Best new Android launchers and interface tools (April)
If you put enough time and effort, they say, you can tailor every Android phone to serve your unique interests and interface layout, and third-party launchers like Nova, Apex and the like, have proved it time and again.
Every once in a while, a new launcher appears that promises a paradigm shift in interacting with our mobile devices, utilizing innovative gesture-based or side-sliding launch tech, and some of them are even donning amazing graphics and extra functionality.
We took a glimpse at what's new and cool at the Play Store in the interface draping department for the past two weeks, and noticed a few launchers and interface tools that you might find useful, or at least funky to try out. Check them out below.
Every once in a while, a new launcher appears that promises a paradigm shift in interacting with our mobile devices, utilizing innovative gesture-based or side-sliding launch tech, and some of them are even donning amazing graphics and extra functionality.
We took a glimpse at what's new and cool at the Play Store in the interface draping department for the past two weeks, and noticed a few launchers and interface tools that you might find useful, or at least funky to try out. Check them out below.
GS Launcher (Galaxy S6)
In line with the times, bring the Galaxy S6 experience on any 4.0+ device immediately with the GS Launcher. It offers every function you would expect from a well-rounded launchers, plus some extras in the paid premium, like unread count and gesture support.
TapIt
TapIt might not have the most polished interface and beautiful icon out there, but does what it says on the tin - tap twice to launch your Dialer, tap three times to launch Facebook Messenger, for instance, no need to shout "OK, Google" in the crowded subway car while holding a bag of groceries.
Bubble Launcher Screenlock ($0.83)
Remember the Bubble Launcher we showcased in the previous edition of our new launchers roundup? It is a great way to preview how an Apple Watch user interface feels, but had the annoying habit of displaying ads all the time. Well, now you can have the bubbly with no ads and extra functions, for a price.
Quick Lockscreen
Nothing much to the app here, just a rapid and comfortable way to unlock your screen while holding the phone with one hand, all with a quick swipe of your thumb wherever.
iNew Launcher
The iNew launcher leaves your most used apps on the home screen, while the rest, together with popular toggles, are tucked conveniently away on side bars with an alphabetic locator, in order to keep your screens clean, and app access quick. It's just 1.8 MB in size, and yet offers most bells and whistles, plus support for thousands of icon packs and hundreds of themes out of the box.
