1. Google Now Launcher
Upgrade the launcher on your device to make Google Now one swipe away. From your primary home screen, swipe right to access Google Now cards that give you just the right information, at just the right time.
Available on all devices with Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) or later.
Key Features:
- Google Now on your home screen - it's easier than ever to get just the right information at just the right time.
- Just say "Ok Google" - when you're on your home screen, just say "Ok Google" to trigger voice input. Then say your search query. Or tell your phone what to do, like send a text message, get directions, or play a song.
- Faster search - tap the search box and you can enter your query immediately.
- Easy access to your favorite Google products and services, like Gmail, YouTube, and Maps.
- Larger viewing area - the status and navigation bars are now translucent, so your wallpaper pops from every pixel, and is even visible when you expand your apps drawer (when supported by device).
- Intuitive wallpaper picker - select any image that's stored on your device, or in the cloud. Position and preview your wallpaper before you set it.
2. Yahoo Aviate Launcher
Yahoo Aviate is the launcher that will take your phone to the next level. Gone are the days of a cluttered and boring stock Android phone. Yahoo Aviate automatically organizes your apps and shows you the information you need, at the moment it’s useful. Your apps and info, now with Wow!
Aviate is not only gorgeous to interact with, but smart too! Aviate will let you know traffic conditions during your morning commute; intelligent calendar features at work; music apps and widgets when you plug in your headphones - plus your most-used apps are on your center screen so you never have to hunt for them again!
Download Aviate and see how much simpler, smarter and "beautiful-er" your phone can be!
Key Features:
- Clutter-free, easy-to-navigate screens make every interaction faster and more efficient.
- See different apps based on your current context and time of day.
- Choose from hundreds of unique wallpapers to make your phone a fashion statement.
- Apps get organized by function; you decide which ones you see.
- Swipe up instead of digging through your contacts.
- Your homescreen will look and feel very different, but stick with it for a few days and Aviate will feel like home in no time.
3. Apex Launcher
Apex Launcher helps you create a customized homescreen experience on your Android (4.0+) device.
"Fantastic app that has the potential to give your phone a complete makeover. I highly recommend it." - MakeUseOf
"Even after a lot of customization, Apex Launcher feels super fast." - Pocket Now
"We must say it is as smooth as butter." - Droid Life
Five Best Android Launchers - Lifehacker
The 25 Tastiest Apps for Ice Cream Sandwich - PCMag
Must-have apps for the Nexus 7 - ZDNet
Key Features:
- Customizable homescreen grid size and up to 9 homescreens
- Scrollable dock with up to 7 icons per page and up to 5 pages
- Infinite & elastic scrolling (homescreen, drawer and dock)
- Fancy transition effects (tablet, cube, etc.)
- Hide elements as you want (persistent search bar, status bar, or even the dock)
- Customizable icons and labels for shortcuts and folders
- Choose different folder preview styles and background
- Multiple drawer styles (transparent/opaque, horizontal/vertical, paginated/continuous)
- Drawer apps sorting (title, install date, mostly used)
- Hide apps from the drawer
- Lock your desktop to prevent accidental changes
- Enjoy homescreen gestures (pinch, swipe up/down, double tap)
- Advanced theme engine (icon packs, skins, etc.)
- Backup/restore settings and data
- Optimized for both phones and tablets
- Lots of other customization options!
4. ZERO Launcher
ZERO Launcher, the smallest, fastest, perfect launcher!
Small 3D engine with unparalleled 3D effects
Fast speed with 0.2 seconds to launch
Rich FREE premium launcher themes and launcher wallpapers
Key Features:
- Speed up games and apps, clean-up memory (RAM) and boost device automatically.
- Fast locate an app in fewest touches.
- Choose countless beautiful themes from this theme store to decorate your phone.
- Animal wallpapers, cartoon wallpapers, game wallpapers, and much more.
- Quickly lock phone in a single touch. Save power and buttons. Support unique theme as well.
- Screen effects, redesigned icons, Free themes, easy management and control to your phone.
5. NOVA Launcher
Accept no substitutes! Nova Launcher is the original and most polished customizable launcher for modern Android
Nova Launcher replaces your home screen with one you control and can customize. Change icon themes, colors, layouts, animations and more.
Key Features:
- Use Google Search's hotword right from the home screen, just say the words Ok, Google.
- Set the highlight accent color for the launcher
- Find thousands of icon themes for Nova Launcher on the Play Store
- Much greater control than standard launchers, Nova Launcher allows you to snap icons or widgets half way through the desktop grid cells
- Custom tabs, Vertical or Horizontal scrolling, Custom effects
- Never far from your favorite page, loop through the desktop or drawer continously
- Sophisticated backup/restore system allowing you to backup your desktop layout and launcher settings
- Create multiple docks and scroll between them
- Place any widget in your dock, such as a 4x1 music player widget
- No need to rebuild your desktop from scratch, Nova Launcher can import from most popular launchers. Including the one that came with your phone.
- Nova Launcher is highly optimized to do it's work quickly and quietly, keeping the animations smooth and letting you use your phone as fast as you can move your fingers.
*All descriptions and key features are taken from their official page.
