Top 5 Android Launchers: The Best of Android Application Developers Packed Into One

Get the best of Application Developers through the Application Launcher

Android phone has earned its name for its customizable and open-ended nature. The customization can be done to such an extent, that even the user interface can be manipulated at will of the user. Android Application Developers burn their midnight oil to come up with unique apps.

Tools like launchers are one of them. As an introduction to launchers, these are the basic interface of the device. The launchers take the responsibility on how apps are placed, from where the widgets are accessed. It also helps in rearranging the app on-screen. This lens would be taking up some of the best launcher there is and elucidate on them.

Some of the Best Launcher There is For Android Phones in 2013

2013 has been quite an eventful year for the mobile application development. There have been ground breaking achievements in every field of mobile OS including iPhone and Windows phone. But the year also witnessed the development of the Android Apps in a big way. Android Launchers are the creation of this year. The following lines discusses about some of the best launchers of this year, but in no particular order.

Nova Launcher: The Launcher to blow you away

Apart from the stock launchers which is available for Android such as Samsung’s TouchWiz or HTC’s sense, the Nova Launcher is one of the premium launchers which can give you customizable experience, including making changes to the icons as well as installation of some very good looking themes.

One of the biggest advantages of Nova is that it is able to keep the typical stock launcher feel of the Android. Targeted more towards the beginners; this launcher gives the user the option to resize any widget. You will also get to choose the transitions and modify them. With Nova, you have got 9 home screens with 7X 6 grids which you would be able to modify the name and the appearance.

Armed with an in-depth customization option, you would be able to adjust the transition and the animation speed of scrolling through your screen. Nova has the ability to modify different folders as well as adjusting the transition and the animation screen. You have the option to make separate folders for different categories of apps. You can have easy access to the games, which will show first in the application list. Nova is capable of providing you drawer tabs for apps and widgets which becomes extremely handy for extensive and experienced users.

When it comes to themes, Nova has a widespread stock for the user to choose from. With downloadable icon pack from the play store, you can always transform your app icons into art and boost your style quotient while showing off. Nova gives you the liberty of changing the name of the app icon as it appears on the drawer or the home screen.

Buzz Launcher: The Buzz amongst the Android users

When it really comes to a variety of themes, Buzz launcher has made a name of its own. Absolutely awe inspiring, this launcher possesses a gamut of over-the-top visually stunning user made themes which give a feel of separate operating system to the user.

Packed with an innovative home pack concept, launcher is one of a kind. It helps the user to download user - made home pack which comprises custom made widgets, preset configurations in one single package. You only have to tap the option of applying to my home and let the magic unfurl in front of your eyes. You will have a brand for a new desktop in front of your eyes with unique, icon, widgets and wallpapers. Most android launchers have its own share of launchers such as an app dock at the bottom of the screen or a notification bar at the top. In case of the Buzz Launcher there are no specific rules. The users have the liberty customize the notification and the docking menu as they wish to.

To talk about the special effects, the Buzz Launcher does have gesture support in the package. You can easily open apps or perform actions like toggling the status just by the help of the gesture support.

The Buzz launcher redefines the concept of widgets in its own way. As a user, you would be able to use a huge number of modifications to the widgets. You would be able to make your own set of widgets through the Buzz custom widget app. The app lets you achieve several things about making the widgets. This app can easily help you in creation of calendar widgets, clock widgets or battery indicators. After creation of the widget you can share it with your buddies and friends.

With a built-in backup support the buzz launcher can easily save your setting in micro SD card of your mobile phone.

Apex Launchers: The Top Launcher for Apps

The Apex launcher does share some amount of similarities with the aforementioned NOVA launcher. When it comes to customization, you will find certain features which are at par with the NOVA launcher. It keeps the similar feel of the default Android Stock launcher. But what makes it different are the customization features which are set far apart from the default option. While creating this app, the Android App developers have packed the app with several customization features.

The Apex launcher has the support for 9 home screens with customizable grids, along with certain other tweaks which makes this launcher one of a kind. Packed with a whole gamut of animations, transitions, customizable folders as well as icons, this launcher gives the user the freedom to manipulate anything.

If taken from the perspective of theme, the theme support for Apex is fantastic. Anything which is created with the Apex theme launcher will run smoothly with the Nova Launcher as well. This goes same with Nova as well.

You will find some of the very useful features which come with Apex as well. The launcher has a back-up function which helps creating backup files for almost every function you have it in your phone. The launcher has its own way of locking the main screen of the phone, curbing the potentiality of any kind mishaps occurring to the phone screen. There are certain options you would be able to customize as well hide the status bar or the icon dock.

ADW Launcher: Mix and Match for the Pure Android Experience

If you want a launcher which has a plethora of customizable option as well as certain unique feature which can give your phone an absolute makeover, then this is the right launcher for you. One of the unique abilities which are involved in this launcher is the ability to mix and match utilities of the different themes and help in creation of different groups in the app drawer. The launcher share several similarities with the Jelly Bean 4.2 OS of Android. This makes it more user-friendly for the users.

The default theme of the launcher has uncanny similarities with that of the Android 4.2 Jellybean. It has three virtual buttons such as back, home and recent apps which runs along the bottom of the screen.

The ADW Launcher uses the standard art for icons, the same which is being used for Android. But if you opt for the paid version, the app would let you change the size and the color as well as change the color of the display. For the purpose of getting new themes, you will be able to download directly from the Google Play. ADW will show all the themes as a preview in the launcher.

But what makes the ADW launcher is the ability to mix and match. The launcher can pick and choose from a variety of themes for an exclusive custom look.

ADW comes with grid size of 10 rows and columns which can be customized by the users. The app also provides the functionality of infinite scrolling by which you would be able to manipulate the home screens whichever way you want to.

If you are having app icons or widgets which do not go well with the theme, then ADW gives you the option to remove, edit, manage or re-size the app. Through the help of the launcher you would be able shares the widgets and apps of your liking.

"So if you are willing to go for the pure Android experience, then ADW is the thing for you."

Action Launcher: When Action Says More Than Words

So you want your phone to look different from others? If you want your phone to look unique and different, then the action launcher is the thing for you. The action launcher can be considered as one of the launchers and is unique in its own way. The navigation of this particular launcher is highly dependent on the gestures for most of the navigation.

The app drawer is replaced in this case and has been taken over by a slide out navigation drawer from the left hand side of the screen. The navigation drawer in case of this app helps in accessing all the user’s apps and widgets. In the process it helps in freeing up the screen by taking out the traditional dock of the Android.

Through the action Launcher you would be able to manipulate the applications through the help of your gestures. Just swipe your hand over the browser shortcut and you would be able to open an app laden folder. Set up specific shortcuts through which you would be able to access your bookmarks, gaming apps or whatever you wish to have.

Your widgets can also be set up through gestures. Assign the widgets through shortcuts. You can pause, play, sweep back or forward only by the swipe of a hand. The Action Launcher gives you the option of customizing all your widget keys. Combine all your favorite widgets and put them together.

The Action Launcher also comes with a customization option, which can help you tweak and tune individual icons as well as every available grid on a separate basis. One other thing which segregates the Action Launcher from the rest of the launchers in the market is its clean and minimalist features.

Conclusion

This hub has been able to showcase some of the magnificent works of the groups of professional Android Application Developers in the form of launchers though in no particular order. If you are a person who loves to fidget around with your Android phone, than these launchers are the things for you.