"Launcher"???-Just got my S5-X iPhone Guy

[jaybird28]

What the heck is a "Launcher""???? And why would I use it?? Im thinking its like Google but I might be way off

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! A launcher is the user interface in the homescreen. The TouchWiz interface is a launcher, the Google Now Launcher (which you see on Nexus devices) is a launcher, and there are plenty of 3rd party launchers you can install from Google Play. It's a nice way to customize your experience.

 

[Umass021]

Nova is great

 

[In Flames]

I don't use nova or any launcher for that matter but if you do want to customize your phone completely it's a great way to do so. Nova was my favorite when I used to do it

 

[hg1027]

On an iPhone, every app you download is on the home screen. You can organize your favorites on the first page, and the rest in folders and on different pages. On Android, you have something a little more like a computer, apps are all in one place (the app drawer) and you put the ones you use most on the home screen.

The launcher determines things like how many rows and columns of apps you see, if they get titles or shadows, what the wallpaper does when you swipe, etc. Launchers install just like an app, from the play store. I like Nova, and I like that it has a backup function. When I swap phones, or wipe and reinstall, it makes it almost completely painless to get back to the same setup.

I would also say things like touchwiz and sense go beyond launchers, as they also tweak the menus and toolbars and switcher and other things that most of the launchers I've played with don't touch.

 

[Feldon]

http://forums.androidcentral.com/samsung-galaxy-s5/439741-whats-best-launcher-galaxy-s5.html

I posted some comments about the iPhone -> Samsung S5 transition here:
http://forums.androidcentral.com/sa...y-iphone-galaxy-s5-questions.html#post3922424

 

[CKR83]

I left the iPhone for customization reasons. I like, for instance, Nova Prime. Now mind you, depending on what carrier you're with, you have different options for customization -- and if you have KitKat on your phone, Google has already screwed you out of a major portion of the phone's functionality by locking off writing to the SD card (other than for a few, kinda crappy, native apps). Your carrier, if it's AT&T has screwed you out of being able to root the phone, which opens up a whole host of cool things you could do with it.

However, there are still a bunch of customizations you can do, and Launcher is a great way to start. Investigate widgets as well -- they're extremely useful. Maybe by the time you're familiar with how Android operates, Android "L" will be out, which will make your phone even better by returning SD card functionality. And eventually, someone smart will figure out how to root the AT&T phones again.

 

[mynameis]

God I miss my Moto X. Currently on an old iPhone 4. The X fell out my pocket and shattered :/ It's about 100 bucks at the local mall to get it repaired. Sorry, I'm getting off topic haha.

Like described above, a launcher is just a different UI. Android is superb in the area of customization. Enjoy your S5 and the android platform.


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