it's amazons free app of the day. pretty neat function, im using it to replace the long press for multitasking. runs smoothly
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
I thought about posting this too when I downloaded it earlier today. But then I tried it out and found that its really not for me.
Agreed, I looks like a great idea, but doesnt function as good as it could. Not for me either.
I downloaded Wave Launcher and I'm attempting to make use of it. My current setup is ADW.Launcher EX, Folder Organizer, and Beautiful widgets. I really liked this setup, but I'm looking for a new look for my phone. Having five Folder Organizer widgets on the desktop is pretty sweet. I can get to the 20ish programs I use all on one home screen via the folder organize widgets.
I was hoping to use Wave Launcher to re-do my setup so make the home screen more "empty" and clean.
The app is very easy to setup, but its use seems a bit limited. I was hoping to be able to have multiple Wave Launchers so that if I swiped from the left side of the screen it would like X apps, if I swiped from the right side of the screen it would display a different set of Y apps, and if I swiped from the bottom it would bring up a different set of Z apps. Unfortunitally, the app only allows for one swipe location and one set of apps to launch.
I am going to keep it installed, and I am going to try to make it work for me. I can free up some screen real estate via Wave Launcher, though I'm not sure what to launch with it. Should I put in my most used apps? It does make them a bit harder to launch versus having links on the screen or a Folder Organizer widget on the scren. So should I put some apps I don't use often into the wave launcher so that they don't use screen real estate as either links or a folder organizer widget.
Long story short... this launcher seems to be a great idea. A swipe motion brings up a "waved bar" with links on it. However, those links are harder to "choose" since you have to slide your thumb / finger into the right place, so folders might work better. However folders take up screen real estate. So... its a good idea, and it might work out for me. I wish that there were more options like the ones lacking that I listed above.
We'll see what I come up with over the next few days.
DK
SwipePad is A LOT better!
https://market.android.com/details?id=mobi.conduction.swipepad.android
I too got this from amazon but while I was playing angry birds it kept popping up alot and pissed me off so... I uninstalled it for now!
I just keep forgetting it's there. until it comes up at the worst possible moments.
facetubespam said:
SwipePad is A LOT better!
https://market.android.com/details?id=mobi.conduction.swipepad.android
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 it was slow to start but they keep making it better with the add-ons and speed increases
Sent from my GreyBlurred Bell Atrix
+1 for swipe pad, nothing comparable so far.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
Swipepad drove my cpu usage up to 100%, ive been using wave launcher and it has been working fine. I really like how it looks like the palm os wave which is what i came from. Pretty nifty.
this app was making Contacts appear when I clicked PowerAMP. Had to uninstall Wave Launcher then reboot phone so PowerAMP operates properly.
Sent from my Motorola Atrix 4G using Tapatalk
Wave Launcher
mario925 said:
this app was making Contacts appear when I clicked PowerAMP. Had to uninstall Wave Launcher then reboot phone so PowerAMP operates properly.
Sent from my Motorola Atrix 4G using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can customize the size and location of Wave Launcher's gesture-area, try "Bottom Left - 20%" in the "Gesture-area presets" setting.
Upcoming version of Wave Launcher will allow 3rd party apps to disable / enable Wave Launcher. (Currently supported by the upcoming version of WidgetLocker) It will also include a quick disable/enable option via the notification bar.
DeathKoil said:
I downloaded Wave Launcher and I'm attempting to make use of it. My current setup is ADW.Launcher EX, Folder Organizer, and Beautiful widgets. I really liked this setup, but I'm looking for a new look for my phone. Having five Folder Organizer widgets on the desktop is pretty sweet. I can get to the 20ish programs I use all on one home screen via the folder organize widgets.
I was hoping to use Wave Launcher to re-do my setup so make the home screen more "empty" and clean.
The app is very easy to setup, but its use seems a bit limited. I was hoping to be able to have multiple Wave Launchers so that if I swiped from the left side of the screen it would like X apps, if I swiped from the right side of the screen it would display a different set of Y apps, and if I swiped from the bottom it would bring up a different set of Z apps. Unfortunitally, the app only allows for one swipe location and one set of apps to launch.
I am going to keep it installed, and I am going to try to make it work for me. I can free up some screen real estate via Wave Launcher, though I'm not sure what to launch with it. Should I put in my most used apps? It does make them a bit harder to launch versus having links on the screen or a Folder Organizer widget on the scren. So should I put some apps I don't use often into the wave launcher so that they don't use screen real estate as either links or a folder organizer widget.
Long story short... this launcher seems to be a great idea. A swipe motion brings up a "waved bar" with links on it. However, those links are harder to "choose" since you have to slide your thumb / finger into the right place, so folders might work better. However folders take up screen real estate. So... its a good idea, and it might work out for me. I wish that there were more options like the ones lacking that I listed above.
We'll see what I come up with over the next few days.
DK
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can also use it for:
direct-dial contacts.
Any Android shortcut, not just apps.
Show recently-used apps
Show its built-in app-drawer (by swiping or by long-pressing the gesture-area
I'm response to LoirG I use the wave launcher to open folders from folder organizer which helps open space on NY homescreen. Wave launcher is one of my more valuable apps. It has a learning curve but the limits are almost endless
Sent from my rooted 1.8.3 Honeyglow themed Gingerblur Atrix
Related
GO Launcher EX is the extra version of GO Launcher, one of the most popular stock home replacement app in android market, provides beautiful themes, fast flip speed and tons of useful functions. Don't know how many of you use it. Its very fast has an inbuilt task killer also!!
Check out the website!!
http://www.goforandroid.com/
I've been using GO Launcher for a while now, it's by far the best out there. Only strange thing i noticed is that with GO Launcher EX you need to install a separate module in order to have missed call and message notifications down in the dock.
Can you organize apps into different categories?
Destroyer-XDA said:
Can you organize apps into different categories?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No but u can put them into folders.
Awsme launcher thanx
I've tried other launchers and this is the only one moving smoothly on my Optimus. In addition to that it has icon personalization and you can make those annoying never-used apps disappear in your app menu.
it has enough customization options and the battery use is quite low. A must-have!
very good ...... n.n
Go Launcher EX in my opinion has to be the best one out there.
I am one of the people who actually enjoyed Touchwiz at first....well, until my app drawer reached over 10 pages (That's 160 apps and I even had the bloatware hidden with TiBackup)
Anyways. I have just this completely crazy and awesome thing going with Go Launcher on my phone. The best thing is, I've gone from 10 pages all the way down to 4. This launcher has so much customization and features, and on top of it all, it runs extremely fast.
I have posted several screens of what I have done on my phone using Go Launcher as well as just some screens so people can see it and understand it more.
The 1st is a preview of the ui swiping side to side, the 2nd is all my home screens, the 3rd is what the new app drawer looks like (notice the folders INSIDE the app drawer), the 4th is just all the options I have on my main home screen. The 5th and 6th Images are showing how you can switch the dock back and forth. The 7th is showing the modded facebook app available here on the XDA and my personal mod of the Picture Dial widget. And the last is the Screen Shortcut Screen (when you pinch the screen at home).
I hope you all enjoy.
NOTE: The "theme" I have is purely from the customization features I had available. I did not mod it at all (with the exception of one widget) nor did I actually create a theme for the Launcher like those which are available for ADW.
You can find almost all of what you see via internet. I had to photoshop a few icons (you'll notice them on the screen shots showing my different dockbars as those images are more recent).
gunna have to give this one a try adw launcher just isnt cuttin it for me any more
Using 2.3.2 Mur4ik ROM what I find is that Home Manager shows both Go Launcher EX and stock launcher are running at the same time, stock can take up to 40mb RAM, and second that for Go Launcher EX, so I've changed to stock because I want more mem and when I AutoKill stock then Go launcher Running tab says there's more ram.
How can I customize stock 2.3 launcher?
I need to change number of screens to 3 from 5, I don't need more.
Is there any way to create folders in menu instead in "desktop" only?
Screen transistions are not my priority, but Go Launcher is much user friendly anyway, and allows quick access to most commonly used options by me.
Yeah just hold one app and drag ontop of another to put them both in a folder
Sent from my GT540 using XDA Premium App
How much memory did you say Go Launcher used up? when I'm in it's app drawer tab and kill everything I can only get a max of about 150 out of a possible 303Mb
I will say that you can clear up some memory if you "Freeze" your default launcher using Titanium Backup.
Oh and one of the coolest things about Go Launcher is that since I made a Titanium Backup of it before changing Roms, when I got my phone back up and running again, all I had to do was go into Go Launcher's Preferences, scroll down and hit restore configuration (I had made a back up, can't forget that) and all my custom icons were restored. I had to add my widgets back manually, but that wasnt too big of a deal (I didn't make a titanium backup of that, but I think you can).
...hold on, actually Titanium Backup just restored all my apps, the Go Launcher's configuration is completely separate from titanium backup. GO Launcher creates it's own folder on your SD card for it's backups. It's pretty cool.
Soooo..... has anyone happened to have talked to the developer or anything to find out about making custom themes? I haven't had any experience making themes for other launchers, but I'd like to give a shot at making one for Go Launcher and I haven't seen anything on how to make one unfortunately.
nice but crashes too frequently
for my it is the best launcher for now, and in the oficial page says that it going to have customs themes
Is there any way to decrease the number of screens? I find it incredibly irritating to see have 5 screens, I only need and use 2.
I found GO Launcher to work best with stock 2.1. There are buch of themes for it, but only several of them are good for me.
revan17 said:
Is there any way to decrease the number of screens? I find it incredibly irritating to see have 5 screens, I only need and use 2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just swipe up, and you'll get all screens.
i used SPB Shell 3D and its great no FCs icons can be modified you choose any interface like iphone, samsung galaxy and HTC style
This app jus got better!!! besides its all new awsome looks,its fast n smooth!!
I love this launcher as you can resize widgets and mess around with almost anything in it.
Sent from my GT540 using XDA App
Looking for a good "Quick Launcher" to use with GestureControl. GestureControl has a "Launchpad" which is pretty good, but a little basic, and slow to come up. I've seen videos on youtube with nice launchers for Acer devices ( Looks like a circle type launcher ) and also one for the Iconia which runs the Windows OS, it's also a circle type launcher. Was wondering if anyone has any good apps for assigning a gesture to the app via GestureControl then having the app overlay pop up and you can select an app to run that you've configured to show there.
This would be a great addition to use in conjunction with GestureControl, couldn't find much looking on the play store due to the fact that searching for "launcher" even with modifier words shows mostly desktop launchers( ADW, Go Launcher, Apex, etc... ) and their themeing counterparts.
I've seen SwipePad in the app store, although thats a "Drag circle onto app" type launcher, not sure how this would work with GestureControl. I'm using the Transformer Prime with a dock, so I'd like to just make a gesture, see a small popup with icons( would be really nice if we had an app that showed apps you wanted to quick launch and running apps underneath that or something to that effect ) so I can choose the app with the touchpad or touching the screen( or keyboard shortcut would be nice too but I can hack that part out after I find a good app )
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk 2
Have you tried wave launcher?
novo2393 said:
Have you tried wave launcher?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks pretty interesting ... Can you assigne a GestureControl gesture to it, so I could do, say, a 3 finger expand to see it, or a 3 finger drag down from top border to show it instead of the default settings?
Good find, still interested in what other people have tried out too though
EDIT: Checked out "Smart Taskbar" which is pretty good, but couldn't get a gesture to activate it ( Even tried Nova Launcher's "Activities" but there isn't one to activate the overlay ) that app would be pretty decent, although kinda big for a tablet screen. Yea, I know, maybe I'm just beeing too picky lol
Wave launcher stays at bottom always and opens when you tell it to. Really think itd suit your needs. If you do try it let me know how it goes. I use it and it saves alot of time.
If you try go launcher you can set swipe up or swipe down in order to launch gesture launcher.
Thread to discuss what apps you've disabled and any side effect. This doesn't require root.
To disable apps go to Settings > Application Manager > All, select App then select Turn off. All the disabled apps will then show up under Application Manager > Turned Off. Probably a good idea to reboot when done to make sure disabled apps are cleared from RAM.
Went through and disabled these apps:
Amazon (two apps with this name)
Amazon Kindle
Amazon MP3
Amazon Appstore
Audible
Caller Name ID
IMDb
NFL Mobile
S Voice
Slacker
Verizon Mobile Security
Verizon Tones
VZ Navigator
Deciding on these:
Trip Advisor
Someone please do me a favor and note the RAM usage before and after. Forgot to note before but my after is 725MB used and 1.7GB free.
How do you disable? In application manager?
Exodus885 said:
How do you disable? In application manager?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. Application Manager > All, select App then Turn off. All the disabled apps will show up under Application Manager > Turned Off. Probably a good idea to reboot when done to make sure disabled apps are cleared from RAM.
mi7chy said:
Yes. Application Manager > All, select App then Turn off. All the disabled apps will show up under Application Manager > Turned Off. Probably a good idea to reboot when done to make sure disabled apps are cleared from RAM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will report back once i get home
I disabled below apps (for now):
1. Amazon
2. Amazon Kindle
3. Amazon MP3
4. Audible
5. Caller Name ID
6. Group play
7. HP Print service
8. NFL Mobile
9. Samusung Watch on (it was crashing)
10.Verizon Location agent
11. Verizon Tones
12. VZ Navigator
There is so much bloat on the phone, will disable many more apps later, cann't wait for the root to uninstall all this crap.
Hey guys i just a little write up here for our newer members and to show which ones i disabled http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2478589
After disabling some bloat and with NOVA launcher - it's now super smooth, as good as a nexus.
Does any one know any non root apps to skip music with long press of volume keys and re mapping soft keys (miss these from my GS3 LS rom)?
droidguy22 said:
After disabling some bloat and with NOVA launcher - it's now super smooth, as good as a nexus.
Does any one know any non root apps to skip music with long press of volume keys and re mapping soft keys (miss these from my GS3 LS rom)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been curious about this. I've used Nova Launcher for years, and I love it. However, there are some pretty neat features in TW for this phone (like the split screen view, some of the stylus stuff, etc.). Are you, or anyone else, giving TW a try, or just going straight to Nova?
My N3 will be in tomorrow so I'll experiment for myself. Just curious what everyone else was thinking.
I'm sticking with TW for now until I get bored with it. I have Nova Launcher Prime installed but I'm not using it yet...
dclutter1 said:
I've been curious about this. I've used Nova Launcher for years, and I love it. However, there are some pretty neat features in TW for this phone (like the split screen view, some of the stylus stuff, etc.). Are you, or anyone else, giving TW a try, or just going straight to Nova?
My N3 will be in tomorrow so I'll experiment for myself. Just curious what everyone else was thinking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those features aren't exclusive to the launcher ... About the only thing you'll loose are widgets. Some widgets only work with the TW launcher, typically the cool ones like the full calendar and weather widgets LOL
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4
This guy did an amazing job listing apps that can be deleted for Verizon
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2478589
lmike6453 said:
Hey guys i just a little write up here for our newer members and to show which ones i disabled http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2478589
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very comprehensive list, thanks! I already used up all my thumbs for today in the Bounty thread, but I'm commenting here so I remember to come back tomorrow and give you a proper thanks.
---------- Post added at 08:42 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:27 AM ----------
dclutter1 said:
I've been curious about this. I've used Nova Launcher for years, and I love it. However, there are some pretty neat features in TW for this phone (like the split screen view, some of the stylus stuff, etc.). Are you, or anyone else, giving TW a try, or just going straight to Nova?
My N3 will be in tomorrow so I'll experiment for myself. Just curious what everyone else was thinking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
YankInDaSouth said:
Those features aren't exclusive to the launcher ... About the only thing you'll loose are widgets. Some widgets only work with the TW launcher, typically the cool ones like the full calendar and weather widgets LOL
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@dclutter: I agree with with @YankInDaSouth, the widgets are all you give up. I went straight to Nova because I wanted to put a lot more icons on the screen (seriously 1080p & 5.7", and they want to put only 4 columns?), plus you can get some cool replacement widgets to make up for the Sammy ones you can't use. And, with Nova/other launchers, you can resize any widget, giving you more flexibility. Personally, I use Fancy Widgets for clock/weather -- I really like the MIUI skin -- and aCalendar for the calendar widget because it's very flexible.
mynameismolotov said:
@dclutter: I agree with with @YankInDaSouth, the widgets are all you give up. I went straight to Nova because I wanted to put a lot more icons on the screen (seriously 1080p & 5.7", and they want to put only 4 columns?), plus you can get some cool replacement widgets to make up for the Sammy ones you can't use. And, with Nova/other launchers, you can resize any widget, giving you more flexibility. Personally, I use Fancy Widgets for clock/weather -- I really like the MIUI skin -- and aCalendar for the calendar widget because it's very flexible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's great news. I'm really glad those features aren't dependent on the launcher. Like you, the ridiculously small grid on this screen is a big hangup for me. Plus, I'm so used to the 5 slot scrolling dock now that I don't know what I'd do without it.
dclutter1 said:
That's great news. I'm really glad those features aren't dependent on the launcher. Like you, the ridiculously small grid on this screen is a big hangup for me. Plus, I'm so used to the 5 slot scrolling dock now that I don't know what I'd do without it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to do something really different, I just learned of a new launcher called Buzz Launcher. You can design some really unique setups with it, but what's really cool is it automatically saves the whole setup as a package file. So you can share it through the app, and browse other people's creations, then if you find one you like, you just apply it, and it downloads the whole layout, background, theme, etc. If it involves widgets or apps you don't already have, it just puts a placeholder icon and when you touch it, it takes you to the Play Store directly to said app to install (or you can replace it with something else if you prefer). It's pretty slick and there's a ton of different ones available, with more variety than you can imagine.
I've been trying out every launcher under the sun and decided to settle on the Google Now launcher, which is totally sweet as you can just say Ok Google soon as you unlock your watch which is very cool.... However, how on earth do you get to see the notification bar??? Every launcher except stock and OUI2 hide it for some reason... anyone have any ideas??
I use both the Google Now launcher and stock (I don't like OUI at all). I switch between OK Google and stock for the notification bar. Some use an app to display notifications, but there are reportedly issues with swiping down with it installed, etc. SwipeStatusBar or something like that.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
I find there are some issues with the Now Launcher and compared it with Nova Prime...
Now Launcher
Pros:
OK Google hot word works soon as you unlock your phone (Best feature ever!)
Now Cards when you swipe left....
Cons:
Can't seem to easily add another page
Scrolling is a bit laggy and not quite as sensitive, seems to try and open an app quite a bit, you have to be quite deliberate with your page scrolls.
Nova Launcher Prime:
Pros:
You can resize icons & remove app names to save space.
Very fast page scrolling
Seems to be easier to add widgets I like "One More Clock" widget...
Cons:
Can't say "OK Google, order me pizza!" ;(
Is there a Google Now widget or something???
death_entry said:
I find there are some issues with the Now Launcher and compared it with Nova Prime...
Now Launcher
Pros:
OK Google hot word works soon as you unlock your phone (Best feature ever!)
Now Cards when you swipe left....
Cons:
Can't seem to easily add another page
Scrolling is a bit laggy and not quite as sensitive, seems to try and open an app quite a bit, you have to be quite deliberate with your page scrolls.
Nova Launcher Prime:
Pros:
You can resize icons & remove app names to save space.
Very fast page scrolling
Seems to be easier to add widgets I like "One More Clock" widget...
Cons:
Can't say "OK Google, order me pizza!" ;(
Is there a Google Now widget or something???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can set nova with ok google commands or in that case whatever you want to say like "ok phone listen to me..." by using an app called tasker and an app called autovoice. Look on youtube and you can find some great tutorials.
I did a bit of digging around and found SwipeStatusBar to be a good app for Apex - I made the adjustment so it fits on the top right of my screen.
I got the name from someone on here, but I've forgotten who - sorry!
Nova launcher used to be (arguably) the best free Android launcher - until now - so what's better?
Unfortunately, the day after Branch Analytics acquired Nova launcher, it grew in size by 150% (8MB to 12MB) without anyone noticing that "something" huge (but as yet unknown) is going on inside of the previously venerable Nova launcher.
So now, I, like anyone else who is logical, is in the market for a new "best Android launcher" app APK.
But which Android app launcher replaces the venerable Nova free APK?
Mostly what I loved about Nova was that the homescreen could be organized by any grid - or no grid (see screenshot example below).
What best launcher do you recommend to replace Nova [now that Nova was sold out and as such, it has (apparently) gone over to the dark side]?
I take you're on a Samsung device?
One UI shreds Nova on my N10+; faster and uses less battery even has some features Nova lacks. It's missing a trick or two that Nova can do. One UI is rock solid stable on my device, no issues.
After a 3rd party launcher boot looped me twice, back to back over 2 years ago I stopped sampling them One UI won.
blackhawk said:
I take you're on a Samsung device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. But I've been using Nova free launchers since the dawn of time on Motorola, LG, and other phones - simply because Nova did what nobody else could do - which was allow me to place any icon on any grid or no grid at all.
But now that Nova went over to the dark side - it's time for a new "best launcher" that works for more than just one brand of phones.
blackhawk said:
One UI shreds Nova on my N10+; faster and uses less battery even has some features Nova lacks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With batteries being five amps and more nowadays, I don't have any problem going days without a charge, but it's interesting you say that you found that one launcher uses more battery than another.
I've never tested how much battery power two different launchers use. But I've done a lot of battery power testing over the years.
The fact is that you can only use one launcher at a time - so it would be hard to test two of them side by side given only one can work at any given time frame on any one phone.
Sure you can test two launchers with two exact same phones side by side, but did you really run a test that detailed to conclude what you did?
Given that practical problem set, how could I tell if one launcher used more battery than another?
blackhawk said:
It's missing a trick or two that Nova can do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Besides putting icons on any grid (or no grid at all), what I next like best about Nova is I set up EVERY phone in the house, for years, with the same well-managed set of apps and icons.
Motorola
LG
Nexus
Samsung
They ALL have the same homescreen.
For years and years and years.
Note that what you do on a computer never changes so the organization of the homescreen never changes.
Does the Samsung OneUI launcher save a backup file to be used on any brand of phone?
Nova launcher easily saves a backup file which is imported into the new phone. It's TRIVIAL to re-install all the apps in the EXACT same place from the old phone to the new phone, even when you move from an LG phone to a Samsung phone.
There's no way any Samsung launcher could possibly do that, right?
blackhawk said:
One UI is rock solid stable on my device, no issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My only experience with One UI is that I originally saw it when I got a handful of Samsung Galaxy A32-5G phones from T-Mobile for free.
I didn't like it at all but maybe it does the two most important things that Nova free does?
1. Put any icon on any grid (or no grid at all), and,
2. Save a backup file of the homescreen to load onto any other device
Note that this backup file includes all installed apps in the location that they are installed in - which - for me - is important since EVERY app icon is placed in an EXACT location for a reason.
There's a third thing I love about Nova free launcher but I don't know if it's part of the launcher or part of Android 12, which is:
3. Place a widget INSIDE any folder on the homescreen
Is THAT last feature of being able to resize a widget and then place it INSIDE a folder on the homescreen part of Android 12 or Nova launcher? (If it's part of Nova, then can One UI do that too?)
blackhawk said:
After a 3rd party launcher boot looped me twice, back to back over 2 years ago I stopped sampling them. One UI won.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have nothing against One UI because my only experience with it was that it was the first launcher I saw when I received my free Samsung phones from T-Mobile and the last Samsung I had was about ten years or so ago (the S3) but what I asked on the Samsung groups what apps from Samsung were worth getting just about a month ago.
Is there any app in the Samsung Galaxy Store worth the login requirements?Note the screenshots show you can resize widgets and then place those resized widgets INSIDE folders on the homescreen.
That homepage is way too busy and not AMOLED friendly at all.
In 24 hours this is what One UI used...
One UI supports folders which are a lot better than burning up pixels. Over time this will happen. I rotate my icons, folders and widgets to spread out the wear. The icon packs are red for a reason, red pixels have the longest lifespan, blue the shortest. No wear if a pixel isn't light and it's easier on your eyes.
I'm not too concerned with backup. I want a clean load if I have to factory reset to avoid doing another one. The current load on this phone is over 2yo and running strong. I keep a screenshot to help with setup. SmartSwitch will preserve some homepage settings but it can also cause issues.
Apex Launcher Classic, get the PRO and Apex Notifier.
You can use ancient Launcher and Icon packs, I've kept many old Apex Themes from 2013 and on, and they all still work with the latest Apex Classic.
Offers the same features as Nova.
Its clean.
I understand you are looking for a FREE launcher, but with the launcher being so integral to your device experience, maybe thats the one app you should be prepared to pay for.
I have been using what I think is the most powerful and customizable launcher. Not only does it do the few things you mentioned:
Put any icon on any grid (or no grid at all), and,
Save a backup file of the homescreen to load onto any other device
Note that this backup file includes all installed apps in the location that they are installed in - which - for me - is important since EVERY app icon is placed in an EXACT location for a reason.
Place a widget INSIDE any folder on the homescreen (yes thats launcher specific)
So it does ALL what you listed (i know its a quick list), but also (among many MANY other things..)
Folders inside folders, inside folders.... and widgets n deep in the folder structure
Any widget can be Resized, Scaled (Different to resize which I think is more on the widget to resize itself), Rotated, transparency, Skewed (think parallelogram), positioned to a decimal pixel position
All visible (or even hidden transparent hot-spots) have complete control of the event (eg start ab app, start a script etc) or I *thinik* even multiple actions (I dont use that feature)
All items covered by 3 above also have short AND long press events (Tap, Long Tap, Swipe Left, Swipe Right, Swipe up, Swipe down) I personally have transparent hot-spots (on top of other widgets that respond to their default tap), that I swipe uy[p on to turn on AUID and down to turn off AOD. I also have a long press on my navigation, which turns on GPS, Bluetooth (to connect and call handsfree), starts my music player, starts playing the music and finally starts the Navigation app ready to navigate.
Lots of visual effects such as shadow of the text
Control of the Font, Size, position/offset
"Reflections" on the icons, as if they are hovering above a crystal clear pool/puddle of water
You can have/add code to make your own things. There is an example out there how to add a analogue clock simply with code. Well beyond any of my needs.
and on and on and on...
My personal experience is, if you can imagine it, then there is a way to do it. I have been using it since gingerbread, and as I upgrade device and/or ROMs, I use the backup / restore to get the launcher config started. NB: The private widget data/config doesn't come across in the launcher backup, but a "fallback" image/placeholder is show, reminding you of how you previously had it set up. So although there is a steep learning curve, and with ALL the different options/function can take some time to set up how you want, a lot will transfer onto your next device or ROM. But since its a paid app, you can only run it on one device at a time.
Now, the thing to REALLY take note of, the default set-up on first install is utter TOTAL rubbish ,and so are the preview/demo images on the PlayStore. It really is a case of "if you can imagine it, you can do it"
Oh, and the launcher is called "Lightening Launcher Extreme"
The following are some screen shots I qui8ckly snapped, but the actual config is of course very personal. And because its so customizable, I can do things others will hate I just quickly flashed through the screens I personally use the most in set-up, but didn't scroll through anything or ensured I got everything that is beyond the screen and there are many more options/features I dont use; or even know about.
Part of the problems Nova is having maybe the same that ones Samsung is having dealing with scoped storage and other changes starting with Android 10. I have 2 N10+'s, one still running on Pie, the newer one on 10. The look and behave almost identically except the Android 10 has a 100 or more small Samsung system apks.
I prefer Pie because it's easier to troubleshoot and provides better functionality for trusted apps. I don't even want to see what 11, and especially 12/beta 13 look like. Maybe it's not so much Nova but rather Android that has turned to the dark Apple side...
imonxda said:
Apex Launcher Classic...
Offers the same features as Nova.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that suggestion of the Apex Launcher to replace the functionality of the Nova free launcher, specifically:
a. Place homescreen folders on any grid, or no grid at allb. Export homescreen and import into ANY brand of phonec. Resize widgets and place widgets INSIDE folders
Assuming the free version of the Apex Launcher is this one...
Apex Launcher by Android DOES teamFree, contains ads, contains in-app purchases, requires GSF,rated 4.2 out of 354K reviews with 10M+ Downloads
That sucks in terms of requiring GSF (Nova free doesn't spy on us with GSF, and no app should ever need to use GSF calls) and requiring ads (again, Nova free doesn't have any ads and no launcher should, IMHO); but unfortunately, the description on the Google Play Store doesn't say whether Apex Launcher can do the three most important things that I feel ANY "best" launcher should do (see above).
Bear in mind there are a billion app launchers, where there's a good REASON Nova free was almost universally hailed as the best out there.
If Branch Analytics didn't take over TeslaCoil software, I wouldn't even be LOOKING for a better app launcher... (sigh)... but no free app launcher with ads and lack of privacy can possibly be on the list of the "best" there is.
That's just impossible (IMHO of course).
No app can be the "best" if it has ads and if it sucks out your privacy.
BTW, I know full well what I'm asking is NOT an easy question to answer... otherwise I'd have found the answer already, but I do appreciate the suggestions.
In order to be "better" than Nova free, it can't be worse.
GalaxyA325G said:
Thanks for that suggestion of the Apex Launcher to replace the functionality of the Nova free launcher, specifically:
a. Place homescreen folders on any grid, or no grid at allb. Export homescreen and import into ANY brand of phonec. Resize widgets and place widgets INSIDE folders
Assuming the free version of the Apex Launcher is this one...
Apex Launcher by Android DOES teamFree, contains ads, contains in-app purchases, requires GSF,rated 4.2 out of 354K reviews with 10M+ Downloads
That sucks in terms of requiring GSF (Nova free doesn't spy on us with GSF, and no app should ever need to use GSF calls) and requiring ads (again, Nova free doesn't have any ads and no launcher should, IMHO); but unfortunately, the description on the Google Play Store doesn't say whether Apex Launcher can do the three most important things that I feel ANY "best" launcher should do (see above).
Bear in mind there are a billion app launchers, where there's a good REASON Nova free was almost universally hailed as the best out there.
If Branch Analytics didn't take over TeslaCoil software, I wouldn't even be LOOKING for a better app launcher... (sigh)... but no free app launcher with ads and lack of privacy can possibly be on the list of the "best" there is.
That's just impossible (IMHO of course).
No app can be the "best" if it has ads and if it sucks out your privacy.
BTW, I know full well what I'm asking is NOT an easy question to answer... otherwise I'd have found the answer already, but I do appreciate the suggestions.
In order to be "better" than Nova free, it can't be worse.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, absolutely correct, Apex Launcher DOES NOT have all the features your looking for, but AndroidDOES has brought back the Classic launcher (I'm assuming because of popular demand) it is called Apex Launcher Classic - this is FAR superior to the new-ish Apex Launcher. BTW, some of the best features of Apex Classic are unavailable without the paid Pro but most features work with free version.
As for privacy concerns, you can use something like My Android Tools Pro, it will tell you exactly what an app like Apex is doing behind the scenes and it gives you control over all hidden activities. https://www.myandroidtools.com/ it has been kicked out of Google play store, I don't know the reason, but I've been using this app for years, I have never seen any evidence of malware in it, and it has revealed the spying, reporting activities, and ad activities of all other apps I use and I can actually STOP these activities, I trust it.
It takes a bit of getting-used-to, but it works great once you do (get used to it). Some advice, check the About in settings for automatic detection of newly installed or updated apps feature, and check the Apps tab at the bottom, then select any app and then tap "see all component info", this is really helpful and easily overlooked feature.
@DiamondJohn That's a cool Launcher I've never heard of, I will certainly check it out
GalaxyA325G said:
Nova launcher used to be (arguably) the best free Android launcher - until now - so what's better?
Unfortunately, the day after Branch Analytics acquired Nova launcher, it grew in size by 150% (8MB to 12MB) without anyone noticing that "something" huge (but as yet unknown) is going on inside of the previously venerable Nova launcher.
So now, I, like anyone else who is logical, is in the market for a new "best Android launcher" app APK.
But which Android app launcher replaces the venerable Nova free APK?
Mostly what I loved about Nova was that the homescreen could be organized by any grid - or no grid (see screenshot example below).
What best launcher do you recommend to replace Nova [now that Nova was sold out and as such, it has (apparently) gone over to the dark side]?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Love Niagara launcher
Pear Launcher - Apps on Google Play
Download Pear launcher — a launcher designed for performance and customization.
play.google.com
Just started using this app and it's pretty good so far