Android M’s new launcher has an app drawer you’re probably going to hate [VIDEO]

With the exception of HTC’s Sense UI, it’s been awhile since we last saw a vertical scrolling app drawer on Android. Ever since Ice Cream Sandwich ditched Gingerbread’s vertical scrolling app drawer for a nice horizontally scrolling one, it just felt… well, right. While Froyo’s cubed shaped app drawer will always hold a special place in our hearts, we’ve loved the way vertical scrolling felt.

Last year’s Lollipop update added a little spin on the classic home screen with an all new Google Now launcher featuring easier access to Google Now and white cards in the app drawer. It’s crazy to think that Google is already changing things up again this year and it’s pretty drastic.

The Android M Developer Preview features a new throw-back launcher with an app drawer that scrolls vertically, something we haven’t seen since Android’s early days. Upon opening, a row of recently used apps can be found along the top (something we’ve recently seen in 3rd party launchers) along with apps that are now sectioned off by the alphabet.

You’ll also notice a new app opening animation that kind of zooms out from the app icon itself (although backing out of an app still uses the old Lollipop animation). Oh, and if uninstalling apps from the app drawer wasn’t easy enough, you can now do this by dragging icons straight from the launcher itself. You can see what we’re talking about in the video below.

We have to say, it’s a strange move but of course this is a developer preview and anything can change in time for M’s official release later this year. In either case the vertically scrolling app drawer wont mean much to many of you already invested in one of Android’s many 3rd party launchers.

Thanks, Hernan!

Pokemon Jukebox now on Google Play, probably isn’t the Nintendo title you were hoping for

It’s not exactly what he had in mind when he heard Nintendo would soon release apps/games for our mobile devices. Today, The Pokemon Company has released a new application for western audiences from their new developer account and before you get too excited, no it’s not the Pokemon Style theme maker we saw earlier this year for Japan. Instead, Pokemon Jukebox is now available on Google Play.

As the title suggests, the Pokemon Jukebox is little more than a music player that will allow you to play various Pokemon tunes… and that’s about it. Users can compile their favorite Pokemon tracks into playlists for easy listening on the go, adding sound effects on demand for added nostalgia.

While Pokemon Jukebox is free to download in the in the Play Store, most tracks will run you 99 cents with medleys running about . There is a free limited time preview for most tracks taking place over the next 24 hours, so it’s got that going for it. We can’t help but shake the feeling that is simply the one of the most blatant money grabs we’ve ever seen on Android in quite sometime. Download link provided below if you want to check it out for yourself.

ポケモン音楽図鑑 (Playboard) | ポケモン音楽図鑑 (Play Store)