Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

a2daj · Oct 13, 2003, 04:34 PM

So, there's a new app out called AppRocket which is essentially the Windows version of LaunchBar (available for OS X and NextStep). It looks so much like LaunchBar that more than a few people have wondered if perhaps it was an official port or just a blatant ripoff.

Apparently, it's a ripoff. The AppRocket developers are planning on contacting the LaunchBar developers after they release the non beta version of AppRocket to see if they can work something out...

Any thoughts?

King Bob On The Cob · Oct 13, 2003, 07:07 PM

I'll only be irate if Windows users start "You stole our idea"ing.

Then I'll go and wring the necks of every Windows user that says that.

moki · Oct 14, 2003, 02:06 AM

Well, LaunchBar isn't exactly an original idea either (though it is well done) -- check out MindVision's old "MindControl" product... and numerous other such products before that.

a2daj · Oct 14, 2003, 10:23 AM

While the idea isn't original, didn't LaunchBar come out before MindControl? LB was released back in the days of NextStep.

Anyway, the point is that AppRocket is so identical to LaunchBar in implementation that it raised a few eyebrows. The GUI is identical in layout and functionality (see the pictures in the link to decaffeinated.org).

From Candy Labs' marketing hype:

"The simplicity of AppRocket could not have been accomplished with a large cumbersome interface. So, we had to design a custom interface that is accessible from any other Windows application. Using your chosen keyboard command, AppRocket slides down from the top of your screen and awaits your command."

Uh yeah, they designed the interface...

sanity assassin · Oct 14, 2003, 10:36 AM

Cool, makes life a little simpler.

King Bob On The Cob · Oct 14, 2003, 08:43 PM

Originally posted by moki:
Well, LaunchBar isn't exactly an original idea either (though it is well done) -- check out MindVision's old "MindControl" product... and numerous other such products before that.

LaunchBar is from 1996. I think it was the first of it's kind implemented like it was.

moki · Oct 15, 2003, 02:22 AM

Originally posted by a2daj:
Anyway, the point is that AppRocket is so identical to LaunchBar in implementation that it raised a few eyebrows. The GUI is identical in layout and functionality (see the pictures in the link to decaffeinated.org).

Yep, you're certainly right about that, especially after looking at the screenshots. As someone who recently had this happen to me as well, I'm sure the author of LaunchBar isn't all that happy... but then again, LaunchBar has been out for quite some time, and also this is on a different platform, so it doesn't compete with his product at all.

Hop Pocket · Oct 15, 2003, 08:03 AM

Yes, it is kind of suck, but in a similar way, when Apple's iPod style began to be copied by others (noticeably Dell, I believe), it also raised recognition of the innovator, in this case Apple, and for this thread, Launchbar.

The difference I suppose is that the Windows people can't use Launchbar, even if they know about it.

If Obdev is upset about someone peeing in their Cheerios, maybe they should port Launchbar to Windows. They'd be able to compete easily with this other product.

keston · Oct 15, 2003, 08:37 AM

Whenever i am forced to use a windows machine (eg. at work) I wish it had the things that I enjoy and make my computing experience easier. Knock off or not, if an app fills the gap than was there before, all the power to it. If the original developer doesn't want to do it (or is taking too long), someone has to. Its all about us, the end user (noone cares or remembers who did it first, as long as its the best product/price that works best for me).