Love My Galaxy S3, but missing my iPhone

[P1x3lz]

I really want to love my android phone but its missing some features that the iPhone had and I'm hoping for some recommendations of ways to get those features with my phone.

1. Notifications. On my iphone when I got a notification my screen would turn on and I would see it. Now with this phone all I hear is the audio notification and a tiny icon in the notification bar. Any way to make those notifications appear on the lock screen?

2. In my opinion iMessage is much better than the messaging system in android. I tried Chomp and liked it but there was no badge on the dock icon that tells me how many messages I have.

3. Can anyone recommend a GOOD music player? The stock player is just meh.

I actually tried rooting my phone and installing CM10 and ended up bricking it...yeah I didnt backup the stuff I think I needed to. I'm a little leery about rooting and installing a custom rom again.

Must have app recommendations would be a big plus too. Thanks!

 

[TgeekB]

For notifications I use an app called Popup. It has the notification show up on your screen like the iPhone.

 

[valorian]

It isn't a free app but I like Poweramp music player.

 

[nickdalzell]

Go launcher has a plugin called Go Launcher Ex Notification (both in Google Play and free) and does support iPhone style badge notifications on the default email app. Just add the app shortcut for email to the screen and enable it in go launcher settings. It also has badges for phone calls and text messages

 

[breadnatty08]

Handcent, Poweramp and Nova Launcher Prime will get you set.