So in you guys/girls opinioin.. which home mod would you prefer... i know im going to have to probably try both.. but b/w the helix and home++.. whats the pros and cons of each?
home++ is laggy and has some minor quirks/bugs/occasional FC's.
helix has fewer options but works flawlessly so far for me.
I've not been satisified with the performance issues in any other home replacement I've tried.
Boo, it won't work for me. I hit home & picked Helix and my (unrooted) Droid goes black and stops responding. Had to battery pull. Did it twice (unsettling) to make sure. Oh well.
Boo, it won't work for me. I hit home & picked Helix and my (unrooted) Droid goes black and stops responding. Had to battery pull. Did it twice (unsettling) to make sure. Oh well.
You should post in the dev's thread. I don't think that is normal, unless you installed the Helix2.
Dude its worth it. I like that i can put icons right next to the bottom launcher so the front homescreen looks very clean. Reminds me of my pre with the icons there.
The 2.1 '3D' launcher that comes bundled with Cyanogen's ROM is much better. This is the best ROM I've tried!
Last edited by welterbf123; March 17th, 2010 at 07:14 PM.
I installed Helix on my stock droid and it seems to be force closing or something every few minutes. I'll hear my drooooooid notification and realize that's it's re-preparing the SD card in the notification bar
The 2.1 '3D' launcher that comes bundled with Cyanogen's ROM is much better. This is the best ROM I've tried!
I thought so for a bit, but it became laggy on my Droid after a while. Running at 1GHz overclocked, but would get up to 10s delay returning to the home screen. So replaced Cyanogen's ROM with Chevy's Simply Stunning, running Adamz's low voltage 1.1 GHz ROM, and Helix 1.3 (I donated).
Running at 600 MHz lately (had set it there and forgot to amp up the speed again) and it performed so well I didn't realize I wasn't overclocked to 1.1GHz any more! Very happy...
Regarding other questions about Helix vs other home replacements...I have never seen a home replacement that didn't have a cost in terms of bugs/performance over time. Until I tried Helix...so far after several days it appears to be as close to perfect as any home replacement I have ever tried (and I own/tried all of them - GDE, Home++, Launcher++, dxTop, etc., etc.).
Found a bug. The little mini home screens appear at the bottom of the screen and will not go away until reboot. Even appear while surfing.
__________________
This is your mobile operator and we just found out you are too dumb to use your phone, so please put it on ground and start jumping on it . Thank you
Bummer...having my first problem w/Helix 1.x...1.3beta1 causes consistent FCs when I change orientation. Had to nanadroid back to 1.2a for now. Haven't seen anyone else w/this problem, so may be something is a bit wacked in my setup...
Mine go away by just clicking somewhere else on the screen or hitting the back button. If I double tap they appear, if I tap again they go away.
Yes that is how it is suppose to act. This is random pop ups that I am talking about. No problem today yet.
They where appearing without function, you could click the icons behind them. Mini homes were like heavy shadows that would not go away even while surfing.
I even switched back to home launcher and they were still there until I rebooted.
Last edited by dougwilson2000; March 18th, 2010 at 06:49 PM.
I think I ran into problems with Helix today too. Landscape will forceclose occassionally. But today my screen went black and unresponsive. In addition to my dailer slowing to a crawl. I took off Helix and the phone seems to be working again so just a heads up. I suspect it doesn't play nice with Beautiful Widgets.
Last edited by Optimus; March 18th, 2010 at 07:38 PM.
Found a bug. The little mini home screens appear at the bottom of the screen and will not go away until reboot. Even appear while surfing.
Disable them, that's what I did.
Press menu button -> configure
Quote:
Originally Posted by Optimus
I think I ran into problems with Helix today too. Landscape will forceclose occassionally. But today my screen went black and unresponsive. In addition to my dailer slowing to a crawl. I took off Helix and the phone seems to be working again so just a heads up. I suspect it doesn't play nice with Beautiful Widgets.
I've got 2 beautiful widgets on my helix screen which doesn't seem to be causing any problems.
I d/l Helix a few days ago and absolutely love it! Its is the cleanest replacement home to date and least trouble.. So far... I love the extra space that was opened up on my main home screen
So in you guys/girls opinioin.. which home mod would you prefer... i know im going to have to probably try both.. but b/w the helix and home++.. whats the pros and cons of each?
I, personally, prefer a minimalist desktop which is both functional and fast. I'm running a stock phone, with nothing special at all.
Home++ is a very nice home replacement, but it had bugs, such as having to reload the apps in my drawer each time I opened it, while it also noticeably slowed the phone down. It had a fair deal more features than Helix, and I loved the ability to select functions from bottom "dock" of the phone, but possessed nothing critical.
Helix provides many of the usable functions I enjoyed with Home++, such as the ability to dock 4 apps, as opposed to pre-determined functions (which is what I had on Home++), along with the ability to run multiple screens. So far as I was concerned, those were the real critical bits. To boot, Helix is also MUCH faster, and I'd say slightly more intuitive with the double-tap to select windowed versions of your home screens.
Though I'm not getting rid of Home++ in the short term, Helix will be my primary home replacement.
I've had Helix on my stock Droid (2.01) for a few days. No problems at all. Running Beautiful smaller home, several of their widgets, Calidget, power control, batterylife, etc. No issues. Gives me almost everything I want with no problems. I don't care that much about 2.1 at this point now that I have Helix. Aside from the voice input with 2.1 there isn't much else I really need from it.
Has anyone else running Helix noticed their Droid running noticeably hotter? I just installed it last night and when I took my phone out of the car mount today I noticed it was hot. I didn't think much of it at first, but then still 20 minutes later it was still hot in my pocket (I could feel the heat through my pants). I uninstalled it for now for fear of shortening the life of my CPU.
No offense, but if this is the best launcher on the market, I'm sticking with stock. Never have I had force closes like this and a *noticable* slowdown. I read this thread thinking this launcher was the answer to more than 3 screens (never even attempted to add more for fear of it running even slower) but alas, this launcher is *not* the answer. I like the functionality it brings but if unstable, no thanks.
I've been running helix 1.1 with SG 5.01 (800mhz) for about a week now. I haven't noticed any temp issues. It looks decent, and the app tray is a nice feature to have.
I've been loading 1.3beta since this morning and all looks great.
Has a nice option to hide the notification bar too.
I've tried all the home replacements at one time or another, this one is the quickest and being able to add four apps at the bottom of the screen is a great idea.
I've been using Sweeter Home 2 for months and have many times tried other home replacements, because of frustration with the lagginess loading and switching between screens and the multiple error messages and force closes every single day. I tried Helix Launcher, as well, and although it comes closest because of the 4-app bottom dock, I just couldn't make the switch because I couldn't live without my SH2 customization.
Yesterday, I made the jump from 2.0.1 Droidmod to ESE53 with Pete's Bugless V0.8 (I'm waiting for .9 to be more stable before I jump there). Since I switched, SH2 has NO lag and hasn't FC'd even once or had any error messages. Now I have 5 apps in my bottom dock, 8 springboard buttons at the bottom (where I used to need Apps Organizer shortcuts on my main screen) and an invisible springboard button for all of my most-used widgets. My home screen is completely uncluttered, but everything I need is right there, organized just like I want it, and I have 4 additional screens on which to put additional eye-candy stuff. I'm so happy!
__________________ Droid
Project Elite 6.5 test/CorCor67 PE 1150Mhz SV Nook Color
Dual boot from eMMC: CM7/Dalingrin OC kernel at 1350Mhz + Nook Color Stock 1.2 rooted
Last edited by GirLuvsDroid; March 21st, 2010 at 12:27 PM.
I need your guys' opinion -- i have an unrooted droid (2.0.1) and i would love to try this launcher out, but ive never used one before.... is helix designed for unrooted 2.0.1 or is it made for 2.1? i would really love the extra home screens and if this is the best 'launcher' i would like to use it, but i don't want to damage anything ;\ also - i hear of helix2, what is that?
thank you for anyone that can answer these questions for me.
Helix2 is for 2.1 (N1 or rooted), it probably won't even show up for you in the market.
I have not rooted or done anything to my Droid, it's stock 2.0.1, and installed HelixLauncher a while ago and am still loving it!
I have it set for 7 screens but am really only using 5 but have room waiting for me when I want it. It was easy to set up, I have it set as my default home screen (selected at start) and have had zero problems (besides figuring what to put on each screen lol).
It can't do any damage and as long as you select at least 3 screens and not Helix2 you should be good to go! DO IT. haha
Does anyone know if Helix 1.3 will be available on the market, even to purchase. I really love 1.2, but it would be nice to have the few improvements that are on version 1.3.
Where do you go if you wanted to donate to try version 1.3?
Not seeing where to go to donate and get the download from the link you provided. Is it on XDA (kinda new to this) and will I be able to put 1.3beta on a non-rooted Droid? Also, how long is the turn around normally till this will be available on market?
Not seeing where to go to donate and get the download from the link you provided. Is it on XDA (kinda new to this) and will I be able to put 1.3beta on a non-rooted Droid? Also, how long is the turn around normally till this will be available on market?
Thanks!
The developer today said he is having issues with PayPal and won't be accepting donations for the time being.
He will continue to work on it but you are out of luck at this point in getting the beta.
Yes, the beta does run on a non-rooted Droid, I can attest to that.
This is all mentioned in the same thread you where pointed to at XDA.
Installed 1.2a on Droid 2.0.1. Incredible! Just as described. Fast, no FC and now I have 5 screens! Highly recommended to replace stock home screens.
I'm wondering if people are installing and giving reviews in the first 15 minutes. I have a stock 2.01 Droid and Helix is *not* fast at all. In fact, waiting for up to 5 seconds for screens is nothing that I call fast. Sometimes it is faster than others but there is a noticeable slowdown. And FCs may not happen the minute you install, but give it a few days running various apps and I've seen FCs that I've never had before for apps.
I switched to Home++ and it is definitely a lot more stable than Helix. The only thing I don't like about Home++ is that the app launcher takes up to 15 seconds to load all of my apps to be able to scroll. If I scroll before they are done loading, then BAM! FC. But this has been much more usable than Helix.
What I'm really waiting for is Sweeter Home 2 to get out of beta. This bugger is the end all, be all of home replacements. Nothing else even comes close to the capabilities of this one. It will be the new bar to which these other simplistic launchers will have to up their game to beat.
If you look through the (rather long!) thread you will see places to donate. The way it works is that when you donate, the developer sends you a password for a repository where you can download the beta version. NOTE: The last time I looked, the developer was having some sort of problem with PayPal and asked that people stop donating for a while. He also said something about stopping his work on Helix for a short time while he sorts something else out. So if you want to try Helix out, you might want to go with the version that is currently on the market.
MicroNix - So far, Helix is VERY fast on my stock Droid. You report your experience and I'll report mine. If it starts to slow down or force close, I'll report it. But so far, it's very zippy with zero lag, faster than stock. And I added 2 more screens to bring the total up to 7 screens.
Update: I've had helix for about a week. I've had 2 or 3 force closes - but they were pretty quick and painless. I got a message saying that the program needed to close. I clicked ok and then the home page reappeared instantly with no other action on my part. And then I was back in business. So the few force closes I've had have been painless.
Last edited by Eurosteve; March 29th, 2010 at 05:35 AM.
Update: Couldn't wait anymore and decided to take the plunge and install Sweeter Home 2 beta. All I can say is WOW! This thing runs faster and smoother than any home replacement app I've run! Not to mention you can (through the menu options) download user made themes right from the server. SWEET, doesn't begin to explain this home replacement.
You'll need to hit SweeterHome - Start - sweeterhome.com and install the apk from there (not listed in the market while in beta). So far I'm liking the SimpleModified theme the best. Great job and kudos to ookamikuroi for putting this theme together!
I have just installed Helix Launcher 1.2a from the Market, after installing Smoked Glass rom 6.0.1. I really love this combination! It looks amazing and is really snappy and quick compared to the stock 2.0.1 I was on (of course, right?).
I have just one issue - I'm trying to use Apps Manager shortcuts for the 4 quick-launch shortcuts that Helix allows, but one of the four that I try to apply keeps switching back to the default Apps Manager icon rather than retaining its proper icon (it is the Tools shortcut, Games, Internet, and Android all come up fine). Is there a way to fix this?
I have just one issue - I'm trying to use Apps Manager shortcuts for the 4 quick-launch shortcuts that Helix allows, but one of the four that I try to apply keeps switching back to the default Apps Manager icon rather than retaining its proper icon (it is the Tools shortcut, Games, Internet, and Android all come up fine). Is there a way to fix this?
Thanks!
It is competing with the trash can. Come in from an angle and do not release until it is "green" if it is "red" it will go to the trash can. Had same problem with the one just to the left of the trash can, so I came in left to right (45 degree angle).
So far Helix is working great, doing exactly what I want it too without any FC's or epic lag. It's not some uber home replacement system like Home+++ or Sweethome or dxtop; it's just a basic replacement for the launcher to give you the task bar at the bottom, more screens, and a little bit different feel. It does what it's supposed to and for me it works great.
I can use Bettercut and Apps organizer to make my phone look and feel exactly how I want it too.
I'm really perplexed by all the people reporting problems with Helix. I've had it for almost a week now without a single force close. I'm running stock 2.01 on my droid and have plenty of widgets and apps running. I really have to wonder if some of those people have other home replacements on their phones that are conflicting and causing force closes. I have NO other home apps even installed on my phone and it works perfectly.
Any users with FC problems care to report if they have other home replacements installed?
I too am perplexed by those having troubles. Helix is clean and much faster than Home++ (which used to be my go-to home replacement) on my Droid. I have GDE, Home++, and Helix all installed, so it isn't a problem with those. I also have a bunch of widgets. I haven't had a single force close in over a week and it's still runnin' smooth.
I'm really perplexed by all the people reporting problems with Helix. I've had it for almost a week now without a single force close. I'm running stock 2.01 on my droid and have plenty of widgets and apps running. I really have to wonder if some of those people have other home replacements on their phones that are conflicting and causing force closes. I have NO other home apps even installed on my phone and it works perfectly.
Any users with FC problems care to report if they have other home replacements installed?
I had FCs all over the place and Helix was the first and only launcher. Removed all my widgets from the stock launcher first, installed Helix and had nothing but problems. My Droid which was snappy prior to install became a dog and had FCs where I rarely had any before. In comparison, considering that Sweeter Home gives you so much more above and beyond Helix, it still runs circles around Helix on my Droid!
I had FCs all over the place and Helix was the first and only launcher. Removed all my widgets from the stock launcher first, installed Helix and had nothing but problems. My Droid which was snappy prior to install became a dog and had FCs where I rarely had any before. In comparison, considering that Sweeter Home gives you so much more above and beyond Helix, it still runs circles around Helix on my Droid!
SH is nice, but too much trouble for most users to put up with configuring...even w/the available themes it was too much of a pain the arse for me to customize. It could be good if your willing to use a theme as-is, or want to spend the time to learn how to work with it...
Regarding Helix FCs - sounds like you're referring to Helix 2.x, which will FC repeatedly on any ROM except Koush's. It's not designed to run on other ROMs or stock Droids.
Helix 1.x is very fast and stable. I have found issues w/Beatiful Home widget and the 1.3Beta1 version of Helix (though 1.3 is a beta, work in progress).
SH is nice, but too much trouble for most users to put up with configuring...even w/the available themes it was too much of a pain the arse for me to customize. It could be good if your willing to use a theme as-is, or want to spend the time to learn how to work with it...
Actually with v2 it is totally easy to customize beyond the downloadable themes. Agreed that v1 was difficult to understand but v2 with icon boxes that can auto-populate your app icons based on type (multimedia, etc.), it is a total snap.
Quote:
Regarding Helix FCs - sounds like you're referring to Helix 2.x, which will FC repeatedly on any ROM except Koush's. It's not designed to run on other ROMs or stock Droids.
No, this is the one from the market. Not 2.x for sure. Judging from many other posts in this thread, I'm not the only one that had these issues. There is a common theme going (no pun intended) of slowness and FCs. I'm just calling them like I see them. While it is working fine for you, it appears there is an equal number of people for whom it is not working for.
The Motorola Droid - the first ever Verizon Android Phone - exploded onto the mobile market with an incredibly successful ad campaign that brough Android to the masses. With a huge and vibrant touchscreen, solid metal body, full QWERTY keyboard, 5M... Read More
