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I'm still waiting note 2 to arrive to Turkey. I'd like to ask has anyone tried GN2 with other launchers like nova or apex. If than, what do u lose?
I think it's hard to pull down notification bar one handedly and gestures included in nova and apex are helpful in this situation.
I think you lose PageBuddy, which is helpful when you pull out the Spen.
cholepuree1 said:
I think you lose PageBuddy, which is helpful when you pull out the Spen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you got me wrong; I'm talking about pulling down the notification bar with your thumb of right hand when holding phone in your right hand.
In nova you have gestures, swiping down anywhere on the screen is enough.
I use Go Launcher and it runs extremely well. No problems found. Gesture support is included so pulling the notification bar down with a gesture is very useful on this big screen.
I tried Nova but 'Go' is better as it has a lot of extra 'bolt on' apps.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note II using Tapatalk 2
I am using Apex (paid version) and it's serving me well, with a bunch of decent settings to play with.
I am using nova prime version and its working flawlessly...
Sent from my GT-N7100
apprentice said:
I use Go Launcher and it runs extremely well. No problems found. Gesture support is included so pulling the notification bar down with a gesture is very useful on this big screen.
I tried Nova but 'Go' is better as it has a lot of extra 'bolt on' apps.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note II using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use go launcher ex...its the best I have used so far
Sent from my GT-P7510 using XDA Premium HD app
DMax99 said:
I use go launcher ex...its the best I have used so far
Sent from my GT-P7510 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'm using good ol' Launcher Pro and surprisingly smooth and can access notification with home button....
Any launcher works with PageBuddy?
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2
apprentice said:
I use Go Launcher and it runs extremely well. No problems found. Gesture support is included so pulling the notification bar down with a gesture is very useful on this big screen.
I tried Nova but 'Go' is better as it has a lot of extra 'bolt on' apps.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note II using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi...I am also using go launcher..everything is working fine except for 1 thing. With go launcher, when I remove the s pen it dosent pop up the s note page automatically. When I go back to touchwiz this feature works fine. Does this happen on your device too?
Thanks
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk
iznee said:
Hi...I am also using go launcher..everything is working fine except for 1 thing. With go launcher, when I remove the s pen it dosent pop up the s note page automatically. When I go back to touchwiz this feature works fine. Does this happen on your device too?
Thanks
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just tried it and can confirm the pop up S-Note does appear without any issue on Go Launcher, when the pen is removed.
I take it you've enabled this feature in the S-Pen settings?
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note II using Tapatalk 2
apprentice said:
I just tried it and can confirm the pop up S-Note does appear without any issue on Go Launcher, when the pen is removed.
I take it you've enabled this feature in the S-Pen settings?
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note II using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My apologies...what i really meant was the page buddy feature was not available when extracting the s-pen with go launcher..the pop up s note works fine when selected in the s pen settings on either launcher.
Thanks.
I was asking the question (on another forum) about "what we loose" if we use another launcher.
So you can confirm everything works ? (except Samsung widgets I imagine)
What about default gestures like Covering the screen, sweeping for a screenshot, shaking for updates, moving the hand over the GN II to wake up
Anyone else having the "shadow bug" on Apex? How can it be fixed please?
DMax99 said:
I use go launcher ex...its the best I have used so far
Sent from my GT-P7510 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you know what bothers me on Go launcher Ex? Indeed, it IS the best launcher I´ve seen so far as well, but what still makes me using another launcher (Nova) is the App Drawer. It doesn´t matter which theme I´ve tested...the drawer always looks cheap or is lagging on Go launcher Ex.
brooon said:
Do you know what bothers me on Go launcher Ex? Indeed, it IS the best launcher I´ve seen so far as well, but what still makes me using another launcher (Nova) is the App Drawer. It doesn´t matter which theme I´ve tested...the drawer always looks cheap or is lagging on Go launcher Ex.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use an alternative app drawer like this:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=JakedUp.AppDrawer
Works fine with go Launcher ツ
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note II using Tapatalk 2
---------- Post added at 11:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:17 PM ----------
Gregz78 said:
I was asking the question (on another forum) about "what we loose" if we use another launcher.
So you can confirm everything works ? (except Samsung widgets I imagine)
What about default gestures like Covering the screen, sweeping for a screenshot, shaking for updates, moving the hand over the GN II to wake up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The gestures all work including those you mentioned and split screen, so do all features with the S-Pen. Anything that's a Touch Wiz feature such as Samsung Widgets, Page Buddy don't. There's little that don't and you get more pros than cons using another launcher.
jbounours said:
Anyone else having the "shadow bug" on Apex? How can it be fixed please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Salut!
Yes I had the problem using APEX either on stock or omega 3 ROM. Was very obvious with transparent widget i.e. APW and very annoying.
There is a fix for the S3 saw that from another thread were a member stated that fix should work for our NOTE 2.
So I gave it a try...
The fix is here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1894633
Somehow using CWM and that s3 fix ZIP did not work for me. So I used root explorer extracted the libhwui.so renamed the original one in /system/lib and copied the extracted one
And voila indeed fixed after rebooting
There might be some side effect i.e.: in EMAIL when scrolling there can be flickering flashing on some mail with HTML/images but it seems only if DEVELOPER option force GPU rendering is checked...I'm not 100% sure on that one but noticed it on some mail
So I confirm the statement of the XDA member the S3 FIX is functional on the NOTE 2 but possibly with some side effects....
Cheers
Jean-Marc
Hmm I'd better stay away from side effects and wait to see how it goes with a later fix maybe
Using Nova Prime. Good.
jbounours said:
Anyone else having the "shadow bug" on Apex? How can it be fixed please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What, may I ask, exactly is this shadow bug? I have been using Apex and it seems to work flawlessly with no problems.
Sent from the Rabbit Hole
Been an htc user for so long, was eyeing the one x+ for tmobile initially, but after another exculsivity with at&t, i said thats it with htc. So i took the plunged and got the note 2, grey for me and white for the wife. Couldnt be happier. My one s and amaze going out the door now lol.
Anyway, what do you guys use for launcher? I think that using the same default layout for smaller screens in the note 2 is not good, as 5.5 inches can definitely display more that a 5x4 grid. At the same time i dont want to change the lcd density as i dont want the incompatibilities with market and some apps.
And will the spen work with other launchers the same way with touchwiz?
Btw, luvin this gadget more and more.
Im using apex and I think it's great. I use it to hide all the bloat apps I don't use.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2
Geo411m said:
Im using apex and I think it's great. I use it to hide all the bloat apps I don't use.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can hide apps with stock launcher
haldi15 said:
You can hide apps with stock launcher
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I honestly didnt know that. Ive only used nexus devices and the s3 and now the note 2 where my first non nexus device and I put apex launcher day one so never got to play much with touchwiz launcher. Thanks for the tip.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2
thanks. i have bought a bunch of launchersfrom apex to holo to go launcher.
will the s-pen functions still work with a different launcher?
anyway, i wrote this reply using the s-pen handwriting recognition. last time I had such a phone with the same capability was with the Sony Ericsson p1i and P910 before that
bangsters said:
Been an htc user for so long, was eyeing the one x+ for tmobile initially, but after another exculsivity with at&t, i said thats it with htc. So i took the plunged and got the note 2, grey for me and white for the wife. Couldnt be happier. My one s and amaze going out the door now lol.
Anyway, what do you guys use for launcher? I think that using the same default layout for smaller screens in the note 2 is not good, as 5.5 inches can definitely display more that a 5x4 grid. At the same time i dont want to change the lcd density as i dont want the incompatibilities with market and some apps.
And will the spen work with other launchers the same way with touchwiz?
Btw, luvin this gadget more and more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nova Launcher all the way for me... Paid version is close to perfect and can do pretty much anything any other launcher can do... Just my opinion though...
shojus said:
Nova Launcher all the way for me... Paid version is close to perfect and can do pretty much anything any other launcher can do... Just my opinion though...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks!! Did you change lcd density? For me I think 4 column icons is a waste with the big screen. Does nova allow you to resize the icon size? I think only golauncher does that, but go launcher is a bit bloated imo.
On nova launcher you can choose how many rows and columns you want on your homescreen without changing the LCD density. It does resize the applications and does a plethora of other features as well.....
I would suggest you buy it.
Source: Purchased it and have always been happy and thought it to be the best app worth the money since you use it all the time.
Hey there I am thinking about using a custom launcher to further customize my phone and was wondering if you guys and girls had any input in regards to battery life and performance. Do custom launchers typical have negative effevts on performance and battery. The way it seems to.me is that you are essntially always running a program in memory. Which would in turn use up ram and ofcourse battery life. If I am wrong in this please feel to correct me. Any and all input is welcomed.
Here is my current themed homescreen on touchwiz.
Sent from my SGH-I317M using xda app-developers app
I prefer tw, but if I was going to I would run GO launcher
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2
Optimuscle said:
Hey there I am thinking about using a custom launcher to further customize my phone and was wondering if you guys and girls had any input in regards to battery life and performance. Do custom launchers typical have negative effevts on performance and battery. The way it seems to.me is that you are essntially always running a program in memory. Which would in turn use up ram and ofcourse battery life. If I am wrong in this please feel to correct me. Any and all input is welcomed.
Here is my current themed homescreen on touchwiz.
Sent from my SGH-I317M using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Touchwiz launcher is a program that's running and using memory as well. You could use something like holo launcher that is more lightweight than the tw launcher. The tw launcher isn't running in the background if you use a different launcher cause that one took its place. You can even freeze the tw launcher with ti backup (touchwiz home). A launcher like go or adw may use more memory though.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
I really like touchwiz, but as of recently I have been using lightning launcher.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2
If you decide to use an alternate launcher then the default Touchwiz launcher will not be "running" in the background using up your battery.
Other launchers like Go Launcher , Nova, adw, etc., etc., do not necessarily use more or less battery. If poorly written software then yes.
However, the major launchers do a great job maximizing battery life...otherwise no one would use em.
I like alternate launchers simply for the added features such as gestures, resizing icons, different grid sizes, etc.. I really don't care about theming or changing colors but many do and alternate launchers allow that of course.
Try some, u can always uninstall.
Note: there is zero reason to freeze Touchwiz...no benefit at all.
From my iPad Mini using Tapatalk HD
andrawer said:
If you decide to use an alternate launcher then the default Touchwiz launcher will not be "running" in the background using up your battery.
Other launchers like Go Launcher , Nova, adw, etc., etc., do not necessarily use more or less battery. If poorly written software then yes.
However, the major launchers do a great job maximizing battery life...otherwise no one would use em.
I like alternate launchers simply for the added features such as gestures, resizing icons, different grid sizes, etc.. I really don't care about theming or changing colors but many do and alternate launchers allow that of course.
Try some, u can always uninstall.
Note: there is zero reason to freeze Touchwiz...no benefit at all.
From my iPad Mini using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks my man. That was really helpful and informative. I am gonna give a few a go and see what I like. Nova launcher seems to be packaged with some roms and ADW seems to also get alot of recommendations.
Sent from my SGH-I317M using xda app-developers app
I use ss launcher.
Sent from the TermiNOTEr 2!
Try TSF Shell 3d launcher or Next Launcher
My favorite is nova launcher.
Touchwiz has page buddy which you wont get in the other ones I believe.
Sent from GN2 using XDA app
TSF is a beast to get used to, thus far. Unless I'm a total moron, which is possible, it doesn't appear you can place apps in the app drawer in to folders. This makes for an awful navigation experience, despite the amazing eye candy.
-----
I would love to help you, but help yourself first: ask a better question
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
Optimuscle said:
Hey there I am thinking about using a custom launcher to further customize my phone and was wondering if you guys and girls had any input in regards to battery life and performance. Do custom launchers typical have negative effevts on performance and battery. The way it seems to.me is that you are essntially always running a program in memory. Which would in turn use up ram and ofcourse battery life. If I am wrong in this please feel to correct me. Any and all input is welcomed.
Here is my current themed homescreen on touchwiz.
Sent from my SGH-I317M using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was a 'stock' launcher user for a while. I gave Nova a try and have been happy. I don't utilize all of the features it has but it has been running smooth without any issues. You can always use a program like Home Switcher to try out different launchers easily.
Att.Fan1982 said:
Try TSF Shell 3d launcher or Next Launcher
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TSF looks interesting. I watched the video but seem to have missed a place to download a trail version the price is steep to give it a shot.
I like touch wiz but I like scrollable wallpaper more. Nova ftw!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2
I use Apex launcher and Nova launcher, but prefer Apex. It just seems like a smoother launcher compared to Nova. Plus I like that when I leave from the app draw it saves my place on Apex rather then reverting back to the beginning like Nova does. Besises that they're basically the same if u ask me, just my two cents. Have fun trying them all out, they all have at least one maybe two things that sets it apart from the others. Now all u gotta do is find the one that u like and customize the heck out of it!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda app-developers app
Im using xperia launcher, it uses less ram than touchwiz.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda premium
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda premium
Does anyone use custom launchers on their note 2 without root?
i used ADW on my old phone and was tempted to use it on the Note 2, but I've held back and tried the stock one for now...
Same. I have been using stock since I got the phone, and I must say. Its awesome!
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
I use nova prime launcher on mine, without root, I just love the stock android look lol (and there's a lot of customizations I can do with nova like hide bloatware in the app drawer).
I'm currently using Apex launcher unrooted . I personally like customizing the dock bar and home screens.
laztpn0i said:
I'm currently using Apex launcher unrooted . I personally like customizing the dock bar and home screens.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Customizing the dock?
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
AndromedaGalaxy said:
Does anyone use custom launchers on their note 2 without root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use go launcher and have it setup like coldfustion does in his tutorial video. People that see my phone, love it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c39PXAr9_F8
Im rooted now but stock launch is still my fav. Didnt like any other than stock and holo.
---------- Post added at 09:50 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:42 AM ----------
rawimpulse said:
Customizing the dock?
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The dock slides amd gives you more room for apps .
I use nova launcher prime - I can't live without all the gestures and the dock customization.
myktek said:
i used ADW on my old phone and was tempted to use it on the Note 2, but I've held back and tried the stock one for now...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used ADW on my old phone(s) as well and immediately installed it on my Note2.
Biggest reason was the ability to increase the number of icon rows & columns on the desktop. A few other minor tweaks that ADW has that I like as well.
---------
G1(CM7)--> G2(CM9)--> Note 2 T889 stock (root + multiwindow mod)
f4phantomii said:
I used ADW on my old phone(s) as well and immediately installed it on my Note2.
Biggest reason was the ability to increase the number of icon rows & columns on the desktop. A few other minor tweaks that ADW has that I like as well.
---------
G1(CM7)--> G2(CM9)--> Note 2 T889 stock (root + multiwindow mod)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think im gonna have to try out ADW launcher
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
I have been using apex launcher. lots of goodies themes and ways it can look. You can change the dock 10 different ways, can hide apps, has an easy uninstall option with drag and drop, the home screen, dock, drawer any way you like. I just changed it for the first time since I got the phone. used it in my last phone and liked it. to be honest I.don't even know what stock looks like... might want to check it out again. lol
Adw paid version
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
I was on apex for a little while but I think the stock launcher is one of the best. I wish it had the dock apex had though. Apex dont like the s pen either
I use Jelly Bean Launcher, Something basic, doesn't lag the phone, and simple
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
I have Go, Apex, and Nova Launcher installed on my phone, but that's only to play around with; when I'm serious, I use Touch-wiz. For some reason, the widgets are indispensable.
I use nova prime along with some of the go launcher widgets and the APW widgets.. If you haven't guessed it yet, I come from a long use of the HTC family phones This is my first Sammy but I instinctively have it setup like an HTC UI... :victory:
Would definitely recommend Nova Prime though. Those $5 are so worth it...
Good launcher.. lots of customization options and yet not overwhelming so. Back in the I used to use Launcher Pro (paid) and used to love it except toggling through all the options could give one a headache
OK, I have had a lot of problems getting widgets to stick to my homescreen after adding them. the defaults stay just fine and there are several that work as well from the play store, but beautiful widgets and hd widgets and widgetsoid, none of them work at all in the note 4 touchwiz homescreens.
I figured I would add a launcher to my phone so i could get my widgets back. The very first launcher I added was themer, and just as an fyi, they do not support the note 4 yet and it is not compatible. They did say on their support page however that there is support coming soon. there is no release date as to when they are expecting it to work.
The next launcher I tried was Nova and it worked flawlessly. So did APEX and Go Launcher. I have not tried some of the others yet such as NEXT launcher an TSF shell. I'll report back if and when I get time to try them out and see what happens.
I figured I would start this thread so that if anyone else is having issues with trying to add widgets on their stock homescreen and it doesnt work, then they could find a quick alternative here until the issues get resolved.
I was able to get next launcher to work as well but im not paying 12 bucks just to see if tsf works. gonna need someone else to try that one.
Another launcher
ADW Launcher also works flawlessly on my note 4.
perljedi said:
ADW Launcher also works flawlessly on my note 4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you! I don't know why i forgot about them lol
I'm actually enjoying the stock launcher on my phone. Reason being, is it seem to do notifications very well by putting the number next to each app. On my old phone, I use to use Next and loved it. I wouldn't mind putting it on my Note just to see how much better it'd perform, but again, I'd probably miss the whole notifications experience. Can someone comment on NEXT on the Note 4 vs stock launcher?
Try Blur Launcher, it's based on GNL and has some nice customizable options for non-root
SPen'd from my Galaxy Note 4
Psychotic Penguin said:
Try Blur Launcher, it's based on GNL and has some nice customizable options for non-root
SPen'd from my Galaxy Note 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would blur launcher allow the use of tw/samsung widgets?
Sent from my SM-N910V using Xparent Green Tapatalk 2
Unfortunately not
SPen'd from my Galaxy Note 4
perljedi said:
ADW Launcher also works flawlessly on my note 4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh Yes!
djsbad said:
Would blur launcher allow the use of tw/samsung widgets?
Sent from my SM-N910V using Xparent Green Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I know, no third party launcher allows tw widgets... too bad, sometimes I like changing launchers and I really like the tw calendar widget...
Main reason I use stock launchers is because of the widgets. Would be nice to get the best of both.
I kinda figured it wouldn't allow tw widgets as I too especially like the calendar widget. It's all good though as for whatever reason I was suddenly able to add widgets to my tw launcher.
Sent from my SM-N910V using Xparent Green Tapatalk 2
Nova works perfectly.
I used touchwiz for about two hours and got way to annoyed. Now I am on Nova and I have no issues at all.
Sent from my SM-N910V using XDA Free mobile app
---------- Post added at 05:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:28 PM ----------
I use digical for my calendar widget. If you want to have a full month you have to buy it but the free themes are really nice.
Sent from my SM-N910V using XDA Free mobile app
le0.br4zuc4 said:
As far as I know, no third party launcher allows tw widgets... too bad, sometimes I like changing launchers and I really like the tw calendar widget...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly what TW widgets will Nova not allow. I've been running Nova on four different phones and now on the Note 4 without any issues what so ever.
One of the very first things I do is load up a launcher. I've used TSF, Nova, Go EX, and Next Launcher so far with this phone. My favorite for speed is Nova, for eye candy are the two Go based launchers (Go Ex and Next), and the most customizable is TSF Shell.
The reason I use launchers is to get more squeezed onto the screen at once, and then to dress things up a bit, especially on a phone that does not (yet) have root.
To the OP, so far, no widget issues at all with any of the above launchers.
using nova prime, im able to use some touchwiz widgets like weather
jpcalhoun said:
Exactly what TW widgets will Nova not allow. I've been running Nova on four different phones and now on the Note 4 without any issues what so ever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure. I like the TW calendar widget and it isn't available on third party launchers. Some are available like weather, flashlight and S Note widgets
Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk
As an update, I somehow got massive scratches UNDER my screen protector on my phone. I don't have a clue how in the world something like that can even happen! However, I went back to my vzw store and did the 14 day exchange for another brand new note 4. Brought it home and instantly was able to add widgets etc to my home screen. I'm not sure why my first one gave me issues for about 3-4 days. Has anyone else at all had the widget issue when initially setting up their phone?
Sent from my SM-N910V using Xparent Green Tapatalk 2
And btw, I appreciate everyone's feedback about their opinions on tw and what they've been running on their new note 4s!
Sent from my SM-N910V using Xparent Green Tapatalk 2