The hottest Android home screens [Vote for your favorite!]

Android is all about customization -- and all it takes is a glimpse through some standout Android home screens to see just how far that freedom can go.

Last week, I launched a hunt for the hottest Android home screens around. I asked you to show off your most interesting, original, and eye-catching home screen setups -- and man, did you guys ever come through.

I had planned to showcase 16 of the coolest designs and then let you vote on your favorites. The eight home screen owners with the highest number of votes would get free Nexus 7 tablets and $25 gift cards courtesy of the crew at Nvidia, whose quad-core Tegra 3 processors power the devices.

Just one problem: There were too many awesome entries, and it proved damn-near impossible to narrow it down to just 16.

So here's the plan: Below, you'll find 20 outstanding Android home screens. Check 'em out and vote for your favorite(s). The owners of the eight home screens with the highest number of votes will still get Nexus 7 tablets and $25 gift cards (the top four getting 32GB editions and the next four getting 16GB models).

But why stop there? In addition to the grand prizes, every single runner-up will get to pick a prize from the Android Power Grab Bag, which includes a Moga mobile gaming controller, a Mophie Galaxy S III Juice Pack battery case, some Exploded Andy and Andy vs. Apple t-shirts, some Android USB robot card-reader sets, a Cobra Tag tracking ring, and some Android window decals from TechAttire.com.

That's right, gang: We're going all out here. Android Power to the max.

Enjoy these home screens -- I know I have -- and be sure to follow the links to vote on your favorite(s) via Google+.

** UPDATE [11/15/12]: Official voting is now closed and the results are in. See the bottom of the page for details. **

• Home screen #1: Naturally Android [WINNER]

• Home screen #2: Spidey-Droid

• Home screen #3: The Explorer [WINNER]

• Home screen #4: Organizus Optimus [WINNER]

• Home screen #5: Super Smartphone, Brother

• Home screen #6: Ice Cream Dream

• Home screen #7: Robot Control [WINNER]

• Home screen #8: The Heisenberg

• Home screen #9: Classy Panels [WINNER]

• Home screen #10: Game Master

• Home screen #11: Anonymized

• Home screen #12: Smokin' Simple

• Home screen #13: Minimalist Magic

• Home screen #14: Currently Android [WINNER]

• Home screen #15: City Slicker

• Home screen #16: Spinning Circles

• Home screen #17: Paper Screen [WINNER]

• Home screen #18: Android Me

• Home screen #19: Lloyd's Droid [WINNER]

• Home screen #20: Serenity Now

That's it! To vote, just head over to the official voting post on Google+ and +1 the comment representing the entry (or entries) you like the most. Voting will remain open until this Thursday, November 15, at 12 p.m. ET. I'll capture a screenshot of the totals at that time and determine the winners accordingly.

UPDATE [11/15/12]: Voting is over! The eight home screens with the highest number of votes are (in order): Robot Control, The Explorer, Currently Android, Organizus Optimus, Classy Panels, Paper Screen, Lloyd's Droid, and Naturally Android. (Note: Votes were deducted from the total of entry #5 due to fraudulent activity.) Congratulations to the winners!

Curious how some of these home screens were made? Check out the following story for detailed instructions from the designers:

How to make the hottest Android home screens yourself

For more Android tips and insights, follow JR Raphael on Google+, Twitter, or Facebook. (He promises not to bite.)

Article copyright 2013 JR Raphael. All rights reserved.