Launchers 101

My subject this week is launchers. For the ones who are not familiar with the term, the launcher is the "overlay" that runs your smartphones Android OS. Every manufacturer has there own UI or launcher. HTC has Sense (which is considered by many to be the best stock UI available), Samsung has TouchWiz (which is considered by many to be a POS, but TW 4 is much improved). Now on to the aftermarket launchers, some of the best known are ADW Launcher, LauncherPro, GO Launcher EX, and now the new kids on the block TSF Shell launcher. The TSF shell launcher is the newest and coolest 3D launcher around, and allows for a lot of customization, but it is rather pricey at $17! If you want the latest and coolest and can drop the money it is a fun launcher! 

  I have used LauncherPro and while it is a good launcher it just didn't measure up to my expectations and ran very slow and jerky on my USCC HTC Desire. 

  I have tried the TSF shell launcher and while it is cool and I really like the animations, transitions, and widgets, these niceties come at a price in battery life my Samsung Galaxy SII from US Cellular, and on my WIFI Samsung Galaxy Tablet. I will try to give a more detailed review of this launcher at a later date.

  My personal launcher of choice is GO Launcher, when coupled with plethora of "GO" products in the new Google Play Store you can customize your phone in almost any way you can think of. I change the theme, background, number of screens, homescreen (the screen I need that day) almost daily! The possibilities are limitless, so go to your local US Cellular location, get your new Android powered smartphone and start making it yours!!!

  

  Message me on Facebook or email me at jblount51@gmail.com if I can help or answer any questions you may have.

John

Official USCC Customer Crew