The Best Launcher

[jsward12]

What is the best launcher for the Galaxy Nexus? Also does using a launcher like, launcher pro, or Go allow you to use the whole screen as the stock launcher has that stupid google search bar on top.

Thanks!

 

[jdaud]

I like Nova. If you don't change any settings it replicates stock launcher but allows for nice customization options

 

[Sailing_Nut]

I'm also looking for a launcher suggestion for the GNex. I came from a sense 3.5 ROM on my Thunderbolt and miss the "slick" animations & etc.

 

[SolidOrange]

nova seems to be the consensus favorite at the moment. it was built from ICS code so it has all the look and feel of the stock launcher but will still let you alter the number of homescreens, disable the google search widget, change the icon grid (i am using 6x5 instead of the stock 5x4), long press to add widgets, etc.

[APP] Nova Launcher Beta (ICS based) - xda-developers

using GoLauncher, LauncherPro, or even my previous favorite, ADW EX seems like a clear step backwards on the GNex as they were built from Android 2.X source.

 

[kylecummins]

nova > all

 

[hlsilver]

I installed Nova and when I hit the "Home" button it asks whether I want to complete the action with Launcher or Nova Launcher. I should set it to use Nova Launcher by default correct?

 

[SolidOrange]

I installed Nova and when I hit the "Home" button it asks whether I want to complete the action with Launcher or Nova Launcher. I should set it to use Nova Launcher by default correct?

Correct.

 

[djcs219]

I downloaded Nova and I don't see what the big deal is. Go launcher can do all the same things plus I like the transitions they have etc. Unless anyone else can really sell me on Nova I am sticking with Go launcher until they update Nova more.

 

[Blue218]

ADW Ex is set up to run with 4.0 and it will allow you to get rid of the Google search bar as well as have a scrolling launcher that can be hidden. I have run ADW Ex on my past 3 android phones but I am still sticking with stock 4.0 now.

 

[RyanB]

Ditto. I like the idea of the launcher bm being of the same code as stock, as well as feeling like stock. I'll likely jump back to ADW Ex at some point, but I'm trying to familiarize myself with stock functionality first.

 

[Optimus]

+1

nova seems to be the consensus favorite at the moment. it was built from ICS code so it has all the look and feel of the stock launcher but will still let you alter the number of homescreens, disable the google search widget, change the icon grid (i am using 6x5 instead of the stock 5x4), long press to add widgets, etc.

[APP] Nova Launcher Beta (ICS based) - xda-developers

using GoLauncher, LauncherPro, or even my previous favorite, ADW EX seems like a clear step backwards on the GNex as they were built from Android 2.X source.

 

[BabyBlues]

And Nova just updated today to Version 8 to include a LOT more tweaks.

 

[Deleted User]

I preferred Go Launcher on my Incredible, but for now I like the speed/feel of the stock browser. I may give Nova a shot.

The two things I miss from Go Launcher are 1) Folders in the app drawer and 2) scroll-able menu at bottom of screen.

 

[wysts43]

If you want stock ICS with added features and more screen space potential, then nova launcher is what you need

 

[Jay3]

What is the best launcher for the Galaxy Nexus? Also does using a launcher like, launcher pro, or Go allow you to use the whole screen as the stock launcher has that stupid google search bar on top.

Thanks!

I like the search bar. What do you do, always run an app before searching for something?

That thing pulls up places (from maps and navigation), people for contacts, any app, songs from music, and if that's not what you're looking for it defaults to a Google search on the internet. You can hit the microphone and tell it to call or text someone.

Almost invisible and very unobtrusive to me.

 

[sean76]

Honestly...The Stock Launcher does it for me! I have zero complaints.

 

[chrisexv6]

Probably belongs more in the "everything root" section, but you can switch the screen dpi to 240 and gain a TON more space for stuff.

The newest Nova beta supports the 240dpi screen now too, so you get the best of both worlds: better launcher and a lot more workspace (there are a few caveats, some apps dont play well with 240dpi). Ill be testing Nova b8 with 240dpi later today.

 

[CharlzO]

I preferred Go Launcher on my Incredible, but for now I like the speed/feel of the stock browser. I may give Nova a shot.

The two things I miss from Go Launcher are 1) Folders in the app drawer and 2) scroll-able menu at bottom of screen.

Nothing on 1 yet, but if you mean being able to scroll your Dock bar, you can set up to 3 pages, with up to 7 icons per page with Nova.

 

[EddyOS]

I'm using Trebuchet, which is the CM9 launcher. Very good and has some nice options in it

 

[mntbighker]

All I really want to change about the stock launcher is reducing home screens to 3 and infinite scroll. It seems Nova does 1 of those, but so far I like it. Most others don't scale for the larger resolution.

 

[RyanB]

Yeah, I don't see an option in Nova to scroll infinitely. I also only need 3 screens.

 

[elmerjr128]

7x7 grid, disable search bar, home button activates voice search (only on default home screen), removed dock divider, hidden notification bar (pressing anywhere on the row above app dock will toggle it back on), widget resizing, app icon customization... nova is great.

 

[idic]

+ 1 for Nova Launcher. Identical in look and feel to stock launcher, but additional customisations and cool transition effects. No lag, and no reason not to try it!

 

[Steven58]

I'm using Nova too. I like it.

 

[Dklas2k]

Do you have to be rooted to use nova launcher?