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ADWLauncher EX - So many options!
Tested version: 1.2.1
Latest version: 1.3.3.8
Requires Android: from 1.6
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Summary
Android rules: not only is it possible to add all sorts of widgets and icons to your homescreen, you can even decide which launcher you want to use. Not an easy choice to make, considering how many home replacements there are nowadays. ADWLauncher EX has been considered to be one of the best replacements since a while now, and when it launched a new version which promises lots of new features and settings we decided to take a closer look.
Features & Use
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The free ADWLauncher has been chosen as the Standard Home Replacement on some ROMs because of its excellent functions and general performance. So the question is: will the EX manage to turn the previous version into an “ex”?
ADWLauncher Ex comes with Presets, and iPhone fans will be pleased to note that there’s an iPhone-like preset. Homescreen and controls have completely changed. The icons now come with a colorful background and scrolling has gone from vertical to horizontal. You can pick between the Nexuish (3D Nexus look) and the Fast variants.
In order to enlarge your homescreen go to UI Settings in the Settings options. You can also change the settings so that more icons fit onto the same spot; in order to do so simply change both the icon and text size. Select the number of columns/rows under Screen Preferences; these settings are useful if you’re the type of person who likes to have a lot of apps on your homescreen.
Your dock bar can harbor whatever amount of apps you need. You can use 1, 3, or 5 icons as shortcuts. If having a dock is as useful to you as a hole in a bucket you can banish it from your homescreen. The app launcher can also be accessed via icon on the homescreen—and, again, you can set the icon size and color. There’s also a Hidden Dock option (on top of the normal dock), which can harbor even more apps. You can decide how this hidden dock is accessed: via icon on the homescreen or gesture controls. Gestures, you ask? Yup, another great function under ASWLauncher EX’s belt.
Gesture controls has only been available for a short time for this app. In order to appoint gestures to specific actions go to ADW/Settings/General Behaviour/Gestures. The app comes with pre-established gestures: swyping from top to bottom and bottom to top. You can assign these gestures to controls that influence the homescreen, such as accessing the Hidden Dock or starting the app.
The app comes with a great feature that will help you save time when it comes to uninstalling: rather than having to comb through the app on the lookout for the uninstall-manager it’s possible to do the uninstalling via the context menu on the homescreen. Long tap on the icon and the option for uninstalling pops opens. And for all you individualists out there: there’s also an option that lets you change the app name and icon on the homescreen so that you can really make it your own.
Like the homescreen, the App Drawer can also change the size of icons, which means that more icons fit on my screen and I don’t have to scroll down the display. If you find the indicator that shows you which homescreen page you’re currently on too boring you can switch things up and go for the Sliding Paginator (top or bottom).
When installing the widget you have your say in how much space it should occupy. If you opt for a small amount of space the widget will be cut down. My advice: the standard settings are really the way to go—unless you’re planning on scaling the Widget… yes, that too is possible!
ADWLauncher EX is currently available in English only.
You just can’t get enough action(s) (sleazy pun, sorry!)? Don’t miss out on Launcher Actions which make it really easy to put icons on the homescreen and display the Hidden Dockbar, or else make the status bar disappear.
The Market description sounds pretty promising:
• 5 different app drawer styles/behaviors
• 3D Nexus One like application drawer
• 2 different plain vertical drawer styles, the "old one" and a new fast and smooth one
• 2 different Iphone-like horizontal application drawers, a traditional paginated one and a new one with continuous fling
• Different desktop transitions: new animations while navigating through your desktop screens. Try them all, they're crazy!!!
• New Icons configurations/look and feel: Tweak your desktop icons, change its sizes, add coloured backgrounds, change font size, color, etc!
• New fast presets mode: Quickly change the whole desktop configuration by 1 click!
• Editable desktop icons for applications, shortcuts and folders!
• Lots of code improvements
• More, more more to come!!
Advantages
• Very adaptable
• More icons fit onto homescreen
• Use standard settings if you don’t feel like experimenting
• Icons and text size can be altered
• Effective Hidden Dock Bar
• Can be completely individualized to suit your needs
Drawbacks
• Personalized presets not possible
• English only
Bottom line:
Presets are ideal for Android users who don’t feel like racking their brains to come up with own ideas but do enjoy fun gimmicks. Unfortunately, it isn’t – yet – possible to create your own presets. In short: ADWLauncher EX provides almost all the functions that other launchers come with, as well as a few that no one else has got. We recommend it!
Screen & Controls
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You’re the master of the homescreen! You can make almost any adaption, depending on your preferences. One of the app’s highlights is all the nice animations between the screens. Hats off to the developers!
ADWLauncher EX is also Full Themeable which means that you can pick out of more than 400 themes in the Market in order to change icons and backgrounds. The selection ranges from iPhone themes, Ubuntu, and themes which ADW community members have come up with. Sense themes are also available.
Controls are a dream: swyping, scrolling, and gestures—what more could you ask for?
Speed & Stability
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ADWLauncher EX’s performance is excellent. We were especially impressed by the app’s speed and smoothness.
Price/Performance Ratio
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ADWLauncher EX can be downloaded for € 2,50 in the App Center or Android Market.
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All Test Reports
- Applications (588)
- Games (391)
Jun 11, 2011 7:54:39 AM
everytime i have an app open and hit the home key it doesnt bring up fc it just reboots. please fix this its horrible right now.
Jan 14, 2011 4:52:23 PM
I thought about getting the free version of ADW, but there are rumors going around within the Nexus S community that some apps (like ADW) might be causing instability issues on the latest Gingerbread build.
I haven't gotten the issues yet, so I'll be staying away from home replacements in general until we get some clarifications on what is causing the issues in Gingerbread.
Market Comments
A Google User, May 12, 2013
Ok Nothing special. Heavy on gimmicky eye candy, light on actually useful features. I switched to Nova.
A Google User, May 12, 2013
Terrific touch wiz replacement! Maybe I'm missing it, but it's there a way to title a folder? Only thing I've found that it lacks. Otherwise it's perfect!
A Google User, May 12, 2013
ADW Launchwr System Security doesn't work on Settings I am using Samsung Note where the Settings shortcut can be found via the pulldown menu. Problem is after I set security PIN for Settings app, I still can open the Settings via pull down menu.
A Google User, May 11, 2013
Still no Scatter transition! Dock flickering and garbage video with Jelly Bean 4.2, can workaround by turning off sick icon tint. Dock Icon Scale sliders only provide 10% increments, should be 1% instead.
A Google User, May 11, 2013
Love It, But... Could We Please Get The Option To Hide Apps In The App Drawer? That's All This Needs To Be Perfect.
A Google User, May 11, 2013
업데이트 이후 애니메이션이 많아졌는데 무겁고 끊기는 느낌이 들어서 전부 해제하고 쓰니 빠릿하게 잘 돌아갑니다 구관이 명관이라고 여전히 진저브레드에서는 쓸만합니다
A Google User, May 11, 2013
Love it I've been using ADW EX since I got my first Android phone 2 years ago. It's got an astounding range of animations and settings just it off the box. There's a TON of icons and dock themes available on the market. However as of the recent updates I can't figure out how to use my dock packs. When I select them in the themes menu I can't figure out how to select a specific dock, it just uses the default dock of the pack. Really frustrating :/
A Google User, May 10, 2013
One more thing Use to have go launcher. Wanted to try something else, this is a great...but one thing is missing that go launcher did have, the ability to change your font. This is the one thing I'm most disappointed about. Add that ability, and would be the best.
A Google User, May 9, 2013
Continually Crashes w/4.1.2 Could not get app to work with 4.1.2 update on my Samsung Galaxy S2. Weeks of repeated requests to ADW developer for a fix/update were ignored. Switched to Apex Launcher Pro and I'm glad I did.
A Google User, May 8, 2013
Best Launcher EVER! I first bought the app when I had my captivate and now I use it on my GS3. I Love the customization and the dozens of themes people have made for it.
A Google User, May 8, 2013
Sluggish I really like the customization. But, all the transitions and effects are arduously slow and choppy compared to other launchers I have tried. I don't know if it's just my phone or what, but other launchers don't have this problem for me. I'd really love this launcher if it weren't for that.
A Google User, May 8, 2013
Long time coming my icons keep on disappearing from the dock. Great update thanks
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