Am I very limited on a Stock ROM in terms of customization?

[TheLovatScout]

I was taking a look at the "Post your Homescreens" thread and noticed a lot of people had really cool icons at the bottom of their screen that did specific things. They weren't apps you could just simply add I think, and I don't think they were widgets. I really don' want to hear it, but I'm pretty sure it was from a Froyo port.

Same with the top taskbar that has the time and reception and 3G/4G data color. I would absolutely LOVE the white taskbar, but again, I'm sure it has to do with Froyo or another custom ROM like Fresh.

I have no intentions of rooting my Evo and the only real reason I would is to have these customizations. But I've already updated to the latest OTA and I'd like to get the official Froyo update for the Evo (whenever that may be).


SO BASICALLY! Am I right? Do I need a Froyo port to have all those cool customizations? I have OpenHome and BetterCut but OpenHome has this weird lag about it thats very small yet very distinct and I just can't stand using it.

[OMGWTF_BBQ]

No, you do not. I'm running Stock 2.1 without Root, same as you. Yeah, make fun of me all you want. It's more of me being too lazy to back up and then restore my setting to a new ROM.

Here's a quick list of the widgets that I use:
LauncherPro.
Pure Grid Calendar.
Pure Messanger.
Pure Calendar.
Pure Music.
AnyRSS (Still need to skin it)
App Organizer.
Audio Manager.
Switch Pro Widget.

LauncherPro is a homescreen Launcher, kind of like Sense for Android. There is also ADWLauncher and several others. Click the links provided.

They are both amazing and add much customization to the Android interface. I highly recommend them. (Not at the same time, lol)

If you want custom icons you're going to have to get BetterCut. It makes customizing icons simple and easy.

Justs a head up though, customizing widgets is a giant pain in the butt. It requires you to extract the .apk, edit the images and then resigning the app. Not really a fun process.

Also, check out this thread for more widgets and info.

This is what my EVO looks like running the same version of Android you have.


Have fun customizing! :)

[mebo73]

You can use pandahome, was playing with yesterday and can add themes on it with icons and such. Was looking at ahome and seems pretty cool as well.