Wiser - Simple Launcher for Android

For the non-tech types among us, Wiser -- Simple Launcher pares down features and reduces complexity to deliver "a wiser and simpler smartphone experience." Wiser's clean and efficient layout certainly made it extremely easy to access basic functions, but it never kept us from accessing any app, feature, or option. UIU Ltd's Wiser -- Simple Launcher is free.

Pros

New look: Wiser's home screen may not be as exciting as some layouts, but its Zen-like simplicity is refreshing. Six color-coded circles access Contacts, Dialer, Messaging, Camera, Gallery, and Applications.

Instructions aimed at the beginner: How would you know to tap the plus sign to Add things (Contacts, Apps, and so on) if no one showed you how? Wiser gives the user this information.

Easy app access: Tapping Applications gave us access to all our apps in an easy-to-read, vertically scrolling layout that actually looked much better than our phone's native layout.

Cons

Slight delays: Wiser's layout reorganization imposed a small but perceptible lag in the time it took stuff to open. It's not enough to be annoyed by -- just to notice.

Absent apps: Wiser's uncluttered layout leaves out the apps we're used to opening from the home screen. As noted, it's easy to access the full list under Applications, but some users will miss having home screen access to their favorites.

Bottom Line

We like Wiser. It's meant to be a soothing, easy-to-learn, easy-to-use alternative to the usual smartphone experience, which can be confusing and even intimidating to many users, especially those new to smartphones. But experienced users should check out Wiser's way of doing things, too. If you've longed for an easy-to-use smartphone, Wiser -- Simple Launcher puts it in your hands.