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Difference between launcher and Custom ROM?

T

TZoBit

Lurker
So let me start off by saying I have barely any knowledge about custom ROM's and launchers, let alone have an android device myself.

I wanted to know the difference (of which both look like pure android) between a simple launcher like Apex Launcher and a custom ROM like Cyanogenmod. I mean they both look the same right? I know that Cyanogenmod needs root and everything but do launchers only affect homescreens? Is one faster than the other?

Do you suggest me getting Cyanogenmod over Touchwiz on my S4 I'm getting soon?

Sorry for any ignorance etc, not very sure on this subject

Thanks
 
Well ROMs don't just change the loooks, they basically change everything. For example, a Samsung ROM not only comes with the TouchWiz looks, but also have features baked into it, like mulitwindow, smart stay, s voice etc. If you change launchers, these won't be affected because your just changing cosmetic stuff. If you change ROMs, these Samsung features disappear and would not be available to you anymore. Think of it as a launcher being a paint job for a car, while a custom ROM is both a paint job and engine replacement.
 
^this. A launcher (without root) only changes the UI of the home screen and app drawer. Not to underestimate 3rd party launchers though, they can make manufacturer skins like touchwiz or sense almost bearable.
appearance wise though, a custom rom can change the whole look (statusbar, notification panel, menus etc) and much more than the looks you can drasticly speed the phone up.
If youre getting an s4 though, you probably want all its fancy features which youll lose with any of the fast "aosp" custom roms.
Definately put a launcher on it though. Its simple enough to go back to the touchwiz launcher or try a different one
 
A launcher vs. a custom ROM is like an operating system (Windows, Linux, etc) compared with a GUI (Microsoft Bob, Packard Bell Navigator, etc). one is there to launch apps (start menu,etc) the other is the system you boot up and use (Windows)
 
Actually most if not all the TouchWiz stuff can be ported to a custom ROM. either through a TouchWiz based custom ROM or simply by backing up the APKs for the features (S-Voice, Smart Stay, etc) and then copying them to the new ROM's /system/app folder. i did have S-Voice on my AOSP ROM (complete with a UK accent since it used the default TTS found in the ROM) but made a whoops when i lost my ROM to a crash that wiped everything and did not have it backed up to Dropbox.
 
I didnt know that was possible man. Im guessin the camera and multi-window are impossible or everyone would be usin the camera lol
 
Many of the S-features require other aspects of the touchwiz framework to operate properly.

With that said, there are some standalone apps that work.

I don't have a list (because I'm usually trying to get RID of Samsung's software :D), but HTCs sense is the same way.
 
I see, thanks.

Also, sorry if this is a little off-topic, but if you put some sort of lock on your device, be it pattern lock, pin lock, etc, if you plug the device into a PC via USB can you still access the files or are you prompted to enter a password?

Also, if not, is there a way of doing this?
 
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