Best ROM for me - Nexus 7 (2013) Q&A

I'm looking for a ROM that is heavy on UI changes and gestures. Has ability to use PIE controls. But also doesn't give me options to mess with the clocking and voltage to the processor. I know it sounds like I just want to run a launcher, but I feel like having to run two launchers is a waste of RAM. Any recommendations, or comments about my general lack of knowledge are appreciated.
Sent from my XT907 using xda app-developers app

P.A.C is one of the most feature rich for being a compilation of Paranoid Android + Cyanogenmod + AOKP.

You could try installing a 3rd-party launcher to /system and deleting the stock launcher. But even if you install a 3rd-party launcher alongside the stock launcher, it'll only run the stock launcher if you start it up, so you usually won't have both running anyway. And few ROMs tweak the launcher UI to any significant degree, unless they incorporate a 3rd-party one in /system, so if you're looking for UI changes in the launcher and not in, say, the statusbar or navbar, ROMs won't satisfy that as much as a launcher.

Thanks both of you. I have purchased Nova Prime already. I'm currently running CM10.2. I think I'll try out PAC for s and g's. What do I have to lose?!
Sent from my XT907 using xda app-developers app

Banana...you have been super kind to me. Thanks for your help. By chance could you tell me...do all ROMs customize my kernel?
Sent from my XT907 using xda app-developers app

We, on XDA, don't really approve of 'Best ROM' threads because only you can find which ROM is best suited for you. Also, a lot of the fun of XDA is from testing and trying out new ROMS and seeing which you like the most.
There are many ROMS to choose from on XDA and I'm sure youll find one which suits you.

Related

[Q] Stock gingerbread launcher.

Please tell me why people like it? It has 3 non changable icons that stay one color and looks like its out of place compared to the rest of a home screen setup.
Just wondering whats so great about it? Am i missing something?
Sent from prison
different strokes for different folks.
It gives more of a stock feeling than ADW. And the trashcan is on the bottom dock, the only reasons I used it, then I moved to ADW for honeybread
Sent from my HTC Vision
I actually think it looks a bit better than adw. It gives more of a clean look.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App
Because the app drawer is the best app drawer of all of them! Especially with a phone with good graphics!
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA Premium App
Isn't the same effect app drawer available on adw and lppro?
Sent from prison
Well gb launcher2 is just so much smoother then adw or lp. Home screen scrolling is buttery smooth, and the transition for opening the app drawer is much nicer then the other two. The app drawer cube effect shows 5 rows in the fold compared to the others. Now that I can use themes in CM7 without adw, I use it.
And in the stock launcher the apps in the drawer "bounce" much smoother than LP, not as laggy
I believe i read somewhere on here that the stock launcher is hardware accelerated. That is why is runs faster and smoother.
I personally prefer anything stock. Stock apps seem, to me at least, to be smaller and faster. Try to keep the fluff to a minimum.
I love stock anything! My Nexus One made me love the 3D app drawer, and on my G2, its only smoother! I can't wait to see how smooth a stock dual core Android 2.4 phone from Google is gonna be! The G2x is a good example, however it will be froyo, meaning not fully dual core compatible like 2.4 will be! My guess....Nexus X by Motorola! I can wish, can't I??
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA Premium App
I just love that stock vanilla google experience...same when ICS, Jellybean drop...ill stick to stock...no overlays or launchers for me...BTW is there a zip I can flash for the gingerbread launcher over adw in CM7..? (There was one for NS)
Edit: I know there's a couple in the market but those aren't as smooth as the ones in NS Development...
Sent from my HTC Vision using xda premium
http://www.addictivetips.com/mobile...-launcher-in-cm7-on-htc-desire-z-t-mobile-g2/
You can get it from there, worked very well for me.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App
I flashed the dark launcher zip I used to have for my nexus and its working just fine but ill try this one also...thx
Sent from my htc_vision using xda premium
thomas_wlc how did you make this launcher work very well on cm7? i flashed it and its just as laggy as adw (switching between homescreens)
shadal said:
thomas_wlc how did you make this launcher work very well on cm7? i flashed it and its just as laggy as adw (switching between homescreens)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey,
I really didn't have to do anything but flash it. I flashed this over the ILWT cm7 rom and it just worked right out of the box (on 187b as well as 204).
I wouldn't know how to improve the performance of the launcher, except for common guesses such as reflashing/wiping and such.
Maybe it's just a different understanding of what "working really well" means. I never did get it to work perfectly buttery smooth, a very tiny lag always remained (even though it was running a lot better than adw).

Make your phone look nice without root?

Hey, just read the topic and please give me some names of apps that you can buy from Android market to customize your phone
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA Premium App
go launcher,balancer,pro launcher............
Some launchers
I want a really clean and fresh theme. Anyone?
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
no way, sir
fabbenation said:
Hey, just read the topic and please give me some names of apps that you can buy from Android market to customize your phone
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
have a good search on the market yourself would be the best option for you. there are literally thousands of different options for you. but customisation is relatively limited for non rooted phones, live wallpapers and HTC themes, avaliable though HTC built in Sense Themes.
with certain roms, they take on the T-Mobile theme system what utilises much more themes to download and customise. launchers only make changes to your main screen and application list, icons as such a limited.
adw launcher, launcher pro, helix launcher
Re. Make your phone look nice without root...
This might raise some hackles, but in my opinion, when it comes to the aesthetics between rooted and stock phones, there isn't usually a drastic difference. You can get a stock ROM looking really great. I run LauncherPro Plus on CM7.1, but to be honest the cosmetic difference between that and running it on stock Froyo is fairly minor, to the, uhm, passerby. *hides*
Thanks this helps alot
An here are also some nice Themes for Sense 2.0: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=801928 and Sense 2.1: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1048894
Launcher pro is a good one. You should check it out

Touchwiz or custom launcher?

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

Extinction of TouchWiz ROMs

So has development of TW ROMs stopped? Is there not any mods or tweaks left to make a unique TW ROM? I'm kind of getting bored of having the same styled ROMs because honestly all CM based ROMs are pretty much the same because of the fact that they are all CM based obviously. It was nice having TW and CM7. Then getting CM9 and CM10 and now CM10.1 but it seems that all the ROMs have the same basic settings and themes.
Avatar ROM was a little different and I liked it but not too much different since its also CM10.1 based. What I'm really looking for is a TW ROM with all the mods that they're used to be like the lockscreens and clock position in status bar and all the little things that made TW ROMs better. Do any of those even exist anymore for any phone?
Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda app-developers app
You not so satisfied with The People's and Legacy? I don't use them but they still seem popular after all this time.
And why not take time to theme and mod CM ROMs yourself? Themes, lockscreen mods, launchers and widgets are scattered around for you to revamp the experience. Personally I don't like non-AOSP style, but to imitate a GS3 I downloaded a "GS3-Addon", did a bit modification to it and flashed upon a CM10 nightly, which in the end turned out to be REALLY, REALLY similar experience to the real TouchWiz 5!
Just saying, you can try similar tricks yourself, though it takes some time
Sent from Xperia Mini Pro SK17i @ CM10.1
AndyYan said:
You not so satisfied with The People's and Legacy? I don't use them but they still seem popular after all this time.
And why not take time to theme and mod CM ROMs yourself? Themes, lockscreen mods, launchers and widgets are scattered around for you to revamp the experience. Personally I don't like non-AOSP style, but to imitate a GS3 I downloaded a "GS3-Addon", did a bit modification to it and flashed upon a CM10 nightly, which in the end turned out to be REALLY, REALLY similar experience to the real TouchWiz 5!
Just saying, you can try similar tricks yourself, though it takes some time
Sent from Xperia Mini Pro SK17i @ CM10.1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you post a screenshot of your TW 5? I'd like to see how close you've gotten. And your right about all that but I'm honestly just missing the good old TW ROMs that had amazing battery life and many tweaks and themes and stuff. I used to theme TW ROMs and worked on a few mods and I was doing pretty good but that was last summer. Since I started college I haven't really had much free time to work on that kind of stuff.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda app-developers app
lilajrestnom said:
Could you post a screenshot of your TW 5? I'd like to see how close you've gotten.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not SO close actually TW-specific apps are mostly missing. But apps like S Note, Super Video (floating video player on S3), TW5 launcher and widgets are all there. More I can't remember.
I'll post screenshots 2 days later as we're having tests these days and my E4G is currently on CM10.1 so I have to restore the nandroid backup.
Sent from HTC Incredible S @ CM10.1
AndyYan said:
Not SO close actually TW-specific apps are mostly missing. But apps like S Note, Super Video (floating video player on S3), TW5 launcher and widgets are all there. More I can't remember.
I'll post screenshots 2 days later as we're having tests these days and my E4G is currently on CM10.1 so I have to restore the nandroid backup.
Sent from HTC Incredible S @ CM10.1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its cool don't worry about the screenshots.
Do you know a way to get the lockscreen on cm10.1 to be like it was on 10 and 9? I mean to have the rings with the shortcuts before the actual unlock pattern? Is there a way to change that? I wanna start working on my ROM to make it the way I actually want.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda app-developers app
lilajrestnom said:
Its cool don't worry about the screenshots.
Do you know a way to get the lockscreen on cm10.1 to be like it was on 10 and 9? I mean to have the rings with the shortcuts before the actual unlock pattern? Is there a way to change that? I wanna start working on my ROM to make it the way I actually want.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nope, I don't know how to make it like that, sorry.
Sent from HTC Incredible S @ CM10.1
I believe there is an option for that in settings-->lock screen somewhere in that menu
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk 2
phonehunter59 said:
I believe there is an option for that in settings-->lock screen somewhere in that menu
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not there in CM10.1, I checked.
Sent from HTC Incredible S @ CM10.1
@lilajrestnom Hey I have an idea. Settings - Lockscreen - check "Maximize widgets". In this way you'll have to long press the lock icon on the bottom of the screen to bring up the lock security, which I think is just what you want. This is tested to work with "pattern" lock security.
Sent from Xperia Mini Pro SK17i @ CM10.1
AndyYan said:
@lilajrestnom Hey I have an idea. Settings - Lockscreen - check "Maximize widgets". In this way you'll have to long press the lock icon on the bottom of the screen to bring up the lock security, which I think is just what you want. This is tested to work with "pattern" lock security.
Sent from Xperia Mini Pro SK17i @ CM10.1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ya I've done that and that's the closest I can get to what I actually want. I really just wanted the real rings before the pattern lock but it seems like that's the best I can do for now thanks tho.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda app-developers app

[Q] Best SGSIII launcher??

Hello,
I have seen many different and cool launchers on many topics and I would love to know which have the best look and stability (but not Nova or Apex because I hate them).
Regards,
Sam
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
GamerSam32 said:
Hello,
I have seen many different and cool launchers on many topics and I would love to know which have the best look and stability (but not Nova or Apex because I hate them).
Regards,
Sam
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I Don't thing this question is allowed to ask
as it could start a fight
"The Best" depends upon what you likes & what you want
plz don't ask questions which starts with Best
I don't know may be you could ask some thing like "Whats your Favorite Launcher for S3?"
GamerSam32 said:
Hello,
I have seen many different and cool launchers on many topics and I would love to know which have the best look and stability (but not Nova or Apex because I hate them).
Regards,
Sam
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I like Nova. But it's not the best. Some other people might think otherwise.
GamerSam32 said:
Hello,
I have seen many different and cool launchers on many topics and I would love to know which have the best look and stability (but not Nova or Apex because I hate them).
Regards,
Sam
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As was said before, don't ask for whats best as what someone else says is best you may hate. As an example, I use apex launcher and love it, but that does not mean its the best. Only thing to do is try them till you find one you like.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Next Launcher
GamerSam32 said:
Hello,
I have seen many different and cool launchers on many topics and I would love to know which have the best look and stability (but not Nova or Apex because I hate them).
Regards,
Sam
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really like Next Launcher. Try it!
Action Launcher is my favorite. It has a few never seen before features as Covers (an app folder in which tapping the first app in it opens the app, a swipe opens the folder) and Shutters (swiping up an app shortcut displays a widget). The devs give great support. Albeit it does have some stability issues now and then, I can't go back to any other launcher
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Why not Go launcher Ex?
I9300XXEMD3, Boeffla 2.13b2, Earsonics SM3v2
Depends, if i want stock look i pick apex, if i want something different i use launcher 8
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
For me it's definitely Nova Launcher!:good:
Tw.launcher from Samsung, a modified and super
I always liked Go Launcher and Nova Launcher, but then again it's a personal preference. There are some new interesting launchers though
If you are looking for the best ways to theme but still want the smoothness of tw launcher then you dont need a custom launcher. You can get away with installing Xposed framework then xposed theme engine. ( both found in the apps and themes section )
Then simply download your favourite theme or icon pack and install them through xposed theme engine and away you go mate.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
I actually like the Atom launcher, and it runs smoothly on my S3. I'll just echo what the others said regarding personal preference. )
I used to have Nova Launcher all the time because of a certain theme from mycolorscreen. but now I use Smart Launcher. it categorizes all apps and I don't have to think about where to put all the app icons anymore
edit: also most launchers mess up the look of the homescreens when switching from portrait to landscape mode. smart launcher looks even better in landscape mode
Gesendet von meinem Nexus 7 mit Tapatalk 4 Beta
once i got my hands on the s3 (my first smartphone yes) i used the stock launcher for a while but then got sucked into the world of theming and modifying the android platform. it started innocent with the go launcher series. got pretty sick of that fast as it drained my battery with the insane amount of addons for it that all keep the phone awake or something. then moved to nova but that couldnt 100% satisfy me then went to apex for a long time. last week i made a jump and started to try tsf shell (if you are willing to pull out a few bucks). cant really say wich is the best just personal preferences. each telephone has their own personality as it is a extension of you.
I prefer Action Launcher over other launchers. The app drawer and the shutters (swipe over an shorcut to open a widget) won me.
Nova Launcher
When looking for a launcher I always looked for the ones with the less RAM usage and as most of you have mentioned NOVA Launcher has the best performance on less RAM as well it is highly customizable making it perfect for a daily driver on my S3.:good:
Holo Launcher HD, good Performance and many options.
Gesendet von meinem GT-I9300 mit Tapatalk 2
Many years I have been on Apex Launcher (or Nova, they are same) but now my number ONE is Buzz Launcher
I prefer Touchwiz
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium

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