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An important question

Mister Fox

Lurker
Jan 2, 2013
5
1
My parents have decided that, with the new deals from AT&T, they can now afford to buy me a smartphone. Based on the prices and deals with devices and plans, I will be getting the LG G2. However, there is one major thing that concerns me that I was hoping could be cleared up here:

I've heard a lot about the UI of this device, and pretty much nothing positive has been said. I currently own a Samgung Galaxy Player 4.2, which runs stock Android 2.3.6, and I use GO Launcher EX. Will I have issues switching to the Optimus UI on the G2, or will I be able to install GO Launcher and keep my current interface style?
 
Use the launcher of your choice if the stock LG G2 U/I isn't to your liking.

The added benefit of using an aftermarket launcher is that the phone will look/feel a lot like the device you're currently using, along w/having most, if not all, of LG's features still intact, most of which are actually useful.

It's the best of both worlds, you'll be glad you're getting this phone at any price.
If you still have some reservations, go compare the phones that are available to you @ an AT&T store, load up your launcher of choice & see which one suits your needs.

I see that you don't post much, however, we'd like to hear back from you regarding your choice.
 
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I've used different launchers over the years, everything from what came stock with the phones I've purchased from Motorola, Samsung, or LG, or have come with various versions of Cyanogen Mod on modded HP Touchpads or BN Nooks, to using ADW, Holo, and Nova (all three good IMHO).

The thing is, on predecessor phones, often one HAD to use one of these replacements to get a leaner and meaner, more responsive UI experience with the kind of tailoring flexibility to make it your own.

With the LG G2, I have not experienced the need to run a replacement launcher. The phone is killer responsive, and you can disable so much, and also tailor so much with what comes stock, you shouldn't have a concern.

Experience the Stock U.I. You can always change things up with a replacement launcher. You'll find the phone is really quite good... and perhaps the U.I. to be superior to anything you've used previously. :smokingsomb:
 
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You should have bought the phone when it was available, now you must wait :)

As for the UI in LG G2 - I think it is O.K., comparing to the HTC Sense I had for the last couple of years. I personally like that many things are customizable - changing and resizing icons on the homescreen, moving the three navigation buttons, app drawer sorting and rearranging etc. None of these was possible in HTC Sense, so it is a huge step forward.
I admit there are two things that are not so great about LG G2 UI, I hope next update will fix it.

  • Knock-on feature does not always work,
  • Notification pull-down is cluttered by the items that in fact are not notifications,
The rest is almost perfect and I really love my LG G2.
 
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@Mister Fox - have you tried Amazon? .01 with Contract. :)

If you need to - call them; they will have someone walk you through the purchase.

My father just called and got a complete walkthrough of the purchase. My G2 is officially ordered and is estimated to be delivered in 2 days.

I have also purchased this case for it: SPIGEN SGP G2 Case Slim Armor | Spigen
 
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My father just called and got a complete walkthrough of the purchase. My G2 is officially ordered and is estimated to be delivered in 2 days.

I have also purchased this case for it: SPIGEN SGP G2 Case Slim Armor | Spigen

Good choice there young fella.

Don't forget your screen protector. Your phone will then be in tip-top condition when it comes to re-selling it.
 
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You should have bought the phone when it was available, now you must wait :)

As for the UI in LG G2 - I think it is O.K., comparing to the HTC Sense I had for the last couple of years. I personally like that many things are customizable - changing and resizing icons on the homescreen, moving the three navigation buttons, app drawer sorting and rearranging etc. None of these was possible in HTC Sense, so it is a huge step forward.
I admit there are two things that are not so great about LG G2 UI, I hope next update will fix it.

  • Knock-on feature does not always work,
  • Notification pull-down is cluttered by the items that in fact are not notifications,
The rest is almost perfect and I really love my LG G2.

I also have that problem but strangely, the knock-OFF works fine. The merest of taps is sufficient.
 
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Well, I got my G2. So far I really like it, but I do have one issue.

I really miss Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread.

I migrated to the G2 from a Samsung Galaxy Player 4.2, which is capped at 2.3.6

During my time with the Player, I fell in love with the combination of Go Launcher EX and the round, fluid app interfaces of the OS.

With the G2 running android 4.2.2 out of the box, the UI is now blocky and, in my opinion, too flashy and too minimalist in all the wrong areas.

I especially dislike the stock android 4.2.2 music app and image/video gallery. The music app doesn't show album art in the list view, and the gallery shows duplicates of every photo and video when it finished scanning for media (which it does after I download images/videos from the internet.

The phone is nice, but the OS really doesn't suit me. Would you call me crazy if I expressed an interest in somehow flashing a stock android 2.3.6 ROM onto this device?
 
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Crazy? No, but if I had a heart defibrillator, I would apply 360 watt-seconds on you if you were standing next to me. I wouldn't ask, I'd just do it. :D

You just scored an uber phone for .01 and it's not good unless you demote it's capabilities. Really?

On a serious note:
a). Look, seek replacements like K9Mail and MixZing for email and player replacements. YMMV. There are a number of good apps out there. I'm sure you can find a great Gallery replacement as well.

b). If doing (a) doesn't float your boat (and it may not), seek one of the launchers people have recommended.

Both (a) and (b) require little effort on your part and are reversible. No need to void your warranty or possibly make problematic your ability to enjoy KK when it is released.

c). Lastly, and only if you have to, investigate flashing something custom that is recent. If you do, honestly, I wager it's not likely to give you that much more than what (a) and (b) will provide to you, based on your last response.

You really don't need to root this phone and flash a custom ROM. If you think you do... but haven't done (a) or (b) first, or out of the gate - you're sincerely thinking about rooting and flashing GB (if that is even possible...), then you need 360 Joules or more stat.
 
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I'll go with 65% crazy. Sometime long, long, long ago I went from GB to ICS. Must have been on my Incredible 2. ICS wasn't quite stable on that phone but it was WAY better than GB. I haven't looked back. This phone is awesome. I rooted it because... I wanted a centered clock... I have always used GO Launcher and like 6x5 on the home screens but it causes minor problems so I changed the DPI... Have fun. This is a great phone. No need for a custom ROM but you could go that route too.
 
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This is a great phone. No need for a custom ROM but you could go that route too.

Not trying to persuade anyone, but to me stock on the g2 seems just a bit sluggish.

With that said, since day 2 after having my g2 I've had aosp loaded on and haven't looked back yet.

Aosp is just a lot more snappier than stock UI, even more with art enabled.
 
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Immersive bleed with custom clock and KitKat icons. All navbar buttons have long press options.

yrypajam.jpg
 
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