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. 

What’s in this version:

New permissions are required to import data from other launchers.

• Merged changes from Android 4.2
• Option to change icon size
• New Apex action to expand quick settings
• Import desktop data from other launchers
• Improved theme support
• Added dock swipe gesture on folders (pro)
• Added support for Next Honeycomb LWP
• Fixed shortcut picker for Android 4.2
• Fixed TouchWiz widget issues
• Various bug fixes and optimizations
• Updated translations

If Apex isn’t your thing, then check out Nova Launcher as well.

Play Link

Apex Launcher Receives Hefty Update, Merges Changes From Android 4.2 is a post from: Droid Life

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. 

v1.3.0beta1 (Aug 1, 2012)

Rebuilt based on Android 4.1.1 Launcher, lots of JellyBean goodness:

• When placing widgets on the screen, everything else automatically moves to make room
• When they are too big, widgets resize on their own to fit on the homescreen
• Quickly remove apps/widgets by flinging them to the edge of the homescreen
• Major performance boost for homescreen and drawer
• New app enter/exit animations (JB only)
• Switched to phone layout on 7″ tablets (e.g., Nexus 7)
• Added background for widgets in the drawer
• Fixed icon ordering bug within folders

Other improvements and bugfixes:

• Unlimited drawer tabs and new drawer management UI (pro)
• Improved drawer tab switching for vertical drawers (pro)
• Fixed Play Store widgets on JellyBean
• Fixed paid theme (icon pack) issue on JellyBean
• Lots of other improvements and enhancements
• Updated translations

Download: Apex Beta APK

Via: XDA

Cheers Eric!

Apex Launcher Beta Updated to Jelly Bean Base, Brings the Speed and Customizations is a post from: Droid Life

One of our favorite developers, Fabolous, released his new Apex 1.4.0 for the DROIDX and DROID2 earlier this week and really polished up the look and feel.  He got some help from the Liberty ROM crew to make what was already a good ROM, really great.  You’ll find a new boot animation, toolbox, current versions of all the core apps, and a bunch of fixes.

If you are coming from Apex 1.3 you can probably update straight to this new version, but if you are coming from anything else including Liberty, you’ll need to do a full wipe.  

Download:  DROIDX | DROID2

Changelog:

- New Apex Toolbox (Terminal Based) to customize the ROM to the max
- New Boot Animation (thanks tntdroid!)
- New Background, Ringtone, Notification Tone (change of pace!)
- Taller GB Keyboard, same size as MT Keyboard (thanks kejar31!)
- Removed Data Throttling (thanks droidxchat for an awesome utility!)
- Core Apps all updated to latest versions (Gmail, ADW Launcher, Market, Search, etc.)
- Blacked out Google Talk app (ty kejar31!)
- Fixed Mms.apk w/ Android 2.3.2 routing fixes (won’t send to the wrong person!)
- MusicMod back by default, supports lock screen controls (ty kejar31!)
- FC @ Startup fixed (no more wait, power, reboot cycle!)
- Updated JRummy overclocking script (ty JRummy16!)
- Option to install leaked Motorola “Connected Player” in Toolbox
- Finally updated the Swype theme to “Blackout” (ty javroch!)

Full support can be found at this thread.  DONATE.

ROM: Apex 1.4.0 by Fabolous Released for DROIDX and 2 is a post from: Droid Life

We already gave you a Gingerbread theme for the original Droid, so now it’s time to take care of the Droid X users out there looking for some Android 2.3 loveliness to take them into the weekend.  Fabolous, who’s Apex ROM has always been a top choice, has released version 1.3.0 which is based off of the new 2.3.340 DX update and has pieces of Gingerbread sprinkled all over it.  It’s a mostly-Blurless ROM, but has just enough of the good parts that we love.  Tough to beat this one.

Download:  Apex_1.3.0.zip

Instructions:

*DROID X ONLY

1.  YOU HAVE TO BE RUNNING official 2.2.1 (system 2.3.340) (2.3.320 could work too).
2.  Do I need to say it again?  YOU HAVE TO BE RUNNING official 2.2.1.
3.  You obviously have to be rooted.  (Instructions)
4.  You need to have Koush’s Bootstrap Recovery.
5.  Open the DX Bootstrap and “boostrap” the recovery.
6.  When that finishes, “reboot recovery.”
7.  Once your phone boots to Clockwork Recovery, scroll down to “backup and restore.”
8.  Choose “backup” to make a clean backup of your phone.
9.  After that choose “wipe data/factory reset” to wipe your phone.

*I was able to come from stock rooted 2.3.340 without having to wipe.

10.  When that finishes choose “install zip from SD card.”
11.  Then “choose zip from SD card” and find the Apex_1.3.0.zip, select it and hit “yes.”
12.  Your phone will apply the ROM. When it finishes, reboot and enjoy!

Full support thread can be found here.  Donate to Fabolous here.

DROID X ROM: Apex 1.3.0 with Gingerbread by Fabolous is a post from: Droid Life