Looking for a KitKat Launcher – Plenty Available but Do You Really Want Them!
As I was searching for… That is how my story begins. You may not like it but it is what it is. So let me start over. As I was searching for an Android launcher replacement based on the latest version of the OS what I found was incredible. The Store was so filled with KitKat based apps that I thought Google had decided to make one just for it. I mean come on! How many options can one test. Cause in the end that is what it comes to. Well nevermind because I did it for you. But that is only the good news!
OK! So we start by agreeing the number of Android 4.4 based launchers one can find on the Store is rather unexpectedly high. What would one look for in such an app. Well I firstly considered the look of it. It has to have as many if not all characteristics the original Google made offers. Now on the other side there is the performance issue. Since not everyone as an octa-core device with 3 GB of RAM the launcher has to be able to work including with very low resources. And last but not least there are the features and how they work. Most of these app are made so they seem interesting including to owners running the latest version of the OS. But these are just the most important criterias. Because at the core of it all is the hardware.
There are those developers interested in earning from the app/s they make without too much involvement. Then there are the ones that really wany to offer a good product. And even if they don’t get it right the first time eventually they do. Then about the free apps it comes to two possibilities. Open Source – the best scenario and Ad based – the not so appealing one. Though I’ve really and thoroughly tested most of these launchers – I haven’t by any means found one that is labeled Opens Source. Free you can find some – such as Solo Launcher. But trust me you are likely to get tired removing the bloatware included in it. Then there is one called Mini Launcher – promising to be light and fast but coming with some bugs that I wouldn’t go over.
So let’s get right into it. Google made a great interface for Android 4.4 KitKat. One that can still be improved by third party apps. The thing is most are not ready (yet?) – though it’s been a while since the latest Android OS version was announced. I’m not going to tell you to wait. On the contrary – my advice would be to test and find the one that suits you best. The thing to look for is the ones with a lartge number of installs and picture reviews. Meanwhile I will use my own KitKat Launcher. That is almost 4 years old and has so many features that every other developer tries to imitate in some way. That is Nova Laucher and I haven’t found a better option yet. The thing is – you can find one!
