Best Android Launcher for PB?

**rkennedy01** · 03-06-2012, 04:30 PM

Which is the best Android Launcher app for the PB? I've tried GO Launcher EX and it seems to work fairly well - not all configuration options are available, however, I can group app icons and use it as a base from which to move between Android apps, etc.

What other options have people tried? I heard something about "LauncherPro," and also that the ICS and Honeycomb launchers work. Anyone with experience using the various options care to chime in? And do any of them augment the environment so you can perform some rudimentary task switching between apps?

Note: Attached is a screenshot of my GO Launcher EX "desktop" with apps organized into folders, etc. Pretty happy with it so far...

RCK

**irvc.666** · 03-06-2012, 05:30 PM

Go Launcher Ex is the best in my opinion. ADW launcher looks cramped and you cant edit the home screens in the honeycomb launcher.
One thing ive noticed is that the settings never persist so I have to restore them everytime I reboot my playbook and start go launcher. Does that happen to you?

**balding1** · 03-06-2012, 05:37 PM

I've used launcher pro from the beginning with no issues so really never tried other launchers

**rkennedy01** · 03-06-2012, 05:48 PM

Originally Posted by balding1

I've used launcher pro from the beginning with no issues so really never tried other launchers

Do you have a link to the .BAR file? I'd like to give it a try...

RCK

**rkennedy01** · 03-06-2012, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by irvc.666

Go Launcher Ex is the best in my opinion. ADW launcher looks cramped and you cant edit the home screens in the honeycomb launcher.
One thing ive noticed is that the settings never persist so I have to restore them everytime I reboot my playbook and start go launcher. Does that happen to you?

I can't get *any* settings to stick at all. All attempts to change the wallpaper, icon sizes/fonts, etc., are seemingly ignored. Other than basic folder organization, there's not much you can do to customize it. Too bad because, visually, it's a very nice shell that would look even better with some tweaking...

RCK

**firey21** · 03-06-2012, 07:02 PM

I use Zeam Launcher, I quite like it.

**balding1** · 03-06-2012, 07:43 PM

Originally Posted by rkennedy01

Do you have a link to the .BAR file? I'd like to give it a try...

RCK

For the luv of me I can't find it here anymore or the links are for megaupload.
If I'm allowed will post my copy here or PM me your e-mail address and will send to you.

**GGKoul** · 03-06-2012, 08:25 PM

Does your PB need to be rooted to use a Android Launcher? And if you get a Android launcher installed, do you use BAR or APK files with the launcher?

**irvc.666** · 03-07-2012, 12:10 AM

Here is zeam launcher
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/40468770/org.zeam-1.bar

**irvc.666** · 03-07-2012, 12:11 AM

Originally Posted by GGKoul

Does your PB need to be rooted to use a Android Launcher? And if you get a Android launcher installed, do you use BAR or APK files with the launcher?

PB does not need to be rooted to use an android launcher. The launcher is pretty much an app. You still use .bar files no apk

**GGKoul** · 03-07-2012, 12:27 AM

Originally Posted by irvc.666

PB does not need to be rooted to use an android launcher. The launcher is pretty much an app. You still use .bar files no apk

Dumb question.. but outside of android desktop layout, whats the benefit of running a bar with a difference android launcher then the built in one?

**rkennedy01** · 03-07-2012, 01:44 AM

OK, so I've tried GO Launcher, LauncherPro and Zeam Launcher. So far, I still like GO Launcher best - nicer overall UI, with upsized controls and icons that seem to fit the larger PB screen a bit better. Plus, the UI behavior for folders mimics the PB, so it's more intuitive to an Android novice like me.

RCK

**DD1968** · 03-07-2012, 05:17 AM

Originally Posted by GGKoul

Dumb question.. but outside of android desktop layout, whats the benefit of running a bar with a difference android launcher then the built in one?

I opened the thread to see if I could get exactly the same answer. Genuine Q, I just wondered, all I seem to have picked up from other threads that you have to choose which to open the app with when launching an android app - which to me seems one extra unnecessary step to open an app..??

**DD1968** · 03-07-2012, 02:54 PM

No-one...??

**SumthinNew** · 03-07-2012, 03:01 PM

^ From my understanding, using an "android" type launcher (such as HC and ICS) on a "rooted" PB allowed access to the android market, thus being able to d/l apps/games etc... directly onto the playbook.
No messing with apk file conversions.

**DD1968** · 03-07-2012, 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by SumthinNew

^ From my understanding, using an "android" type launcher (such as HC and ICS) on a "rooted" PB allowed access to the android market, thus being able to d/l apps/games etc... directly onto the playbook.
No messing with apk file conversions.

Ok, I can see the appeal of that...

But not everyone using the launchers are rooted:

Originally Posted by irvc.666

PB does not need to be rooted to use an android launcher. The launcher is pretty much an app. You still use .bar files no apk

**exelion_04** · 03-08-2012, 08:08 PM

Sir, is this compatible with 2.0.07 something or the highest version???

**markrocha** · 04-12-2012, 02:06 PM

Originally Posted by irvc.666

Here is zeam launcher
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/40468770/org.zeam-1.bar

how do i install this (i've downloaded it to my pb, but it can't open the file)? also, how do i go about downloading and installing launcher pro. i can't for the life of me find the link anywhere!

**FreeJACLive** · 04-12-2012, 02:27 PM

What is the advantage / reason for an Android launcher?

**westcoaststyle** · 04-12-2012, 02:50 PM

Originally Posted by markrocha

how do i install this (i've downloaded it to my pb, but it can't open the file)? also, how do i go about downloading and installing launcher pro. i can't for the life of me find the link anywhere!

You have to sideload the .bar

**jamezalexander** · 04-12-2012, 02:52 PM

Consider android launchers "skins" aka themes for your playbook not much more. It does not enable much at all

**DAnklaud** · 04-12-2012, 03:28 PM

Zeam, it crashes the least and has the smallest memory (RAM) usage,there-for it is my favorite

**DAnklaud** · 04-12-2012, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by FreeJACLive

What is the advantage / reason for an Android launcher?

to better manage your android apps,in comparision to Blackberry android runtime home screen

**SifJar** · 04-12-2012, 05:23 PM

Originally Posted by FreeJACLive

What is the advantage / reason for an Android launcher?

Get more of an Android "feel" and also able to access stuff like Android settings app easily. (allows properly removing remnants of apps uninstalled from QNX home screen). But it has the negative side effect of prompting you each time you launch any android app as to which launcher to use to launch it (you can't set a default sadly), which is annoying to me at least.