Develop Bugs

[DISCUSSION] What launcher you prefer on Jelly Bean?

Hi,
We all know that stock launcher in JB is soo smooth and fast.
And we all know that popular launchers (Nova, Apex and others) are not yet updated to run on JB or to run as smooth as stock JB launcher.
What are your experiences with 3rd party launchers on JB?
Are you planning to use stock while those 3rd party launchers are updated?
Any other houghts?
Good luck!!!

For me, Nova Prime is smoother than the stock Jellybean launcher.

Stock is by far the smoothest.
Apex is laggy especially in the app/widget drawer.
Same experience with nova.
I'll stick with stock for now.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Dameon87 said:
Stock is by far the smoothest.
Apex is laggy especially in the app/widget drawer.
Same experience with nova.
I'll stick with stock for now.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But the guy above says Nova ir smoother. How come?!
I've noticed in other forums (outside XDA) people say the same about Nova (it's same smooth as stock JB).
I'm a heavy Apex user.. and I don't want to switch to other launcher. What are chances Apex dev will update his launcher with JB vSync (or whatever feature JB launcher uses)?

Stock.

I have 2 GNex both running 4.1.1 and one with Nova and the other with Apex.
I can definitely say for the moment, Nova is smoother. Especially with transition effects.
However I have been running Atom since last night and damn I'm impressed!
Now if it will only take icons from theme packs....
Sent from my GNex running Jelly Bean 4.1.1

bat0nas said:
But the guy above says Nova ir smoother. How come?!
I've noticed in other forums (outside XDA) people say the same about Nova (it's same smooth as stock JB).
I'm a heavy Apex user.. and I don't want to switch to other launcher. What are chances Apex dev will update his launcher with JB vSync (or whatever feature JB launcher uses)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you change Nova's animation speeds from Nova to Stock, you'd notice a major improvement in transition smoothness. Hence why I still use Nova.

I usually use ADW Launcher but I tried it on Jelly Bean and it is pretty slow in comparison to stock launcher so I will be using the stock launcher till updates happen to it (and others too).

I prefer stock for now, its super smooth
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Stock has some great benefits, like fling to remove apps and widgets, app reflow, etc, but I'm still sticking with Nova. Kevin is updating the launcher with all the JB features, so we'll have JB smoothness with customizations from Nova. Winning!
Galaxy Nexus - Slim Bean a4

Apex for me. I just like it.
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Lol still rocking adw ex
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apex hands down

GO Launcher.
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Nova Prime only because of Unread Count notification (on Gmail, MMS and Phone). Also the backup and restore function has proved very nice to me in a few ocasions

Amowagou said:
GO Launcher.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
China data stealing launcher? No thank you...
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MДЯCЦSДИT said:
China data stealing launcher? No thank you...
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe he doesn't have any china data to steal.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

I love apex and reinstalled it as soon as it was updated for JB but its not as smooth as the stock launcher so for now I'm running that and hoping for an apex update.

MДЯCЦSДИT said:
China data stealing launcher? No thank you...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I wouldn't touch Go apps with a ten foot pole.
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I'll use stock until Apex makes a Jelly Bean version.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus

Apex for sure.

Are there any custom launchers based on jelly bean yet?

Reason I ask is that the stock jb launcher is way faster and smoother than apex or nova but I can't use the stock launcher right now because I use 240 DPI and want 7x6 grid. The stutter when opening app drawer is unbearable. I tried different kernels and even different Roms same thing.
Anything available yet or should I just go back to stock density.
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godisanatheist said:
Reason I ask is that the stock jb launcher is way faster and smoother than apex or nova but I can't use the stock launcher right now because I use 240 DPI and want 7x6 grid. The stutter when opening app drawer is unbearable. I tried different kernels and even different Roms same thing.
Anything available yet or should I just go back to stock density.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
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Click to collapse
Why? Just why?

nbell13 said:
Why? Just why?
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Click to collapse
Why not? I bought a nexus so I could implement mods like this. I think the stock density is a waste of the huge display.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

I'm using Apex Launcher that you mentioned and I do not notice any difference in smoothness.

IceBean said:
I'm using Apex Launcher that you mentioned and I do not notice any difference in smoothness.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't get or stutters when opening the app drawer?
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Dunno about Apex launcher but with Nova reportedly* you'll get smoothness if you go in to the animation speed options and select stock speed.
(* not my tip - I've always stuck with stock speed on Nova is working fine for me on JB)

I am using the paid version of Nova, which was updated yesterday to support JB animations and it is nothing but butter.
I am stock no root.
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Clancy_s said:
Dunno about Apex launcher but with Nova reportedly* you'll get smoothness if you go in to the animation speed options and select stock speed.
(* not my tip - I've always stuck with stock speed on Nova is working fine for me on JB)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is my setup right now. Its better than anything else but still leaves a lot to be desired.
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dschreiber69 said:
I am using the paid version of Nova, which was updated yesterday to support JB animations and it is nothing but butter.
I am stock no root.
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Click to collapse
What version? I'm on 1.2.2 beta 4
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I still can't quite work out if I find Apex or Nova as smooth as stock, and can thus switch back to them and get customising.

There'a a mod in the themes section. I havent tried it, but it might be worth a look.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1741038

godisanatheist said:
What version? I'm on 1.2.2 beta 4
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm... mine says 1.22 beta 3?
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godisanatheist said:
Reason I ask is that the stock jb launcher is way faster and smoother than apex or nova but I can't use the stock launcher right now because I use 240 DPI and want 7x6 grid. The stutter when opening app drawer is unbearable. I tried different kernels and even different Roms same thing.
Anything available yet or should I just go back to stock density.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's because stock launcher has nothing in it compared to Apex. I've run 3 JB roms now with apex launcher and Franco kernel. Fast as fast can be. I have to say I am quite disappointed in JB though, I find there is not much to their update.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Tried Nova Prime on a couple of JB roms, set to fast (2above stock) smoooooth transition. Ive never had issues with Nova on GNEX.

Found a solution!! http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=28750050&postcount=5709

gpfnzl said:
Tried Nova Prime on a couple of JB roms, set to fast (2above stock) smoooooth transition. Ive never had issues with Nova on GNEX.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK now I feel stupid because even though I found a solution, your way feels much better.
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Try holo launcher
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I found a REAL solution, this is built from the jelly bean launcher source code and also works on ICS, search for holo launcher hd beta.

Remove
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S II
Aokp/Team Skyfire

Another reason to like the stock JB launcher is the fling to remove apps. Now that should be implemented into every launcher.
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What is the best launcher?

I was looking around and I found nova and go launcher, I want to know if there are any other good ones
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Avery246813579 said:
I was looking around and I found nova and go launcher, I want to know if there are any other good ones
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Click to collapse
personally i like go launcher ex,launcher pro, and adw launcher. just try it

i use apex launcher. based off jelly bean. really light weight. tons of customization. nova launcher is similar and works great as well.

Apex to the top
Sent from my SGH-T989 with Unicorn Power

It really depends on your preferences, I find stock the smoothest but Nova the most customisable.

Are there any launcher similar to go launcher's folder option within the drawer? That's something that I really like and have only found on go launcher.
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Nova launcher with Nova prime has something similar.

CJHolderUK said:
Nova launcher with Nova prime has something similar.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll try it
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I looked at it, the prime version has it. Thanks
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what about Chameloen?

Personally I don't like Chameleon, you can't add app short cuts on the home screen, widgets are limited and you can't create folders. Granted you can create your own widgets using HTML 5, however this doesn't solve the problem to people who don't know HTML 5. Neither can you use normal widgets as you would on a normal launcher. I suspect there will be more widgets in the future, but for 10usd it isn't worth it.

So Launcher 8 when it come.
Smexi-Nexi

I tried apex but it was way to complicated.
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Well I started out using Nova, then I went to Apex and now I am using Holo Launcher + which is much faster that the two previous launchers.

Holo was to dull to me
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I'm very satisfied with the holo launcher hd!
Dull? There are several options to personalize it..

Spb shell. Great launcher. Nova my second choice.,
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charlie-zulu said:
I'm very satisfied with the holo launcher hd!
Dull? There are several options to personalize it..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Holo is a bit dull but Holo HD is on par with Apex/Nova but is much faster with less scrolling glitches. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mobint.hololauncher.hd
The HD version is made for JellyBean whereas the regular version is for ICS and lower.

I've been using nova prime and I'm pretty happy with it. I'm bummed that go launcher doesn't work well on the nexus 7. Hopefully they'll figure it out.
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Mysticdroid said:
I've been using nova prime and I'm pretty happy with it. I'm bummed that go launcher doesn't work well on the nexus 7. Hopefully they'll figure it out.
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because its phone based. go launcher hd, if you search itll say for tablet.

I tried go launcher HD and didn't dig the setup. I really like the phablet desktop, if I was using a larger tablet I think it would be perfect.
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Best performing launchers?

I recently switched to Nova launcher and it seems like its overall smoother than Apex launcher which is what I've been using previously. What launchers have given you the best performance on ICS.
I'm also trying to figure out how to get other governors that would help with performance without killing my battery for AOKP Milestone 6.
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I like nova prime. But atom launcher is also a good favorite. Very light. I used atom on CNA and aokp and had great results
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Everything except go launcher ex is good.
All others have pros and cons. Go launcher feels like too much bloat. Dont know why.
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I have had good performance with apex, however I do like nova as well. Would put them as top 2, in no order.

In my experience, apex is far smoother than nova. Nova was very unresponsive for me.

I looove apex or stock launcher
Tappin' Typin'

I always use apex.. tried nova didn't like it
And go launcher is a big hell no
-TeaM VeNuM Like A Boss

Nova seems nice to me especially since I got it for 25 cents. Lol
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Another vote for apex, smooth and great on battery.
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I really don't get the Apex/Nova rave on our device. Sammy gives us the stock launcher, you just have to switch to it. I only use Nova because I got it when it was on sale, not worth the regular price in my opinion.
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kingsway8605 said:
I really don't get the Apex/Nova rave on our device. Sammy gives us the stock launcher, you just have to switch to it. I only use Nova because I got it when it was on sale, not worth the regular price in my opinion.
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Apex just gives me a "Stock +" experience. I don't even use as many features as it has. Mainly just to use home button as app drawer(when on home screen), and have app/folder options in the scrollable dock.
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Best performance is stock launcher for me.

I have purchased and tried out both Nova and Apex Pro launchers. After using them both for a while I settled on Apex launcher. I am on a rooted stock jellybean firmware, Poland rollout. Both launchers are very similar in terms of overall design and behaviour but i chose Apex for the following reasons;
1.Fewer ui and app drawer redraws this is possibly because of the keep in memory feature which is not there in Nova. This might consume more memory but for me the resulting smoothness is worth it.
2. Unread email count, to put this into perspective understand I have three Gmail accounts set up on my phone. In Apex I get the total unread count across all 3 accounts whilst Nova gives me total unread for only the main account associated with my device.
The one thing i missed in Apex from Nova was the import homescreen feature as i had to set up my widgets all over again in Apex. That said i am sticking to Apex for now.
GoLaucher Ex is now unistalled from my S3 until further notice but it seems to still work reasonably well on my S2
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Other devices : Sammy GT-I9100, Huawei Ideos 7" tab.
Previous : HTC Desire Z

im using nova prime and liking it. came from apex pro which is very good

Wrong section much?
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apex, holo hd, and tsf shell

Nova Prime. The best so far. IMO
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Another vote for Apex here.

Mattix724 said:
Wrong section much?
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Nobody likes a rent-a-mod sir.
+1 for Nova prime.

I always choose Apex, its been my favorite since ICS. However, on Slick_Rick's latest AOKP it redraws almost every time I return to the home screen.
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Launchers and themes

What does everyone use for launchers? Any one have a good minimalistic theme? I'm running xylon11
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Only "stock" launcher I use on GNex

I really really like nova. I know some have mixed opinions about it but it serves Me well. Also I just started making custom wallpapers for xylon . I go pretty minimal. One screen and folders with circle click widget and Bob click and nice wallpaper. That's about all I can say on that topic.
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I use Nova Launcher Prime. the customization level is very high and I like a lot the gesture function toghether with the ROM actions ..
Maybe the negative thing is the ram occupation.

I'm using silky smooth Xperia launcher. But usually ADW Ex. It is amazing. He just updated maybe 2 months ago. Very tablety.
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