Action Launcher version 3 is coming soon bringing Material Design, a new feature and a price tag

Action Launcher, one of the more popular launches around the Ausdroid offices, is about to get an update. It’s not just a Material Design update though and it’s likely there may be some people a little upset with the new version.

Australian developer Chris Lacy has advised on his Google+ profile that the upcoming update to version 3 is a big one. Because of the scale of the update he’s decided to charge for the new version. As Chris points out it’s a big change :

Action Launcher 3 isn’t a “app X gets an update for Material Design” release. In fact, it’s not an update at all. It’s an entirely new version. It is a total re-imagining. It is both a complete re-design and a complete re-write. Every feature from Action Launcher 2 that has been brought over has been rethought and polished. It has a headline feature new not just for Action Launcher, but all launchers. It is the culmination of many months of effort.

Action Launcher version 3 will launch in Google Play shortly, being pushed out to current users of Action Launcher. Once the change is under way, users can choose to pay for the app though in-App Purchase to unlock premium features, use the trial version of Action launcher 3 or install the app they previously paid for.

Action Launcher 2: Holo Edition will be re-released under different package name so that any links out there to Action Launcher will point to the most current version, a clever piece of SEO from Chris. The Action Launcher 2 app will have all the functions the launcher has had to date, but development will now focus on Action Launcher 3.

Chris is well aware that this plan will ruffle a few feathers. He’s offered anyone who purchased Action Launcher within the last 30 days the option of a refund. He’s asked people unhappy with the plan to:

Buy the Action Launcher 3 Plus in-app purchase when it releases. Make sure you use the same Google Account used to purchase Action Launcher Pro. Then email [email protected] with a subject of “Action Launcher 2 Refund”.

Now. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? It all depends on your point of view. Action Launcher 2 will continue to work, but you’ll have to update if you want the updated version and we’re all for that. Developers, especially independent developers like Chris deserve to be paid. Action Launcher has been on the market for two years (well, almost), so there’s two years worth of use for between $2-$4 depending on how much you paid. You get to keep what it’s become, including the updates and as far as we’re concerned: That’s a pretty good deal.

I’ll be standing in line to throw money at Chris as soon as he releases Action Launcher because I love what he did with it. We can’t wait to see what he does with Action Launcher 3.0 and we’ll let you know as soon as it’s out.