• Re: OT: Nova Launcher

    From Sqirrel99@secret.sqirrel99@gmail.com to uk.rec.motorcycles on Mon Feb 2 08:09:47 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    YTC1 wrote:
    Having switched to Nova a few years ago, as per suggestions here, I see
    the new owners have started pushing Ads.
    I'd be happy to switch to Prime, but not if there are still Ads. There
    seem to be reports of Ads in Prime, anyone here using Prime and can verify?

    I've contacted support, but still await an answer.

    I've evaluated a couple of other launchers; Lawnchair and Niagara, but
    they are no where near as good.

    I find Lawnchair to be good enough (and have more-or-less replecated my
    Nova setup with it).

    Were you using the latest version (15 Beta 2) ?
    It is developing quite quickly.
    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From YTC1@ytc1@ytc1.co.uk to uk.rec.motorcycles on Mon Feb 2 09:14:10 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    On 02/02/2026 08:09, Sqirrel99 wrote:
    YTC1 wrote:
    Having switched to Nova a few years ago, as per suggestions here, I
    see the new owners have started pushing Ads.
    I'd be happy to switch to Prime, but not if there are still Ads. There
    seem to be reports of Ads in Prime, anyone here using Prime and can
    verify?

    I've contacted support, but still await an answer.

    I've evaluated a couple of other launchers; Lawnchair and Niagara, but
    they are no where near as good.

    I find Lawnchair to be good enough (and have more-or-less replecated my
    Nova setup with it).

    Were you using the latest version (15 Beta 2) ?
    It is developing quite quickly.

    I'll give it another look, but for <-u4.00 I can avoid the hassle of
    setting up from scratch.

    Support have confirmed that no Ads are in prime.
    --
    Bruce Porter
    "The internet is a huge and diverse community but mainly friendly" http://ytc1.blogspot.co.uk/
    There *is* an alternative! http://www.openoffice.org/
    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Sqirrel99@secret.sqirrel99@gmail.com to uk.rec.motorcycles on Mon Feb 2 09:53:00 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    YTC1 wrote:
    On 02/02/2026 08:09, Sqirrel99 wrote:
    Were you using the latest version (15 Beta 2) ?
    It is developing quite quickly.

    I'll give it another look, but for <-u4.00 I can avoid the hassle of
    setting up from scratch.

    Support have confirmed that no Ads are in prime.

    I can confirm that too (for now at least).
    I bought prime in 2015 for -u0.10 !

    I considered jumping ship when Branch aquired Nova in 2022, but couldn't
    find an alternative I liked enough.
    The recent aquisition by Instabridge motivated me to look again.
    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From YTC1@ytc1@ytc1.co.uk to uk.rec.motorcycles on Mon Feb 2 11:40:30 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    On 02/02/2026 09:53, Sqirrel99 wrote:
    YTC1 wrote:
    On 02/02/2026 08:09, Sqirrel99 wrote:
    Were you using the latest version (15 Beta 2) ?
    It is developing quite quickly.

    I'll give it another look, but for <-u4.00 I can avoid the hassle of
    setting up from scratch.

    Support have confirmed that no Ads are in prime.

    I can confirm that too (for now at least).
    I bought prime in 2015 for -u0.10 !

    They've confirmed, and I've upgraded to prime


    --
    Bruce Porter
    "The internet is a huge and diverse community but mainly friendly" http://ytc1.blogspot.co.uk/
    There *is* an alternative! http://www.openoffice.org/
    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From YTC1@ytc1@ytc1.co.uk to uk.rec.motorcycles on Mon Feb 2 11:41:17 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    On 02/02/2026 08:09, Sqirrel99 wrote:
    YTC1 wrote:
    Having switched to Nova a few years ago, as per suggestions here, I
    see the new owners have started pushing Ads.
    I'd be happy to switch to Prime, but not if there are still Ads. There
    seem to be reports of Ads in Prime, anyone here using Prime and can
    verify?

    I've contacted support, but still await an answer.

    I've evaluated a couple of other launchers; Lawnchair and Niagara, but
    they are no where near as good.

    I find Lawnchair to be good enough (and have more-or-less replecated my
    Nova setup with it).

    Were you using the latest version (15 Beta 2) ?
    It is developing quite quickly.

    I've had another look, and it is causing my screen to be "jittery", so sticking with Nova.
    --
    Bruce Porter
    "The internet is a huge and diverse community but mainly friendly" http://ytc1.blogspot.co.uk/
    There *is* an alternative! http://www.openoffice.org/
    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Neil Ronketti@neil@ronketti.invalid to uk.rec.motorcycles on Tue Feb 3 22:09:08 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    On 01/02/2026 16:28, YTC1 wrote:

    Having switched to Nova a few years ago, as per suggestions here, I see
    the new owners have started pushing Ads.
    I'd be happy to switch to Prime, but not if there are still Ads. There
    seem to be reports of Ads in Prime, anyone here using Prime and can verify?

    I've contacted support, but still await an answer.

    I've evaluated a couple of other launchers; Lawnchair and Niagara, but
    they are no where near as good.

    I've been playing with Fossify launcher a bit. It's pretty basic (but
    then it's still a beta release) but seems, so far, solid and dependable.

    Not really a glowing recommendation, I realise. But I'd say it's worth a
    look, as it's free, and easy to replace if you don't get on with it.
    --
    nr.

    Snitter (n.)
    One of the rather unfunny newspaper clippings pinned to an office wall,
    the humour of which is supposed to derive from the fact that the
    headline contains a name similar to that of one of the occupants of the office.
    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From PipL@pip@nowhere.nul to uk.rec.motorcycles on Wed Feb 4 22:02:36 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    On 01/02/2026 16:28, YTC1 wrote:

    Having switched to Nova a few years ago, as per suggestions here, I see
    the new owners have started pushing Ads.
    I'd be happy to switch to Prime, but not if there are still Ads. There
    seem to be reports of Ads in Prime, anyone here using Prime and can verify?

    I've contacted support, but still await an answer.

    I've evaluated a couple of other launchers; Lawnchair and Niagara, but
    they are no where near as good.

    I had never heard of such things as launchers until this thread. A quick
    look for Nova showed a "before" and an "after". The "before" was an
    image of a screen full of app icons, and the "after was an image of a
    screen full of... slightly more icons.
    --

    CHUMP #1 (CHarge Up Muppet)

    Pip
    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Mark Olson@olsonm@tiny.invalid to uk.rec.motorcycles on Wed Feb 4 23:13:01 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    PipL <pip@nowhere.nul> wrote:
    On 01/02/2026 16:28, YTC1 wrote:

    Having switched to Nova a few years ago, as per suggestions here, I see
    the new owners have started pushing Ads.
    I'd be happy to switch to Prime, but not if there are still Ads. There
    seem to be reports of Ads in Prime, anyone here using Prime and can verify? >>
    I've contacted support, but still await an answer.

    I've evaluated a couple of other launchers; Lawnchair and Niagara, but
    they are no where near as good.

    I had never heard of such things as launchers until this thread. A quick look for Nova showed a "before" and an "after". The "before" was an
    image of a screen full of app icons, and the "after was an image of a
    screen full of... slightly more icons.

    I'm sort of with you, I have heard of "launchers" before, and even entertained the idea of trying out a different one on my phone.

    But I'm used to what I have and I don't see any way changing launchers would benefit me.


    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Colin Irvine@colin_irvine@fastmail.fm to uk.rec.motorcycles on Thu Feb 5 08:04:27 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    On 04/02/2026 22:02, PipL wrote:
    On 01/02/2026 16:28, YTC1 wrote:

    Having switched to Nova a few years ago, as per suggestions here, I
    see the new owners have started pushing Ads.
    I'd be happy to switch to Prime, but not if there are still Ads. There
    seem to be reports of Ads in Prime, anyone here using Prime and can
    verify?

    I've contacted support, but still await an answer.

    I've evaluated a couple of other launchers; Lawnchair and Niagara, but
    they are no where near as good.

    I had never heard of such things as launchers until this thread. A quick look for Nova showed a "before" and an "after". The "before" was an
    image of a screen full of app icons, and the "after was an image of a
    screen full of... slightly more icons.

    I'm glad I'm not the only one!
    --
    Colin Irvine
    R1250RS
    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Champ@neal@champ.org.uk to uk.rec.motorcycles on Thu Feb 5 10:26:35 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    On Thu, 5 Feb 2026 09:16:01 +0000, YTC1 <ytc1@ytc1.co.uk> wrote:

    Goggle have a habit of changing the look and feel between Android
    releases, there was one a couple of years ago that really pissed me off. >UKRM suggested Nova, as I could then retune it. And reshape all the bits
    and bobs, plus keep the drawer as I like it.

    If you use Samsung, then you use a Samsung launcher (for example).

    I got a new phone a couple of years ago (a Pixel 6), and was annoyed
    by the changes Google had wrought.

    So I installed the Microsoft Launcher! I know! It's bloody great :-)
    --
    Champ
    neal at champ dot org dot uk

    I don't know, but I been told
    You never slow down, you never grow old
    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Mark Olson@olsonm@tiny.invalid to uk.rec.motorcycles on Thu Feb 5 10:51:38 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    YTC1 <ytc1@ytc1.co.uk> wrote:

    Goggle have a habit of changing the look and feel between Android
    releases, there was one a couple of years ago that really pissed me off. UKRM suggested Nova, as I could then retune it. And reshape all the bits
    and bobs, plus keep the drawer as I like it.

    Don't I know it!

    My Pixel 2 had the behavior where if you held in the power button for
    a couple of seconds, it would take you directly to the Google Home
    device favorites screen, for controlling smart bulbs and switches.
    Dead handy for something I used frequently. Of course holding in the
    power button in also produced the controls for powering off, locking,
    etc. but those were across the top and there was room for 6-8 devices
    below that which was more than enough to cover my favorite devices.

    Now, on my newer Pixel 4a, 8 and 10 phones, you have to unlock the
    phone, swipe down from the top of the screen, and press a control to
    get to the device favorites screen. A huge regression, and one that
    I would love to be able to revert back to the previous behavior.
    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Worst Case@"Worst Case"@dizum.com to uk.rec.motorcycles on Thu Feb 5 18:55:56 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    On Wed, 4 Feb 2026 22:02:36 +0000, PipL <pip@nowhere.nul> wrote:

    I had never heard of such things as launchers until this thread. A
    quick look for Nova showed a "before" and an "after". The "before"
    was an image of a screen full of app icons, and the "after was an
    image of a screen full of... slightly more icons.

    *Nova* lets you add an icon for something that IS NOT an app but an
    Android function. You can choose your own button face for it. You
    can choose button faces for other things, too, such as Firefox
    favorites. I got tired of the look and feel of the wallpaper page's
    changing with every Android upgrade, so I switched to *Nova*. The
    layout and the method of summoning it has been stable ever since.
    This happened so long ago that I've forgotten how to use the builtin
    launcher. You can configure double-tap on the wallpaper to put the
    phone to sleep. You can backup and restore the layout. Note: I use
    *Nova* on a rooted phone, so these advantages may not apply to you.
    --
    Moreover I'm convinced that Reddit must be destroyed.

    Worst Case

    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From YTC1@ytc1@ytc1.co.uk to uk.rec.motorcycles on Thu Feb 5 19:47:56 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    On 05/02/2026 10:51, Mark Olson wrote:
    YTC1 <ytc1@ytc1.co.uk> wrote:

    Goggle have a habit of changing the look and feel between Android
    releases, there was one a couple of years ago that really pissed me off.
    UKRM suggested Nova, as I could then retune it. And reshape all the bits
    and bobs, plus keep the drawer as I like it.

    Don't I know it!

    My Pixel 2 had the behavior where if you held in the power button for
    a couple of seconds, it would take you directly to the Google Home
    I'd expect that to power down the phone.

    Never had a 2.

    <snip>


    Now, on my newer Pixel 4a, 8 and 10 phones, you have to unlock the
    phone, swipe down from the top of the screen, and press a control to
    get to the device favorites screen. A huge regression, and one that
    I would love to be able to revert back to the previous behavior.

    I just want a Motorola "double chop" to turn the light one. I miss that.
    But their phones went shit around 2019.
    --
    Bruce Porter
    "The internet is a huge and diverse community but mainly friendly" http://ytc1.blogspot.co.uk/
    There *is* an alternative! http://www.openoffice.org/
    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From YTC1@ytc1@ytc1.co.uk to uk.rec.motorcycles on Thu Feb 5 19:49:39 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    On 05/02/2026 17:55, "Worst Case"@dizum.com wrote:
    On Wed, 4 Feb 2026 22:02:36 +0000, PipL <pip@nowhere.nul> wrote:

    I had never heard of such things as launchers until this thread. A
    quick look for Nova showed a "before" and an "after". The "before"
    was an image of a screen full of app icons, and the "after was an
    image of a screen full of... slightly more icons.

    *Nova* lets you add an icon for something that IS NOT an app but an
    Android function. You can choose your own button face for it. You
    can choose button faces for other things, too, such as Firefox
    favorites. I got tired of the look and feel of the wallpaper page's
    changing with every Android upgrade, so I switched to *Nova*. The
    layout and the method of summoning it has been stable ever since.
    This happened so long ago that I've forgotten how to use the builtin launcher. You can configure double-tap on the wallpaper to put the

    Oooh, there are some nice features.

    phone to sleep. You can backup and restore the layout. Note: I use
    *Nova* on a rooted phone, so these advantages may not apply to you.

    Ah, not had to resort to that yet.
    Well, not on a phone I can root. I've a couple of Moto ones that just
    won't let :-(
    --
    Bruce Porter
    "The internet is a huge and diverse community but mainly friendly" http://ytc1.blogspot.co.uk/
    There *is* an alternative! http://www.openoffice.org/
    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Mark Olson@olsonm@tiny.invalid to uk.rec.motorcycles on Thu Feb 5 20:05:40 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    YTC1 <ytc1@ytc1.co.uk> wrote:

    I just want a Motorola "double chop" to turn the light one. I miss that.
    But their phones went shit around 2019.

    Same here. It's the one feature that I remember that really
    differentiated Motorola from other phones I had used.

    I used to have a sucession of Motorola phones and they were generally
    good feature-wise and seemed to be pretty well made. But their update
    policy turned to shit which is what drove me to the Nexus / Pixel line.

    There is an app that is supposed to work like the Moto chop chop
    flashlight on off feature, but while I can sometimes get it to work,
    it's quite obviously using a different method of detecting the movement
    because it doesn't work all the time unless I am very deliberate in
    how I make the motion.
    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From YTC1@ytc1@ytc1.co.uk to uk.rec.motorcycles on Thu Feb 5 22:01:18 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    On 05/02/2026 20:05, Mark Olson wrote:
    YTC1 <ytc1@ytc1.co.uk> wrote:

    I just want a Motorola "double chop" to turn the light one. I miss that.
    But their phones went shit around 2019.

    Same here. It's the one feature that I remember that really
    differentiated Motorola from other phones I had used.

    I used to have a sucession of Motorola phones and they were generally

    Once I was finally convinced to go "smartphone" I was a Moto man.

    good feature-wise and seemed to be pretty well made. But their update
    policy turned to shit which is what drove me to the Nexus / Pixel line.


    Ditto

    There is an app that is supposed to work like the Moto chop chop
    flashlight on off feature, but while I can sometimes get it to work,
    The 6a lets me tap 3 times on the back.
    Just not the same kudos though
    --
    Bruce Porter
    "The internet is a huge and diverse community but mainly friendly" http://ytc1.blogspot.co.uk/
    There *is* an alternative! http://www.openoffice.org/
    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Peter Fisher@nospam@nosspam.net to uk.rec.motorcycles on Fri Feb 6 13:29:00 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    On 05/02/2026 20:05, Mark Olson wrote:
    YTC1 <ytc1@ytc1.co.uk> wrote:

    I just want a Motorola "double chop" to turn the light one. I miss that.
    But their phones went shit around 2019.


    <Chop, chop>

    Cool G56 still does it.

    Now HTF do I turn it off?
    --
    Moto Morini 2C/375
    Gilera 175 Sport, Husqvarna 401 Svartpilen
    Honda CB250RS (Not Waynetta!)
    "Do not adjust your mind, there is a fault in the reality"
    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From wessie@willnotwork@tesco.net to uk.rec.motorcycles on Fri Feb 6 13:41:16 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    Champ <neal@champ.org.uk> wrote in news:a1s8oktp30fd5iku00j5nj2scniblmq99p@ 4ax.com:

    On Thu, 5 Feb 2026 09:16:01 +0000, YTC1 <ytc1@ytc1.co.uk> wrote:

    Goggle have a habit of changing the look and feel between Android >>releases, there was one a couple of years ago that really pissed me off. >>UKRM suggested Nova, as I could then retune it. And reshape all the bits >>and bobs, plus keep the drawer as I like it.

    If you use Samsung, then you use a Samsung launcher (for example).

    I got a new phone a couple of years ago (a Pixel 6), and was annoyed
    by the changes Google had wrought.

    So I installed the Microsoft Launcher! I know! It's bloody great :-)

    I managed to do that with my new Moto phone. Presumably when registering
    their Authenticator app

    After several years of Moto phones, with their version of Android, I did
    not like it and went back to the Moto launcher. Fortunately, not too much difference from the Android 11 version on the old phone and 15
    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Ace@Ace@ch.com to uk.rec.motorcycles on Fri Feb 6 16:10:17 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    On Sun, 1 Feb 2026 16:28:53 +0000, YTC1 <ytc1@ytc1.co.uk> wrote:


    Having switched to Nova a few years ago, as per suggestions here, I see
    the new owners have started pushing Ads.
    I'd be happy to switch to Prime, but not if there are still Ads. There
    seem to be reports of Ads in Prime, anyone here using Prime and can verify?

    I've contacted support, but still await an answer.

    I've evaluated a couple of other launchers; Lawnchair and Niagara, but
    they are no where near as good.

    I used to prefer Apex launcher, used it on phones and up to 5 TV boxes
    (for my rental appartments) but it's recently been deprecated so I
    went with Nova, which in turn had improved over time, when I got a new
    Android 15 phone a couple of months ago. I also used it on the later
    TV boxes, up until the last two I've bought recently that don't seem
    able to use an alternative launcher at all, annoyingly.

    I like the ability to completely remove the search bar - cleans up
    some real estate on the home screen - and group similar apps together,
    like map/gps stuff in one group, baking apps in another, etc. such
    that I only ever have a single screen from which I can access all the
    apps I ever need.
    --
    Ace
    http://www.chaletbeauroc.com/
    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Colin Irvine@colin_irvine@fastmail.fm to uk.rec.motorcycles on Fri Feb 6 15:52:33 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    On 04/02/2026 22:02, PipL wrote:
    On 01/02/2026 16:28, YTC1 wrote:

    Having switched to Nova a few years ago, as per suggestions here, I
    see the new owners have started pushing Ads.
    I'd be happy to switch to Prime, but not if there are still Ads. There
    seem to be reports of Ads in Prime, anyone here using Prime and can
    verify?

    I've contacted support, but still await an answer.

    I've evaluated a couple of other launchers; Lawnchair and Niagara, but
    they are no where near as good.

    I had never heard of such things as launchers until this thread. A quick look for Nova showed a "before" and an "after". The "before" was an
    image of a screen full of app icons, and the "after was an image of a
    screen full of... slightly more icons.

    A couple of days later down the thread and I really don't feel the need
    for a launcher. My Samsung phones have remained consistent in their
    appearance and menus, grouping apps couldn't be simpler, and the other
    quoted advantages of a launcher pass me by!
    --
    Colin Irvine
    R1250RS
    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From YTC1@ytc1@ytc1.co.uk to uk.rec.motorcycles on Fri Feb 6 16:12:13 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    On 06/02/2026 13:29, Peter Fisher wrote:
    On 05/02/2026 20:05, Mark Olson wrote:
    YTC1 <ytc1@ytc1.co.uk> wrote:

    I just want a Motorola "double chop" to turn the light one. I miss that. >>> But their phones went shit around 2019.


    <Chop, chop>

    Cool G56 still does it.

    Now HTF do I turn it off?



    Why would you want to?
    (It's in the settings)
    --
    Bruce Porter
    "The internet is a huge and diverse community but mainly friendly" http://ytc1.blogspot.co.uk/
    There *is* an alternative! http://www.openoffice.org/
    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From YTC1@ytc1@ytc1.co.uk to uk.rec.motorcycles on Fri Feb 6 16:13:03 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    On 06/02/2026 15:52, Colin Irvine wrote:
    On 04/02/2026 22:02, PipL wrote:
    On 01/02/2026 16:28, YTC1 wrote:

    Having switched to Nova a few years ago, as per suggestions here, I
    see the new owners have started pushing Ads.
    I'd be happy to switch to Prime, but not if there are still Ads.
    There seem to be reports of Ads in Prime, anyone here using Prime and
    can verify?

    I've contacted support, but still await an answer.

    I've evaluated a couple of other launchers; Lawnchair and Niagara,
    but they are no where near as good.

    I had never heard of such things as launchers until this thread. A
    quick look for Nova showed a "before" and an "after". The "before" was
    an image of a screen full of app icons, and the "after was an image of
    a screen full of... slightly more icons.

    A couple of days later down the thread and I really don't feel the need
    for a launcher. My Samsung phones have remained consistent in their appearance and menus, grouping apps couldn't be simpler, and the other quoted advantages of a launcher pass me by!


    Except you are using a launcher, just it is Samsung's launcher.
    --
    Bruce Porter
    "The internet is a huge and diverse community but mainly friendly" http://ytc1.blogspot.co.uk/
    There *is* an alternative! http://www.openoffice.org/
    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Colin Irvine@colin_irvine@fastmail.fm to uk.rec.motorcycles on Fri Feb 6 16:37:30 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    On 06/02/2026 16:13, YTC1 wrote:
    On 06/02/2026 15:52, Colin Irvine wrote:
    On 04/02/2026 22:02, PipL wrote:
    On 01/02/2026 16:28, YTC1 wrote:

    Having switched to Nova a few years ago, as per suggestions here, I
    see the new owners have started pushing Ads.
    I'd be happy to switch to Prime, but not if there are still Ads.
    There seem to be reports of Ads in Prime, anyone here using Prime
    and can verify?

    I've contacted support, but still await an answer.

    I've evaluated a couple of other launchers; Lawnchair and Niagara,
    but they are no where near as good.

    I had never heard of such things as launchers until this thread. A
    quick look for Nova showed a "before" and an "after". The "before"
    was an image of a screen full of app icons, and the "after was an
    image of a screen full of... slightly more icons.

    A couple of days later down the thread and I really don't feel the
    need for a launcher. My Samsung phones have remained consistent in
    their appearance and menus, grouping apps couldn't be simpler, and the
    other quoted advantages of a launcher pass me by!


    Except you are using a launcher, just it is Samsung's launcher.

    <appease pedant> Alright, a different launcher that requires
    installation </ap>.
    --
    Colin Irvine
    R1250RS
    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From chrisnd @ukrm@chrisnd@privacy.net to uk.rec.motorcycles on Fri Feb 6 16:44:59 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    On 06/02/2026 16:37, Colin Irvine wrote:
    On 06/02/2026 16:13, YTC1 wrote:
    On 06/02/2026 15:52, Colin Irvine wrote:
    On 04/02/2026 22:02, PipL wrote:
    On 01/02/2026 16:28, YTC1 wrote:

    Having switched to Nova a few years ago, as per suggestions here, I >>>>> see the new owners have started pushing Ads.
    I'd be happy to switch to Prime, but not if there are still Ads.
    There seem to be reports of Ads in Prime, anyone here using Prime
    and can verify?

    I've contacted support, but still await an answer.

    I've evaluated a couple of other launchers; Lawnchair and Niagara,
    but they are no where near as good.

    I had never heard of such things as launchers until this thread. A
    quick look for Nova showed a "before" and an "after". The "before"
    was an image of a screen full of app icons, and the "after was an
    image of a screen full of... slightly more icons.

    A couple of days later down the thread and I really don't feel the
    need for a launcher. My Samsung phones have remained consistent in
    their appearance and menus, grouping apps couldn't be simpler, and
    the other quoted advantages of a launcher pass me by!


    Except you are using a launcher, just it is Samsung's launcher.

    <appease pedant> Alright, a different launcher that requires
    installation </ap>.

    I'd never heard of them either and didn't realise I was using one
    already! :-)

    My only irritation with the one on my (Nokia) phone is the HUGE digits
    on the lock screen clock in Android 12 which are placed in two rows, viz:
    16
    41

    I would dearly love to get these back into a conventional format like:
    16:41

    I gather this is an android thing, not a Nokia thing, so would eternally grateful for a fix for it if anyone has any ideas? [1]

    Chris

    [1] I am not alone in wishing for this
    --
    The Deuchars BBB#40 COFF#14
    Yamaha XV750SE & Suzuki GS550T
    https://www.Deuchars.org.uk
    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Peter Fisher@nospam@nosspam.net to uk.rec.motorcycles on Fri Feb 6 16:52:44 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    On 06/02/2026 16:12, YTC1 wrote:
    On 06/02/2026 13:29, Peter Fisher wrote:
    On 05/02/2026 20:05, Mark Olson wrote:
    YTC1 <ytc1@ytc1.co.uk> wrote:

    I just want a Motorola "double chop" to turn the light one. I miss
    that.
    But their phones went shit around 2019.


    <Chop, chop>

    Cool G56 still does it.

    Now HTF do I turn it off?



    Why would you want to?
    (It's in the settings)



    A weak attempt at humour.

    <Chop, chop>
    --
    Moto Morini 2C/375
    Gilera 175 Sport, Husqvarna 401 Svartpilen
    Honda CB250RS (Not Waynetta!)
    "Do not adjust your mind, there is a fault in the reality"
    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From wessie@willnotwork@tesco.net to uk.rec.motorcycles on Fri Feb 6 17:57:25 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    "chrisnd @ukrm" <chrisnd@privacy.net> wrote in news:mumk4bF1j65U1@mid.individual.net:


    I would dearly love to get these back into a conventional format like:
    16:41

    I gather this is an android thing, not a Nokia thing, so would
    eternally grateful for a fix for it if anyone has any ideas? [1]


    my Moto G31 was similar after an update. Although my problem was it went to
    an analogue clockface not digital that I could not switch back. I got used
    to it.

    That phone would not upgrade from Android 11 and it was suffering from lack
    of space due to app bloat. The battery was getting tired too.

    I have fixed the clock by upgrading to a Moto G56 with Android 15. Digital clock again and I have plenty of GB free.Battery lasts 2 days even
    listeding to podcasts and R4 much of the day.
    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Sqirrel99@secret.sqirrel99@gmail.com to uk.rec.motorcycles on Tue Feb 10 09:04:22 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    YTC1 wrote:
    I'm currently on the 6a. So far I like the Pixels (used to have a 4a).
    What I hate is the size (and cost) of the newer ones (9/10).

    The 9a is only a couple of mm larger than the 6a, and currently -u349
    (was -u500 at launch).
    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Sqirrel99@secret.sqirrel99@gmail.com to uk.rec.motorcycles on Tue Feb 10 09:09:49 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    YTC1 wrote:
    Once I was finally convinced to go "smartphone" I was a Moto man.
    Same here, the original 2013 Moto G was my first fondleslab.
    Followed by a Pixel2, then my current 6a.

    I still have the Moto G, running some version of LineageOS.
    It still works fine, if a little slow, but is limited by being 3G only.


    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Sqirrel99@secret.sqirrel99@gmail.com to uk.rec.motorcycles on Tue Feb 10 09:13:53 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    chrisnd @ukrm wrote:
    My only irritation with the one on my (Nokia) phone is the HUGE digits
    on the lock screen clock in Android 12 which are placed in two rows, viz:
    16
    41

    I would dearly love to get these back into a conventional format like:
    16:41

    In the lockscreen settings, do you have 'Dynamic Clock' option ?
    "Clock size changes according to lockscreen content".

    If so, turn it off.
    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From YTC1@ytc1@ytc1.co.uk to uk.rec.motorcycles on Tue Feb 10 09:26:28 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    On 10/02/2026 09:04, Sqirrel99 wrote:
    YTC1 wrote:
    I'm currently on the 6a. So far I like the Pixels (used to have a 4a).
    What I hate is the size (and cost) of the newer ones (9/10).

    The 9a is only a couple of mm larger than the 6a, and currently -u349
    (was -u500 at launch).

    The 6a/7a is maximum I want to go.
    Having wrist/thumb trouble now so stretching is not an option
    --
    Bruce Porter
    "The internet is a huge and diverse community but mainly friendly" http://ytc1.blogspot.co.uk/
    There *is* an alternative! http://www.openoffice.org/
    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From wessie@willnotwork@tesco.net to uk.rec.motorcycles on Tue Feb 10 12:01:10 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    YTC1 <ytc1@ytc1.co.uk> wrote in news:10m33vg$3jfv1$1@dont-email.me:

    On 05/02/2026 20:05, Mark Olson wrote:
    YTC1 <ytc1@ytc1.co.uk> wrote:

    I just want a Motorola "double chop" to turn the light one. I miss
    that. But their phones went shit around 2019.

    Same here. It's the one feature that I remember that really
    differentiated Motorola from other phones I had used.

    I used to have a sucession of Motorola phones and they were generally

    Once I was finally convinced to go "smartphone" I was a Moto man.


    ditto, started with a u100 G5 about a decade ago after a spell with an ex
    Hog HTC One, Moto G gives reasonable bang for buck without overly intrusive bloatware.

    they are changing with their core demographic with some of their latest G phones being of a rugged nature to the geriatric types that keep dropping their phones

    Pete Fisher and I have recently upgraded to the G56!
    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From chrisnd @ukrm@chrisnd@privacy.net to uk.rec.motorcycles on Tue Feb 10 14:15:24 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    On 10/02/2026 09:13, Sqirrel99 wrote:
    chrisnd @ukrm wrote:
    My only irritation with the one on my (Nokia) phone is the HUGE digits
    on the lock screen clock in Android 12 which are placed in two rows, viz:
    16
    41

    I would dearly love to get these back into a conventional format like:
    16:41

    In the lockscreen settings, do you have 'Dynamic Clock' option ?
    "Clock size changes according to lockscreen content".

    If so, turn it off.

    Unfortunately I don't seem to have that option.
    Thanks for the suggestion anyway.

    Chris
    --
    The Deuchars BBB#40 COFF#14
    Yamaha XV750SE & Suzuki GS550T
    https://www.Deuchars.org.uk
    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Mike Fleming@mike@tauzero.co.uk to uk.rec.motorcycles on Tue Feb 10 14:52:55 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    On 10/02/2026 09:04, Sqirrel99 wrote:
    YTC1 wrote:
    I'm currently on the 6a. So far I like the Pixels (used to have a 4a).
    What I hate is the size (and cost) of the newer ones (9/10).

    The 9a is only a couple of mm larger than the 6a, and currently -u349
    (was -u500 at launch).

    We have a chain of hand-me-downs - the 6a is in a drawer, the 8a is with SWMBO, and I have the 10 Pro XL because I like big. And I've got Nova Launcher, and I'm wondering if at some point in the past I went prime,
    because I can't see any ads on it. <checks> Oh yes, I am on Prime. How sensible of past me. I also have it on my Android tablets, which means
    (for those who don't see the point) I can transfer my "desktop" between Huawei, Nokia, and Samsung tablets, taking the relevant parts from my
    phone setup, so I don't have to learn different UIs.
    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Mike Fleming@mike@tauzero.co.uk to uk.rec.motorcycles on Tue Feb 10 15:00:17 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    On 05/02/2026 10:51, Mark Olson wrote:

    My Pixel 2 had the behavior where if you held in the power button for
    a couple of seconds, it would take you directly to the Google Home
    device favorites screen, for controlling smart bulbs and switches.
    Dead handy for something I used frequently. Of course holding in the
    power button in also produced the controls for powering off, locking,
    etc. but those were across the top and there was room for 6-8 devices
    below that which was more than enough to cover my favorite devices.

    Now, on my newer Pixel 4a, 8 and 10 phones, you have to unlock the
    phone, swipe down from the top of the screen, and press a control to
    get to the device favorites screen. A huge regression, and one that
    I would love to be able to revert back to the previous behavior.

    You can put a shortcut to Home on the lock screen on my Pixel 10, not
    sure about earlier ones.

    What does infuriate me about the Pixel 10 is that in order to get it to recognise Quick Phrases, the Google Assistant language has to be set to English (US), not English (UK), so I have the choice between being able
    to stop an alarm by saying "Stop" or having the weather and today's
    events read to me by an English lady instead of some bloody Yank. So,
    English lady and "Hey Google, stop alarm" it is then.
    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2