What are good launchers? Anyone use lock screen themes?

[Tico2415]

So I've always used the stock android launcher on all my devices and thought I wasn't using my android to its fullest potential. My question is what's the best launcher, I've looked before and many say its NOVA? But how do you customize it? Or do you need to buy it prime in order to do that?

Does anyone use lock screen themes on their tablets, or rather have different lock screen rather than stock ones? If so share...

Posted via Android Central App

 

[dancing-bass]

There is no "best" launcher - just one that works best for you. I recommend trying Nova and Apex (they're both pretty similar) as well as Action Launcher. All have good features in the free version, but buying the full version unlocks all the features available. (Nova Prime, Apex Pr, and Action Launcher Pro). Personally I really like Action Launcher, but previous to that I used Apex Pro for a long time

As far as lockscreen themes, I don't use them. I have used DashClock which has a pretty useful lockscreen app built-in (lots of extensions available to make it really customizable) but lately I've been just using the stock lockscreen clock.

The great thing is there are a lot of good launchers out there - all you need is a bit of patience to try some and find what works best for you.

 

[Tico2415]

Thanks man I mean I tried the nova launcher and its pretty cool but I don't think theres many features in the free version. I'm still you getting to know how to use it. Also I don't think the free version let you do anything in customizing.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[B. Diddy]

The free version of Nova does let you customize a number of things. The paid version mostly gives the option of organizing your App Drawer into folders, and changing the size of icons.

 

[vividrich]

Nova Prime also enables gestures, something I now can't do without.

Posted from my Nexus 7 2013 via Android Central App

 

[Android_1234]

I use Apex Launcher Pro.

 

[ffejjj]

If you're going for a third party launcher you have to plan on spending some time with it. Go thru the settings, try/sample everything. Change your screens your app drawer.... Pick a few new themes... You could spend hours if you wanted changing and rechanging to your liking



My Evo lte Filling the shoes of my HTC One

 

[hoosiermama2799]

I use Nova Prime for my launcher and am currently using Cover for my lockscreen on both my tablet and phone. I really like both. Cover is still in beta and displays your most used apps at home, in the car, out and at work.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[dancing-bass]

If you're going for a third party launcher you have to plan on spending some time with it. Go thru the settings, try/sample everything. Change your screens your app drawer.... Pick a few new themes... You could spend hours if you wanted changing and rechanging to your liking

And THIS is one of the awesome features of Android - if you don't like it, change it. Even if you like it - change it anyway, you might find something you like even more! I agree, if you try a launcher, spend some time with it. Find out what it's capable of, what you can change with the free version, what stuff the "pro" version unlocks. Some people love gestures, for me - I rarely use them. I've only got 2 set for Action launcher: swipe up for recent apps, swipe down for notifications. Thats it. 3 home screens, with a total of 4 widgets.

Others like 5 homescreens filled with widgets and icons. Not for me. (I get that having lots of commonly used apps or widgets right on the home screens is efficient, it just drives me nuts looking at the clutter!)

 

[xchange]

Smart Launcher is currently the only launcher on Play Store that does a tablet rather than a phablet UI when you rotate to landscape. It's not as customizable as Nova/Apex and widget support isn't great if you use more than one widget (I only use Dashclock since it pretty much does everything) but I much prefer SL on this tablet

 

[anon(6142785)]

I really like Go.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[Jon_Doh]

I don't use a launcher with my Nexus 7, but I did install Widget Locker which allows me to change the lockscreen theme and wallpaper. It also will let me put my calendar on the lockscreen if I choose and change the unlock icon. For now, all I've done is change the wallpaper, clock and add Beautiful Widgets weather. This small change really improved the look of the N7.