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Launcher 7

Launcher 7 - Android is more universal than ever!

by Jay O. on Apr 10, 2011 11:55:35 PM — read 4,271 times

TAGS: Apps, Windows Phone 7,

Tested version: 1.0.0.66
Latest version: 1.1.13.2.free
Requires Android: from 2.1

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Summary

I think everyone will agree that the really exciting thing about Android is that you can basically reconfigure anything and everything. It all started with launchers that upped the ante on the ‘standard’ launcher. A few iOS clones are presently floating around out there, and a few good Windows Phone 7 launchers are also available on the market.


Launcher 7 has received a lot of good press; it combines the strong points of both Windows Phone 7 and Android.


I’m drawn to WP7-UI because it’s quite basic and simple, making it especially attractive for smartphone newbies.


Read today’s review to find out more.
 

Features & Use

Section rating:

Test device: Nexus One
Android-Version: Android 2.3.3
Mods: Root


Launcher 7’s UI is as minimalistic as the Windows Phone 7 UI.
The difference between the two is that the launcher combines the Windows Phone 7 homescreen with settings options and options to make changes to widgets and tiles.


The launcher looks relatively bare upon first installation. All of your installed apps can be displayed by swiping right to left, or else by tapping on the arrow on the right. There’s an option that allows you to select apps as new tiles from you app list. In order to do so, long press on an app until a menu pops up; set the new tile’s name, size and extra functions here.


The extra functions are:


• Icon (only applicable to 1x1 tiles)
• Missed calls tracker
• Unread SMS tracker
• Gmail tracker
• Contacts Tile (also available as 2x1 Version)
• 2x1 Tile without bar


The extra functions (save the last one) are known as ‘live tile’ in Windows Phone 7. Widgets can also be used for tiles! This option is especially useful if you’re using “Beautiful Widgets” and want to check out what the weather will be like on a given day (see screenshot).
However, the widget/tile concept didn’t always work out during the testing phase. When dealing with larger widgets it’s wise to go for a 2x1 tile.


I was happy to see that widgets can also be integrated, meaning that a widgets function can be activated by tapping on the tile.


If you’re looking to get Launcher 7 to resemble WP7 even more, activate the WP7 status bar in the settings. The status bar works very similarly to the original, surprisingly. Unfortunately, it doesn’t display app infos; apparently this isn’t (yet?) possible due to technical reasons. To make up for it, it does display how much battery juice is left in percentage.


Background colours or pictures can also be changed via the settings. The tile colours can also be altered.


If you’re in to the ‘bounce’ effect, activate ‘feathered scrolling’. Autocrat can also be activated, and animations can be switched on/off.


In a nutshell: almost the entire launcher can be adjusted to suit your personal preferences. If you’re not too keen on the WP7 app list switch to the Android version in which apps are displayed in a raster.


…And that’s how we combine the Wp7 style with Android!


There is an ad banner at the bottom of the app list, but this didn’t strike me as being much of nuisance.


Bottom line:

Launcher 7 imitates Windows Phone 7 to a T; it does exactly what you would hope and expect it to do.
 

Screen & Controls

Section rating:

Launcher 7’s controls are simple and intuitive. Visually, the launcher’s design is chic and comes with very nice animations for when you start up the app. The status bar is also well designed and works much in the same way as the Windows Phone 7 one.
Very well done!
 

Speed & Stability

Section rating:

Launcher 7 runs really well, as one might expect considering the app’s minimalism. It didn’t crash during the testing phase.

Price/Performance Ratio

Section rating:

Launcher 7 can be downloaded for free from our App Center. If you’re really bothered by the ads you can pay EUR0,99 to be rid of them—seems like a fair price.

Comparable Apps

Metro UI Lite

Metro UI Pro

Windows Phone Android Lite

Windows Phone Android

Report comparable or similar apps

Reviews of this app in other languages

Review "Launcher 7" from Jan 4, 2012 (Portuguese)

Review "Launcher 7" from Dec 31, 2011 (Spanish)

Review "Launcher 7" from Apr 10, 2011 (German)

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noles33
Apr 12, 2011 4:33:56 AM

I like the way it works and looks, runs real smooth. However the music tile doesn't work and deleting it, and redoing the tile doesn't look as good as the one that comes on Launcher 7 ( the headset picture) hopefully it will get fixed aside from that 5 stars

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Market Comments

ajinkya, Apr 25, 2012
Sorry for last comment Last comment was stupid about landscape support,it totally does and its the beat launcher available
Cristian, Apr 25, 2012
Launcher7 Works Great !(:
Kelly, Apr 25, 2012
Best Best app ever! Fast & sleek! how do u get the windows theme for the music player?
kami, Apr 25, 2012
Kami Gd but not fully customizable
Caten, Apr 25, 2012
Awesome Thinking of buying the "donate" version... but how do I create a folder in the free version? Is it only available on the paid version?
John, Apr 25, 2012
Amazing Best blade launcher
Keshaun, Apr 25, 2012
Great! I got tired of my home screen, this is alot better! No bs, DOWNLOAD THIS! ^.^ wont regret
NN, Apr 24, 2012
More bitmap icons for tiles, please! ...
darrellcampbell, Apr 24, 2012
The best launcher bar none... brilliant! The dev has produced a very slick and polished launcher which (with a bit of tinkering) enables you to create easily the best UI available for android. Animated picture hub, contact and folder tiles are ace. Really high quality 5* work from the dev... allows you to recreate the look and feel of WP7... only better because you have the freedom and flexibility of android! :)
Jaskaran, Apr 24, 2012
Great! Love the animations
sai, Apr 24, 2012
good and nice nice app
Cj, Apr 24, 2012
Good Make the performance a little faster.
jonathan, Apr 24, 2012
Awsome Best android windows phone 7 launcher in market!
Sushant, Apr 24, 2012
Amazing launcher Best windows phone 7 launcher
Jacob, Apr 24, 2012
Needs improvement on the wp7 status bar. When I set it to the wp7 white status bar if I have my phone on vibrate it doesnt show the vibrate icon on the status bar. It would really help to know if I ever forget to put it on vibrate I wouldnt know if its on it or not because it doesnt show up on the status bar. Overall its an awesome apo but im not going to rate 5 stars until thats fixed.
kareem, Apr 23, 2012
good crashes sometimes but it is very Customizbale
JKY, Apr 23, 2012
... Amazing launcher....great ui...nice choice to make some change different from usual android ui....best when used with statusbar+ app...
Mayank, Apr 23, 2012
nice
Malar, Apr 23, 2012
Excellent launcher Plz Improve the settings ui
Milly, Apr 23, 2012
Awesome app but... seems to crash not a big deal but it lags up my phone for about 3 mins... thats if i dont restart... will be trying it again very soon!! So simple and exactly what ive been looking for!!!
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