For those that are wondering about Vanilla ICS

[KitsapAndroid]

If you want to see what all the fuss is about and try out Vanilla ICS on the E4GT there are two very easy options. One is to go menu>settings>applications>all>twlauncher and then select clear defaults. Once this is done, you will be presented with 2 options once back on the homescreen. You want to pick the option that says Launcher. Stock ICS, just like that. The other option (and the one I use) is to DL an app from the Play store called HomeSwitcher. Then just choose Launcher from the list that homeswitcher presents for you.

One thing to note is that if you do not set a default launcher, then the home button will always bring up the launcher list. Also, in HomeSwitcher, if you do not set the new launcher as the default, then pressing the home button will take you back to your default launcher, which is most likely the TouchWiz Launcher. Hope this helps out some people who are wondering why their ICS update looks the same as GB.

 

[wkufan]

There is a much easier way. Just click on the Sprint ID app and choose My ID.

 

[davis.rob]

I tried this, and kinda' like the vanilla ICS. But one thing I can't figure out is how to manage the app drawer. Am I missing something here, or are you really stuck with one long list of apps in alphabetized order? No folders, no re-arranging? That doesn't seem right.

 

[KitsapAndroid]

There is a much easier way. Just click on the Sprint ID app and choose My ID.

The reason I left out the Sprint ID option is because, AFAIK, it is not true vanilla ICS. It is still touchwiz, just overlayed to "look" vanilla. The options I provided will take you to true vanilla ICS. No touchwiz in any way shape or form.

As for the app drawer, I believe that is the way it is because most people make use of the very functional folder system that vanilla ICS has. The folder pretty well eliminate the need to be constantly opening the app drawer.

 

[mrcminnesota]

Does the Vanilla ICS option get rid of the "Google Search" on top of every screen? I do not like that on the screen when I choose the ICS launcher in Sprint ID

Also, is there any way to change the default home on Vanilla ICS? Using the above, pressing home takes you to the "middle" screen and there does not appear to be a way to move all apps at the same time to that screen

 

[KitsapAndroid]

As best as I can tell, that search bar is built directly into the OS, and there is no way to remove it. This is definitely one thing I would change about ICS if I could. As for the home screen, I'm not sure, cause honestly, I like my home screen being the middle one. And, I'm not sure exactly what you are inquiring about when you mention the apps. :dunno:

 

[Cobravision]

The search bar is native to ICS and can't be removed (probably because they got rid of the Search button). If you really don't like it, install a 3rd party launcher like Apex or Nova. You can get rid of the permanent search bar and add another row of icons. However, Nova did not have the direct dial widgets I use all the time, while Apex wouldn't let you add program widgets without root. So I'm using stock since it has all the features I need.

 

[chrlswltrs]

The search bar can be removed if you use another launcher like Nova Launcher. It is the one I use and based on the ICS launcher but with some extra options like removing the search bar.

BTW... there is more to Touchwiz vs Vanilla than just a launcher. If that was the only difference I wouldn't care about OEM overlays.

 

[mrcminnesota]

The Google Search at the top of every screen may be native to the ICS from Samsung but the HTC EVO 4G LTE has it only on "one" screen (not sure if it can be removed or not didn't try that. I don't use it and would prefer it to be removed (takes up space).

By the apps I mean, all of the icons that are one screen being moved jointly to the new home screen (rather than individually). If there is no way to choose which screen is the home screen, I would like to be able to move all the apps at one time to the "middle" screen. A feature I like with GB and TW

Just a preference but I may try the Vanilla Ice to just see what it is like. Also anyone notice that the default accuweather icon cannot completely display the full widget in ICS (the date and time run into the daily temperature line)?

 

[Cobravision]

This isn't about Touchwiz versus Sense. It's about the stock ICS launcher. There's no way to get the stock ICS launcher on an HTC phone without a custom ROM.

 

[chrlswltrs]

This isn't about Touchwiz versus Sense. It's about the stock ICS launcher. There's no way to get the stock ICS launcher on an HTC phone without a custom ROM.

You can use Nova or Apex launcher and just not use the extra options, that would be the same as having the stock ICS launcher without using a custom ROM

 

[wkufan]

I highly recommend checking out NOVA launcher!

 

[chrlswltrs]

I highly recommend checking out NOVA launcher!

Agreed. I bought the paid version before I ever even tried the launcher the day it was released on the market. It is the same Dev as WidgetLocker and a couple other apps and I have had great responses from the dev with his past apps.

I have only been using Nova since it launched and I haven't had a single problem with it at all!