Will you keep it Stock or run a Launcher (Nova, etc.)?

[mhc48]

As a Windows 10 Mobile refugee, I'm used to the intuitive Metro UI, the ease of easily placing apps and folders where I want on the home screen and having active tiles, so likely to go with the Microsoft Launcher. But I will probably try the stock launcher for a couple of days first. While waiting for the Pixel 2 to arrive I've been playing around with friends' Android phones and confess that I find the whole system quite confusing, but maybe that's only because of their different phone manufacturers' launchers.

 

[erojas388]

After learning that the stock app drawer doesn't necessarily have to be white, i will be keeping it stock. If you choose one of the darker wallpapers the app drawer becomes slightly transparent or black. I know something this small really shouldn't be a factor but its the only thing I didn't like about the stock launcher.

 

[kenorian]

I believe, if you use the backup/restore feature for Android. It keeps the position of all ur stuff.

Can anyone confirm this? I haven't used stock in quite a while, but seem to recall that it backed up the apps but didn't keep the same screen layout...?

 

[neil74]

Nova, backup and gestures!

 

[GTvert90]

I tried to stay with the Pixel launcher.... It lasted a few hours. It doesn't really seem to give me anything that Action Launcher doesn't.

 

[ndonnine]

If I wanted to run Nova I would have bought the Essential Phone or something else.

 

[ndonnine]

After learning that the stock app drawer doesn't necessarily have to be white, i will be keeping it stock. If you choose one of the darker wallpapers the app drawer becomes slightly transparent or black. I know something this small really shouldn't be a factor but its the only thing I didn't like about the stock launcher.

A lot of people have complained about that since Pixel 1

 

[Zod1010]

Lasted less than a half hour with stock before going to Nova. I simply miss too much of Nova's capabilities.

 

[ndonnine]

Lasted less than a half hour with stock before going to Nova. I simply miss too much of Nova's capabilities.

I maybe missing something but what does Nova actually offer that makes it an upgrade?

 

[Mrdouglas]

I maybe missing something but what does Nova actually offer that makes it an upgrade?

In a word... Customization. If you like stock, as is, in whole... You don't need a launcher. If you prefer folders in the drawer, A different background color in the drawer, hidden icons, different icons for apps, and so on... You need a launcher. Nova is really close to stock, runs very smoothly with few resources, and is very customizable.

There's a free version you can try to get a taste for it, on the Play Store. Might be worth it just so you have the scoop on exactly what it is / does.

 

[Mrdouglas]

Question for those who have the pixel... Especially those keeping it stock:

The date at a glance widget implemented... When you click on it does it open the calendar app as a whole or does it open directly into the calendar event? The reason I ask... If a widget opens the event, I can't find a way to go back to the overview screen of the app. Thus, the widget is literally only a way to edit the current single event listed, I'd imagine.

 

[Zod1010]

I maybe missing something but what does Nova actually offer that makes it an upgrade?

Everything. You can choose to use icon packs, change icon size, icon spacing, whether or not icon's text displays and the size of that text, tabs in your drawers, gestures, dock customization, transition effects, search bar customization and placement, etc., etc. etc. Here's an idea based on my current home screen...

 

[aximtreo]

Everything. You can choose to use icon packs, change icon size, icon spacing, whether or not icon's text displays and the size of that text, tabs in your drawers, gestures, dock customization, transition effects, search bar customization and placement, etc., etc. etc. Here's an idea based on my current home screen...

View attachment 271610

Thank you for the Nova description. NOW, how does one coming from Windows phones learn what Nova does and how to experiment on settings until one gets it looking acceptable?

 

[bhatech]

Staying with stock Pixel launcher for now. Will switch to Nova and others once in a while to change things up.

 

[xbilly]

Been using the Microsoft launcher (previously Arrow) for a while now on Nexus 6p. Don't really see what advantages moving to stock when I already have everything setup the way I want it.

 

[enderhexfyre]

Stock Android UI all the way...

 

[Chex313]

Now having installed Nova and getting everything the way I like it...and I still have the best parts of stock

 

[Zod1010]

Thank you for the Nova description. NOW, how does one coming from Windows phones learn what Nova does and how to experiment on settings until one gets it looking acceptable?

Nova actually has a very intuitive interface and has a free version, in which most functionality is enabled. It's pretty easy to play around, see the impact of your changes and revert/modify them quickly. Best advice, just start playing around. Also, download a few free icon packs. The cool thing with icon packs is you can use more than one at a time. So my drawer is using the Stealth Icon pack on all icons, but the desktop is using Min Icon pack. Good luck.

 

[onthecouchagain]

Isn't Android supposed to force third party apps to be circle icons like the rest of the OS? There's still inconsistencies with the icon shapes. Third party apps are squared.

Unfortunately, the Icon Shape changer doesn't change third party apps.

 

[cert15z]

Windows Launcher for me.