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So I just signed up here after getting a G2X. I have been into Android for about a year. I started out with the Cliq XT which I actually loved, then got the Defy which I hate to see go, and now am on the G2X [the first superphone to really impress me since it can actually do something my Defy couldn't]
I am very happy with my G2X. I don't get the fuss over screen bleeding as phone displays have come such a long way from my first cell phone, the Panasonic GD55. I also have not had ONE reboot. My battery life is between 4 to 6 hours and I'm pretty much browsing the web ALL day.
but lately, I've wondered, am I wrong? dumb? blind?
I only use three home screens. The main one has just 4 small icons: camera, messaging, browser, and navigation. Then to the right home screen just the weather widget, and to the left screen, the android power bar widget. and after that, nothing else, nothing.
Is there something I'm missing? or am I right in not loading up the screens and just hitting the menus if I need something? I realize, for example, the google search widget would work for me, but I don't see the point of having it on the screen when I can just press browser and it opens to a blank google window I don't facebook much, but I can just open the app drawer, click the facebook button, and it's all right there.
So am I just crazy? or is my approach more common and popular than I think?
On another note, I'm missing some things from my defy. I was able to install the connected music player apk to use instead of the horrible stock one, but I'm missing my airplane mode button and timer built into my clock/alarm app.
but still...I feel weird..they added homescreens to make it 7..so people obviously love them and need them..and yet if I really wanted to I could put EVERYTHING I use on one.
Its your phone best used how you see fit. I have on extra page filled with a few apps I use since I've gotten into rooting my phone and playing around with things the devs help and teach me on. But I do the same I go to the app menu if I wanna use something too.
Sent from my HTC G2 using XDA Premium App
You're not an idiot lol I myself have a pretty much bare set up haven't really customized anything due to the fact that I've been bouncing from rom to rom. Plus the wonderful thing about android is that you can pretty much do what you please. If you're only using 3 pages I'd suggest you use Launcherpro or ADW (or whichever launcher you prefer) and have only 3 pages up so you're not left with all these blank pages. I used to just use 1 page back on my MT4g Bottom line is you're not an idiot
I know exactly what you are saying. I've got launcher pro and have the dock all customized with 15 icons in 3 docks. Some camera apps and different markets and the usual messaging and stuff.
Now I'm like...why do I need anything in my home screens? I've got my vacation days left widget on the home screen and the launcher pro contacts widget on another. That's it.
But then I downloaded three icon packs and see myself customizing the screens more. There sure are a lot of cool choices. If I do that the dock choices become redundant.
I just don't use most of the apps in the drawer enough to put them on a home screen. Only a select few.
Having a blast playing around though.
Instead of having all my apps on one page, I'm thinking of giving the pages themes, like games, tools, camera, messaging etc.
I also like to keep one home screen blank so the wallpaper, living or not, is highlighted.
i also have 3 screens
I also have just 3 screens.
I use LauncherPro + QuickDesk + SwipePad
Screen #1 just has 9 icons for each of my fave Google apps: Browser, Calendar, Market, Latitude, Maps, Navigation, Talk, Voice and YouTube.
Screen #2 has minimum of 2 icons: Shortcut > Direct Message > My Wife
The second icon is either my ToDoList for the day or a ShoppingList.
I use ColorNote.
Screen #3 is for my widgets.
Battery Monitor Widget, Catch Notes Widget, Pure Calendar Widget.
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
I really love the scrolling dockbar in LauncherPro. I use just two dockbars for a combined quick access to a possible 10 apps + 10 gestures.
I also use SwipePad for quick access to 12 more apps, and also QuickDesk for additional quick access to s'more apps & shortcuts
Using the Hidden Apps feature of LauncherPro, I hide most of my apps in the app drawer.
I access everything else from the capacitive touch Search button.
I run simple as well. However adw ex utilizes both cores for instant function.
Buy adw ex. Open settings/Profiles and select FAST SETTING.
it will be like nothing you've had before.
I call it Instant.
I don't even use any animations at this point.
Its more impressive not to even need any then to watch one.
It will impress you.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA Premium App
Can anyone put together a list of apps that would be good to get my new infuse started off with. I want to customize it, but I want to do it right. So what's the best launcher, clock, lockscreen, whatever. Let me hear it.
this is ALL personal preference here.........
Then let me hear yours!
Try browsing www.appbrain.com/users/gdbusby that is what I have installed
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using xda premium
ADW launcher is really nice. it is very customizable, and lets you view the phone in landscape mode, which the stock launcher does not allow. the free one is good, but the paid one is much better (great homescreen transitions, animations).
i also needed to replace the stock music player, since it wont play FLAC (lossless) audio files - so i use poweramp. it has a really nice full screen widget (takes up an entire home screen, but there are also smaller widget options) so that you don't have to launch the app every time. i use the free version, not sure what benefits the paid version offers. it does skip slightly when i get an email or text, however it doesnt really bother me.
it is also nice to get a visual voicemail service going, especially if you are coming from iphone or blackberry. i tried PF fusion for a while - but google voice is much better. just sign up for an account if you don't have one already, download the app, and it will guide you through setup. it also has a nice widget option.
those are some basics for you - but it really is just a matter of personal preference and experimentation.
I personly would recomend a few apps to help
VitalPlayer - As I like it better then the default
Dolpfin Brwser - the guester are great add on to it.
Save this page - to read web pages when I am on the train underground
Doggcatcher - to down load your pod cast when you plug it in and over wifi instead of eating your battery or data plan.
I decided to give Aviate a try yesterday, and I really liked the concept, but it was a little too rigid for me. So I spent some time last night playing around with different widgets and Nova features to incorporate the parts of Aviate that I appreciate into my current setup.
One concept I really appreciate is the categories idea. The screen to the right of my default home screen has long been a collection of folders that kind of function the same way.
With Nova's option to turn off padding, you can essentially turn a screen into a full-page widget, and I was wondering if anyone has ever come across a widget that works like the categories page on Aviate.
I would like to be able to put my most frequently used apps along the left edge, so they are visible and one-tap accessible, and then be able to expand to see the apps I don't use as frequently. And I would like to be able to scroll through the categories.
Any suggestions or recommendations? If I had any knowledge about building apps, I would try to throw one together. Alas, I lack such knowledge. If anyone else is feeling inspired, I would be happy to chip in to support their efforts.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
ejchis said:
snip
most frequently used apps along the left edge, so they are visible and one-tap accessible, and then be able to expand to see the apps I don't use as frequently. And I would like to be able to scroll through the categories
/snip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
apart from the "scrolling through the categories" it sounds like you are a prime candidate for Action Launcher... :victory:
One of the key features with AL is that you can set folders so that a single tap opens the "primary app", and an upwards swipe starting on that icon opens the folder. So you can have a folder called "Social", for example, where a single tap opens Facebook, but a swipe gives you the folder with Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn.
You can also set widgets in place of the folder; i.e. an icon for Chrome, where a swipe opens the Bookmarks widget
This even works with the dock!
I've been using Action Launcher on my Nexus 10 and Nexus 5 since it came out (and Aviate on my Nexus 5 since beta) and I've simplified everything down to one home screen with the Dock having icons as described above for games, social, internet, media, photos
chaosdefinesorder said:
apart from the "scrolling through the categories" it sounds like you are a prime candidate for Action Launcher... :victory:
One of the key features with AL is that you can set folders so that a single tap opens the "primary app", and an upwards swipe starting on that icon opens the folder. So you can have a folder called "Social", for example, where a single tap opens Facebook, but a swipe gives you the folder with Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn.
You can also set widgets in place of the folder; i.e. an icon for Chrome, where a swipe opens the Bookmarks widget
This even works with the dock!
I've been using Action Launcher on my Nexus 10 and Nexus 5 since it came out (and Aviate on my Nexus 5 since beta) and I've simplified everything down to one home screen with the Dock having icons as described above for games, social, internet, media, photos
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really appreciate the thorough response. I'll have to check this out tonight when I have some time to play around with it. I'll report back on how it goes. Thanks.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
I'm running through Action Launcher now. This is a very different approach, and I like that. The one area where I think it falls short is in aesthetics. It doesn't look very refined to me. I'll keep experimenting with it for now, but I'm hoping someone has an idea for a widget I can just stick on my right screen.
Sent from my Nexus 7 2013 using Tapatalk
ejchis said:
I'm running through Action Launcher now. This is a very different approach, and I like that. The one area where I think it falls short is in aesthetics. It doesn't look very refined to me. I'll keep experimenting with it for now, but I'm hoping someone has an idea for a widget I can just stick on my right screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's certainly a lot "fresher" than the more established brands due to being significantly newer. Things are likely to pick up again soon as the developer has time to work on updates again now.
One thing you can do with the "Pro" version that might be contributing to your aesthetics opinion is hide the little white square indicators on the icons... certainly makes a big difference in my opinion! I definitely prefer the alphabetically indexed single-scroll list in the app drawer once I got used to it!
chaosdefinesorder said:
It's certainly a lot "fresher" than the more established brands due to being significantly newer. Things are likely to pick up again soon as the developer has time to work on updates again now.
One thing you can do with the "Pro" version that might be contributing to your aesthetics opinion is hide the little white square indicators on the icons... certainly makes a big difference in my opinion! I definitely prefer the alphabetically indexed single-scroll list in the app drawer once I got used to it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I'm going to keep it on my devices and continue tinkering. I'll keep an eye on updates and development too. I appreciate the recommendation. Sometimes when the approach is different from everything else out there, it takes a few days to adjust to it.
Sent from my Nexus 7 2013 using Tapatalk
ejchis said:
Well I'm going to keep it on my devices and continue tinkering. I'll keep an eye on updates and development too. I appreciate the recommendation. Sometimes when the approach is different from everything else out there, it takes a few days to adjust to it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely! I used to have about 4 different homescreens for various collections and widgets but after getting used to AL I've slimmed it down to one single screen with zero loss of function thanks to shutters and covers
The fact that you can access the app menu (left side) and "quick page" (right side) from any other app or launcher is also pretty useful (again once you get used to it)
I honestly hate Samsung's launcher, but I've been stuck with it since I got my Note 5 because well, it was the only one that supports Samsung's nifty My Places feature, which auto mutes my phone when I get to school and unmutes it when I leave. It's a really handy widget on the home screen that also happens to have next-to-no noticeable impact on battery life.
On the Note 5, Samsung's TW launcher was the ONLY launcher that supports it, not so on the S7. Nova can see and add it to home now, and so can a variety of other launchers. However, Nova drains way too much battery in idle in my experience, so my other alternative is Google Now. But GNow launcher CAN'T SEE the widget for some strange reason beyond me, so i can't add it to home screen. Now i would like to find an alternative to this service that works great and sips battery. Anyone got suggestions?
Maybe IFTTT?
Nice suggestion, but pretty much overkill for me, I don't automate the sending of messages or reminders, or if I want I do so from within my messaging or reminder app. The My Places was simple, elegant and effective for displaying appropriate 'most used' shortcuts in it's panel, based on location. I could go to Sams Club and have my Grocery List app, my messaging app and the Sams Club Scan & Go app apppear on my home screen and then go away after I left that location and be replaced with my "out and about" app and settings choices, then when I reached home - another group plus settings controls apply. So damned handy to have what I needed, where and when I needed it. Nice going to the theater and not having to bother with turning off a ringer etc. As I arrive at the location, it has already been done.
Any luck?
Curious if you've found a replacement yet?
firstbrick said:
Nice suggestion, but pretty much overkill for me, I don't automate the sending of messages or reminders, or if I want I do so from within my messaging or reminder app. The My Places was simple, elegant and effective for displaying appropriate 'most used' shortcuts in it's panel, based on location. I could go to Sams Club and have my Grocery List app, my messaging app and the Sams Club Scan & Go app apppear on my home screen and then go away after I left that location and be replaced with my "out and about" app and settings choices, then when I reached home - another group plus settings controls apply. So damned handy to have what I needed, where and when I needed it. Nice going to the theater and not having to bother with turning off a ringer etc. As I arrive at the location, it has already been done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello everyone, I would like to introduce the "AutoZen app". Since the dawn of Android Auto for phones, I have tried to make this app better and better. I'm a single developer and I develop this app in my free, I know there is a great options like Automate (but is not longer in development). so I decided to make my own version , with touch of material You. AutoZen can work as a navigation app but also as a launcher, there is a launcher mode in settings/themes, where you can select different "dashboards" and widgets that I made, I will keep updating this widgets and I will make it better.
Also data privacy is really important so I don't collect any sensitive data or information, only the necessary data for crash reports and some analytics events.
you can dowload here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zenthek.autozen&hl=en&gl=US
Features
Turn by turn navigation (powered by Mapbox), everyone loves Google maps but unfortunately is not possible to "embed" GMaps navigation , mapbox is nos perfect but is great tho, I'm looking the possibility to integrate Here Maps and navigation but I'm still testing this feature and is also pricey.
Navigation Launcher, if you don't like my turn by turn navigation you can "launch" your favorite navigation app like Waze, Google Maps, Tom Tom and so on after a destination is selected
Built in call: if you you set my app as default call app this will give you full control within AutoZen so you don't have to leave the navigation screen to answer the call, built in with contacts, recent calls and a dialer
Messaging: play aloud incoming messages from Whatsapp, telegram, signal, slack,.. , reply using voice input, mute specific messages or all messages.
Built in music player: select your favorite music player like Spotify and control your music (play/pause, rewind and next song),
Light/dark mode
Speed cameras : Alerts for static speed cameras
Speed Limit
Weather: Built in Weather
Built in calendar: Easy to find your calendar events and one click navigate to the meeting
Voice commands: I use my own "algorithm" to recognize commands like, navigate to "home/work, street 123...", play music, stop music, weather and some others
Known limitations:
Music:
Unfortunately due Android limitations i can't incorporate more actions for music, i applied for Spotify SDK but they only accept certain partners.
Voice commands
is not 100% accurate but i'm working in ways to improve using AI, also I plan to incorporate google actions so it would be possible to use Google Assistant
Voice recognition sometimes is not 100% accurate but this depends of the device and microphone, this comes from Android platform and if the place is too noisy the voice recognition is not always the best
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zenthek.autozen&hl=en&gl=US
zen kun said:
Hello everyone, I would like to introduce the "AutoZen app". Since the dawn of Android Auto for phones, I have tried to make this app better and better. I'm a single developer and I develop this app in my free, I know there is a great options like Automate (but is not longer in development). so I decided to make my own version , with touch of material You. AutoZen can work as a navigation app but also as a launcher, there is a launcher mode in settings/themes, where you can select different "dashboards" and widgets that I made, I will keep updating this widgets and I will make it better.
Also data privacy is really important so I don't collect any sensitive data or information, only the necessary data for crash reports and some analytics events.
you can dowload here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zenthek.autozen&hl=en&gl=US
Features
Turn by turn navigation (powered by Mapbox), everyone loves Google maps but unfortunately is not possible to "embed" GMaps navigation , mapbox is nos perfect but is great tho, I'm looking the possibility to integrate Here Maps and navigation but I'm still testing this feature and is also pricey.
Navigation Launcher, if you don't like my turn by turn navigation you can "launch" your favorite navigation app like Waze, Google Maps, Tom Tom and so on after a destination is selected
Built in call: if you you set my app as default call app this will give you full control within AutoZen so you don't have to leave the navigation screen to answer the call, built in with contacts, recent calls and a dialer
Messaging: play aloud incoming messages from Whatsapp, telegram, signal, slack,.. , reply using voice input, mute specific messages or all messages.
Built in music player: select your favorite music player like Spotify and control your music (play/pause, rewind and next song),
Light/dark mode
Speed cameras : Alerts for static speed cameras
Speed Limit
Weather: Built in Weather
Built in calendar: Easy to find your calendar events and one click navigate to the meeting
Voice commands: I use my own "algorithm" to recognize commands like, navigate to "home/work, street 123...", play music, stop music, weather and some others
Known limitations:
Music:
Unfortunately due Android limitations i can't incorporate more actions for music, i applied for Spotify SDK but they only accept certain partners.
Voice commands
is not 100% accurate but i'm working in ways to improve using AI, also I plan to incorporate google actions so it would be possible to use Google Assistant
Voice recognition sometimes is not 100% accurate but this depends of the device and microphone, this comes from Android platform and if the place is too noisy the voice recognition is not always the best
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zenthek.autozen&hl=en&gl=US
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will car manufactures with built-in Android Auto recognize the variations of AutoZen or is this app strictly a stand-alone for devices only?
rodken said:
Will car manufactures with built-in Android Auto recognize the variations of AutoZen or is this app strictly a stand-alone for devices only?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
for now is stand-alone for devices only, but I'm trying to figure out how to "hijack" Android Auto more like a mirroring, but not success yet. so sadly for now will work as stand-alone app
I think there are some issues to fix and if you want I can help with italian translations, but I took this app for my headunit and its one of the best looking. <3
Lucaluca95 said:
I think there are some issues to fix and if you want I can help with italian translations, but I took this app for my headunit and its one of the best looking. <3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey Luca, I have some translations in italian, I must admit I paid for some, others using google translate and some are missing, please send me an email to [email protected] so I can see what are the issues and maybe you can help me out with the italian translations!!!!
this app seems cool.
got it mostly setup and configured on a xperia 5 ii with root forced on android 10.
also got it going for the prem subscription.
it work's quite well in the smallest official DPI settings.
currently using the coolwalk launcher and it looks sweet. but it's missing some more customization options.
also only really room for 2 widgets. even though. for example.. the speed cam and speed limit could easily be combined into 1 widget rather than both having to take 2..
i plan on using it along side android auto. the navigation will be on the phone with music control trough android auto.
if you do seek some suggestions and stuff let me know.
*also* the music widget like's to bug out quite a bit with apple music. it just stops updating it seems.
sebaskitten said:
this app seems cool.
got it mostly setup and configured on a xperia 5 ii with root forced on android 10.
also got it going for the prem subscription.
it work's quite well in the smallest official DPI settings.
currently using the coolwalk launcher and it looks sweet. but it's missing some more customization options.
also only really room for 2 widgets. even though. for example.. the speed cam and speed limit could easily be combined into 1 widget rather than both having to take 2..
i plan on using it along side android auto. the navigation will be on the phone with music control trough android auto.
if you do seek some suggestions and stuff let me know.
*also* the music widget like's to bug out quite a bit with apple music. it just stops updating it seems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot!!!
yes, about the widgets, I did some of them as alternative, not is become more popular this launcher mode so I will work to bring more widgets/ small space, I will check about the applie music, if is possible and you can make a quick video and send it to me that would be great so I can see the issue.
zen kun said:
Thanks a lot!!!
yes, about the widgets, I did some of them as alternative, not is become more popular this launcher mode so I will work to bring more widgets/ small space, I will check about the applie music, if is possible and you can make a quick video and send it to me that would be great so I can see the issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'll try to figure out how to reproduce the issue. it has not happened again so far.
basically the music status and display would freeze even trough music was still playing/another track was playing.
but switching between music apps from the drop down menu fixed that.
Hi;
i have a question to you.
When i connected my phone to car , Andorid Auto starts automatically. I see AA on car screen.
If i uninstall AA, then install AutoZen, does AutoZen starts automatically on car screen when i connected my phone to car?
Thanks in advance
heya me again!
i have found a app that does not seem to work with the auto-zen media controls
got farmata auto+farmata auto control installed.
here is a little video
issue persist after restart
Maybe an neat suggestion idea.
if the user taps on the little status icons on the bottom right corner in for example. coolwalk UI. open up the notification center.
it would make easier access to the notification center than having to swipe a bunch of times for it to come down.