Open Home - Lite (Theme App)

[JohnnyLicious]

http://ne.edgecastcdn.net/8003A4/www.cyrket.com/image/-1206994232754848286 Open Home - Lite

Feature highlights:

- 6 workspace screen- Theme/Skin support (press menu)
- Works with BetterCut (of course)
- Changeable Themes
- Auto-rotate without the need for root access! (Desktop only)



There are already 2 themes available for it, they are both on the App Market. Go check it out, it’s free.


Application Screens:


http://i40.tinypic.com/2qiqx.pnghttp://i40.tinypic.com/6ifvpk.pnghttp://i39.tinypic.com/1zxwltx.pnghttp://i44.tinypic.com/1e80vq.pnghttp://i42.tinypic.com/nxoz9e.pnghttp://i42.tinypic.com/xp3hid.pnghttp://i41.tinypic.com/2ljgxvr.pnghttp://i40.tinypic.com/sy9ljn.png


Themes:

Rusty Metal

http://betterandroid.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/rustymetal.png?w=201&h=300


Buuf Brown 2

http://betterandroid.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/buuf.png?w=197&h=300


Glossy Mini

http://betterandroid.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/glossyminimalism.png?w=199&h=300

Fade to Blue

http://betterandroid.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/fadetoblue.png?w=199&h=300

Ghost Black

http://betterandroid.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/ghostblack.png?w=198&h=300


Review:


This app has a lot of potential, it allows users to have 6 home screens instead of the regular default, and it takes on the look of the default home screen unlike other apps such as dxtops (http://androidcommunity.com/forums/f12/dxtop-the-android-home-alternative-13673/)or aHome (http://androidcommunity.com/forums/f52/ahome-lite-1-0-home-screen-app-14174/) which gives a different feel for the home screen. What makes this home screen app stand out from others are "THEMES" thats right, finally regular g1 users can have custom themes on their g1 phone instead of having to ROOT them and upload updates for custom themes. Not to mention auto-rotate WITHOUT ROOT also! This app is only growing and getting better day by day so check back often on the market for the latest new themes / skins =D.


Website:


http://betterandroid.wordpress.com/

Cryket Online Market:


http://www.cyrket.com/package/com.android.launcher2


Try it out yourself and stop by and tell us what you think so far :]

Enjoy.

[ariesboy]

If you are someone that has already customized the 3 screens from the stock "home" app. this app will not pull in all of those settings. dxTop pulls all of them in dynamically. meaning if you switch back to the stock app and add shortcuts to your screens and go back to dxTop, it will show up there too. a nice way to switch back and forth btwn home layouts. aHome ofcourse ignores them since it's trying to mirror the iPhone. But OpenHome just gives you 6 empty screens.

Another thing i noticed with OpenHome is that the Search widget does not have the "mic" button for the "voice serach" that has been enabled with RC33.

[jayclip]

I think Ahome is a lil better.

[ariesboy]

I also wonder how MyBackup(Pro) will backup the shortcuts and have them show up in the right location w/ all of these new home screens.

[JohnnyLicious]

new themes added.

[Sheraz150]

This looks like it's going to be the most promising home application so far, having 5 themes for it already surpasses the other two apps.

[WalkinG1]

I like it, umm Johnny -- is that JABB... wallpaper available for download? I would love that!! =/

[JohnnyLicious]

I like it, umm Johnny -- is that JABB... wallpaper available for download? I would love that!! =/

yeah it is here's it is.

http://i42.tinypic.com/2dvjrbq.png

[facelessuser]

meh. I tried it out. I like the fact that you can choose which icons go on your many home screens. This could allow me to organize my apps. aHome's implementation is just a glorified app drawer. So in that effect I like it better than aHome. The old widgets is a problem. Voice search should be included on the search widget. I don't like that I have to redo all of my folders again because it uses a different method of tracking shortcuts, but this is problem done to keep from getting errors switching back to regular home. I do like the themeing ability. I'm still holding on to dxtop, but this is one to watch.

[dashed]

I like it, I just wish I could use bettercut with it to make my own icons.

[mikeyrokschicago]

I'm going to say that this app doesn't do anything for me at this moment. I tried this and aHome, aHome being the better of the two. I really want to try dxTop, but everytime I install, it never works. "Force Close"

[xdavidn88]

One of the reasons I'm waiting to see which home desktop app will reign supreme before purchasing...

[Jayb222]

I like it, I just wish I could use bettercut with it to make my own icons.

the new update for better cut works with it now! open home is made by the same guy. its everything i want the regular home screen to be. now it we can get cool widgets like ahome then its my defualt. love the theme support now how bout an rss reader, digital clock, and weather widget. +pen home is the one to beat! and its free! competition is good. :)

[montalbert]

installed this just now..... i have also already bought dxtop.... I think i like dxtop better as it is all close at hand- scrolling across 7 screens is a bit time consuming... maybe shortcuts on how to get to each screen with either an action or a button?

I will leave it installed to see what updates bring but for now i will stick with dxtop.... i look forward to any developments.

BTW: i think that all 3 home apps are different and will appeal to different users- eg. some people prefer a phone with a kb, some without- some will prefer the dxtop 4screens but easy access and some will prefer the ahome with all apps on screens but no drawer, and some will prefer this one, which shows great potential- 7screens but a drawer as well.....

[thulinhlun]

I strongly believe ahome is better.

[montalbert]

I strongly believe ahome is better.

like i said, each to their own. i reckon there is room in the market for all 3. i look forward to more decent apps coming out- it's great the developments in the last week or so...

[DarkKite]

Can You Please Post The Wallpaper for fade to blue thank you

[JohnnyLicious]

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=475682

download the theme and unzip and u should find the bg file in there.

[ZEDEK]

Peace all

i downloaded this App and i also have Bettercut...however there is still bugs in program b/c while in OpenHome, i cant change icons wit Bettercut---anyone else have this problem?

[samuelwitt]

Is the ghost black wallpaper available also? Id like to posses it.

[pengages]

so what you can change the color of your clock and the app drawer? that CERTAINLY doesn't make or break an app in my book. It's all about functionality and originality. This program adds no new flavor to the home screen, no new dynamic. At least with aHome you are jocking on the iphone with a glorified massive app drawer, and at least with DXtop the way you navigate the home screen is completely different. just my 2 cents anyways. luckily we are all able to try open home and ahome for free. but for a few bucks, dxtop is worth it.

[ZEDEK]

Peace all

i downloaded this App and i also have Bettercut...however there is still bugs in program b/c while in OpenHome, i cant change icons wit Bettercut---anyone else have this problem?

^^^Does anyone have an answer to this? is there something im doing wrong or is Openhome not supported by Bettercut?


----ZDK---

[webrun]

The themes for Open Home will not open now. You can download them, but most of the time, when you try to open them, it takes you to a page with a link to the dev's website.

Anyone know what's up with this?

[Jayb222]

^^^Does anyone have an answer to this? is there something im doing wrong or is Openhome not supported by Bettercut?


----ZDK---

You have to have the newest version of bettercut. it will ask if you are making shortcuts for open home. It works just fine for me.

[Ripsphone]

I have the newest version of Better Cut and Open Home. Cant get it to work, if I can make it work soon I'm going to switch back to Ahome.

Other suggstions for improving this app:
*dock on the bottom (really like this with Ahome)
*get rid of the text on top. I don't mind it on the bottom because it shows which page I'm on.
*make the trash can icon work again (could be a theme problem, I am using fade to blue)

[webrun]

I have the newest version of Better Cut and Open Home. Cant get it to work, if I can make it work soon I'm going to switch back to Ahome.

Other suggstions for improving this app:
*dock on the bottom (really like this with Ahome)
*get rid of the text on top. I don't mind it on the bottom because it shows which page I'm on.
*make the trash can icon work again (could be a theme problem, I am using fade to blue)

I don't have Better Cut, but have Any Cut - Open Home, which is free, and it works fine with Open home.

I also am using Fade to Blue theme, and trash can icon works just fine. Just long press the icon you want to dump, then take it down to the tab, as per usual in the OEM home screen, and it swallows it up.

Re the text on top -- I suspect there will be a pay version of Open Home with more features coming soon, and I also suspect that the text at the top will be gone on the pay version.

I really like Open Home, and will probably buy the pay version when it is released. Personally, I don't care for aHome -- seems like a glorified application tray, but these things are personal preference.

[dashed]

With the newest version of Better Cut, immediately when you open it, it asks if you are trying to edit shortcuts with Open Home. If you are click yes, works perfect for mine.

[xdavidn88]

Johnny, aHome has had themes before Open Home was out. (10 in under a week so far)

Also, aHome also has auto rotate.

(Was reading your introductory post and it said only Open Home had these 2 features)

[Sheldonjace]

I've downloaded all of the Home Screen replacement apps and by far I enjoyed this one the most.

Even had a good email conversation going with Better Android while they were helping me figure out why Better Cut won't work with Open Home for me ???

Needless to say I uninstalled purely because after trying everything possible to get Better Cut to work with Open Home I was always unsuccessful.

Has anyone had this problem: Installed Open Home and launch it, Then throw on a few shortcuts by long pressing the screen, Opened up Better Cut and was prompted "Are you using this with Open Home..", Clicked Yes, It shows me all my Open home shortcuts, I click on one to edit, Change the name/icon, POOF it disappears from ALL the screens including the regular Home Screen?!? It does this regardless if I'm editing/creating new shortcuts using Better Cut.

Thats the only problem keeping me from using this app.

[ZEDEK]

I've downloaded all of the Home Screen replacement apps and by far I enjoyed this one the most.

Even had a good email conversation going with Better Android while they were helping me figure out why Better Cut won't work with Open Home for me ???

Needless to say I uninstalled purely because after trying everything possible to get Better Cut to work with Open Home I was always unsuccessful.

Has anyone had this problem: Installed Open Home and launch it, Then throw on a few shortcuts by long pressing the screen, Opened up Better Cut and was prompted "Are you using this with Open Home..", Clicked Yes, It shows me all my Open home shortcuts, I click on one to edit, Change the name/icon, POOF it disappears from ALL the screens including the regular Home Screen?!? It does this regardless if I'm editing/creating new shortcuts using Better Cut.

Thats the only problem keeping me from using this app.


Uh...Yeah. This is what i been trying to tell people for the last week---then some NOOB always has the nerve to reply saying "oh no---you have it all wrong Bettercutt works just fine w/ Open Home" or they say "well have you tried ANYCUTT it works just fine w/ Open Home"---all the while im sayin to myself did you even bother to read my post before replying!!! UGH!!! While Anycut will work wit Open home...IT DOES NOT CHANGE ICONS ...Bettercut is supposed to work wit Open home but it doesnt...IT WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO DO ANYTHING IN OPEN HOME!!! Now even after this long tirade someone will still come along saying that Bettercut is supposed to and does work wit Open home...lies i tell u...lies from the pit of hell

whew....had to get that off my chest

---ZDK--

[texanman]

actually Bettercut kinda works in open home lite...heres what you do...

you cant actually make a short cut with it only edit existing ones so you make one with anycut then just use better to add icon then life is good

[JohnnyLicious]

i think ahome is better :]]

[edubbz]

my vote goes for aHome as well...OpenHome was just a bit too laggy for me when switching back to desktop and such

[CJRamze]

This might seem a tad stupid of a question but forgive me, I'm a noob (2nd day of ownership)

I'm using a HTC Magic, will this work?
Don't wanna b0rk my new phone!
Cheers

[djgunner]

my vote goes for aHome as well...OpenHome was just a bit too laggy for me when switching back to desktop and such


I dunno... mine switches back to the desktop very fast... but I am running the latest open home official.. (non-lite) I was worried about speed also but after I got the app loaded up and did some customization I am extremely happy with it.. it's fast, stable, and damn it's nice to be able to switch themes quickly and easily. whew.

[JRocket]

I have OpenHome full, and since the cupcake upgrade it's been force closing every time I turn on my G1. OpenHome has been updated since, but I'm still getting the force close each time the G1 boots up. It refreshes and then works, but it's just annoying to have to go through that process every time.

Any suggestions?

[venussuz]

Ignore the force close notice for Open Home when you restart and choose wait instead. That has worked fine for me, as it restores OH within a couple of seconds.

[JRocket]

Ignore the force close notice for Open Home when you restart and choose wait instead. That has worked fine for me, as it restores OH within a couple of seconds.

Thanks venussuz, I'll give that a shot!

Glad to hear I'm not the only one with this issue.

[ren857]

i think ahome is better :]]

Why?

(filler)

I personally like OpenHome because aHome themes are too busy. I'm looking for sleek and simplistic. Plus OpenHome can use aHome themes as well. Plus OpenHome has a screenshot app and a task manager.

[ren857]

(where's the edit post button???)

One thing I like about aHome though is their website. They have a lot of support for their apps. OpenHome just uses a blog.