The iOS Springboard for android While most die-hard Android fans would cringe at the thought of iPhone-izing their devices’ UI, there is quite a majority of Android users who would actually prefer doing so. The iOS-inspired interface of the MIUI custom ROM and GO Launcher EX homescreen replacement for Android is one of the major reasons the two have such vast fanbases. Now, where the aforementioned only mirror certain elements of the iOS UI, there have been quite a few attempts to clone it entirely, the newest (and by far, the best) of the lot being Espier Launcher. Espier Launcher is probably the most accurate clone of the iOS Springboard yet. The launcher replicates everything from the look of the icons and folders to the App Switcher tray, Jiggle Mode and Spotlight search.
Being a carbon copy of the iOS Springboard, Espier Launcher does not have an app drawer. That is, it displays all your apps on the homescreen. Not necessarily a deal breaker. However, that isn’t the only thing you’ll be losing. The launcher does not support homescreen widgets (as of this writing). That’s right. Also, it does not allow you to add widgets to your homescreen.
Espier is the first launcher we’ve come across that replicates iOS folders so well. Most Android launchers (iOS-inspired or not) open folders as separate windows. They don’t part the homescreen the way iOS folders do. QQ Launcher is probably the only other launcher that clones the effect, still not nearly as well as Espier.
Although Espier Launcher has only been on the Android Market for a little over two weeks, it already seems to have accumulated quite a fanbase, and deservedly so. It is as close to an iOS homescreen port as you’ll get. The launcher is available for free on the Android Market. Grab it while you can. As huge an Apple lawsuit magnet as it is, we’d be surprised if it isn’t forced to walk the plank soon
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