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Best or Most Favored Launcher?

Im noticing that theres alot of launchers like ADW, LaunchPro, Open Home, etc...I would like to get some input of people who has some experience with each one. Which one has the most options? im looking for more transparent kinda stuff...so maybe which one has the ability to make specific windows transparent. Also ease of use, which one has more themes/icons avialable?
Thanks

I think you will find most people use either launcher pro or adw launcher.
From my experience i had MAJOR force crash issues with OpenHome. I wasnt a fan of pandaHome it was sluggish for me.
Between ADW and Launcher Pro, I think they have very similar features if you arent paying for launcher pro plus for the sense like widgets.
ADW has more themes on the market however you can download any icon you find on the web (usually .png files) i believe for both so you can customize your "theme" and layout very easily to what ever you want.
I personally have the paid version of launcher pro (only available ont he website) because it gives you a sense like people and book mark widget and i wanted to support the developer.
I dont think you can go wrong with either one.

personally, I'm a big fan of adw launcher. I like that I can modify how many rows and columns the home screens have, and also I can set the size of widgets on the screen. I don't know if launcherpro will do that as well, but even besides that, ADW is hugely customizeable, and I swear by it.

I tried Launcher Pro, but it wasn't (imo) a very good Launcher replacement. ADW.Launcher is much better, and with the Paper theme it is my favorite out of all. PHome was very slow, and I didnt really like it in general.
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I use ADW because of how its integrated into Cyanogen.
However Launcher Pro seems to move quite a bit faster in terms of scrolling and app drawer opening/scrolling.
Just my $.02
~Jasecloud4

I think the two top ones are ADW Launcher and LauncherPro.
I find myself switching between the two.
Personally find myself favoring ADW Launcher recently because it is open-source, and you know how Android fanboys loooove open source.

Thanks for all the great replies guys, im currently using the built in adw that comes with CM6 it is highly customizable...but i did find launcher pro to have a lot more options tho...anyways im going to stick with adw for now its working out pretty good so far.

omegasun18 said:
I think you will find most people use either launcher pro or adw launcher.
From my experience i had MAJOR force crash issues with OpenHome. I wasnt a fan of pandaHome it was sluggish for me.
Between ADW and Launcher Pro, I think they have very similar features if you arent paying for launcher pro plus for the sense like widgets.
ADW has more themes on the market however you can download any icon you find on the web (usually .png files) i believe for both so you can customize your "theme" and layout very easily to what ever you want.
I personally have the paid version of launcher pro (only available ont he website) because it gives you a sense like people and book mark widget and i wanted to support the developer.
I dont think you can go wrong with either one.
Click to expand...
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How do I get the bookmark widget? I only see "people" in my launcher pro plus.
I had to update and they changed the process. Bookmark widget seems a little flakey with images.

If I could have the dockbar from adw put onto LauncherPro I'd have my dream launcher.

Yea seems most (like with roms) will swear by one launcher or another. IE the person saying launcher pro wasnt a good launcher replacement. I have use both and cant see how someone using ADW could say launcher pro wasnt a good launcher replacement since they are so similar in features and performance over all (in there current state, it is possible the person tested it a while back and maybe it had issues or something then).
I get slightly faster speeds on launcher pro as well. You can set the number of vertical icons on launcher pro same as you can on ADW for horizontal icons you can get more icons app to let you have 8 on any.
As for making the dock bar the same on ADW and launcher pro i may play with my launcher pro and see how similar i can get it. sice you can set each action and create different dock images/icons and can clear icons i can probably get it to be very similar at least in look i will let you know and if i can i will place a tut.
I use both since I play around with CM6 as my experimental rom. I just never worry about customizing deeply my non daily drivers.

LauncherPro Plus, for the win!
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Sent from my HTC EVO 4G using Tapatalk Pro.

Maybe I am the minority here, but i think Sense blows Launcher pro and ADW out of the water, both in smoothness and just plain usefulness. I have used both LP and ADW for extended amounts of time and have always returned to sense and was glad I did.

Launcher pro for its sheer beauty and fluidity. ADW just seems to stutter around like the waterboy.

I gotta say Launcher Pro. especially now that it is coming out with some very nice looking widgets for people who liked the Sense UI stuff.
I do really like the customizations of ADW though. I wish Launcher Pro would incorporate the widget size customizations you can do. That would rock.
if ADW had the 3D drawer and was as smooth and pretty as LauncherPro I may switch.

takmsdsm said:
Maybe I am the minority here, but i think Sense blows Launcher pro and ADW out of the water, both in smoothness and just plain usefulness. I have used both LP and ADW for extended amounts of time and have always returned to sense and was glad I did.
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And what makes Rosie so superior? Its complete lack of customization and features?

TheBiles said:
And what makes Rosie so superior? Its complete lack of customization and features?
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I wouldnt say that it cant be customized? There are a ton of themes out there for Rosie. What features are you exactly looking for?
Sorry, but a herky jerky "3D" app launcher isnt exactly mind blowing. Its a waste of screen real estate on the top and bottom. Launcher Pro STILL (as of last week I believe when i tried it again) will not allow you to change the message button to handcent instead of the default messaging app.
Its little things like that that are more annoyances. Sense, no matter what rom, or kernel, I am using, has always been smoother and done everything I asked. Plus some of the HTC widgets are downright useful and better looking then their vanilla counterparts.
This is all my experiences of course, and YMMV, but so far I just havent been impressed by other launchers.

takmsdsm said:
Launcher Pro STILL (as of last week I believe when i tried it again) will not allow you to change the message button to handcent instead of the default messaging app.
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I'm using LauncherPro Plus v0.7.1.0 and it does allow you to change the message button to handcent. It also allows me to change it on the people widget.

Am I the only one that just likes plain old Launcher 2? I mean Android is so customizable already, I don't see why you would want so many different options.
I tried Launcher Pro and ADW and of the two I liked Launcher Pro better but the plain Google-made Launcher 2 is still the smoothest in my opinion.

takmsdsm said:
I wouldnt say that it cant be customized? There are a ton of themes out there for Rosie. What features are you exactly looking for?
Sorry, but a herky jerky "3D" app launcher isnt exactly mind blowing. Its a waste of screen real estate on the top and bottom. Launcher Pro STILL (as of last week I believe when i tried it again) will not allow you to change the message button to handcent instead of the default messaging app.
Its little things like that that are more annoyances. Sense, no matter what rom, or kernel, I am using, has always been smoother and done everything I asked. Plus some of the HTC widgets are downright useful and better looking then their vanilla counterparts.
This is all my experiences of course, and YMMV, but so far I just havent been impressed by other launchers.
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The "message button?" Do you mean the dock icon? If so, mine has been set as Handcent for quite some time.
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Sent from my HTC EVO 4G using Tapatalk Pro.

takmsdsm said:
Maybe I am the minority here, but i think Sense blows Launcher pro and ADW out of the water, both in smoothness and just plain usefulness. I have used both LP and ADW for extended amounts of time and have always returned to sense and was glad I did.
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Total agree, Sense is just so much smoother and doesn't crashes/freezes like adw and launcher pro. Plus I've use both for a while and got really frustrated with the constant freezing and force close and alway end up switching back to sense. Until stock froyo comes out on my phone I'm sticking with sense.

ADW Launcher or Launcher Pro

Which program do you prefer? And what is a feature that you like about the 1 you chose? I have personally used Launcher Pro which came with Fresh ROM on my Evo but while I was browsing the market I noticed ADW Launcher and seen numerous themes.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

ADW for me
I keep coming back to ADW. The single feature I love over Launcher Pro is the swipe action. Nudge up and Notification Bar hides or shows. Nudge down and the notification bar opens. In Launcher Pro you have to set up swipe areas in the dock, too specific for me.
Just my personal preference...

Put me in the launcher Pro group.
I like to run a clean screen and its scrolling dock combined with folder organizer allows me to access everything I want quickly without the screen clutter...
YMMV

Smac61 said:
Put me in the launcher Pro group.
I like to run a clean screen and its scrolling dock combined with folder organizer allows me to access everything I want quickly without the screen clutter...
YMMV
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Ditto
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

I prefer ADW because of the horizontal page by page apps scrolling. If LP did this I would probably use it.

ADW - Swipe actions ftw

One more vote for LPP. Paid version is well worth it.

LP
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Like the swype action of ADW. But I love the lp icons. Both are good
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ADW lacks scrollable launcher bar.

Launcher pro +
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launcher pro for me. somehow ADW app drawer seems to lag..

I started with ADW but moved to LP.
The smooth animations alone makes it a better choice for me.

I used too use ads but launcher pro is way better
Sprint Htc Hero
CM6 Froyo 2.2
Firerats recover mod 368 Internal Memory
Uncapped Kernal
Overclock to 710
Collin_ph battery tweak
Envy Port Theme
I Love My Phone

Launcher Pro Plus. Between the Plus widgets and the Beautiful Widgets clock, I don't really miss anything from the Sense launcher.
I haven't really tried ADW, though.

I'm an ADW guy, the swipe actions are very handy. Also, the custom icon ability makes my home screen much cleaner.
Yeah, those are Launcher Pro icons, so I guess it's a bastardized ADW, oh well.

LauncherPro for me...I too love the scrollable dock. I don't like clutter

Noob question Im learning to use ADW coming off Launcher pro, how do you change the dock icons around or add new ones.

I started with LP then went to ADW when it was included in my ROM. Tried LP again because I love the scrollable dock but LP just seems to lag a bit on my phone. I don't know why
So anyways, ADW for me...........for now.

ADW for me. I like launcher pro but I've just grown accustomed to AdW more. Either way I don't think they're that much different to make a bad choice.

Go launcher

I was looking for something new and tried out a few Sense ROMs. I really like the Sense widgets and their little touches like the calendar and menus. However I had a lot of problems with these ROMs so I decided to go another route. I've been using Launcher Pro plus for a while, but development has slowed.
I tried Go launcher yesterday and am really liking it. If you haven't tried it in a while, it's come a long way. It has nicer widgets than Launcher pro and most of the features that launcher pro has like to eliminating the text on icons, transition effects, etc.
Themes are a little slim, but switching them is easy. The only thing that seems to lag on my phone is the homescreen preview, other than that as smooth as launcher pro.

I'd highly suggest adw ex. It doesn't have widgets but its the most stable launcher I have ever used.

Have checked it out for a while, thanks
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GRZLA said:
I'd highly suggest adw ex. It doesn't have widgets but its the most stable launcher I have ever used.
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Oddly enough the only launcher I've had problems with is ADW. I purchased LP a year ago and have to say its been very solid.

I love Go Launcher. I've used ADW and Launcher Pro during my Eris days, but once I tried Go, I never went back.

Go Launcher is running real nice for me. Turn up the fling speed in preferences to make it feel a little more snappy. It has some cool icon effects for the app drawer like cylinder and sphere.

n00b question.......does Go Launcher EX play nice with all Sense ROMs? I'd hate to jack-up my current setup to make it look prettier. Looking for a little info because Go Launcher Ex looks pretty sweet.

BSquaredB2 said:
n00b question.......does Go Launcher EX play nice with all Sense ROMs? I'd hate to jack-up my current setup to make it look prettier. Looking for a little info because Go Launcher Ex looks pretty sweet.
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The layout you have to Sense will stay intact when another launcher is installed. So if you uninstalled a launcher because you want to go back, everything will be there. You just won't be able to get Sense widgets.

I keep trying Go from time to time, but I always end up uninstalling it. I find it highly annoying that I have to install every widget separately, but I understand this might be to make the base launcher lightweight.
I find it a bit laggy - and dont get me wrong, the screen transitions are like butter. However, there seems to be a delay from when I swipe to when the screen actually animates. I'm used to LP's instant reaction. Plus, I sometimes notice jerkiness with Go that I don't get with LP, but I'm just being picky. Finally I dislike the acceleration curve when swiping between screens. I feel it doesn't respond to how fast I'm swiping, at least when using a custom speed without elasticity (causes lag!).
Man I am picky about my launcher. Maybe I'm just spoiled! I did like Go's Widgets with the transparent theme though. Very well done.
Sent from my Droid Incredible using the XDA app.

Go Launcher is great!

Launcher - Zeam a great choice

For those of you that need a GREAT launcher, I'm using "Zeam" launcher.
It's REALLY customizable and I currently have 5 apps on the launch bar (at the bottom).
I'm running the Bionix ROM and have used this launcher for MANY (and I mean MANY) ROMs! I use after reinstalling with Titanium backup and it works like a champ!
I HIGHLY recommend Zeam for it's dependability and having many choices in customizing it.

Zeam is speedy, but for customization I prefer Go Launcher EX.

Adw launcher ex is the best, fast and fully customizable. And you can have 5 on the dock. I got 3 on mine.
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Sent from my Haxsung Infused 4G

I agree with 2nd post Ive tried all of them and Go Launcher is on a league of its on. And GoSMS raps it UP!

I like Launcher Pro +. 15 apps on the scrolling dock at the bottom, 7 screens.

jep56 said:
i like launcher pro +. 15 apps on the scrolling dock at the bottom, 7 screens.
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omg lpp ftw

I agree OP. I use it strictly and have 10 icons i currently scroll through. I really like it with the phone dpi set at 200 cause it gives me some serious real estate for my wallpaper without anything being in the way.

I have try many launchers and my favorite was Go Launcher.

Thanks.
I like Go better

Best launcher

So I am not rooted. Sadly. I personally hate touchwiz and would like to try a launcher. I'm currently using nova but am open to all suggestions.
Thanks!
Samsung galaxy s3
Nexus 7
Hp touchpad

Nova Launcher

Apex.
VZW GALAXY S 3 4G LTE

DROID3R said:
Apex.
VZW GALAXY S 3 4G LTE
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Nova or Apex they are really similar. or you could get TSF Shell

I am old school ... ADW
With all this talk of Nova and Apex I keep thinking I should give them a try. Is anyone familiar with ADW, Nova, & Apex that could tell me the main differences?

Apex or if you don't care about battery life, Nova.

I'm going to have to vote for TouchWiz. I actually purchased both Apex and Nova and found them to be lacking the fluidity that TW has. I feel like there's too much "circle-jerking" around the TW launcher and that most people would actually be satisfied if they just gave it a shot.
But hey, if you really don't like it and want to retain the Android 4.0 look, I'd go with Apex. Otherwise I would recommend GO Launcher EX. It's clean, simple, and feature-packed.

the first launcher i tried was apex, and i havent found a reason to try another.

After using ADW, Apex, Nova and others I personally recommend TSF Shell. It is a launcher unlike any other "android" experience. It gives you full control of your workspace, apps, and gestures. It will set you back some 16 dollars but I have never been more satisfied with a launcher.
Differences:
Apex and Nova are ICS based launchers both fluid, good, customizable and rock solid. They both offer smooth Android 4.0+ Transitions and even branch on Jellybean animations as well. They both offer unread notification support.
ADW and GoLauncher are launchers based around homescreen customization and easability. Performance is typically good for older devices.
TSF: A 3D UI Launcher with dazzling effects and functionality as well as maintaining all the features of the ICS launchers. Unread icons, a simple navigation UI and a slide-able dock. This launcher is the epitimy of what all launchers should offer as far as functionality and usability.

srath16 said:
After using ADW, Apex, Nova and others I personally recommend TSF Shell. It is a launcher unlike any other "android" experience. It gives you full control of your workspace, apps, and gestures. It will set you back some 16 dollars but I have never been more satisfied with a launcher.
Differences:
Apex and Nova are ICS based launchers both fluid, good, customizable and rock solid. They both offer smooth Android 4.0+ Transitions and even branch on Jellybean animations as well. They both offer unread notification support.
ADW and GoLauncher are launchers based around homescreen customization and easability. Performance is typically good for older devices.
TSF: A 3D UI Launcher with dazzling effects and functionality as well as maintaining all the features of the ICS launchers. Unread icons, a simple navigation UI and a slide-able dock. This launcher is the epitimy of what all launchers should offer as far as functionality and usability.
Click to expand...
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I personally don't like tsf shell. It makes it like a whole new os made for kids. Plus I just like to tweak a few things while keeping stock android.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

Apex is nice..I like all the customization options it gives you
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

I keep going back to GO Launcher EX

Nova
I need folder in app drawer

Does anyone have a way to get a trial version of TSF Shell??
It looks potentially awesome, but 16.80 is quite a bit to fork over for a launcher that i can't even TRY out before buying...

Seirÿu said:
Does anyone have a way to get a trial version of TSF Shell??
It looks potentially awesome, but 16.80 is quite a bit to fork over for a launcher that i can't even TRY out before buying...
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My thoughts exactly!

I have tried the other launchers and have an issue with my wallpaper not scrolling when I switched home screens. My wallpaper is there on my home page, but when I moved side to side, it just goes black. Is there anything in the settings on the various launchers that fixes this?

I LOVE the touchwiz launcher, its fast, light, and stable. I really like Holo Launcher HD, for the same reasons. Don't like GO EX, yes, it has the most features, but has too many "ads" and is bulky and slow.

I've been digging the CM10 trebuchet launcher.

danstar said:
I have tried the other launchers and have an issue with my wallpaper not scrolling when I switched home screens. My wallpaper is there on my home page, but when I moved side to side, it just goes black. Is there anything in the settings on the various launchers that fixes this?
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If you have scrolling wallpaper on and a 720x1280 wallpaper thats why

what's this with someone saying Nova drains your battery?