I just got my 7135 a week ago and I really like it. I replaced my Palm Tungsten T, it was time to go with one device for my phone/palm needs.

I have used replacement launchers for years; SilverScreen then MegaLauncher on a Palm Vx, then Launcher X on my Clie T615 and Tungsten T (I've been upgrading every year or so).

When I got my 7135 I installed Launcher X, found a cool low-res skin, and I have been enjoying using it. With the release of Warfare Inc and Docs To Go 6 (a great week for palm software) I find I am once again trying to free up RAM and keep my palm free of unnecessary programs.

After reading the thread here about the best launchers for the 7135 I started thinking about why I need a 3rd-party launcher at all.

For file management, the 7135 comes with a robust file manager.
I use the clockpop hack for a quick look at battery and memory usage.
I keep mainly games and program files on my card, so having card-based apps appear in regular launcher categories is not that important to me.
All of the gadgets are accessable through silkscreen icons or are 1 tap away.

What do the rest of you do? Is there any other benefits to using a 3rd-party launcher? Is it just eye candy? Is there benefits related to launching and running apps from the card?

Any insight is appreciated.

Thanks,
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Paper -> Apple Newton 110 -> PalmPilot Personal -> Palm V -> Palm Vx -> Sony Clie T615 -> Palm Tungsten T -> Kyocera 7135

I use Launch 'em. I find tab-oriented UI to be easier and more natural than selecting categories by the pulldown on top. That said, now that I've got probably 90% of the stuff I access regularly on HBX (Hard Button Extender), I find myself using the Launcher rarely. But I do like the battery meter being right there on the screen all the time.

I use Launcher X. I also like the battery/memory icons at the top of my screen. I like the drag and drop to my SD card. I kind of see your point though. I use the default Low Res Launcher X skin and it doesn't seem to look as good as the default launcher. I've been using LX for so long though, it'd be too hard to change.

ZLauncher also has PowerRun capabilities. While LX creates shortcuts for apps on the card so they can be mapped to RAM-based apps, ZL actually creates folders for the apps along with the files associated with the apps. ZL will load the app and the associated file when you run the app.

Warning: I have not tested this thoroughly since I am only a few days into the 30 day trial. I don't know what is involved with upgrading an app. On PowerRun, you just install the upgraded app in RAM, run the shortcut for the app, and the upgraded app is copied into the directory on the card.

I tested a few launchers but dropped them and just use the standard palm launcher now. I put Filez in Flash, and most of my apps are either in the category main, phone, and utility so I can get to 90% of my programs quickly anyways.

This is more stable than using a launcher program to take over the palm launcher...

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Larry Ganz
http://www.jesusreigns.org
John 3:16

Look at what you have installed on your 7135. 90% of the apps installed can be run from a SD card. Move them to the SD card to free up RAM for apps that should be in the RAM (e.g. Docs 2 go).

You know I have been using Laucher X and really like the interface. I have lots of programs and like the tab feature. However, I still have problems when a call comes in, it takes sometimes 3-4 seconds for me to be able to hear anyone that's calling. The phone display indicated "Incoming call," but the timer, which indicates that the calls has actually been answered, doesn't come on until after 3-4 seconds. I wonder if the use of a 3rd party laucher app has any connection to this problem. Has anyone else experienced this problem of delayed answering. I have to "Flip open = Answer" feature enable as well. Although when I change it to me having to actually push the talk button to answer, it still has the same problem. I have traded my phone in for a new one thinking it was just this particular phone, but same problem. HELP!!!

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Chris Mattix
Personal Real Estate Consultant

I sometimes see the delay as well, but didn't think it was Launcher X. I figured it was because I have about 900 contacts and have the "Quick Contact Match" thing on. I figured the delay was because it was trying to find the name of the caller...