Launcherpro and Open Home

[xraychick01]

I'm new to Android and smart phones and so I'm trying to figure it out. First of all I have an unrooted HTC Aria. I would like to customize my phone. I downloaded LauncherPro from the market but I've heard of another app called Open Home. Are they similar apps? For instance, does one need both on their phone or just one or the other? From what I can tell Open Home allows for much more customization? All information is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[akazabam]

They are both home replacements, meaning that you *can* have them both installed, but you'll only ever be using one at a time. I have never used Open Home, but I have been using LauncherPro for quite some time.

First off, LauncherPro has two versions - a free one and a plus version that comes with a few extra widgets (meant to replace what you lose when not using the Sense launcher). The plus version is $3, and I think it's well worth it. Open Home is apparently $4 with no free version, so you have only 24 hours to decide if you like it or not.

As far as customization is concerned, I can't say what exactly Open Home can or can't do, as I've never used it. From what I can tell, though, it looks as if most of it's customization is through skins, and various other eye candy. LauncherPro does not support actual one click themes, but you can do a lot of theming on your own to make it look exactly the way you want (e.g. dock backgrounds, different icons, etc.). LauncherPro also has excellent advanced features, especially advanced shortcuts and the ability to resize widgets (with the plus version).

You really have nothing to lose by trying them both out and seeing what you like best. If you like the theming idea, you can also try out ADW launcher. I, however, will always recommend LauncherPro. You'll want to install something like Home Switcher if you intend to test different home replacements. It will make switching back and forth much easier.

 

[xraychick01]

They are both home replacements, meaning that you *can* have them both installed, but you'll only ever be using one at a time. I have never used Open Home, but I have been using LauncherPro for quite some time.

First off, LauncherPro has two versions - a free one and a plus version that comes with a few extra widgets (meant to replace what you lose when not using the Sense launcher). The plus version is $3, and I think it's well worth it. Open Home is apparently $4 with no free version, so you have only 24 hours to decide if you like it or not.

As far as customization is concerned, I can't say what exactly Open Home can or can't do, as I've never used it. From what I can tell, though, it looks as if most of it's customization is through skins, and various other eye candy. LauncherPro does not support actual one click themes, but you can do a lot of theming on your own to make it look exactly the way you want (e.g. dock backgrounds, different icons, etc.). LauncherPro also has excellent advanced features, especially advanced shortcuts and the ability to resize widgets (with the plus version).

You really have nothing to lose by trying them both out and seeing what you like best. If you like the theming idea, you can also try out ADW launcher. I, however, will always recommend LauncherPro. You'll want to install something like Home Switcher if you intend to test different home replacements. It will make switching back and forth much easier.

Thanks so much! I have the free version of LauncherPro and I like it so far. I was thinking about upgrading to the Plus version but then I saw Open Home. So the Plus version of LauncherPro allows for even more customization, correct?

 

[akazabam]

Thanks so much! I have the free version of LauncherPro and I like it so far. I was thinking about upgrading to the Plus version but then I saw Open Home. So the Plus version of LauncherPro allows for even more customization, correct?

The plus version comes with some extra widgets that only work with launcherpro (People, bookmarks, calendar, messaging, twitter, facebook, and one with the last two combined). It also gives you the ability resize any widget (not just the launcherpro widgets). I think that's it, but there might be more. It's definitely worth it. Read through this if you want to know what all you can do:

LauncherPro Help Desk

Also, take a look at the actual launcherpro forum for endless customization ideas:

LauncherPro Forum • Index page

 

[xraychick01]

The plus version comes with some extra widgets that only work with launcherpro (People, bookmarks, calendar, messaging, twitter, facebook, and one with the last two combined). It also gives you the ability resize any widget (not just the launcherpro widgets). I think that's it, but there might be more. It's definitely worth it. Read through this if you want to know what all you can do:

LauncherPro Help Desk

Also, take a look at the actual launcherpro forum for endless customization ideas:

LauncherPro Forum • Index page

Those are both helpful links..thanks! I thought I saw somewhere that you can make your own themes with LauncherPro. Is this correct and can someone please point me in the right direction? I really want to customize my icons and themes.

 

[akazabam]

Those are both helpful links..thanks! I thought I saw somewhere that you can make your own themes with LauncherPro. Is this correct and can someone please point me in the right direction? I really want to customize my icons and themes.

There are no pre-packaged themes for launcherpro, but you can make the dock background and icons anything you like. Take a look at this thread:

LauncherPro Forum • View topic - Share your custom dock backgrounds!

There are many other resources out there, as well. Just google something like "launcherpro docks".

 

[xraychick01]

There are no pre-packaged themes for launcherpro, but you can make the dock background and icons anything you like. Take a look at this thread:

LauncherPro Forum • View topic - Share your custom dock backgrounds!

There are many other resources out there, as well. Just google something like "launcherpro docks".

Ok. Since there aren't any pre-packaged themes for LP, can I find themes that will work with LP on the market? I want to be able to change themes.

 

[akazabam]

Nope. There is no way to do that with launcherpro. A lot of people like it because you can customize the look a lot more; it just takes more work. If you want something similar to launcherpro, but with a few different features (including themes you can download from the market), try ADW launcher. It's free, with free and paid themes.

 

[xraychick01]

I downloaded ADW.Launcher and Home Switcher. Thanks for the info on Home Switcher! It seems handy. Anyway, I think I'll play around with both and see which I like. Thanks for helping out a noob!