Xposed Framework is an old friend to anyone that knows anything about rooting their Android device. For those unrooted or those who may not know what it is, listen here. Xposed is a set of files that allow modifications to the system of your device, but since they can be accessed and added to, using plugins called modules, through an app interface (depending on what module/app it is). One of the most famous in the ‘before time’ (the pre-4.4/Kit Kat years) was GravityBox which allowed the user to essentially get custom ROM modification abilities on any rooted AOSP (Android Open-Source Project)/’vanilla’ ROM using this single module.
Nowadays, there is a new sheriff in town, and that module is called Xposed GEL Settings (where GEL stands for Google Experience Launcher), which gives away what you can use it to modify and customize hopefully. What it lets you do is change it and control the GEL like a regular third-party, custom launcher (like Nova, Apex, etc.) but on the stock launcher, which lets you keep native ‘Ok Google’ activation and access to Google Now and its useful card interface.
Well, the sheriff got a new tip added to his tin star, meaning that besides being able to customize the heck out of the GEL, you can now theme parts of the launcher like Android L! Yes, if you happen to have a ROM that can’t use the Android L theme we wrote about this past weekend, then you can add some L to your life! And for those able to use the theme (which is rather nice, if you ask me) you can now download (if you don’t have it already) the GEL from the Play Store (or sideload the APK, depending on the device you have) apply the theme, and then apply the L bits of the launcher and that should tide both groups of you over.
The Xposed GEL Settings app is free, but there is a paid upgrade available and it’s under $5 (USD) so it’s definitely worth it, given the launcher it works on/with. If the idea of finally getting to change the app size in the GEL piques your interest, or if you just want to hide that stinking search bar on every screen except for Google Now, then go give this a download and try it out. All you need is the GEL, root, and a little money (which you can always get refunded if need be and you’re somehow unhappy with the purchase). Go get that L!
