Launcher7?

thebullfrog

Well-known member
Mar 9, 2011
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Anyone else try this? It's a WP7 clone launcher. I've been using it for several days now, and just can't go back to any other launcher. Say what you will about Windows Phone 7, but MS got the interface down. It's just so efficient and fast/easy to use. I keep trying to go back to LauncherPro, but suddenly just can't stand the tiny icons, and having to swipe through multiple screens to get what I want, and having the app drawer as a single list is WAY easier for me to find what I'm looking for than on a grid. The launcher itself has a few small issues, and there are a few things I don't like about it, especially when it comes to widgets, but every time I go back to a "standard" Android launcher it just feels so inefficient and unnecessarily convoluted in comparison. One thing I really like is the speed, there is never any lag anywhere at all. It's just so smooth and seamless compared to every other launcher I've tried (though Zeam was really close). The launcher app in and of itself does an admirable job of emulating WP7, but it still needs work. It's the WP7 GUI that has me hooked. WP7 may not exactly be the best platform around, but I think MS is really onto something with the GUI.
 
Yeah, I played wirh the free version of Launcher 7 for about 20 minutes. I thought it was extremely child like, and worthless as a launcher. The maximum tile size is 2 x1. This does not work for scrollable 4 x 4 widgets. Oh, and the ad banner in the app drawer, that was a nice touch. It made the decision to dump it real easy. No need to donate to get rid of the ad banner, since it is so limited as a functional launcher....
 
If your phone is inefficient in completing tasks, it's only because you set it up to be so. I'll agree that simplicity is not Android's strong suit; however, that complexity is in large part due to the massive customization potential. You can organize your phone to be exactly as efficient as you want it to be, no more, no less. WinMo7 might be more simplistic, but that also translates to reduced functionality.

I'm big on efficiency, which is why I limited myself to 3 home screens. I also have everything organized so that no task or app is ever more than two gestures away (tap or swipe).
 
I agree on the setup. I normally limit myself two just my main homescreen... I feel that I can place say 4-6 icons on there of the main apps I use and then use ADW or LP and customize the launcher dock for my most used apps. I would really like to continue using AMLauncher but its been outdated for some time and doesn't work very well with the newer ROMs. ADW and LP do the same basic functions that AMLauncher was based on so those are my two main Launchers I switch between until something different comes along.
 
I dont have an ad in the app drawrer, AdFree takes care of that. And like I said, I agree with the widget problem. As far as efficiency, I dont like finding things in the android app drawer, for whatever reason I have a REALLY hard time seeing things arranged in a large grid, always been that way.

I've though of dumping everything into only a couple home screens (I use 5 normally) but with everything there that I use regularly, it turns into a cluttered mess, and again the small Icons are an issue. My vision leaves a lot to be desired, when I use web on the phone I have to zoom WAY in to read anything, with a bunch of small icons on one screen it all blurs together (like in the app drawer) and I can't find anything. So in Android I have to use more screens with only a small number of apps per screen. The WP7 GUI solves these problems for me, making it FAR more efficient than any way I have found to organize any other launcher. I wish it did have more functionality, but not being able to see WTF app I'm trying to find is a lot less functional.

I have thought of setting up another Launcher with only like 3x3 icon grids and more pages, it would kinda simulate WP7 by flinging through all the pages in place of scrolling down the list, but it still leaves the Widget problem, and not enough pages to be able to sort things out the way I like. WP7 is somewhat child-like and overly simplistic, which is why I think it works so well. Then again if I wasn't half blind I may not feel the same way lol

Oh, and I forgot to mention, part of the efficiency is just system speed, for some reason every launcher I use likes to bog down a lot, no matter how many icons do or do not have up, its only been a problem with SRF 1.02, Launcher7 never ever bogs at all. My next ROM flash may change my mind a bit in that regard.
 
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Just to set the record straight, epics tw app drawer can be set up as a list.

Open app drawer/settings/list

Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk
 
Just loaded it to check it out. That's one fugly ui. You can change the color but not the size. What's the point of wallpaper? You can't see it behind the big freakin blocks.

It may be functional but it's not very customizable. And certainly not very attractive.

Different strokes for different folks.

Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk
 
Well it tooka a couple hours to work out a system that works for me, but I came up with a very quick and easy set-up using Go Launcher EX which works fantastic. 3 docks, 3 homescreens, and organizing shortcuts into folders puts everything within 2 finger movements and easy to find. I actually do like this setup better than Launcher 7, glad u guys talked me out of it lol. I sincerely believe tho that with a bit of evolution WP7 has a lot of potential as a GUI, as an OS.... not so much.
 
I'm glad to hear you were able to figure out something you liked better.

Reading the reviews, there are a lot of people who like it. I just can't get over how little you can do to change it's look other than colors.

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