The Android Realm App Review Epic Launcher

Since Android 2.2, Android users have had custom launchers to extend the functionality of what the stock (or skinned UIs) have provided. For Android 2, ADW and Go Launchers were among the popular launchers to customize the home screen count, adjust the drawer and homescreen grid and change the number of docks and dock icons. In Android 4, we have launchers like Nova and Apex. While Android 5 has just release, developer Nikao has brought Epic Launcher to extend the features and functionality of the Google Now Launcher.

To start, the layout and featureset is similar to the stock Google Now launcher with a couple of homescreens, dock and the ability to swype right to get to Google Now. Removing icons from homescreens will automatically remove them once there are no more shortcuts and add homescreens when icons and widgets are added. This is where Epic Launcher starts acting like ADW, Nova and other launchers.

Homescreen
The homescreen grid can be customized so more columns and rows can be added to fit more widgets and icons as needed. Other options like margin size, scroll effect and labels can also be adjusted. The search bar that is on by default can also be turned off if desired.

App Drawer
The app drawer settings for Epic Launcher has the usual options including vertical or horizontal app drawer, customizable transparency and customizable portrait and landscape grid. Other options included are label option and app drawer opening animation (i.e. up and down, fly, fade, none). 

Dock / Folders / Look & Feel
Standard dock customizations are included as well. These include the number of docks, number of dock icons, the ability to turn th edock on/off and adjusting the icon scale. Folder types can also be adjusted much like Nova where line, fan, and grid are available. The launcher also supports standard icon packs and is expanding support regularly so custom icons can be set if desired.

Summary
The long and short of Epic Launcher is that it is worth checking out as it is built on the Google Now Launcher and continues in the tradition of the launchers released before it for prior Android versions.

Direct Video Link

Google Play - $Free

The Android Realm App Review - EverythingMe Launcher

Getting new content without moving away from the stock Android experience has generally been a difficult process. While launchers solve the homescreen solution for organizing apps with apps and widgets helping with content, merging the two is always difficult. EverythingMe solves this by providing the context right from your homescreen. 

After installation, a brief walkthrough shows the features it adds to a stock Android launcher experience. The feature brought forward from other launchers is to customize the number of homescreens but here is where this launcher parts ways. The folder system is an enhanced to be more than just groups of apps. Dragging two apps together will create a group of similar apps installed and recommended website and other apps. For example, creating a folder with Pandora and Pocket Casts will add other apps like Google Play Music and Shazaam with links to sites like SoundCloud and Lyrics.com.

On the homescreen itself is a permanent clock widget which links to the clock and switches to recently opened apps and a link to a feature called 'My Day' which provides weather at the right time along with upcoming events and applicable services the user may need throughut the day.

The final feature is the 'Find' search bar which searches the user's device for content and apps along with doing a web search for new content matching the search term. Voice search is included if the user wants prefers that method of searching.

Overall launcher performance is very snappy, even with background folder images changing by content type. The only feature "missing" is the ability to customize the size of the homescreen as by default the homescreen grid is set to 4x3 (or 4x4 without the Find bar). Otherwise, this launcher shows lots of promise in content discovery right on the Android homescreen(s).

Google Play - $Free

(Requires Android 4.0+)

The Android Realm Quick Tip Using IFTTT on Android

Do you wish there was an mobile solution to help manage your IFTTT recipes? Want to keep track of your recipes from your Android device like iOS? Using the IFTTT mobile site with Google Chrome can help!

• Creating the shortcut
  • Install Chrome for Android
  • Visit IFTTT
  • Click on the 3-dot menu and select 'Add to homescreen' (The logo should automatically set)
• Using the service
  • Log in using account info (save if desired)
  • View/Edit/Share existing recipes
  • Create new recipes
  • Access account info, dashboard, etc.