14 DAY TRIAL // Android users who would like to get a taste of what Microsoft’s Windows Phone operating system can offer to them in terms of user interfaces should have a look at the Tile Launcher app available for download for them today.
The software won’t provide the same experience that Microsoft’s mobile operating system can deliver, but it certainly can offer users an idea of what having a tile-based homescreen would be all about.
Tile Launcher is available only in a beta version for the time being, which means that there are some issues that will affect users' experience with it, but it still has a lot to offer in terms of usage.
This is a “smooth, multidirectional, widget-compatible tile-based launcher” for Android 4.0 and newer devices, the app’s developer notes, adding that it has been based on the stock Jelly Bean 4.2 Launcher.
The app will provide users with the possibility to customize any of the available tiles in the manner they consider it fit.
The list of main features of this launcher includes:
- Optimized scrolling - Works with all Windows Phone and Windows 8 icons and tile backgrounds - Shortcut/widget settings - title, text color, background color, images, transparency - Desktop settings, change rows/columns, gap size - Wallpaper scrolling options
According to the developer, the app also offers support for multiple screens, although the feature is still work in progress for the time being. To switch layouts, users will simply have to long click the drawer.
Starting with the latest version of Tile Launcher, namely 0.5 beta, the Launcher Settings can be found in the app drawer at the top right of the phone's screen.
As mentioned above, users might still bump into a series of issues with the software, such as tiles moving around when dragging, or overlapping on top left tile sometimes. On Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, widget drops might cause reboots.