Android allows users to change the default launcher in favor of a custom launcher. It's one of the many features that differentiates the operating system from iOS. The AOSP Launcher is simple in terms of features, but custom launchers open a whole new world of features and functionality. Device makers also develop and bundle their own launchers with their custom user interfaces. One of the best custom launchers on Android is Nova Launcher. In November, the stable version of the launcher was updated to 5.5. Now, Nova Launcher 6.0-beta1 has been released with many new features.

Nova Launcher is closely based on the AOSP Launcher, but it adds a huge number of customization options. Users can even make it look like the Pixel Launcher while retaining more features. The new 6.0 beta version adds an improved settings menu layout. Options for customizing the dock are now part of Desktop settings instead, and the app now has a more intuitive settings hierarchy. The Nova Settings are also now searchable for faster parsing, which should make for a nice convenience improvement for new users.

In addition, more Adaptive Icon options are now available, including a new customizable shape. There is now an option to automatically match folder and app drawer icon size to desktop---another improvement that should improve the look and feel of the launcher.

The new beta has new window styles in folders, with users having the options to choose from windowed or immersive modes. Folder background shapes now share the same options as adaptive icons, with users being able to choose from Round, Squircle, etc. Vertical or horizontal scrolling options for folders have also been added.

Users can now style the app drawer search bar in the same manner as they could style it on the desktop. This means they will be able to choose from many different styles and shapes for the app drawer search bar. The search bar provider can now be set to Google or Nova Settings by default.

Finally, users no longer need the paid Nova Launcher Prime to resize icons, which is an improvement that many users have wanted for years. Users will now be able to increase or decrease icon size to their liking. They can, for example, increase the app icon size to make the launcher look the same as Pixel Launcher.

Nova Launcher is no longer the only great third-party launcher on Android, as Lawnchair and Rootless Pixel Launcher are now polished competitors. Users looking to replace their OEM launcher with a third-party launcher now have quite a few options to choose from. Nova remains a highly stable and recommended choice of ours, and the new beta will make the user experience even better.

The full changelog of Nova Launcher 6.0-beta1 is noted below:

Source: Kevin Barry on Google+