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Nova Launcher update improves app icon handling

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by Jeff Causey on
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Popular launcher app Nova Launcher released a new update over the weekend that adds much more flexibility and control over app icons to go along with normal optimizations and bug fixes. While many people put their favorite apps on their homescreens, others like to access them using the app drawer. This is where many of Nova Launcher’s recent updates are focused. Users can customize app icons and titles used in the app drawer independent of the theme they currently have selected. Users can also group apps into folders in the app drawer and then drag these folders to the homescreen. This essentially means folders can be created from the homescreen or the app drawer. » Read the rest

Chameleon Launcher for smartphones officially hits the Play Store

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by Roy Alugbue on
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We already knew that one of the better launchers for tablets was certainly on its way for smartphones, but the big day has finally arrived folks: the Chameleon launcher for smartphones is officially live and available for all in the Play Store. As with the controversial tablet version, Chameleon launcher for smartphones allows for a unique launcher interface that is completely based on the use of some clever widgets that take up the entire of real estate of a smartphone’s screen.

The launcher is available in the Play Store for Android smartphones operating on Honeycomb or higher devices but there’s a big catch. Potential users can either splurge on a $2.91 version that is for use with smartphones only or go for the $3.99 version which will run on both smartphones and tablets.

 

 

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Chameleon $2.91 Play Store Download Link

 

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Chameleon $3.99 Play Store Download Link

Chameleon Launcher for Tablets now available in Google Play store

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by Jeff Causey on
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Last May we reported on a project from Teknision, Inc., to create a new home screen UI and launcher for Android tablet devices. At the time, Teknision was in the process of funding the project via Kickstarter. The effort succeeded with the goal of $50,000 reached in July. Today the Chameleon Launcher for Tablets was made available in the Google Play store for $10. » Read the rest

Chameleon Launcher Beta Now Available For Those Who Pledged

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by Ed Caggiani on
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Canadian developer Teknision, makers of Kickstarter-funded Chameleon Launcher, said the beta version would be ready the first week of August, and they are right on target. If you pledged on Kickstarter, you can now find and install Chameleon Launcher Beta from the Google Play Store.

The interesting thing about this home screen replacement is how it treats the overall experience, covering every inch of the screen with widgets and apps. You can then create different home screens based on different situations (work, home, commute, etc) and have Chameleon show you the most relevant one based on GPS location, Wi-Fi network connected to, or time ranges.

Hit the break for screenshots, a video, and the download link.

» Read the rest

Featured Play Store Newbie: Holo Launcher, ICS Launcher without the ICS

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by Brian Kramer on
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If you’re one of the 93.3% of Android users who aren’t yet rockin’ version 4.0 or up but still want to experience some of the look and feel of the stock ICS launcher now, you’re in luck.  Holo Launcher is a real-deal ICS launcher, with various bits and bytes modified to make it run on any version of android 2.2 and above.

Features include:

  • ICS style icons, folders and drawer tabs
  • Portrait and Landscape modes
  • 7 icons per dock, 3 pages and infinitely scrollable
  • Desktop previews via Home button
  • Backup and restoring of settings
  • and more…
This is a great option for those stuck on Froyo or Gingerbread but still hungry for a taste of Ice Cream Sandwich.  The best part?  Holo launcher is completely free, and available now in the Play store.  There is also a beta version available as an in-app apk as well. To get in on the beta testing fun, head into the app, go to Launcher Settings > About Holo Launcher > Auto Check For Updates > Beta Version. You can get started by visiting either link below.

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Play Store Link

A Hands on Review of SPB Shell 3D [Video]

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by Spencer McClendon on
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With a plethora of launchers in the Market Google Play Store, it’s not hard to find one that you like. I’ve tried Go Launcher, ADW Launder EX,and the most recent TSF Shell Launcher. However the one I really have come to embrace the most is SPB Shell 3D. It runs flawlessly on my Galaxy S II and my Galaxy Tab 10.1 and it looks amazing on both. I am mainly doing this review for the GSII, however I will also include pics from the Tab. One of the problems I had with it, is the price. Like TSF, it comes with a high price tag. TSF comes in at $16.80 and SPB comes in at $14.95. Having bought both, I will admit, yes I’m crazy, but I’m a nerd. I gave both of them the 15 minute workout. While TSF wasn’t that impressive, I had been waiting for it. I still hold out hope that it can be more, we’ll see. SPB on the other hand; it’s 15 minute workout was nonexistent. I got so into what it can do that I lost track of time. Jump past the break for my complete review, as well as screen shots and video of the launcher in action. » Read the rest

Apex Launcher For ICS Out of Beta

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by Ed Caggiani on
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We showed you Nova Launcher a couple of weeks ago, a home launcher replacement for ICS devices with some pretty cool features. And now, a new ICS-based launcher named Apex Launcher just left beta and joined the party in the Play Store. The list of features is pretty impressive.

Features:
- Customizable homescreen grid size and up to 9 homescreens
- Scrollable dock with up to 7 icons per page and up to 5 pages
- Infinite & elastic scrolling (homescreen, drawer and dock)
- Fancy transition effects (tablet, cube, etc.)
- Hide elements as you want (persistent search bar, status bar, or even the dock)
- Customizable icons and labels for shortcuts and folders
- Choose different folder preview styles and background
- Multiple drawer styles (transparent/opaque, horizontal/vertical, paginated/continuous)
- Drawer apps sorting (title, install date, mostly used)
- Hide apps from the drawer
- Lock your desktop to prevent accidental changes
- Enjoy homescreen gestures (pinch, swipe up/down, double tap)
- Backup/restore settings and data
- Optimized for both phones and tablets
- Lots of other customization options!

Hit the break for tips, screenshots, and the download link.

» Read the rest

ssLauncher Is Looking To Fit In Among The ADWs, Launcher Pros And GO Launchers Of The World

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by Joe Sirianni on
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As we’ve mentioned before, launchers are a dime a dozen on the Android Market so when we take the time to show one off, there’s usually something “special” about it.  Next up of note worthy launchers worth mentioning is a little light weight launcher that goes by the name of “ssLauncher“.  In a world of ADW’s, Launcher Pro’s and GO Launchers, ssLauncher begins setting itself apart by providing animations that give it the appearance of a magazine page turning when scrolling from one screen to another.  Overall, the animation is pretty cool and there’s some great functionality as well.  The ability to theme it up is there along with an array of other features that set it apart from the rest of the competition.  Check out some of the features from the dev below:

  • Decorate screen with a variety of styles for shortcuts and widgets.
  • Easy and quick access to pages for contacts, bookmarks, application drawer, application group.
  • Many useful features of application drawer: showing/hiding app, marking star for favorites apps, changing application icon and name, uninstalling app and so on
  • Create application group and manage list by drag and drop.
  • Save and load your theme, page layouts and settings.
  • Convert the saved theme file to apk. (contact us by e-mail for more informations)
  • Hide status bar, open status bar by swiping down.
  • You can implement nice screen without launcher 7, dvr, minimalistic text, wp clock, clockr etc.

If you’re ready to give this launcher a try, then head on over to the Android Market for the download or check out the QR available below.  We’ve also provided a number of screen shots of the app courtesy of the Market after the break.  Feel free to let us know what you think in the comments.

» Read the rest

Nova Launcher Graduates to Version 15, Brings Scrollable Folders and More

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by Stacy Bruce on
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One of the first apps I make sure I have up and running every time I flash a new ROM is Nova Launcher. An ICS launcher replacement that I have been using since the first week I had my Galaxy Nexus, has just received a new update today already. Just recently, you may remember it was updated to version 14 and no longer required a system installation in order to get widgets in your app drawer. Although fairly easy for the experienced user to remedy, the update to version 14 definitely made the process more user friendly. Now, with today’s update, we’re up to version 15 and it brings even more cool features that I know some of you will enjoy. » Read the rest

Trebuchet Launcher Alpha for Android 4.0.3 Now Available for Download [Courtesy of XDA]

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by Stacy Bruce on
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Development for the Galaxy Nexus and ICS is booming right now and there are a plethora of goodies available for your testing pleasure. The developer who created the Trebuchet launcher that will be found in CM9, has tweaked the app a bit and released an alpha version for the public. While the Trebuchet launcher is based off the stock ICS launcher, XDA member and dev, nebkat, added some neat features and has plans to release more in the near future. Check out this description from the XDA thread:

Features

  • Custom number of Homescreens
  • Enable/Disable Persistent Search Bar
  • Separated Apps/Widgets in Drawer
  • Resize Any Widget
  • Show and Fade Scrolling Indicator in Homescreen and Drawer
  • Enable/Disable Auto-Rotate
  • Drawer Apps Sorting (Title, Install Date)

Planned Features

  • Infinite Scrolling
  • Dock (Custom pages and size)
  • Transition Effects (Homescreen and Drawer)
  • Backup and Restore

 

In order to run this launcher you must have Android 4.0.3 installed so those of you on 4.0.2 need to wait for the update to rollout or need to unlock and root your device first. From there, head over to the XDA forums to search for upgrade options. Jump past the break for more screenshots and download instructions. » Read the rest

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