Easy to Use Android Launcher?

[Guest]

So I managed to get this nice Samsung S2 ripoff for my daughter for Christmas:

http://www.amazon.co...ils_o00_s00_i00

Comes with vanilla android and it seems to have been a total bargain. Much better than my ancient iPhone 3GS!

Only thing is, she really doesn't like the launcher. She didn't say it in those words as such, it was more like "I'll never figure that out!". (She knows she's getting it btw because there was a big debate as to whether we should get her a smart phone or not)

Of course she could just learn how to use it, and I guess she could in the long run but I was hoping to find something a little easier for her to figure out. She's really used to my iPhone and her sister's iPod touch so I guess something more like iOS would suit her. As far as I can see, any iOS clones are pretty poor.

I've tried launcher pro but it's oddly laggy compared to the vanilla launcher which is strange because it used to run great on my old ZTE Blade, much better than the default.

So, anyone have Launcher suggestions?

Thanks.

Oh - side question... with this being basically a generic phone with no support as such, is there ever any chance of being able to update android to a later version? I'd love to get google now on there for her!

[sanctified Veteran]

I'd suggest Holo Launcher. Simplicity at its best.

[Brandon H Supervisor]

Oh - side question... with this being basically a generic phone with no support as such, is there ever any chance of being able to update android to a later version? I'd love to get google now on there for her!

you could check xda, but seeing as it's a no name phone, i doubt the modding community will do anything with it

[Draconian Guppy]

maybe with customs roms?

check out

www.xda-developers.com/

[djdanster]

If it comes pre-rooted then there is a project over at XDA regarding Google Now on ICS, I use it and it works nicely with a slight rendering issue once in a blue moon. Unless you can find a website that supports the n800 (possibly Modaco? XDA only support major phone manufactures) then you're going to be out of luck updating to Jelly Bean.

I'm using the free version of Apex Launcher. It runs flawlessly and is similar in design to the stock launcher but with Jelly Bean features (such as widget movements).

[Guest]

you could check xda, but seeing as it's a no name phone, i doubt the modding community will do anything with it

maybe with customs roms?

check out

www.xda-developers.com/

Couldn't see anything for the company "Star" who make this phone, should I be looking in a particular part of the forum for this?

[+longgonebn Subscriber²]

Go Launcher Ex is my favorite and the one I used most of the time, if not it's Nova Launcher.

[firey]

Check out Zeam it's easy to use.

[sanctified Veteran]

The problem with Zeam is that is hasnt been updated over a year and feels clunky. I would love for zeam to have folder ability and to hide the horrid settings black bottom bar.

[DJ-Light]

Go Launcher Ex

[Guest]

I think go launcher is sort of on the right track with the expanding folders.

I guess the main thing that confuses her is that you can pin apps to the home screen and that there's a drawer with everything else, plus the widgets, which is new to her.

[AJerman]

I'll add another vote for Holo Launcher, though most android launchers aren't much different. A desktop of widgets, icons and a dock and a drawer of icons. The main differences in most are certain customizations. I like Holo Launcher though because it's not overly heavy on configuration options, but it has about all I want. Aside from that, there's a phone icon to call someone, a message bubble for texting, a globe for the internet, it's really can't get too much easier.

I'm guessing there's not much third party support for that phone since it's a knock off, as you say. Otherwise custom ROMs like MIUI can bring a experience similar to the iPhone.

[Draconian Guppy]

<p>

<br />

Couldn't see anything for the company "Star" who make this phone, should I be looking in a particular part of the forum for this?<br />

</p>

<p>?</p>

<p>?</p>

<p>You should join the forum.</p>

<p>?</p>

<div>Most knock offs have "vanilla specifications" eg. they adhere to a certain spec from a certain phone, I highly doubt it was the S2 though. What i'm saying is, most ROMS work with almost any device albeit "unsopported" Eg. if the dev didn't have any test input from X device, then don't expect him/her to have a specific answer.</div>

<div>?</div>

<div>All in all, from my little android experience, it's pretty hard to brick a phone with an open bootloader.</div>

<div>Anyway, JOIN TEH forum!</div>

[Som]

So I managed to get this nice Samsung S2 ripoff for my daughter for Christmas:

http://www.amazon.co...ils_o00_s00_i00

Comes with vanilla android and it seems to have been a total bargain. Much better than my ancient iPhone 3GS!

Only thing is, she really doesn't like the launcher. She didn't say it in those words as such, it was more like "I'll never figure that out!". (She knows she's getting it btw because there was a big debate as to whether we should get her a smart phone or not)

Of course she could just learn how to use it, and I guess she could in the long run but I was hoping to find something a little easier for her to figure out. She's really used to my iPhone and her sister's iPod touch so I guess something more like iOS would suit her. As far as I can see, any iOS clones are pretty poor.

I've tried launcher pro but it's oddly laggy compared to the vanilla launcher which is strange because it used to run great on my old ZTE Blade, much better than the default.

So, anyone have Launcher suggestions?

Thanks.

Oh - side question... with this being basically a generic phone with no support as such, is there ever any chance of being able to update android to a later version? I'd love to get google now on there for her!

I'm using Apex Launcher, I find it great personally

[AJerman]

<p></p>

<p> </p>

<p> </p>

<p>You should join the forum.</p>

<p> </p>

<div>Most knock offs have "vanilla specifications" eg. they adhere to a certain spec from a certain phone, I highly doubt it was the S2 though. What i'm saying is, most ROMS work with almost any device albeit "unsopported" Eg. if the dev didn't have any test input from X device, then don't expect him/her to have a specific answer.</div>

<div> </div>

<div>All in all, from my little android experience, it's pretty hard to brick a phone with an open bootloader.</div>

<div>Anyway, JOIN TEH forum!</div>

Please be careful what you suggest. This is all very wrong. Most knock offs don't have any relation to any specific phone. They are typically made by very very cheap components, and rarely have support of many custom ROMs, if for no other reason than a lack of interest from developers.

And ROMs certainly do NOT work on just any device. ROMs are custom built for a specific device, and flashing them on a difference device is a good way to do your best at bricking your phone, though that usually is pretty hard because you can usually get in and reflash the right software again.

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

Apex Launcher. Set it up, lock the desktop, done!

[Guest]

<p></p>

<p> </p>

<p> </p>

<p>You should join the forum.</p>

<p> </p>

<div>Most knock offs have "vanilla specifications" eg. they adhere to a certain spec from a certain phone, I highly doubt it was the S2 though. What i'm saying is, most ROMS work with almost any device albeit "unsopported" Eg. if the dev didn't have any test input from X device, then don't expect him/her to have a specific answer.</div>

<div> </div>

<div>All in all, from my little android experience, it's pretty hard to brick a phone with an open bootloader.</div>

<div>Anyway, JOIN TEH forum!</div>

Well, I joined and posted a question. Their stringent rules for new users are quite annoying. I couldn't even link directly to the product page of the phone!

Also, whats with all the html?

Also, OMG they droped the price of the phone by ?20!!!! Annoying.

[sanctified Veteran]

BTW, MIUI is also very pleasing to look at and seems easy enough.

[ashpowell]

So I managed to get this nice Samsung S2 ripoff for my daughter for Christmas:

http://www.amazon.co...ils_o00_s00_i00

Comes with vanilla android and it seems to have been a total bargain. Much better than my ancient iPhone 3GS!

Only thing is, she really doesn't like the launcher. She didn't say it in those words as such, it was more like "I'll never figure that out!". (She knows she's getting it btw because there was a big debate as to whether we should get her a smart phone or not)

Of course she could just learn how to use it, and I guess she could in the long run but I was hoping to find something a little easier for her to figure out. She's really used to my iPhone and her sister's iPod touch so I guess something more like iOS would suit her. As far as I can see, any iOS clones are pretty poor.

I've tried launcher pro but it's oddly laggy compared to the vanilla launcher which is strange because it used to run great on my old ZTE Blade, much better than the default.

So, anyone have Launcher suggestions?

Thanks.

Oh - side question... with this being basically a generic phone with no support as such, is there ever any chance of being able to update android to a later version? I'd love to get google now on there for her!

I doubt you can get any custom roms for this phone as it's not a proper brand, so I wouldn't try any or you'll break your phone.

- aside from that though, I'm not sure you can get much simpler than the stock launcher? 1 button to access your apps, then the rest (which can be removed) for quick access to your favourites

[Guest]

BTW, MIUI is also very pleasing to look at and seems easy enough.

I'd be installing that right now, shame it doesn't seem to have the right ROM :s

[AJerman]

Well, I joined and posted a question. Their stringent rules for new users are quite annoying. I couldn't even link directly to the product page of the phone!

Also, whats with all the html?

Also, OMG they droped the price of the phone by ?20!!!! Annoying.

The rules on new users is because it's a developer board. The rules are to force you to search and read current posts before you start posting questions. There is a massive amount of information on that board that can be found by just searching.

Unfortunately, I can tell you though from searching myself, there's almost nothing about that phone on there. There are a few rooting guides, but I can't see where anything they have would be useful to your daughter. IF perhaps a ROM like MIUI ran on that phone, I'd suggest that, but it doesn't appear there are many, if any, custom roms for that phone. You'd have to stick to launcher replacements if it's really needed. Hell, you could try MiHome which is the MIUI launcher without the rest of the ROM for a more iPhonesque UI. Not sure how well it works outside of it's ROM though, not much of a MIUI fan myself anyway, but that's just me.

[techbeck]

I use Apex launcher. Best IMO. Nova is good as well.

[Guest]

The rules on new users is because it's a developer board. The rules are to force you to search and read current posts before you start posting questions. There is a massive amount of information on that board that can be found by just searching.

Unfortunately, I can tell you though from searching myself, there's almost nothing about that phone on there. There are a few rooting guides, but I can't see where anything they have would be useful to your daughter. IF perhaps a ROM like MIUI ran on that phone, I'd suggest that, but it doesn't appear there are many, if any, custom roms for that phone. You'd have to stick to launcher replacements if it's really needed. Hell, you could try MiHome which is the MIUI launcher without the rest of the ROM for a more iPhonesque UI. Not sure how well it works outside of it's ROM though, not much of a MIUI fan myself anyway, but that's just me.

Perfect! We have found a winning launcher. Problem solved. Sucks about the lack of being able to update it but oh well. I guess I wanted to play with google now on her phone for my own selfish reasons really :D

[techbeck]

BTW, MIUI is also very pleasing to look at and seems easy enough.

MIUI still looks like Apple tho? I tried MIUI on my Vibrant and was to Apple like. But that was a while ago.

[max84]

Nova Launcher is the best.