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I don't plan on rooting my phone until I feel like the phone has had a bit of time to establish itself.
What are some suggestions for a good launcher that works on ICS devices?
I've tried Nova and Apex so far, both are "stock-looking" ICS launchers. Neither are as smooth as the default Sense launcher.
That slight, almost imperceptible jittering as you scroll between home screens just kills the experience, IMO.
May just stick to sense for a while then..
~David said:
I've tried Nova and Apex so far, both are "stock-looking" ICS launchers. Neither are as smooth as the default Sense launcher.
That slight, almost imperceptible jittering as you scroll between home screens just kills the experience, IMO.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? I thought the stock Sense launcher was terribly laggy. For example, if you haven't used your app drawer in a while, it takes one to two seconds to pop up.
Nova and Apex are extremely smooth.
im not getting my one x until the ninth so im just going by what im using on my atrix 2. you should try go launcher ex with the ics hd theme.
Adw is what I been using for since I had a android
Sent from my HTC PH39100 using xda premium
kennethpenn said:
Really? I thought the stock Sense launcher was terribly laggy. For example, if you haven't used your app drawer in a while, it takes one to two seconds to pop up.
Nova and Apex are extremely smooth.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Blame the app priority handling for that launch delay.
Nova is, imo, the best ICS launcher. i tried Apex and used it for a good while until the animations for opening the app drawer became extremely laggly. never had this problem with Nova.
I am coming from a Galaxy Nexus so I am used to stock 4.0. I just couldn't do the stock Sense Launcher, it wasn't terrible but I just wanted what I was used to. I used Nova Launcher (my first experience) and I am using Widget Locker as the lock screen. Ahhhh, much better. I also switched to the Stock ICS keyboard. Here are some Screen Shots.
First thing I did when I got my HOX today is go install Go Launcher EX. Sadly, it doesn't appear that Go Launcher EX has been updated for ICS yet, so it has the menu button at the bottom of the screen... yuck!
Guess I'll give these two (Apex, Nova) launchers a try and see how they work out. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to give Sense a try either...
bmolloy said:
I am coming from a Galaxy Nexus so I am used to stock 4.0. I just couldn't do the stock Sense Launcher, it wasn't terrible but I just wanted what I was used to. I used Nova Launcher (my first experience) and I am using Widget Locker as the lock screen. Ahhhh, much better. I also switched to the Stock ICS keyboard. Here are some Screen Shots.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You use "Chrome", I thought I try it myself but one of reasons in the past I loved Android was the ability to run Flash.
I use Nova Launcher.
Found the Stock Launcher was lagged, but Nova runs only on ICS+ the pro version for a few dollars asks for no permissions at all.
The pro version allows me to hide shortcuts to Rogers Bloatware.
bmolloy said:
I am coming from a Galaxy Nexus so I am used to stock 4.0. I just couldn't do the stock Sense Launcher, it wasn't terrible but I just wanted what I was used to. I used Nova Launcher (my first experience) and I am using Widget Locker as the lock screen. Ahhhh, much better. I also switched to the Stock ICS keyboard. Here are some Screen Shots.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what clock is that??
Apex launcher is where it's at my friends. I love hiding apps in the drawer
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
I decided to use Nova. Here's what my home screen looks like right now. I plan on changing the background and icon colors though, something darker, I don't know what I was thinking earlier!
vioalas said:
what clock is that??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The clock on the lock screen is part of WidgetLocker. The clock on the Launcher is Simi Clock Widget. I have played around a little more and have this thing looking almost stock (minus the menu bar).
Nevermind, had an issue with live wallpapers not working. Restarting fixed it.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
Would be very cool if we can use the Nova launcher or Apex launcher with Sense widgets. Any way to make those work together ?
As far as I know it can't be done, but search for Android Pro Widgets in the Android Market and it's pretty cool - can be themed too.
Nova Launcher is what i was using before on my GNex. finally got it set up the same on the HOX and it runs smoother. before when i'd be on another page except the homescreen and hit the home button, there would be a little stutter happening at least 1 out of every two times. this never happens on the HOX. ever. smooth as butter. very happy with my setup now
hello
im new here
Remember how when the first ring lockscreen came about we could change the shortcuts?
It seems with Sense 4 they mimic what you have in the launcher bar. Can't change them unless you change the ones in the launcher.
That's kind of lame
http://www.gottabemobile.com/2012/04/18/change-lock-screen-apps-htc-sense-4/
seems pretty smart to me, if you put stuff on the launcher bar its a pretty good bet you are going to want to have fast access to those apps.
I agree - so need to get creative with just the 4 choices. Luckily ICS allows shortcut folders. Decision on whether you want something 1 click or 2+.
There's gotta be an XML edit that can be made to Rosie or , wait, wouldn't be rosie, damn, I'm trying to remember the name of what controls lockscreen. Haven't run sense in almost a year, will edit when I remember. Sorry
sent from 2yr old Evo on ICS
I think it makes since to use the dock icons too. Here's the issue I have with the lock screen:
I have my lock screen set up to show notifications, buttons when I receive a text message it only shows the number and not the contact name. Is there a setting I'm missing?
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
Fusion apk. That's what I was trying to remember. XML edits in fusion would probably break the dependency. IDK, haven't had a chance to look at sense 4 yet.
sent from 2yr old Evo on ICS
I did notice that if you using a launcher like Apex then you can set up the short cuts you want on your lock screen by setting them in sense the go back to apex and set the ones you want in your dock there.
phatboypat said:
I think it makes since to use the dock icons too. Here's the issue I have with the lock screen:
I have my lock screen set up to show notifications, buttons when I receive a text message it only shows the number and not the contact name. Is there a setting I'm missing?
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How does it make sense to limit customization? That doesn't make sense lol the camera for instance isn't on my dock bar, but I would love that to be on the lockscreen, which I could do on 3.6.
Yeah, annoyed with that also... For example, I want access to Spotify on lockscreen, but don't need it in my dock all the time. :/
Sent from my HTC One X
Widget locker is an option.
Actually, it works perfect for me. I hate the Sense launcher, so I use Nova (Similar to ICS-Stock). I just put the 4 apps I want from the loackscreen on the sense launcher tray, and then never open the launcher again.
+1 on an alternate launcher.
Using Apex and liking it better than stock given the fact that I can now have some gesture support on the home screen AND have different dock icons than lock screen icons.
I switched back to the stock messages app from gosms pro but for some reason gosms is still listed in the lockscreen apps at the bottom and the messages app now in my dock is not there. I am using apex launcher.
My guess is that the sense lock screen shortcuts use the apps in the sense launchers dock, not the ones in apex launcher. Go back to the sense launcher and change the dock icons there, assuming you're on a sense based rom.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
Go to (stock) sense launcher, then move the apps you want to show up to the bottom, that should fix it. Once that's done go back to apex.
Edit: What post above me 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.
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.
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
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
Does anybody know if it's possible to get the transparent Statusbar when using Nova launcher? I'm running ViperXL 2.0 and tried changing the settings in Venom Tweaks but it seems that it only wants to work for Rosie.
Did you see the transparency option for all other apps? Pretty sure that's what you're looking for.
Sent from my HTC One XL
themacman1000 said:
Did you see the transparency option for all other apps? Pretty sure that's what you're looking for.
Sent from my HTC One XL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, I should have been more clear. I like the way that Sense handles the transparency (i.e. transparent on the home screen, black while not). I don't know if there's anyway to do this without using Rosie though.
I can't find a way to make that work either. The closest I could come was to open rosie after a reboot. Then the changes carry over to Nova. But ultimately I started to see some times where it became transparent on apps. It wasn't all the time, but often enough to just stick with the always 3D "rounded" black version.
Sent from my HOCKS