Develop Bugs

[Q] Nova Launcher & Spen

I would like to know if there is a way to have Nova launcher react differently or at all when taking out the Spen...I would like it to open up Snote or some app of my choosing when i remove the Spen from its slot, or at the very least, make it turn to a screen or quick memo page like it does on stock touchwiz...
PLEASE someone tell me this is possible.

That is a touchwiz feature I dont think you can do that with nova. At least you cant with stock nova. I dont know if someone can hack a way but I think they would have to tap into the spen sensor. Definitly not as easy as 123.

Damnit...so there wont be a mod or app or something I can install making it do that?
Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2

First thing I would do, is contact the nova launcher's author, he might be able to do something.
More realistically though, would be to look at something like the program Tasker and see if you can have it respond to removing the S Pen and then perform the task of opening the desired application. I'm using nova launcher also, and removing the S Pen does initiate a sound, so even though I'm not using TouchWiz, Nova is recognizing the S Pen's removal. I'm no Tasker expert, but this sounds like something it would do.
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Contact the Nova dev. Let them know about the SPen SDK and tell them the feature you want them to add.

Supermighty said:
Contact the Nova dev. Let them know about the SPen SDK and tell them the feature you want them to add.
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distortedloop said:
First thing I would do, is contact the nova launcher's author, he might be able to do something.
More realistically though, would be to look at something like the program Tasker and see if you can have it respond to removing the S Pen and then perform the task of opening the desired application. I'm using nova launcher also, and removing the S Pen does initiate a sound, so even though I'm not using TouchWiz, Nova is recognizing the S Pen's removal. I'm no Tasker expert, but this sounds like something it would do.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2
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Thabks guys!! I will do just that! Ill look into tasker for the time being and ill see that hopefully it will work out!
Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2

You can get the S Note to open when you take out the S Pen. I this works with ADW Launcher EX, Nova Launcher/Prime, Apex Launcher/Pro, Go Launcher, Samsung's TouchWiz, etc...
From Home Screen > Menu Key > "Settings" > "S Pen" > add a check by "Open Popup Note".
Also remember that you can use the "Quick Command" with S Pen to do lots of things with. And you can customize the "Quick Command" too.
The only thing I find not working with other launchers, like ADW Launcher EX, Nova Launcher/Prime, Apex Launcher/Pro, Go Launcher, etc... is the Page Buddy. Developers out there, we would love to have and even pay for a Page Buddy that works with the other launchers.
It would be awesome if a Tasker app worked with the S Pen. Then you can customize actions to more S Pen behaviors.

Hello,
And do split-screen features work with alternative launchers ?
Thx for your answer.

neoalban said:
Hello,
And do split-screen features work with alternative launchers ?
Thx for your answer.
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Click to collapse
If you're talking about multi-window, then yes, it works just fine with nova. I have nova prime and I use multi-window just fine. I also use Tasker and Secure Settings to set my phone up so that when the s-pen is removed, it uses the samsung keyboard handwriting mode, and when the s-pen is inserted, it turns it back to Swiftkey.

nmw407 said:
If you're talking about multi-window, then yes, it works just fine with nova. I have nova prime and I use multi-window just fine. I also use Tasker and Secure Settings to set my phone up so that when the s-pen is removed, it uses the samsung keyboard handwriting mode, and when the s-pen is inserted, it turns it back to Swiftkey.
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wow thats a great idea... I hate switching keyboards .. Never thought of that..
I hate typing on the samsung keyboard.But need it for the s pen writing

google now as home launcher??

hi, i was just wondering if its possible to make google now my home screen. i realized i don't need a launcher because i have a ton of apps and instead of swiping through my drawer i often find myself just typing in the app in the search bar. With the new swype keyboard in 4.2 its much quicker to launch an app that way, i also put my dock apps in my lmt launcher and don't use widgets except for the search bar of course. so has anyone figured out how to make google now their HS? i would love for it to just open when i press home and open right after unlocking the lockscreen.

No launcher = no Android

Closest you could manage would be a single launcher page with a clock widget that looks like Google now plus some minor themeing.

Lets tweak your idea and make it a widget for Now, that would be pretty sweet.

WiredPirate said:
Lets tweak your idea and make it a widget for Now, that would be pretty sweet.
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yeah it would be pretty cool to have a full screen scrollable google now widget. i just don't have the know how to produce something like that

there is a launcher, i believe it is called sflauncher that is modeled after google now you could try.

chasew83 said:
there is a launcher, i believe it is called sflauncher that is modeled after google now you could try.
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yeah ive tried it but im looking to just make google now the home launcher not just something that looks like it. does anyone know if i can remap the home button to just open google now?

With a custom launcher i think you can. For example i'm using nova launcher, and under the gesture and behavior menu you can choose the home button behavior with several action and all you app. The only thing i'm not sure about is if you can set only an app or even an app's activity (like is gnow)...

[Q] Switch away from Touchwiz

Is there any loss in Note 4 functionality if one switches away from Touchwiz? I would really like to start using Google Now Launcher, but would any of the S Pen / Samsung's functionality be compromised?

johnFystikis said:
Is there any loss in Note 4 functionality if one switches away from Touchwiz? I would really like to start using Google Now Launcher, but would any of the S Pen / Samsung's functionality be compromised?
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No loss spen/samsung functions on top of the launcher. Switch away.

johnFystikis said:
Is there any loss in Note 4 functionality if one switches away from Touchwiz? I would really like to start using Google Now Launcher, but would any of the S Pen / Samsung's functionality be compromised?
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Using apex launcher here and everything is just fine. Just can't use some specific touchwiz widgets
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using XDA Free mobile app

I normally download Nova when I first get any phone but for some reason this time I don't wanna switch from Touchwiz. I tried Nova and I'm tired of my phone looking the same with every phone I get and DL Nova on

johnFystikis said:
Is there any loss in Note 4 functionality if one switches away from Touchwiz? I would really like to start using Google Now Launcher, but would any of the S Pen / Samsung's functionality be compromised?
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trant01 is right. The S Pen will work just fine and have total functionality. The only thing you'll really lose are a few widgets signed directly to Touchwiz UI. Change away!

I have tried Nova, Go Launcher, Apex, and Next Launcher and they all keep almost all the functionality. So much better than Touchwiz UI... Once you switch you will not be disappointed regardless of which one you choose. :good:

I really really didn't want to use a launcher on this phone, but I could not tolerate the horrible 4x4 grid any longer. Nova launcher works awesome on this phone.

Is there any way to maintain most of your icon layout when switching between launchers
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

I was so happy when I learned about Google Now Launcher here, so I'm reposting it for those that want a more stock experience. Check out Google Now Launcher. It's the bees knees!

andy_d0 said:
Is there any way to maintain most of your icon layout when switching between launchers
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk
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Some Launchers allow you to import your other Launchers home screen layouts. Though not always perfect it is sometimes better than nothing or completely useless that is for you to decide.
Also your previous launcher layouts will remain intact unless you uninstall it so there is no harm in installing Launchers to try them out.

I'm coming from an iPhone 5s so these two look great:
http://androidcommunity.com/zero-the-launcher-that-feels-like-its-barely-there-20141028/
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.epic.launcher.mi
I will also try out the Google Now launcher. I will play around with Touchwiz first before I decide.
I will probably end up going with Zero Launcher if it allows me to keep the ability to slide Flipboard out from the left. I don't think it will though. Does anyone know if that Flipboard feature is only exclusive to TouchWiz?

UI customization

I just got the LG G4 recently and really getting a kick out of tweaking it. I have DashClock download, and the Appsii for a side bar notification (still tweaking).
Currently I'm trying to figure out how to make my main icons on the bottom of my screen to slide down when not in use, or hide on my screen. I dont want to remove them, just have them slide away and only have the home back page and notification button on the bottom of the screen. Trying to go as clean look as possible without having to install a different launcher, want the least amount of software possible to make it run smoothly. Are there any widgets that make this possible?
Thanks in advanced!
Concept of what I'm trying to achieve.
http://imgur.com/a/eXQgK

Don't think its possible without a launcher or xposed installed. I may be wrong
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That's what seems to be the case, I had Nova Launcher Prime on my last phone so I just reinstalled in on the new phone, haven't figure out how to make the dock auto hide. People say you can make the dock hide with a swipe or gesture, have yet to figure that out.
99problemz said:
Don't think its possible without a launcher or xposed installed. I may be wrong
Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk
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Pizza Thief said:
That's what seems to be the case, I had Nova Launcher Prime on my last phone so I just reinstalled in on the new phone, haven't figure out how to make the dock auto hide. People say you can make the dock hide with a swipe or gesture, have yet to figure that out.
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Could try using gestures in Nova settings if it's a swipe motion. I'm using prime now but I'm old school don't really mess with gestures
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99problemz said:
Could try using gestures in Nova settings if it's a swipe motion. I'm using prime now but I'm old school don't really mess with gestures
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I was able to figure it out with gestures, it's really cool to make the dock hide like i want now, love it, gives my phone a super clean UI. No junk on the home page, just the soft keys, trying to figure out how to make a side dock or drawer with Nova Launcher now to bring up my apps without having to select the app drawer key that's currently sitting in my hideaway dock. Want to get rid of it there and put icons I deem more functional to my use, currently its phone, contacts, app drawer, messaging, camera. Want it to be phone, contacts, firefox, messaging, camera. But I need a way to get to my apps and so far the only way is thru the app drawer that way. Wanting to keep my home page clean and junk free.

Pizza Thief said:
I was able to figure it out with gestures, it's really cool to make the dock hide like i want now, love it, gives my phone a super clean UI. No junk on the home page, just the soft keys, trying to figure out how to make a side dock or drawer with Nova Launcher now to bring up my apps without having to select the app drawer key that's currently sitting in my hideaway dock. Want to get rid of it there and put icons I deem more functional to my use, currently its phone, contacts, app drawer, messaging, camera. Want it to be phone, contacts, firefox, messaging, camera. But I need a way to get to my apps and so far the only way is thru the app drawer that way. Wanting to keep my home page clean and junk free.
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Use a gesture from novas settings to open the app drawer

No way to turn off "At A Glance"?

It's kind of worthless since it will ONLY use the Google Calendar, and I use another app for calendar displays.
It takes up real estate.
But you can't turn it off? Is that really correct?

If you're using the stock launcher then no, not that I've found. You could always try using a different launcher, I'd recommend Nova.

Yeah, I was trying to give google's a fair chance, but getting irritated with the large gaps between icons as well. Thanks.

Nope, you can't turn it off or remove it but you can turn off the 2 functions is has - Calendar events and Traffic information. Just long press on it and a little pop-up comes up labeled Preferences. Tap that.

This should solve your issues. Install it on top of your stock Pixel Launcher. https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/apps-games/app-rootless-pixel-2-launcher-google-t3688393
Sent from my Wileyfox Swift using XDA Labs

Linwood.Ferguson said:
It's kind of worthless since it will ONLY use the Google Calendar, and I use another app for calendar displays.
It takes up real estate.
But you can't turn it off? Is that really correct?
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I use the google calendar and still get no notifications or events on the screen. I thought I'd give pixel launcher a chance but i'm going back to nova. all the gaps are annoying me.

billywilly said:
I use the google calendar and still get no notifications or events on the screen. I thought I'd give pixel launcher a chance but i'm going back to nova. all the gaps are annoying me.
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It only shows them close to the event time. I'm not sure if it honors the notification period on the event (which I think is like 10 minutes?) or if it has a hard coded value, I just moved the appointment right up close, in a bit later it appeared. Completely anti-climatic, I much prefer seeing what's queued up, e.g. Smooth Calendar widget is one I've been using for ages, nothing special but at least it makes sense.

mine still doesn't show events happening in the next 2 min. I think I'm going back to nova launcher. btw I use Event Flow Widget. It's hands down my favorite and having that on my homescreen is the #1 reason I couldn't get an iphone. i have to have that widget on the homescreen.

Linwood.Ferguson said:
It's kind of worthless since it will ONLY use the Google Calendar, and I use another app for calendar displays.
It takes up real estate.
But you can't turn it off? Is that really correct?
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Click to collapse
you can turn that feature off if you just want the time and date instead.
i believe you long press on it widget and go into the settings of it.

joeyhuab said:
This should solve your issues. Install it on top of your stock Pixel Launcher. https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/apps-games/app-rootless-pixel-2-launcher-google-t3688393
Sent from my Wileyfox Swift using XDA Labs
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how did you get that menu?

CarameloPT said:
how did you get that menu?
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Go to the settings of the launcher.
Sent from my Xiaomi Mi A1 using XDA Labs

I know this is old but I found it looking for the same thing. Open it up and click on the settings gear icon. Toggle everything to off and it disappears