If you are running an Ice Cream Sandwich ROM, and are looking for a replacement to the ICS launcher, XDA member dennisxl has released a new launcher called Apex. It is based on the stock Android 4.0,3 launcher, but is far more customizable, and offers many new features, than stock.

For a list of features, and planned enhancements, have a look here:

Features

  • Custom number of homescreens and homescreen grid size
  • Infinite & elastic scrolling (homescreen and drawer)
  • Transition effects (homescreen and drawer)
  • Customizable scrolling indicator (homescreen and drawer)
  • Homescreen gestures (pinch, swipe up/down)
  • Enable/Disable auto-rotation
  • Enable/Disable wallpaper scrolling
  • Show/Hide persistent search bar
  • Show/Hide notification bar
  • Show/Hide icon labels (homescreen and drawer)
  • Lock/Unlock desktop
  • All/Downloaded/Widgets tabs in drawer
  • Drawer apps sorting (title, install date, mostly used)
  • Add widgets from drawer (must install as system app) or system picker
  • Resize any widget
  • Backup/Restore settings and data

Planned Features

  • Customizable dock (scrollable and gestures)
  • Edit app icons and labels
  • Hide apps in drawer
  • Easier homescreen management (on preview screen)
  • Enhanced folder support (unlimited icons etc.)
  • More transition effects for homescreen and drawer

Compatibility

This application has been specifically developed for devices running Android 4.x or Ice Cream Sandwich. It will not work on devices running a different OS version, and may cause issues. You can check your OS version in Settings–> About Phone

Download Link

→ Apex launcher

How To Install Apex Launcher

Installation can be done in 2 ways, depending on whether you are rooted or not. If rooted, this can be installed as a system app, and if not, like any other app.

For Rooted Phones

  1. Download the Apex Launcher apk file from the link given above
  2. Now connect the phone to your computer via USB cable, and transfer the Apex launcher apk file to the root of your phones internal sdcard ( or to any other location if you wish; just remember where you copied it to )
  3. Disconnect phone from computer. Launch ES File Explorer (download) and enable Root Explorer access in its settings. Once you enable Root explorer access, there will be a superuser pop-up asking you whether you want to allow Root permission, Click “Allow”
  4. There will be another notification telling you to “mount the system as writable”. Make sure that the ”Mount System as writable” box is checked.
  5. Now using ES File explorer, navigate to the file you copied to the sdcard in Step 2 above
  6. Copy it, and paste it to /system/apps
  7. Exit ES File Explorer.
  8. Now when you hit the home button, you should see a prompt to choose between the stock launcher and Apex, Select Apex, and check the box to set it as default.
  9. Reboot once, and Enjoy!!
  10. To uninstall Apex Launcher, simply navigate to the /system/apps folder through ES File Explorer and delete the ApexLauncher.apk file.

For Not Rooted Phones

  1. Download the Apex Launcher apk file from the link given above
  2. Now connect the phone to your computer via USB cable, and transfer the Apex launcher apk file to the root of your phones internal sdcard ( or to any other location if you wish; just remember where you copied it to )
  3. Disconnect phone from PC and launch ES File explorer (download) on the phone
  4. Navigate to the ApexLauncher.apk file, and install it by clicking on it.
  5. Exit ES File Explorer.
  6. Now when you hit the home button, you should see a prompt to choose between the stock launcher and Apex,Select Apex, and check the box to set it as default.
  7. Reboot once, and Enjoy!!
  8. If you want to uninstall Apex, you can do so at any time by going to Settings–> Manage Applications

So go ahead and try it out, and let us know your experience, in comments below