Chris Lacy’s Action Launcher has been one of our favourite Android launchers for some time, but the app floundered as Lacy took on new projects like Link Bubble (another great app).
Now, Lacy is back with the first beta version of Action Launcher 2.1, which combines some features from popular OEM launchers with his popular left-side sliding navigation tray paradigm.
Specifically, version 2.1 adds an “OK Google” hotword feature for Google Now, which was previously only available on the Google Experience Launcher (Nova Launcher recently added it, too). It’s also now possible to double-tap an empty space on the home screen to turn it off, something that has been popularized by LG.
Of course, Action Launcher’s main features, Covers and Shutters, which allow for users to create folders and widgets from app icons, are still available.
Action Launcher is a free download, but premium features, such as any-screen gestures, can be purchased if desired.
