Best 5 Android launchers – 2014 Edition

Nova Launcher(Free/Paid)

Nova launcher is the first one I am going to write about. Most of the polls from internet show this one is easily one of the most popular launchers. Nova launcher is popular for its simplicity and its ease of use. There are no complicated feature whatsoever in Nova. But want to know why I included Nova in the list, read on.

Nova is a performance driven and bug free launcher which works flawlessly even if you have a lot of opened apps at any given moment. The major features include availability if different themes, transparent notification bar, availability of icon themes, support for Go Launcher/ADW Launcher icon themes, customizable app drawer, folders, availability of folder icons, widget overlapping feature etc. Some of the features are available only in the paid version of the app. But you won’t be missing out much even if you’re using the free version.

Would like to know more? Why don’t you give it a try and see if this is a launcher which suits you?

Aviate Launcher – Currently in Beta

This is the launcher I am currently using for my Android device. The launcher is pretty awesome and will give you a whole different experience on your Android device. If it makes you feel any better, this launcher was recently acquired by YAHOO!.  This app changes your device throughout the day. Here is how the developers put it.

Aviate automatically categorizes all of your apps, and intelligently rearranges your homescreen throughout the day to dynamically give you the apps and information you need most, at precisely the moment you need it.

Aviate is an intelligent homescreen that simplifies your phone and surfaces information at the moment it’s useful.

Now when coming to the features, the launcher has mainly three screens, one the home screen, then the collections screen and then the A-Z list of apps. The home screen will let you add any widgets or apps which you might find important. The collections screen is responsible for categorizing the apps to different sections so that you don’t have do it manually. But if you see some apps categorized in the wrong way you’ll be able to re arrange it manually.

Here are the major features as described by Aviate which in my opinion works flawlessly.

• Wake up, and Aviate automatically brings you weather and your meetings for the day
• When you’re at work, have all the apps you need to get your job done ready to go
• When driving, Aviate automatically gives you traffic and directions home
• Out to dinner, Aviate automatically shows you photos, tips and reviews for your favorite restaurant.
• When plugging in your headphones, Aviate shows you music apps with relevant information about the artist/band you’re listening to, including recent Tweets, upcoming concerts, and bios.
• Update: Supports custom icon packs

Come on, try it and let us know what do you think about it. But before trying it out, please keep in mind that this app is currently in beta which means it might have some unresolved bugs and non perfect features. Also you would need an Aviate invitation code before you can start using this app.

Smart Launcher 2(Free/Paid)

This is another of those immensely popular launchers. Smart Launcher is being used by over 6 millions of Android users and has an overall rating of 4.5 stars. Now I know this is not enough for most people. So let’s dive into the details and features. The new trend is minimalistic and flat. And just like Nova launcher this one too offers a very minimalistic interface and uses very low resources. The PRO version of the app has some additional features which the free version doesn’t have.  These features include a secondary screen where you will be able to place widgets and include a lock screen as well. Another difference is in the number of transitions and colours available for the home screen customization.

If you’re new into android launchers, then you have to know that being minimalistic doesn’t mean it has fewer features. It has a lot of awesome features of which I have given a few below.

- Drawer organized by categories
- Ready to use without further configurations.
- Customizable lock screen.
- Full support for API 4.4 (transparent system bars)
- Live Wallpaper Support.
- It supports every screen and device (Google TV too!!)
- Widget support (PRO version only).
- Support of set of icons for ADW Launcher, Apex Launcher, Nova Launcher and Launcher Pro.
- Possibility to change a single icon in the drawer.
- You can hide every app you want by long pressing an app, then select menu → Hide.
- Quick search.
- Dozens and dozens of global themes, which will allow you to change all elements of the interface.
- Easy access to apps info.
- Designed to be used comfortably also in landscape mode.
- Option to hide the statusbar.

Bazooka Launcher

This is another innovative launcher which has been around for quite some time now. Although this launcher doesn’t have frequent updates and fans, I must say this launcher is fun to use. It takes the whole android experience to a new level. Like the other launchers in this list, this one too is very light on the smartphone. It is light weight and blazing fast. It comes with the feature to download and install themes, support for gestures for opening up different regularly used apps. You can set select the many available home screens or lock screen in Bazooka as well.

Another interesting point to note is that it uses the extended version of Trebuchet – the much loved home app from CyanogenMod. The extended version means Bazooka is utilizing proprietary interface tweaks to make it faster, easier and more stable!

Buzz Launcher

Unlike many other android launchers, Buzz launcher doesn’t come with a proprietary Android look. It has a unique look which again can be customized as you like it. Moreover you can simply choose to use a custom home screen or themes which is created and shared by other Buzz users by installing it on your smartphone. That way you don’t have to use your imagination to create a stunning home screen. Below are some of the key features of Buzz Launcher.

• Select different wallpaper images for each screen
• Edit and resize icons on your own. Transparent icons are also supported (Theme icon pack is to be supported)
• Designate different grids for each screen (up to 12×12)
• Create folders in app drawers/Homescreen, modify folder images, and resize folders
• Features for viewing most frequently used apps, recently installed apps, and hiding apps
• Glide up, Glide down, Double-tap and more.
• Very simple – Homescreens downloaded and implemented within 5 seconds

source : http://www.technewscentral.co.uk/best-5-android-launchers-2014-edition/id_8700