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ADWLauncher EX – High Performance
Tested version: 1.3.3.56
Latest version: 1.3.3.8
Requires Android: from 1.6
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Summary
Android, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways... Okay, without wanting to go too Shakespearean on you, we here at AndroidPIT are all obviously Android enthusiasts, and the fact that the Android interface can be customised to suit an individual's preferences – even for devices that haven't been rooted – has a lot to do with this. This is where launchers come in to play; today let's take a closer look at ADWLauncher EX.
Features & Use
Section rating:
Test device: Samsung Galaxy Note
Android version: 2.3.6
Root: None
I've been using ADWLauncher EX on and off for just over a year or so and although I often stray and try out other launchers for the sake of keeping up to speed with what's new out there, I always come back to ADW, which says a lot about the app's performance level. There are a few tiny drawbacks which I will go into later on, but on the whole this is pretty much the best launcher I'm familiar with.
The Market description gives a brief overview of what the app has to offer:
- 5 different app drawer styles (two vertical, two horizontal and a 3D app drawer similiar to the Nexus One)
- Different desktop transitions
- Lots of configurations options for icons: 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 with one click
- Editable desktop icons for applications, short cuts and folders
- Lots of themes
And that's just the tip of the iceberg—there are tons more features and options.
The first step is to download the launcher and then begin configuring your interface. To do so, hit the app's main menu where you will find the following options:
- Presets: regarding ADWLauncher EX's appearance; includes the iPhone look and the Nexus look. You can also create your own preset.
- UI: edit/change different interface elements such as icons, the main dock, app drawer, desktop files settings...
- General behaviour: you will find a host of effects and animations here, including an animated app list, speed of desktop scrolling, etc. Set or edit gestures, change menus or font size.
- Themes: there are lots of themes to choose from so knock yourself out!
- Backup/restore: save and restore personal settings as well the homescreen settings.
It goes without saying that there is a considerable amount of options to play around with, but that is to be expected from this type of app. There are so many options that I won't bother listing them all, but suffice it to say that there should be something there for everyone. If the ample settings options aren't enough, the numerous themes should help every user come up with something they find appealing. I'm currently loving the Minimalist_Black_ADW Theme. Each theme comes with its own icons that can replace the original icons . The Minimalist theme even has its own AndroidPIT icon—so cute!
The size of the widgets can be adapted to fit a screen, and in the case of ADWLauncher sizing widgets is a more exact science than is the case with other launchers. Here rows and columns are used to size a widget properly. Five columns fit on a Note without problem.
I've tried out several launcher apps including Go Launcher and LauncherPro, and the reason I always come back to ADWLauncher is that it quite simply trumps the others when it comes to performance. Another bonus: the app does not strike me as a battery vampire.
There are a few points that could still be improved:
- It isn't possible to add folders to the app drawer. As an alternative you can set up a catalogue to which you can then assign apps, which is a fine option but I prefer folders.
- The colours of folders deposited on the homescreen can't be altered, which isn't the end of the world, but seeing as my preferred theme is black and the icons are black I can only install colourful icons.
- ADWLauncher doesn't have its own widget, though other types of links are available.
- Not all of the launcher's touchwiz widgets can be used. I would like to try out the calendar widget S Planner by Samsung but it isn't supported. That said, I can't think of any launcher apps that supports all touchwiz widgets.
Bottom line:
There's no doubt that ADWLauncher EX is a very powerful tool harbouring a massive amount of settings options to help transform the Android desktop into a personlised interface. It's very easy to use, it's well set up and it's a high-performance application overall.
Screen & Controls
Section rating:
ADWLauncher EX harbours a lot of features and yet using it feels relatively intuitive, which is quite a feat, dear Mister Developer. As far as graphics go—the app is really so customisable that we recommend you simply play around with it and create something that suits your own style.
Speed & Stability
Section rating:
I have been using various versions of ADWLauncher over the past year or so and can safely say that ADWLauncher EX is very reliable. If your homescreen is jam packed with widgets you may experience the occasional quiver, but that's about it. I'm always especially impressed by the app's speed.
Price/Performance Ratio
Section rating:
Sure, free alternatives to ADWLauncher EX do exist, but as I outlined above I am very impressed by ADWLauncher EX's performance, and this is what makes it stand out from the crowd for me. In other words, I find EUR2,74 to be a perfectly reasonable price for such a high-performance application. As our app of the week ADWLauncher EX is available for only EUR1,09, this week only.
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Market Comments
A Google User, Jun 18, 2013
Not staying as default lancher This home launcher worked great with 4.0.4 icecream sandwich. Since i updated to jellybean 4.1.2 on my galaxy s2 hd lte it does not stay as default home launcher.have to choose it after every start up or reboot.
A Google User, Jun 17, 2013
Doesn't work well at all on my rooted kindle, screen doesn't flip properly and cannot change background
A Google User, Jun 17, 2013
Amazing and then some! I had been using the free version of this since I got my HTC One about a week ago. I really loved it. It was a no brainer to buy this! This is by far, THE BEST launcher you can get! Thank you guys for making my phone my perfect phone! One thing though........ It keeps crashing.. Like, all the time.
A Google User, Jun 16, 2013
AcerA500 & Samsung Galaxy player 3.6 I have to go 5 star because adw launcher has made both of my devices go from plain stock to semi tricked out. My a500 won't ever get official jellybean from Acer, and my Galaxy player is stuck on Gingerbread. This has really kicked Em up a huge step. Haven't run into any trouble so far.
A Google User, Jun 14, 2013
Its ok now was better before Every time you restart your phone you have to select it over Please fix needs a new update
A Google User, Jun 14, 2013
I love it just one thing... When I use folders in my dock, even though I use a custom icon on a disabled folder preview, it shows a rectangular outer highlight when pressed. Just a little thing.. I've had this launcher since gingerbread and I can never change away.
A Google User, Jun 14, 2013
Almost It would be perfect if you changed one thing. Let me lock the desktop and still access the settings. I hate having to unlock desktop just to access settings, then have to relock it, or forget. My screen is too sensitive, & goes crazy in my pocket, so U must lock the desktop.
A Google User, Jun 13, 2013
Love it but.... How do I get the global notifications to work. The box is checked but it doesn't work on GN 2
A Google User, Jun 12, 2013
Oh boy, here we go again... First, I gave it 5 stars that eventually dwindled down to 2 stars. Then came the big update. Back to 5 stars. Now starting to lose stars again. The developer waits to long to update anything. Now the 3d launchers are going free. If you (developer) are reading this, you should incorporate the folder system from Yandex. Also some nice effects like nextlauncher3d would be nice.
A Google User, Jun 10, 2013
What a waste Paid full version but it keeps crashing and slowed my phone tremendously...the free version was better...rip off Will uninstall
A Google User, Jun 10, 2013
Still no Scatter transition! Desktop icons randomly disappear. Dock flickering and garbage video with Jelly Bean 4.2, can workaround by turning off dock icon tint. Dock Icon Scale sliders only provide 10% increments, should be 1% instead.
The Galaxy Note is great, you're quite right, but it isn't mine to keep, just something I use from time to time for reviews.
Congrats! You must have gotten a Galaxy Note. Wonderful device, isn't it?