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[Q] Is there anyway to modify the samsung widgets to work for alternative launchers?

Would there be any way to modify the samsung widgets so that they would show up as android widgets and not be invisible to things like launcher pro?

Although I am not a developer, I'm fairly confident this is not possible.
Unless the developer of LauncherPro wanted to target each phone in particular... I still don't think it would work.
The framework of the 'overlays' on top of the bare android os don't allow for such things.
Even if they did manage to do this, I would imagine the phone would have to run LauncherPro with Touchwiz running in the background at the same time.. That is just asking for instability.
Plus, without a doubt Samsung would ream LauncherPro for using Touchwiz in that way.
Let's face it though, if they haven't done it for HTC's Sense yet. It isn't happening haha.

Custom Launcher on ICS? Will CM?

Does anyone still use a custom launcher with ICS? if so why? what does it bring to the table that ics does not? i mean we have a full dock now in the stock launcher...and we have scrollabe widgets.
and the real reason im posting is, do you think CM9 will have ADW baked in like it always has? i dont see much point now. My fav launcher out there is by far the stock ICS launcher...

No..ithink ics launcher is great.. and i love stock
Sent from my Google Nexus S using xda premium

I haven't used ICS yet (still waiting on the Galaxy Nexus to be released in the U.S.).
Does the stock ICS launcher allow custom icons?
How about a scrollable dock (like in Launcher Pro) that gives you three panels to scroll through, with 5 customizable slots on each?
What about swipe gestures? For example, in LP you can set it so that if you swipe upwards from your browser shortcut it will pop up with a list of your bookmarks.
Those would be the only features I would miss coming from LP.
If the stock ICS launcher has those features, I don't see the need to even think about switching to anything else. Even if it doesn't, I will probably stick with stock just to stick with the overall ICS look and feel, although I would hope Google would add those features in a future update (I mean if some guy can program that kind of thing in his spare time, I'm sure Google's programmers would have no problem with it)

Gakuseinozen said:
I haven't used ICS yet (still waiting on the Galaxy Nexus to be released in the U.S.).
Does the stock ICS launcher allow custom icons?
How about a scrollable dock (like in Launcher Pro) that gives you three panels to scroll through, with 5 customizable slots on each?
What about swipe gestures? For example, in LP you can set it so that if you swipe upwards from your browser shortcut it will pop up with a list of your bookmarks.
Those would be the only features I would miss coming from LP.
If the stock ICS launcher has those features, I don't see the need to even think about switching to anything else. Even if it doesn't, I will probably stick with stock just to stick with the overall ICS look and feel, although I would hope Google would add those features in a future update (I mean if some guy can program that kind of thing in his spare time, I'm sure Google's programmers would have no problem with it)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It'd be incredibly easy for Google to add those features, the reason why they don't is because they're not intuitive features and Android caters to a very wide audience. In the past I installed LP+ on all my relatives phones, many got confused or lost.

I agree that they are more for advanced users, but one of the biggest advantages of Android is that it caters to those types of users - those who want to have the option of trading a little simplicity for more functionality. I'm not suggesting that these features be enabled by default, but perhaps there could be a toggle to enable "advanced dock settings," or something of that nature.
Just seems to me like it would be in the best interest of Google to make these kinds of features available without third party apps, especially given the amount of people that turn to alternate launchers because most OEM skins (sense, blur, touchwiz, etc) are unattractive, intrusive, and/or lacking in functionality.
As I said in my previous post, I personally probably wont switch to a third party launcher with ICS just because I want to retain the cohesive look and feel that ICS offers, but I will definitely miss the functionality of something like Launcher Pro which is why I wish that Google would offer at least the option to enable some of those additional features with ICS.

I keep going back and forth between Go Launcher EX and stock... Will do so until I configured the stock the way I like my screen.
The features from GL-EX that I'm holding out for arwe the swipe up option and the option of running 5x4 screen >>

Gakuseinozen said:
I agree that they are more for advanced users, but one of the biggest advantages of Android is that it caters to those types of users - those who want to have the option of trading a little simplicity for more functionality. I'm not suggesting that these features be enabled by default, but perhaps there could be a toggle to enable "advanced dock settings," or something of that nature.
Just seems to me like it would be in the best interest of Google to make these kinds of features available without third party apps, especially given the amount of people that turn to alternate launchers because most OEM skins (sense, blur, touchwiz, etc) are unattractive, intrusive, and/or lacking in functionality.
As I said in my previous post, I personally probably wont switch to a third party launcher with ICS just because I want to retain the cohesive look and feel that ICS offers, but I will definitely miss the functionality of something like Launcher Pro which is why I wish that Google would offer at least the option to enable some of those additional features with ICS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i see where you're coming from but you have to see it from google's side. the more options they offer with their base product, the more bewildering and off-putting it may seem to your typical end user.
but then, third party apps come in and fill the void. android itself doesn't (and shouldn't) cater to any kind of user specifically, but it allows developers to cater to them. and that's what's so great about it.

How to disable TouchWiz?

I've been using Apex launcher this week (which is amazing, and imho has tons more options over Nova), and would like to disable TouchWiz. I noticed that TouchWiz does not have a 'disable' option like a lot of other apps do when viewing app details.
I am rooted, but I'd rather not use Titanium Backup since I do not plan on completely removing the app. I just want to disable it like I have been able to do on the Verizon bloatware apps.
Can I simply go into system/app and rename the TouchWiz app?
I've noticed that when I download/install a new app, the phone still tries to add the app to the TouchWiz home screen which I find annoying.

dunderball said:
I've been using Apex launcher this week (which is amazing, and imho has tons more options over Nova), and would like to disable TouchWiz. I noticed that TouchWiz does not have a 'disable' option like a lot of other apps do when viewing app details.
I am rooted, but I'd rather not use Titanium Backup since I do not plan on completely removing the app. I just want to disable it like I have been able to do on the Verizon bloatware apps.
Can I simply go into system/app and rename the TouchWiz app?
I've noticed that when I download/install a new app, the phone still tries to add the app to the TouchWiz home screen which I find annoying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Touchwiz is built into the ROM. The only way to not use Touchwiz is to use AOSP/AOKP or something without TW.

Zalithian said:
Touchwiz is built into the ROM. The only way to not use Touchwiz is to use AOSP/AOKP or something without TW.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using Apex Launcher as a replacement and would like to disable or freeze TouchWiz without using any new apps like Titanium Backup.

dunderball said:
I'm using Apex Launcher as a replacement and would like to disable or freeze TouchWiz without using any new apps like Titanium Backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're still using TouchWiz. You can't NOT use Touchwiz on Stock. Apex is just a launcher. TouchWiz is the entire touch interface. Everything you use is still using TouchWiz.

You remove,freeze,rename, etc. any TW files you will probably brick the device and have to odin back to stock and start all over.

sfobrien said:
You remove,freeze,rename, etc. any TW files you will probably brick the device and have to odin back to stock and start all over.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, thanks guys. I guess I misunderstood and though TouchWiz home was just another launcher. I didn't know it was essential to the rom itself.

dunderball said:
Okay, thanks guys. I guess I misunderstood and though TouchWiz home was just another launcher. I didn't know it was essential to the rom itself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No worries. TouchWiz Home is just one part of TW, but TW itself is basically the framework added onto Android by Samsung which is part of everything. The only way to not use it is to use AOSP or find another non TouchWiz ROM (not sure if any are out for the S3 yet)

I'm sure you can freeze the launcher and get away with it.
I believe it's "SecLauncher2" or something to that extent. Look for the word "Launcher".
And I'm not responsible if you bootloop
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

dunderball said:
I've been using Apex launcher this week (which is amazing, and imho has tons more options over Nova),.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm curious, what are the "tons more options" ??
I have seen people post this before but nobody seems to know what these options are.
I used Apex for months in my old Rezound but I prefer Nova in the G3 myself (& I have the paid version of both Apex & Nova) but maybe I'm missing something.
So far, Nova has had every single setting or option that I want so I am really wondering what I am missing??

Nobody yet have balls to ****ing delete or freeze TW to see if it works along Nova...
****!!

Luckzzz said:
Nobody yet have balls to ****ing delete or freeze TW to see if it works along Nova...
****!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just use nova to replace TouchWiz as your default launcher and bingo you should be good to go
Sent from my Nexus 5

Rearranging/hiding apps in app drawer?

So I bought the Nexus 5 and it's a great phone and I really like the pure android experience. Is it somehow possible to rearrange and hide some apps in the app drawer? I know Nova Launcher can do this but I don't want to lose the clean look the Google Now Launcher gives me. So if there would be any app that maintains the Google Now Launcher experience but adds an option to move and hide apps within the app draw, please let me know. Hopefully it's possible without rooting my new phone because I'd rather not do that.

Hopefully this isn't being ignored, from what I've heard this is the place to be when it comes to Android stuff so I hope I won't get disappointed.
EDIT: Nevermind.

[Q] New Owner Setup Questions

Hi.
I pre-ordered my Note Pro (P905) and it will hopefully arrive next week because the store I bought them from sells them a lot cheaper and it's not a popular model. So anyway, here are my questions.
1. I've read conflicting reports about the on air updates. I've read that it makes the phone act worse (hangs and stuff) that's why it's apparently better to just block it and then use towelroot instead of c.f. root. Is this true? I kind of don't want to trip KNOX but I'd probably be willing to do so after a week since warranty is terrible after that period (Think that it would take months to replace the phone).
2. Since we can modify the DPI of all applications through Xposed modules, is it possible to adjust the grid size of Touchwiz to put more stuff on screen? I prefer using Touchwiz because of multi-window.
3. Tripping Knox is only bad if you need warranty right?
4. The basic things I need to check on the Note Pro are:
A. Try Injustice Gods Among Us to see if blue screen happens on stock rom
B. Stylus test
C. Camera test
D. Phone Test
Is this right? I'm only familiar with the blue screen of death issue on some models.
5. Freezing the magazine module in Titanium Backup effectively gets rid of it right?
6. What's a fun thing to do with my old Galaxy Note 10.1 (2012) 3G once I get this phone?
7. Does chromecast work on this device? I've some reports that say it doesn't.
8. Since there isn't really a custom rom for this device, is it easy to get into? I've coded applications for android and have flashed custom roms for other phones in the past. I'll probably just remove fluff from the system and update the kernel or something.
9. If I use Nova instead of touchwiz, are there applications that can sort of act like multi-windows like MX player being a small window and movable?

fvig2001 said:
2. Since we can modify the DPI of all applications through Xposed modules, is it possible to adjust the grid size of Touchwiz to put more stuff on screen? I prefer using Touchwiz because of multi-window.
9. If I use Nova instead of touchwiz, are there applications that can sort of act like multi-windows like MX player being a small window and movable?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Multi window and pen window features got nothing to do with TouchWiz launcher. You can replace TouchWiz launcher with Nova, Apex or what ever launcher you want without losing those features.

1. Most of those issues are related to freezing or not freezing KNOX. (I can't remember which one of the two caused the issue, someone else may be able to fill that in). My DBT p905 is up to date and has no freezing issues. But it's not rooted.
2. MultiWindow (and penwindow) is an overlay app, not part of Touchwiz. The only think that doesn't work properly without Touchwiz is the S calendar widget and MyMagazine. The Spen and everything else isn't related to Touchwiz. You're always better off using Apex or Nova, as they're about 500MB RAM lighter than Touchwiz, and support themes and customisation.
3. Right. And if you want to use the secure KNOX container.
4. The BSOD issue affects the Exynos and AT&T variants, not the p905. You've got the rest covered, pretty much.
5. So does using a launcher other than Touchwiz. My Magazine is part of Touchwiz.
6. I use my old TF700T and Tab 2 as backup devices. The TF700T serves as a 'I can't risk damaging or loosing my NotePro so I'll take this', and my Tab 2 does its job as a navigational device.
7&8. No idea
9. See 1. Multi&penwindow are apps. I use Apex and install it before anything else (I haven't seen Touchwiz since I bought it) and Penwindow and Multiwindow work perfectly fine.

For #8 - I'm not sure about ROMs for the 905 but all I can add since Spere and Shadowlea pretty much have it all covered is that for me it took so long for ROM development that I did a ton of tweaking using Xposed modules and freezing of applications/services using Titanium that once a ROM that I wanted to try did roll around for the SM-P900 I didn't feel it necessary to switch to it. Early on the device was priced high and that delayed development quite a bit. I suspect that form factor is also a contributing factor to lack of development.
You can do quite a bit short of theming with Xposed on these things. Not everything in Wanam's module works (custom color themes for quick settings/notification panel especially) but if you're into rooting there's definitely a lot of potential for customization without ROMs.

7. Chromecast works fine!
Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk

Chromecast works very well.