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ADW Launcher for Android returns from the dead, announces complete revamp

By on November 1, 2012 at 1:31pm in Mobile News

ADW Launcher, and its paid, more feature-filled brother, ADW EX, had its moment in the sun last year, but quickly faded in popularity and user base when Ice Cream Sandwich was released. Other custom launchers like Nova and Apex were based on the ICS source code and were not only faster but more flexible. Still, ADW has maintained a huge customer base for legacy devices, compatible with Android versions all the way back to 1.6 Donut.

Now the team has launched a brand new version, and it is amazing. Not only is the new ADW insanely fast, but it brings many of the Jelly Bean launcher improvements to devices running much older versions of Android. The new home screen, while resembling pieces of its previous lineage, looks little like the ADW we knew. It’s smooth as butter, especially on devices running ICS or above. The app is still compatible with the thousands of themes created for previous versions of ADW, and there are so many ways to customize the look, everyone will have a completely different-looking Android home screen by the end of the set up.

Speaking of set up, ADW briefs all new users with a thorough tutorial: gestures, ActionBar tweaks, flick icons off screen to remove — they’re all there.

While the free version provides most basic functionality, ADW EX, which sells for $3, give you 10 app drawer styles and a number of extras.

Download ADW Launcher or buy ADW EX Launcher for Android.

Discussion

25 comments for “ADW Launcher for Android returns from the dead, announces complete revamp”

  • tenk

    Compared to how it was before I admit its just pure awsomeness… But to be honest I dont feel anymore any difference between apex, nova and now adw. Its just my point of view

  • Nib

    I used to use this on my old moto Droid. Great app!

  • Tom

    Do these launchers sync between devices? It would be nice, when I switch phones, to not have to set up my desktop all over again. Google now automatically re-installs all my apps, but they don’t do anything about the desktop.

    • J

      They do not sync, but there is a backup feature that allows you to restore everything the way it was, minus widgets.

  • Mike Hawk

    “It’s smooth-as-butter, especially on newer devices running ICS or above.”

    You mean… It’s smooth as butter, especially on newer devices with significantly faster hardware.

    Ugh. Sometimes this site.

    • Daniel Bader

      Thank you, that’s so much clearer! You’re hired.

    • mylivespot

      Sorry Daniel, you caught me when I was perhaps not in the best of moods. Though, I think my point has some validity.

    • Daniel Bader

      It’s all good. The “smooth-as-butter” fragment was the remnant of a previous sentence, since updated. My apologies for the sarcasm.

  • ifoneyou

    Too little too late.

    Also, I implore any of you to NEVER support LauncherPRO from Fede. Do not support a developer who gives NO support whatsoever.

    This is a fair warning to all of you thinking of 3rd party launchers. DO NOT SUPPORT LAUNCHERPRO from the developer FEDE.

    • also

      To make your voice heard, go to Google Play on your Android device, search for LauncherPro, scroll down to the very bottom and press on “Flag as inappropriate” > “Other Objection” > and say that it’s Abadoned and developer refuse to support paying customers.

      Hopefully enough people do this so we can get this app and developer off the market.

  • ab

    I have used a few launchers now. I will give this a try.

    Can anyone tell me how to get the text clock style featured above?

    • abc123

      minimalist text google play store

  • Android lover

    I knew something was different when I bought the adw ex, my poor lg p999, forgotten by his father and creator lg, had no other choice than adw for some ics-jelly bean like style. With the new icon background, this is the sh…t. Gotta love it!

  • drone

    Visitors are your customers Daniel. Try to not be a d*ck to them — even if they themselves are acting like one.

  • RyanOver

    just did the upgrade on my HTC Incredible S… I can confirm it is fast and smooth… HTC Sense 3.6 was pretty slow on my phone(yes I’m rooted)

  • John

    Nova Launcher Prime works good enough for me.

  • Cancuckle215

    I remember buying ADW EX back in the day. It was decent and didn’t crash on the old SGS. But once the updates stopped coming…yeah…gave it up.

    Then Nova Launcher came along…great to see it.

    I’ll give ADW a try again. Anything is still far better than that atrocious TouchWiz.

  • MattyMattMatt

    I like Holo Launcher as I can force it to stay in memory, even on my aging Galaxy S.

  • dezzo

    Whenever I see a discussion about Android launchers, I never see GO Launcher mentioned. Doesn’t anyone use it?

    • shark

      yeah i was thinking the same thing…not even mentioned and its free and most important to me…it does not require rooting. unless i am mistaken the subject of this articl adw and most require rooting. since i am under warranty and dont want that screwed with…nor do i really feel i have enough knowledge in event of screw ups…i need a non rooted optional customization.
      i honestly love go launcher ex and love how i have customized it and would find it hard to go to something else now that i am so used to it. works so well on my gs2 that i have no desire to use stock touch wiz or any other launcher.

  • Matty

    Installed ADW launcher on my LG Optimus 2X. I was thinking of buying a Nexus 4 but now… hmm. This literally is smooth as butter. I may not need a new phone. I almost had my jaw drop when I scrolled through the app drawer. These people are geniuses!

  • Dr. Lizardo

    You the man, Dan!

  • Jack

    I am not able to remove the google search bar that is on top of the screen and I can no longer change icons in the free version. Anyone know how to do this?

  • joe

    What theme is being used in the screenshot?

  • abc123

    I’ve been a long time user of ADW Launcher. Didn’t matter to me that there were no updates because it did everything I needed it to do. But I’m glad to see a new version and IMO, it’s way better than the old.