Launcher recommendations

**skyo12** · 09-20-2011, 12:23 PM

Hi all, I'm new to the forums and plan to get the Epic Touch pretty soon (first smartphone!)

Although I'm new to Android, I've read as much as I could in terms of the different UI from the different manufacturers and noticed the positive changes for the newest TouchWiz UI.

For the folks who have the Epic Touch and are familiar with the TouchWiz UI and other launchers, are there launchers you would recommend over the TW and as to why you would choose it over the stock TW 4.0? I guess what I'm trying to say is, it seems like Samsung has made enough improvements to the UI that a custom launcher from the market really isn't necessary?

Thanks in advance!

**BRIVERS73** · 09-20-2011, 12:26 PM

Go Launcher is the best as far as customization go IMHO at the moment & the one I have currently choose over Touch Wiz. If Touch Wiz had more customizations I would definitely be using it as it is optimized for our phones

**JayWill** · 09-20-2011, 12:29 PM

I rather like the new TouchWiz. I've been running Go Launcher EX the past few days, and I really like it. But I'm going to factory reset back to stock and run TouchWiz for awhile to get used to how the phone handles notifications and such out of the box.

I would run TouchWiz for awhile and see how you like it. Popular 3rd party launchers are Launcher Pro Plus, ADW Launcher and Go Launcher EX. Of the three, Go Launcher is the only one that's free for the full version. Still, to answer your question, TouchWiz 4.0 is darn good in my opinion, but some of the launchers could add some functionality that you may like.

**skyo12** · 09-20-2011, 12:37 PM

Thanks!

Any features the other launchers offer that is not included with TW that is of note?

**BRIVERS73** · 09-20-2011, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by skyo12

Thanks!

Any features the other launchers offer that is not included with TW that is of note?

Most notably is greater customization. But Touch Wiz is far smoother

**skyo12** · 09-20-2011, 01:00 PM

Assuming the Epic Touch is powerful enough to handle most skins without a problem, what launcher do you guys think is the most aesthetically pleasing?

I understand it's all subjective but I'd like some opinions

**BRIVERS73** · 09-20-2011, 01:11 PM

Originally Posted by skyo12

Assuming the Epic Touch is powerful enough to handle most skins without a problem, what launcher do you guys think is the most aesthetically pleasing?

I understand it's all subjective but I'd like some opinions

Well that will be up to the user as they all can be skinned to your liking...

**jerrod6** · 09-20-2011, 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by JayWill72

I rather like the new TouchWiz. I've been running Go Launcher EX the past few days, and I really like it. But I'm going to factory reset back to stock and run TouchWiz for awhile to get used to how the phone handles notifications and such out of the box.

I would run TouchWiz for awhile and see how you like it. Popular 3rd party launchers are Launcher Pro Plus, ADW Launcher and Go Launcher EX. Of the three, Go Launcher is the only one that's free for the full version. Still, to answer your question, TouchWiz 4.0 is darn good in my opinion, but some of the launchers could add some functionality that you may like.

I don't know anything about TouchWiz or Samsung but thinking about switching to Samsung in the future. You can't just revert back to TouchWiz without doing a factory reset? Is there an option in the settings that will let you switch back without the reset?

**JayWill** · 09-20-2011, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by skyo12

Assuming the Epic Touch is powerful enough to handle most skins without a problem, what launcher do you guys think is the most aesthetically pleasing?

I understand it's all subjective but I'd like some opinions

Well as far as aesthetics go, I don't think it's possible to beat SPB Shell 3D, but it costs a whopping $15. As you said though, this is pretty subjective. Still, this thing is a sight to behold.

Here is Android Central's video review of it:

**BRIVERS73** · 09-20-2011, 01:20 PM

Originally Posted by JayWill72

Well as far as aesthetics go, I don't think it's possible to beat SPB Shell 3D, but it costs a whopping $15. As you said though, this is pretty subjective. Still, this thing is a sight to behold.

Ah I forgot about SPB Shell...

**JayWill** · 09-20-2011, 01:30 PM

Originally Posted by jerrod6

I don't know anything about TouchWiz or Samsung but thinking about switching to Samsung in the future. You can't just revert back to TouchWiz without doing a factory reset? Is there an option in the settings that will let you switch back without the reset?

Oh I should have specified. Yes I can just swap back to TW if I want, but I want to go back to a clean slate and get rid of all the apps I've installed. I've been installing a lot of apps that have notification functions, and some of them are not playing nice with each other. I want to start from scratch so I can add things slowly and get everything exactly how I want it.

**Floridadomer** · 09-20-2011, 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by JayWill72

I rather like the new TouchWiz. I've been running Go Launcher EX the past few days, and I really like it. But I'm going to factory reset back to stock and run TouchWiz for awhile to get used to how the phone handles notifications and such out of the box.

I would run TouchWiz for awhile and see how you like it. Popular 3rd party launchers are Launcher Pro Plus, ADW Launcher and Go Launcher EX. Of the three, Go Launcher is the only one that's free for the full version. Still, to answer your question, TouchWiz 4.0 is darn good in my opinion, but some of the launchers could add some functionality that you may like.

I use Go Launcher and Love it but I really wanted to try TouchWiz but not being able to change the home dock is a biggie for me. I use Go SMS Pro and tried to change the messaging icon but couldn't find a way.

**skyo12** · 09-20-2011, 03:08 PM

That looks AWESOME

**JayWill** · 09-20-2011, 03:38 PM

Honestly, on a day when I feel like I have some extra cash to burn, I will probably buy SPB Shell 3D, if only to enjoy the experience and to try it. Coming from a Palm Pre, all these options, skins and customizations have my mouth watering. I feel like a kid who won a $10,000 shopping spree at Toys R Us.

**Duggald** · 09-21-2011, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by Floridadomer

I use Go Launcher and Love it but I really wanted to try TouchWiz but not being able to change the home dock is a biggie for me. I use Go SMS Pro and tried to change the messaging icon but couldn't find a way.

Go into the Applications drawer, and press menu, then "edit"

You'll then notice the screen changes a bit, with little minus signs at the top right corner of icons.

Press and hold the Messaging icon on the dock, and drag it into the app drawer. You'll now only have 3 icons in your dock.

Press and hold Go SMS Pro from the app drawer and drag it to the dock icons. It'll squeeze itself in.

You now have Go SMS in your dock.

Just press back to exit Edit mode.

As a sidenote, I prefer Go Launcher Ex also. <3

**graffix31** · 09-21-2011, 09:40 AM

coming from a palm pre i must say that touch wiz has been great. i dont know if its because i dont know much about andoird but i dont know much i would want to change that it cant. i was in the same boat thinking that i would want to change launchers when coming over but i really dont see any reason to imo. love this phone!

**DEman19901** · 09-21-2011, 07:19 PM

I was forced into getting SPB Shell 3D due to the fact that this was my first time buying a new phone with the same OS as the one before it. Yeah the hardware was better than my Evo 4G, but it still felt like I was using the same phone. So I ended up buying SPB shell just to ad to the feeling of having a new phone by changing things up a bit.

**BRIVERS73** · 09-21-2011, 07:24 PM

Originally Posted by DEman19901

I was forced into getting SPB Shell 3D due to the fact that this was my first time buying a new phone with the same OS as the one before it. Yeah the hardware was better than my Evo 4G, but it still felt like I was using the same phone. So I ended up buying SPB shell just to ad to the feeling of having a new phone by changing things up a bit.

How do you like SPB Shell?

**DEman19901** · 09-21-2011, 07:31 PM

Originally Posted by BRIVERS73

How do you like SPB Shell?

I bought it just morning and I am still trying to customize it. It has lots of eye candy but the jury is still out on the $14.99. I have used Go Launcher, Launcher Pro and ADW Launcher EX. This just has an entirely different feel and look than all of them. I think that SPB shell is a good launcher that should hold anyone over until ICS rolls out. I am told that ICS is supposed to be a major overhaul of Android. Is this so?

**BRIVERS73** · 09-21-2011, 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by DEman19901

I am told that ICS is supposed to be a major overhaul of Android. Is this so?

Supposedly, we won't really know until we get solid info. from Google.

**BRIVERS73** · 09-21-2011, 08:17 PM

I had to ditch Go Launcher because I was experiencing stuttering on occasion when switching between home screens as well as in the app drawer & it was really starting to annoy me. Now I'm back on Launcher PRO & it left me wondering why I left in the first place

**oddlou** · 09-21-2011, 08:34 PM

ADW EX for me. I love the different screen transitions and it's smooth as a baby's bottom on the SGSII4GT .

**scoob** · 09-21-2011, 11:59 PM

Originally Posted by BRIVERS73

I had to ditch Go Launcher because I was experiencing stuttering on occasion when switching between home screens as well as in the app drawer & it was really starting to annoy me. Now I'm back on Launcher PRO & it left me wondering why I left in the first place

I just starting using Go Launcher.
Do you have a lot of apps and widgets or have a lot of screens?

Mine seems pretty smooth but I've barely started to install stuff and only have a weather app and live Wallpaper going for now.

**BRIVERS73** · 09-22-2011, 12:06 AM

Well I have 3 Home screens, A total of 6 widgets (With 3 being the most on one screen) and 83 apps installed.

**michaeljc70** · 09-22-2011, 03:58 PM

I've tried all the major launchers on my old Android phone (HTC Hero) and tablet. I like touchwiz. I am using it with Swype pad which is free and gives you quick access to 12 apps from any app (home screen included).

I would consider using a launcher if they let you have a scrollable bottom dock. I haven't found that in any of these launchers. VTL Launcher on my tablet has that.

The main benefit I see from a launcher is being able to resize widgets. On a screen with this resolution though, I don't see great benefit in that. On a tablet, it is very useful.