Launchers... From Worst to Best

[Ifanafi]

NOVA Launcher

I used and liked the paid for "pro" version of Nova Launcher in my Gemini.

However, now I find it less than optimal on my Cosmo, such that I have reluctantly UNinstalled it.

What say you?

Ifanafi

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[shinkamui]

I tried my favorites on the cosmo, and so far, the result is that I'm sticking with stock:

1. TSF Launcher - Pretty, great customization for look and feel, but landscape/portrait issues on the Cosmo, with the background wallpaper not orienting or scaling correctly if its a static wallpaper picker.
2. Next Launcher - Constantly crashes.
3. Action Launcher 3 - Fantastic overall, but has orientation issues at lock/unlock.  Also randomly has plugins crash.
4. Nova Launcher - wallpaper issues, a little bland
5. Microsoft Launcher - completely fails to work in landscape at this resolution.

I've recently discovered that the cosmo is quite usable at 300dpi, and i may give some of the 3rd party launchers another shot.  My main reason for sticking with stock instead of the mostly working action launcher is that android for work integration is far superior on it.  "Island" is a must have for me on non samsung devices where I miss the encrypted knox backed private folder.  Its a decent alternative, and works nicely on the cosmo, especially in the stock launcher.

[Charlie Stross]

Has anyone tried T-UI on the Cosmo?

If so, does the external screen still work? (I don't expect there's explicit support for it in T-UI itself, at least not yet.)

Note for the uninitiated: T-UI is a command line Android launcher; it gives you a shell prompt, has a bunch of built-in commands, doesn't integrate with Termux or have full shell syntax (alas!), but looks like a better match for some than a keyboard device.

[a1astair]

I haven't got my Cosmo yet, but KISS launcher runs really well on the Gemini and I intend to install it on my Cosmo.

[shinkamui]

Has anyone tried T-UI on the Cosmo?

If so, does the external screen still work? (I don't expect there's explicit support for it in T-UI itself, at least not yet.)

Note for the uninitiated: T-UI is a command line Android launcher; it gives you a shell prompt, has a bunch of built-in commands, doesn't integrate with Termux or have full shell syntax (alas!), but looks like a better match for some than a keyboard device.

I used it for a little while on the gemini.  I can try it for you if you'd like.  What would you like to know about the external screen and the launcher?  Im not sure why it would matter what launcher is in use, the external screen doesn't have anything to do with that specifically, just the overarching notification system, and a few generic android system hooks (like flashlight, media controls, etc).

[PJS]

Hi guys,

Spent the weekend setting up my Cosmo...   I've installed "OpenLauncher"
from F-Droid.

It seems to be roughly on par with the base goggles launcher, but I have had
one crash and it seems to have some issues with shortcuts/widgets.

Since it seems to be under active development, I'm going to see if they have
any suggestions/fixes in the works.

Thanks,

PJS

[gidds]

I used and liked the paid for "pro" version of Nova Launcher in my Gemini.

However, now I find it less than optimal on my Cosmo, such that I have reluctantly UNinstalled it.

What didn't you like about it?

(I'm still using the default launcher on my Gemini.  But Nova Launcher was first on my list to try.)

Are there any Cosmo-specific problems with it?

[PJS]

Hi all,

An update on "OpenLauncher", I took some time to look through their "issues"
list on GitHub....   I was sorry to see the shortcuts issue was reported
years ago and is still outstanding...   I guess they must be developer
starved...     :/

So what was wrong with NovaLauncher?!



PJS

[Phoxford]

NOVA Launcher

I used and liked the paid for "pro" version of Nova Launcher in my Gemini.

However, now I find it less than optimal on my Cosmo, such that I have reluctantly UNinstalled it.

What say you?

Ifanafi

---------

I use Nova on both the Gemini and the Cosmo. They both look and work identically.

[vldmr]

Has anyone tried T-UI on the Cosmo?

I just installed it. I think it is way cool, and makes cosmo with its keyboard much more usable than launchers that require to touch the screen.
It is open source as well, link to github.

External screen work, as well as everything else as far as I can tell. Even Planet App Bar - which is a launcher on it own in a sense - pops up with the Planet button.

[maki.jouni]

It would be nice to have few more good possibilities, instead of stock launcher. First of all, that annoying google search bar, takes hole lot of free space from home screen.

Is there any Gemini users or someone who have already received their Cosmo, who have tested some launchers with Landscape orientation. Pic per launcher here at this threat would be also nice.

Have anyone tried for example Lawnchair 2 or some of Apex Launchers at Gemini or Cosmo?

Someone could also made pinned post at top of the thread, where would be pros and cons and sample pic of home screen.

I personally have Fin/Swe layout, so I'am not receiving my Cosmo anytime soon.... It would nice to have good solution for launcher, when I eventually receive my Cosmo....

[gymbo]

It would be nice to have few more good possibilities, instead of stock launcher. First of all, that annoying google search bar, takes hole lot of free space from home screen.

Is there any Gemini users or someone who have already received their Cosmo, who have tested some launchers with Landscape orientation. Pic per launcher here at this threat would be also nice.

Have anyone tried for example Lawnchair 2 or some of Apex Launchers at Gemini or Cosmo?

Someone could also made pinned post at top of the thread, where would be pros and cons and sample pic of home screen.

I personally have Fin/Swe layout, so I'am not receiving my Cosmo anytime soon.... It would nice to have good solution for launcher, when I eventually receive my Cosmo....

There should be at least one thread about launchers over in the Gemini part of the forum, and I do think quite a few attached pictures there as well...

[Jesse from Ohio]

[size=]I used and liked the paid for "pro" version of Nova Launcher in my Gemini.

However, now I find it less than optimal on my Cosmo, such that I have reluctantly UNinstalled it.[/size]

What didn't you like about it?

Are there any Cosmo-specific problems with it?

+1 on this querry... @Ifanafi what issues did you have with Nova on the Cosmo?

I've used Nova on my Pixel for the last 2.5 years, and been very happy with it. Basically just an alternate launcher to get rid of Android Pie's non-removable search bar, and it has a few additional config options.

Installed it immediately when I received my Cosmo earlier this week, so far I've run it for 48 hours with no perceptible issues. Portrait or landscape, both seem to work pretty well.
I haven't changed the default PC background yet--honestly kinda like the starscape theme, but maybe there are issues with other backgrounds?

[Zogzog]

running ADW Launcher like on my previous android devices, run very well, no issues afaik.

[jakfish]

Re: Nova Launcher Pro--agree with Jesse from Ohio. I saved and transferred all my settings from the Gem into fresh Nova install on the Cosmo and nary a complaint.

I love that, desktop-wise, Nova's backup remembers your widgets and third-party icons, Saved me a ton of time.

Jake