[Q] Background Switcher...? - General Questions and Answers

Can anyone recommend me a good (preferably free) background changer app? The ones I've come across are all either too complicated or way too simplistic. I'm using Zedge right now, but it doesn't always work. I'd like to be able to choose which albums to pull from...

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[Q] Looking for a good launcher that isn't a launcher

Hi folks, I'm looking for what I'd call a "launcher". But I DON'T want a Sense-Replacement like ADW, SPB Shell or things like that. I'm looking for a WIDGET that allows me to place app shortcuts. Like Multicon. Unfortunately, Multicon has only 1x1 to 1x4 vertical widgets, but no horizontal ones. I need a horizontal one because I want to be able to put more apps on the screen - on a Sense-Screen, there's only 16 shortcuts possible, but you could easily fit 25 with even larger icons. Can you recommend any widget? Performance is quite important for me. Don't need background picture and scrollable content or stuff like that. Just a plain launcher that allows for more icons than Sense would. And the icons have to be large enough - 1/4th of the normal icon size is too small.
Have you looked at circle launcher
I might have the wrong idea, but maybe elixir (in market) may be useful. Has a range of sizes (1*4, 4*1 etc.) allowing for a large number of apps/switches to be placed on home screens.
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e
Wave launcher is awesome imo. I use it daily and I use it with all launchers (I swap launchers). It takes about a week to get used to. But after that, It's smooth sailing.
You say you don't want a Launcher
Even though you say you don't want a Launcher, you should look at LauncherPro... I use it with 9 down by 5 across easily (Could probably do 6 across) which gives my 45 icons on one screen. Isn't that what you are looking for? You just choose the number of rows and columns you want in the options.
I turn off labels since they aren't needed.
Wave launcher for me also
jersey_609 said:
Have you looked at circle launcher
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, and I think its quite good, but it doesn't allow for very many icons. 8 will still look fine, but that's about the upper limit. Plus, its cumbersome that you have to tap twice - once to open the circle and once to select the app. It doesn't react instantly.
melloyello said:
I might have the wrong idea, but maybe elixir (in market) may be useful. Has a range of sizes (1*4, 4*1 etc.) allowing for a large number of apps/switches to be placed on home screens.
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but Elixir has like ten thousand other features that I don't need/want, so it's like Bloatware in my case. I had tried it weeks ago, but I don't think the icons were any good at all. Too small. Maybe I missed something?
Thanks also for the suggestions about WaveLauncher. I tried that, but it doesn't really work well for me. When I'm on the homescreening, I'm always turning around the Sense screens instead of opening the wave.
Any other suggestions?
try wave, circle launcher, quickdesk, widgetlocker (set it as longpress search key), swipepad, powerstrip, more icons... those come to mind.
Hope that helps.
Hi Firefall
I'm in the same situation as you! The one I'm using now (after some searching) is Launch-X. They have the free and paid version. If aesthetic is not key, and you don't need more than 5 shortcuts per roll (this is ideal I think, not too small, but better than 4 per roll which I think is too sparse), free version is good enough I think.
In fact, Launch-X can go to the next 5 shortcuts (it comes with left-right buttons). If used on launcher which allow scrolling, you only need to swipe.
I combine it with Folder Organiser (this type has aplenty to choose from) which can group various apps into a folder (e.g. System, Apps, Games, Multimedia, etc.). So, now I have 5 folder shortcuts (in Launch-X) on my Sensation desktop, and each shortcut opens up another 10-20 apps. I find this two steps acceptable for a clean desktop.
Alternatively, you can consider Swipepad, which I'm using for quick access (esp to switch off my Sensation) in whichever app I'm currently running. Another alternative you can consider is Smart Taskbar.
Didn't Folder Organizer do this? You can also do it with Extended Controls.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G
TheBiles said:
Didn't Folder Organizer do this? You can also do it with Extended Controls.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good point.. I think for such nested folder feature, you need the paid version of Folder Organiser. I haven't tried it yet.
If you're looking for a very simple launcher, You can download this :
simplehome
it was on the market, I worked on it for translation.
Here is a screenshot
apk is just right here
mrassol said:
If you're looking for a very simple launcher, You can download this :
simplehome
it was on the market, I worked on it for translation.
Here is a screenshot
apk is just right here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot for the APK, I couldn't find it on the market. I will try it soon. It takes up the whole screen though, right?
Folder organizer also looks somewhat useful, but I'm not sure if it is what I want. Will also try that. Extended controls doesn't really look like a launcher from the market screenshots, do you actually use it as a launcher?
@leyvatron: I've tried SwipePad, that's not what I want, it should be on the homescreen as a widget. PowerStrip seems to be similar to it. The QuickDesk concept however looks interesting. Thanks for that! Also, WidgetLocker MIGHT be a good alternative for the Sense lockscreen.
@Sian: Thanks for sharing your experience with Launch-X. I tried it and it seems quite good, the free is too limited in my opinion. But it comes closest to what I'm looking for so far when configured appropriately.
Personally I just create a folder on my homescreen using GoLauncher, works great for the task you are trying to accomplish!!
i, a newbie and cant find anything on how to install a launcher, no matter what i do it goes back to sense, im swithing between using home switch.....help please.
i just got my new sensation as a free upgrade cause they could not fix my desire hd........much better phone
Go clear the defaults associated with HTC Sense or try Home Switcher.
how do i clear the defaults on sense when i cant get an option??????
donaghb said:
how do i clear the defaults on sense when i cant get an option??????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
settings/ applications, sense launcher, Clear defaults
and thanks for replying
No problem bro

Entire app widget, post your thoughts.

Entire app widget, a lot of you will be confused what im talking about and to be ohnest so am i lol. What i am after is something unique that would make life a whole lot easier for me and imo for others, this type of setup may be around but most likely isn't and a possible reason for why.
What i am after is something that can make a whole entire app run as a widget on one of the many screens for the desktop, so what i mean is when you flick through the screens on the desktop you have all you many cool widgets there that are easy to use and accessable but what im wanting is something that will allow a entire program to fit on the desktop so you can easily flick through from one program to another like facebook and then flick to another screen that has possible another program such as emails or messages. Without having to exit the app and then go to the app launcher and then select the program vice versa.
This would be in my way the best way to flick between programs and would be something i would pay for if it were possible, i understand the conflict with the screen transition when swiping between programs thats why you would probably need to use a swipe bar or just touch the screen indicator at the bottom.
Any way any insight or information would be appreciated go hard people.
***Offer for devs*** if you can develop something like this i am willing to pay $200 for contribution to its construction.
for the most part, it really depends on the app, how much resources it uses, and what kind of ui/gfx are standard use for it...i know exactly what youre asking for, ive wanted it myself, but it all comes down to mem/cpu usage, and if its a significant drain on battery when its constantly on...
there different kernels come into play, and if you are using ocdaemons or the like, with restrictive processing speed when the screen is off, could freeze your fone...
lots of challenges with this request, but like i said, depending on the app, someon might be interested
Yea its just really annoying for me not having something where selected apps can run in a foreground like windows in PC, having apps run in the background is a bit disturbing as i am one to like to know what my system is doing and have more control over the enviroment.
Iv just looked for things like app switcher which is the closest thing iv found yet for it but nothing close to what i am really looking for.
DANOFDANGER said:
Yea its just really annoying for me not having something where selected apps can run in a foreground like windows in PC, having apps run in the background is a bit disturbing as i am one to like to know what my system is doing and have more control over the enviroment.
Iv just looked for things like app switcher which is the closest thing iv found yet for it but nothing close to what i am really looking for.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I.ve been dreaming of TABS for ages. I mean all the programs running in the foreground would be like tabs in Google Chrome, how cool would be that.
Regarding PC, there are many more processes running in the BG than in foreground, so analogy doesn't work here.
tinky1 said:
I.ve been dreaming of TABS for ages. I mean all the programs running in the foreground would be like tabs in Google Chrome, how cool would be that.
Regarding PC, there are many more processes running in the BG than in foreground, so analogy doesn't work here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just got an idea. How about a tab-based app switcher instead of a notification bar? I know it's unrelated, but awesome
¤Violets are red,
Roses are blue,
Wait, what?¤
Yup, exactly what i meant. And it could be done, as third party apps can use notification bar. Basically it would be a task manager which would place a tab (icon which looks like tab) for every foreground process. I'd buy it.
idavid_ said:
I just got an idea. How about a tab-based app switcher instead of a notification bar? I know it's unrelated, but awesome
¤Violets are red,
Roses are blue,
Wait, what?¤
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using XDA App
agreed would make life so much easier .

[Q] Utilizing a home screen as a messaging app?

What I am envisioning is using an actual home screen as a messaging app, for example I would just slide over to a fully featured messaging app without having to click on an icon. I have seen lots of widgets and the like that just sit on the "desktop" but most are rather limited in functionality. I dont want to just display messages in a widget. Ideally, just sliding over would seamlessly and literally slide right in to the native messaging app. Anybody know anything that would allow this? Or does something like this even exist? Im assuming this is probably going to be more than just an app, and something that would have to be built into the launcher itself. I have been browsing the android market for something, but maybe I am just not looking hard enough?
there are lots of SMS / IM / email widgets that you can put in your home screen
for you to directly type into it and send from it, without launching the actual app
Please use the Q&A Forum for questions Thanks
Moving to Q&A
AllGamer said:
there are lots of SMS / IM / email widgets that you can put in your home screen
for you to directly type into it and send from it, without launching the actual app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ive found a couple that do everything in a widget, Pure Messaging Widget probably being the closest to what I am looking for. But there a lot of wasted realestate on the screen, just looking for something that uses the full screen like a regular standalone messaging app. I dont know, maybe Im just being picky and pedantic. Lol, if there are any other suggestions that you have that I may not have seen yet please do tell. Thanks for the quick response.
Have you tried LauncherPro yet? I believe it has a Messaging widget that's pretty good. It may not be the full screen appearance you are looking for but there are lot's of themes around to alter it to your taste.
Somebody correct me if i'm wrong.

[Q] Any customizable lockscreen apps/mods?

I'm running the SkyICS rom with the ICS lockscreen and one thing I love is that there is the option to either unlock the phone or to directly open the camera app, which is handy because very often I'm getting my phone for the sole purpose of taking a picture. I was wondering, is there any way to customize or has anyone made a customized lockscreen that has other apps available on it? I'd like to have a lockscreen where depending on where/how you swiped you could go directly to camera or sms or the web browser or the general unlock. Does such an app/mod exist, or is there a way to do it manually?
Thanks
Edit: Apparently I forgot the original bit of advice before "Search is your friend" is "GOOGLE is your friend." Looks like WidgetLocker LockScreen may be a good option. Before I throw down $2.99, is that what I'm looking for? Also, can we confirm that it works well with ICS?
I use Widget Locker and, if you have a few tasks you do consistently and don't want to open up the phone to access everything, then it's very useful. It does work with ICS, but if you're just interested in being able to open the camera it's not worth the money. It's worth it if you want to access more features at once, like the dialer & e-mail & SMS & camera because it's very customize-able.
I use Widget Locker as well. Works great, very customizable (especially with all of the themes available here)
Well worth it if you want to truly make your lockscreen your own. I've combined it with Missed It so I can see texts/calls/emails at a glance.

[Q] Help with random changes from older android

upgraded from the S4 on Verizon, have a few questions
1. how do I draw on screenshots/pictures now? I couldn't find an option to in gallery edit or google photo edit.
2. how do I see a text notification (an envelope) on the status bar of the lock screen instead of Verizon Wireless and the first part of the text message?
3. how do I disable the 3 buttons from lighting up?
4. which is better, Music or Google Play Music?
5. can I change the Messages theme back to blue and yellow bubbles or better yet custom bubble colors? I do not like the orange and white cremesicle theme
are these things even possible?
1. Apparently you can't. I was lucky enough to have this feature on my Moto x (Motorola gallery app). Try using a different gallery app (quickpic or cm gallery maybe?)
2. Probably can't get rid of Verizon wireless. I haven't played with it enough to even notice what appears, but doesn't the notification appear on the lockscreen? Just curious, why do you need it in the notification bar?
3. You can't, unless you keep the power saving mode on at all times. This bothers me too. Pray for root.
4. I pay for Google play all access. This way I can stream music from my computer as well as use the streaming service (like Spotify). For this reason, Google play music is invaluable to me. I've actually never used the regular music player on any phone. I never got into storing music on my phone.
5. I tried making the messaging app more appealing, too, but I guess you can't. I use textra, and have for a long time. It's pretty simple yet customizable enough to make you happy
Verizon GS6
Number three is all I really want. They really need to add an option for this so we don't need to use power saving and we might not get root.
Sent from my SM-G920V using XDA Free mobile app

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