Launcher Pro

 Bring the excellent user interface of HTC's Sense to any phone to make navigation a breeze 

One of the best UI apps we've tried, making the Android operating system more pleasurable to use. 

Free Lovely, customisable sheen for Android 


Those who don't have an HTC Android handset may feel a little hard done by in the UI stakes, considering HTC Sense adds a whole layer of goodness to Android. Lucky there are a number of apps on the market that emulate what HTC Sense brings - multiple home pages, decent graphics, etc -and they bring it for free.

Launcher Pro is one of the best UI apps that we have tried, offering up graphical niceties to show off your phone, Twitter and Facebook contacts, as well as calendars and also bookmarks.

Be warned: when you load it up you may run into a number of difficulties.This is nothing to do with the app itself, but the existing software on your phone. Laurcher Pro is a powerful app, in that it changes the existing UI of your phone. Because of this you may have to download ClearDefaultHome or Heme Switcherto ready your phone for the app.

Like HTC Sense, Launcher Pro gives you seven easily customisable screens that can be 'virtually looped'. This is a nice touch as it means you can keep flicking the screens to get back to the first one, without changing your flicking action.
You can also dock the pop-up menu, which is a massive bonus. Fitting next to your phone book and call icon, you can dock a menu screen for all of your apps.

There are some things that do irritate with Launcher Pro.The app does have a tendency to freeze your handset. As the app essentially overlays a hefty slab of user
   

Launcher Pro gives seven easily customisable screens that can be virtually looped

   


interface onto your phone's existing interface, the phone occasionally reacts strangely to this. There were times when we saw some glitches (like messages outstaying their welcome once read) but it was nothing we couldn't live with.

Having a desirable interface also means that your battery life will suffer slightly. But it's worth it as Launcher Pro adds a beautiful sheen to Android and makes the operating system that much better to navigate - that is, unless you already have an HTC Sense phone.