Android A to Z - What is a launcher?  What is an Android
launcher? Probably the most powerful feature of Android is its
ability to be customized. And that starts with what's typically
called the "launcher." The launcher usually is considered to be
the homescreens and app drawer, and they come in all sorts of
flavors and designs.  When you hear people talk about "stock"
Android, this usually is what they're referring to --
homescreens and app drawer unchanged from what Google includes
in the open-sourced code. But that's just the tip of the
iceberg. From there, you can download any number of third-party
"launchers," which will change the look and functionality of the
homescreens and the app drawer. Home screens can have different
animations. Or different docks at the bottom. Or a specific
number of home screens. App drawers can have more scrolling or
sorting options. The possibilities might not be endless, but
they're certainly numerous.  Google has included a lot of
improvements in the Ice Cream Sandwich laun