We’ve reviewed ADW Launcher by @anderwebs before, but this launcher replacement just keeps getting better and better and is slowly becoming the de facto launcher on most custom ROMs.  The new version of CyanogenMOD will have ADW Launcher as the default launcher application and that kind of sums up the quality of this application. Personally, ADW Launcher is the first application I installed on my Nexus One and just emphasizes its reach.

Don’t forget to check out our Down with a Developer interview with Anderwebs

We wanted to give you a little refresher about this awesome application and show you a few of the features it provides.

When you first install ADW Launcher, you’ll see a launcher bar similar to the look of the new launcher bar standard on the latest Froyo updates from Google.  You have the main application in the center and a couple of quick application cut areas to the left and right that allow you to drop your most used application shortcuts onto them for quick access on every screen.  You’ll also see the navigation dots on the far left and right that not only provide an indication of which page you are on but can also be clicked to move the desktop in that direction.

This is just the start of the application, and with so many configuration options, you can make adjustments to almost anyone’s taste.  Give the launcher a quick swipe upward and you’ll find a second tray where even more shortcuts can be placed.  The tray is empty by default but with a quick drag and drop motion, shortcuts can be placed easily.  The tray is wider than the physical screen so don’t worry about dropping too many shortcuts as you can easily scroll this same tray horizontally.

Head into the settings and you can easily alter the look of the launcher with options to remove the navigation dots and extend the shortcuts across the entire screen.  The options are endless and I’m not going to explain everything you can do, you’ll just have to download it and find out for yourself.

You also have navigation dots across the top of the screen showing which page you are currently viewing.  Anderwebs has thought of most options people might want and listened to feedback from the community and made adjustments as he feels fit.

Pinch your screen or press the home button when you’re on the home screen and a preview of all your desktop screens appears to allow you to easily change pages.

A quick press of the menu button will bring up a modified menu bar that now includes an option for the ADW Settings.

Once you’re in the settings, you can start to configure your desktop however you like.

@anderwebs has done an amazing job with this application and it deserves a spot on everybody’s Android device.  There is a FREE version available in the Android Market that includes an easy way to donate and say thanks to @anderwebs for all his time and effort he’s put into the application.

A new version will be released soon with some pretty cool gesture support.  The gesture support has been added by @wjaxxx and a big thanks should go to him and all the other people who have contributed to this applications development. You can see some of the new features in the video below:

You can also find information about the latest releases on the developers website and on most Android related forums.  As of writing this article, the latest version is 0.8.8 but new versions are arriving regularly as the support for this application is top notch.

@anderwebs is always looking for contributions to the application so if you feel you have anything to contribute or want to help with future development, be sure to contact him on twitter.  You can also directly submit patches, requests and issues to his github at http://github.com/anderweb.

There are 2 versions of the application available on the Android Market, one for Android 1.6 (Donut) and one for Android 2.0 and above.

You can use the QRCode below to download the Android 2.0 and above version, or simply click on the QR Code if you’re reading this on your phone.

You can use the QRCode below to download the Android 1.6 (Donut) version, or simply click on the QR Code if you’re reading this on your phone.

Enjoy ADW Launcher and let us know how it works out for you in the comments!