What do I lose if I go from using Sense to Launcher Pro?

[CFD323]

I'm new to Android and was wondering what do I lose if I get rid of sense and use Launcher Pro? Do I need to be rooted to use LP? If I don't like LP and want to go back to Sense, is that possible without much trouble?

 

[NilsE]

I'm new to Android and was wondering what do I lose if I get rid of sense and use Launcher Pro? Do I need to be rooted to use LP? If I don't like LP and want to go back to Sense, is that possible without much trouble?

What you lose is all the HTC Sense widgets like the settings toggle widgets. You can find suitable replacements for most of them.

No, you do not need to be rooted.

And since it is an app all you have to do is uninstall it to go back since you have not removed anything.

 

[WBMc36]

you do lose those widgets, which is why i no longer use LP. Try it out, there is a lot to gain customization wise and if you go pro the widgets are good replacements for htc's and combined with widget locker you can completely change your phone. I would definitely recommend trying it out, i used it for about a month and a few other times here and there but i always end up going back to sense. And last time i checked the dev was working on completely re-coding the app to run better and for the addition of new features in the future, not sure if its done yet or not but definitely worth checking out.

 

[Terabethia]

To add to what NilsE already said, you can actually switch between launchers with an app called Home Switcher. Just open the app and then choose which launcher you want to use.

That is assuming of course that you set a default launcher. You can just pick your launcher each time you hit the home button if you never check the "use this as default" box. Frankly that gets annoying after the 3rd or 4th time so it's best to just choose one and then use Home Switcher to go to a different one if you need.

 

[Lacyanne64]

Most notably you loose the widgets. It bothered me at first but launcher pro has come along way and now the pro version has its own widgets which are equal if not better than sense widgets.

 

[sail4fun201]

You lose widgets, most notably the HTC clock widget and accompanying weather pattern. It's almost enough for me to switch back, honestly, but I think I like LP a little better.

I like how you can put it in horozontal mode, and you can have a scrolling dock. Also, I cut down on homescreens to five. Also, you can resize widgets so that they take up a difdferent amount of space which is handy. The multitouch "expose" feature is there, but it isn't as fully featured. I like the App Drawer way better - go into the settings and enbale the 3d one. Plus, you can hide icons from it that you don't want from showing up, which is awesome.

Overall, I think it's worth it. Granted, I did buy LauncherPro Plus to get the extra widgets, and I bought Beautiful Widgets to use as a clock, but the only thing I really miss is the Sense clock widget and the weather animations.

 

[AeolianReflex]

Your question should really be "What am I missing if I stay with Sense"
Sense is a very good interface and it is the reason I went with Android in the first place. But after using LP+, Sense just feels too closed in. The LP+ customization is great and to me that's a major part of what the Android platform is all about. The widgets are every bit as good as Sense and although a few are missing, most notable the power control widget, you really don't lose anything that affects the phone's functionality. Do you want more or fewer icons on your home screens? LP+ does that. Want to customize your dock to include apps that are really useful? LP+ does that. Want to re size widgets to fit your screen? LP+ does that. Only want 5 screens? (don't know why you would) LP+ does that. Want your screens to work in landscape mode? LP+ does that. Delete an app by dragging ad dropping? Yeah LP+ does that and a lot more. There are just too many customizations to list here. Sense in it's current form doesn't do these things. For me, the choice is simple. LP+ is superior to Sense.

 

[superstretch]

If you miss the Sense widgets, grab the app "Beautiful Widgets" ( Beautiful Widgets - Android app on AppBrain ) Its a couple bucks, but they make nice replacement widgets.

 

[atlbravesfalcs7]

quick question. does anyone know how to get rid of the "warp" effect that launcher pro gives when going in and out of apps back to the home screen?

sorry to thread jack.

 

[iowabowtech]

If you want to switch between Sense and LP you don't even need a secondary app. Just check the box on the homescreen to make one of them default. Then if you change your mind, go into manage applications, scroll down the one you're currently using and press the "clear defaults" button under the Launch By Default section.

The next time you press the home screen button, you will have the choice again. Select what you want to use and done.

 

[FramCire]

Just to beat a dead horse here, you lose nothing.

You gain:

a dock (the bottom part which has 3 buttons on sense) that can scroll and have 15 icons.

15 more actions by using swipe gestures on the 15 icons.

Pop-ups: missed calls, new sms, bookmarks, and recently used apps... swipe an icon and the popup comes up...... very useful

Ability to hide apps in app drawer

looping homescreens..... (the far left one scrolls to the far right screen.... in a loop)

Seriously.... you lose the nice time/weather widget but Fancy Widgets or beautiful widgets or others can replace it.

Buy +.... it is cheap and well worth it

 

[WBMc36]

the only thing i missed was the calendar widget from sense, i really liked using it in the monthly and agenda format i tried pure calendar and it was a fuss.There is also a few other alternative agenda format widgets out there, none as good as sense. I need to see when my exams are to know if i should be studying or having fun

 

[CramRazz]

the only thing i missed was the calendar widget from sense, i really liked using it in the monthly and agenda format i tried pure calendar and it was a fuss.There is also a few other alternative agenda format widgets out there, none as good as sense. I need to see when my exams are to know if i should be studying or having fun

You should try LauncherPro Plus as it comes with some excellent widgets, including a calendar widget which can be set to agenda view. LauncherPro is simply the best launcher, eclipsing all manufacturer created launchers and pretty much all other options too.

 

[weihl165]

I dont really see you losing anything, I see you gaining a very customizable home. If you get the pro version you get most of the widgets you had with sense. And beautiful widgets will give you the clock and weather skin you lose, and even that is highly customizable. Try it, you get a 24hr refund if you dont like it

 

[FramCire]

the only thing i missed was the calendar widget from sense, i really liked using it in the monthly and agenda format i tried pure calendar and it was a fuss.There is also a few other alternative agenda format widgets out there, none as good as sense. I need to see when my exams are to know if i should be studying or having fun

Try smooth calendar. Set up a special calendar for exams. Have smooth calendar just use that calendar. It will list the next 3 events.

I use 3 calendar widgets (Launcher Pro Plus, Jorte 1x4 week view, and smooth calendar). They each have a different purpose and work well. Thanks to LPP, app organizer, tasker and swipe actions I got plenty of room for all 3.

 

[rcubed]

how can I save my LP configuration?

 

[mikeladue]

how can I save my LP configuration?

Menu / Preferences / Backup homescreens and settings

Not sure if you need LPPlus for that to work or not.


HTH,
Mike

 

[gparadox]

Get the pro version. Well worth it and has all the sense widgets as well.

 

[sail4fun201]

Get the pro version. Well worth it and has all the sense widgets as well.

This is not true. you need the sense launcher to use the sense widgets. LPP has excellent replacements for all of them except a clock.

 

[euph_22]

This is not true. you need the sense launcher to use the sense widgets. LPP has excellent replacements for all of them except a clock.

And Beautiful Widgets has alot of different clocks that replace the Sense Clock.

 

[MidnightRun]

I must be missing something...I cannot find Launcher Pro Plus in the Market, just the free version of LauncherPro. Is the name not "LauncherPro Plus"?

 

[sail4fun201]

I must be missing something...I cannot find Launcher Pro Plus in the Market, just the free version of LauncherPro. Is the name not "LauncherPro Plus"?

I think you buy the plus version from within the free app.

 

[FramCire]

I must be missing something...I cannot find Launcher Pro Plus in the Market, just the free version of LauncherPro. Is the name not "LauncherPro Plus"?

Fede (the developer) is from a country google market does not support. So to settings to purchase Plus. It is worth it.

Fancy Widgets is a very similar clock/weather.

I use beautiful widgets for mine

launcherpro.com will be your friend too for ideas and such

 

[txrxio]

Most annoying part of LauncherPro is that you can't drag icons from one screen to another. Bit of a pain when I customised loads of my icons, had to do them again from scratch.

 

[Vabeachrad]

Try Smooth Calendar. It will work with Launch Pro and give you the compact agenda and you can then open to see your calendar. Very much like the stock calendar only better.