Android Developer Spotlight: Chris Lacy

Here is another "episode" of Developer Spotlight. If you didn't catch the last one, it can be found here. When it comes to quality, there is seriously almost no better than Chris Lacy's apps. He might not have many in his portfolio but what he does have, are well worth the amount he charges for the pro versions of his apps ($5). 

• Action Launcher

   Action Launcher is a home replacement launcher that well, lets you take action. Following the Holo Android design but with a twist. Instead of an application drawer, you have what is called a Quickdrawer, which holds all of your applications in a list view that is accessed by swiping out from the left side of the screen. Swiping once more with the Quickdrawer open, you access a list view of all your widgets. Swiping out from the right side of the screen you get a Quickpage which is a home screen that accessible from anywhere. You can add apps, widgets and folders that are always from a swipe away.

   Chris lacy also takes a different approach to widgets and folders. If you want a clean and minimal home screen, he's got you "covered".  Create a folder like you normally would, open the folder and tap the 3 dot menu and select "make cover". This makes the first app in the folder the cover of the folder and can be accessed just by tapping it. If you swipe up on the folder it will reveal the contents of it. Any app that has a widget associated with it will have 3 little lines on the bottom right corner of the icon and by swiping up, you have direct access to the widget.  Google Play - Action Launcher 

• Tweet Lanes For Twitter 

   A Twitter client that Twitter themselves actually took some notes on. Tweet Lanes aslo lets you connect to APP.NET, a social network for developers. Now the idea Twitter "stole" would be that nifty new tweet bar at the bottom of the app. Tweet Lanes gets its name from the way it handles all the sections of Twitter. I don't really wanna go into detail on every lane but lets just say the only thing you can't access from a lane is the settings of the application. Another nice feature is Volcroll. This allows you to use your volume buttons to scroll through your timeline instead using your fingers on the screen, and did I mention Chris Lacy open sourced it? Google Play - Tweet Lanes

• Link Bubble

   Probably the most useful application that I have ever used, and it is only available on Android. What Link Bubble does it, it takes your links and opens them in a bubble off to the side while you continue to use the current application that you're in. If you don't want to read it at that moment, you can slide the bubble to the left and save it to the Pocket app (Pocket app not included). If it's something you want to share right away you can also set the left bubble Facebook, Twitter, Google+ etc. Swiping it to the right bubble brings up a list of applications that you can share it too. The free version is restricted to only one bubble and one app to share to. Buy the pro version opens up unlimited tabs/bubbles and share to any available app on your phone. I really didn't think this app was going to be as useful as it is. Google Play - Link Bubble

• TapPath

   This in my opinion is something that could have been included in Link Bubble with the pro version but, the basic functions of this app include single, double, and triple tapping on a link. I have mine set up to open Link Bubble with a single tap, Chrome Beta with a double tap and share with a triple tap. It's $1 and for the sake of supporting such a great developer I bought it. I however do not think it should be a separate application for the sake of adding to your portfolio. Google Play - TapPath

I suggest supporting this amazing developer because his apps are of great quality and Chris is always asking his users for suggestions and feedback.