Apex Launcher, one of the most popular apps on Android, received a major update this afternoon to version 2.0. In the update for the free version, users will see options to tweak vibration durations, an improved wallpaper picker, a re-organized settings menu, updated translations, and various fixes and other improvements. If you own the Pro version ($3.99), you’ll have access to folders in the app drawer, integration with Apex Notifier, and style options for notification badges. Again, it’s a solid update for one of the top launchers in the game. 

Today, Apex Launcher got a very nice update, merging changes from Android 4.2 and a ton of other goodies. Some of the highlights are re-sizeable icons, improved theme support, new Apex actions, and a fix for some TouchWiz widget issues. To check the full changelog, see below. 

Today, a new 3rd party launcher called Action Launcher is making the rounds. It’s from the creator of Tweet Lanes, one of the more popular Twitter apps available. This new launcher runs $4 in Google Play, a price similar to Nova Prime or Apex, only it has about a tenth of the features. Now, that may not be a bad thing for those looking to dive into an ultra minimal and fast launcher. Let’s talk about it.

For anyone that uses the Apex or Nova third party launchers, you can go pick up their updates in Google Play this morning. For Nova, there are a ton of fixes and it also adds in some Jelly Bean goodies and “Project Butter” improvements. As for Apex, it’s pretty much the same. Lots of fixes, Jelly Bean improvements, but it also adds the ability to force the tablet UI on your homescreens.

As a note, there are reports that the Apex Launcher update has something wrong with it and is force closing a lot. You can rest assured that the developer is working on a fix and will release an update as soon as humanly possible.

Nova Launcher | Apex Launcher 

Cheers Joseph!

Apex Launcher lovers can pick up the newest beta build that was released yesterday. Inside is a load of new stuff and the entire app has been rebuilt on top of the Jelly Bean base code. You will notice speed increases across the launcher and many other features that JB brought like widgets auto-moving when placing them on homescreens and auto-resizing when there’s no more space available. You can take a peak at the full changelog down below. 

Back in the Gingerbread (and even Froyo) days, there was this original battle between top launchers that we followed ever so closely. For a lengthy period of time, you were either a LauncherPro guy or an ADW EX guy. Both were amazing launchers, but you couldn’t deny that each had their die-hard base of users. After a while, we saw new players enter the market such as GO Launcher and a few others, but for the most part, those two dominated the field. Now with Ice Cream Sandwich, we are seeing a similar battle play out in front of our eyes. You are either a Nova Launcher user or an Apex Launcher user. For fans of Apex, today is a great day as the “Pro” version has been released to the market Google Play Store.

Almost 2 weeks ago, the newest beta of Apex was released and included many of the features that would become exclusive to the pro version. So if your beta expired (and it should have), your best chance to keep current is going to be through this new release. At $3.99, it’s not cheap, but it’s also not expensive. Devs who do this high quality of work need to be rewarded. 

Last week, a new beta version of Apex launcher was posted on the XDA forums that shows off what features we have to look forward to in the pro version of the launcher. The beta will expire on April 20, so try and get some good use in before time runs out. Inside the new beta is a gang of new features. In fact, there are so many features, we’re going to copy and paste the changelog right here:

Note: You may request a free evaluation license from the settings.

• Added pinch in gesture option
• Added launch shortcut option for gestures
• Added vertical dock margin option
• Multiple configurable drawer tabs (pro)
• Unread count notifications (pro)
• Dock swipe gestures (pro)
• Two finger gestures (pro)
• More transition effects for homescreen and drawer (pro)
• Batch add option for folders (pro)
• Option to merge folder contents (pro)
• Widgets in dock (pro)
• Overlapping widgets (pro)
• Some bugfixes

If you want to give the new version a go, just download and install as you would any other 3rd-party application. After our initial use, we must say it is as smooth as butter. And with the added swiping abilities, it has become our new favorite launcher. That is, until the next best launcher comes out.

Download: Apex Launcher Beta

Cheers Soapinmouth!

We just wrote up an article on Apex Launcher’s awesomeness, and now it can be downloaded straight from Google Play. Folks who are already in love with our other favorite launcher, Nova, may find that Apex has a few features more than its competition. But when it comes down to it, which launcher you choose is all based on preference and there is no wrong choice.

Market Link 

Cheers Matt!