Related
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
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.tencent.qqlauncher&feature=search_result
Has anyone tried this launcher in the market. looks similar to adw just installed it havent played around with it yet. everything looks ok.
I don't know about that launcher specifically but QQ Chat is a (popular) chinese chat app. We could hack it in to our old motorola flip phones back in the day.
Perhaps this is the same chinese company with another knockoff. I'd say it if looks and feels like ADW, why not just use ADW? Go Launcher seems nice too.
[UPDATE]
Looks neat. While supposedly it isn't as customizable as the popular ones, it does offer some neat features. The Contact list Apps Menu looks appealing and some of the other features. Try it out and give us a review!
I don't know about anybody else but I'm currently using the Regina 3D Launcher and live it. Plus you can add extra home screens.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App
Just installed it, I love it so far!
Good but needs more features.
Sent from my Calculator with Android.
I love the app menu in list mode... Just doesn't support enough customization for me yet. I think I'll stick with go launcher ex for now, but this is definitely one to watch.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App
Tattooed5150 said:
I don't know about anybody else but I'm currently using the Regina 3D Launcher and live it. Plus you can add extra home screens.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just gave it a try and it is amazing! I love it so far. It is heavy 3d app so I am not sure if it will run smooth on older phones but it runs great on the G2X.
Thanks.
Initial review
Been playing with this for a most of the day now. Here is what I like about it.
Interesting screen transitions, I like the different swipe animations, Fade in is a nice touch, and I really like Cascade. Card is a fun variation of windmill, but with alot of icons, gets sore on the eyes. And Cube is a nice one as well, although it does get a bit laggy. Other than Cubem, they all work pretty good, even with a heavy live wallpaper working in the background.
The app drawer list setting is a huge plus on this. Something that is lacking in GoLauncher (my usual primary) and Launcher pro. It really makes finding your apps easy, and when you have alot, like I do, its great.
Clone Launcher - This is a nice feature, as it pulls whatever you have placed as screens on Launcher Pro into this launcher. It didn't give me the choice to pull GoLauncher, so it might only work with Launcher pro, not sure.
Its a pretty stable, fast and non-laggy UI. I like using it, however, the following items really are why I keep going back to GoLauncher.
Themes - pretty limited in what you can do. You can change wallpapers BUT only what is offered by the theme. You cannot choose from previous wallpapers, and you cant choose any live wallpapers. You have to get into a different launcher and set those up, then return to QQ. Same with Icons, you cant use anything but what is offered by the theme.
With that said about Icons, they are biggger than most launcher, which is a nice bonus.
Dock - your limited to the 5, with the app drawer static. It isn't easy to change them, you have to remove them, and then add, you can't add directly from the current icon. There is no second or third dock drawer, so you can only put your favorite four down there.
Regarding the QQ widgets, you get Task killer and quick switch. Quick switch works fine, but your limited to WiFi, screen brightness, sound settings and GPRS listed in the widget. You can access GPS, flight mode, etc through selecting the widget.
Task killer I am unsure of. When using it with ZDBox, I get different numbers.When I kill idle tasks using QQ, I end with 339M in use. But when I do the same using ZD, I get 233.6M in use. So not sure why the difference.
For my opinion, I like its stability and different screen transitions as well as the app list, and will keep an eye on this. However, by adding more screen customization (wallpapers, icons, live wallpapers) and more dock choices, this could become a really great launcher.
I will check Regina now, see how that works.
A few other things
Alright, forget Regina, couldn't make it work, too buggy.
BUT I do have some more input regarding QQ.
The lock screen rocks! I love the animations it gives while charging, and its a very responsive lock. Best thing is once you activate it and go with a different launcher, it still works!
I do wish we could change the shortcuts. And whenever I choose the down swipe (Home icon), I go to my SMS app, even when it QQ. So there is a bad connection or something along those lines there. Its still something I can live with, and plan to continue using the lock screen!
Lol I don't know why but I like this launcher. How is the lockscreen for everyone. Is it responsive?
Sent from my LG-P999 using xda premium
moeahmad1995 said:
Lol I don't know why but I like this launcher. How is the lockscreen for everyone. Is it responsive?
Sent from my LG-P999 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the launcher honestly was very nice, but too little features for my liking unfortunately.
not enough features, but im keepin the app installed cuz i love that lockscreen!
One last update
So played some more with it and used it for the weekend. here are my last points on it.
Folders - You are limited to 12 apps only. No more. So if you got alot that needs to go in a folder (like I do), you will end up with more folders, more confusion, and more 'which folder has what app' issues. But whats cool is that you can find the classification name by checking the box icon on the right. Nice touch guys!
Lock screen - Again, I can't say enough about this. but now am going to say a little bit more. of all the free lock options out there, this is the only one I have found where the volume keys work when the screen is locked and off. HOWEVER, when you use that volume, the screen will come on (thats ok), but then never turn back off (NOT OK!)
I found out while riding the bus home. Left the office and turned up the music player while phone was still in the case. Didn't look at it until I got off the bus and put it in my car dock. Noticed it was on. thought I did that taking it out of the case, but then I noticed the battery was drained alot more than its supposed to for the ride home.
so did a check, unplugged and player going, with the screen off I turned volume up, screen came on, then never turned off (I gave up waiting after 5 minutes).
My stock lock screen is set to turn the screen off after 10 seconds, and all the other lock screens work with that time, so this really needs to get corrected.
Still hoping for updates to both the lock and the launcher! Don't give up developers!
I use it with my Galaxy S2 & love it. I have the iphone theme for obvious reasons
(check my sig)
---------- Post added at 04:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:21 PM ----------
Simer03 said:
not enough features, but im keepin the app installed cuz i love that lockscreen!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here!!!!!
I like the lock screen. It sticks around after switching back to ADW EX. Keeping it installed to wait for updates.
It's a decent launcher, I normally use ADW Launcher EX though. Ya it does need some more customization and its got a good lock screen.
But I recently tried Go Launcher EX again(stopped using awhile back due to random fc's , updated version seemed to fix it) and their lock screen app Go Locker, is great! They've got the ICS lock screen theme, Sense, an iPhone clone, and a cool Santa Claus themed lock screen just to name a few. It's worth a look for sure
If somebody could take this launcher, add customize-able dock bars, allow themes from Roms (like MIUI or CM) to work properly, and add more customization to the lockscreen (like change applications, torch, etc) I would pay for it in a heartbeat.
I love this launcher but it still lacks features other launchers have, like I can't leave go launcher for this one YET
HOTLANTA, even though its cold ;-)
Their is also an Asian company that produces a launcher named cclauncher. Its supposed to be a 3d type launcher.
Cclauncher ics has some really good ics animations including the app drawer ics animations, almost identical.
Sent from my LG-P999 using xda premium
I'm rooted with undead's ROM, modaco's 4.0.0.9, and I've deleted the media room app which is the only way to get into music and fm radio outside of a widget or home screen shortcut. If I delete the htcsetup apk file and do a factory reset so-to-speak I get the music and fm radio shortcuts back in my app drawer but the weather app will NEVER show my location, other apps do though, but I don't want to keep it like this since I would imagine other built in things probably aren't working from not going through the initial htcsetup after a factory reset.
With all that being said, how do I simply get the music and fm radio icons to show up in my app drawer? I've gone through the htcsetup wizard as im supposed to which ends up removing or calling something to remove these 2 apps.
For some reason the icons don't show up in the app drawer when you use the stock launcher.
I use GO launcher EX, the MT4GS has enough power to really get some use out of it and turn on all the fun animations and such.
As soon as I switch launchers, the icons are in my drawer.
I think, if I remember right, that other launchers show the icons too, like ADW and such, but the only one I use anymore is GO so I am not sure.
This was something that aggravated me, I don't like or use widgets and media room was gone from my phone a long, long time ago.
I like the HTC stock music app, I think it's really well done.
Not exactly all the info you were looking for, but it's a step on the path.
I haven't really got a handle on the sense skin yet. So i can't answer that. I'm still learning.
Sent from my MyTouch 4G Slide using xda premium
Xshortcuts to create any icon(even hidden apps) on the desk. You can uninstall media room and access music with this free app fyi.
Well any app can be made a shortcut on the homescreen/desktop.
What I noticed though which is quite interesting is that if you delete the htcsetup.apk or something like that from the system/app folder and then format data and cache, which is essentially a factory reset, the fm radio and music shortcuts show back up in the drawer. Probably what's happening is that this initial setup wizard hides these 2 apps to encourage the use of the media room app. My only concern is how would I make sure things such as weather will work if I don't go through the initial setup wizard?
I'm not sure if this is the right place for this, but I was curious about peoples opinions/preferences between these two launchers?
I've been using Google Now Launcher on my Galaxy Nexus for a couple of months and really liked it. After grabbing my M8, I installed Google Now Launcher on it, but I hear a lot of praise for Blinkfeed on Sense 6.
While the concept of Blinkfeed is certainly interesting, the link summaries in my highlights are vague or non-existent. I'm also struggling to find a way to do Google Search voice triggers. Adding a Google Search bar doesn't seem to provide this functionality. Overall, Blinkfeed seems to be a poorly done Google Now with social media integration. Are there any fans of Blinkfeed that can help me improve my experience?
Zieen said:
I'm not sure if this is the right place for this, but I was curious about peoples opinions/preferences between these two launchers?
I've been using Google Now Launcher on my Galaxy Nexus for a couple of months and really liked it. After grabbing my M8, I installed Google Now Launcher on it, but I hear a lot of praise for Blinkfeed on Sense 6.
While the concept of Blinkfeed is certainly interesting, the link summaries in my highlights are vague or non-existent. I'm also struggling to find a way to do Google Search voice triggers. Adding a Google Search bar doesn't seem to provide this functionality. Overall, Blinkfeed seems to be a poorly done Google Now with social media integration. Are there any fans of Blinkfeed that can help me improve my experience?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried blinkfeed on my M7 for a few months until root came out. and switched to the google launcher.
I tried blinkfeed on the M8 for all of an hour before I switched to the Google Launcher again.
I'm in the same boat as you. I just wish I could get anything besides the HTC lock screen as I want pattern lock. But I don't want it to wipe my phone after 10 attempts.
I'm using Action Launcher but wanted to check out Blinkfeed. You can create a shortcut to Blinkfeed with Activity Launcher and use it like an app. Thought I'd give it a chance and still use my launcher of choice.
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk
breakerfall said:
I'm using Action Launcher but wanted to check out Blinkfeed. You can create a shortcut to Blinkfeed with Activity Launcher and use it like an app. Thought I'd give it a chance and still use my launcher of choice.
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hadn't considered that. I might just have to play with it that way. As an at a glance widget/page, I feel Google Now is far superior, but I'd like to play around with it and see if Blinkfeed is good for social media and the like.
I have enjoyed using Google Now launcher on my Rezound and my Nexus. I'm going with Blinkfeed and have moved the Google search as one of my five dock icons so I can get the equivalent at any time.
hgoldner said:
I have enjoyed using Google Now launcher on my Rezound and my Nexus. I'm going with Blinkfeed and have moved the Google search as one of my five dock icons so I can get the equivalent at any time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you know you can just swipe up from the bottom on any of the home screens and have google now anytime without using up your shortcuts on the bottom
If Sense supported custom gestures (I use swipe up to bring up the drawer, swipe down to see notifications, and double-tap to show the toggles) I would try it out. But I use those gestures ALL the time.
For those with Google Now Launcher, few questions(sorry for the sidetrack):
Is there more icons on the screen? I went to nova laucher for more rows of icons and no blinkfeed.
any issues with side loading?
where did you get the apk, (I can find one, I would like to have a know working version)?
Does the play store update the laucher after the install for updates?
lilshooter said:
you know you can just swipe up from the bottom on any of the home screens and have google now anytime without using up your shortcuts on the bottom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, forgot about that; thanks for mentioning it. Ultimately, that's what I did, giving something else that precious 4th spot on the dock.
non transparent Nav bar on GNL
Hey guys. Did any of you getting this annoying semitransparent nav bar while having a Google now launcher on HTC M8 ?
I mean the original nav bar on BlinkFeed is completely transparent, also Google now launcher installed on any device so far (running KitKat) had a transparent nav bar ! What is wrong with GNL and HTC M8 ??
Check out this picks.
http://img.wonderhowto.com/img/original/10/74/63531824020426/0/635318240204261074.jpg
http://img.wonderhowto.com/img/original/76/19/63531824114441/0/635318241144417619.jpg
i brought a htc one m8 recently from ebay, since ive had it my launcher is defaulted to google now i cannot install sense, its really annoying and laggy ad freezes and ugh
currently gonna try viperone but not sure what to do, ive recovered restocked etc but nothing, the phoine was rooted but isnt any longer but super su is still installed ive had to disable it, im so confused.
viper one has screwed up my phone. help it wont power on just gets stuck on htc screen
using htc one m8
charchar4339 said:
viper one has screwed up my phone. help it wont power on just gets stuck on htc screen
using htc one m8
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really don't think viperone is what screwed your phone up as I am running it and have installed and re-installed about 10 different times when checking out different ROM's.
It sounds like user error to me.
What was your install process ?
Did you do a checksum on the download before installing ?
Only one time did I have a faulty ROM and it was due to a bad download as I forgot to do a checksum on it.
Zieen said:
I'm not sure if this is the right place for this, but I was curious about peoples opinions/preferences between these two launchers?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FWIW, I don't like either, I use Nova Launcher.
Hi, Today I boought a Moto G, and immediately upgraded and rooted it to Android 4.4.3. (Previously I'd been using a Galaxy S2 and a Xperia S)
The first thing I noticed is the changes in the app drawer, which I hate. I do not like that widgets and apps are mixed, I mean I liked the cycling thru apps in Jelly Bean, and having to select the widgets tab to cycle thru widgets.
Another thing I noticed is that the Moto G doesn't have an options button. While in the App drawer, all 3 buttons are redundant:
Left side button (Where options usually is) is now back, which takes you to the homescreen...
Middle button (Home) Takes you home .... -In Jelly bean you could long press to open recent apps-
Right side button - Opens recent apps
With that in mind you can tell that you're losing a lot of customizing options, for example, I used to click options and hide apps in Galaxy S2, or sort apps alphabetically, by use, recent install, etc...
I guess my questions is: Is there any way to get those features back using the stock launcher?
To sort apps customly, to separate widgets and make the app drawer cycle thru apps like it's supposed to?
I appreciate the help
I assume the launcher you are using is the stock launcher provided in Android.
If you want more options in the app drawer then it would be better to install another launcher.
My prefered launcher is Apex but I know that a lot of people are using Nova as well.
Both very smooth launcher with lots of options.
Mickeyvdb said:
I assume the launcher you are using is the stock launcher provided in Android.
If you want more options in the app drawer then it would be better to install another launcher.
My prefered launcher is Apex but I know that a lot of people are using Nova as well.
Both very smooth launcher with lots of options.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Mickey, thanks for your reply.
Yes, I was using stock launcher at the moment of the question, the question basically was if it was possible with stock launcher... I assumed it was not so I downloaded Nova Launcher, but it also doesn't have the option to customly organize apps, like dragging and dropping one before the other in the drawer. If I hold on an app it takes it to the home screen which is not what I want
Also with Nova I could only separate widgets from apps if I made the drawer scroll vertically, I want horizontal with multiple pages, but widgets on a different tab.
What custom launcher has the option to do these things?
Thank you again for your time
I think Solo Launcher has the features you require.
Sent from my XT1033 using XDA Free mobile app
Solo and Nova
I've tried both solo and Nova launcher but neither has the features I'm looking for, solo offers the option to sort apps but from presets like 'alphabetically, most used, recently used " but I want to sort them manually, I don't understand why I'm having so much trouble finding this option when on previous Android devices was as simple as drag and drop
Riki_RM said:
The first thing I noticed is the changes in the app drawer, which I hate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are no changes in the app drawer. The stock Google launcher has always worked this way. If your previous devices worked differently, then you were not using the Jellybean launcher, which looked and worked exactly the same way as you are describing.
Middle button (Home) Takes you home .... -In Jelly bean you could long press to open recent apps-
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, that was never possible with stock Jellybean. If it worked that way on your S2, it's either because you had installed a third-party launcher or because that is how Samsung's own launcher (is it still called Touchwiz?) worked. I have never used anything other than Nexus or Google Play Edition devices (as well as played around a bit with Cyanogen), so I couldn't say for sure.
I used to click options and hide apps in Galaxy S2, or sort apps alphabetically, by use, recent install, etc...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those all must be Samsung "innovations."
I guess my questions is: Is there any way to get those features back using the stock launcher?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, because they were never in the stock launcher. You will have to try various other third-party launchers until you find one you like. I'm generally happy with the stock one, so I'm afraid I would be useless at recommendations.
Good luck,
-- Nathan
Riki_RM said:
I've tried both solo and Nova launcher but neither has the features I'm looking for, solo offers the option to sort apps but from presets like 'alphabetically, most used, recently used " but I want to sort them manually, I don't understand why I'm having so much trouble finding this option when on previous Android devices was as simple as drag and drop
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are looking for Nemus Launcher
Sent from my XT1032 using Tapatalk