Apple Removes Launcher From App Store; Calls It a 'Misuse' of Widgets: Report

Apple has reportedly removed an app called Launcher from the App Store, and the developer claims the Cupertino giant said the app was a 'misuse' of widgets on iOS 8.

According to Techcrunch, Launcher by Cromulent Labs is one of the first apps to take advantage of the new functionality Apple has introduced in iOS 8, as it could launch other apps directly from the Notification Center. The app is said to be a quick way for users to access their "favourite apps or common actions" without being forced to navigate through various home screens and with fewer taps.

The developer, Greg Gardner, explains in a blog post what the removal of the app means for users who have already have the Launcher app installed. Gardner says users will still be able to use the app, can no longer purchase the Pro version, update the app, or expect any bug fixes.

Apple contacted me on September 23, 2014 and told me that they have decided to disallow any Notification Center widget that lets you launch other apps. Their only reason was that it is a 'misuse' of widgets, even though there are no written rules to this effect and the app was originally approved by them.

Apple told me I could release an update without the Notification Center widget or they will take the app off of the App Store in 'a number of days'. I submitted a fix for the app which I thought to be a valid compromise where every click on the widget always goes back to the Launcher app first which then redirects you to your target app. This was submitted on Friday, September 26 and within an hour, Apple rejected the fix and then took Launcher down from the App Store.

The developer has now filed an online petition to request that Apple allow Launcher's functionality in widgets on the App Store. Gardner, while speaking to Techcrunch, also said that the Launcher app had ranked highly on the list of the top 20 highest grossing productivity apps in the US shortly after its App Store debut. The app has also made it to the top 10 highest grossing productivity apps in 43 different countries, according to Gardner.

"It seemed that [Apple was] opening up the platform and allowing for more inter-app communication in iOS 8, but this decision shows that they still feel they know what is best for the users, even if users disagree," told Gardner to Techcrunch. "At this point I don't have any plans to continue developing iOS apps."