Which Launcher?

**ansextra** · 07-11-2012, 06:59 AM

I've read about Apex and Nova launchers and have played around a bit with them. They're good but they are ~$4 to buy the pro versions.
I liked GO Launcher on my X and decided to try it on my SIII and it seems to be working fine so far.
Are there any advantages to Apex or Nova vs GO Launcher that I may be missing?

**npompei** · 07-11-2012, 08:44 AM

Originally Posted by ansextra

I've read about Apex and Nova launchers and have played around a bit with them. They're good but they are ~$4 to buy the pro versions.
I liked GO Launcher on my X and decided to try it on my SIII and it seems to be working fine so far.
Are there any advantages to Apex or Nova vs GO Launcher that I may be missing?

I just started using Nova (free) and its awesome. I HATE touchwiz and now its gone, at least looks wise. Ive got my screens setup just the way I like. I dont necessarily think I would use the Pros features - at least yet!

What's nice about Nova is that you can use Go and Apex themes, icons,etc. Im not sure about the others but I like this aspect. Im using the ICS theme and Metro station icons - looks beautiful.

Oh and I have 0 lag whatsoever. Only had 1 issue where every time I hit the home button Nova would want me to change an icon. I restarted and haven't had a problem since. So buttery smooth.

Give the free versions a try then decide.

Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk 2

**ansextra** · 07-11-2012, 08:51 AM

Thanks.
I definitely want the Pro features as I like dock gestures.

**jdot104** · 07-11-2012, 09:25 AM

I'm using Nova also, but I would like some of the paid features like hiding icons. The stock Android look is great on the GS3.

**DJSgalaxy** · 07-11-2012, 09:30 AM

I was gonna stick with TouchWiz but got anxious and downloaded Nova out of curiosity. Wow am I impressed! Very slick, quick and lots of features in the free version.

The only thing I want back from TW is the weather/clock animated widget that comes on the home screen. Anyone know where I can get that on Nova? Otherwise, Nova is great.

Sent from my VZW Samsung Galaxy S3

**zack7687** · 07-11-2012, 09:52 AM

Using Nova launcher here. Tried it, loved it, bought the paid version. I'll support the devs anyday

**ansextra** · 07-11-2012, 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by DJSgalaxy

I was gonna stick with TouchWiz but got anxious and downloaded Nova out of curiosity. Wow am I impressed! Very slick, quick and lots of features in the free version.

The only thing I want back from TW is the weather/clock animated widget that comes on the home screen. Anyone know where I can get that on Nova? Otherwise, Nova is great.

Sent from my VZW Samsung Galaxy S3

I purchased both Fancy Widgets and Beautiful Widgets when I had my DX. I am using Fancy Widgets on my S3. Personally I think it's much better than the TW widget. Obviously your mileage may vary...

**Predator04** · 07-11-2012, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by ansextra

Thanks.
I definitely want the Pro features as I like dock gestures.

Im pretty sure they have this on go launcher correct? if so how does this feature work exactly? always been interested but never bothered.

**G-Money713** · 07-11-2012, 10:57 AM

I use Apex. I love it. I don't think there is much of a difference between Apex and Nova. I set up Apex first on my S2. Now I have it on everything.
GO Launcher is good, just built for Gingerbread. Apex and Nova made for ICS.

Sent from another galaxy... Tab 2 10.1

**jaekim717** · 07-11-2012, 11:04 AM

i've used launcher pro in the past but am using go launcher currently on the sg3. so far i like it alot, it's very customizable

**20blks** · 07-11-2012, 11:07 AM

I don't see anything that one of the launchers have that another doesn't. On top of that, go launcher is free. That's my pick

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Android Central Forums

**ansextra** · 07-11-2012, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by Predator04

Im pretty sure they have this on go launcher correct? if so how does this feature work exactly? always been interested but never bothered.

You can have 2 programs assigned to one dock icon. For example, I have my phone dialer on my dock but if I just want to go to contacts directly I can just swipe the icon. I also have my gmail icon on the dock but if I want to go to my corporate mail account I swipe. I use quite a few of these gestures.

**ansextra** · 07-11-2012, 11:09 AM

Originally Posted by 20blks

I don't see anything that one of the launchers have that another doesn't. On top of that, go launcher is free. That's my pick

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Android Central Forums

I'm just wondering what the difference is between a "made for ICS" launcher and a "made for Gingerbread" launcher is. Are there battery use or memory differences?

**robotobob1982** · 07-11-2012, 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by DJSgalaxy

I was gonna stick with TouchWiz but got anxious and downloaded Nova out of curiosity. Wow am I impressed! Very slick, quick and lots of features in the free version.

The only thing I want back from TW is the weather/clock animated widget that comes on the home screen. Anyone know where I can get that on Nova? Otherwise, Nova is great.

Sent from my VZW Samsung Galaxy S3

Search for uccw clock.

Sent from my MZ604

**depictureboy** · 07-11-2012, 11:21 AM

Maybe its because I am on the free version. Or I need a custom theme. But while I only used TW for a couple hours, it was really cool having the widget preview in the widget section of the app dock. Now that I am using Nova, I just have a list...

**HOLLYWOODANT215** · 07-11-2012, 11:30 AM

My thing is go launcher icon resize is the deal breaker on nova icons look so small.. I like my icons big

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Android Central Forums

**XChrisX** · 07-11-2012, 11:39 AM

Im using the paid version of Nova launcher and so far I love it. Definitely worth the $4.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Android Central Forums

**Mac33** · 07-11-2012, 11:54 AM

TW. Don't set the point in a different launcher. TW is smoother than them all.

**ansextra** · 07-11-2012, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by Mac33

TW. Don't set the point in a different launcher. TW is smoother than them all.

There are definitely features I miss in Touchwiz. For example, dock gestures and the option to make the screen icons smaller. I much prefer 5 rows of 4 icons rather than the standard 4 rows. I like options.

**Mac33** · 07-11-2012, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by ansextra

There are definitely features I miss in Touchwiz. For example, dock gestures and the option to make the screen icons smaller. I much prefer 5 rows of 4 icons rather than the standard 4 rows. I like options.

Gotcha. Do you notice any battery life differences?

**ansextra** · 07-11-2012, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by Mac33

Gotcha. Do you notice any battery life differences?

Honestly I haven't stayed with one launcher long enough to notice. Also, I would think that to properly compare the battery I would have to perform all the same actions on each launcher. No way can I do that!

In general, though, I haven't noticed any major differences up until now.

**Funkpod** · 07-11-2012, 02:22 PM

i want to stick with TouchWiz but I am a launcher addict and I love customizing the homescreens. I like to choose my own icons and stuff like that. 10x10 grids, etc. I use folder organizer a lot and I really can't stand the left to right scrolling apps drawer, i like how launchers let you choose.

i like go and adw, launcher pro from back in the day, and still use it, but nova is REALLY nice.

i probably will end up getting prime. I like the button options.

however, i want to really give touch wiz a try, so i will keep trying with that... for now

**Tkbredx** · 07-11-2012, 02:55 PM

Using Apex launcher. Love it. Basically the same as Nova at this point but. Before they were racing against eachother. Each one having the same features except a couple. When I chose Apex it was because it allowed you to change the transparency in the app drawer and nova didnt but now nova does it as well. They are both equals now though

**jeffreii** · 07-11-2012, 04:01 PM

Looking at Go Launcher, Nova, Apex in the Play Store...I'm quite surprised to see Nova and Apex have WAYYY less reviews than Go Launcher. Did they change names or something and lose their reviews?

**ansextra** · 07-11-2012, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by Funkpod

i want to stick with TouchWiz but I am a launcher addict and I love customizing the homescreens. I like to choose my own icons and stuff like that. 10x10 grids, etc. I use folder organizer a lot and I really can't stand the left to right scrolling apps drawer, i like how launchers let you choose.

i like go and adw, launcher pro from back in the day, and still use it, but nova is REALLY nice.

i probably will end up getting prime. I like the button options.

however, i want to really give touch wiz a try, so i will keep trying with that... for now

Button options?