I want to reduce the number of screen elements to the bare minimum that will still allow me to see at a glance the information I need yet still allow me quick and easy assess to the phone's functions and applications. I've never been one for clutter either at my desk, in my home or even my dress. My phone might as well reflex my taste and go minimalist too.
This is a work in progress and I would like to hear what you think of my efforts so far and your ideas on how I can improve upon it while maintaining my goal of keeping the phone informative and functional.
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Lock screen || Right | Home | Left || Folders
What you don't see in the screenshots are the invisible app buttons made possible by Transparent Launcher or the unlabelled SiMi Folder Widgets both of which hide away those items which I do not want advertised. I'm debating whether to remove the labels from the three visible folder widgets. Maybe only I will know where each function is but I'm the only user of the phone anyway.
Also not evident visually is LauncherPro's ability to assign dual functions, assessed by either a tap or a swipe, to each of the 15 dock items. The 30 apps that I can launch this way serve the vast majority of my needs. Each dock item shares closely related tasks like Dialer (tap) and Call-Log (swipe), SMS and Instant-Messenger, or App Market and QR Code Scanner. However, I'm thinking about reducing the number of docks from 3 sets of five to just 1 set, dumping quick assess to some of the least used apps and transferring the difference to Transparent Launcher widgets.
I'm also taking advantage of the fact that most information widgets also act as app launchers. In this case tapping the SiMi Clock Widget will launch the Alarm Clock, tapping the header of LauncherPro's Agenda widget launches the Calendar and tapping the 2 line appointment reminder (Calendr) also launches the Calendar but set to the agenda view instead of the calendar view.
I'm hoping that the developer of SiMi Clock Widget will implement a user request I second. In the attached screen shots, I would love to remove the weather and battery from the center home screen to the screen on it's right where they would replace the redundant clock I have there now.
Below is an AppBrain linked list of the theme related apps I using:
Lock screen >> SiMi Clock Widget || Calendr || WidgetLocker Lockscreen
Home >> SiMi Clock Widget || Calendr || LauncherPro || Dreamlyfe.mini Text Dock Icons
Right >> LauncherPro's Calendar/Agenda widget || Dreamlyfe.mini Text Dock Icons
Left/Folders >> SiMi Clock Widget || SiMi Folder Widgets || Transparent Launcher || Dreamlyfe.mini Text Dock Icons
The lock screen is meant to convey the most basic information I might need on the run. Turn of the screen and there is the time and my next appointment.
The home screen is all about the phone as a phone, a communication and location device. The right screen is for the phone as a computer. Dictionaries and wiki's, social networks, games and tools live here along with some app maintenance functions.
Unfortunately, the left screen is a bit schizophrenic right now. It was originally meant to be solely about multimedia with simple controls for controlling music, podcasts and audiobooks, however I found myself opening the calendar/agenda app more often than I had anticipated and had to give-in and place the widget on a screen. I wanted to keep the phone as fun and free as possible but had to concede to the commitments of life. I need to morph this screen into a Work/Finance area and either banish the multimedia functions to a fourth screen, add them as invisible apps somewhere or create another folder on the right screen. None of those options are appealing.
I'm also looking for a replacement for LauncherPro's Calendar/Agenda widget. I want something that will lay the text of a scrolling agenda list straight over the wallpaper. Basically something like the LauncherPro widget but without the dark grey backgrounds and hopefully more compact. I haven't found anything suitable yet so I might have to bite the bullet and learn how to re-skin the LauncherPro widget myself.
There it is. I like the direction it going. I think it has potential. Any suggestions?
ipottinger said:
I'm also looking for a replacement for LauncherPro's Calendar/Agenda widget. I want something that will lay the text of a scrolling agenda list straight over the wallpaper. Basically something like the LauncherPro widget but without the dark grey backgrounds and hopefully more compact. I haven't found anything suitable yet so I might have to bite the bullet and learn how to re-skin the LauncherPro widget myself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android Agenda Widget is good for this. The look is very customisable, has a transparency option, and you can also have gtasks showing on the same scrollable widget. Very nice, and free.
I suggest using Quickdesk as an alternative to having folders or anything like that. Essentially, double tapping the home button brings up an extra homescreen (can be from inside an app, too) so you can quickly get to a range of apps and widgets.
I have two homescreens - one for clock/weather/calendar/controls and one for my generic tools (Tweetdeck, Market, Maps, etc). Quickdesk gets me to a bunch of specialist applications, and the app drawer gets me to the rest.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Updated my setup. Now I'm using Go Launcher Ex instead of Launcher Pro. To keep things even more minimalist, I have a single dock icon which takes me to Quick Desk when tapped. I set my home button to Quick Desk as well, so I can easily switch between my apps when I'm not on my home screen. Quick Desk is an amazing multitasking app which basically gives you an extra home screen, where you can add apps and even widgets for easy access. The best thing about it is that, as I mentioned before, you can set this app as your default home button.
This is my setup. I don't know if it will be of any use for you since everyone has their own personal preferences and needs. Maybe mines will give you a different perspective or spark some new ideas (or maybe not).
I only use 1 home screen with Go Launcher Ex and with my status bar hidden. I have never seen the need to have multiple home screens. I tried to keep everything as efficient and minimal as possible while still maintaining some degree of aesthetics. Whenever I'm bored with my wallpaper, I could always swap the painting with another in Photoshop to give it a new look. Due to this, I don't need to change the layout of my home screen, move widgets around, or switch icons because the layout of my wallpaper is consistent. I like it this way. The rest of my widget and dock details are down below.
Home Screen
- swiping up on my home screen opens the app drawer
- swiping down on my home screen launches Quick Settings
Widgets
Android Agenda Widget
- tapping on individual calendar events opens its events details
- tapping on the bottom right corner of the widget opens its "uber" menu where you can add events, change settings, or view your whole calendar
This is a great widget in my opinion. It can sync to a lot of third party calendar and task apps such as Astrid. It has a lot of customization options as well. It's scrollable too if it's a feature that you need in a calendar widget.
Simi Clock
- tapping on the left side of the widget launches Clock
- tapping on the middle of the widget opens its quick 5 app menu
- tapping on the right side of the widget launches Genie/News and Weather
Simi Clock has all the daily info that I need in one small package including time, date, weather, battery, and it can launch apps.
Dock icons
Apps
- tapping launches Quick Desk containing my most used apps and widgets
- while in Quick Desk, tapping on the "Multimedia" icon in the top right opens Apps Organizer shortcut that contains a folder of my 20 most used multimedia apps (music, video, photo, games)
- while in Quick Desk, tapping on the "Misc" icon in the top right opens Apps Organizer shortcut that contains a folder of 20 utility apps that I occasionally use
- swiping up on apps dock icon opens notifications (in Launcher Pro and Go Launcher Ex you can assign dual functions to your dock icons for tapping and swiping)
I didn't want any scrolling to make things more efficient. That's why I only kept it down to 20 apps in a folder, which is the most you can fit on the screen at one time, or at least on my Captivate for that matter.
@raven369 you place the picture in the frame on the wallpaper? Or do you use a picture frame widget? Like your layout
Tsjoklat said:
@raven369 you place the picture in the frame on the wallpaper? Or do you use a picture frame widget? Like your layout
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. It's actually a part of the wallpaper that I put together and not a picture frame widget. I couldn't find any widgets with any good looking frames so I just Photoshopped it into my wallpaper.
Boonja said:
Android Agenda Widget is good for this. The look is very customisable, has a transparency option, and you can also have gtasks showing on the same scrollable widget. Very nice, and free.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Boonja for the suggestion.
I did find Pure Calendar widget but have noticed a few rendering glitches with it. Sometimes the agenda items don't appear at all. I'll give Android Agenda Widget a try.
PalaNIN said:
I suggest using Quickdesk as an alternative to having folders or anything like that. Essentially, double tapping the home button brings up an extra homescreen (can be from inside an app, too) so you can quickly get to a range of apps and widgets.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That looks very interesting. My concern though is that according to it description it might not work with LauncherPro. I'll give it a try and see if it works and how it feels. Thanks for the suggestion.
@raven369 I love your icons. I think they're perfect for me. Care to share them?
raven369 said:
This is my setup. ... Maybe mines will give you a different perspective or spark some new ideas (or maybe not).
I only use 1 home screen with Launcher Pro and with my status bar hidden. I have never seen the need to have multiple home screens. I tried to keep everything as efficient and minimal as possible while still maintaining some degree of aesthetics. Whenever I'm bored with my wallpaper, I could always swap the painting with another in Photoshop to give it a new look. Due to this, I don't need to change the layout of my home screen, move widgets around, or switch icons because the layout of my wallpaper is consistent. I like it this way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, nice and clean. And just one screen too. You've set the bar quite high.
raven369 said:
Android Agenda Widget
- tapping on individual calendar events opens its events details
- tapping on the bottom right corner of the widget opens its "uber" menu where you can add events, change settings, or view your whole calendar
This is a great widget in my opinion. It can sync to a lot of third party calendar and task apps such as Astrid. It has a lot of customization options as well. It's scrollable too if it's a feature that you need in a calendar widget.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This looks very promising. I'll definitely try this. Thanks for point it out!
raven369 said:
Simi Clock
- tapping on the left side of the widget launches Clock
- tapping on the middle of the widget opens its quick 5 app menu
- tapping on the right side of the widget launches Genie/News and Weather
Simi Clock has all the daily info that I need in one small package including time, date, weather, battery, and it can launch apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I should try and take move advantage of Simi Clock app launching ability. I don't know why I've ignore it till now.
raven369 said:
Favs
- tapping opens Apps Organizer shortcut that contains a folder of my 20 most used utility apps
- swiping up opens Apps Organizer shortcut that contains a folder of my 20 most used multimedia apps (music, video, photo, games)
I didn't want any scrolling to make things more efficient. That's why I only kept it down to 20 apps in a folder, which is the most you can fit on the screen at one time, or at least on my Captivate for that matter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This sounds complicated. The description mentions labels which I've not heard of before. I'm fairly new to all this. I got my Samsung Vibrant just a couple of months ago and only worked up the nerve to start mod'ing it a few weeks ago. I think this app will take some thought before I could effectively utilize it.
You certainly have given me quite a bit to think about. I can see now that there is still plenty of room even on a single screen to have all the info and functionality I want. It might take me awhile to get there but at least now I now how far I could possible go. Thanks!
ipottinger said:
This sounds complicated. The description mentions labels which I've not heard of before. I'm fairly new to all this. I got my Samsung Vibrant just a couple of months ago and only worked up the nerve to start mod'ing it a few weeks ago. I think this app will take some thought before I could effectively utilize it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apps Organizer is actually a very easy app to use. It can be downloaded in the market plus it's free. I can teach you how to use it.
Once you open the app you have 2 categories: Apps and Labels. The Apps category pretty much just lists all of your apps. If you go to the Labels category you can create labels which are essentially folders. Just use the menu key on your phone to create a "New Label." Once you've created your new label hold/long press it and click on "Select Apps." From there just check off all the apps you want in the label. You can also rename your label the same way by long pressing it and clicking on "Rename."
Now if you go back to your dock on your home screen you can create an Apps Organizer shortcut. Just long press on your dock, select "Change Shortcut," select Apps Organizer, and then choose the label you want as the shortcut. If you don't like the icon just long press it on your dock and select "Change Icon." I'm sure you know how to put shortcuts on your dock already so this paragraph may be redundant information to you.
Can you save and upload your settings for Android Agenda Widget. I just can't get it to look like yours no matter what I do :/
So glad I stumbled on this thread - the design goals in the OP is exactly what I am going for, and I was tired of going thru tons and tons of pages in the various "Post your homescreens" threads here on XDA and AndroidForums to gain inspiration. Now hopefully I can just come here instead!
raven369 said:
Apps Organizer is actually a very easy app to use. It can be downloaded in the market plus it's free. I can teach you how to use it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it any different than FolderOrganizer? I use this and i think it is excellent.
Also, I find that the minimalistic text widget to be awesome. It is super customizable and has tasker integration, which is way cool.
|flyte| said:
Is it any different than FolderOrganizer? I use this and i think it is excellent.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apps Organizer is actually made by the same developer as Folder Organizer. Folder Organizer is more feature heavy. Apps Organizer can only organize apps while Folder Organizer can organize apps, bookmarks, contacts and also place apps in your notification bar as well. However, Folder Organizer isn't free and the lite version disables the majority of the features.
Fidyyuan said:
Can you save and upload your settings for Android Agenda Widget. I just can't get it to look like yours no matter what I do :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What phone do you own? I'm reluctant to upload my settings file because I don't know if mine will be compatible with yours if we use different phones and calendars. i just don't want to end up mucking your phone.
Have you tried these settings?
Code:
Appearance -> Themes -> "Minimalist" or "Minimal with date" (Sorry, I don't remember which theme I exactly used but I'm sure it was one of these)
Row Style -> inline
Row Settings -> Row Background -> off
Date Row Settings -> Day Row Background -> solid no pad
Date Row Color AND Date Row Transparency -> set everything to transparent
Text & Font Settings -> Text Highlights -> everything off
Bold the Date -> on
Advanced -> leave everything off for simple and more complicated settings
Toggle Skin Elements -> on
Use Frankenstein -> off
Customize Skin Colors -> Skin Color Customization -> on
Widget Color -> set Background Tint to black while everything else to transparent
Buttons & Toolbars -> I had toolbars turned off. I had right button #2 turned on with uber button action and its style all transparent.
This should give you a layout similar to mine. If you have any other questions don't hesitate to ask.
I use calendr for my calendar widget. It only shows one event at a time. Also, I use a lot of minimalistic text widget.
A knew one just dropped a few days ago, good for organizing apps on your homescreen: circlelauncher
pretty sharp looking too, you'll need your own icon though.
To me, any minimal calendar widget that doesn't display the location of the upcoming event is flawed. I also use Calendr, but I can't stand that I have to click on it to see the location of my next meeting.
This calendar widget and setting is exactly what I have been looking for. Thanks.
It even has tasks that sync to google incorporated into the theme. Perfect and minimal.
One thing, what setting kills the color of the calendar as a bullet? I want the totally clear look, no color.
raven369 said:
I posted the icons as an attachment. Enjoy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for sharing the icons. Are there more? I'll like to see web and profile/contacts if possible.
sorry a question. Where did you get the text icons for the SiMi folder widget (reference, social, games). I like your layout very much.
____
Edit - figure it out thanks
Thanks
I have almost the same setup, but I use SiMi folder instead of Folder Organizer and I use Phantom Music Control for the music widget in QD. @raven369 why did you go with Go Launcher?
So I have rooted and autonootererered. I have Zeam launcher up and running. No issues.
However, when I long press and try to add a shortcut, it just jumps back to the screen. Nothing happens. I can however add icons to desktop through app list by long pressing.
Also, I would much prefer Launcher Pro as I already paid for it for my EVO. However, I cannot seem to change the icons (phone icon, etc) Want to use it for widget purposes, but dont want inactive icons such as phone and contacts sitting on the dock...
Is there a workaround for this?
These are known issues. There are multiple options that can be found by searching the forum.
1. open the app drawer press and hold on the app you want an icon on the homescreen. you will be able to drag it to the homescreen
2. edit your launcher pro settings on your phone, back up and restore on your nook. (search the forum, i think someone has a blank backup or something.
Sorry for the noob question, but as I bought the Galaxy Gear now, I'm still learning about how to customize it and some questions arise normally. I hope the more experienced have patience and understanding to help.
Before using the Null 23, when there was only the Touchwiz, my main screen was a watch that I could choose as analog or digital. If I really wanted to use some function in the Galaxy Gear, enough that I slid a finger at one side and appeared instrument functions. After putting Null 23, the appearance on the handset screen was the same as a normal smartphone (which is great) but I can not leave the main screen with a picture of a clock (analog or digital) as I could when I was only with the original TouchWiz, as I said above.
How can I use the Null 23 and still leave a clock on the main screen as before that only had the TouchWiz?
I thank you all the help you can give me answering my questions here in this topic .
Thank you,
Marcelo .
You can find your watch faces under widgets, add them as you would add a widget on your phone. Make sure to use a 5x5 grid on your launchers, otherwise the watch faces wont fit on the screen (I'm using apex launcher). If you cannot find them on the application drawer, touch and hold anywhere on a screen and select widgets from the sub menu, then just simply add them to any screen.
allendj81 said:
You can find your watch faces under widgets, add them as you would add a widget on your phone. Make sure to use a 5x5 grid on your launchers, otherwise the watch faces wont fit on the screen (I'm using apex launcher). If you cannot find them on the application drawer, touch and hold anywhere on a screen and select widgets from the sub menu, then just simply add them to any screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First, thanks for the quick feedback ... I had imagined such a solution is even tried this last night doing this, but it was not perfect because I used other numbers in the grid. I'll do as you taught and come back here to tell if it worked.
Thanks again for everything ...
When I picked up my S6E, I really liked the stock Weather widget that's part of TouchWiz. I always find myself back using Apex Launcher and my S6E is no exception. I've installed it and set it up just the way I like it and the one disappointment I have is the stock weather widget isn't available
When accessing widgets from the app drawer it doesn't even show. Long pressing on the home screen, and selecting widgets that way shows the "weather" widget as a 4 x 2 widget but regardless of where I try to put it - even on a clean screen gives me a "not enough space to place . . . " error. It's really a 4 x 1 widget.
I know there are options like Zooper widgets that have addons with a similar look but none has access to the built in Accuweather app.
Anybody figure out how to use the stock weather widget with Apex or any other non-TouchWiz launcher?
This would be awesome! !
jeff_roey said:
When I picked up my S6E, I really liked the stock Weather widget that's part of TouchWiz. I always find myself back using Apex Launcher and my S6E is no exception. I've installed it and set it up just the way I like it and the one disappointment I have is the stock weather widget isn't available
When accessing widgets from the app drawer it doesn't even show. Long pressing on the home screen, and selecting widgets that way shows the "weather" widget as a 4 x 2 widget but regardless of where I try to put it - even on a clean screen gives me a "not enough space to place . . . " error. It's really a 4 x 1 widget.
I know there are options like Zooper widgets that have addons with a similar look but none has access to the built in Accuweather app.
Anybody figure out how to use the stock weather widget with Apex or any other non-TouchWiz launcher?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried to get it to work on both the GS3, GS4, GS4, Note 3, etc ... and nothing works...so definitely not a new problem! I was able to tear it apart enough on the GS3 to get it to show on Apex launcher ... but it wouldn't update, show location, or work when you clicked on it.
As to this point, I haven't found a widget I like more than the stock TW one. Beautiful Widgets used to have some nice looking ones, but honestly it's been about 3 years since I've even looked at the app so I wouldn't know what they've got these days.
theresin said:
I've tried to get it to work on both the GS3, GS4, GS4, Note 3, etc ... and nothing works...so definitely not a new problem! I was able to tear it apart enough on the GS3 to get it to show on Apex launcher ... but it wouldn't update, show location, or work when you clicked on it.
As to this point, I haven't found a widget I like more than the stock TW one. Beautiful Widgets used to have some nice looking ones, but honestly it's been about 3 years since I've even looked at the app so I wouldn't know what they've got these days.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's my solution, adapted from the discussion HERE. I use Zooper Widget Pro and the S6 Zooper Widgets Theme. It's by far the most spot-on widget compared to the actual stock version. In fact, from the stock clock and weather on the lock screen, you really can't tell the difference between it and the Zooper widget version.
1. Install Zooper Widget Pro
2. Install the S6 Zooper Widgets Theme
3. Install Desktop VisualizeR
4. Create a 4 x 1, 4 x 2, etc. Zooper Widget and select the S6 Widgets Theme. The widget option that looks exactly like the stock version is the one with a "45" in the title (the angle of the shadow)
Land it on the desktop one row below where you actually want to place it.
5, Long-press the home screen and select Applications - Clock ---> do this twice
6. Open Desktop VisualizeR and create a shortcut the following way: select a transparent image (attached below) as the shortcut Image. Click Select Action - Others - Activities - Weather - Weather. Title the shortcut "Weather". Select Apex Launcher as the target launcher ---> do this twice.
7. Now, long press on the 4 shortcut icons, one at a time and choose edit. Change the clock icons to the same transparent alpha you used for the Desktop VisualizeR shortcuts and delete the shortcut names. For the weather shortcuts, just edit and delete the names.
8. You're now left with for transparent shortcuts.
9. Long press the clock widget and select Resize. Using the nodes on the widget, move the top up and then the bottom.
You're left with the Zooper Widget with transparent shortcuts overlaid that open the clock and the stock weather app. There's a few shortcuts you can do like set the default click-on action in the widget settings to open the clock which will eliminate the need to add those two shortcuts but this way gives you a little more flexibility like assigning different actions to the hour and minute location.
Only very slight annoyance is that the widget uses open weather as the provider which sometimes slightly mismatches with accuweather re: location name and temperature.
Worked very well Jeff. Love it thanks.