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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, 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
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.