One of the exciting features that Android makes available is the possibility to customize the homescreen as much or as little as possible. You can not only change the wallpaper and add a brand new set of widgets, but also enjoy the chance to use third-party applications launchers. There’s no doubt that the tools that Android makes available by default are more than satisfying, but if you want to improve the balance between performance and customizing level, you should definitely consider switching to one of the other Android launchers available on the market. Here are a few examples that will help you discover what’s best to choose.
Android Launcher
One of the most popular choices is LauncherPro. If you choose to use this launcher on your Android smartphone, you will have to pay $3.49 but you will get the chance to enjoy a long list of benefits. One first advantage is represented by the super-smooth scrolling and the animated screen previews that improve browsing speed and quality. As useful are the 2D and 3D app drawer and the 7 homescreens that are all customizable. Not to mention that you will be able to remove apps from the drawer without uninstalling them and uninstall apps directly from the homescreen and app drawer. You will also be allowed to alter the number of columns and rows that the homescreen and app drawer make available in order to make sure that more icons can be accommodated. In the same time the dock icons are made more accessible through the simple pairing with sweepable shortcuts. You should also check out the memory tweaking settings included and the HTC Sense-like widgets that can be resized and cover the main apps that Android users launch on a daily basis (Facebook, the calendar, contacts). So, I think it’s quite obvious that LauncherPro is a software tool designed to smooth user experience and speed up especially older, low-powered Android devices. However, many would like to see even more features and customizing possibilities, so the competition is still worth checking out.
One of the competitors that want to win over the title of best Android launcher is ADW.Launcher that also comes in a paid version known as ADW.Launcher EX. Both launchers mentioned are pretty similar to LauncherPro. The main difference is that they make possible an even higher level of customization. However, the improvement will be noticeable and worth the effort only on newer, high-powered phones, because on older Android phones AWD will end up being considering slow due to its superior hardware demands. Another downside of this choice is that it doesn’t make available as many icon packs and wallpapers as LauncherPro because it hasn’t been on the Android Market for as much time. However, on the whole, it can be certainly considered at least as good as LauncherPro, so you should definitely consider it among your choices if you are looking for a new Android launcher.
Android Launcher
Another option that I recommend to those who really want to customize their Android device is Go Launcher EX. This launcher is designed to alter all the interface’s features. After using it, you will end up with a tweaked wallpaper, a changed app drawer, different widgets and many more other changes. You will also find the transitions to be fancier, but if you want to benefit from all these bells and whistles you need to be prepared to sacrifice performance. That’s because, although the launcher is not unstable, it’s a bit slower when it comes to providing smooth transitions similar to LauncherPro. That’s precisely because of the fancier look. However, if you care about looks more than about performance, it’s the perfect tool.
I think you should also check out Zeam which is considered on of the fastest launchers that the Android Market has the fortune to accommodate. It’s a launcher perfect for both old and new Android smartphones because it’s designed to be simple and use as fewer resources as possible. That’s why you won’t discover an overwhelming number of special features but you will be impressed by the fast performance. However, you shouldn’t start thinking that no customization opportunities will be made available. Fortunately, you will still be able to enjoy using a scrollable dock and viewing animated previews.
Android Launcher
Launcher 7 also deserves to be part of any Android fan’s list of launchers. That’s because it may not be very similar to the options mentioned above, but it’s definitely a choice that manages to provide a different, but positive change. What I am trying to say is that by using this Android launcher you will drift away from the traditional Android-style and you will be welcomed by the Windows-7 style. Not many features are necessary to give your Android smartphone the air of a Windows device, so you shouldn’t expect to see as many features as in LauncherPro. However, if you want to experience the magic and novelty of Windows Phone 7 without giving up your Android phone, Launcher 7 is a great choice. You will definitely end up with some good-looking homescreens.
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