'Launcher' Returns to the App Store After Apple Relaxes Policies

[dannyyankou]

I hope iOS 9 introduces a Dashboard. These widgets make absolutely no sense in the Notifications pull down. Dashboard would be great to the left of the first Home screen (where Search used to be).

It makes perfect sense actually. You can view widgets anywhere and you don't need to close an app to use them. Plus you can view them from the lockscreen.

BUT I wouldn't be opposed to having a separate dashboard with more detail and more capabilities.

 

[jimthing]

"There's an app for that."

Surely this functionality should be built into the operating system, rather than yet another app.

App overload these days. Everything from an app to open an app to an app to not have to open an app.

Yawn.

 

[NutFlush920]

It's shows up in my AppStore but when I tap Get and enter my password it says the Item is no longer available. Why would it even show up in a search if it wasn't available to install?

 

[jimthing]

...Next we'll have an app to open an app to not have to open an app.

 

[zorinlynx]

So, perhaps someone can explain this to me.

Why is Apple so finicky about what they allow these apps to do? Don't they realize that if a user doesn't like what an app does, they can just remove the app?

It just seems odd that they'd be initially so against something so useful. If a user has a serious problem with Launcher wasting space, they can easily uninstall it.

App approval should be about stopping genuinely bad apps, whether that be malware, apps that destabilize the phone or have excessive bugs, and so on. There's no valid reason "Launcher" ever should have been an issue.

 

[Traverse]

Not available for me yet.

 

[6836838]

I hope iOS 9 introduces a Dashboard. These widgets make absolutely no sense in the Notifications pull down. Dashboard would be great to the left of the first Home screen (where Search used to be).

Control Panel would be better.

 

[PowerBook-G5]

I hope iOS 9 introduces a Dashboard. These widgets make absolutely no sense in the Notifications pull down. Dashboard would be great to the left of the first Home screen (where Search used to be).

Good idea, but the idea of having widgets in Notification Center is that you can easily just swipe down from anywhere to get to them. If this Dashboard was just a swipe down or up, or even a double-click of the Home Button (maybe they can switch around the actions to open Control Center and Multitasking), then I'd be fully on board.

 

[penajmz]

Did they remove it again?

 

[jimthing]

So, perhaps someone can explain this to me.

Why is Apple so finicky about what they allow these apps to do? Don't they realize that if a user doesn't like what an app does, they can just remove the app?

It just seems odd that they'd be initially so against something so useful. If a user has a serious problem with Launcher wasting space, they can easily uninstall it.

App approval should be about stopping genuinely bad apps, whether that be malware, apps that destabilize the phone or have excessive bugs, and so on. There's no valid reason "Launcher" ever should have been an issue.

> > US ER EX PE R IE N CE < <

That's why. They think that apps that have the potential to do negative things, will ruin the experience of users.

e.g. an app that runs continually without the user realising, and then deadens the battery quicker, making their hardware look shabby. And other similar potential reasons... I believe other apps had the potential to use too much memory, or suchlike.

 

[LRB55]

Tried x 3 this evening. No luck yet. Same message as reported by others.

LRB

 

[cocky jeremy]

If this is really permanent, and the take down is not temporary, I'll say goodbye to my Nexus 5 Android.

Of all of the stuff in the world, this is what's going to cause you to switch? Wow. lol.

 

[technosix]

Just tried again, still not available. I'll hold my tongue other than to silently curse the dictatorial obsession of the Cupertino Company...

 

[Donka]

Took me a few attempts to get the update but it is now working fine in the UK app store. This genuinely is a very useful widget, I use it daily.

 

[shamus99]

It's shows up in my AppStore but when I tap Get and enter my password it says the Item is no longer available. Why would it even show up in a search if it wasn't available to install?

weird... I still have the original and theres an update avaiable in the app store. when I try to update it says item no longer available.

 

[Altis]

We waste days browsing Facebook and the like but, my God, we need a quick access point to call or email somebody. Phew.

If it doesn't interest you, don't bother.

Maybe it wouldn't be so necessary if iOS wasn't so slow at navigating around. I always wish the speed/responsiveness would return, but I'm starting to think it's not coming back.

 

[gavroche]

I didn't know that today is April 1st. April fools joke early?
Still showing as no longer available for me... i have my doubts.

 

[PowerBook-G5]

Took me a few attempts to get the update but it is now working fine in the UK app store. This genuinely is a very useful widget, I use it daily.

Damn you Brits (Scots?), still waiting for it to appear here in 'Murica

Can someone with knowledge of this type of thing explain why it is available in only some places now, but not others?

 

[Kadin]

I didn't know that today is April 1st. April fools joke early?
Still showing as no longer available for me... i have my doubts.

I see it but also get 'no longer available' when trying to "Get" it.

 

[LoveToMacRumors]

Not working for me either

 

[rhett7660]

Glad to see they let it back in.. I have had this since day one and just re-downloaded it!

 

[ellsworth]

The Yahoo! article I read said it's official release date on the AppStore is March 19, 2015. Just so you all know.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id905099592?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo=4

Most people who are currently downloading it probably had it from day one. If so, it remains in your account and they had access to it even when it was removed 6 months ago.

I'm in LA and it's not currently up in our regions App Store. Bummer.

 

[PowerBook-G5]

I just realized this after reading an article about the app on 9to5Mac: The Earth has different times zones, and the app is set to be released on THURSDAY. Right now it's still Wednesday here in the US. So that might explain part of why so many people cannot get the app yet. Just wait until tomorrow morning.

Ninja edit: ellsworth beat me to it

 

[rekhyt]

...Next we'll have an app to open an app to not have to open an app.

Na that's not good enough.

We need an app that opens other apps when we think about it.

It'll be too innovative and it'll be removed but Apple will, over time, 'relax' the rules for us.

 

[C DM]

Isn't there privacy concerns with this app? I thought it sold usage stats to a third party.

Where did that information come from?

----------

So, perhaps someone can explain this to me.

Why is Apple so finicky about what they allow these apps to do? Don't they realize that if a user doesn't like what an app does, they can just remove the app?

It just seems odd that they'd be initially so against something so useful. If a user has a serious problem with Launcher wasting space, they can easily uninstall it.

App approval should be about stopping genuinely bad apps, whether that be malware, apps that destabilize the phone or have excessive bugs, and so on. There's no valid reason "Launcher" ever should have been an issue.

It's also about apps that aren't in line with various policies that Apple has. The policy in relation to widgets was still rather new at the time iOS 8 became available publicly, and really it still fairly new, so things get adjusted and modified in relation to it as various cases come up and get considered and perhaps reconsidered as some time passes.