Hi there! I noticed that Sony Xperia 1 III lacks some very common apps that I would like to have, such as:
1. Photo Editor (Google sucks!)
2. File Explorer or File Manager (Google sucks!)
2. Voice recorder
3. Memo or Notepad
Maybe a Photo Gallery different from the one that came with and was taken over by...Google!
My latest phone was a Samsung and I was very happy with their stock apps. Also, I had the Sony Xperia 1 and it had great stock apps, as well.
If you could please dump the .apk of previous Sony versions of those apps above that would work with 1 III or if you could recommend me the best from Google Play, I would really appreciate it.
Many thanks!!!
For photo gallery search for sony album app in apk mirror. This is great gallery, I installed it and it works perfectly fine.
The only thing is in latest version sony broke / removed possibility to rotate picture.
And can't edit videos. I installed the latest version of sony album, sony photo editor and video editor, and I can only edit Photos, there's no option for videos to edit like it was on my XZ3 in Album app.
Now I bought Simple Gallery Pro: Videos & Photos Manager & Editor. It's all I needed.
Hope it helps ya!
Victor_octo said:
And can't edit videos. I installed the latest version of sony album, sony photo editor and video editor, and I can only edit Photos, there's no option for videos to edit like it was on my XZ3 in Album app.
Now I bought Simple Gallery Pro: Videos & Photos Manager & Editor. It's all I needed.
Hope it helps ya!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, Victor!
decomposed said:
For photo gallery search for sony album app in apk mirror. This is great gallery, I installed it and it works perfectly fine.
The only thing is in latest version sony broke / removed possibility to rotate picture.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got it . Thanks!
Victor_octo said:
And can't edit videos. I installed the latest version of sony album, sony photo editor and video editor, and I can only edit Photos, there's no option for videos to edit like it was on my XZ3 in Album app.
Now I bought Simple Gallery Pro: Videos & Photos Manager & Editor. It's all I needed.
Hope it helps ya!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean by editing? Like cropping and filtering?
To be honest lack of many sony apps and leaving us with google garbage or trash from playstore is making me want to move to iPhone. Not because of built quality nor because of camera.
But because Apple provides many dedicated apps of high quality and ecosystem + it supports its devices for years.
Sony is on opposite route and is obsessed with feature / functions / apps removal.
I bet they hired someone sitting and scanning xperia code wondering what else he can cut off / remove
Mark 3 build quality is good.
But software wise it sucks so much.
Now you cannot even select which pane is the main screen but it always has to be the one on the left. Why so stupid limitation??? Shouldn't android be the system of freedom, options and customization as per user preference?
decomposed said:
Now you cannot even select which pane is the main screen but it always has to be the one on the left. Why so stupid limitation??? Shouldn't android be the system of freedom, options and customization as per user preference?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me, one of the attractions of Android is freedom to use any launcher. If you don't like the restrictions of the Sony launcher, then why not use another? I've been using the same Microsoft Launcher as I've used on last two phones and I'm very happy. Or I could use Nova, as I used to on earliuer phones.
Perhaps because launcher that runs all the time consumes also some battery?
And mark 3 has very weak battery life (no matter what mAh capacity says).
That's the main reason.
Do you know the reason why sony cut off those functionalities like possibility to select main screen? In past it was there...
decomposed said:
Perhaps because launcher that runs all the time consumes also some battery?
And mark 3 has very weak battery life (no matter what mAh capacity says).
That's the main reason.
Do you know the reason why sony cut off those functionalities like possibility to select main screen? In past it was there...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All launchers will use some battery. If you remain with Sony launcher that will also. Looking in battery usage stats on my mark 3, the Microsoft launcher is using no more than any other mainstream launcher. It's not running "all the time" - compared to, say, Google Play Services it's running a tiny amount of time.
I agree battery life on Mark 3 is disappointing - but different launcher is not an issue. Suggest you try one or two - there are some excellent ones out there and setting new default is simple, and reversible.
Im sticking with stock launcher for a different reason, that gesture navigation is broken on 3rd party launchers. If the api is only coming in Android 12, then I guess its until Android 12 comes out...whenever that is.
The whole topic is about sony removing features and functions.
Like OBSESSED!
If this possibility to select hope screen was there why to remove it? It does not require further development...
And all great apps they had replacing with google stock crap... When I saw google crap gallery and saw no Sony album first thing I thought was to give the device back. Thankfully I found it can be downloaded from Internet and installed. Works fine.
And yes you will not find it on Google p(l)ay store... + ...
Software wise xperia devices became pathetic with this approach. + Of course no communication and no changelogs.
Many OEM's are slowly but surely removing their proprietary apps. Good...bad??? Debatable.
The reason is that there are...in most cases...dozens of apps that will do the same thing or better on the Play Store or APK mirror, as well as a number of other sites for use. So if you're missing something, chances are that you will be able to find it, or its equivalent, and be able to accomplish whatever you need.
hotcakes_shinku said:
Im sticking with stock launcher for a different reason, that gesture navigation is broken on 3rd party launchers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gesture navigation is working perfectly with Microsoft launcher.
Best launcher is Lawnchair, it is light and stable...
Does anyone have any idea if the left side of the screen (when sliding from left to right) can be configured with any other application rather than...Google App (of course) ? I would like to have News Suite set up for that screen.
AmataLudu said:
Does anyone have any idea if the left side of the screen (when sliding from left to right) can be configured with any other application rather than...Google App (of course) ? I would like to have News Suite set up for that screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately no.
Google scam is the only option.
I recommend to disable it.
decomposed said:
To be honest lack of many sony apps and leaving us with google garbage or trash from playstore is making me want to move to iPhone. Not because of built quality nor because of camera.
But because Apple provides many dedicated apps of high quality and ecosystem + it supports its devices for years.
Sony is on opposite route and is obsessed with feature / functions / apps removal.
I bet they hired someone sitting and scanning xperia code wondering what else he can cut off / remove
Mark 3 build quality is good.
But software wise it sucks so much.
Now you cannot even select which pane is the main screen but it always has to be the one on the left. Why so stupid limitation??? Shouldn't android be the system of freedom, options and customization as per user preference?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mate, the camera on my iPhone 13 Pro is miles better than on my Xperia 1 III, consistently better point & shoot pictures, both during the day and at night
Related
I really like the Sony Cradle, but there's one thing that's been bugging me since I got it.
I'd really like to use my tablet as a photo frame when it's in the cradle, and there's the Gallery app to do just that. But unless I'm missing something, there doesn't seem to be much in the way of settings.
Rather than just pulling in any photos it finds, I'd like to just display a specific folder of images (In an ideal world, it'd hook into Flickr and pull a particular set in, but that's probably asking too much).
Failing that, it'd be great if other applications - including an alternative "gallery" app - were available.
Other options should include duration between pictures, selection of transitions, how to deal with photos of different ratios, and choosing whether to pan/zoom or not.
Has anyone got any solutions?
install quickpic (alternative gallery, fast and free, lets u define paths)
go to settings, applications, gallery
clear defaults
see if quickpic now comes up as option when u dock
Any word on how this worked? I'd like to have something like this, but can't try it until I get home.
Sent from my g2x
edit:
tried it. still only gives the same options. =\
QuickPic is indeed a much nicer program than Gallery, although it could do with some transitions.
Unfortunately, only the three "official" Sony apps come up as options to auto-start when you dock in the cradle - Clock, Gallery and Chumby.
I'm not sure what special inclusions are required for third-party apps to work like that...
Well, quickpic needs some development
Quickpic is nice, but still, what's bugging me is:
"Can't sync Picasa or Facebook or other web albums!"
An app where you could choose whatever album you wanted (including Picasa) I would give a fair amount of money for.
Hello
I'm looking for a music player app that actually looks good on a tablet.
I've tried MixZing, PowerAmp and such, but haven't found any that are tablet optimized and have good features.
I'd prefer one with a widget that could take up an entire home screen on the Prime (8x5 I believe?) and one that has a lockscreen player.
I hope someone can help me out
- Moon
I'm curious about this too. The one thing google needs to do a better job with is these native Android apps, it should be fairly easy to make something that competes with "iPod" app in iOS, it's not like it's something special
I think the best one is "musicXmatch"
I really like the look of it and you can see the lyrics of nearly every song!
Stocki96 said:
I think the best one is "musicXmatch"
I really like the look of it and you can see the lyrics of nearly every song!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just tried MusixXMatch, and there are literally about 8 options, 5 of them are related to headsets.
The biggest widget is 3x1 and is just pause and next track buttons, and there is no lockscreen player at all.
Thanks for your idea, but I'll keep looking.
IMO the best player with plenty of options & settings (inc equalizer), decent widget (even if not full screen - if there are any full screen widgets?), plays many file types and has the lock screen controls you want is Poweramp.
I don't know if there is a difference between the free and paid versions but I have the paid and it's been worth every penny.
TremF said:
IMO the best player with plenty of options & settings (inc equalizer), decent widget (even if not full screen - if there are any full screen widgets?), plays many file types and has the lock screen controls you want is Poweramp.
I don't know if there is a difference between the free and paid versions but I have the paid and it's been worth every penny.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried PowerAmp trial version off the play store, and the lockscreen player forced it into portrait mode (horrible), and the good looks and properly sized/fitted buttons that I know from having it on my phone is completely DESTROYED on my Prime tablet.
If the full version works otherwise, or I've missed something, could you please post a screenshot or two of your PowerAmp on your tablet?
I don't have an app to take screenshots of the lock screen but the player takes up a decent space on the left of the screen with album art and controls with your unlock slider etc to the right of the screen.
I use my Prime docked mostly and the lock screen displays landscape as normal for me.
I have attached other screenshots of the app...
TremF said:
I don't have an app to take screenshots of the lock screen but the player takes up a decent space on the left of the screen with album art and controls with your unlock slider etc to the right of the screen.
I use my Prime docked mostly and the lock screen displays landscape as normal for me.
I have attached other screenshots of the app...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I saw in the PowerAmp options, there are 2 different lockscreen players.
There's 1 where it makes it own lockscreen, with quite beautiful buttons and art, and cover art pictures, and its own little button to press for unlocking the device (This one was forced into portrait mode for me when I tried it)
And then there's the other one, smaller one, where it adds an overlay to the left of the center in the normal lockscreen, with a little box where the cover art / simple buttons are in. (works fine in landscape mode)
Which one are you using?
And a little side question, what Launcher are you using on the 4th screenshot you posted? Nova? Trebuchet? Or?
Moonbloom said:
From what I saw in the PowerAmp options, there are 2 different lockscreen players.
There's 1 where it makes it own lockscreen, with quite beautiful buttons and art, and cover art pictures, and its own little button to press for unlocking the device (This one was forced into portrait mode for me when I tried it)
And then there's the other one, smaller one, where it adds an overlay to the left of the center in the normal lockscreen, with a little box where the cover art / simple buttons are in. (works fine in landscape mode)
Which one are you using?
And a little side question, what Launcher are you using on the 4th screenshot you posted? Nova? Trebuchet? Or?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use the ICS lock screen option which displays landscape. I tried Poweramps built in lock screen and it did as you said and switched to portrait. I like the ICS lockscreen option though - just places the album art and basic controls on the left of the screen with the time and date.
The launcher I am using is ADWLauncher Ex.
PowerAmp will give you the best sound in Android, by far.
If your issue is only the lockscreen, you could try Widgetlocker. I have it on my Android phones and it is AMAZING. It has an ICS locker (look 100% the same, but let you customize Widgets on it and extra options for the unlocker.)
It drains no battery at all, but I have not tried it on my Prime. I will try it out and report back
I prefer PlayerPro. It has all the options you could wish for, has several skins you can choose to make it look the way you want and it is able to use the stock android lockscreen widget. Widgets for homescreens come in various sizes, the biggest is about one quarter of a page imho.
It also downloads Pictures for you artists automatically that makes the player look really nice. I guess its on par with PowerAmp but underrated
clouds5 said:
I prefer PlayerPro. It has all the options you could wish for, has several skins you can choose to make it look the way you want and it is able to use the stock android lockscreen widget. Widgets for homescreens come in various sizes, the biggest is about one quarter of a page imho.
It also downloads Pictures for you artists automatically that makes the player look really nice. I guess its on par with PowerAmp but underrated
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What makes PowerAmp stand out is the AMAZING audio quality it has. If you turn on EQ, apply the correct settings the sound is mind blowing. It does consume CPU tho, quite a bit if you put it to sound how it was made to, but totally worth it.
Player pro is better than power amp imo. Has a fantastic equalizer and just works.
I'd say go for PlayerPro, its really well worth the money
I've only seen on truly "tablet UI/UX optimized" music player... Hive Player... Google Play Music is the next best when it come to "tablet UI/UX optimized"...
I personally use Google music and nothing else. On my phone and my prime. Love it. Works great. Looks great. ALL my music is there and sounds bomb too. I've tried poweramp and others but ever since Google music came out...I've been stoked.
This is not a paid endorsement nor do I work for Google blah blah blah
Modded by MBOK
Soooo, reporting back!
Widgetlocker works wonderful on the Prime, so your issue with the Lockscreen could be solved just using it it will let you add ANY Widget to the lockscreen and set up whatever you want in the unlock Ring.
Tried PlayerPro, the UI is REALLY good I must say, and how it set ups band pictures for the bandlist is amazing! (Actual band pics, not Albums)
Downloaded the DSP Pack and did the EQ set up, and tested it side to side with PowerAmp, and I gotta say PowerAmp sounds better imo.
OMW to test out Hive Player
I've now tested the various music players people mentioned in this thread and these are my results:
MusicXMatch:
Looked very bad on my Prime, and i don't have any usage for the "Lyric" part of it, which is basicly it's biggest selling point.
Hardly any widgets, and no lockscreen player, and almost no options to customize it.
PlayerPro:
A decent competitor to PowerAmp, but again, no lockscreen player and the look of it, along with the button placements didn't appeal to me.
Also has alot of skins on the Play Store.
Hive Player:
I tried the "evaluation" version (author's own words), and it is indeed optimzed for tablets. I like the widgets.
But it lacks many features, and it doesn't automatically download album art. And the "evaluation" version stops playing after 1min in every song, which is kind of lame, even for a trial version.
PowerAmp:
At first i didn't enjoy it that much, but after testing other music players, it seemed to be the best looking one with the most features.
Decent widget packs, alot of skins off the Play Store.
Lockscreen player is either ICS's default one, or a lockscreen player that only works in Portrait mode. (I'm gonna try WidgetLocker to replace it)
I've bought PowerAmp Full Unlocker, and now i'm gonna test WidgetLocker as a lockscreen player replacement (based on what Zephyrot posted)
Moonbloom said:
[...]
I've bought PowerAmp Full Unlocker, and now i'm gonna test WidgetLocker as a lockscreen player replacement (based on what Zephyrot posted)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Be sure to set it up right, it has A LOT, and I mean A LOT of options
There is another free app that can download extra Lockscreen themes for it, in case you want to try out new ones.
Zephyrot said:
Be sure to set it up right, it has A LOT, and I mean A LOT of options
There is another free app that can download extra Lockscreen themes for it, in case you want to try out new ones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried WidgetLocker, and excuse me if this is a stupid question.. But isn't there any way to use other kind of lockscreen players other than simply one of the widgets from PowerAmp?
I very much like the PowerAmp lockscreen (the one forced to Portrait), and my ideal lockscreen player would simply be that one.. In Landscape mode (of course some changes would have to be made, in order for it to fit properly).
EDIT: As you said you tested PlayerPro VS PowerAmp with optimal settings, could you please share those "optimal" settings for PowerAmp? I'm not currently using the equalizer at all, because I simply don't know how to set it up to sound better than standard settings.
Hello, i have a i9305 device and i updated to 4.4.4 kitkat as soon as it has been released and there are a lot of features missing from 4.3.
For example, on 4.3 you had many gestures options, like tap to go top page, or shake to refresh. That kind of features are just missing.
Other thing i notice related to gestures:
When you use the phone after factory reset for first time, if you select a shortcut from the desktop you will be notice to turn a gesture on wich allow you to rotate screens by keep pressing the icon and rotate the phone using the gyroscope. If you refuse to turn on for the first time, even if you go to settings / gestures, you dont have any option to turn that on again. The same happens when you go to gallery.
Other thing, scrolling wallpapers, i know it has been turned off many time ago in 4.2.2 JB, but it was a bad idea. There are a lot of non used "animated wallpapers" wich no one uses. Why the scrolling wallpaper? Its the better one.
Other bad features: They updated to 4.4.4 kit kat, but the items still be almost the same. There are a lof of low cost samsung devices with the new icons, new camera app etc etc, why does the samsung s3 doesnt have that?
And now my biggest problem, the camera app.
All new samsung devices, even the ones just costing 100€ on fisic store have the new camera app wich allow you to have a button to select the shooting modes, and the newest devices have the new camera app with option to download mods. Why does the s3 not? Here, in portugal, the s3 lte its more expensive than s4 and even more expensive its worse than s4.
Do you know if a upgrade to lollipop is comming? Do you think they will fix that stuff in lollipop?
By the way: I want a camera app like lenovo camera app or s4 camera app on s3. The thing is, that camerera apps crashes when you do some stuff. Do you know how to get one full working on s3 kit kat?
THANK YOU FOR READ AND FOR YOUR HELP
Fredyarcol said:
Hello, i have a i9305 device and i updated to 4.4.4 kitkat as soon as it has been released and there are a lot of features missing from 4.3.
For example, on 4.3 you had many gestures options, like tap to go top page, or shake to refresh. That kind of features are just missing.
Other thing i notice related to gestures:
When you use the phone after factory reset for first time, if you select a shortcut from the desktop you will be notice to turn a gesture on wich allow you to rotate screens by keep pressing the icon and rotate the phone using the gyroscope. If you refuse to turn on for the first time, even if you go to settings / gestures, you dont have any option to turn that on again. The same happens when you go to gallery.
Other thing, scrolling wallpapers, i know it has been turned off many time ago in 4.2.2 JB, but it was a bad idea. There are a lot of non used "animated wallpapers" wich no one uses. Why the scrolling wallpaper? Its the better one.
Other bad features: They updated to 4.4.4 kit kat, but the items still be almost the same. There are a lof of low cost samsung devices with the new icons, new camera app etc etc, why does the samsung s3 doesnt have that?
And now my biggest problem, the camera app.
All new samsung devices, even the ones just costing 100€ on fisic store have the new camera app wich allow you to have a button to select the shooting modes, and the newest devices have the new camera app with option to download mods. Why does the s3 not? Here, in portugal, the s3 lte its more expensive than s4 and even more expensive its worse than s4.
Do you know if a upgrade to lollipop is comming? Do you think they will fix that stuff in lollipop?
By the way: I want a camera app like lenovo camera app or s4 camera app on s3. The thing is, that camerera apps crashes when you do some stuff. Do you know how to get one full working on s3 kit kat?
THANK YOU FOR READ AND FOR YOUR HELP
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope you like.
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
Hi, I was wondering if there was any way to port samsung's multistar to the Xperia 1 IV so that users can use more then 2 apps at once. Or maybe port nubia red magics implementation of it. Flagships from 2022 come with 12+gb of ram, why not utilize it to its maximum potential? (A Samsung device with 8gb of ram can have 5 different apps running in the foreground at once with multistar, surely we can do more with 12gb of ram).
because, sadly, most apps are not done in a way that it really can be used as multitasking on a desktop. Have samsung tablet and while dex seems like am interesting thing it really isn't a desktop experience. Same goes for sony 2 apps implementation, whole it can be handy for some copy/paste or similar situations I find myself most comfortable while simply switching between the apps as needed.
On a desktop you can scroll through the content in the window which is in the background so you can leave just a portion visible and work. On android using touchscreen only that is not possible so I have just a smaller working area and clicking to bring window in front or swiping to another app is the same thing.
kinggo2 said:
because, sadly, most apps are not done in a way that it really can be used as multitasking on a desktop. Have samsung tablet and while dex seems like am interesting thing it really isn't a desktop experience. Same goes for sony 2 apps implementation, whole it can be handy for some copy/paste or similar situations I find myself most comfortable while simply switching between the apps as needed.
On a desktop you can scroll through the content in the window which is in the background so you can leave just a portion visible and work. On android using touchscreen only that is not possible so I have just a smaller working area and clicking to bring window in front or swiping to another app is the same thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply! for sure, most apps aren't optimized for it, however it seems like for the most part it works just fine with multistar (though I'm not sure how Samsung managed to pull it off)
well, you can use 21:9 multiwindow and then put 3rd app as popup on top. That's more than 2 then.