than that Nova is pretty sweet!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You just need root.
If you have root you can go to Nova Settings... Drawer and enable Widgets in Drawer.
Sent from my Galaxy S3