New Note 2 Owner with Some Questions

**digital0verdose** · 01-19-2013, 02:19 PM

Just moved to the Note 2 from the Droid X 2 *shudders* and I am looking for some info.

1. What is the preferred launcher these days? I was using LauncherPro, but I have been out of the scene a while so I don't know if there is something better out there.

2. Can someone point me to a Rooting topic for this phone, assuming there is one?

3. How do I get rid of the side slider bar? That thing is already annoying me.

Thank you!

**Bobman** · 01-19-2013, 02:25 PM

I use the stock Samsung launcher for now. I've heard Nova is good.

I'm sure there is a rooting post someone else can direct you to.

To remove the sidebar tab, turn off multi Window toggle in your notification pull down.

**digital0verdose** · 01-19-2013, 05:42 PM

Thanks Bob. After getting rid of all the widgets that served no purpose, I think I am going to stick to the stock launcher. It's snappy and doesn't seem to have any downsides at the moment.

Now all I need is a way to permadelete all this bloatware.

**pool_shark** · 01-19-2013, 07:39 PM

The downside to the stock launcher is the lack of features and customization.

As for rooting, I think that will depend on whether or not you received the OTA update to patch the exploit.

**k9cop** · 01-19-2013, 08:38 PM

You can also get rid of the side bar by holding down the back button and make it reappear the same way.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Android Central Forums

**cdf3** · 01-20-2013, 11:23 AM

I like the stock launcher, but I went with Nova because of the gesture features, and the ability to change the icon grid of the homescreen; allowing me to add another row of icons.
My favorite gesture feature for the Nova Launcher is being able to swipe down anywhere on the homescreen to open the notification area. Since this phone as a large screen, it felt uncomfortable trying to reach my thumb all the way to the top. Now I can do it from anywhere on the screen. This makes it so much easier for one handed operation. I also set a swipe up gesture to open the multitasking window of running apps. Much faster than holding down the home button, and waiting for it to open. There are other launchers that have the same feature. So far I don't have any issues with Nova Launcher.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 2

**underdonk** · 01-20-2013, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by digital0verdose

Thanks Bob. After getting rid of all the widgets that served no purpose, I think I am going to stick to the stock launcher. It's snappy and doesn't seem to have any downsides at the moment.

Now all I need is a way to permadelete all this bloatware.

For what it's worth, the stock launcher on the GN2 does seem pretty good. Sure it's not as customizable as others, but it is snappy, stable, and free. There IS something to be said for running a stock config on a phone - usually less quirks in the long run, through OTA updates and all.

**Jude526** · 01-20-2013, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by cdf3

I like the stock launcher, but I went with Nova because of the gesture features, and the ability to change the icon grid of the homescreen; allowing me to add another row of icons.
My favorite gesture feature for the Nova Launcher is being able to swipe down anywhere on the homescreen to open the notification area. Since this phone as a large screen, it felt uncomfortable trying to reach my thumb all the way to the top. Now I can do it from anywhere on the screen. This makes it so much easier for one handed operation. I also set a swipe up gesture to open the multitasking window of running apps. Much faster than holding down the home button, and waiting for it to open. There are other launchers that have the same feature. So far I don't have any issues with Nova Launcher.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 2

Thanks! Will have to try it.

sent from my awesome Galaxy Note2

**kris.richards** · 01-20-2013, 04:26 PM

Does AirView still work as it does in stock with other launchers like Nova? Am new to 3rd party launchers as well.

**Josphe72** · 01-20-2013, 04:30 PM

A third party launcher most likely will have support for landscape mode , which Touchwiz doesn't have.
But that's a preference thing.

**pool_shark** · 01-20-2013, 05:38 PM

Yes.
The only thing that doesn't work is the s pen page buddy, you don't see the s pen notification icon, and none of the touchwiz Widgets.

However, you gain landscape on the home screen, more rows of dock icons, swipe gestures on the dock icons to launch secondary apps, and swipe gestures on the screen itself to launch even more apps.

I use Nova prime and I can launch 36 apps without having icons all over my screen.