Action Launcher
Developer(s)Chris Lacy
Initial release2012
Stable release
50.7 (December 2023)
Operating systemAndroid 5.0 and newer
PlatformAndroid
TypeApplication launcher
Websitehttps://actionlauncher.com/

Action Launcher is an application launcher mobile app for Android developed by Chris Lacy under the Australian company "Action Launcher Pty. Ltd." (formerly "Digital Ashes").[1] Like other Android launcher apps, the program adds a graphical layer on top of the operating system's default application launcher to provide the user with an alternate way of navigating through the operating system, often adding features that the default launcher lacks.

Timeline of notable features

Action Launcher was first released in 2012.[2]

In 2013, a "1.5" version of the app was released supporting 10-inch tablets, and included features that allowed users to quickly access areas of the interface using touch gestures.[3] These features were expanded in the successive "2.0" release.[4]

In 2014, a new version of the launcher was released as "Action Launcher 3", updating "Action Launcher 2". This update added a way to quickly take the main colors of the user's chosen wallpaper and apply it to other elements of the interface, such as widgets.[5] It also restyled the app to follow Material Design guidelines.[6] The app was also split into multiple versions: a free version dubbed "Action Launcher 3", and a paid version called "Action Launcher 2", the latter available via purchase of a separate app called "Action Launcher Pro." Users reported finding this pricing scheme confusing.[6][7]

In 2016, functionality was added that let users access an app's key functions directly from the app icon on a homescreen.[8]

In 2017, the app was renamed from "Action Launcher 3" to simply "Action Launcher",[9] and integration with Google Feed (formerly Google Now) was added. This required a separate plugin to be sideloaded. The same update added the ability to see unread notifications on app tiles.[10]

In 2019, the launcher added additional support for theming, including dark mode.[11] Another update the same year added support for Android 10's new gesture navigation. It also improved upon a feature called ActionDash, an alternative to Google's Digital Wellbeing.[12]

In 2022, v50 was released. This update mirrored some features of Google's Pixel Launcher, with a focus on more support for freemium users. Lacy said of the motivation for the update, "Action Launcher’s freemium implementation has historically been terrible. It was far too aggressive in pushing people to purchase the Plus upgrade, which turned a great many people off, and the app was barely usable for nonpaying customers."[13]

Reception

Action Launcher is frequently cited by Android media outlets as a good alternate launcher available to Android users.[14][15][16][17] As of 2019, it had over 5 million downloads.[18]

References

  1. ↑ "ACTION LAUNCHER PTY LTD - Australia Company". australia-corp.com. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
  2. ↑ "Action Launcher Pro: nieuwe snelle launcher voor Android". Android Planet (in Dutch). Retrieved 2023-12-10.
  3. ↑ "Action Launcher Pro version 1.5 puts Android widgets just a swipe away (video)". Engadget. 2013-03-28. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
  4. ↑ "Action Launcher's custom Android interface gets quick-access home screen and KitKat tweaks". Engadget. 2013-12-05. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
  5. ↑ "Redesigned Action Launcher 3 brings Material Design and Quickthemes as a new launcher". Android Authority. 2014-12-12. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
  6. 1 2 Torres, Juan Carlos (2014-12-12). "Action Launcher 3 launches with new Quicktheme feature". Android Community. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
  7. ↑ Hoff, John (2014-12-08). "Action Launcher 3.0 is coming as a paid upgrade". Android Community. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
  8. ↑ R, Ben (2016-10-01). "Action Launcher 3 adds several Android 7.1 Nougat / Pixel Launcher features". PhoneArena. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
  9. ↑ Diaz, Justin (2017-06-23). "Action Launcher 3 Gets Renamed, Adds New Features & Fixes". Android Headlines. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
  10. ↑ Schoon, Ben (2017-07-28). "Action Launcher updated with Google Feed integration and Android O features". 9to5Google.
  11. ↑ "Action Launcher finally offers theme support, including dark theme". Android Authority. 2019-07-26. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
  12. ↑ "Action Launcher now supports Android 10 gesture navigation". Android Authority. 2019-12-21. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
  13. ↑ Romero, Andrew (June 24, 2022). "Action Launcher tears down its paywall, with more features now available to free users". 9to5Google.
  14. ↑ Baker, Ron (2023-03-18). "The Best Launchers To Change Your Android Phone For The Better". SlashGear. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
  15. ↑ "The 7 Best Android Launchers of 2023". Lifewire. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
  16. ↑ Wilde, Damien (2023-04-19). "The best Android launchers to use with your smartphone in 2023 [Video]". 9to5Google.
  17. ↑ Raphael, J. R. (2017-05-11). "The quiet power of Android's custom launchers". Computerworld. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
  18. ↑ Wilde, Damien (April 29, 2019). "Action Launcher v40 overhaul includes new ad-supported Action Search, brand new app icon, more". 9to5Google.
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