Do Third Party Launchers Cripple S-Pen Functionality?

[mikepas]

I can't seem to find an answer to this question anywhere else so I wanted to ask the folks here: Will using a third party launch (Action Launcher Pro) cripple the functionality of the S-Pen?

One thing that has kept me off of Samsung phones is the "cheap" feel of the plastic devices as well as the blue tint of their AMOLED screens but after getting some hands on time with the Note 3 the other day at the local T-Mobile store most of those concerns aren't so big any more (it's still plastic but not as cheap feeling plastic). However there is still one thing I CANNOT stand about Samsung Galaxy series phones and that is Touch Wiz. I hate it. Can't stand it. I prefer "stock" Android when possible but I've been using Action Launcher Pro for a while now on my HTC One and have grown to actually like it a lot. My concern is that Samsung may have fixed it so that if you want to use the S-Pen or the suite of sensors built into the Note 3 you would be required to stick with Touch Wiz and that would be a deal killer for me.

Now that folks are getting the device in hand I'm hoping someone can answer this for me. I've read a couple of reviews that hint that this is the case but those reviews never addressed whether you retain full function using a third party launcher.

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[SpookDroid]

Don't know why you can't find it in the forums since it's been posted quite a few times, but still, we're all (well, most of us anyway) here to help The short answer is YES and NO.

YES: Some functionality is lost because it is part of TouchWiz, like Air Preview (similar to how you preview stuff on the S4 with your finger).

NO: The 'main' functions of the S-Pen are not lost, but they are app-dependent. If an app doesn't support the use of the Stylus, it doesn't matter that you're using TouchWiz, it just won't work. Also, screen interactions (a.k.a. using the stylus instead of your finger) is not affected.

The ONLY thing I'm not sure is if the nice Pop Up Command (the circle thingy that pops up when you pull the S-Pen) will be 'lost' or not. It sounds to me like it would since it seems to be a part of TouchWiz, but I've also seen it work over running apps, so I might be wrong and that would be built into the OS and not launcher-specific.

 

[richard hodge]

I'm using go launcher on my note2 and there are no Spen problems, don't know if the note3 will be the same

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 4

 

[kristoph]

Air command still pops up when the s pen is removed using Nova. Air preview still works for me as well but it's app dependant.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk 4

 

[alex346]

Same here... Using Nova Prime and haven't lost any S Pen functionality... air command still pops and works fine, my air preview in my gallery and web browser and whatnot all still work as well....

 

[SpookDroid]

Yeah, Air Previews on apps will still work, but I meant you lose any Air Preview SPECIFIC to the launcher, like previewing folder contents and any other special functions that TouchWiz would be able to perform with the S-Pen.

 

[mikepas]

Thanks for all the replies everyone!

Sent from my HTC One using AC Forums mobile app

 

[thatdroidguy]

i use nova and the only problem or difference that i notice is the folders dont preview like they do on touchwiz when you pass the spen on top of it, but i hate touchwiz i LOVE nova