I'm trying to create a new look on my phone and I'm currently using LauncherPro Plus. I can't post a link to the design I'm going for since I haven't hit 8 posts yet, but basically I have gTab Simi Clock set up to fill half of the screen with a semi-transparent background and I want to overlay a beautiful widgets weather setup on top of the Simi Clock.
Every time I try to place the BW widget on up it gets shuffled above or below it. How do I set it up so the widgets will overlay?
Thanks
Add simi clock first, add bw after and resize it. Resize simi over bw. Restart launcher pro.
Sent from my HTC Wildfire using XDA App
kevin2516 said:
Add simi clock first, add bw after and resize it. Resize simi over bw. Restart launcher pro.
Sent from my HTC Wildfire using XDA App
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Thank you kindly sir! That worked perfectly.
It seems this only works for the homescreen you're currently looking at. For example, if I'm looking at homescreen 2 and reset LauncherPro, the widgets will be properly layered on that screen, but reversed on the others. If I go to homescreen 1 and reset LauncherPro while looking at it, homescreen 2 will then be improperly layered. The only "fix" seems to be to intentionally incorrectly layer every screen but one, and then reset LauncherPro while looking at that screen.
I've posted a bug report on the LauncherPro boards. Hopefully we'll see a fix soon.
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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 :/
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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.
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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?
I looked for a list of widgets and was unable to find one. So Im starting a list here. Please post a list of widgets you're using or ones you know of that work good on the G Tab. Thanks.
-mech
Widgets
Beautiful Widgets
Circle Battery Widget
OnOff Widget
WIFI Signal Widget
Make Your Clock Widget
RSS Reader Widget
Color Note
Minimalistic Text
OneSeven
SimiClock
TGPS Client
Widgetsoid
Fancy Widget
Elixir
Weatherbug Elite
Express News
Switch Pro
Mobile Notes
Agenda Widget
Folder Organizer
Superclock
Winamp
Pulse
Note Everything
Advanced Clock Widget
Data Counter Widget
Scrollable News widget
Colorize Widgets
And I will add more as everyone else adds to the thread.
My Widget List (Not all used all of the time tho)
_________________________
Color Note
Minimalistic Text
OneSeven
SimiClock
TGPS Client
_________________________
Good thread idea. I'm a newb, and still looking for good widgets.
So far I'm using Fancy Widget, and Widgetsoid.
Here's a list of the widgets I'm using or have used:
Beautiful Widgets tablet beta
Fancy Widget
Elixir(has tons of widgets and info buttons available)
Weatherbug Elite
Express News
Elixir is the one I'm using at the moment for all power control options, and Beautiful Widgets Tablet for my weather widget.
karlkarloff said:
Elixir is the one I'm using at the moment for all power control options, and Beautiful Widgets Tablet for my weather widget.
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Click to collapse
Do all the Elixir buttons work? I tried the Sound toggle as well as Reboot of Widgetsiod, but neither seem to work.
I haven't tried the reboot toggle, but the sound/mute toggle works well.
Im still trying to find a good RSS widget.
Scrollable News widget is great for RSS feeds. You do need a launcher that supports scrollable widget, such as LP or ADW
I use WeatherBug on my phone and love it but it FCs on my gtab. Instead I use The Weather Channel's widget, it works well and with the largest version it shows plenty of information.
For my RSS needs I'm currently using Google Reader but am not always happy with it. I wish Reddit is fun had a widget.
I also use the stock Power widget.
tvu815 said:
Scrollable News widget is great for RSS feeds. You do need a launcher that supports scrollable widget, such as LP or ADW
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Thanks, this is great! Have to add a few more home screens now just to have RSS feeds.
Scrollable News Widget is great. Here is a screen shot: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=12987479&postcount=356
irishrally said:
Scrollable News Widget is great. Here is a screen shot: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=12987479&postcount=356
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Click to collapse
That looks nice. What launcher is that? It looks very clean.
MechAniX.one said:
That looks nice. What launcher is that? It looks very clean.
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Click to collapse
It's VT Launcher and I used the LauncherProIcons app to get the LP style icons, and bettercut to apply them. The rest is CM7 with the honeycomb status icons addition.
Widget failed to load
How many widget users have the issue of a widget failing to load after a few days, the only solution being dump the widget and reload it.
Not a big issue, just wondering if it is a launcherPro issue (my default) or a modded gtab issue. LauncherPro native widgets seem to do better.
manikin13 said:
How many widget users have the issue of a widget failing to load after a few days, the only solution being dump the widget and reload it.
Not a big issue, just wondering if it is a launcherPro issue (my default) or a modded gtab issue. LauncherPro native widgets seem to do better.
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Click to collapse
Hi manikin13,
I havent really had issues unless Im messing around with the settings on my launcher. Im using VTL.Launcher and when i changed the dock background settings some widgets went squirrley. I would say its your launcher. Maybe uninstall and reinstall might fix it.
if anyone needs a good news widget, AtomaRSS is definitely one of the best
Impressed with the layout, I just came from a NOTE 2 and previous from that was a ONE S. Phone design and materials are solid, but the clock, calendar and social media front screen all look plain, is there a ROM that will make it look like the widgets from the ONE S?
I'm coming from Windows Phone while waiting for their next gen devices. The One is a great and solid phone.
Sense 5 surprised me for its simplicity and well thought features and design. I guess there are people like you that don't like that aspect but you can easily change it using other ROM or widgets. For the widgets, there are many UCCW skins for clock, weather and other things. For calendar I use Clear Calendar Widget and for weather EZ Weather (free with no ads, great interface and good looking widgets). I use Nova Launcher Prime so I can't use stock Sense 5 widgets.
You can change your home screen to skip going to BlinkFeed when pressing the home button. If I remember correctly you can change it in the screen where you can add or delete other screens. Tap the one you one to be your home page and it will change. If you don't use BlinkFeed, remove everything from it.
I don't have the phone yet (**** you Verizon) but I'm guessing you cant use blink feed in another home replacement like Nova can you?
Also have they made any improvements to the way Sense 5 can be customized for icons and such? Can you hide icon names yet? Can you change how many icons you can have on the screen? (example: like adding rows and columns)