how are you installing the apps? if you are using the apptapp installer, that should restart the springboard when you quit it. if you are installing an app through sftp then yes, you would have to restart the springboard, its always been like this.
on 1.0.2 through SFTP I would upload the app, put the phone to sleep with the top button then wake it and the app would be there. Or just go into another app, hit the home button and the app would be there. But with 1.1.1 I get this problem:http://modmyi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11195
now on 1.1.1 I am using installer to add the apps. they install, but I must restart the sprigboard via SB.
Should I maybe uninstall summberboard and manually reinstall it? how would I do this?