Hi all.
I've tried a few ROMS, each having a different launcher thrown in the mix for me to try: Stock has Blur Launcher, CM7 uses ADW, MIUI uses some weird IOS crazy, and WajkIUI uses Launcher Pro.
Personally, when I used the stock ROM, I had Go Launcher installed, but use the others on the custom ROMS.
Is there any benefit, speed/performance etc in using the launcher built in to the ROM, compared to installing one from the market and using that?
You should use the launcher that suits your needs and you like the most. For example I'm on MIUI, but I prefer ADW Launcher EX over the MIUI one.
nepotu said:
You should use the launcher that suits your needs and you like the most. For example I'm on MIUI, but I prefer ADW Launcher EX over the MIUI one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
true, but my question isn't should I use the one in the ROM because it's better than others - but simply from a performance aspect of the phone, would a launcher built in to the ROM run better/faster than one installed separately.
I think it doesn't really matter. A good launcher will run smoothly on your phone, plus you should like it. If you are looking for performance you should look for a light launcher. In CM7 they've decided to put ADW because it's pretty similar to AOSP and it's quite light. On the other hand you can look at the MIUI default launcher which is laggy IMO and that's why I've installed ADW, besides the lack of the app drawer.
If a launcher came as stock in one ROM it doesn't necessarily mean that it's the fastest/best. Moreover the vast majority of the "built in" launchers is represented by similar apps, if not identical, to those that can be installed from market, so it's a matter of taste.
Related
Hi I've now tried 4 different launchers and I can't make up my mind.
What launcher is generally the best, keeping up the speeds etc?
I just can't make up my mind. Any good suggestions?
I use LauncherPro on mine and really like it
Don't know about what is the "best launcher", whatever you like/feel most comfortable with.
I use Launcher Pro myself with Desktop Visualizer to theme my phone.
Have been a big LauncherPro fan but have recently been using ADW EX ..... its very quick and very pretty (great animations etc)
Try them all and see what you like
dave79 said:
Hi I've now tried 4 different launchers and I can't make up my mind.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What 4 launchers did you try? So far i only used Launcher Pro & i'm happy with it.
Top 3 for me. ADW EX, GO, LauncherProPlus.
as a launcher i find the newest adw very smooth.but as i love the launcherpro plus's widgets,i choose it
I'm using launcherpro free version and it has everything I need as home app.
Sent from my MB525 using XDA App
I just love the ADW EX version with all it's animations and smoothness. The developers that combines these things with LP+ widgets gets my vote. Now I just switch between them depending on mood.
Zeam was an excellent launcher on my low-end Pulse, it ought to make the Defy grow wings, but it's not that customizable.
Sent from my MB525 using Tapatalk
I use zeam. Have used a few and this one does what i want it to do.
Just try a few different ones.
After reading the fora, I went with what seemed like the majority consensus, and on the third day of owing my Defy (my first Android phone), I bought LauncherProPlus. That was couple of months ago, and LauncherPro is all that everybody says. Now, I just installed the Go Launcher, and I have to say that it's superior. The two are so similar in concept that it might have been the same team that designed both, but the Go Launcher, in addition to doing everything that LauncherPro does, has features that make it much more useful and nicer to use. It has, for example, an intuitive interface for organizing apps into folders, in addition to hiding the unnecessary ones. Then it has a couple of settable gestures, the swipe up, and swipe down with which one can hide the notification bar, for example. It's 5x5 icons on the home screen implementation is flawless, unlike in LauncherPro, and the widget resizing method is also easier. Just nice touches all around, and none of them gimicky.
i use adw launcher ex their are so manny different options if you like playing with them you can get it just how you like. its also the speediest i think
I would try HE launcher its free and simple. It has the best of all worlds.
Gregsterific said:
What 4 launchers did you try? So far i only used Launcher Pro & i'm happy with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried Launcher Pro, LG Home, ADW and of course the standard Motoblur...
I'm kinda after something quick and smooth, doesn't have to be 15 homescreens etc. Um, I posted the original thread to see what tips you guys got.
//Dave
I use zeam launcher. it's a minimal launcher with low memory's consumption, but there is no cutomization.
Wow, thanx for all tips!
Will now have to try the Go launcher, have to get ADW EX another go as well as HE Launcher.
//Dave
Totally agree. Go Launcher is the one for me. Tried pretty much everything else and chose this one. LauncherPro is my second option. But I think Go Launcher is everything LaucnherPro is, and more. =)
help
hey,im using launcher pro on moto defy phone.everything is working fine,but i just wanted to know how do i go back to my original homescreen without uninstalling the launcher?
yashank said:
hey,im using launcher pro on moto defy phone.everything is working fine,but i just wanted to know how do i go back to my original homescreen without uninstalling the launcher?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't. That's one thing I found out on the Defy. If you install any other launcher the original Blur launcher cannot be selected. I've tried Home Switcher, having two launchers and trying to clear defaults, and any other thing you can think of. The only way to get Blur back is to uninstall all other launchers.
Not true....install an app called homesmack from the market....it is free and will allow u to switch very easily
Sent from my MB525 using xda premium
I searched and could not find an answer. I am running Cyanogenmod 7.1 and have grown fond of ADW Launcher that ships with it. I noticed that there is a paid version, ADW Launcher EX on the Market. What I am having trouble finding is what the paid version offers over the version that came with CM 7.1?
Just compare regular adw launcher with adw ex. It has more features and is updated recently
Having trouble with AOSP? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1295702
I've been a longtime user of ADW and LauncherPro...I just recently switched to GO Launcher and I'm liking it a lot so far. Give that one a shot. Smooth transitions and low memory usage. Easy customization.
I believe that Anderwebs is only updating the Ex version (or updating it more frequently than the free version). You have the ability to change both the normal and hidden dock backgrounds with custom ones, screen looping, screen transitions, etc - if you don't already have those options. I haven't used it in a while because I've been using the default MIUI launcher, but it's my favorite launcher replacement by far - and I've tried most of them.
Check out Anderwebs site here and look through the changelog to see what features you don't have.
I strongly recommend buying it, if for no reason other than to support development.
Sent from my Evo + MIUI using Tapatalk!
plainjane said:
I believe that Anderwebs is only updating the Ex version (or updating it more frequently than the free version). You have the ability to change both the normal and hidden dock backgrounds with custom ones, screen looping, screen transitions, etc - if you don't already have those options. I haven't used it in a while because I've been using the default MIUI launcher, but it's my favorite launcher replacement by far - and I've tried most of them.
Check out Anderwebs site here and look through the changelog to see what features you don't have.
I strongly recommend buying it, if for no reason other than to support development.
Sent from my Evo + MIUI using Tapatalk!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go Launcher EX already has those features and it is free. I love Go Launcher. OP, give Go launcher EX a try and see how you like it compared to ADW EX. Go Launcher is updated constantly and The Go Dev Team have GREAT products.
Hello all,
I've seen roms with ADW Launcher and Launcher Pro and Launcher 2 as a default or optional (built in, not an extra install) launcher.
Does anyone know of a rom with GO Launcher Ex as either the default launcher or an optional launcher?
Sorry I can't post a link to the Go Launcher Ex website as I'm a new user but they are in the Market and their site is golauncher[dot]goforandroid[dot]com
None that I know of. Its decent launcher, but probably not the most popular. It would simply take someone who likes GO to cook it into a ROM (and permission from the software developer, of course).
On the other hand, not really much point in cooking in a variety of launchers, when you can just install them yourself in a minute. In particular, it seems like a waste to cook in apps that get updated frequently.
ILWT CM7
ILWT CM7 has GO Laucher as optional launcher, default is ADW. And it is the best ROM ever for our Vision
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1242480
About to flash an ICS ROM probably Calks. My understanding is that it comes with three launchers - TouchWiz, apex, and nova. Are there any advantages using one over the other (performance boosts, less bugs, greater development on the project, etc) besides simply personal preference? Which one do you think looks the sharpest and has the best aesthetics? Most customization?
Sorry for the noob post, and thanks for sharing your opinions. Messed around with apex and nova a bit and for the most part they seem similar. Are there any better alternatives that I did not mention?
mxmr said:
About to flash an ICS ROM probably Calks. My understanding is that it comes with three launchers - TouchWiz, apex, and nova. Are there any advantages using one over the other (performance boosts, less bugs, greater development on the project, etc) besides simply personal preference? Which one do you think looks the sharpest and has the best aesthetics? Most customization?
Sorry for the noob post, and thanks for sharing your opinions. Messed around with apex and nova a bit and for the most part they seem similar. Are there any better alternatives that I did not mention?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've not used apex or nova, and have never liked touchwiz. On Gingerbread I was using GO Launcher but I stock seems to work great so I haven't switched it. Back on my Samsung Moment I swore by LauncherPro as it was the only smooth launcher out there (the Moment was...less then outstanding). I'd say try them all out before you customize and decide, mostly personal preference.
NickZ5 said:
I've not used apex or nova, and have never liked touchwiz. On Gingerbread I was using GO Launcher but I stock seems to work great so I haven't switched it. Back on my Samsung Moment I swore by LauncherPro as it was the only smooth launcher out there (the Moment was...less then outstanding). I'd say try them all out before you customize and decide, mostly personal preference.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I made the leap yesterday to ICS. I am on the goodness ROM. I am using the apex launcher, ha it is already set up like ICS, so I chose it. I didnt want to set up Nova so I haven't used it but I am diggin Apex
Thanks for your replies so far. I will experiment with different launchers since it seems to be mostly a matter of personal preference. I was mostly curious if there was an overwhelming consensus on which launcher is "the best" or definitely one to try out.
IMO nova is my favorite. Its just seems slightly more polished as compared to apex
-₪- sent from my פגדגאץ S II -₪-
ADWLauncher Ex.
Has many features that I like, and am so used to this launcher, that I haven't tried any others.
Had it on my Evo, then I installed it onto my SE4GT the same day I got it.
Didn't give TW too much of a chance
apex ftwwwwww
You asked "What is your favorite ICS launcher, and why?" then everyone responded with launchers that have existed since long before ICS, just thought I'd point this out. My favorite "ICS" launcher is apex, nova seems to be slightly faster (not even noticeable) but apex has double the features, and runs really smooth, especially with the Goodness rom, can't wait for Mijj to optimize the FB27 version when we get the kernel.
Wow...Nova and Apex are so similar I would almost say one copied the other. It does seem that Apex may have some of the features that you have to have paid version of Nova to use. For now I will say Nova because I have been using it for a couple of months but I am looking into Apex much more as we speak
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using xda premium
kurtiskobain said:
apex ftwwwwww
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 apex v.6 has much more bug fixes and is very stable plus i like not having to pay to unlock all of novas feature which some are baked into apex
http://www.phonearena.com/news/ADWLauncher-Ex-gets-ICS-features-in-new-update_id24427
Favorite ICS launcher
I really like the Nova launcher, haven't had much experience with the Apex. But from what I been reading from others, I may have to give it a try. I was wondering have anyone seen the new Camera ICS app in the market, would love to see this app used as the main camera app in all Epic Touch roms.
apex is the best
apex is the best you can customize more than nova and the best feature is the widget section nova has it too but in apex there is more customization.
The nova because of the cube transition
i say nova. smoother and faster imo, and i prefer a full app on the market, just seems easier to me. bought it for my Transformer Prime
Nova Launcher is my favorite so far.
Transmission sent from a Galaxy S II, AOKP style.
I stuck with Go Launcher Ex coming from Gingerbread and or Calks roms as well. If you like something thats looks stock and all ice creamy then yeah Nova is a nice touch.
Apex - not as quick yet as Nova, but has more options that I prefer. I need my swipe up and down . I tried Apex, Nova, TW and Stock for a day each before switching back to Apex.
My fav on GB was adw EX.
Nova was the best.
Apex/ics stock were very choppy with a lot of widgets on the screen.
Touchwiz was on par with Nova in terms of smoothness.
Go Launcher Ex. Flawless and a decent price.
The reason I'm asking is that I've tried this phone in the store as well as watched the video reviews and yes, the UI is really, really fast and smooth.
I'm curious if anyone has installed a 3rd party Launcher, like Nova or something without being rooted and noticed how the speed is after they did that?
Just try any, non of them require root l. I think your phone will handle them perfectly
Sent from my HTC One X
It depends on the settings you use, but I am using nova and it is very fast and very smooth. The only reason I am using it instead of stock is so I can double press the home key and have the notification bar drop down. Saves me having to try to reach for it all the time
I use Go Launcher Ex with most of the bells and whistles enabled, and it's buttery smooth on stock 4.0.4, stock 4.1.2, and CM 10.1 (4.2.1).
Switched to Go to get more than 4 columns of icons, nicer icons, nicer themes, nicer animations.
I use holo launcher and its just as smooth as the stock ics launcher.
omnius1 said:
The reason I'm asking is that I've tried this phone in the store as well as watched the video reviews and yes, the UI is really, really fast and smooth.
I'm curious if anyone has installed a 3rd party Launcher, like Nova or something without being rooted and noticed how the speed is after they did that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using Nova on the AOSP Rom and it is extremely fast.
Nova Launcher on stock 4.1.2 ROM, smooth, fast, and responsive.
i sry to maybe hijack ur thread omnius1, but i also got some questions about launchers.
i got my E975 some days ago and i am thinking about trying another launcher than LG's own, but how to u set it them up and how to disable the stock one and which have the best options for modding the hell out of the homescreen?
puma99dk said:
i got my E975 some days ago and i am thinking about trying another launcher than LG's own, but how to u set it them up and how to disable the stock one and which have the best options for modding the hell out of the homescreen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most launchers will allow you a degree pf modding the homescreen but it depends what you wish to do..
If youre looking to change stuff like fonts then the launcher wont allow this at least I havent seen it, however you can change animations, the dock, folders, icons and general theme..
I currently use a combo of apex launcher (which works with some of the existing stock widgets, unlike adw launcher for instance) and rom toolbox pro which allows for a whole bunch of customization such as boot screens, font, et
Oh and I should also mention that the speed amd performance overall using apex launcher is every bit as fast as stock if not a bit faster.
I am rooted too fyi.