Any way to change dpi without rooting? - Sprint Samsung Galaxy Note 3

My guess is no, but here's hoping. I am coming from an original Note, which I have had rooted for a while and run a ton of different roms on. I honestly really didn't want to root this note 3, but I am finding the dpi to be a bit unbearable. I liked to run 240dpi on my note, with nova launcher this allowed me to go 7 icons wide and 8 or 9 tall without much of a problem. I have no need for that many icons on my home screen, but it allowed for more widgets, or maybe just a few icons and still being able to see the majority of my background picture.
I already put nova launcher on my note 3, so I am able to get the same icon grid size, but it just looks so tight and the icons are huge.
This is also a problem for texting. On the note(using stock android messaging app)I could easily see the last 3-5 messages even with the keyboard open. One the note 3, I can see one or maybe 2 of the last messages with the keyboard open, and as I start to type a new message I'm lucky if I can even see all of the last message sent.
I just don't get why they give you such a big screen then clutter it with huge icons and texts/keyboards and things. Sure its great for movie and web browsing, but that huge screen really doesn't do much for day to day use I don't think because they scaled up everything else at the same time.
One of my friends said on his Note 2 there was a way to change the resolution(he said resolution, not sure if he meant that or dpi) and also a way to change the amount of icons touch wiz allows. I did think there was a way to change the number of icons in touchwiz. Its default is 4, I was pretty sure 5 was possible and even though they had recently bumped it up to 6, but I could not find that option anywhere.
Any help?

I used Nova Launcher to resize the icons on an unrooted Note 2. I don't know if that's still the case on the Note 3 since I don't have one yet.

I can resize widgets with nova, but I don't think you can resize icons.I mean I was able to change the grid size, but they looks so big and clustered together than on my note at 240dpi

What's the point of such a beautiful screen!
mike208 said:
My guess is no, but here's hoping. I am coming from an original Note, which I have had rooted for a while and run a ton of different roms on. I honestly really didn't want to root this note 3, but I am finding the dpi to be a bit unbearable. I liked to run 240dpi on my note, with nova launcher this allowed me to go 7 icons wide and 8 or 9 tall without much of a problem. I have no need for that many icons on my home screen, but it allowed for more widgets, or maybe just a few icons and still being able to see the majority of my background picture.
I already put nova launcher on my note 3, so I am able to get the same icon grid size, but it just looks so tight and the icons are huge.
This is also a problem for texting. On the note(using stock android messaging app)I could easily see the last 3-5 messages even with the keyboard open. One the note 3, I can see one or maybe 2 of the last messages with the keyboard open, and as I start to type a new message I'm lucky if I can even see all of the last message sent.
I just don't get why they give you such a big screen then clutter it with huge icons and texts/keyboards and things. Sure its great for movie and web browsing, but that huge screen really doesn't do much for day to day use I don't think because they scaled up everything else at the same time.
One of my friends said on his Note 2 there was a way to change the resolution(he said resolution, not sure if he meant that or dpi) and also a way to change the amount of icons touch wiz allows. I did think there was a way to change the number of icons in touchwiz. Its default is 4, I was pretty sure 5 was possible and even though they had recently bumped it up to 6, but I could not find that option anywhere.
Any help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know how you feel. I'm also thinking of getting note 3 (now i'm with N7000) but with all the stuff so huge it really is ugly (i wouldn't want to root either). If you find a solution please let me know!

As far as I can tell you would need to be rooted to change the dpi. They are accessed through the system file build.prop.
If you go into nova launcher settings and long press volume down you can access hidden features to allow more grid space which allows more widgets. You could also change the icon size rake them smaller.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you have more questions.
Sent from my SM-N900P using Xparent Skyblue Tapatalk 2

Related

[Q] Froyo Widgets and Custom themes on the Streak

Ok, so now that we all have Froyo or at at least most of us. I find that the general feeling toward the Dell Stage widgets is negative. My question is what is everyone else using for widgets? I'm having a heck of a time trying to find widgets that scale with the screen. Everything seems to place the widgets in the wrong place because of the screen size. For example one of my favourite widgets is TypoClock. However the widget can't seem to find the TOP MIDDLE of my screen like it looks in ALL the Nexus One screen shoots with it. It always hangs to the left of the screen. Has anyone modded certain widgets to fit the screen better? There is a post, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=761517 ,that shows some AMAZING Themes and set ups but I can't seem to get anything to look that good on the Streak. If anyone has a sweet Theme or look to their Streak and could you please post a screen shoot and how you did it. PLEASE!
I think your better off ultimately changing the UI itself and get either ADW Launcher or Launcher Pro. I've just brought Launcher Pro Plus ($2.99/£1.95) and its def worth it as its so customizable, you can set the layout grid size and then manually alter the size of the widgets in real time. I tried to use Dell's Stage and just didn't like it, so much wasted space and it felt like a poor HTC Sense UI.

Your feelings on touchwiz?

I had ordered this without ever even giving touchwiz a thought. Figured the phone would show up, I would play with it about 5 minutes, install new launcher, never look at touch wiz again. After I ordered it I downloaded the user manual and did some reading and it appears that there is some interesting and useful work here that without having the phone I think I like. Watching videos to see if I could see some of the stuff in action seemed to me to confirm that there is some good stuff there.
My question is how are you liking touchwiz? Not the phone, the phone with touchwiz. I Have encountered an older version and was left heavily underwhelmed. Please be specific, I like this, I hate that, and give a reason. If its just because that works fine but have a reason.
Remember guys this is mostly about opinion and little about fact. Leave folks be with theirs and vice versa.
edit.... Also please add in your predilections toward flashing roms, or not, as it were. An opinion from a daily flasher is much different than one from someone who never flashes and runs the stock rom.
I thought I'd hate it but I'm actually really liking it! Some features I love:
- The lockscreen is great and you get little tabs you can slide when you get a text or missed call.
- You can reject a call with a text message (So handy)
- Resizable widgets
- Customiseable dock
- Hold down 'Menu' for search in apps
- Quick settings in the notification tray
- Movable homescreens
- Customisable app tray
and more Besides you could always replace it with another launcher and I'm sure custom ROMs are on the way.
I changed it within seconds to launcher pro. However the drawer in launcher pro isnt smooth at all, im actually thinking of changing back.
rocketpaul said:
I changed it within seconds to launcher pro. However the drawer in launcher pro isnt smooth at all, im actually thinking of changing back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try Go Launcher EX
It is faster than Launcher Pro
I have a lot of time flashing roms and all that fun stuff so I have an idea about the possibilities going that route. Going to edit the op in regards to people adding their experience and preferences as far as flashing roms and such go. Thanks for your input. As a question Im on a custom rom now and the widets are all resizable. Are you talking about the touchwiz widgets then?
Another question would be can you access some or all of the touchwiz widgets from another launcher or do you give them up?
krabman said:
Another question would be can you access some or all of the touchwiz widgets from another launcher or do you give them up?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you go use a third party launcher, you usually lose access to manufacturer widgets, since they work in a slightly different way from plain stock ones...
But if you go Launcher Pro Plus (it's a couple of dollars for the plus version) you get more "custom" widgets like that in return I guess it just depends what look you are going for.
So you have the handset and can confirm they are toast? Figured they would be but I haven't done touchwiz yet.
krabman said:
So you have the handset and can confirm they are toast? Figured they would be but I haven't done touchwiz yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, hence why I say "usually". I've been in this business for a while, but not got the SGS II yet.
I have to admit that I like Touchwiz. On SGS, I dont have a SGS2 yet. In my opinion, Samsung Glass lockscreen is a way better than the Android stock lockscreen.
At the moment I'm in love with Zeam laucher but I always come back to Touchwiz from time to time. Launcher Pro and ADW have always left me cold.
Did more reading, I see that you can change the fonts system wide. Does this carry over to a new launcher or do you lose that? Pretty nifty feature.
In my personal opinion, touchwiz 3 was dire. But after using my Galaxy S II for a few days touchwiz 4 has come a long way. I'm sticking with Touchwiz for now
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
I've been playing with the demo models at the office solidly for the past 2 days, and as a Sense users for the past 2 years, I really don't like Touchwiz even in it's newest incarnation.
Probably more down to being used to how everything works in Sense though, I don't like change
Touchwiz 4 is a huge improvement over 3 in my opinion. Using it on both my SGS and SGS2 now. The new calendar widgets on the SGS2 are awesome as well Touchwiz 4 can also put folders in the applications menu now
Semi-regular flasher (ooer) - would generally flash a new rom every couple of months. Been with Android since the G1 so have a pretty good idea of what's possible.
Things you KEEP going to another launcher:
Lockscreen
Dialler (reject call with text etc)
Holding down Menu to search
Settings toggles in the notification bar
You can resize widgets with LauncherPro Plus
Things you might LOSE
Movable homescreens (most launchers do this, but not with the motion sensing twist action like touchwiz)
Customisable app tray (again, most launchers do this)
Resizable widgets (possible with LauncherPro Plus)
Customisable dock (most launchers do this)
Overall, I don't miss the touchwiz launcher, but I like some of the other features. Looks like the Samsung widgets are standard and work in other launchers too - just added Mini Paper, Ap Mobile, and Yahoo! Finance, and they seem fine.
krabman - I've changed my system font to Helvetica S (Settings -> Display -> Screen Display -> Font) and in general it looks great! Carries over to most apps too. The only downside is that it's slightly wider, so you get some buttons wrapping For example, the password "Remember / Not Now" dialog has one, I forget which . . .
Overall, ditch the launcher (I like LauncherPro, smooth for me) but enjoy the other aspects
TW4 is not as bad as many are saying. its still not nearly as good as SENSE 2.x. and I wont even attempt to compare it to the new 3.0 version. I sure hope someone port it.
darkalchemist said:
Touchwiz 4 is a huge improvement over 3 in my opinion. Using it on both my SGS and SGS2 now. The new calendar widgets on the SGS2 are awesome as well Touchwiz 4 can also put folders in the applications menu now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here, playing with both the SGS and SGS2 and yes it is an improvement for sure, but I am still not liking the iphonish looks.
DJGibbon said:
Things you KEEP going to another launcher:
Lockscreen
Dialler (reject call with text etc)
Holding down Menu to search
Settings toggles in the notification bar
You can resize widgets with LauncherPro Plus
Things you might LOSE
Movable homescreens (most launchers do this, but not with the motion sensing twist action like touchwiz)
Customisable app tray (again, most launchers do this)
Resizable widgets (possible with LauncherPro Plus)
Customisable dock (most launchers do this)
Overall, I don't miss the touchwiz launcher, but I like some of the other features. Looks like the Samsung widgets are standard and work in other launchers too - just added Mini Paper, Ap Mobile, and Yahoo! Finance, and they seem fine.
Overall, ditch the launcher (I like LauncherPro, smooth for me) but enjoy the other aspects
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You pretty much mentioned what I was about to! Using launcherpro plus with widgetsoid and pure calendar widget. I have to say that launcherpro work a bit smoother on the original SGS for be, but with the upcomming update that should be fixed.
Overall, combining the best of what I had on my SGS before, with the new functions from touchwiz 4!

[Q] Go Launcher loosing its settings

For some reason on my S2 go launcher keeps on loosing its settings for instance shortcuts of apps disappear or appear on top of each other or move around or widgets disappear etc all the time.
Any reason for this ?
Thanks
knowlesy said:
For some reason on my S2 go launcher keeps on loosing its settings for instance shortcuts of apps disappear or appear on top of each other or move around or widgets disappear etc all the time.
Any reason for this ?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have had not problems with Go launcher until wednesday when my copilot icon disappeared then the next day 2 other icons disappeared which is weird. Luckily I had done a Go Launcher backup so it was easy to fix but I might email the dev for the app and let him know.
left feedback on their home page and downloading/installing the 2.31 beta to see if this works
http://golauncher.goforandroid.com/
Im having the same problem too on KE7..
Its not a big deal but its kinda annoying when suddenly some icons went missing.
i've found 2 temp solutions for it..
1) if in portrait, switch to landscape once or twice, it should return to normal.
2)if point 1) didnt work..backup the Go launcher config under preferences,n restore the config when when icons missing again..
N other this little bug, the launcher EX is a fantastic app!
I get the same. Shortcuts disappear. I just restart the phone and the icons come back
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
PpJoe said:
2)backup the Go launcher config under preferences,n restore the config when when icons missing again..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I do... I just hope they fix the issue soon, it's a great launcher.
Wow, I had the same happen to me today, while at the super markeg my wife took the phone to take a photo, of our daughter and the 5 buttons at the bottom gone and 5 pluses were there instead. They came back earlier when the app updated though.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
I had a little bit of flakey behavior with this one too, not just here but on the N1. To be truthful as time has gone by all the big players (LP, ADW, GO) have become more and more similar in their features and functions and to me it has come to a few simple things, with ADW I get a little hitchiness in the launcher, not big but its there, with GO I get a little bit of assorted things as described, with LP I get no issues and it works smoothly. With touchwiz I get no issues and it works smoothly.
I had been using LP but thought I would beat around the stock launcher and see what could be made of it and truthfully I like some of the things touchwiz as a launcher alone does. It used to be that when I switched back and forth between launchers I felt like I was doing something new and different, rather than the same old thing which had grown boring. Its one of the reasons I switched in the first place, to spice things up. Nowdays though the big three feel much the same, I know I have switched because of the little differences but it feels like using the same launcher. With TW I feel like I'm doing something a little different, its nothing major but its there. I like that. I like the home screen slider that allows me to slide from one far screen to the other or any screen instantly with one hand. No need to pinch and pull up the overview or swipe across. The only real fault I have with it is that you cannot define rows and columns and other basic setup items that would greatly improve my ability to set it up the way I want. I had been hoping that someone might step in and offer a utility that allowed that. So far changing default home and sorting the app drawer alphebetically is covered if you're rooted.
At any rate IMO unless you are a launcher fanboy start checking out the rest of them and see how your performance with your setup is, if its good and you have no issues you're done because the difference between them as far as function,form, and features has become very little. Also consider giving TW a go, it really isnt too bad once you remove all the wiz and use it strictly as a launcher.
Vairn said:
Wow, I had the same happen to me today, while at the super markeg my wife took the phone to take a photo, of our daughter and the 5 buttons at the bottom gone and 5 pluses were there instead. They came back earlier when the app updated though.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you may have just swiped the 5 buttons at the bottom of the screen mate. There is a setting in Go Launcher to have around 3 bars at the bottom of the screen. If you make it so its only 1 then you can't swipe it and get those +'s.
lol Good point Matrix, the buttons are swipable so you can add more shortcuts there. I can see how someone could accidently swipe over and think he had something screwed up when the shortcuts were "gone" and only the pluses where you would move new shortcuts were showing.
Same issue here. Icons sometimes disappear when restarting the phone. Restarting again brings them back though
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
@matrix, Yup, looks like it, woo new feature, now i have 2 bars with the same icons... Hehe
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

[Q] Launcher & Wallpaper resolution not playing well

To begin with, I'm far from new to Android, just new to Samsung and the Note.
Also - I know I'm not the only one with this problem but I haven't run across a solution yet. I can take and image I want to use as a wallpaper and, on the lock screen and the Touch whiz home screen and it looks exactly like I want it to. But, since I'm one of those folks who dislikes the fact that I can't swap out apps on the TW launcher bar, I slap my own launcher on the Note to make it mine again. Unfortunately, then comes the annoying part.......
Whatever photo I put up as wallpaper looses resolution and seems to explode in size so that only about 1/4 of the original wallpaper/ photo is visible and what's left is very blurry. I know this isn't limited to just one launcher - I've tried ADW, Launcher Pro, Nemus, Go Launcher, Holo, and a few more I can't remember the names of right now. And they all give me the same problem.
So far I've changed the format of the wallpaper photo to .png or .jpeg and back again, tweaked the size and resolution of the picture, dug through XDA and a few other forums fort wisdom, and used harsh language on my Note - all to no avail. So, can anyone tell me what I'm missing or if there's any hope for me at all? I'm rooted stock 2.3.6 and would prefer, for various reasons, to stay that way for now. But, at this point I'm willing to consider options if all else fails since I'm getting quite annoyed by this.
Thanks for any help/ insight!
Use the Quickpic app to set the wallpaper.
Thanks! I'll give that a shot.
Sent from this here talk tapper of mine

First Android with stock launcher

That I am perfectly fine using. Every Android I have ever had got Nova FIRST. This S10 has all the options and features I need to not have to do that. Anyone else skipping 3rd party?
No. I don't mind Samsung's software now days, but that is after replacing the home screen. I'm using Action Launcher on my S9+ with OneUI and probably will with the S10 as well.
My primary motivations are: Swipe left for Google, I don't like side scrolling app drawers, and replacable icons... That's really mostly it. Their launcher isn't awful, it just isn't very customizable.
I feel pretty much the same as AJerman. I never ran TouchWiz any longer than I had to and One UI is almost usable but I'll probably still stick with Nova. The #1 reason for that is no vertical scrolling in the app drawer. That was a major gripe in the One UI beta program and many of us suggested that to Samsung. It's a shame Samsung left out that one minor tweak.
I always switch to Nova to hide apps, for the 5 x 6 home and to lock down the home screen. This has all 3, so I'm gonna stick it out to see how it goes. But miss the swipe to Google Now though.
Sent from my SM-G975U1 using Tapatalk
Nova prime a must have for me...
Trying to give the Bixby screen a fair shake, but I think I am very likely to load up Nova for the Google feed on the left. I don't hate Flipboard but it's clunky compared to Google or old-style Blinkfeed. I do wish Nova supported motion backgrounds.
galaxys said:
Nova prime a must have for me...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here, used to get a unlocked pro veison for 1 dollar.

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