Develop Bugs

[Q] Touchwiz vs other launchers, touchwiz using hardware better ?

So I played around with a couple of other launchers (LauncherPro and ADW), but have a feeling that TouchWiz might be hardware accelerated by using the GPU chip on the i9000 where as others probably aren't ?
For example enable a resource hungry live wallpaper and open applications. Now scrolling the applications is still very smooth on the touchwiz where as on the other launchers I tried, I can feel scrolling the app list becomes much more choppy because the live wallpaper seems to be running in the background.
That made me wonder if Touchwiz is perhaps using GPU acceleration instuctions taking advantage of the samsung hardware, or perhaps Touchwiz is just more clever to temporarely disable live wallpaper when it's not visible, where the other launchers still have them running in the background when viewing app list.
Maybe it's a placebo effect, but it also felt like phone got warmer using other launchers (indicating they use more processor and perhaps not taking advantage of samsung hardware GPU in the same way like Touchwiz does).

pressfirenow said:
So I played around with a couple of other launchers (LauncherPro and ADW), but have a feeling that TouchWiz might be hardware accelerated by using the GPU chip on the i9000 where as others probably aren't ?
For example enable a resource hungry live wallpaper and open applications. Now scrolling the applications is still very smooth on the touchwiz where as on the other launchers I tried, I can feel scrolling the app list becomes much more choppy because the live wallpaper seems to be running in the background.
That made me wonder if Touchwiz is perhaps using GPU acceleration instuctions taking advantage of the samsung hardware, or perhaps Touchwiz is just more clever to temporarely disable live wallpaper when it's not visible, where the other launchers still have them running in the background when viewing app list.
Maybe it's a placebo effect, but it also felt like phone got warmer using other launchers (indicating they use more processor and perhaps not taking advantage of samsung hardware GPU in the same way like Touchwiz does).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ill give a try to touchwizz right now

I think it runs great to, but as long as you can't set the middle as default, it's not for me. Anyone found a way to do this with rooting yet?

Harboe said:
I think it runs great to, but as long as you can't set the middle as default, it's not for me. Anyone found a way to do this with rooting yet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use SGS Tools.

Doesn't work. Just tried it again on Froyo. :-(

You can change the default page in froyo touchwiz, but you have to edit the .apk to do it. But it's very simple.

SGS tools worked for me to edit touchwiz. I have 3 homepages and set 2 as my default homepage by setting it to 1(0 is the first page). I am on JPM tatyamas lite ROM
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

BlockbusterF said:
You can change the default page in froyo touchwiz, but you have to edit the .apk to do it. But it's very simple.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do i do that?

There s an application in the market. Use the keywords sgs default screen. Use it. I think you ll need root though.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk

Doesn't even take a resource-hungry live wallpaper for me. If I enable any live wallpaper it will make LauncherPro quite laggy, in the app drawer but also a bit on the homescreen itself, whereas TouchWiz stays perfectly smooth.

I guess it would make sense that TW would be better tailored to the SGS it's included with as opposed to other launchers that need to maintain compatibility with everything, but I'm still pretty surprised. My interest is piqued now so I'll just have to give it a go!

I can confirm all findings here. I use launcher pro but its laggy, even with no live wallpaper but with 3 full pages of widgets. Considering gpu performance on benchmarks you expect it to be smooooooooth.
Will be interested to see if the performance improves.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

Have a go with Zeam.
Simple, minimalistic and smooooood imo.
Coming from LauncherPro.

The LauncherPro widgets would be sorely missed though

AOSP Froyo Launcher is also very very smooth with/without Live Wallpaper give it a try...
You must push the Apk to System/app to use the Launcher.. ;DD
I´ve the Link push and then enjoy...! ;DD
http://www.multiupload.com/1LTATKVMXD

Gave it a go using TW for a day and I have to admit it does seem a helluva lot smoother than Launcher Pro, even with a LWP on. Colour me impressed!
danamoult said:
The LauncherPro widgets would be sorely missed though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I eventually had to admit defeat and got back to LP for the widgets too. Will see if I can find equivalents to use with TW.
Borky_16 said:
AOSP Froyo Launcher is also very very smooth with/without Live Wallpaper give it a try...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will give this one a go too. Cheers.

I'm a TouchWiz fan for it's looks and smoothness.
Sure it isn't as customizable as all the other launchers out there, but on it's own TouchWiz looks great IMHO. I know a lot of people who hate the iPhone-esque look though so appearance is just all a matter of personal taste. Still, for me TouchWiz is great; no need to go through the trouble of finding the perfect theme/icons or setting things up perfectly to your liking.
I'm obsessive compulsive though so I guess it really does take me forever to set everything up exactly the way I like them to be. I've tried LauncherPro and some other launchers and I got overwhelmed and tired with all the control I had over the look and feel of my SGS. Don't get me wrong...I love customization and the whole process of doing so...but I'm just too OC.
Added to that was how they just didn't feel as smooth as TouchWiz. Even on a freshly flashed and cleaned up phone alternative launchers don't seem to match TouchWiz in terms of the overall feel. Maybe it's just me
So even if I may not have a great looking and extra-functional dock, resizable widgets, and hundreds of layout possibilities..sometimes simpler is easier and better.
I might change my mind once I get bored of my current layout. Haha!
I'll tinker with the apk's and see what customization possibilities I can unlock while sticking to TouchWiz.

TW: If I wanted an iPhone, I would have gotten one. Scrolling right finding an app drives me insane. I disagree with some in this thread on its performance. IMO it's not fasther than e.g. LP once you put stuff on the home screen
ADW: used to be great, I don't know what they were thinking with the last couple of releases, it has gotten incredibly slow.
LP: love it. Unlike some other people that replied: I hate the widgets they look ugly as they offer no option to make them transperant. Has the prettiest dock and allows you to custom set the homescreen grid. Especially the latter is awesome
Zeam: Love it, very similar to LP in daily usage actually, but faster.
I'm sticking with LP for now because it allow me to set a 5 icon application grid which saves you 2 minutes scrolling through your application grid per day. The dock is the prettiest so I guess it has the best customizability vs performance balance. If just want the fastest out there go with Zeam.

i'd go with LPP too

schiphol said:
TW: If I wanted an iPhone, I would have gotten one. Scrolling right finding an app drives me insane. I disagree with some in this thread on its performance. IMO it's not fasther than e.g. LP once you put stuff on the home screen
ADW: used to be great, I don't know what they were thinking with the last couple of releases, it has gotten incredibly slow.
LP: love it. Unlike some other people that replied: I hate the widgets they look ugly as they offer no option to make them transperant. Has the prettiest dock and allows you to custom set the homescreen grid. Especially the latter is awesome
Zeam: Love it, very similar to LP in daily usage actually, but faster.
I'm sticking with LP for now because it allow me to set a 5 icon application grid which saves you 2 minutes scrolling through your application grid per day. The dock is the prettiest so I guess it has the best customizability vs performance balance. If just want the fastest out there go with Zeam.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On froyo you can do a pinch gesture to bring up an overview of all your panes of apps. I find it a quick way to find and jump to the app youre looking for. I feel it's rather zippy especially with voodoo in place. That's just my opinion though! JUst wanted to comment on your complaint about scrolling right.

[Q] Best launcher?

Hi u guys I'm in a big debate on wether which launcher is best and fast. I want your guys opinions.
I'm running my g2 with cyanogens latest nightly build.
First off
Adw: too slow for me
Launcher pro purchased: I had been using launcher pro for a really long time but it takes forever to come up and when u swtich the launcher to landscape mode everything goes bananas.
Go launcher: was using this for about 2 months but I don't like the theme selections.
Adw ex: what imusing right now, pretty fast but also a lil unstable.
What's best for u guys?

Have you tried the stock gingerbread launcher? What it lacks in customisation options it makes up in speed and stabilty.
[sig]My mission is to hit 1000 posts by 23/05/2011[sig]

can't beat adw ex as far as I'm concerned... the new 3d drawer is perfect (literally, I can't tell the difference between it and a vanilla android launcher), theme engine is solid, customization is much more thorough than LP.
I had way more issues with stability on LP than I do with ADW ex... what ultimately made me give up on LP was the 1 minute wait time upon boot (or force close if you're impatient)... that's just plain sloppy.

Agree with both answers. But I think you can see the smoothness of stock over adw ex. At least I can for sure. I wish stock came with three screens and removed those dots at the bottom. Id be in heaven then. Have you tried zeam?
Sent from my HTC Vision using Tapatalk

popimp315 said:
Agree with both answers. But I think you can see the smoothness of stock over adw ex. At least I can for sure. I wish stock came with three screens and removed those dots at the bottom. Id be in heaven then. Have you tried zeam?
Sent from my HTC Vision using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if on setups not as stripped as mine, the stock launcher is still much smoother.
I'm only running 1 home screen with the google quick search box and eight app shortcuts. along with no transition animations or other eye candy, it's like butter, especially now that they've fixed the 3d app tray.. used to be a little choppy but now it really is reminiscent of a vanilla GB launcher in terms of smoothness.

I been using LP plus, and say I don't really have issue and it runs great and quick for me not real bloat options,I don't have to take 20 mins to setup the launcher how I like it as adw I don't like the dots, don't like thr trash on toop don't don't like drawer slook

For me launcher pro is definitely the best and runs smooth at all times (except when charging the phone).

Go Launcher Ex is fast, smooth and the most reliable. As far as I'm concerned its the best home launcher right now. I was a long time user of Launcher Pro Plus but the bugs and lack of timely updates really irritated me.

ADW/ex both don't have good enough support for icons other than adw icons and that buff icon set. I'm having the same issue with Launcher pro, although I do like their activity options in the widget menu.
Im using EX but i really want to use another but I can't find any good ones. I liked 91 panda, I don't think it's been updated but I haven't checked either.

launcher pro plus for sure! fast, stable and some nice widgets

yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if on setups not as stripped as mine, the stock launcher is still much smoother.
I'm only running 1 home screen with the google quick search box and eight app shortcuts. along with no transition animations or other eye candy, it's like butter, especially now that they've fixed the 3d app tray.. used to be a little choppy but now it really is reminiscent of a vanilla GB launcher in terms of smoothness.[/QUOTE]
How are you able to get one home screen???? Granted I have one screen that has one widget on it, the rest are blank, but there are still 7 total. ....wait...I think you are using adw ex right?
Sent from my HTC Vision using Tapatalk

popimp315 said:
How are you able to get one home screen???? Granted I have one screen that has one widget on it, the rest are blank, but there are still 7 total. ....wait...I think you are using adw ex right?
Sent from my HTC Vision using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, using adw ex. all of the custom launcher apps I've used allow you to choose how many homescreens you have though, shouldn't matter which one you have.

Ashaman_Kupo said:
ADW/ex both don't have good enough support for icons other than adw icons and that buff icon set. I'm having the same issue with Launcher pro, although I do like their activity options in the widget menu.
Im using EX but i really want to use another but I can't find any good ones. I liked 91 panda, I don't think it's been updated but I haven't checked either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can use any icons you want as long as they're PNG (same as any other custom launcher).. creating an icon pack that will replace your app tray icons as well is a piece of cake.

pmcqueen said:
yes, using adw ex. all of the custom launcher apps I've used allow you to choose how many homescreens you have though, shouldn't matter which one you have.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah. I'm a former zeam user but just got back my adw. May go with it until someone finds a way to customize stock
Sent from my HTC Vision using Tapatalk

Launcher pro for me but with the recent update. The slide out keyboard no longer opens go to landscape mode.

I like launcher pro
or you can use ADW launcher
if you like wp7's launcher, you can use 7 launcher
if you like 3D UI, you can use regina

Question Regarding ROM's

Hey All,
I have been looking at the numerous ROM's available for the T989 Galaxy S 2. Currently, I really like the look and functionality of the Tuesday ROM and the Paradox ROM. I like that you can scroll vertically in the app drawer since Touch Wiz is 90% removed. Great feature IMO.
I was just wondering, are there any ROM's currently available that has an endless drag 'n drop arrangable scrollable dock just like Zeam Launcher? I absolutely love that option.
If not, is there any way to add the endless arrangable scrollable dock to the Tuesday or Paradox ROM? Thanks.

You pretty much answered your own question in the third paragraph. It's the launcher, not the Rom. You can change launchers with any Rom. I use ADW ex. Many like the Go Launcher. I'm not sure of all the options of each but no you have a starting point.
.....

Vegasden said:
You pretty much answered your own question in the third paragraph. It's the launcher, not the Rom. You can change launchers with any Rom. I use ADW ex. Many like the Go Launcher. I'm not sure of all the options of each but no you have a starting point.
.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My thoughts on launchers...
Go Launcher - Aestetically pleasing, seems to have a lot higher battery use then others. Too many frills.
ADW - Just never liked it, not sure why but it just somehow feels clunky to me.
Zeam - Little too stripped down to me.
Launcher Pro - My personal choice, good mix of everything.

avarize said:
My thoughts on launchers...
Go Launcher - Aestetically pleasing, seems to have a lot higher battery use then others. Too many frills.
ADW - Just never liked it, not sure why but it just somehow feels clunky to me.
Zeam - Little too stripped down to me.
Launcher Pro - My personal choice, good mix of everything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually tried out Launcher Pro as per your suggestion. Very nice Launcher I like it. I prefer Zeam just because I can switch the position of all my apps on the dock bar. The dock bar is infinite. Also I set it up to swipe to go to my app drawer. Love that feature. Launcher Pro would definetly be one of my top picks now for Launchers after giving it a try. Thanks.
Sent from my SGH-T989D using XDA App

[Q] What is your favorite ICS launcher, and why?

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.

[Q] What launcher do you use

Hey Guys,
I have been using Go launcher since its launch, but have been thinking about venturing outside of my comfort zone and trying something new. I've always liked randomizing transition effects, and being able to change the grid layout... as well as having folders in the app menu (which is a great thing I love about the stock touchwhiz experience)
I have heard a lot of mention about Nova launcher, and Apex Launcher, but no actual reasons as to why these are better than what I already use.
Can you tell me the differences between them, and why you use the launcher that you use?
Thanks all:silly:

I know Nova and Apex were built for ICS so they ran better at one time. I'm not sure since ADW and Go were updated if that is still the case. I have been using Apex but the last couple months its not running as smooth as it used to so I switched to Nova. I'm impressed with Nova so far. Lots of options and great performance. Best thing is just try the free versions and buy the one you like best.

i've stayed with stock tw because i like the extra screen that pops up when i use the s-pen

theraker007 said:
i've stayed with stock tw because i like the extra screen that pops up when i use the s-pen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed... I installed Nova since that was my choice of launcher but with all the new feats on the TW, i quickly switched back.
Coming from my S2, I do miss the profile option I had on that rom

Stock so far!
Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2

Holo plus and holo hd. Runs great
sent from a galaxy note2 far far away

Been using GOOGLE for a long time..... Might be time to experiment

Nova.

ADW EX
I like making the icons smaller so they aren't so big and cartoonish on my Note II, as well as all the other various customizations.

Have yet to try my nova prime (run that on my atrix, OG note and touchpad). Leaving things stock atm...and its very hard to do.
Honestly...the only annoyance I have with the TW launcher is no option for 5x5 or 6x6. Thats why I will probably switch it
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda app-developers app

I've used ADW, Go, and Nova... Nova has been the best experience for me performance and options-wise but so far I'm using the stock launcher.
Would rather replace the navigation indicator with an extra row of icons but other than that, I'm quite content!
The power to choose between power and/or simplicity is the beauty of Android.

erick161 said:
Honestly...the only annoyance I have with the TW launcher is no option for 5x5 or 6x6. Thats why I will probably switch it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was my biggest gripe. I need to be able to have more icons on my home screen than TW allows, so much wasted space!

RojasTKD said:
That was my biggest gripe. I need to be able to have more icons on my home screen than TW allows, so much wasted space!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't deal with TW. Maybe it's improved but Nova and others have so many useful features. Extra dock icons, grid sizes, gestures, drawer folders, etc.
What TW features are you guys attached to? With Nova I can still double click the screen with the pen to pop up a note at any time.

Apex baby FTW
You can still always push your S pen and double tap for a note

Apex, but it's not as smooth as it could be, and you can't use the stock Weather widget with it.

I tried Apex launcher since I had it on my s2, but it's super choppy compared to the stock launcher so I switched back. Unless they optimize Apex launcher for jelly bean ill stock with stock.

Phytrax said:
I can't deal with TW. Maybe it's improved but Nova and others have so many useful features. Extra dock icons, grid sizes, gestures, drawer folders, etc.
What TW features are you guys attached to? With Nova I can still double click the screen with the pen to pop up a note at any time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1. It feels the same as TW on GS2 with Gingerbread. I'm giving Go Launcher EX another shot (this time on GN2) because its features but I hate the toyish feel/icons and BS it loads as well.
Apex will be next.
Anyway to get the lock screen to look/act like AOSP? I dont mind the ripple effect but the look (TW) is

I'm using TW but have applied this MOD that allows you to have 5X5 rows and columns. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1990801

Nova largely because of it's backup of layouts which makes it much faster to setup new ROMs etc. Apex I know does the same thing and I don't really have a preference between the two. I had switched to Apex when they were the first to update to 4.1 source which made it smoother than Nova, but switched back after Nova updated.

I like ssLauncher (the original). It's in the play store. It has the most customizable home screen I've ever seen. No more restraining yourself to grids or default icons. It has a bit of a learning curve but so, so much you can do! Send me questions if you're curious & I'll try and answer them.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda app-developers app