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  • Nova Launcher expands the Android ICS interface functionality, with or without root

Nova Launcher expands the Android ICS interface functionality, with or without root

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Nova Launcher expands the Android ICS interface functionality, with or without root
One of the first launchers for Android Ice Cream Sandwich is making strides in its beta form over at the XDA-Devs community, and the comments about its qualities are encouraging.

First off, the Nova Launcher pretty much looks like the stock Android 4.0 home screen, so it won't alter the purity of the visual experience we know you are so fond of on your brand spanking new Galaxy Nexus. Second, it is supposed to work on any ICS device you throw at it, although the list of those is pretty short at the moment.

Third, and most important, it adds a lot of added functionality to your home screens. The icons at the bottom dock are now able to be swept left and right, allowing you to fit shortcuts to much more of your most used apps there, and access them from anywhere. 

You can also adjust the grid and widget sizes, to mix and match for the perfect ratio of screen real estate/crammed functionality. Last, but not least, you can change the way of choosing widgets for the home screen away from the default one, which some people scoff at. Here is the full list of features, and more are said to be on the way:

Nova Launcher expands the Android ICS interface functionality, with or without root
- Custom grid size (default 5x4 on the Galaxy Nexus)
- Scrollable Dock
- User setting for auto-rotate
- Resize any widget
- All/New/Downloaded categories in App Drawer
- Widgets-in-drawer (requires install as a system app) or from system picker
- Shortcut or resizable information in Widget Drawer
- Edit App Shortcut icon and label (Supports ADW Icon Packs)
- Wallpaper scrolling options (Disabling scrolling improves performance of live wallpapers)
- Cube desktop effect
- Various other smaller tweaks/optimizations

You can hit the source link and take it for a spin, but beware it is Android ICS-only. Gingerbread handsets have a number of other launchers to choose from at Android Market, so don't hate on the Nova Launcher developers.

source: XDA-Devs via mobilesyrup

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1. remixfa posted on 05 Jan 2012, 08:04

good for them. get in there early and become the brand name. Maybe ill take it for a spin later. Trebuchet is still glitchy.

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3. ayephoner posted on 05 Jan 2012, 08:20

let us know what you think if/when you try it out.

i still need to unlock and root, but i never seem to get around to it.

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5. iamcc posted on 05 Jan 2012, 10:03

I messed around with it a little. I like it, it's well done, but not for me.

I keep my home screen fairly basic and prefer using the new folder method of icons along the bottom as opposed to scrolling left and right (although Nova allows both).

As far as ayephoner, did you buy a Nexus? If so, root that mof**ka! I put AXI0M 2.3 on mine and could not be happier. It overclocks to 1.35GHz I think but I brought it back down to 1.2 and i'm getting extremely good battery life. Also, the auto brightness works much better imo.

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6. protozeloz posted on 05 Jan 2012, 10:06

I tried it, its quite nice, plus it has a ton of planned new features to it :D it has a few bugs (beta) but nothing that out of the ordinary.

now what phone you have? maybe I can help with the easy unlock and install recovery tool

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7. remixfa posted on 05 Jan 2012, 18:55

I tried it. Im Keeping it. Its way better then Trebuchet.

Not a FC yet after hrs of use, more options, and the return of the "long press the screen for widgets" option. Probably my biggest sore spot with ICS.

Vibrant 3g + ICS Passion V10 + Nova is the way to go.
My long ass battery life is back, ICS is smooth and stable, and the glitches are getting reduced down to nothing quickly.
If they can figure out the calling mute/unmute glitch and a few other minor issues the ROM will be perfect.

And all without Samsung launching an ounce of source code. pretty impressive. :)

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2. chuckyoo posted on 05 Jan 2012, 08:10

cant wait to get the ics update on my EPT4G!

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4. PimpStrong posted on 05 Jan 2012, 08:49 2

SGS2EPT4G* LOL

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8. Cwebb posted on 05 Jan 2012, 19:57 1

Since its made by Sammy, I'd expect it about 8 months from now. Now remember thats an optimistic estimate, don't be surprised if its over a year

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