Android mobile phones stand apart from competitors like iPhones or Windows phones in that they can easily be adjusted to fit the user’s needs.
Most users are unaware of the feature but even a relative layman can change his interface without too much fuss. All it takes is the proper use of tools called widgets and launchers.
“A launcher is like a computer’s desktop, there’s just more of them and you can pick between them with a flick of your thumb,” explains Andreas Seeger of German magazine Androidpit.de. Each launcher can hold different apps and widgets, show a different background or provide an overview of an application.
“Widgets are something like mini-programmes that can be set on Android desktops,” says Seeger. They can show appointments, the weather or information on train connections. They’re convenient because they allow quick access to information without opening an application.
A lot of apps come with widgets: An email app might come with a widget that provides alerts about incoming mail, even when the programme is not running. Many apps and widgets are free: All work best with a launcher.
“The combination of a launcher and a widget is the basis for the complete personalization of an Android interface,” says Seeger.
Of course, all Android smartphones and tablets come pre-installed with a launcher. But if that launcher does not suit because of the way it looks or handles, it can easily be changed.
“Usually, alternative launchers are there to make Android OS radically easier or to allow mobile phone makers to unlock countless hidden features,” says Benjamin Heinfling of German computer magazine Chip.
The number of launchers is countless and they all have distinguishing features. Some of the most popular are Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher, Go Launcher Ex, ADW.Launcher or Buzz Launcher.
A launcher will change a phone’s appearance. The look can further be altered with themes. Go Launcher Ex has its own store for widgets, while SPB Shells 3D gives the phone a 3D design, says Heinfling.
But experts advise sticking to official stores when shopping for launchers, apps and widgets. Otherwise, users run the risk of downloading something harmful.
The extra features can sometimes be too much for users and their phones. There are users who do not want 3D effects and futuristic interfaces.
“Additionally, the launchers take up memory on the smartphone. And there can sometimes be conflicts between applications and widgets, meaning they don’t work like expected,” says Tobias Arns of the German technology industry association Bitkom.
The good news is that launchers can easily be removed and any data they leave behind can be deleted without any problem.
If a user still opts for a downloaded launcher, care needs to be taken that screens do not get filled up with widgets, since that can slow down some systems. Lots of widgets can also run down a battery.
And, for the truly ambitious, there is always the option of creating one’s own widget, though some background in Java and other computer languages is required first.