Related
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
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.
No posts by the staff in months, no updates to the app, even new themes are down to a trickle...
I'm trying out Buzz Launcher, but it isn't as user friendly as Themer.
What's up?
RED ZMAN said:
No posts by the staff in months, no updates to the app, even new themes are down to a trickle...
I'm trying out Buzz Launcher, but it isn't as user friendly as Themer.
What's up?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been wondering the same thing. It's like ever since Marco quit, back in April, Themer has been dead. The only people that are making themes are making paid themes and posting on mycolorscreen.com.
Buzz Launcher sucks. Just saying.
Ok
IrradiantFlux said:
I've been wondering the same thing. It's like ever since Marco quit, back in April, Themer has been dead. The only people that are making themes are making paid themes and posting on mycolorscreen.com.
Buzz Launcher sucks. Just saying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are some things I really like about buzz launcher, but it is not terribly user friendly. Don't understand how people drop projects like this. They could have made a ton of money on it if they just put it out for sale, and money truly motivates people.
Is there some information somewhere about what's going on? I don't know who Marco is.
I've recently updated my opinion on Buzz Launcher, but it's really not user friendly and the random widget usage of the populace is ridiculous. I like the transition effects when swiping to the next screen.
Anyway, there is information on Marco on mycolorscreen.com, as well as, YouTube. Marco was the main theme developer for Themer. He kind of kept the app going and ran the website. But it's been dead since he left for another job. He'd been with themer for 2 years.
Yeah, the widget deal is silly, and the system isn't well described. The vertical app drawer sucks, and for some reason needs a network connection to open...
And what is with the constant adding of smaller social networking programs or never heard of apps?
Themer was about perfect.
RED ZMAN said:
Yeah, the widget deal is silly, and the system isn't well described. The vertical app drawer sucks, and for some reason needs a network connection to open...
And what is with the constant adding of smaller social networking programs or never heard of apps?
Themer was about perfect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now that they don't add new themes through the app, I am downloading themer themes from the mycolorscreen site. Their are some great themes there. There are also non-themer themes on the site. I don't understand how to get them on my phone?
Sent from my LG-F460S using XDA Free mobile app
Unless there are directions I wouldn't either. I'm checking out Go Launcher, but the theming isn't deep like Themer and no vertical app drawer that I can find.
IrradiantFlux said:
Anyway, there is information on Marco on mycolorscreen.com, as well as, YouTube. Marco was the main theme developer for Themer. He kind of kept the app going and ran the website. But it's been dead since he left for another job. He'd been with themer for 2 years.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm having to leave BUZZ now because after adding 3 of the main widget apps the themes wanted my phone worked like crap. I'm trying Launcher 8 and Go Launcher right now, but not completely pleased with either. Launcher 8 has some cool stuff in it.
The search continues...
RED ZMAN said:
I'm having to leave BUZZ now because after adding 3 of the main widget apps the themes wanted my phone worked like crap. I'm trying Launcher 8 and Go Launcher right now, but not completely pleased with either. Launcher 8 has some cool stuff in it.
The search continues...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are many good Themes on their website, but the website has possibly been hacked. I don't know, and I've never had problems with it. I read on a post on xda forum, somewhere, that the site was hacked. I don't really believe it, but they've had more pop-up problems than ever since April. I upload my designs there, and have for over a year. Though, lately the most recent uploads are from the same guy that only creates paid themes on Google Play.
I'm currently using Buzz Launcher, but it's annoying. I hate looking for days, literally, for a complete set of icons. The only redeeming quality that Buzz has, is that Zooper Widget works with it very well. I've been using full screen widgets, and opening my Themer themes page by page. It's a bit slower, but it works. I really don't like the app drawer. Vertical it's hideous and clunky, but horizontal is a bunch of unwanted folders. I just want a plain app drawer with the icons in an infinite scroll list. I've tried Nova Launcher and it was even less user friendly than Buzz Launcher. There are 2 launchers made by the same company that created the Clean Master App, Cheetah Mobile I think, and both are very good if you're trying to escape the battery drain, but neither is really customizable.
Oh, and Go! Launcher will speed through your battery, or the cost of the semi okay themes will break your bank account. There aren't many themes on Go that look good and are functional without being costly. I design. I don't buy Themes, or icons. I either make my own, or I Google icons + deviantart. There's a ton of free, professionally made, icon packs that can be downloaded in a zip file.
As for the how to on getting the themer themes onto themer from mycolorscreen.com, there a tutorial at the bottom of the post. The short version is, download the theme zip file. open up file manager. move the zip file from downloads to the mycolorscreen/exported/zip folder. leave it zipped. then open up the themes menu in themer, look under categories tab, tap exported, find the name of the zip folder, tap it, tap okay. voila.
---------- Post added at 04:10 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:58 AM ----------
RED ZMAN said:
I'm having to leave BUZZ now because after adding 3 of the main widget apps the themes wanted my phone worked like crap. I'm trying Launcher 8 and Go Launcher right now, but not completely pleased with either. Launcher 8 has some cool stuff in it.
The search continues...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh! I almost forgot. Buzz Launcher. Instead of downloading the app for the theme's widget, you can redirect the widget to another app, such as Zooper or Buzz Widget. It's much easier to replace the base app of the widget than to download some random never heard of apps.
Plus, some of those apps aren't rated, and they come with a warning from Google Play that they could contain inappropriate content or possibly viruses. -_-
IrradiantFlux said:
There are many good Themes on their website, but the website has possibly been hacked. I don't know, and I've never had problems with it. I read on a post on xda forum, somewhere, that the site was hacked. I don't really believe it, but they've had more pop-up problems than ever since April. I upload my designs there, and have for over a year. Though, lately the most recent uploads are from the same guy that only creates paid themes on Google Play.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Strangely since a few weeks a handful of themer Widgets are causing security problems according to avast mobile. It has been approximately since I was downloading themer themes from their website, could it be hacked??
Sent from my LG-F460S using XDA Free mobile app
Thanks for the info. Seems like too much work to go through to use the damned widgets.
Right now I'm trying out Hola Launcher, and I'm kind of impressed by how nice it is. The vertical app drawer in it is the best I've seen, quick letter access like Themer had, but it groups them by letter. VERY nice. The themes are a bit more of the Go Launcher style, but not bad, unfortunately the icons aren't all themed yet. The only annoying stuff in this one so far...
1. The auto sorted app folders. Want to get rid of one? Nope. You need to "release" the folder, which pours all the apps inside that folder onto one of your homepages. Want to get rid of those icons? Sorry, you can only HIDE or Uninstall them. Once you hide them, they aren't shown in the App Drawer anymore.
2. For me, the 2 finger swipe up to get to your hidden apps doesn't work. I'm on Lollipop, my wife with the same phone on 4.4.2 has it working.
And thats about it. REALLY nice, like surprisingly so. Even some of their little custom app icons do some neat stuff.
WP Launcher is neat too, really impressed with it, but wish there were more American or English speaking users/themers for it.
Themer was almost perfect, like RIGHT there...
IrradiantFlux said:
I'm currently using Buzz Launcher, but it's annoying. I hate looking for days, literally, for a complete set of icons. The only redeeming quality that Buzz has, is that Zooper Widget works with it very well. I've been using full screen widgets, and opening my Themer themes page by page. It's a bit slower, but it works. I really don't like the app drawer. Vertical it's hideous and clunky, but horizontal is a bunch of unwanted folders. I just want a plain app drawer with the icons in an infinite scroll list. I've tried Nova Launcher and it was even less user friendly than Buzz Launcher. There are 2 launchers made by the same company that created the Clean Master App, Cheetah Mobile I think, and both are very good if you're trying to escape the battery drain, but neither is really customizable.
Oh, and Go! Launcher will speed through your battery, or the cost of the semi okay themes will break your bank account. There aren't many themes on Go that look good and are functional without being costly. I design. I don't buy Themes, or icons. I either make my own, or I Google icons + deviantart. There's a ton of free, professionally made, icon packs that can be downloaded in a zip file.
Oh! I almost forgot. Buzz Launcher. Instead of downloading the app for the theme's widget, you can redirect the widget to another app, such as Zooper or Buzz Widget. It's much easier to replace the base app of the widget than to download some random never heard of apps.
Plus, some of those apps aren't rated, and they come with a warning from Google Play that they could contain inappropriate content or possibly viruses. -_-
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Snip
I should note, they updated Hola Launcher today and fixed a few issues I didn't like yesterday. Also just figured out part of the hide apps thing so that's not an issue anymore really. The double swipe up to show hidden apps started working for me, and there's a setting button in there. You can turn on the option in there to show hidden apps in the All Apps (app drawer).
This thing really is almost perfect...
RED ZMAN said:
I should note, they updated Hola Launcher today and fixed a few issues I didn't like yesterday. Also just figured out part of the hide apps thing so that's not an issue anymore really. The double swipe up to show hidden apps started working for me, and there's a setting button in there. You can turn on the option in there to show hidden apps in the All Apps (app drawer).
This thing really is almost perfect...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried wp launcher and that would be the second one for me (after themer)... Thanks for the hint.
Sent from my LG-F460S using XDA Free mobile app
RED ZMAN said:
I should note, they updated Hola Launcher today and fixed a few issues I didn't like yesterday. Also just figured out part of the hide apps thing so that's not an issue anymore really. The double swipe up to show hidden apps started working for me, and there's a setting button in there. You can turn on the option in there to show hidden apps in the All Apps (app drawer).
This thing really is almost perfect...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Themer was best launcher I've ever used, especially as a designer. I'm rather tired of Buzz Launcher.
As for the virus, well.. I'd say it's bugged. I had to reset my phone and tablet back to factory after using the site a few times about a week ago. I thought it was just a random virus from possibly downloading design photos from Google search. ha ha. It was a weird virus that infected Chrome first, I started seeing a lot of random porn pop-up ads on any webpage, and since I'm not using my devices for porn, I can only assume it's a virus. I uninstalled the updates for Chrome first then I disabled it. Unfortunately, it wasn't before the rest of my device was infected, and my phone started randomly downloading apps I've never even heard of before, without my permission I might add. the one I remember was Alibaba. Idk what that is but it's not something I would download, and I was trying to install Webroot Anti-Virus onto my phone and when I scanned, it said almost every app I had was infected and a security breach. I tried to fix that but it force closed and when it wouldn't open I tried to download another Webroot app, but a bunch of other apps started to install themselves and then I was blocked from installing Webroot Internet Security Complete. The download would not start. it said downloading but didn't start. I restarted my phone in safe mode, but couldn't find the problem, then the Play Store was continuously trying to download Webroot, even when I turned WiFi and Data off it was still trying. I finally just removed those apps as they came in to my phone, then I restarted my phone again, but when I went to Google Play it was only a blank white screen. I had to complete a hard reset to stop it from spreading further and I installed Webroot after. I'll be staying away from mycolorscreen. safer to Google "what happened to themer mycolorscreen" and read on Marcos G+ or YouTube because both show up under that search. Themer was great, but whatever is going on with that company now, I don't know and I want no part of it.
I'll look into Hola Launcher, but if I can't customize then I'll be back to finding a customizable launcher. So far, I've not had any luck on that front. Themer is still the most customizable launcher with their integrated Zooper Widget Pro inside of it.
RED ZMAN said:
Thanks for the info. Seems like too much work to go through to use the damned widgets.
Right now I'm trying out Hola Launcher, and I'm kind of impressed by how nice it is. The vertical app drawer in it is the best I've seen, quick letter access like Themer had, but it groups them by letter. VERY nice. The themes are a bit more of the Go Launcher style, but not bad, unfortunately the icons aren't all themed yet. The only annoying stuff in this one so far...
1. The auto sorted app folders. Want to get rid of one? Nope. You need to "release" the folder, which pours all the apps inside that folder onto one of your homepages. Want to get rid of those icons? Sorry, you can only HIDE or Uninstall them. Once you hide them, they aren't shown in the App Drawer anymore.
2. For me, the 2 finger swipe up to get to your hidden apps doesn't work. I'm on Lollipop, my wife with the same phone on 4.4.2 has it working.
And thats about it. REALLY nice, like surprisingly so. Even some of their little custom app icons do some neat stuff.
WP Launcher is neat too, really impressed with it, but wish there were more American or English speaking users/themers for it.
Themer was almost perfect, like RIGHT there...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't really like their User Agreement, and so far I've found no information on where the company is located. I noticed the video in the Play Store app page had text in some form of Sanskrit language.
Sent from my LG G3 using XDA Free mobile app
EMJI79 said:
Strangely since a few weeks a handful of themer Widgets are causing security problems according to avast mobile. It has been approximately since I was downloading themer themes from their website, could it be hacked??
Sent from my LG-F460S using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for sharing that. It finally made my strange virus problem clear. What a mess that company is without Marco. He maintained the website and now it's been left to die. I'd recommend getting a killer anti-virus software for your devices that have been there. I tried every anti-virus software on the app store and only Webroot found any problem. Luckily, I already have Webroot Internet Security Complete on my laptops and desktops, so it didn't cost anything. (It's like $30-$70 for a year subscription for up to 5 devices. It depends on the product keys you choose. Internet Security Complete is the best you can get, and when you use it on mobile, it comes as one download from Google Play but it's 3 high security apps in one. It protects on all fronts.)
Sent from my LG G3 using XDA Free mobile app
---------- Post added at 02:09 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:02 AM ----------
RED ZMAN said:
I should note, they updated Hola Launcher today and fixed a few issues I didn't like yesterday. Also just figured out part of the hide apps thing so that's not an issue anymore really. The double swipe up to show hidden apps started working for me, and there's a setting button in there. You can turn on the option in there to show hidden apps in the All Apps (app drawer).
This thing really is almost perfect...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Star Trek theme.. Sigh.
Thank you for pointing Hola Launcher out to me. I found that theme for it and fell in love. Actually, I browsed all of their themes and they're really nice. I won't be able to design with this launcher, but it's nice to take a break from it and finally delete Buzz Launcher. Hooray! Now I only have to complete design requests, instead of create themes for myself and everyone I know plus the requests. Vacation.
IrradiantFlux said:
Thanks for sharing that. It finally made my strange virus problem clear. What a mess that company is without Marco. He maintained the website and now it's been left to die. I'd recommend getting a killer anti-virus software for your devices that have been there. I tried every anti-virus software on the app store and only Webroot found any problem. Luckily, I already have Webroot Internet Security Complete on my laptops and desktops, so it didn't cost anything. (It's like $30-$70 for a year subscription for up to 5 devices. It depends on the product keys you choose. Internet Security Complete is the best you can get, and when you use it on mobile, it comes as one download from Google Play but it's 3 high security apps in one. It protects on all fronts.)
Sent from my LG G3 using XDA Free mobile app
---------- Post added at 02:09 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:02 AM ----------
The Star Trek theme.. Sigh.
Thank you for pointing Hola Launcher out to me. I found that theme for it and fell in love. Actually, I browsed all of their themes and they're really nice. I won't be able to design with this launcher, but it's nice to take a break from it and finally delete Buzz Launcher. Hooray! Now I only have to complete design requests, instead of create themes for myself and everyone I know plus the requests. Vacation.
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Well, I'm thinking that Hola Launcher is just beginning, it is SO quick and small. 2.4MB? Really?!?!?
It supports regular widgets so any you've created SHOULD work, I wonder if there's a way to package a theme back up from them and distribute it with custom widgets? Hola Shine is pretty amazing too, and the Technology theme for it is frigging gorgeous! I asked them a bunch of questions via Email yesterday and they are VERY responsive. I can post some of that here if you want. Perhaps if you contacted them they'd be open to becoming more designer friendly in the way you design.
And how about that app drawer... *sigh* Now let me go find that Star Trek theme.
I need to ask, isn't Zooper also owned by MyColorScreen? I thought it was and was also going to head down the same path to abandonment.
RED ZMAN said:
I should note, they updated Hola Launcher today and fixed a few issues I didn't like yesterday. Also just figured out part of the hide apps thing so that's not an issue anymore really. The double swipe up to show hidden apps started working for me, and there's a setting button in there. You can turn on the option in there to show hidden apps in the All Apps (app drawer).
This thing really is almost perfect...
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Click to collapse
RED ZMAN said:
Well, I'm thinking that Hola Launcher is just beginning, it is SO quick and small. 2.4MB? Really?!?!?
It supports regular widgets so any you've created SHOULD work, I wonder if there's a way to package a theme back up from them and distribute it with custom widgets? Hola Shine is pretty amazing too, and the Technology theme for it is frigging gorgeous! I asked them a bunch of questions via Email yesterday and they are VERY responsive. I can post some of that here if you want. Perhaps if you contacted them they'd be open to becoming more designer friendly in the way you design.
And how about that app drawer... *sigh* Now let me go find that Star Trek theme.
I need to ask, isn't Zooper also owned by MyColorScreen? I thought it was and was also going to head down the same path to abandonment.
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Click to collapse
Yes, Zooper Widget is owned by mycolorscreen. Though, I believe that wasn't always the case, I'm not exactly sure.
I've contacted the Holaverse people, but so far no response. I had a technical question about a Theme. In the preview photos of the theme, it showed Play Store and Email as having themed icons, yet when I installed it(1, 2, 3, times), those apps didn't get themed icons. Though, it is a wonderful launcher, and I adore that clean memory icon, I'm already missing being able to customize in depth. Lol. There's just no pleasing a woman.
I've been using this launcher for about a month or so now, and I REALLY love it!! If anyone else likes Windows 10 inspired launchers, this is the best one I've found. It is very true to the name. It looks and operates like Windows 10. There are absolutely NO ADS, or in-app purchases. It has a lot of features, with more on the way. The developers are very friendly, and prompt with their responses. Third party icon pack support is included as well, so you can have the layout you want.
Here's a play store link to the app in case anyone wants to try it out. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.InternityLabs.Launcher.WinX
I have added screen shots showing the home screen and various windows for functions, and options. This launcher does support live wallpapers, I tested that out as well. The live wallpaper I used is about 10 years old, and there were no errors or interruptions to my regular everyday usage. I spend a lot of time on my phone changing my layout and themes, and this works perfectly for that.
Items that have been moved to the recycle bin can be deleted directly from there. There is also a screen shot showing apps that have been hidden from the app drawer. You can resize the app drawer as well.
Changed my theme
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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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