Best Launcher for the Fascinate

[sreymj]

I have been using ADW for a couple of weeks now. But, as I read through the many forums, I was sucked into the love that Launcher Pro was getting.

So, I gave it a shot; went and purchased Launcher Pro Plus. I ran it for a full day before reverting back to ADW.

Am I losing my mind, or am I missing something with Launcher PRO? It's less responsive, with fewer customizations in my opinion.

I would like some feedback on your launcher preferences for the Fascinate.

 

[Droidus]

I use launcher pro, but i cant give an informed opinion on ADW since I've never used it.

 

[Moonfire]

I'm with Droidus, I tried LP and loved it, so never tried ADW. I'm curious about the "with fewer customizations" part. If you can skin and resize pretty much anything, what did you want to do that wasn't available?

 

[sreymj]

I'm with Droidus, I tried LP and loved it, so never tried ADW. I'm curious about the "with fewer customizations" part. If you can skin and resize pretty much anything, what did you want to do that wasn't available?

I couldn't set up the gestures as needed, customize the home action, organize home screens (drag and drop), and some other miscellaneous settings that ADW had readily available. I also became a big fan of the new dock (which is hidden in my screenshots).

Maybe I just got too comfortable with ADW. But, I do know for a fact now that ADW is much more responsive (at least on my Fascinate).

I supported both developers, and will probably give it another shot. I am also looking into Zeam.

 

[tmar89]

The built in launcher works perfectly fine.

 

[sreymj]

The built in launcher works perfectly fine.

Oh, definitely. But, that's no fun I am surrounded by iPhones. I like to make them drool...

 

[MutantCheese]

Does anyone have a link to ADW in app brain? All I can find are themes for ADW and not the actual program. I've been using LPP and love it, but would like to give ADW a try.

 

[Moonfire]

Does anyone have a link to ADW in app brain? All I can find are themes for ADW and not the actual program. I've been using LPP and love it, but would like to give ADW a try.

Ran into that too - search "ADW.Launcher" to find it. Or go here.

Suppose I can understand your preference sreymj. More power to ya for comparing and finding the one you like best.

 

[MutantCheese]

muchas gracias!

 

[tmar89]

Stock launcher with some nice widgets and live wallpapers makes my iphone friends jealous

 

[JE78]

For me LPP just seems more smooth than ADW. But I will say I was converted months ago and haven't used ADW in quite some time.

 

[nitsuj17]

adw and launcher pro i think are really neck and neck as to the 2 best launchers. really for me lpp puts it ahead with the further customizations and the widgets.

zeam is also very fast but doesnt have as many features as the previous 2.

to me oem launchers are a pita and the first thing i want to get rid of when i get the phone. i like how sense looks, so i have a sense dockbar for lpp, thus giving me the advantages of both.

 

[sreymj]

adw and launcher pro i think are really neck and neck as to the 2 best launchers. really for me lpp puts it ahead with the further customizations and the widgets.

zeam is also very fast but doesnt have as many features as the previous 2.

to me oem launchers are a pita and the first thing i want to get rid of when i get the phone. i like how sense looks, so i have a sense dockbar for lpp, thus giving me the advantages of both.

Agreed on the OEM launcher, getting rid of it was my first order of business. If for nothing else to hide all the crap applications.

I did notice that the TwLauncher is always running as a service no matter what. Do LP, ADW, and the like just run on top of TW consuming additional resources? Is there a way to completely bypass TwLauncher?

 

[saps]

Agreed on the OEM launcher, getting rid of it was my first order of business. If for nothing else to hide all the crap applications.

I did notice that the TwLauncher is always running as a service no matter what. Do LP, ADW, and the like just run on top of TW consuming additional resources? Is there a way to completely bypass TwLauncher?

Here ya go: http://androidforums.com/fascinate-all-things-root/205635-goodbye-touchwiz.html

 

[Moonfire]

Looking at the default Task Manager and the Running Services parts of the phone, I don't see TW running, so I don't think LP uses it. If you still have any icons/widgets on your TW homescreens, I would try getting rid of them. If you want to completely get rid of TW, saps has a thread on doing so here.

Edit: Ha, how did I know you'd beat me to it? : P

 

[dewalist]

For me, dxTop is the ultimate launcher. I don't like the sliding row of screens - dxTop has a diamond-shaped layout which keeps me always one swipe from any screen. It lets me categorize my apps so I don't have the one big bucket, and shows me which ones I haven't yet categorized (great for finding that latest installed app). I also like how it lets me directly access the install page or the market page for any app. It even has its own task manager where I can kill apps manually.

 

[sreymj]

Looking at the default Task Manager and the Running Services parts of the phone, I don't see TW running, so I don't think LP uses it. If you still have any icons/widgets on your TW homescreens, I would try getting rid of them. If you want to completely get rid of TW, saps has a thread on doing so here.

Edit: Ha, how did I know you'd beat me to it? : P

I'll give it a try. While using either LP or ADW, this is what I show under Applications > Manage Applications, then filter by Running. I was incorrect in stating it was listed under Running Services.

 

[saps]

Looking at the default Task Manager and the Running Services parts of the phone, I don't see TW running, so I don't think LP uses it. If you still have any icons/widgets on your TW homescreens, I would try getting rid of them. If you want to completely get rid of TW, saps has a thread on doing so here.

Edit: Ha, how did I know you'd beat me to it? : P

 

[saps]

I'll give it a try. While using either LP or ADW, this is what I show under Applications > Manage Applications, then filter by Running. I was incorrect in stating it was listed under Running Services.

SystemPanelLite Task Manager - Android app on AppBrain
Give this free app a try too. It will give you details of what is active and inactive and tell you how much cpu and ram any app is using

 

[jamesnmandy]

I tried ADW and Launcher Pro. LP crashed my phone, nothing but problems...so I uninstalled and ADW has been perfectly behaved.

 

[II Kings 9:20]

I had LP on my D1 and liked it. Put it on the SF and had to take it off. I love TW, it is fresh and new (for me) and LP makes me feel like I am using my old Droid1, it's as if I didn't get a new phone. I have absolutely zero complaints with TW.

 

[gadgetmom88]

I'm using Zeam and like it. Very streamlined and fast. LP didn't play nice with my Fascinate, though I've used it on every other Android phone I've ever used. Considering trying out SweeterHome again. Anyone using that on the Fascinate?

 

[nitsuj17]

I'm using Zeam and like it. Very streamlined and fast. LP didn't play nice with my Fascinate, though I've used it on every other Android phone I've ever used. Considering trying out SweeterHome again. Anyone using that on the Fascinate?

launcher pro is kinda sensitive ill admit. you really have to tweak the settings to get it going well. Memory issues can cause major forces closes with it. if you drop below 50mb avaible lp may go wild.

i use autokiller w/ root on moderate so i never hit that danger area, but if youre unrooted and have a ton of apps that may be the problem

 

[NOsquid]

I've had AK on "strict" and no LP issues, I think it mostly gets left alone when you move it to the system folder.

 

[sreymj]

launcher pro is kinda sensitive ill admit. you really have to tweak the settings to get it going well. Memory issues can cause major forces closes with it. if you drop below 50mb avaible lp may go wild.

i use autokiller w/ root on moderate so i never hit that danger area, but if youre unrooted and have a ton of apps that may be the problem

This is good info and may explain why I noticed performance issues with LP. I gave Zeam a whirl yesterday. It's lightweight, fast for sure. But, I am going back to ADW.