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"Launcher" permanently removed from the app store

I soon as I saw how this app worked I tried to download it. It took over 24 hours to get it successfully. Since it was so versatile, I figured that it would likely be removed from the app store and without much fanfare. I didn't predict a LauncherGate would begin.
 
Solver said:
I soon as I saw how this app worked I tried to download it. It took over 24 hours to get it successfully. Since it was so versatile, I figured that it would likely be removed from the app store and without much fanfare. I didn't predict a LauncherGate would begin.
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I'm so annoyed I missed it. I tried last night to get it and couldn't find it and shrugged it off. Tried earlier and then saw this... so close.

I got the Launch Centre Pro app which is an okay alternative but no where near as good as this Launcher app is. Really wish it was in Notification Centre though. None of the apps I have at the moment are included.
 
C DM said:
Out of curiosity, when were the last times (and in what context) were these used by Apple?
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I think it may have been for the iPad 3 where they said "Resolutionary" making a point to the display. I can't remember very well. I laughed at that. Got myself an iPad 3 as well, not because of the word though.
 
Question:

If ive backed up my phone onto ITunes (Pro version of Launcer included) and then upgrade from my iPhone 5 to the new iPhone 6 and restore, will it put Launcher on to my iPhone 6?.

If this app wont transfer onto the new phone I ain't upgrading.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
 
thing is I dont see this app staying functional for long anyway....

Apple will somehow render it useless in some upcoming firmware update...
 
I don't see the point in this widget. Seeing information at a glance is one thing, but having a launcher in the notification panel, when you can just unlock your device and choose from any app installed, is useless.
 
LostSoul80 said:
I don't see the point in this widget. Seeing information at a glance is one thing, but having a launcher in the notification panel, when you can just unlock your device and choose from any app installed, is useless.
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I take it you didn't download Launcher then?
 
Why do you think so many people are up in arms about this issue being removed?
It is a genuinely useful piece of software once you start using it.
For example, for the app launcher, if you have multiple folders of apps, you could add say your top 10 used apps to the launcher widget and they remain only a single swipe away regardless of what page or app you are currently in.
It also helps with repetitive tasks e.g. if there are people you text on a regular basis, you can set this up as a default so one tap opens up the messages app with the recipient and their preferred contact number already populated. That is quicker and more convenient than swiping to the messages app, tapping on it, tapping new recipient, scrolling through the list to find the person, tapping on them and then scrolling through their details to find the correct number and tapping on that and then tapping in the text field to start your message.
Another use is the launcher for directions home. A single tap opens up the map app at the directions page and it is already calculating your route home from your current location. Much faster than before i.e. finding the, putting in the details etc. as above.

It's just pure convenience that this app brings.
 
Geckotek said:
Just because you are clueless and don't understand, does not mean that the app is useless. Go troll somewhere else.
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Says the forum user who quotes another forum user's post without adding any content to the topic being discussed. Brilliant.

Even better, you assume I don't know how this app worked. Which is insightful in your capabilities to understand what is being discussed.
 
Donka said:
Why do you think so many people are up in arms about this issue being removed?
It is a genuinely useful piece of software once you start using it.
For example, for the app launcher, if you have multiple folders of apps, you could add say your top 10 used apps to the launcher widget and they remain only a single swipe away regardless of what page or app you are currently in.
It also helps with repetitive tasks e.g. if there are people you text on a regular basis, you can set this up as a default so one tap opens up the messages app with the recipient and their preferred contact number already populated. That is quicker and more convenient than swiping to the messages app, tapping on it, tapping new recipient, scrolling through the list to find the person, tapping on them and then scrolling through their details to find the correct number and tapping on that and then tapping in the text field to start your message.
Another use is the launcher for directions home. A single tap opens up the map app at the directions page and it is already calculating your route home from your current location. Much faster than before i.e. finding the, putting in the details etc. as above.

It's just pure convenience that this app brings.
Click to expand...

While it may be useful to very lazy people, I would never want anything like that.

My home screen contains the apps I use the most, which is why it is called home screen. What are you using it for, if you have to rely on a launcher to retrieve apps? I don't see the point. It takes seconds to manage one's home screen, without adding useless links through what is a notifications' sheet.

With the search feature, locating apps is fast and easy, too.

Same for the messages. The most active people with whom I message with are easy to find in the messages app.
I can't comment on the maps feature, since I never use maps on my phone.

To me, what you call convenience is just a bunch of redundant shortcuts that are being added in an area reserved to notifications. Correctly managing your home screen gives you much more flexibility than any launcher is able to.
Then again, I rarely happen to send repetitive content to anyone from messages, for example. So as I stated, this app is useless for me, and it doesn't fit in the notifications part of the interface: it makes it way less consistent.
 
LostSoul80 said:
While it may be useful to very lazy people, I would never want anything like that.
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So you would prefer a smartphone that makes you work harder? A dumb phone perhaps?

Using the word lazy for a device intended to make managing your life more efficient is illogical. The point of the app was to provide a more efficient way to launch frequent tasks, not just apps. If you don't find it useful, that's fine. But you seem to be in the minority here in this thread.

I just found this thread and I'm sad I missed a chance to download it.
 
LostSoul80 said:
While it may be useful to very lazy people, I would never want anything like that.

My home screen contains the apps I use the most, which is why it is called home screen. What are you using it for, if you have to rely on a launcher to retrieve apps? I don't see the point. It takes seconds to manage one's home screen, without adding useless links through what is a notifications' sheet.

With the search feature, locating apps is fast and easy, too.

Same for the messages. The most active people with whom I message with are easy to find in the messages app.
I can't comment on the maps feature, since I never use maps on my phone.

To me, what you call convenience is just a bunch of redundant shortcuts that are being added in an area reserved to notifications. Correctly managing your home screen gives you much more flexibility than any launcher is able to.
Then again, I rarely happen to send repetitive content to anyone from messages, for example. So as I stated, this app is useless for me, and it doesn't fit in the notifications part of the interface: it makes it way less consistent.
Click to expand...

And that is exactly why it is your choice to install or not. This app clearly is not for you given your usage requirements.
You do make some assumptions though. I personally prefer a clean home screen with little in the way of apps on it, I leave them in folders on the following pages. For people like me, a launcher app already has value.
Yes, searching is a great feature but you need to swipe down to invoke spotlight which is exactly what you do to get to the widgets. At this point, you have all your shortcuts right in front of you but with spotlight you would need to start typing to pull up the apps so again the launcher is quicker.
One thing to point out, Android and Windows Mobile already allow similar launcher apps and back in the Pocket PC days, a launcher app was the top downloaded utility for that OS so there clearly is a requirement from the user base for such an app.
Finally, it allows you to launch apps with specified variables at run time, this is something you cannot do today without a utility to assist you and these are probably the instances where this is most convenient. You don't need this app to perform the same tasks but the app does speed things up, some more than others and all saved time, regardless of how small, still adds up.
 
LostSoul80 said:
While it may be useful to very lazy people, I would never want anything like that.

My home screen contains the apps I use the most, which is why it is called home screen. What are you using it for, if you have to rely on a launcher to retrieve apps? I don't see the point. It takes seconds to manage one's home screen, without adding useless links through what is a notifications' sheet.

With the search feature, locating apps is fast and easy, too.

Same for the messages. The most active people with whom I message with are easy to find in the messages app.
I can't comment on the maps feature, since I never use maps on my phone.

To me, what you call convenience is just a bunch of redundant shortcuts that are being added in an area reserved to notifications. Correctly managing your home screen gives you much more flexibility than any launcher is able to.
Then again, I rarely happen to send repetitive content to anyone from messages, for example. So as I stated, this app is useless for me, and it doesn't fit in the notifications part of the interface: it makes it way less consistent.
Click to expand...


Not all apps suit everyone.

This place would be pretty boring if we all liked and did the same things.

One thing we all need to agree on is keeping this thread live and as positive as possible.

With the interest shown in this thread is proof alone that the app was brilliant for a large majority of users.

I think given the chance you would of found a use for it but thanks to Apple that isn't going to happen any time soon.
 
Donka said:
Finally, it allows you to launch apps with specified variables at run time, this is something you cannot do today without a utility to assist you and these are probably the instances where this is most convenient. You don't need this app to perform the same tasks but the app does speed things up, some more than others and all saved time, regardless of how small, still adds up.
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And this is exactly why it is not just "a launcher in the notification panel" and why I'm sad I didn't get a chance to download it before it was pulled.
 
Beefburga said:
Exactly!!

But as mentioned, that screenshot was taken over 2 years ago. How long do they need to see something which would improve any iPhone.

Are we all happy to wait another year, two years for IOS9, IOS10 in the hope they bring these little things we want?

Its not like this app allows you to steal people's passwords or piggieback on to people's secure wifi signals........ It simply opens apps!!!!




NEWS AT 10:

"A gentleman was in court today after being caught opening an app on his iPhone from the notification screen..........."
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No arguments at all! while they're at it I would like BiteSMS, and the ability to lock my messages app, by thread!!
 
Muaddib7 said:
So you would prefer a smartphone that makes you work harder? A dumb phone perhaps?

Using the word lazy for a device intended to make managing your life more efficient is illogical. The point of the app was to provide a more efficient way to launch frequent tasks, not just apps. If you don't find it useful, that's fine. But you seem to be in the minority here in this thread.

I just found this thread and I'm sad I missed a chance to download it.
Click to expand...

Work harder? That made me chuckle a bit.
You do realise we are talking about "swipe + tap" vs "tap + tap". Right? 🙂

Are you aware that you can add custom abbreviations, if you must send repetitive texts?
Or that you can ask Siri to perform tasks for you?

As I stated, if you learn to use your home screen properly, you'd never want to have any sort of launcher. The home screen is supposed to be just that.

Donka said:
And that is exactly why it is your choice to install or not. This app clearly is not for you given your usage requirements.
You do make some assumptions though. I personally prefer a clean home screen with little in the way of apps on it, I leave them in folders on the following pages. For people like me, a launcher app already has value.
Yes, searching is a great feature but you need to swipe down to invoke spotlight which is exactly what you do to get to the widgets. At this point, you have all your shortcuts right in front of you but with spotlight you would need to start typing to pull up the apps so again the launcher is quicker.
One thing to point out, Android and Windows Mobile already allow similar launcher apps and back in the Pocket PC days, a launcher app was the top downloaded utility for that OS so there clearly is a requirement from the user base for such an app.
Finally, it allows you to launch apps with specified variables at run time, this is something you cannot do today without a utility to assist you and these are probably the instances where this is most convenient. You don't need this app to perform the same tasks but the app does speed things up, some more than others and all saved time, regardless of how small, still adds up.
Click to expand...

If you choose to give up functionality for the looks for what concerns your home screen, you are not using it the way it is designed for: to make it easy to access frequently used apps, without having to resort to madness, or third party launchers. You are free to misuse it, of course, and end up having to rely on a third party launcher.
It'd be analogous to using a third party podcast app, and complaining about it not being supported properly, when you can choose just to use the official application: it's your choice that is limiting you there.

As for repetitive tasks, it would be nice to have stock apps support external calls to automate some requests, and being able to have them on a screen, just like web links for Safari.
I don't think there is a point in having such a feature in the notification center however. Not only because of the inconsistency.
If your phone is locked - and with Touch ID, I'd guess most are protected -, you wouldn't be able to access anything from lock screen through the notification center anyway, for obvious security and privacy concerns. You would have to unlock the phone any way, and once you are there you would just be able to tap your automated task, instead of having to swipe down the notifications' sheet.
 
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