[Q] What is launcher? - Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi all,
I am new to android phone..Samsung galaxy s2 is the new phone which I bought few days back.
Frequently I come across the word "Launcher" and Launcher pro and Launcher 7...what are all these??? What launcher do I have?
Thanks in advance.

Your launcher is TouchWiz. It's your home screens and app drawer. There are replacement apps out there, like the ones you mentioned, and more, that do similar things but will have strengths and weaknesses of their own.
If you enjoy Android half as much as I do then you're in for a treat. Good luck with your new phone.

http://www.appbrain.com/app/launcherpro/com.fede.launcher
jje

johncmolyneux said:
Your launcher is TouchWiz. It's your home screens and app drawer. There are replacement apps out there, like the ones you mentioned, and more, that do similar things but will have strengths and weaknesses of their own.
If you enjoy Android half as much as I do then you're in for a treat. Good luck with your new phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A million thanks for the answer. hahahaha, I am really enjoying my phone..Before I was using windows phones.
One more question: How can I replace then the stock launcher without Rooting?

JJEgan said:
http://www.appbrain.com/app/launcherpro/com.fede.launcher
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bundle of thanks for the reply.

mirchichamu said:
A million thanks for the answer. hahahaha, I am really enjoying my phone..Before I was using windows phones.
One more question: How can I replace then the stock launcher without Rooting?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, you literally go to the market and search for a launcher. =)
If you install a second launcher you'll want to get a home switcher app that allows you to reset the default launcher as well as switch back and forth.
My preference is Launcher Pro but I've tried and liked ADW and Go Launcher. Touchwiz 4 is definitely on the right track but doesnt have as many features as the mentioned launchers.

Altimas said:
Ok, you literally go to the market and search for a launcher. =)
If you install a second launcher you'll want to get a home switcher app that allows you to reset the default launcher as well as switch back and forth.
My preference is Launcher Pro but I've tried and liked ADW and Go Launcher. Touchwiz 4 is definitely on the right track but doesnt have as many features as the mentioned launchers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a million Altimas..
So you mean that I need a home switcher as well apart from any other launcher...Am I correct? Is home switcher available in market?
I have heard of spb mobile shell which I used to use in my windows phone...what about that?

You don't really need an app to switch.
After you install a different launcher, the first time you press the home button, it will ask you which one you want to use. Select the new one and click on "make default". Then, if you ever want to switch back, got to settings->applications->manage applications. Find the replacement launcher and then click "clear defaults". Now, when you press the home key you'll be presented with the same dialog asking which launcher you want to use.

smaskell said:
You don't really need an app to switch.
After you install a different launcher, the first time you press the home button, it will ask you which one you want to use. Select the new one and click on "make default". Then, if you ever want to switch back, got to settings->applications->manage applications. Find the replacement launcher and then click "clear defaults". Now, when you press the home key you'll be presented with the same dialog asking which launcher you want to use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2 million thanks for the nice suggestion. God bless you.

mirchichamu said:
2 million thanks for the nice suggestion. God bless you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, no problem man. Always glad to help. As altimas was saying, there are apps on the market that can do the same thing for you. However, it's really not that complicated so I don't see the point unless you're changing your launcher very frequently.

smaskell said:
Yeah, no problem man. Always glad to help. As altimas was saying, there are apps on the market that can do the same thing for you. However, it's really not that complicated so I don't see the point unless you're changing your launcher very frequently.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks once again bro,
During this time, I have downloaded and tested quite a few of the launchers except spb mobile shell which is paid. I noted that the stock touchwiz is the best one and easy. But again everyone is having different taste.

Related

[Q] A scrolling Facebook widget that works?

Has anyone found a scrolling fb widget that does not crash when you look at it? Or am I the only one having these problems?
I tried Facez, Colorize Widget, Seesmic and probably others that I forgot. Every single one caused problems
What do you use?
Launcher Pro plus works for me
Sent from one of those missing Droids
Hm....but I don't want to switch to a different launcher just to have one widget. I currently use Sweeter Home after spending a lot of time with ADW and Zeam.
LP+ is out of the question
Arbelzapf said:
Hm....but I don't want to switch to a different launcher just to have one widget. I currently use Sweeter Home after spending a lot of time with ADW and Zeam.
LP+ is out of the question
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it is a really nice widget though...
Also, best paid launcher around IMO.
Arbelzapf said:
Hm....but I don't want to switch to a different launcher just to have one widget. I currently use Sweeter Home after spending a lot of time with ADW and Zeam.
LP+ is out of the question
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its the only reason I use the launcher lol.... it can resize Widgets too which comes in handy on the nook screen
Sent from one of those missing Droids
woot1524 said:
it is a really nice widget though...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's right. Easily one of the best out there. But now that I'm starting to get the hang of Sweeter Home, there's no way back

[Q] Any way to change the app drawer?

Has anybody found a way to replace the app drawer for a rooted user? I dislike the screen based grid and would rather have a scrolling grid.
Ceiltsei said:
Has anybody found a way to replace the app drawer for a rooted user? I dislike the screen based grid and would rather have a scrolling grid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get Go launcher EX from Market it is free it have 5-7 types ( you can change theme also I use Honeycomb theme with it)
In the Market, type in 'launcher', there are loads of replacements which have loads of settings etc.
I recommend launcher pro, or launcher7.
Launcher7 is really sexy
Thanks for the suggestions, but these change the GUI more than I want. I only want an app drawer replacement.
Ceiltsei said:
Thanks for the suggestions, but these change the GUI more than I want. I only want an app drawer replacement.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In that case I'd go with 'ravitejas' suggestion of Go Launcher. It looks similar to touchwiz and you can change the app draw to scrolling type. It just takes a bit of messing about with lots of settings...
Or if you'd like an actual list of apps you can press menu when you're in the app drawer and select list view...
666fff said:
In that case I'd go with 'ravitejas' suggestion of Go Launcher. It looks similar to touchwiz and you can change the app draw to scrolling type. It just takes a bit of messing about with lots of settings...
Or if you'd like an actual list of apps you can press menu when you're in the app drawer and select list view...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, my Galaxy S II does not have the list view for some reason. That would have been a decent solution. Oh well.. can't make the phone the same in every market it seems.
What about solutions that work with rooting? I did root the phone awhile back, hoping that I could use this to my advantage. So far, no real use.
Weird that yours doesn't have a list view option...
Can't help you beyond stock rom I'm afraid, haven't rooted...haven't seen any real need to...
Ceiltsei said:
Unfortunately, my Galaxy S II does not have the list view for some reason. That would have been a decent solution. Oh well.. can't make the phone the same in every market it seems.
What about solutions that work with rooting? I did root the phone awhile back, hoping that I could use this to my advantage. So far, no real use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem is you want to replace part of the launcher program but not the whole thing. Root or not it's hard to replace "half a program". Someone could probably, theoretically at least, hack the program apart and replace it that way but that's a lot of effort.
Are you sure you don't have list view? Open the app menu and hit menu
Pick a launcher, i recommend launcher pro or ADW EX (far better than standard ADW launcher)
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App

[Q] Sorting Application by Name in Optimus UI Launcher?

Hello there. I wonder if there app available to sort application by name in Optimus UI launcher? Like Appzorter for Touchwiz.
I'd rather not install another launcher, but if that's the only way, I'm open to suggestion. In the past I use Go Launcher, but feel it quite "heavy" on system resources (on my old Galaxy Ace).
raymonthly said:
Hello there. I wonder if there app available to sort application by name in Optimus UI launcher? Like Appzorter for Touchwiz.
I'd rather not install another launcher, but if that's the only way, I'm open to suggestion. In the past I use Go Launcher, but feel it quite "heavy" on system resources (on my old Galaxy Ace).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can sort it manually. Otherwise you will have to use another launcher.
psychoace said:
You can sort it manually. Otherwise you will have to use another launcher.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is my biggest annoyance with the LG launcher.
Bummer.
Right now I'm using Nova Launcher with Touchwiz theme I feel it quite fast. For weather I'm using Yahoo! Weather. Still trying to find free calendar widget like one built in.
Em, right touch button and reset, I think it will sort app by name.
luq529 said:
Em, right touch button and reset, I think it will sort app by name.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That does sort them. It sorts alphabetically the built in apps first. Then after that alphabetically the downloaded apps.
It is a little better, but it would be nice to have all of them mixed together in alphabetical order. Can't have everything we want.

[Q] Creating a shortcut to 'Applications'

Hey, I just factory reset my sisters Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 and have a little shortcut problem.
It seems no matter how I try i cannot make a shortcut to the Applications category.
If i press and hold the home screen i can add widgets/shortcuts to specific applications but I would like to create a shortcut for the whole 'Apps' category since it is not there.
Anyone know how you can fix this?
Aersson said:
Hey, I just factory reset my sisters Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 and have a little shortcut problem.
It seems no matter how I try i cannot make a shortcut to the Applications category.
If i press and hold the home screen i can add widgets/shortcuts to specific applications but I would like to create a shortcut for the whole 'Apps' category since it is not there.
Anyone know how you can fix this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you use Nova Launcher you can create as many shortcuts for the apps drawer you may want, wherever you want.
cabessius said:
If you use Nova Launcher you can create as many shortcuts for the apps drawer you may want, wherever you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah but do you really have to use a launcher? I mean jesus christ there has got to be a function in the OS for this.
Not that I don't appreciate the tip though, I'm just really astounded if this is not the case.
Aersson said:
Yeah but do you really have to use a launcher? I mean jesus christ there has got to be a function in the OS for this.
Not that I don't appreciate the tip though, I'm just really astounded if this is not the case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are already using a launcher, TW Launcher; but you can switch.
What you are asking for is launcher dependant, and must be supported by it.
cabessius said:
You are already using a launcher, TW Launcher; but you can switch.
What you are asking for is launcher dependant, and must be supported by it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay is there any way to customize the original launcher?
I mean, this is strange, surely there's gotta be a way to do this natively somehow?
Aersson said:
Okay is there any way to customize the original launcher?
I mean, this is strange, surely there's gotta be a way to do this natively somehow?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=JakedUp.AppDrawer
Try this
Sent from my N7100, a.k.a. THE BEAST

lock desktop on LG luancher

Does anyone know of a way to lock the stock launcher desktop. I know I can change launchers that have that feature. But I want to keep stock.
Thanks
RC
[Cruzer said:
;78017561]Does anyone know of a way to lock the stock launcher desktop. I know I can change launchers that have that feature. But I want to keep stock.
Thanks
RC
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, Nova has this feature - - which is great for friends with fumble fingers.
Why keep stock launcher when Nova has that, and more, like icon packs, shadows under icons, different transitions, landscape movement across screens...
I can see keeping stock firmware instead of custom ROM, but keeping stock launcher? Come on, don't be silly.
[Cruzer said:
;78017561]Does anyone know of a way to lock the stock launcher desktop. I know I can change launchers that have that feature. But I want to keep stock.
Thanks
RC
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not that I have seen in settings.
Sent from my LG-H932 using XDA Labs
ChazzMatt said:
Yes, Nova has this feature - - which is great for friends with fumble fingers.
Why keep stock launcher when Nova has that, and more, like icon packs, shadows under icons, different transitions, landscape movement across screens...
I can see keeping stock firmware instead of custom ROM, but keeping stock launcher? Come on, don't be silly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just want to keep it things simple as possible and fast. But your prolly right will try the launcher again.
EDIT: I remember why I couldn't switch. I can't use LG widgets with Nova launcher. So I'm trading one thing for another. I can live without desktop lock for now.
[Cruzer said:
;78020383]I just want to keep it things simple as possible and fast. But your prolly right will try the launcher again.
EDIT: I remember why I couldn't switch. I can't use LG widgets with Nova launcher. So I'm trading one thing for another. I can live without desktop lock for now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK. I have tons several widgets - - including a fantastic weather one called Beautiful Widgets, as well as calendar, so I've never used stock OEM widgets, whether Motorola or LG.
[Cruzer said:
;78020383]I just want to keep it things simple as possible and fast. But your prolly right will try the launcher again.
EDIT: I remember why I couldn't switch. I can't use LG widgets with Nova launcher. So I'm trading one thing for another. I can live without desktop lock for now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At one time I remembered there used to be an option in Google play store to not add apps to desktop. I can't find it anymore. Odd
Sent from my LG-H932 using XDA Labs
You need to use shortcut master and go into the LG Home hidden settings
*Edit: now I can't find the setting I thought was there to look the launcher down to however you have it. So play at your own risk. Will post pics of what I meant below.
Shortcut Master, system apps, LG home, Hidden settings...
JonnyTrulove said:
Shortcut Master, system apps, LG home, Hidden settings...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks will give that a try

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