Facer Launcher 3 from PocketCraft

Recently I found that one of my favourite applications had been updated to a new version so I checked it out again. After using it for a while I decided to write up a bit on what I feel is a great Palm Launcher replacement, Facer Launcher 3.

Facer has a lot of features you've probably come to expect in an application launcher, including a user-skinnable interface and a superbly customizable "Today Page," in addition to the standard categorized application launching we're used to with the default Palm Launcher. Honestly, with Facer Launcher my first impression was "it looks like a whole new Palm OS," with it's clean thin lines and smooth gradient shading on top of a pretty background image, Facer sure looks nice, but how much use is it really? Let's find out.

The application menus are intuitive enough to navigate through and find all the various functions and customization options, and that's a good thing too because there are quite a few options available to the user to customize Facer to their personal tastes. Facer distinguishes its Today and Launcher functions as two separate Pages, which is intuitive and works well. Facer also includes a capable "database manager" and application "uninstaller" that make it easier to manage files and delete applications than with the default Palm Launcher.

Many common launcher functions such as copy and send/beam, are only a single stylus tap away through the "gadgets" displayed in Facer, which are simply buttons in the top right, or along the very bottom of the screen. Facer allows the user to specify which gadgets are displayed so only the ones you want to see will be on the screen, and the Today and Launcher Pages have separate gadget configurations, which is nice.

Today Page applications are very popular additions to Palm handhelds, and it's no surprise Facer 3 includes one. In fact, I think what Facer 3 does best is its Today Page. The calendar and task-list events listed from your favourite PIM software are expected, but you can also customize the Today Page with powerful plug-ins that can add weather data, daily words, and much more to even further personalize the way the Today Page works for you. The user can also define "Shortcuts" to Palm applications or web address links, which sit in a second bar along the bottom of the Today Page, giving you even quicker access to your favourites without switching over to the Launcher Page.

As far as looks are concerned Facer is no slouch, it's really quite gorgeous in my opinion. Other application launchers rarely ever look this good, but, and there is a but, there are virtually no new themes for this new version of Facer available right now. Worse yet, the available themes from previous versions of Facer are so far not supported in this new version. Facer is a complete package otherwise, and if old themes could be imported that would make a big difference. I am hopeful that this situation will change when the Theme Architect tool from PocketCraft is updated and users start producing new themes for Facer 3.

Overall, I think Facer is well suited for most average Palm users and is particularly well suited to cellphone-centric use, but power-users may want a more robust feature-set. On the other hand, maybe you already use other applications that have functions "missing" in Facer, and in that case Facer is likely more than adequate. In general, Palm users will enjoy Facer Launcher for its excellent Today Page, sheer ease-of-use, and extensibility through the plug-in system.

Facer 3 has a lot to offer, and it doesn't try to do too much, which some users may find refreshing when compared to other launcher choices. It does what it does, and does it well. My lasting impression is that Facer aims to to give users the functions they wish were standard on there Palm, and for the most part is successful at doing so. Key features are the Today Page, the Database Manager and the Plug-in system. Facer 3 is a fine choice for anyone looking for a nice set of customization options in an easy to use application launcher.

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