"Launcher" permanently removed from the app store

[EJ8]

Identified first in another thread but this probably deserves it's own - Launcher has been taken down by Apple. See note from the developer here: http://al.cromulentlabs.com/thanks/

Read the FAQ too. It was really cool of him not to "update" the app per Apple's request, which would have removed the functionality for everyone that already downloaded it.

 

[phositadc]

Wtf is that legit? Apple has decided not to let you launch other apps with a widget?

Asinine.

 

[eddiec312]

Yeah, Soviet Apple is being wack. Hopefully he carries it over to the Cydia store when the Jailbreak comes out.

 

[toneloco2881]

Ridiculous!

Apple sometimes takes the walled garden approach too far. This was probably my favorite feature of iOS 8 thus far. Being able to do things like hit a widget that says "Go Home", and it open up GOOGLE maps and automatically get directions with one tap was immensely useful. Not to mention using it as a favorite quick app switcher.

I'm kicking myself for not buying the pro version sooner. I went to last night and the thing gave me an error. I was wondering what was up...

 

[LaynieGorilla]

So if we already paid for it, well still have full functionality forever?

 

[EJ8]

So if we already paid for it, well still have full functionality forever?

Yes, you can use it normally. Consider yourself lucky. But if you have a 6 Plus (like me) you are stuck with a max of 8 icons in the widget due to a bug in the original version. He had submitted a fix for this but it never made it through.

 

[wargamer6]

What bull.

 

[RobinInOR]

Nooooo! This is one of my favorite things on my iPad mini. I was looking forward to it on my new phone, but I'm not getting that until Tuesday. Boohoo.....

 

[macUser2007]

Bummer!

Sure, some of the icons were butt-ugly, but the app was useful to many and it provided a solution to an iOS shortcoming (the iOS widgets implementation is a joke, compared to Android).

Between this and the prevention of 3rd party keyboards from using voice dictation, Apple is pushing users slowly but surely to seek alternatives.

 

[Solver]

Apple can be merciless with what it allows in its app store. A developer may spend many months to develop an app then have it bluntly rejected without objective reason or any hint as to what Apple requires for it not to be rejected. An app called Vintapps was firmly rejected because it gave new hope to find apps for users with older ios devices. And that is not what Apple wanted.
The internet it full of sorrows and complaints from developers with rejected apps.

 

[phositadc]

[

Between this and the prevention of 3rd party keyboards from using voice dictation, Apple is pushing users slowly but surely to seek alternatives.

Agree completely. They are finally giving us features we have wanted for years, but then taking them away or severely gimping them. I was so excited for iOS8 but that excitement dies a little every time I discover Apple crippled or disabled something.

 

[erio]

 

[gswilder]

Watch apple add this functionality in a future release.

 

[digitalfx]

Yes, you can use it normally. Consider yourself lucky. But if you have a 6 Plus (like me) you are stuck with a max of 8 icons in the widget due to a bug in the original version. He had submitted a fix for this but it never made it through.

i had trouble at first, but now working fine on 6+
12 icons

 

[gSOLO]

I was just about to get the pro version :/ I guess what I've got is better than nothing. Sucks though.

 

[hypno]

What a stupid decision. Apple give me a break.

 

[Tubamajuba]

It doesn't surprise me that Apple didn't want this kind of functionality in widgets. Still, they should have been clear about this back in June, rather than after development resources have already been spent creating an app like this.

There has to be a technical reason behind Apple disallowing stuff like that, and I'd like to know what it is.

 

[rocknblogger]

Terrible decision. This was my number one favourite widget.

 

[Donka]

Count me as another who is gutted at this. I emailed tcook@apple.com about this yesterday. A well implemented app and genuinely useful utility that's only purpose is to make life easier for the user.

 

[iHackPro]

Is this when we all switch to Android?

 

[The Doctor11]

Oh come on!!!! REALY?! When I installed it I told my friend "This is my favorite app just because it adds a functionality that my phone didn't have before." I LOVE IT. How could they take this away from me! I want but fixes and improvement. Well I guess I got what I got.

Such ********.

----------

Count me as another who is gutted at this. I emailed tcook@apple.com about this yesterday. A well implemented app and genuinely useful utility that's only purpose is to make life easier for the user.

I will be emailing Tim about this later today

 

[aggiesrwe03]

So if we already paid for it, well still have full functionality forever?

Better save the .ipa off your phone through iTunes, if you ever have to restore and you don't have the time, it's gone forever.

 

[Lloydbm41]

Damn. Id been testingbthis out for the past two days and was just about to buy it. Guess i should be glad I have the basic version.

 

[protobiont]

Utterly ridiculous. This was by far the best app I had seen since iOS 8 came out. This needs to hit the front page of Macrumors.

 

[EJ8]

Oh come on!!!! REALY?! When I installed it I told my friend "This is my favorite app just because it adds a functionality that my phone didn't have before." I LOVE IT. How could they take this away from me! I want but fixes and improvement. Well I guess I got what I got.

Such ********.

----------



I will be emailing Tim about this later today

I think we all need to email Mr. Cook and and also anyone else at Apple that we can reach. Please post email addresses here if you know them.

This is really unacceptable. I have NEVER complained about Apple or its products here or anywhere, but as someone above said, "Is this when we all switch to Android?". That is a bit radical but this is complete bullsh__it.