Long story short, about a year ago i got a Motorola Bravo (Android) phone for a few weeks but returned it because I couldn't really afford a data plan at the time. About a month ago I switched back to smartphones, this time for good, and now have a Samsung Galaxy SII.
The motorola phone had some AWESOME user-friendly features, such as resizing of widgets. Is this taken out because of Touchwiz or was that an older version of Android that's now obsolete? What all does Touchwiz take away functionality-wise? What does Gingerbread (2.3.6 to be specific) look like without Touchwiz?
I've yet to root my phone (the only reason I'd have right now is more battery life) but if I could reove Touchwiz and get some serious UI improvements, that'd definitely be a gamechanger for me
Motorola has Moto blur I think
HTC has sense
Samsung has TouchWiz
The clean Androind would be an AOSP based rom, like CM9/AOKP
I don't know if you understand me, I think I'm drunk or something right know can't remember
Oh
Galaxy Nexus is like what it looks witout the Touchwiz.
ScelestusAnimus said:
Long story short, about a year ago i got a Motorola Bravo (Android) phone for a few weeks but returned it because I couldn't really afford a data plan at the time. About a month ago I switched back to smartphones, this time for good, and now have a Samsung Galaxy SII.
The motorola phone had some AWESOME user-friendly features, such as resizing of widgets. Is this taken out because of Touchwiz or was that an older version of Android that's now obsolete? What all does Touchwiz take away functionality-wise? What does Gingerbread (2.3.6 to be specific) look like without Touchwiz?
I've yet to root my phone (the only reason I'd have right now is more battery life) but if I could reove Touchwiz and get some serious UI improvements, that'd definitely be a gamechanger for me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make sure to go the MIUI route if you're on GB or go the AOKP route if you're on ICS. Those are good starting points if you want to see some nice UI improvements. If you decide to go AOKP make sure to mess around in ROM control.
AOSP stock apps on ICS (AOKP/CM9) are much nicer than touchwizz/samsung ics apps.
UI Ranking
#1 AOSP (AOKP,CM9) and MIUI [all ICS based]
#2 MIUI GB , Sensation ROM GB (Samsung based rom), AOSP GB (CM7) (LunarUI theme)
#3 Stock Samsung ROM or Stock CM7 [both GB based]
Recommend Choice is AOKP http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1574718
Just make sure you know what you're doing when you flash
You just need a different launcher. Try go launcher.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using Tapatalk
Biporch said:
Motorola has Moto blur I think
HTC has sense
Samsung has TouchWiz
The clean Androind would be an AOSP based rom, like CM9/AOKP
I don't know if you understand me, I think I'm drunk or something right know can't remember
Oh
Galaxy Nexus is like what it looks witout the Touchwiz.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh yeah! Now that you mention it, i remember reading about Motoblur.
Cryosx said:
Make sure to go the MIUI route if you're on GB or go the AOKP route if you're on ICS. Those are good starting points if you want to see some nice UI improvements. If you decide to go AOKP make sure to mess around in ROM control.
AOSP stock apps on ICS (AOKP/CM9) are much nicer than touchwizz/samsung ics apps.
UI Ranking
#1 AOSP (AOKP,CM9) and MIUI [all ICS based]
#2 MIUI GB , Sensation ROM GB (Samsung based rom), AOSP GB (CM7) (LunarUI theme)
#3 Stock Samsung ROM or Stock CM7 [both GB based]
Recommend Choice is AOKP http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1574718
Just make sure you know what you're doing when you flash
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are these custom Roms or just the normal Android OS without the company's additions to it? I have gingerbread atm (I'd rather wait for ICS until the official release from AT&T)
hobbs said:
You just need a different launcher. Try go launcher.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried Go launcher. I didn't like how it was basically an OS on top of the normal OS. They both were running at the same time and I had to rearrange my apps to make them the same as they were. I just want the Android OS without the stupid additions/subtractions from Samsung/Motorola/etc >.<
However I have to say, I do like how Go Launcher doesn't require rooting
ScelestusAnimus said:
I tried Go launcher. I didn't like how it was basically an OS on top of the normal OS. They both were running at the same time and I had to rearrange my apps to make them the same as they were. I just want the Android OS without the stupid additions/subtractions from Samsung/Motorola/etc >.<
However I have to say, I do like how Go Launcher doesn't require rooting
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You do realize, right, that Touchwiz is a launcher too? And even vanilla Android builds use a launcher? When you use Go Launcher, it's not running "on top of" what's already there; it's replacing Touchwiz.
I'm sorry, but you can't have vanilla Android OS without installing it in the form of a custom ROM. Samsung makes their own builds of Android, which is what you have. If you want something else, somebody else has to build it...meaning the developers on this forum.
mattdm said:
You do realize, right, that Touchwiz is a launcher too? And even vanilla Android builds use a launcher? When you use Go Launcher, it's not running "on top of" what's already there; it's replacing Touchwiz.
I'm sorry, but you can't have vanilla Android OS without installing it in the form of a custom ROM. Samsung makes their own builds of Android, which is what you have. If you want something else, somebody else has to build it...meaning the developers on this forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe it just felt like that because I could cancel it at any time and go back and forth between normal touchwiz and Go launcher. I know this is a versatility feature, but I'd rather have that disabled, as crazy as it may sound.
But that's good to know. I didn't know a launcher was REQUIRED, just thought it was what most people did. I'll look into other launchers.
Is there still one where you can resize the UI elements and stuff like that?
ScelestusAnimus said:
Maybe it just felt like that because I could cancel it at any time and go back and forth between normal touchwiz and Go launcher. I know this is a versatility feature, but I'd rather have that disabled, as crazy as it may sound.
But that's good to know. I didn't know a launcher was REQUIRED, just thought it was what most people did. I'll look into other launchers.
Is there still one where you can resize the UI elements and stuff like that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As mattdm said, all Android builds require a launcher. Otherwise you'd have no usable GUI. When you were switching back and forth between GO and TouchWiz were you using a home/launcher switcher, or were you just using the default ui to choose one each time you went to your home screen?
You can have several launchers installed and use a switcher to make one "stick" until you decide you want a different look/feel.
Some prefer GO or LauncherPro. I use ADW EX and TouchWiz. ADW and LauncherPro are very configurable. VERY. Both have their ardent fans. I've not used GO.
PS: You do NOT want the ability to change launchers disabled. ;-)
ScelestusAnimus said:
Maybe it just felt like that because I could cancel it at any time and go back and forth between normal touchwiz and Go launcher. I know this is a versatility feature, but I'd rather have that disabled, as crazy as it may sound.
But that's good to know. I didn't know a launcher was REQUIRED, just thought it was what most people did. I'll look into other launchers.
Is there still one where you can resize the UI elements and stuff like that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uhh... touchwiz lets you resize certain widgets... (UI elements) pretty sure go launcher and adw ex do too...
Biporch said:
The clean Androind would be an AOSP based rom, like CM9/AOKP
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CM9 uses the Trebuchet launcher. as it has been hammered multiple times, all roms use some sort of launcher. I'm not sure what AOKP uses, but I'd wager its either Trebuchet, nova, or apex..
0p3nsrc said:
CM9 uses the Trebuchet launcher. as it has been hammered multiple times, all roms use some sort of launcher. I'm not sure what AOKP uses, but I'd wager its either Trebuchet, nova, or apex..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe it comes with both apex and nova. They are fairly similar but each have a few unique features.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda premium
0p3nsrc said:
CM9 uses the Trebuchet launcher. as it has been hammered multiple times, all roms use some sort of launcher. I'm not sure what AOKP uses, but I'd wager its either Trebuchet, nova, or apex..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tasks came with trebuchet. I switched to nova and I'm fairly sure that apex came on it too.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda premium
ScelestusAnimus said:
Long story short, about a year ago i got a Motorola Bravo (Android) phone for a few weeks but returned it because I couldn't really afford a data plan at the time. About a month ago I switched back to smartphones, this time for good, and now have a Samsung Galaxy SII.
The motorola phone had some AWESOME user-friendly features, such as resizing of widgets. Is this taken out because of Touchwiz or was that an older version of Android that's now obsolete? What all does Touchwiz take away functionality-wise? What does Gingerbread (2.3.6 to be specific) look like without Touchwiz?
I've yet to root my phone (the only reason I'd have right now is more battery life) but if I could reove Touchwiz and get some serious UI improvements, that'd definitely be a gamechanger for me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First off, Welcome to Samsung!
A little background.
AOSP = Android Open Source Program. Meaning, a open source of code editable by anyone.
Touchwiz/Motoblur/Sense = Not AOSP, they were written as a launcher/GUI for each phone by their developer (Motorola/Samsung/HTC). On top of that, these GUI/Overlays have their fingers into everything on a phone, this is why updates take so long. Google creates a new version of Android and passes it to the phone manufacturer, they in turn need to take that new version and paste their GUI/Overlay on top of it, this takes time and money. Further, once the phone manufacturer finishes updating, they need to give the software to the vendor (VZW/AT&T etc) who add more bloat/custom crap to the software.
Custom ROM's, are and are not AOSP, Some are pure AOSP like AOKP or CM (Cyanogenmod), they are written by groups of people, all of whom work in concert to bring you the ROM. Then there are custom ROM's that are not in the realm of AOSP. For example, I use Phone Bricker, written by LilChris here on XDA. This ROM is not really Open Source as it's written by one person, the author may give out the source, I don't know.
So what would your phone look like w/o Touchwiz? CM9/AOKP is as close as you'll get. Those ROMs use the closest to stock version of Android.
To confuse matters even more, there are Launchers, Go Launcher/Apex etc. They operate as yet another GUI on top of a GUI, inside a ROM. So you could have a stock, unrooted Galaxy S2, with Touchwiz and Go Launcher, and customize it to make it look like you want it too. Or, you could root your phone, Update to CM9 (running Ice Cream Sandwich btw), and use the launcher that they have there, or change that to Go Launcher.
The options are endless, read read read. I am new to Samsung, I came from Motorola where things are done quite a bit differently. I can tell you this though, you are infinitely better off with a Samsung phone than a Motorola Phone. Not only does Motoblur blow chunks, but Motorola is a terrible company as far as software updates go. Toss in locked bootloaders... anyway, I hope the above answered your question.
Wink
Hi guys, i want to buy a Samsung Galasy S3 but sincerly i don't like so much the Touchwiz GUI so i wonder if someone can say me if there is a way in order to delete Touchwiz with a Custom Rom or other way... I also wonder if someone can say me if the timestamp message is time of Message Sent or Message recive i explain well because my english isn't perfet (i'm italian) if i have phone power off and someone send me a message at 6:00pm, when i puwer on phone at 8:00pm and i read message, will i see the 6:00 pm in timestamp or 8:00pm ???
I hope you can forgive me for my bad english, thanks guys you're all a great people, i have only to learn from you
I ASK ADMIN IF GENTLY THEY CAN MOVE THIS THREAD, PLEASE.
Why do XDA even bother on creating a Q&A subsection in the forums...
sorry i didn't see i was in General, now i want to move post in right session or repost in correct session, but i don't find the way for delete this, how can i? sorry again.
Now to answer your question. There are many launchers you can use if you don't like touchwiz. Just install and when you hit the home button it will ask you which launcher you want to use. Check the block to make it your default and then choose the launcher you want.
_______________
Just Flash It !!!
Thanks for the answere, i know this way, but if i change launcher GUI keep the touchwiz or touchwiz is only the Launcher? i ask this because i think Touchwiz by samsung is inside the system and it take a lot of space and i don't think a launcher take so much space. maybe in a custom rom we can recover the space used by touchwiz and use if for other thing, maybe a smoother and lighter rom for SGS3 will improve performance. How about SMS timestamp?
You probably are referring to the touchwiz launcher. You can replace the launcher with apex or nova which are "stock vanilla ICS" launchers that include options to customize it. Apex is a better choice if you want a free launcher with many features...but if you want to buy nova prime I would recommend that.
The new touchwiz has some nice features, and replacing the launcher won't get rid of them.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using Tapatalk 2
laastan Regalia,
I've got a Nexus one and i tried to install ICS in order to try some launcher, i agree with you as Nova is the best, i will buy it but before i want to try use the Touchwiz, maybe i'll like ite... it isn't very bad as the Gingerbread stock launcher XD
Hello
I'm a big fan of Samsungs Hardware but never liked touchwiz. The hings that annoy me most are the launcher and the Email(Exchange) App.
Is there a way to use the Vanilla ICS pendants without switching completely to cyanogen (when it once will be available)? I would like too keep the few nice add ons by Samsung.
Thx for hints
You could try an alternative ICS launcher such as Nova https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.teslacoilsw.launcher&hl=en. Hope that helps some.
An alternative launcher will definitely get you away from much of the touchwiz experience but you will still be stuck with Samsung's email, calendar, etc apps. Take a look in the SGS3 Themes and Apps section. I believe someone there has created a flashable zip to replace the Samsung stock apps with the ICS ones.
Thanks both of you. Nova does the trick for now.
I also flashed the ICS Email but it did not want to work. Guess I'll wait for CM then.
cheers
Hey guys I have 2 questions.
1. Im looking for some nice homescreens that were themed and how to make them. If anyone can provide hwo they made it with a picture that would be awesome.
2. Is ther any rumors on when Verizon will release 4.1.2 or any sort of update.
Thanks for your attention
Anyone would like to help me.Would be appreciated
I just use Go Launcher for my themes but if your looking to do some really custom stuff you might have to go another route. Have you checked youtube
Yeah I have but i dont really like using launchers and such. I like TW.
It really depends on how much you want to theme. If you're not rooted, you can download widget apps such as Beautiful Widgets or HD Widgets and use those as well as change the icons for apps. If you're rooted you can basically theme whatever you want. A good place to look for theming is youtube. If you wanted to, you could even go to the "Screenshot of your homescreen" threads and if they are popular people usually ask how to get them. This will give you a good idea of what to use.
To answer your second question, Samsung has already started pushing the 4.1.2 Jelly Bean update to the International version of the Note 2 so it won't be too long before we get it on ours. Hopefully early 2013.
Hi, just recently switched over to android after being an iphone user since 2007. So bare with me as I am learning the lingo and software. The hardware of the HTC one made me cheat. So here I am.
So.... This has been a very different experience from jailbreaks on iphone. So as of now I cannot really get the lock screen the way I'd like. The sense lock screen is not customizable like the stock android lock screen. And I have tried apps such as widget locker and then tried adding things on such as dash clock but things aren't smooth and some apps just don't work well together. Not all the functionality of dash clock will work within widget locker. And widget locker will show the default lock screen whenever I get a phone call....kind of defeats the purpose of having the app in the first place....
I tried the Cyanogen 10.1 rom but found I missed certain aspects of sense 5.... I like blink feed and the way the phone from sense is integrated. Android's stock phone app is bland and not that well integrated and intuitive IMO... Also the beats audio and zoe and camera features that made the camera and speakers great was missing... lets just say those tweaks make a huge difference in camera quality and audio quality that I could not replace with any apps.
So right now I'm currently rooted on Trickdroid version 7.5.0 with JB 4.2.2 and sense 5 on my htc one from AT&T. I flashed the tweaks package that came with the rom and installed the asop JB lock screen hoping I could add widgets to it and customize it the way I want. Unfortunately It won't let me do that with the ASOP lock screen either....I'm not sure why they added it with the rom if it doesn't do what it's supposed to? The tweak package itself is also having a weird bug that causes the status bar to have two clocks.
Anyhow I guess my question is..... is there a better way of customizing my lock screen or is there another rom that would suite my needs? And how would one go about uninstalling a particular tweak package?
Thank you in advance
No one?
I'd like to report the bug to the developers but I haven't posted up enough replies.
Any suggestions on a better rom? One with stock android but still retains the betas audio and htc camera tweaks?
You're gonna have to wait until the GE one drops for the stock with beats and camera. As for the lockscreen, you're not getting much mod wise. Also you can't just delete a tweak you flashed, you have to restore a nandroid you (should have) made in recovery.
Sent from my HTC One using xda premium
The best piece of advice anyone on this (or any other) forum can possibly give you:
If you're going to be toying with the phone in the manner in which we do here, please please please make a nandroid backup. I'm asking for your own sake and ours. It's the best way to revert to a previous state your phone was in if you have any troubles.
Uribam said:
The best piece of advice anyone on this (or any other) forum can possibly give you:
If you're going to be toying with the phone in the manner in which we do here, please please please make a nandroid backup. I'm asking for your own sake and ours. It's the best way to revert to a previous state your phone was in if you have any troubles.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the advise. I have restored from nandroid. :good:
axistep spatiis
spitfire2425 said:
You're gonna have to wait until the GE one drops for the stock with beats and camera. As for the lockscreen, you're not getting much mod wise. Also you can't just delete a tweak you flashed, you have to restore a nandroid you (should have) made in recovery.
Sent from my HTC One using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the response. I was afraid I'd have to wait. Do you think the GE rom will be available right away to non GE HTC ones or would we have to wait for a developer to mod it for use for us?
Hopefully we can just flash it as an ruu. When someone gets a leak or someone makes a system dump it should be flashable. If not it'll take a little moding which shouldn't take too long for a dev to do.
Sent from my HTC One using xda premium