Best launchers for Galaxy Note 2? (or Android in general I guess)

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robjg63

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# 175034 15-Jun-2015 12:05

Sometimes it amazes me how I can miss something really obvious - but I just noticed the world of replacement Android launchers at the weekend and am astonished that this escaped me for so long..

I like the idea of having a bit of a cleaner user experience on my phone.

Just wondered what are the favourite launchers among the GZers.
Do the replacement launchers cause any performance hits (or reduced battery life)?

By the way - free is good...

What are you using?

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muppet

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# 1324905 15-Jun-2015 12:18

Google Launcher. It's very, very simple.

But, it's very, very fast. And has Google Now built in.

That was my choice on my Note 2 until it blew up.

bradstewart

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# 1324943 15-Jun-2015 12:46

Google Now or Nova.

Google Now is very simplistic, no configuration available. Nova is based on the AOSP version of Google Now and you can customise it very heavily.

I just upgraded my Galaxy S5 to a Nexus 5 and have been bouncing around between the two. GNL is awesome just for builtin Google Now page. But Nova has things I miss from the Samsung Launcher like badge counts on icons ($5 Nova Prime required), and the ability to resize everything.

nzgeek

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# 1324955 15-Jun-2015 13:18

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I've been using Apex Launcher for a few years now. It's quite similar to Nova in many ways, so try both and see which one you like more.

NikT

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# 1324967 15-Jun-2015 13:36

The Google Now launcher is 4x4 on the Note II, which is pretty tragic on a screen that big. Then again, Samsung didn't fix the grid sizes themselves until the S6 - fingers crossed for the Note 5.

Nova Launcher recently had a Material Design overhaul, and is currently my top pick. Supports dynamic calendar icons too.

This one is worth a look as well if you want something that gels with the existing design aesthetics.

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jeffnz

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# 1325221 15-Jun-2015 17:38

another long time Nova user and fan, makes the Galaxy perform really well.

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MikeB4

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# 1325223 15-Jun-2015 17:44

Back when I used Android my favorite was Google Now Launcher. I also liked for phones only Yahoo Aviate but it does not play well for Tablets above 7"

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linw

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# 1325346 15-Jun-2015 21:27

Was using Apex but now Google Now.

Dratsab

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# 1325363 15-Jun-2015 21:51

I'm an Apex user as well. Things seems to be getting a bit flaky on my phone now though - not sure if it's the launcher or the Note II itself not liking being rooted (running de-bloated stock firmware).