Unlike other major mobile phone platforms, Android can be customized the way you want. And that is one of the things I like most about Android. If you are thinking about customizing Android, Launchers are a good place to start. There are quite a number of good third-party Android Launcher apps, both free and non-free, available in the Android Market. Let's explore and find out the finest five among them. Read on.
LauncherPro is undoubtedly one my favorite third party Launcher app for Android. It is one of those Launchers that just works on all kinds of devices. Simple, lightweight and really fast. I especially love the 3D App Drawer feature of LauncherPro. It works silky smooth even though it is an experimental feature. LauncherPro is currently the default Launcher in my SGS II.
GO Launcher EX is another really good third party Launcher app for Android. Unlike LauncherPro, GO Launcher EX has tons of themes and awesome widgets to play around. And GO Store widget lets you easily browse through available themes and widgets made exclusively for GO Launcher EX. It combines simplicity with flamboyance rather well. My only gripe is that, GO Launcher EX occasionally cause overheating in my device.
LauncherPro is undoubtedly one my favorite third party Launcher app for Android. It is one of those Launchers that just works on all kinds of devices. Simple, lightweight and really fast. I especially love the 3D App Drawer feature of LauncherPro. It works silky smooth even though it is an experimental feature. LauncherPro is currently the default Launcher in my SGS II.
GO Launcher EX is another really good third party Launcher app for Android. Unlike LauncherPro, GO Launcher EX has tons of themes and awesome widgets to play around. And GO Store widget lets you easily browse through available themes and widgets made exclusively for GO Launcher EX. It combines simplicity with flamboyance rather well. My only gripe is that, GO Launcher EX occasionally cause overheating in my device.
SPB Shell 3D is perhaps the most flamboyant and eyecandy Launcher available in the Android Market. Coupled with some stunning widgets and colors, SPB Shell 3D is a real show stopper. SPB's messaging and clock widgets deserves special mention. They are all so well designed and comes as default installations, unlike in other Launchers where most widgets are a paid extra. But there is a catch, SPB Shell 3D is pricey, costs around $15 USD, when most other Launchers are free to use. Please read reviews before buying SPB Shell 3D, this may or may-not work in your device. In my Galaxy S2, SPB Shell 3D works buttery smooth.
ADWLauncher EX is a highly rated Android Launcher application with nearly 500,000 downloads already. ADWLauncher EX has many similarities with GO Launcher EX, except that ADWLauncher EX is non-free. There is a free stripped down version of ADW Launcher if you want to give it a ride before buying it. ADWLauncher EX has 5 different app drawer styles, 3D Nexus One like application drawer and hundreds of themes to choose from.
MXHome Launcher was a very recent find. MXHome is a launcher application that is specialized in 3D effects on its 'Theme page' It provides totally different experiences by highlights from 3D effects and creative ideas. Some of the themes available for MXHome Launcher like BlueWatch and Sports Watch are simply mind blowing.
TSF Shell 3D is unlike any other Android Launcher we have discussed here so far. The launcher works, even if it takes time to get used to. I was quite hesitant initially because of the experience I had with SPB Shell 3D Android launcher. I mean, there is nothing wrong with the SPB Launcher itself. It's just that I have a tendency to go back to simpler launchers like LauncherPro all the time. But TSF Shell 3D is radically different in its approach and looks really pretty too. But it is pricey, $17 USD apiece!
Please carefully read the user reviews as well as notes by respective developers before installing above launchers in you Android. Hope you were able to choose the Launcher that suits you best. If you are interested, here are some stunning games for Android I like the most.