The first time I came across a launcher app was back in college when I owned a Microsoft Windows laptop, but really wanted a Mac instead. I remember scouring the internet trying to find ways to make my operating system experience less like Windows and more Apple. My search led me to a simple launcher app that acted as an iOS overlay to my Windows OS.
With this admission, I appreciate I’m probably offending both Microsoft and Apple users, with Bill Gates fans shouting, “MS Windows is far superior,” at their screens, and Steve Jobs fans wondering why on earth I didn’t just buy a Mac. But the reality was that I was short on cash, and I just wanted a quick fix while I saved up enough money to go the whole hog.
I’m happy to say that those days are long behind me. I’m now typing on a MacBook Pro with an iPhone on the desk next to me. I’m all in on Apple, but there are still times when my iPhone experience just isn’t as customized and bespoke as I’d like it to be. That’s why I use this affordable little app called Launcher.
Homescreen heroes
This is part of a regular series of articles exploring the apps that we couldn’t live without. Read them all here.
Launcher is an app developed by Cromulent Labs that lets users customize their lock screens as well as their home screens by adding widgets and shortcuts. With just one click, Launcher makes it possible to launch apps, contact your loved ones, get directions to a location, play your favorite music, turn on or off your most-used settings, and more. It’s fair to say that much of this functionality is possible natively in the iPhone, but the level of customization that Launcher offers goes well beyond that.
One of my favorite features is the app’s ability to change widget icons automatically based on day, time, or even location. This makes it possible to see just app icons and shortcuts that you plan to use based on your activity and location. For example, when you arrive at the gym, Launcher will load up the health tracking and music apps that will perfectly accompany your workout. Or, if you arrive home, Launcher will make sure you lose access to your work apps and only give you access to the apps that help you unwind.
I’m also a big fan of being able to add widgets to my lock screen. Adding quick links to my wife’s phone number or to my most-used apps saves me a lot of time each day. The icons of these widgets, as well as home screen widgets, can be adjusted in size to suit your preference. This is ideal for those who might benefit from supersized icons, like the visually impaired.
Free is good, but premium is better
There is plenty that you can do with the free version, including the creation of bespoke shortcuts, the launching of websites, and even the customization of icons. But, as soon as you try to enhance your experience with things like the aforementioned time and location-based widgets, folders, and iCloud backup, you’ll realize that you need to upgrade to Premium.
Additionally, the free version is full of ads, which can get pretty annoying after a while. I found myself craving the Premium upgrade after only a short period of time, and unless your patience levels are off the chart, then I imagine you might feel the same.
The privilege of going premium will cost you $24.99/£24.99, although in the UK it’s currently discounted down to £9.99. This is a one-time payment that opens up access to the app indefinitely. That means there are no repeat subscription fees, which, in this day and age, is a rarity.
So, if customizing your iPhone’s interface for greater productivity and simplicity sounds good to you, just download Launcher on iOS and begin your widget exploration.
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paulo.n.hatton@gmail.com (Paul Hatton)
