Launcher App for iOS Notification Center Gains Grouped and Time-Aware Widgets

[MacRumors]

Once-banned iOS widget app Launcher received its first major update yesterday, more than a year after its return to the App Store.

Launcher was one of the first apps to take advantage of Notification Center widgets introduced in iOS 8 by letting users add shortcuts to apps and tasks, thereby avoiding the need to swipe through screens or perform a Spotlight Search.

Apple originally approved Launcher in 2014 and allowed it to exist in the App Store for over a week, but then subsequently removed it, calling it a "misuse" of widgets. However, a few months later, Apple reversed course and the fully featured app gained approval.

In addition to app shortcuts, Launcher lets users configure workflows and add one-touch actions to the Notification Center, such as the ability to launch a favorite playlist or call a spouse.

The new version introduces support for multiple widgets that can be grouped together by theme. Widgets can also now be customized to display or become hidden based on day, time and location. This allows users to set a group of specific widgets that only appear when they're at work or at the gym, for example.

A new auto-setup feature means the app can set up contact launchers for the people most important to users as well as their most frequently used apps. The update also includes widget support for 3D Touch Quick Actions, along with the option to backup and restore custom widgets to iCloud.

Launcher is available as a free download on the App Store for iPhone and iPad, with paid upgrades for additional widgets available in-app. [Direct Link]

Article Link: Launcher App for iOS Notification Center Gains Grouped and Time-Aware Widgets

 

[frankk]

Looking forward to trying these features. Along with 1Password, this is a must-have App that I use all the time, every day without fail. I would and do recommend to all.

 

[Paddle1]

Once-banned iOS widget app Launcher received its first major update yesterday, more than a year after its return to the App Store.

Launcher was one of the first apps to take advantage of Notification Center widgets introduced in iOS 8 by letting users add shortcuts to apps and tasks, thereby avoiding the need to swipe through screens or perform a Spotlight Search.

Apple originally approved Launcher in 2015 and allowed it to exist in the App Store for over a week, but then subsequently removed it, calling it a "misuse" of widgets. However, a few months later, Apple reversed course and the fully featured app gained approval.

In addition to app shortcuts, Launcher lets users configure workflows and add one-touch actions to the Notification Center, such as the ability to launch a favorite playlist or call a spouse.

The new version introduces support for multiple widgets that can be grouped together by theme. Widgets can also now be customized to display or become hidden based on day, time and location. This allows users to set a group of specific widgets that only appear when they're at work or at the gym, for example.

A new auto-setup feature means the app can set up contact launchers for the people most important to users as well as their most frequently used apps. The update also includes widget support for 3D Touch Quick Actions, along with the option to backup and restore custom widgets to iCloud.

Launcher is available as a free download on the App Store for iPhone and iPad, with paid upgrades for additional widgets available in-app. [Direct Link]

Article Link: Launcher App for iOS Notification Center Gains Grouped and Time-Aware Widgets

It was taken down in 2014 not 2015.

Edit: It's fixed.

 

[rhoydotp]

I'm going to give this a try. Looks interesting.

 

[Jessica Lares]

I love the new location grouping feature. Used it yesterday and it worked as advertised.

 

[spacemnspiff]

Looking forward to trying these features. Along with 1Password, this is a must-have App that I use all the time, every day without fail. I would and do recommend to all.

Agree on both of those apps. I started using Launcher before they were removed from the app store, its easily my favorite app to improve productivity.

There is a thread here on the forum that everyone using Launcher could make use of. https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ios-8-widget-customisations-using-launcher.1782093/

 

[mms13]

This app is cool but I really don't find much value in it. The guy in the screenshot has effectively flooded his whole Today tab with apps that are just 1 extra gesture away. The "Go Home" shortcut he added is already offered by both Waze and Google Maps' widgets. Control Center (swipe up from the bottom of the screen) already offers 10+ quick actions that this offers. The one feature that I would actually use Launcher for, Low Power Mode toggle, isn't available.

 

[SteveJobs2.0]

This app is cool but I really don't find much value in it. The guy in the screenshot has effectively flooded his whole Today tab with apps that are just 1 extra gesture away. The "Go Home" shortcut he added is already offered by both Waze and Google Maps' widgets. Control Center (swipe up from the bottom of the screen) already offers 10+ quick actions that this offers. The one feature that I would actually use Launcher for, Low Power Mode toggle, isn't available.

Well you can tailor it to your needs. I keep little icons that tell me how much data and Cou I am using, etc. Ram on the iPhone 6+ is always fully used. :/

 

[viachicago22]

This app is cool but I really don't find much value in it. The guy in the screenshot has effectively flooded his whole Today tab with apps that are just 1 extra gesture away. The "Go Home" shortcut he added is already offered by both Waze and Google Maps' widgets. Control Center (swipe up from the bottom of the screen) already offers 10+ quick actions that this offers. The one feature that I would actually use Launcher for, Low Power Mode toggle, isn't available.

Low Power Mode should totally replace the camera in control center. Or at least somehow be added.

 

[nutmac]

I love the update, but I really dislike how Launcher clutters Todays Widget screen with "Launcher", "Launcher 2", Launcher 3", etc.

 

[jonnysods]

I'm not pro android, but one thing they beat Apple on is a dynamic Notification Center. It's so good. I hope Apple continues to develop it.

 

[nutmac]

I used Launcher for few days now and this update truly transformed how I use my iPhone. I am still a bit annoyed that I have to deal with multiple widgets as I limit each widget to just 4 launchers. And location-based trigger is limited to just 1 location.

Speaking of business model, I purchased both Pro Version ($2.99, more launchers per widget (free version is limited to 8 on iPhone and 12 on iPad), hide labels and change icon size, special launchers) and Multiple Widgets ($2.99, 5 more widgets, time and location based widgets) for $4.98 promo pricing. For my usage, I don't see much value in Pro Version. Hiding labels is nice, but other features are not useful for me. I think many 1-star reviews are tied to this. I hope to see more features added to the Pro Version in the future.

Finally, I wouldn't be surprised if Apple eventually brings a similar functionality to Control Center -- either as another row or overriding existing 4-5 app shortcuts based on location and schedule.