One of the perks of being an XDA Forum goer is the assurance that the most up to date and recent technological development and news, hardware and software, is right at your fingertips. No matter what it is: ROMs, kernels, software and hardware modifications, and apps---the XDA forums probably have it all. So it's great to see the developers behind the highly successful ES File Explorer Android application, which has accumulated millions of downloads, asking XDA forum members to take part in beta testing their newest update for ES File Explorer.

Represented by XDA Forum Member EStrongs, the developers introduced their newest update for the aforementioned app, called ES File Explorer V3, which brings a major user interface makeover. Gone is the clutter, and in comes Holo aesthetics for more pleasant and cleaner visuals. Users can now swipe to the left and right to view different file directories, with the defaults being the local storage, LAN, and Cloud.

The navigation is still the tried and true vertical scrolling screen of folders and files, with 9 different view types spanning from large icons to small and detailed lists. Directories and files can be sorted alphabetically or by size, date modified, and file type---all either in ascending or descending manner.

A slide out fast access menu allows users access to a whole array of tools such as:

  • App Manager
  • Download Manger
  • System Manager
  • SD Card Analyst
  • Root Explorer
  • Remote Manager
  • Net Manager
  • Clipboard
  • Hide List

From the fast access menu, users can also add different directories such as LAN and Cloud to the swipe-able main navigation screen. Users can also download visual themes for the app. Settings include display, cleanup, directory options, security and backup, and settings of the included tools.

This beta introduces cleaner and more logical navigation, a more consistent aesthetic theme among applications, and a whole toolbox of features and functions. ES File Explorer V3 is compatible with Android versions 2.0 and newer, and is free exclusively in the thread. If you would like to take part in the beta testing, check out the original thread for more details and download.