EverythingMe Launcher
EverythingMe Launcher may be the smartest homescreen replacement tool out there with ever changing dynamic content, and it is completely free. But, and it is a big but, the Launcher is region locked to US only at the moment. You can, however, search the interweb for the application package, and install the application on your Android smartphone. And it would be well worth the effort.
EverythingMe Launcher swerves a long way away from the working principles of all other home screen replacement apps. The launcher is intensely context aware, focusing on what to present (apps or relevant information) on your home screens, instead of the myriad customization options offered by all the rest of the launchers.
The Launcher stands up on three basic building blocks:
The Prediction Bar: Anticipates what you’ll need throughout the day. Get your news apps in the morning, your calendar at work, and the train schedule on your way home.
Smart Folders: Your apps are automatically organized according to your interests. Open football stats from the Sports Folder or find cartoons in your Kids Folder.
Fast In-Phone Search: A personalized search tool for Android. Enter one letter and get contacts, apps and web results that are relevant just for you.
The only con we would brand at this very new EverythingMe Launcher would be that the search feature does not incorporate Google Now’s fantastic predictions, instead, it tries to work solo. But it would be a nit-picking really, especially, considering that the application has only just come out of its beta testing.
We have high hopes from EverythingMe Launcher, and hope the developer removes the region lock as soon as possible, so that more people the world over can enjoy and appreciate the excellent offering.
EverythingMe Launcher swerves a long way away from the working principles of all other home screen replacement apps. The launcher is intensely context aware, focusing on what to present (apps or relevant information) on your home screens, instead of the myriad customization options offered by all the rest of the launchers.
The Launcher stands up on three basic building blocks:
The Prediction Bar: Anticipates what you’ll need throughout the day. Get your news apps in the morning, your calendar at work, and the train schedule on your way home.
Smart Folders: Your apps are automatically organized according to your interests. Open football stats from the Sports Folder or find cartoons in your Kids Folder.
Fast In-Phone Search: A personalized search tool for Android. Enter one letter and get contacts, apps and web results that are relevant just for you.
The only con we would brand at this very new EverythingMe Launcher would be that the search feature does not incorporate Google Now’s fantastic predictions, instead, it tries to work solo. But it would be a nit-picking really, especially, considering that the application has only just come out of its beta testing.
We have high hopes from EverythingMe Launcher, and hope the developer removes the region lock as soon as possible, so that more people the world over can enjoy and appreciate the excellent offering.
Google Now Launcher
Google introduced a new launcher with the newest iteration of its mobile OS, the KitKat flavoured Android 4.4. Google Experience Launcher, as it was called then, has been limited to Google’s Nexus 5 smartphone for now, with murmurings that the search giant may be getting ready to offer it to the masses via the Play Store. But, in the meantime, you can scourge the interweb for an APK file, and manually install it on your Android smartphone.
So, why have we included the Google Now Launcher in our list of top 5 home screen replacement apps? Let’s find out:
The most significant change brought about by Google Now Launcher over and above the older stock Android launchers offered by Google is the deep integration of Google Now, which has its own dedicated pane to the left of the main home screen. It is accessed by, you guessed it, a side swipe, from where you can then glance at your Now cards, or spark a fresh search using your voice.
Stock launchers have always been simplistic in their approach, but Google Now Launcher takes the meaning of simplicity to a whole new level. Gone are the tabs for widgets and apps within the app drawer, with the drawer now being the sole repository for your accumulated apps. Google Now Launcher introduces transparency to the drawer instead of the bland black background present in previous iterations of stock launchers, with the slightly blurred home screen wallpaper peeking through behind the app icons.
Widgets can, now, be accessed via a long press on the home screen. About those home screens, you can have as many of them as you need and desire, expanding towards the right, with the previous limit lifted. Most of the other things are still the same, including resizable widgets, folder support, et al.
Google Now Launcher is a decent home screen replacement app that has the potential to be a mass hit, but, until its wider availability, most of the people using Android smartphones may not even get a taste of what it offers.
There are many other launchers which could have made the cut, and up until a few months ago, a couple, at least, should have. But the recent release of EverythingMe and Google Now Launchers have seen them creep out of the final two places from our list of five favourite home screen replacement apps. The noteworthy absentees are: ADW Launcher, GO Launcher Ex, Launcher Pro, Buzz Launcher, Smart Launcher, and Aviate. You would be happy with either of these, and, anyway, what it comes down to is your choice and demands you place on what is probably the most important aspect of Android smartphone (or, tablets, for that matter) usage.
What do you guys think, which launchers do you use? Sound off in the comments section below!
So, why have we included the Google Now Launcher in our list of top 5 home screen replacement apps? Let’s find out:
The most significant change brought about by Google Now Launcher over and above the older stock Android launchers offered by Google is the deep integration of Google Now, which has its own dedicated pane to the left of the main home screen. It is accessed by, you guessed it, a side swipe, from where you can then glance at your Now cards, or spark a fresh search using your voice.
Stock launchers have always been simplistic in their approach, but Google Now Launcher takes the meaning of simplicity to a whole new level. Gone are the tabs for widgets and apps within the app drawer, with the drawer now being the sole repository for your accumulated apps. Google Now Launcher introduces transparency to the drawer instead of the bland black background present in previous iterations of stock launchers, with the slightly blurred home screen wallpaper peeking through behind the app icons.
Widgets can, now, be accessed via a long press on the home screen. About those home screens, you can have as many of them as you need and desire, expanding towards the right, with the previous limit lifted. Most of the other things are still the same, including resizable widgets, folder support, et al.
Google Now Launcher is a decent home screen replacement app that has the potential to be a mass hit, but, until its wider availability, most of the people using Android smartphones may not even get a taste of what it offers.
There are many other launchers which could have made the cut, and up until a few months ago, a couple, at least, should have. But the recent release of EverythingMe and Google Now Launchers have seen them creep out of the final two places from our list of five favourite home screen replacement apps. The noteworthy absentees are: ADW Launcher, GO Launcher Ex, Launcher Pro, Buzz Launcher, Smart Launcher, and Aviate. You would be happy with either of these, and, anyway, what it comes down to is your choice and demands you place on what is probably the most important aspect of Android smartphone (or, tablets, for that matter) usage.
What do you guys think, which launchers do you use? Sound off in the comments section below!