Hey guys been reading for a bit...Actually about 2 days now lol
Anyone else have a hard transistion over?
A few things im excited about is the wifi calling and possibly tehtering.
Right now Im tring to accomplish getting a different theme and removing the bloatware and might just wait for ICS to come out before I start playing with roms I feel like I got the phone a bad time because soon we will be transitioning over.
So right now,
Get a theme where I can access and change my music with out opening the to the home screen...
Wifi calling
And possibly tether but I think I need to install a custom rom and freeze the tether option.
Other than that just figure things out.
Firstly, you cant remove bloatware, truely, without rooting your phone. However, you can hide certain apps with a themer/launcher.
Root free, the most iphone-like launcher is Espier launcher 5.x . Espier also has a safari like browser called Espier Browser. Both of these apps can be found in the market place and will fool you into thinking you have an iphone.
The best iphone like lock screen is the miui lockscreen on the market.
Yea I don't know if I want to go iphone style theme I was looking at some other threads even tried a few widgetlocker I couldnt figure this one out find some nice ones on this site just couldn't get them to look like that one mine.
The other was lockbot its was a bit cheesy.
I will have to look into launcher(s)
blazin6969 said:
Yea I don't know if I want to go iphone style theme I was looking at some other threads even tried a few widgetlocker I couldnt figure this one out find some nice ones on this site just couldn't get them to look like that one mine.
The other was lockbot its was a bit cheesy.
I will have to look into launcher(s)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The girlfriend and I both really like golauncher and golocker, but you'll have to play with them and figure out which works best for you.
Give it a bit of time and you'll really like the phone I think. It takes a bit to get used to finding things. The OS has a ton more depth to it so it can be a bit overwhelming at first, but once you get the lay off the land you'll be able to enjoy it a lot more.
Both my girlfriend and I had iPhones before Android and couldn't go back. Unless you're really itching for some new feature you can only use by rooting the phone I'd just take some time to familiarize yourself with the phone and it's menus. New roms add a lot of flexibility and new features, but the new options/moved menus may just add to the frustration for now.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
I would personally suggest WidgetLocker, as you can put a music player widget(I'd suggest pure music widget 4x2), and DX Home as the homescreen. It's just iphone-like enough to look really nice, but it has android where it counts.
Android Heaven
Welcome to Android Heaven.
Here you'll find many choices during your PERMANENT stay
1) Awesome Customization
2) CIQ free
3)Games with better graphics
4)No Bloatware
5) Customs rooms and kernals
6)Google and Social Integration
7)Bigger Screen
8-9999999999999999999999999999999999999) Tell you the those reason later. Going to destroy something with my build in android phone camera laser/rocket/hologram
peconaut said:
Welcome to Android Heaven.
Here you'll find many choices during your PERMANENT stay
1) Awesome Customization
2) CIQ free
3)Games with better graphics
4)No Bloatware
5) Customs rooms and kernals
6)Google and Social Integration
7)Bigger Screen
8-9999999999999999999999999999999999999) Tell you the those reason later. Going to destroy something with my build in android phone camera laser/rocket/hologram
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't forget the kernel update for the Valkyrie rocket.
Any who back on topic. If your completely new, you're gonna want to wait a bit to root and ROM, as it can get overwhelming. Get a good feel of how it works. Look at a lot of reviews for your phone on YouTube, then search around the forums for some good tips. Especially stickies.. and yea
That's about it.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA App
if you don't really want a launcher that bad you can play around with the Samsung Launcher thing, and add music instead of contacts etc... Home Button > Settings > edit > switch >take out whatever you want and add whatever you want, sure it goes out of order but you can always put it back in order by Home > Settings > View Type > Alpha, etc..
blazin6969 said:
Hey guys been reading for a bit...Actually about 2 days now lol
Anyone else have a hard transistion over?
A few things im excited about is the wifi calling and possibly tehtering.
Right now Im tring to accomplish getting a different theme and removing the bloatware and might just wait for ICS to come out before I start playing with roms I feel like I got the phone a bad time because soon we will be transitioning over.
So right now,
Get a theme where I can access and change my music with out opening the to the home screen...
Wifi calling
And possibly tether but I think I need to install a custom rom and freeze the tether option.
Other than that just figure things out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Best launchers are Go Launcher EX, ADW Launcher, or Launcher Pro in my opinion. If you want an iphone-like experience, MIUI is a good way to go but i dont think its quite ready for prime time for our phone though theres a MIUI Launcher standalone available, which has many of the same features from a UI standpoint.
As for lock screen controls, apps like Poweramp have lock screen controls for music. There are also lock replacements like Go Locker and Widget Locker that have customizable lock screens.
peconaut said:
Welcome to Android Heaven.
Here you'll find many choices during your PERMANENT stay
1) Awesome Customization
2) CIQ free
3)Games with better graphics
4)No Bloatware
5) Customs rooms and kernals
6)Google and Social Integration
7)Bigger Screen
8-9999999999999999999999999999999999999) Tell you the those reason later. Going to destroy something with my build in android phone camera laser/rocket/hologram
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is is strapped to a shark?
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
Like jumping to any platform you get your pros and your cons, You have a more flexible OS but Battery might not be as good the list goes on. and not every OS is made for everyone just give it a shot you have 30 days to change your mind.
Thanks for the info guys! Yea been playing with it a bit more I think the screen is a million times better than my 3gs I might try go locker or the launcher today
Get qq launcher. I use it now and love it. it's free in the market and had s bunch of different internal themes.you can use.
I'm using the iPhone theme for obvious reasons
There's a thread called home screenshots in the theme and apps section where you can take a look at how some ppl have their home screens set up with different launchers, themes, widgets, and icons that way you can get some ideas of how you might wanna set things up as for roms it's really up to you and which you like better there's no harm in trying each one til you find your daily driver remember you can always mix different roms and kernels and find what combo works best for you (just remember to stick to roms and kernels that are for our specific model you don't wanna end up with your first android paper weight) .. Btw I was the same had been using iPhones since the first one to the iphone4 and this was my first Android and haven't looked back since love this phone it's a beast!
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk
If you want to change the lockscreen around, try milocker. Its free and there are alot of options, plus you can change your lockscreen wallpaper.
Related
This is a list of recommended apps to make your Android experience an awesome one.
I don't really post any games because... well, games are your liking and you get those depending on what you like xD
I'll be adding apps over time so keep on coming back and checking!
I feel like the Ace has a lot of apps and themes to choose from. Here is a list of the apps I believe are epicly awesome.
What's a phone without space and some right app management? For that, I recommend s2e. It moves all the Dalvik Cache to the SD card. When I first installed it, it freed up 92MB of internal memory that I didn't knew what getting used up.
S2E: https://market.android.com/details?...ult#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsInJ1LmtyaWt1bi5zMmUiXQ..
A pretty good ram manager for any phone would be Ram Manager. It keeps your phone running smoothly and worry free.
Ram Manager:https://market.android.com/details?...WFydHByb2plY3RzLlJBTU9wdGltaXphdGlvbkZyZWUiXQ..
For backups and more app management, I highly recommend Titanium Backup. One of the best apps out there hands down. You can batch move all your apps to SD, back up all your apps and system data or just apps if you like. Its so epic, it even backs up all the data on a game. Since I like to switch things a lot on my phone, I use a lot of back ups and Titanium always has me covered.
Titanium Backup https://market.android.com/details?...DEsImNvbS5rZXJhbWlkYXMuVGl0YW5pdW1CYWNrdXAiXQ..
Now for themes; I highly recommend the ICS theme from AChep. This theme completely spices up your phone to the newest and fancy ICS. It changes up everything. Its the BEST ICS theme you'll find out there.
ICS Theme: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1313722
For some really awesome ICS live wallpapers, here are some epic ones;
ICS Phase Beam Live Wallpaper: https://market.android.com/details?...pZC5saXZld2FsbHBhcGVyLmljc2NsYXNzaWMubGl0ZSJd
And Ice Cream Sandwich Live WP: https://market.android.com/details?...kLmxpdmV3YWxscGFwZXIuaWNzd2FsbHBhcGVyLnBybyJd
The second one is a paid app but its really worth the money.
Anyway if you want more kickass themes, check out this post! They rock
More Themes!:http://forum.cyanogenmod.com/topic/17567-list-cm7-theme-chooser-themes/
Afterwards, I present to you the awesome Roboto Font. They new font looks really cool and a different font gives a whole new feel to your phone. To install it, you must first install Font Changer, extract the font and put it in the Font Changer folder in the SD.
Roboto Font: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1309621
Font Changer: https://market.android.com/details?...sImNvbS5tYXJ0aW5vMms2LmZvbnRjaGFuZ2VybGl0ZSJd
Next up is an awesome add-on. It gives your status bar a whole new makeover with the ICS style. This add-on also hooks up your phone with the ICS transitions. In my case they're really fast and work wonderfully. Another epic piece of work from CM7.2's dev.
[ANIMATION][STATUS BAR] ICS for CM7.2 by J.A.F. :http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1360899
To mess with your system files or just check out whats inside your SD, I recommend Root explorer or ES file explorer. Whichever one fits your taste.
Here's another ICS look changer! Themes your lock screen to the ICS style! Just flash it and everything will be fine.
ICS Lockscreen:http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=18603870&postcount=1
Root Explorer: https://market.android.com/details?...sImNvbS5zcGVlZHNvZnR3YXJlLnJvb3RleHBsb3JlciJd
ES File explorer: https://market.android.com/details?...wxLDEwOSwiY29tLmVzdHJvbmdzLmFuZHJvaWQucG9wIl0.
Now if you want to get rid of all of those ads (Or mostly) I present to you AdFree. This app blocks out most ads from getting to your device.
AdFree: https://market.android.com/details?...DEsImNvbS5iaWd0aW5jYW4uYW5kcm9pZC5hZGZyZWUiXQ..
Now, what's an ace with a whole bunch of customization but still with the same old bootanimation? Here's where this thread comes in handy; its one of the largest repositories of bootanimations. Pick one that suits your taste and enjoy!
Bootanimations: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1348731
If you like cloud storage; DropBox is what I recommend. The simple UI makes everything really easy to use. If you don't feel like going through the hassle of connecting your phone via USB just to pass a simple file, you can always DropBox it through your PC and download it to your phone. (Lazy, I know )
DropBox: https://market.android.com/details?...251bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5kcm9wYm94LmFuZHJvaWQiXQ..
Here's the best notepad ever. The only issue I have with it is that you can't set it as a sticky note widget. But besides that, it does EVERYTHING you can possibly think of.
Evernote:https://market.android.com/details?...esult#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5ldmVybm90ZSJd
The stock gallery app is kind of slow and sluggish sometimes so here's a little something to speed up your picture viewing experience.
Quick Pic: https://market.android.com/details?...51bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5hbGVuc3cuUGljRm9sZGVyIl0.
Need some help in math class? Here's a scientific calculator to make things a little easier!
RealCalc: https://market.android.com/details?...sMSwxLDEsInVrLmNvLm5pY2tmaW5lcy5SZWFsQ2FsYyJd
Now for web browsing... There's a whole bunch of browsers out there and I can honestly say I've tried them all except one I didn't download because I had the mini version already. Turns out that one that I didn't try was actually the best one. I'm talking about Opera. Opera is smooth, slick and speedy as hell. Its got decent features to use. If you want a max customizable browser, go for Dolphin HD.
Opera Browser: https://market.android.com/details?...251bGwsMSwxLDEwMiwiY29tLm9wZXJhLmJyb3dzZXIiXQ..
Dolphin HD: https://market.android.com/details?...wsMSwxLDEsIm1vYmkubWdlZWsuVHVubnlCcm93c2VyIl0.
A new browser has been discovered. Its fast and the UI looks really good. Its called Nineski Browser.
Ninoski Browser:https://market.android.com/details?...251bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5uaW5lc2t5LmJyb3dzZXIiXQ..
For music, I really like Power AMP. The UI is very cool and it has a couple of themes you can use to switch it up a bit. The equalizer is pretty good too and it has some customization that could change up the way you listen to music on your phone. It offers a 15 day trial and then you have to buy the app. Its another one thats really worth the money.
Power Amp: https://market.android.com/details?...GwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5tYXhtcHouYXVkaW9wbGF5ZXIiXQ..
If you like to keep an eye on what your usage is, whether its data, calls or sms; Traffic counter is the one for you. It counts every single MB of data that enters or exits your phone and is pretty accurate.
Traffic Counter: https://market.android.com/details?...wsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5jYXJsLnRyYWZmaWNjb3VudGVyIl0.
Here's another counter. This one details everything you can possibly know about your battery!
Battery Monitor Widget:https://market.android.com/details?...eloper#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEwMiwiY2NjNzEuYm13Il0.
Now this next one will make your life A LOT easier. This next app can make a widget of almost ANYTHING you can think of in your phone. Its called Widgetsoid and it works wonders.
Widgetsoid: https://market.android.com/details?...rch_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5qaW0yIl0.
There are a lot of people having the "Insufficient storage available" problem when downloading apps through market, Here's a fix:
MarketFix:https://market.android.com/details?...sMSwxLDEsIm5ldC5mZWxpcGVhcm9uLm1hcmtldGZpeCJd
Here is another beastly app that EVERY ROOT/CUSTOM ROM USER MUST HAVE.Which ever one fits you. Point is, you need to have it.
ROM Toolbox:https://market.android.com/details?id=com.jrummy.liberty.toolbox&feature=search_result
I never thought I'd put this app in here because of all the flaws but they finally fixed it. Facebook 1.8.0. The update is completely in sync with the web version and everything just simply works wonderfully.
Facebook:https://market.android.com/details?...1bGwsMSwxLDIwNSwiY29tLmZhY2Vib29rLmthdGFuYSJd
And well, if Facebook doesn't work for you, here's a complete (and better in my opinion) replacement!
Friendcaster:https://market.android.com/details?...wxLDEsInVrLmNvLnNlbmFiLmJsdWVOb3RpZnlGcmVlIl0.
This next app speeds up the reading and writing speed of your SD card for less waiting time. If you're like me that waits an eternity for the SD to get scanned at boot, wait no more and install this!
SD-Booster:https://market.android.com/details?id=de.mehrmann.sdbooster&feature=search_result
If you want a complete iPhone look, check out this thread!: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=21384446#post21384446
Since our phone doesn't have an LED notification, here's a complete replacement! (Must have a kernel that supports it!)
BLN:https://market.android.com/details?...wsMSwxLDEsIm5lbGRhci5ibG4uY29udHJvbC5mcmVlIl0.
This next app fakes a call to get you out of those weird and awkward situations!
FCM:https://market.android.com/details?...DEsImNvbS5hZ2lsZXN0b3JtLmZha2VjYWxsLmZyZWUiXQ..
Want to know how fast data is transferring on your phone? This widget is for you!
Network Speed:https://market.android.com/details?...result#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsIm5ldHNwZWVkLnB0Il0.
If your phone gets lost or stolen, you can lock it or track it simply by texting it!
Lost Phone:https://market.android.com/details?...DEsImNvbS5nYWRnZXRwcm9qZWN0cy5sb3N0cGhvbmUiXQ..
Here's a little something to make your phone look bigger! Really works and looks cool. Some apps won't adjust to the size though.
LCD Density:https://market.android.com/details?...wsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5iaXJkYXBpLmFuZHJvaWQuZHBpIl0.
I personally like having a loud phone. But since our Ace's speaker is a little too low, I fix that up with Volume+. Works wonders. There's a free and paid version. The paid lets you set your volume higher. Here's the link:
Volume+:https://play.google.com/store/apps/...GwsMSwxLDEwMiwiY29tLlRFU1QuYW5kcm9pZC5sdmgiXQ..
This next one is a file manager. But I mostly use it to make back up apks of apps. Its Astro. If my friend wants an app I have, I just back it up and bluetooth it to him. Simple =D
Astro:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.metago.astro&feature=search_result
This next one is one I found out about recently since I didn't like the dialer of a rom I was using. Afterwards, it became my replacement dialer for every rom I use xD. Here's exDialer. Has some pretty cool themes too.
exDialer:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.modoohut.dialer&feature=search_result
Since I'm a musician, a tuner is really important. This one always has my back. I'm talking about gStrings
gStrings:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.cohortor.gstrings&feature=search_result
The only calculator you'll ever need in ALL of Android.
Handycalc:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.mmin.handycalc&feature=search_result
System Tuner Pro might be a paid app, but there's no other task manager like it. Highly recommend it.
System Tuner Pro:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ccc71.pmw.pro&feature=search_result
The next one is a complete replacement for the FaceBook chat. I honestly like it better than the normal chat on the desktop website too xD. Here's Go chat!
Go Chat!:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.spartancoders.gtok&feature=search_result
Wanna know how your governor handles your CPU? Want to keep more control over your battery consumption? CPU Spy can give you all that detailed information!
CPU Spy:https://play.google.com/store/apps/...251bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5idmFsb3Nlay5jcHVzcHkiXQ..
Use MSN but can't find a good app for it? MSN: Mercury has your back!
MSN: Mercury:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=im.mercury.android&feature=search_result
Since some roms don't have USB Tether and there are too many apps out there for it, I'd have to say PdaNet is hands down the best out there.
PDA Net:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pn.helper&feature=search_result
Looking for a Twitter client? Look no more! This fuild, fast and really smooth app will have your back at all times!
Twicca:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.r246.twicca&feature=search_result
Have problems with sound recording? Here's Tape-A-Talk! Recording high quality audio.
Tape-A-Talk:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=name.markus.droesser.tapeatalk&feature=search_result
Feel like reading sometimes but don't know what to read? Definitely have to check out Wattpad! You'll never see books the same way.
Wattpad:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=wp.wattpad&feature=search_result
Well, this about sums up the epic apps on my phone for now. If you have any other recommendations, please post it in the comments and tell us why you like it!
Thanks! Finally got Roboto as my font...
And the apps recommendation are pretty useful to maintain the phone too!
Roboto just rocks!
Sent from my Galaxy Ace running J.A.F CM 7.2 Odexed using XDA App
MrChaosDesire said:
Thanks! Finally got Roboto as my font...
And the apps recommendation are pretty useful to maintain the phone too!
Roboto just rocks!
Sent from my Galaxy Ace running J.A.F CM 7.2 Odexed using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah. There are a whole bunch of really good apps out there that people can't find. Glad I helped!
But I just realized you're using the Odexed rom version. Can you tell me what the difference is?
No idea what's the difference, it just feels the same to me, but then again I don't rely on Quadrant/Antutu so no idea on the performance
Sent from my Galaxy Ace running J.A.F CM 7.2 Odexed using XDA App
You should include sony's ICS too, since there are some difference to both themes, I'm just using AChep's one cos it feels better than it.
Sent from my Galaxy Ace running J.A.F CM 7.2 Odexed using XDA App
The odexed one has much more free space in data/app.
Anyway the roboto font can be flashed as a zip file to save the hassle.
Hey, I know it's not the place for it, but, since you seem to know a lot, I have to ask... Do you know an ICS theme for CM7.2 but in green instead of blue ?? I'm not a big fan of blue
consegregate said:
The odexed one has much more free space in data/app.
Anyway the roboto font can be flashed as a zip file to save the hassle.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh? No wonder I could store more themes on my phone then when testing out Deoxed.
Sent from my Galaxy Ace running J.A.F CM 7.2 Odexed using XDA App
Thank you very much for your outstanding effort man!
I didnt know that phase beam live wallpaper was already released, now I got it and it goes like a charm on my ICS ace
Just to improve your ICS experience, I highly recommend 360 launcher, Ive been always a fan of GO launcher but Ive found this one and Im definitely in love with it. It has a ICS theme and it works perfectly alongside with those ICS transitions.
There you go :
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1358736&highlight=360
alexnm said:
Hey, I know it's not the place for it, but, since you seem to know a lot, I have to ask... Do you know an ICS theme for CM7.2 but in green instead of blue ?? I'm not a big fan of blue
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hm.. green? Not really sure. Haven't seen one yet. Theres also transparent and another version though, you dont have to get blue. Ill PM you if I find a green one though
alcachofita said:
Thank you very much for your outstanding effort man!
I didnt know that phase beam live wallpaper was already released, now I got it and it goes like a charm on my ICS ace
Just to add a better ICS experience, I highly recommend 360 launcher, Ive been alwasy a fan of GO launcher but Ive found this one and Im difenetely in love with it. It has a ICS theme and it works perfectly alongside with those ICS transitions.
There you go :
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1358736&highlight=360
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info. Ill check it out!
Can you make me please flashable version ICS ROBOTO. THANKS
Sent from my GT-S5830
if got the ont installed like an normal .apk and i love it i am on stock rom
Sent from my GT-S5830 using xda premium
Greats apps i ever seen. Thanks a lot
Enviado desde mi GT-S5830 usando Tapatalk
joryS5830 said:
Can you make me please flashable version ICS ROBOTO. THANKS
Sent from my GT-S5830
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why would you want to flash a font? You just install it through font changer and that's it. I've no idea about flashing fonts, just installing through apps.
If when instal font changer say me don't have right version busybody and then go very slow.
Sent from my GT-S5830
Good work bro.
Sent from my GT-S5830 using xda premium
joryS5830 said:
If when instal font changer say me don't have right version busybody and then go very slow.
Sent from my GT-S5830
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm.. I have no idea how that could happen. what rom are you using?
Apk which you give advice font changer me don't possible work.
Sent from my GT-S5830
Use. CM7.2 WITH. Kernel ketut without oc.
Sent from my GT-S5830
Besides it being new what are you really gaining. Tons of apps don't work on it. Besides folders and multitasking I don't even know what I'm really gaining. And if I have to lose one feature my phone has now ill pass. Phone works too good right now and ics theme will hold me over for a long time.
I understand everybody wants what is new but think about everything your really gaining. To me its like IOS 4.3 to 5. I upgraded my Ipad 2 lost jailbreak for what I see as a minor upgrade.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
You can stay on gingerbread then, it wont bother me really
I think you need to read up on what actually ICS changes besides icons and themes....
raqball said:
I think you need to read up on what actually ICS changes besides icons and themes....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From the leaks, we are not getting the new ui because of twiz
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
kingsway8605 said:
From the leaks, we are not getting the new ui because of twiz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once it starts hitting custom roms, I'm sure we will be getting all sorts of interesting things.
Fataldesain said:
Besides it being new what are you really gaining. Tons of apps don't work on it. Besides folders and multitasking I don't even know what I'm really gaining. And if I have to lose one feature my phone has now ill pass. Phone works too good right now and ics theme will hold me over for a long time.
I understand everybody wants what is new but think about everything your really gaining. To me its like IOS 4.3 to 5. I upgraded my Ipad 2 lost jailbreak for what I see as a minor upgrade.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You sound like a old man in his old ways lol jk. I can't speak for everyone else but I bought my phone because it was at the time of purchase ahead of every curve (with the exception of nfc) so now that something is out that can make the phone better why the would I not want it. I'm patient in waiting but would love to have it yesterday
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
How about true dual core support? or gpu acceleration through the whole phone?
List goes on.
Gingerbread has "true dual core support"
I'm not greedy. Because it's the New thing is the best answer I got. Newer is better right? J/k
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
...bad joke.
Fataldesain said:
Besides it being new what are you really gaining. Tons of apps don't work on it. Besides folders and multitasking I don't even know what I'm really gaining. And if I have to lose one feature my phone has now ill pass. Phone works too good right now and ics theme will hold me over for a long time.
I understand everybody wants what is new but think about everything your really gaining. To me its like IOS 4.3 to 5. I upgraded my Ipad 2 lost jailbreak for what I see as a minor upgrade.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks to the informative Android blogs and tons of videos, most people know why they want ICS besides having a new look. As for your Ipad and losing jailbreak, you probably should have read in advance to see what features iOS 5 had before taking the plunge. I remember reading multiple times that people with jailbreak should hold up on iOS 5 until an untethered jailbreak is done. But hey, this is about Android
What I'm really waiting for is a nice AOSP ICS with everything working. I am less enthusiastic about TW ICS.
One of the videos showed better app controlled , limit or block apps from background data
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA App
Hmm... OP you should consider the fact that ICS source was only recently released and I think the Nexus Prime launched just today. Of course not all apps are going to work you have to give app developers time to update the apps to be compatible. It's not all going to happen overnight that's why these things take time for the transition. Although I'm a little disappointed that TW covers up some features, I am looking forward to:
*Scrollable widgets
*The swipe gesture to remove notifications
*New notification bar Info slots (i.e. when you get a text you see the contact pic)
*Face Unlock (even though it can be bypassed it's cool nonetheless)
*Camera Speed
*New widget placement UI
*New Cool Blue Look
*The drag and drop feature to make folders
*How the app market stays in the app drawer on the top right
*The minimalist layout of all the Google Apps
*A few other things I'm sure everybody knows by now...
Not to say that you have poor judgment, I do advise reading up a little more on the updates before you jump in and discredit them for changing anything. I think Google is actually just trying to make Android more accessible to more than just Devs, if anything at least give them credit for that.
If you want an entire list of things that are new and how they work, read this review (Personally I think it's the best review that covers everything) it's 7 Pages!
LINK
Guys all I'm saying is it seems like alot of people want ics just because and are foaming at the mouth for it. Isn't alot of your apps not working kinda a big deal. People should just calm down enjoy gingerbread for a few more months.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
Improved multitasking is enough for me....a better looking OS.....speed.....better hardware acceleration...more efficient......data monitoring.......ability to block certain apps from accessing data and last but not least.............camera app (that thing needed updating)
ICS is what Android needs to be to fully compete with IOS the only real threat(since Isheep see differently). I am not too anxious to see TW and Sense on ICS
I remember when iphone first came out my buddies back in college were saying look at what I can do.....I pulled out my cingular blue razr v3 and said check this out....made a call lol
Just gotta wait till the apps are updated thats all
I have to agree with OP,to a certain extent. A lot of the new features are incremental, and I think you can duplicate most of them with already available apps/mods. Not to say I'm not going to flash ICS as soon as a good rom comes out, but I am pretty satisfied with how my phone runs now. ICS is the first step to integrate the Android phone /tablet os, like ios ,and will be much better as it evolves.
Sent from my Samsung Epic Touch using tapatalk
Only if your hiding something?
Sure, you may be able to replicate some of those features with other apps, but thats the point... it brings these features to stock android.
newalker91 said:
*Scrollable widgets - Already offered in custom launchers
*The swipe gesture to remove notifications - Just extra glamour
*New notification bar Info slots (i.e. when you get a text you see the contact pic) - More extra glamour
*Face Unlock (even though it can be bypassed it's cool nonetheless) - There are apps that already offer this
*Camera Speed - Is a hardware feature of Galaxy Nexus, not ICS
*New widget placement UI - Very similar to TouchWiz
*New Cool Blue Look - Already have themes for this
*The drag and drop feature to make folders - Already offered in custom launchers
*How the app market stays in the app drawer on the top right - Already offered in custom launchers
*The minimalist layout of all the Google Apps - Will be available based on app, not Android version
*A few other things I'm sure everybody knows by now...
Many of the things that you've listed can already be achieved or are part of the Galaxy Nexus and not ICS. Just kind of goes to reinforce the idea that most people really don't know why they want ICS. I personally find ICS to be a bit too intrusive into my privacy, especially seeing as in the recently used app overlay it shows you the last picture you took. Definitely not appealing to people in relationships.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Although I do see your point, the OP asks why I want ICS. I'm entitled to my opinion right? and I noticed the majority of the things you quoted and responded to have to do with modding the system in some way. How about having it all in one package and not having to download a bunch of apps to imitate what should come stock in the OS.
And what's wrong with a little "extra glamour" ?
I just want stock Gingerbread with better battery life and no CarrierIQ. I don't know how much faster people need these little computers to be but the E4GT is fast enough.
I've been using the S2 for a couple weeks now and although I'm satisfied with it for the most part, I want the bloatware gone and I want it rooted. Easy enough, except for one thing; there are TONS of ROMs for it and I have no idea where to start as far as which ones are best, and don't want to have to flash dozens of them to find out.
A few things to note;
1 - I'm looking for ease of use, something that includes minimal apps or at least allows me to delete apps that are packaged with it if I don't want them, and something that gets good battery life. I read this thread here and may try Slim Beam Unofficial due to it's better battery life.
2 - Or is there a way to just rip the stock ROM off, remove what I don't want, re-package it and flash it back to the phone? That's what I did with my Evo but it's been over a year and I was VERY familiar with that phone and what tools to use for such tasks. A point in the right direction (ie: link to an informative thread on this subject) would suffice, but specific replies are very much appreciated.
3 - Useful apps would be nice. Perhaps not packaged WITH the ROM but just names of useful apps (I see Titanium Backup mentioned a lot on here) would be helpful. Something to easily copy contacts & texts/call records to my PC would also be nice - the Evo didn't have much as far as that went, at least not that I could find. Maybe some music mixing apps and memory editor suggestions too. This phone is new and exciting to me, capable of WAY more than my old Evo 4G. :victory:
4 - HTC and Samsung have much different interfaces. HTC's was more customizable...I'd like to get that back. Anyone know of any HTC interface ports? Specifically the way the icons on the screen are - I don't like being forced to keep the 4 it came with on the bottom, I'd like to change them to something more useful. Also some switches for a quick data network toggle (not by going into Data Usage to toggle) and stuff like that would be nice. I can do it the Samsung way if I have to, but HTC's interface was more user friendly for me.
Anyway, I'm glad to be back at xda. Thanks for any help/suggestions! :fingers-crossed:
Try AOKP 4.2.2 :thumbup:
AOKP B5 3/10nightly NOS V0.0.7
Suppose I'll try that or a stock Samsung ROM. Surprised at the lack of replies and suggestions...usually everyone has something to say on this forum.
Cl3kener AOKP 1.3 is very good. Has good audio apps, and several built in useful apps.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app
Try aokp 4.1.2 everything works perfectly. 422 was great but bluetooth, specifically bluetooth tethering does not work. No issues with 412
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
I don't know anything about CM or AOKP roms cause I need Wi-Fi calling so I stick with TW. Ptmr3 has some good roms and puts out loaded and stripped roms. There is a lot of development here so your gonna have to do some research. Read the op's list of what's included and what doesn't work if any. Good luck
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app
You need Jedi Jelly. Trust me. Best ROM in my opinion
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using xda premium
If you want to be able to customize most of the ROM you want PAC man. The best ROM for your needs.
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Phone: Galaxy s2 t989
Rom: PACman 21.0.1
Kernel: PAC
I'm full of great idea's, but don't have the time to create them or learn the coding to create them. If you want to make one of my ideas a reality just message me and I will give you my idea as specific as possible.
ideas:
-launcher/lock screen
-line rider type game where you control the character
-2d fighting game like art of fighting for the SNES
-multiplayer fps where you create your own map with a creative mode (minecraft style)
-roller coaster tycoon style game
-get phone out of sleep mode
-many more!
Just message me which idea you want info on and I'll tell you!
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In reading your post it seems as if to me 1 you need to simply root your phone. From that point forward you can do anything you want to it. Now coming from an Evo which I myself came from, at first things seem different but when its software related its relatively all the same. I know you said you were shocked at the lack of responses but I think thats because your questions/feelings are a simple fix and more personalized than just sending you somewhere.
You dont have to use the 4 at the bottom they can be switched and data toggles are all over the web. Not for nothing but you really need to do some homework on android and the amount of customization apps out there...You are missing out on quite a bit
Steps to personalizing your phone below:
Root your phone
Install Root Explorer
install Titanium Backup
Install Android Commander on your pc (if you like)
Just use Google or Google Play to look up apps
Hundreds of way to simplify your rom and I only named a few.
Use the SGS2 toolkit, install a custom recovery, and root your phone. From there you can delete all the Tmo bloatware and clean up the stock rom.
see how that is for a little while, and if you still aren't satisfied, you can try some of the other roms in the dev section.
As far as apps, I have all my contacts in gmail, which automatically syncs to my phone. Airdroid is a neat app that lets you manage stuff on your phone through a PC that is connected to the same network. Evernote, quickpic, photoeditor, titanium backup, and google drive are a few apps I always install.
refyused said:
I've been using the S2 for a couple weeks now and although I'm satisfied with it for the most part, I want the bloatware gone and I want it rooted. Easy enough, except for one thing; there are TONS of ROMs for it and I have no idea where to start as far as which ones are best, and don't want to have to flash dozens of them to find out.
A few things to note;
1 - I'm looking for ease of use, something that includes minimal apps or at least allows me to delete apps that are packaged with it if I don't want them, and something that gets good battery life. I read this thread here and may try Slim Beam Unofficial due to it's better battery life.
2 - Or is there a way to just rip the stock ROM off, remove what I don't want, re-package it and flash it back to the phone? That's what I did with my Evo but it's been over a year and I was VERY familiar with that phone and what tools to use for such tasks. A point in the right direction (ie: link to an informative thread on this subject) would suffice, but specific replies are very much appreciated.
3 - Useful apps would be nice. Perhaps not packaged WITH the ROM but just names of useful apps (I see Titanium Backup mentioned a lot on here) would be helpful. Something to easily copy contacts & texts/call records to my PC would also be nice - the Evo didn't have much as far as that went, at least not that I could find. Maybe some music mixing apps and memory editor suggestions too. This phone is new and exciting to me, capable of WAY more than my old Evo 4G. :victory:
4 - HTC and Samsung have much different interfaces. HTC's was more customizable...I'd like to get that back. Anyone know of any HTC interface ports? Specifically the way the icons on the screen are - I don't like being forced to keep the 4 it came with on the bottom, I'd like to change them to something more useful. Also some switches for a quick data network toggle (not by going into Data Usage to toggle) and stuff like that would be nice. I can do it the Samsung way if I have to, but HTC's interface was more user friendly for me.
Anyway, I'm glad to be back at xda. Thanks for any help/suggestions! :fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All Star Devs or Jedi Knight Roms. I ran Slim Bean for a little bit, but the bugs, as insignificant as they may seemed, would occur too frequently. I'm currently testing out Jumping JellyBeans and lets just say I'll be flashing back to Jedi Knight this evening. Good luck on your ROM Quest.
Yeah I rooted it but it still doesn't function entirely the way I want it to.
In using this phone for a couple weeks now, one BIG complaint I have is the clock & weather widget on my Evo allowed me to check the weather OR change thje time/date/alarm simply by clicking it...unless I'm blind, the SG2 didn't even come with an alarm clock, let alone a way to click the clock widget and edit alarms.
Is there anything like that for the SG2? And yes, I do need to do more research and find out what's out there...which is kinda why I'm asking here instead of spending countless hours which I don't have, reading through tons of forums and trying tons of bunk apps. Anyway, thanks for the advice, it's been helpful so far!
Mr. bird said:
I don't know anything about CM or AOKP roms cause I need Wi-Fi calling so I stick with TW. Ptmr3 has some good roms and puts out loaded and stripped roms. There is a lot of development here so your gonna have to do some research. Read the op's list of what's included and what doesn't work if any. Good luck
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here - I need Wifi Calling.
What Rom are you running? I'm still on Darkside Evolution 3.8 (Andoid 4.0.3)
I've been looking for something a little more current, but haven't been able to find anything that has Wifi Calling.
mavblues said:
Same here - I need Wifi Calling.
What Rom are you running? I'm still on Darkside Evolution 3.8 (Andoid 4.0.3)
I've been looking for something a little more current, but haven't been able to find anything that has Wifi Calling.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Evolution is still a good Rom. I have recently gone back to stock cause my phone has been acting up since it went for a swim but I was using jedi knight and jedi mind trick.
Sent from my GT-N8013 using Tapatalk HD
refyused said:
Yeah I rooted it but it still doesn't function entirely the way I want it to.
In using this phone for a couple weeks now, one BIG complaint I have is the clock & weather widget on my Evo allowed me to check the weather OR change thje time/date/alarm simply by clicking it...unless I'm blind, the SG2 didn't even come with an alarm clock, let alone a way to click the clock widget and edit alarms.
Is there anything like that for the SG2? And yes, I do need to do more research and find out what's out there...which is kinda why I'm asking here instead of spending countless hours which I don't have, reading through tons of forums and trying tons of bunk apps. Anyway, thanks for the advice, it's been helpful so far!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could always flash a better rom that is newer, like others have suggested. Any rom with ICS or above will have a clock that allows you to tap the widget and get the alarm, and can display the weather below it. If you're looking for a fully loaded rom, "PACman" (see the link in my signature at the bottom of this post) is the way to go. It it 3 roms built into one, "Paranoid Android, AOKP, Cyanogen Mod". I literally bought my SGSII just to be able to use the PACrom, (I came from a Tmobile MyTouch 4G (Doubleshot) which didn't have a working PACman rom link, so far as my patience to find one allowed).
Other options are to install a new launcher for your phone, like the "Go Launcher" from the play store, or an htc clock widget from the playstore or online. Either of the 2 will instantly provide you with your clock and weather settings.
I have world weather clock widget on my lockscreen. Has weather and time. I think there might be a way to configure it to set alarms, but I'm not sure. I don't really ever set alarms on my phone.
I am using JB 4.1.2 with build Jedi Mind Trick JB2 and the beta kernel as a DD and it is fast and smooth. Prior to I was using Jedi Mind Trick X4 by the same dev and I prefer JB 4.1.2 over the X4 but everyone is different.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1818305
---------- Post added at 03:24 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:18 AM ----------
refyused said:
unless I'm blind, the SG2 didn't even come with an alarm clock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
go to the clock and create an alarm
Let me preface by saying that I have been a Nova prime launcher user since as far back as I can recall. My beautiful white Nova outfitted Note 3 is sitting right next to me still connected via wifi as I transfer my experience to my Note 4. That said, I committed to actually giving TouchWiz a chance with this purchase and so far so good. Granted, it's just one day in but thus far TouchWiz feels and works wonderfully. There are certain cues that are lost when going to a 3rd party launcher which drove my decision to really commit to giving TW a shot this time around. So far I have been able to avoid going to the play store and grabbing trusty ol Nova..lol
I'm interested in hearing the thoughts from those of you that are also using TW. Please share.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using XDA Free mobile app
I don't like the app drawer icon in the bottom right, nor the spacing of the icons. That being said, it runs nice on this phone. I too have been using Nova exclusively for years, but have been using Google now launder and really like it. Going to stick with it for at least a while.
I used Touchwiz for a bit but quickly switched back to GNL.
137 views. 2 comments. A clear representation of what everyone thinks of TW..lol.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using XDA Free mobile app
b3asty said:
Let me preface by saying that I have been a Nova prime launcher user since as far back as I can recall. My beautiful white Nova outfitted Note 3 is sitting right next to me still connected via wifi as I transfer my experience to my Note 4. That said, I committed to actually giving TouchWiz a chance with this purchase and so far so good. Granted, it's just one day in but thus far TouchWiz feels and works wonderfully. There are certain cues that are lost when going to a 3rd party launcher which drove my decision to really commit to giving TW a shot this time around. So far I have been able to avoid going to the play store and grabbing trusty ol Nova..lol
I'm interested in hearing the thoughts from those of you that are also using TW. Please share.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am with you 100%. I was a Note 3 user with my sexy Nova Prime since I got it, and I would never go back to touchwiz.... until now. So far I have made it 2 days on Touchwiz. I mean it is clean, and it looks awesome, but I miss having more rows for icons, and mainly for stretching my widgets. So I feel at some time I am going to switch back. I wanted to give Touchwiz 2 days to see the battery effect when switching to Nova. I definitely am with you I would like to hear other peoples views, if anyone is using Apex, and what features they are switching to a launcher to get, for me its:
- 5 rows of icons
- App drawer also shows widgets
- App drawer can scroll apps vertically and horizontally
- When pressing and holding an icon you have the option to remove, uninstall, all from the app, without having to click it, hold it, and drag to remove. And then going to the app draw, clicking, dragging, and dropping on uninstall.
joshklee said:
I used Touchwiz for a bit but quickly switched back to GNL.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for posting about google now launcher, somehow I missed that one. I love it!
I was also pretty happy with touchwiz (I used TW the whole time with note 3), but GNL is still so much cleaner and I love the integrated full screen google now. Google has a much better sense for interface design.
I'm on day three with TW and haven't had any strange impulses to go grab Nova. This is good. No lag. Silky smooth. The only tweak I made this far was to change all of the animation settings to .5 in developer settings.
This phone is incredible. I didn't think it could get no much better coming from my note 3 but they've really stepped things up.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using XDA Free mobile app
I've always used launchers and roms to mimic stock android but since I got the note 4 I haven't even thought about it. I'm pretty impressed with TouchWiz on this phone.
Sent from my note 4 using xda app
I too am going on three days with Touchwiz. On my GS4 I used GNL modified with Xposed. I miss the swipe left for Google Now, but otherwise it has been a much better experience than Touchwiz on my Captivate, GS2 or GS4. Once/if we get root I may be convinced to switch, until then I will stick with Touchwiz.
I tried TW the first day and I did find it slightly laggy and hated the folder icons. I'm back to Nova Prime.
Sent from my Note 4
Been using TW without a hitch.
Me too giving TW a chance so far so good.
Sent from the TermiNOTEr 4!
I found slightly laggy so I went back to Nova, but I might give it a second chance. The thing I definitely find not as smooth as expected is the recent apps, it takes a bit for the phone to show them once you tap the button, and a it to switch to the newly selected app. Nothing huge but with the phone's specs I expected a bit more
back to nova prime after 10 minutes lol
lebertian said:
I found slightly laggy so I went back to Nova, but I might give it a second chance. The thing I definitely find not as smooth as expected is the recent apps, it takes a bit for the phone to show them once you tap the button, and a it to switch to the newly selected app. Nothing huge but with the phone's specs I expected a bit more
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^^^ this
I was just about to ask about this. Is there any alternative or possible fix? It's quite laggy with the 2-3sec delay at first pull up.
My only complaint / wish for future fix
On my note 2 I was an avid Nova user, I am trying to use the stock touchwiz, but find myself annoyed that I cannot alphabetize apps in a folder.
I might give it a week then jump back to Nova, le sigh.
Jennygirl said:
^^^ this
I was just about to ask about this. Is there any alternative or possible fix? It's quite laggy with the 2-3sec delay at first pull up.
My only complaint / wish for future fix
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The fix for this is allegedly the update that is floating around for the Note 4. The international versions have it, and the TMo version got it yesterday (I think). It fixes the recent applications button and improves the battery life. So it is said at least.
Not sure when AT&T is going to release it. I would expect it any minute, but thats just an opinion, no one really knows.
That's great to know!
Looking forward to that update x2 now
boufa said:
The fix for this is allegedly the update that is floating around for the Note 4. The international versions have it, and the TMo version got it yesterday (I think). It fixes the recent applications button and improves the battery life. So it is said at least.
Not sure when AT&T is going to release it. I would expect it any minute, but thats just an opinion, no one really knows.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to hear that! Hopefully AT&T won't take forever, but that might be wishing too much lol
TW isn't bad at all, but I like Nova because I can change the icon size/spacing and also take the padding out of widgets and fit a LOT more on my screens.
The one thing I freaking HATE is all the white in TW now, the settings menus, etc. WHY!?!?!?!? Don't devs understand that we have this thing called darkness? Man they should at least give us the option of a dark theme.
Hello, as of today, which is the best 3D launcher for the GNOTE PRO 12.2? I used TSF Shell and SPB Shell 3D on my Note 2. The transition effects looked very cool. However, they don't look good on my large screen Note PRO 12.2. Probably the effects were developed with small screens in mind. I tried Next Launcher 3D and EX, there seems to be a bug as my device got long pauses. On two occassions, I had to force boot my device.
petercohen said:
Hello, as of today, which is the best 3D launcher for the GNOTE PRO 12.2? I used TSF Shell and SPB Shell 3D on my Note 2. The transition effects looked very cool. However, they don't look good on my large screen Note PRO 12.2. Probably the effects were developed with small screens in mind. I tried Next Launcher 3D and EX, there seems to be a bug as my device got long pauses. On two occassions, I had to force boot my device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought SPB Shell over 3 years ago and it's been abandoned for well over a year now. Can NOT recommend using it. I've also bought TSF, and the others, and Next Launcher looks the best so far if you want a 3D'ish environment.
tdetroit said:
I bought SPB Shell over 3 years ago and it's been abandoned for well over a year now. Can NOT recommend using it. I've also bought TSF, and the others, and Next Launcher looks the best so far if you want a 3D'ish environment.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here, bought SPB years ago when it was probably the only 3D Launcher on the market. I think the company that developed it was bought out by Yandex because for a while they changed the name. I haven't checked out the Yandex Launcher in a while, it was the updated version of SPB.
Been using Nova launcher on all my devices and am really happy with it. Nice smooth effects and lots of customization available. Liked it so much I paid for it. Active development on it.
rhricik447 said:
Been using Nova launcher on all my devices and am really happy with it. Nice smooth effects and lots of customization available. Liked it so much I paid for it. Active development on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a question about that one for I've been thinking about installing it on my own Galaxy Note Pro because it looked like one a beginner with launchers can manage and not too heavy on resources - and it supports icon packs. Sorry if this 'should' be self-explanatory. The Nova website does not offer me even a FAQ, let alone a complete tutorial for beginners. I want to use my own wallpapers, not theirs and I don't want to be stuck with just a choice of ready-made themes. I just want to customize what I want where I want. Will the Nova launcher allow me to do this? I have spent the last 2 days with my search engines trying to get the answer to this one question, so I'm afraid to install any launcher at all until I know.
Just install it and try it. You're not going to hurt anything, and if you decide you don't like it, then uninstall it and you'll be right back where you started. Using a 3rd party launcher doesn't do anything different except change the look and feel of your device. It's not going to mess anything up, if you don't like it you can uninstall it to go back exactly like it was previously, but be sure you go through all of the settings and mess around with it first. Look and see exactly what you can do differently. Don't just install a launcher like Nova, come to the first screen you see, and then decide you don't like it. It's kinda like taking a car for a test drive before buying it. There are tons of launchers available today, probably 10 times as many as 2 years ago. I've tried many of them. Some people like certain effects, some people like a minimalistic launcher, some people like tons of widgets, different icons, etc. Everyone likes their launcher for different reasons, but like I said, I've used many, I still try something new if I see it, but I've always gone back to Nova.
Rolldog said:
Just install it and try it. You're not going to hurt anything, and if you decide you don't like it, then uninstall it and you'll be right back where you started. Using a 3rd party launcher doesn't do anything different except change the look and feel of your device. It's not going to mess anything up, if you don't like it you can uninstall it to go back exactly like it was previously, but be sure you go through all of the settings and mess around with it first. Look and see exactly what you can do differently. Don't just install a launcher like Nova, come to the first screen you see, and then decide you don't like it. It's kinda like taking a car for a test drive before buying it. There are tons of launchers available today, probably 10 times as many as 2 years ago. I've tried many of them. Some people like certain effects, some people like a minimalistic launcher, some people like tons of widgets, different icons, etc. Everyone likes their launcher for different reasons, but like I said, I've used many, I still try something new if I see it, but I've always gone back to Nova.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for such an encouraging message. (just got told I reached my limit for the thanks button today) If an experienced and knowledgeable user comes back to Nova so consistently, I feel yet more confident about trying it. I don't suppose there's any point in asking you, since you know that launcher so well, if you were able to use your own wallpapers? Because you're not going to tell me! :laugh:
I really do have to get over being a chicken about this and dive in. It's too easy to get into real states of apprehension when I spend all my time by myself on this mountaintop and have such a vivid imagination for disasters and doom - well, alone except for my dogs and cats, who've been thinking me an idiot already for years and won't offer me any advice.
My internet connection in this least-populated county in the state isn't stable or fast enough to deal with widgets that need to update online. I like looking at them but I can't run them, same problem with news feeds. I have the stock weather and still end up checking it on my phone mostly since that is faster. System widgets only tell me what it would be little bother to go check on myself. I even wasted my money getting windowblinds on my PC because I never remembered to use it much. I put weird icons on document files so I can find them when my eyes blur on text titles late at night; it's never just for looks. I change colors to relieve my eyes when I'm staying up on the computer and tablet too long, like now. I do like to be able to find things easily and put them where they're handy for that's what I do in my house too, so I can reach for them in the dark and grab them without mishap. So that's what I'll shop for in a launcher: compulsively neat organization for doomer hermits who already spend too much time looking at a monitor.
Yes, you can use any wallpaper you wish.
Rolldog said:
Yes, you can use any wallpaper you wish.
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Thank you, dear. I installed Nova this morning. Now, I'd like to put another launcher on my Note 4, so I can learn about that one at the same time, perhaps something a bit lighter. Slowing down the operation of my phone could be considered more directly dangerous to my security out here than hanging up my tablet so I'll go for simpler there. Have you a recommendation? That CM Launcher advertises itself as 'light and fast' but it also comes laden with 'security apps' and cleaners that I'm not so sure I want to bother with. I don't do much online browsing with the phone, at least not for long and I don't use social media on it. I also never share my devices because there's nobody around for miles anyway. I'd rather a launcher just be a launcher.
One Launcher that I like a lot, I use it on my phone but it won't work on my tablet because I use my tablet in landscape mode, is Buzz Launcher. Using this Launcher, you can go into their Buzz Launcher themes and download from about 500,000 different themes that other people have created. You can have as many as 9 different screens, all with different themes, and you can use their layout, their widgets and/or icons, and customize it to work with your apps. So, if you download a theme someone on the other side of the earth developed, you click on the icons they have, and if they used an app that you don't have, like if you use a different browser, the after you press on an icon, you can select the browser you use. This way, you can customize their entire themes to work with your specific phone and your specific apps. I change my themes fairly regularly, since it only takes a couple of minutes, and I feel like I have a different phone everyday.
Rolldog said:
One Launcher that I like a lot, I use it on my phone but it won't work on my tablet because I use my tablet in landscape mode, is Buzz Launcher. Using this Launcher, you can go into their Buzz Launcher themes and download from about 500,000 different themes that other people have created. You can have as many as 9 different screens, all with different themes, and you can use their layout, their widgets and/or icons, and customize it to work with your apps. So, if you download a theme someone on the other side of the earth developed, you click on the icons they have, and if they used an app that you don't have, like if you use a different browser, the after you press on an icon, you can select the browser you use. This way, you can customize their entire themes to work with your specific phone and your specific apps. I change my themes fairly regularly, since it only takes a couple of minutes, and I feel like I have a different phone everyday.
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I wish I had seen your post before I got misled by all the complaining in the reviews for that one! In fact, they ought to be paying you to write about their app's features for you've done a much better job than they did at the playstore. There seemed to be an issue of things 'disappearing' for no good reason, themes and icons and such and people were annoyed after having spent hours to download them. Then, 'folder contents get changed every time the phone restarts.' And then there's the 'upsidedown heart butt' icon that apparently no one can get rid of that has caused some consternation, lol. Oh, and multiple 'crashes' too. As usual, few indeed even say what kind of phone they have. I'm inclined to try it anyway now, since you like it and I rather liked their community-based approach to begin with.
So, what I downloaded to the phone yesterday, just to check it out, was one I haven't seen mentioned yet, (maybe just because I don't know where to look) Microsoft's Arrow launcher. I won't mind the howls of laughter. Just plain curiosity, for I haven't tried any of their stuff for android. This is another one that will only work on my phone, not for tablets. I know how annoying they can be on PC's, like everyone else who spends a lot of time on one. They remind me of certain supermarkets that like to constantly rearrange things so that every time I go in, I can't find anything and we all know Microsoft plays the same game with every new OS. They don't really want us getting to know the guts of their systems too well, do they? I was interested in finding the launcher to be free, since their Office apps clearly are anything but and in seeing if they can build an android app that isn't a resource-hogging monster. We'll see.
I've never used Arrow, but sometimes, it's necessary to go into a widget that has been designed and change the settings to customize it to your layout, your location, your calendars, etc, and I'm pretty sure the people who complain get frustrated because they can't figure out how to scale the widget, customize the information, change the icons, update the location, etc, and then they just give up. I usually try to save a couple of homepacks with widgets I like, and then I might try combining them into my own layout and custom icons too.
Getting recommendations isn't worth much, most of the time you have to try it out for yourself. For example, if you asked someone about a new movie that was just released because they just saw it, they might say it was horrible. You might go see it anyway, you find out it's scary, you love scary movies, the person who's advice you got hates scary movies, so it boils down to personal opinion.
Rolldog, may I hear more about 'homepacks and widgets?' If you have a few widgets that you like, do you, and can you, generally keep them with most other launchers you try out? Something you said before, I think it was you, about, if I got tired of a new launcher, I could go right back to Touchwiz and find my widgets and layout just where I left them, stuck in my mind and has me wondering about that little detail: why wouldn't the widgets still be there anyway, no matter what launcher I used? I ought to know all that already but I've had some 'rural life' issues keeping me too busy to spend much time with my devices or even read about them online. But I sure did a lot of shopping on the playstore, paid apps too and pretties for Nova! I'll have to watch that; it's too easy to do when I have a card on file and my budget will suffer. I have managed to discover that the ads in 'free' apps were draining my resources much more than getting the widgets I would like so if I really want something, I support the developer and ditch the ads with the constant 'phoning home' they have to do.
That 'Next' launcher has some nice 3-D effects doesn't it? But it isn't cheap, I notice.