Ever since I got my Galaxy Note 1 I really wanted to stick as stock TouchWiz as possible. The features it adds are enough to keep me from jumping to any AOSP based ROM, but with that I'd like to stick to as much stock TouchWiz stuff as possible. Modded lockscreens and launchers help, but sometimes things are still missing and it's really, REALLY annoying. Here's a couple pet-peeves I have, and I would LOVE to know if anyone knows of a good fix:
Cannot create folders by dragging icons on top of one another
Cannot resize most widgets
Cannot change the bottom dock when something has been recommended (i.e. when docked in a desk or car dock)
Bizarre slowdown when switching to a homescreen with any kind of widget
Lag when opening the widget drawer, and then turning each successive page
Thankfully the grid size has been fixed by modded launchers, but pretty much all of the above problems are keeping me from using the TouchWiz launcher. Any ideas on fixes?
I would love a lot more features from TouchWiz to, Hide Dock and Status bars, Gestures, Themeing, Icon Changing, Grid size changes. Would like to do this on the fly but Im not to sure what is needed for all the featrues to be functional.
In the case of the Note II all of its unique features, aside from the sheer size of the display, are tied to TouchWiz. The one thing I don't like about TouchWiz on my Note II is the wasted space on the home screens. More icons could easily fit in each row. Four icons per row is such a waste, IMO.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
I agree, if TW had a lot more features it would make it hard to leave behind. But the lack of simple features is such a let down at times. 5.5" screen and like stated above what in the world were they thinking of just making it a 4x4 none rotating launcher?
Thank god for the XDA community though and all the available mods/roms that at least made TWiz a little better. Like mine is a 5x5 with rotation. Not much improvement but it helps. Still going back and fourth between it and Apex. Only draw back to Apex is the Sammy specific features wont work on it.
Most or all of the things you are looking for are possible if not through stock than surely through custom roms... would bw nice to see an AOSP/TW hybrid tho
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
Related
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.
Hey guys and girls this will be my first android device and reading up on all the apps and widgets is a little daunting.
So this is the question : im going to be changing my dock icons because they remind me to much of my current Iphone 4, So i need a launcher?
What launcher does everyone suggest i try out and why?
I dont mind paying for a launcher just as long as its not to buggy or a memory/power hog.
Thanks in advance.
i'm going to go for LP Sense:
https://market.android.com/details?id=fr.clockwidget.lpslatesense
runs great on my Hero...just need to get a SGS2
why use a different launcher off the block.. try the new twiz 4 launcher that comes with it first for a while..
I personally like ADW EX i like the swipe animations and the overall feel of it on my EVO. I have seen it run slowly on lower power devices. The level of customizations that are available to the user is amazing. And you can get it for free in some Roms. Thats how i stumbled upon it. It has several ways to anaimate screen swipes. But if you want a true 3d effect try shell 3d. I dont know of a way to get it for free but i did try it out for a while and it was pretty cool, but it even felt kind of slow on my evo.
Ive gone with slide screen its beautiful, how about a lock screen, this drag the background thing is so poor
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
Try LauncherPro.. The best in my opinion
I tried launcher pro and finds its not smooth atm on this phone, it feels a bit jerky when going in to the apps window.
Jabbypants said:
I tried launcher pro and finds its not smooth atm on this phone, it feels a bit jerky when going in to the apps window.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's weird, it's flawlessly smooth on my Galaxy S 1. However, if you're using a live wallpaper then the transition into the app drawer (and then scrolling through it) is stuttery.
Apart from that, I'd throw my vote to LauncherPro too, especially if you buy the Plus version.
Reasons:
- Easily resize widgets and change homescreen grid sizes
- Virtual looping of homescreens (get to the end and it'll flick back to the farthest, no need to scroll all the way back)
- Homescreen transitions (instead of boring sideways scrolling can have 3D flips or the widgets rotate away)
- 'Plus' adds lots of extremely handy smooth, scrollable widgets almsot identical to what HTC Sense provides
- These widgets have now been made theme-able as of the latest update
- Can use in landscape or portrait
- Scrollable dock (scroll through 3 docks of 5 icons each)
- Dock icons and background can be changed, so my icons look like WP7's
- Can set an action for swiping up from any dock icon (eg: touching Internet icon launches the browser, but swiping the Internet icon instead displays a list of bookmarks!)
- On my Galaxy S was smoother for me than ADW
minty1978 said:
i'm going to go for LP Sense:
https://market.android.com/details?id=fr.clockwidget.lpslatesense
runs great on my Hero...just need to get a SGS2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm going to use the wp live wallpaper so I don't need a clock, but I do like the animated weather on wake up ( reminds me of my HD2 love you forever and ever ) so that sounds like a good pick.
what about go launcher ? any thoughts?
And I've seen touch wiz in vids I like the tiled widgets but I dislike the dock icons looking like iPhone. so can I Change the dock icons to stock android without a launcher?
Jabbypants said:
I tried launcher pro and finds its not smooth atm on this phone, it feels a bit jerky when going in to the apps window.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its pretty smooth on mine apart from the pinch to zoom for homescreen preview.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
NIK516 said:
And I've seen touch wiz in vids I like the tiled widgets but I dislike the dock icons looking like iPhone. so can I Change the dock icons to stock android without a launcher?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No I dun think so. You would need to use another launcher if the dock is definitely a no-go for you.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
I'm using go launcher atm but I'm also a big launcherpro fan
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
minty1978 said:
i'm going to go for LP Sense:
https://market.android.com/details?id=fr.clockwidget.lpslatesense
runs great on my Hero...just need to get a SGS2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
why
fancy widgets is a lot more customizable, has that skin, plus a lot more features lol
mrvirginia said:
why
fancy widgets is a lot more customizable, has that skin, plus a lot more features lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i actually don't use the LP Sense clock, I use FancyWidgets, like you say...far more customisable.
See screen shot:
My suggestion
What about the VTL Launcher 1.6.2 ??
It's a matter of taste really, GO Launcher, LauncherPro and ADW are all great. SPB Shell 3D is good if you like eye candy, but pretty expensive.
Sent from my Legend using XDA Premium App
minty1978 said:
i actually don't use the LP Sense clock, I use FancyWidgets, like you say...far more customisable.
See screen shot:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can you set the weather widget and have the animation, like rain but have the widget invisible?
I just want to see my wp clock wallpaper and have the weather show like the clouds and the rain and thunder but not see the widget? if you cant ill settle for picking a small widget?
Thanks again for all the replys guys they are helping a tone.
Also what launcher has more icon themes ?
Launcherpro for me. Smooth as silk, really quick and it just works...
Launcher pro is not as smooth as before with sgs2. it was better on my htc desire.
I have been using AWD EX as not being able to change the messaging for Chomp SMS on the touchwiz was driving me mad. But I am getting cronic lag on switching screens. Not all the time. Just often enough to be anoying. Reading what others have been saying, I can only assume we need to tweek the phone a bit.
Nothing came up in the seach so thought I'd get some input on launchers. It would be nice to hear why you prefer certain launchers over others.
Feel free to add my rom and kernel are great, I dont bother with any extra launcher.
Ive been using Go Launcher for a while now, I really like it.
A quick thing I noticed was that they put a settings button back on the bottom with back and home where it belongs. Not sure why google took this out, theres room for it.
The abundance of customization is nice.
Lots of homescreen transitions (I love the cylinder one)
Lots of dock control, really like how clicking and swiping a dock icon can launch separate apps.
App drawer settings are good, I really dislike the iphone horizontal page turn set up of the standard app drawer so having a vertical scroll is a great option. Changing the grid size, easily hiding apps, having the all/recent/running tabs.
Gesture settings, already so many ways and apps to get to things quicker, having this built in is a bonus. I got used to it in dolphin browser so it was a welcomed addon. Also simple things like swiping down anywhere on the screen to pull down the notifications bar is something Im not sure I could go without now.
Nice theme selection, Although I dont bother with any.
Lots of other great GO apps and go widgets.
I used to really like the whole menu system they have when you long press on a homescreen to pull up widgets, wallpapers, themes etc until ICS added the widget previews right in the app drawer. Thats missing in Go Launcher and is one of the few things I wish it had.
I have liked Apex a lot. Seemed like I could setup a single 6x6 screen with smoothness better then I could with Nova. In both cases I used the betas with Jelly Bean patches in them.
Also, there is a whole thread here about launchers:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1771170
whitedragonz83 said:
Also, there is a whole thread here about launchers:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1771170
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice, I guess since I put favorite in the seach it didn't come up.
My favorite is whatever comes stock on my current ROM. To me, the advantages of different launchers aren't that great to have to mess with one more thing.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
Nova Prime
i have nova prime but since jellybean i've taken a liking to the stock launcher.
nova prime
I use Apex. I would use stock but I need a scrolling dock
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
So I might be getting a Note 2 since the 3 is too expensive for me right now. I do not like touchwiz all that much (well mainly the way the bottom dock area for apps are, I like the app circle in the middle as well as being able to customize my grid for home screens.)
Anyway, I'd like to keep the s-pen functionality as well as the dual app screen and etc. so is there a rom that keeps these features from samsung in but has the home screen and such similar to stock android? I noticed there's a stable release of cyanogenmod out, but I cannot find any full data on this particular rom other than "unoffical" versions of it by other people.
Or would I be better off sticking with getting a different launcher, and putting up with the app drawer and etc.?
zane203 said:
So I might be getting a Note 2 since the 3 is too expensive for me right now. I do not like touchwiz all that much (well mainly the way the bottom dock area for apps are, I like the app circle in the middle as well as being able to customize my grid for home screens.)
Anyway, I'd like to keep the s-pen functionality as well as the dual app screen and etc. so is there a rom that keeps these features from samsung in but has the home screen and such similar to stock android? I noticed there's a stable release of cyanogenmod out, but I cannot find any full data on this particular rom other than "unoffical" versions of it by other people.
Or would I be better off sticking with getting a different launcher, and putting up with the app drawer and etc.?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi...
About the TW roms: hmm... I am using this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2079291
Great sound, very smooth, very good skin. everything is working
For more to customize this rom i very good: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2336271
a clean rom: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2259479
If you want to keep full S-Pen funcitonality it has to be a rom built on a TouchWiz base.
Sounds like you want a Touchwiz based rom and a custom launcher like nova. That's how I roll and I love it.
《 Sent from the mighty Note II 》
dr.m0x said:
Sounds like you want a Touchwiz based rom and a custom launcher like nova. That's how I roll and I love it.
《 Sent from the mighty Note II 》
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
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