LaunchBar for MAC – This app was developed by Objective Development Software and updated into the latest version at April, 24th 2019. Download LaunchBar 6.11.1 for Mac from Apps4MAC.com. 100% Safe and Secure Start with a single keyboard shortcut to access and control every aspect! LaunchBar is compatible with Mac OS X 10.2 or higher. Note: When you purchase something after clicking links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. Read our affiliate link policy for. LaunchBar is compatible with Mac OS X 10.2 or higher. Note: When you purchase something after clicking links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. Read our affiliate link policy for.
When some folks think about macOS, the first thought that comes to mind may be “closed-system.” However, this couldn’t further than the truth, as there are plenty of ways to break the walls of the system.
One such instance comes via the “launcher” that is already pre-installed on every macOS device. Spotlight allows you to search for various files, apps, documents quickly, and you can even perform web searches.
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However, there are some limitations, which left us wondering if there are bigger and better options available. Luckily, there are some great alternatives, and we’re going to take a look at a few of the best.
Alfred
Alfred is a personal favorite of mine because it has been around for quite a long time.
I’ve tried other options but always keep coming back to Alfred due to its intuitiveness and how easy Alfred is to customize
The app itself is free, but there is a Powerpack that you can purchase which unlocks even more potential.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what Alfred’s Powerpack can provide:
- Search Google, Amazon and more
- Clipboard History
- Snippets & Auto-expansion
- Control iTunes
- Run Shell & Terminal Commands
- 1Password Integration
There are even some other commands that can be run via Alfred that allow you to activate your screensaver, put your Mac to sleep, and others.
Alfred is a great tool, and if you still want to keep the old Spotlight around, you can set a custom key-combo to activate Alfred, while leaving cmd-space for Spotlight.
The possibilities of Alfred are truly endless, especially if you start diving into the different workflows. There are workflows for password generators, the ability to tweet directly from Alfred, and many, many more.
While Alfred is free to download, you’ll likely want to spring for the Powerpack.
This is priced at around $30 for a single user license for version 3. For about $50, you can get a Mega Supporter license, which guarantees free updates for life.
Quicksilver
Unlike Alfred, QuickSilver has mostly kept the same design over the years.
It’s not nearly as robust as Alfred+Powerpack, but Quicksilver still has quite a few tricks up its sleeve.
One such example is that you can use various commands or shortcuts to open different applications. These can be set up and customized via the Preferences panel found within the Quicksilver application.
The real fun with Quicksilver comes via the different extension plug-ins and the overall community.
If you are trying this launcher out but need to figure out a specific workflow, chances are there is a plug-in already available for doing so.
Finally, Quicksilver also has a boatload of customizable options, making it possible to turn this basic launcher into a nerd’s paradise of commands.
However, there may be a bit of a learning curve if you are just getting started.
Unlike Alfred, Quicksilver is entirely free, and you won’t have to purchase any extras to unlock the full potential.
LaunchBar
If Quicksilver is the basic, no-nonsense version of Spotlight, then Launchbar is the big fish in the small pond.
Launchbar For Macbook Air
Launchbar has been around for longer than even Spotlight and is on version 6 in its history.
As is the case with all of the aforementioned options, the possibilities are endless of what you can do with this launcher.
You can manage files, search the web, manage events and reminders, and of course, launch applications.
Launchbar also includes a few extra features including the following:
- Clipboard History
- Snippet Manager
- iTunes Controller
- Calculator
- Script Runner
Perhaps one of the most exciting features for creators is the included Info Browsing functionality.
This allows you to view the file size, color profile, image dimensions and more of whatever files you are looking at on your Mac.
When it comes to being unique, Launchbar has something over the others – Usage Profile.
The more that you use this launcher, the more information will be stored for the purpose of showing you analytics of what you are using Launchbar for.
This can come in handy for those who like charts/graphs or need to track what you’re doing.
While there is a free version of Launchbar available, the company hopes that you spring for the licensed version.
The free version will periodically remind you to take a break, while the licensed version won’t care. This is priced at $29 for a single license, and $49 if you want to use Launchbar on up to 5 computers.
Spotlight
You may be thinking that it’s all fine and dandy that there are replacement launchers, but what about Apple’s option?
Spotlight is pretty bare bones compared to the alternatives, but that’s to be expected.
With Spotlight, users can easily search for things such as apps, documents, and more.
But did you know that you can look up other specific things such as sporting teams, the weather, and even stocks?
You can’t really add any extra plug-ins to enhance the features of Spotlight, but it’s a straightforward, no-nonsense option to get some stuff done.
Plus, it’s free and already built-into your Mac, meaning there is nothing else that you need to download.
Conclusion
If you’re serious about being productive and making the most out of your Mac, then you might want to check out some other launchers.
Our pick is Alfred, but Launchbar is also a great alternative.
Spotlight has come a long way since its inception, but we’re hoping to see Apple continue to expand on its functionality in the future.
If you have another app recommendation that you don’t see here, tell us about it in the comments below.
Andrew is a freelance writer based on the East Coast of the US.
He has written for a variety of sites over the years, including iMore, Android Central, Phandroid, and a few others. Now, he spends his days working for an HVAC company, while moonlighting as a freelance writer at night.
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OBJECTIVE DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCES LAUNCHBAR 3.1.1 FOR MAC OS X
Vienna, Austria – October 26, 2001 — Objective Development today announced
the availability of LaunchBar 3.1.1 for Mac OS X, a fully keyboard driven
productivity utility that provides lightning fast access to thousands of
files, web-bookmarks, email-addresses and applications just by entering
short abbreviations.
the availability of LaunchBar 3.1.1 for Mac OS X, a fully keyboard driven
productivity utility that provides lightning fast access to thousands of
files, web-bookmarks, email-addresses and applications just by entering
short abbreviations.
Launchbar For Mac Pro
“We receive incredible user feedback”, says Norbert Heger, co-founder of
Objective Development and author of LaunchBar. “Most people tell us they
became addicted to LaunchBar within a couple of hours”.
Objective Development and author of LaunchBar. “Most people tell us they
became addicted to LaunchBar within a couple of hours”.
LaunchBar offers an amazingly intuitive way to control your computer. It’s
not you learning how to use LaunchBar, but it’s LaunchBar learning how to
serve you. Just type a few letters of what you intend to do and LaunchBar
will do it for you.
not you learning how to use LaunchBar, but it’s LaunchBar learning how to
serve you. Just type a few letters of what you intend to do and LaunchBar
will do it for you.
LaunchBar is sitting in the background, ready to receive your keystrokes.
You just hit Command-Space to attract its attention, enter a short,
abbreviated description of what you’re looking for, and it immediately
offers the best matching choice from a list of thousands of possibilities.
This list and the corresponding abbreviations do NOT need to be configured
manually. LaunchBar uses a very powerful, adaptive abbreviation search
algorithm that allows you to enter ANY thinkable abbreviation of the
searched item. LaunchBar automatically analyzes the user’s behavior and
adapts the rating criteria dynamically. Therefore the search results become
more accurate the more you use LaunchBar. It simply learns from the user’s
habits.
You just hit Command-Space to attract its attention, enter a short,
abbreviated description of what you’re looking for, and it immediately
offers the best matching choice from a list of thousands of possibilities.
This list and the corresponding abbreviations do NOT need to be configured
manually. LaunchBar uses a very powerful, adaptive abbreviation search
algorithm that allows you to enter ANY thinkable abbreviation of the
searched item. LaunchBar automatically analyzes the user’s behavior and
adapts the rating criteria dynamically. Therefore the search results become
more accurate the more you use LaunchBar. It simply learns from the user’s
habits.
A detailed review can be found at
http://spazmo.peacedividend.com/showcase/LaunchBar/launchbar.html
http://spazmo.peacedividend.com/showcase/LaunchBar/launchbar.html
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
* Accessing numerous resources by entering short abbreviations
* Quick activation using a system wide hotkey
* Ultra fast, adaptive search algorithm: Learns from the user’s habits
* Switching between running applications
* Filesystem Browsing
* Easy installation: Automated setup management and an extensive default
setup allows to use LaunchBar “out of the box”
* Quick activation using a system wide hotkey
* Ultra fast, adaptive search algorithm: Learns from the user’s habits
* Switching between running applications
* Filesystem Browsing
* Easy installation: Automated setup management and an extensive default
setup allows to use LaunchBar “out of the box”
For a full catalog of features and more information about LaunchBar please
visit Objective Development’s web site at
http://www.obdev.at/products/launchbar/
visit Objective Development’s web site at
http://www.obdev.at/products/launchbar/
PRICING AND AVAILABILITY
LaunchBar 3.1.1 for Mac OS X is available now and can be downloaded from
http://www.obdev.at/products/launchbar/download.html Midikit 4 2.
http://www.obdev.at/products/launchbar/download.html Midikit 4 2.
Launchbar For Mac Os
The free, built in evaluation license is sufficient for occasional use. It
allows to access a maximum of 7 different items per session. Those items
can be accessed without any restriction, and even if the session limit is
exceeded it is still possible to open 10 further items.
allows to access a maximum of 7 different items per session. Those items
can be accessed without any restriction, and even if the session limit is
exceeded it is still possible to open 10 further items.
The LaunchBar Business License is available for USD 39,- per seat. A Home
User License, restricted to non-commercial, non-profit use, is available
for USD 19.95 per seat.
User License, restricted to non-commercial, non-profit use, is available
for USD 19.95 per seat.
ABOUT OBJECTIVE DEVELOPMENT
Objective Development was started about ten years ago as an informal
cooperation of developers who gained know-how with contract work and
consulting in the area of NEXTSTEP and OPENSTEP development (NEXTSTEP and
OPENSTEP were the operating systems developed by NeXT Inc. and were direct
ancestors of Mac OS X). Objective Development’s current focus is on Mac OS
X, EOF and WebObjects application development.
cooperation of developers who gained know-how with contract work and
consulting in the area of NEXTSTEP and OPENSTEP development (NEXTSTEP and
OPENSTEP were the operating systems developed by NeXT Inc. and were direct
ancestors of Mac OS X). Objective Development’s current focus is on Mac OS
X, EOF and WebObjects application development.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Objective Development
Heger, Schwarzott, Starkjohann & Tiefenbrunner OEG
Norbert Heger, Technical Director & Marketing
Porschestrasse 13-15/10/1
A-1230 Vienna
AUSTRIA/EUROPE
Phone: +43(1)60936506
Fax: +43(1)60936504
e-mail: [email protected]
web: http://www.obdev.at/
Heger, Schwarzott, Starkjohann & Tiefenbrunner OEG
Norbert Heger, Technical Director & Marketing
Porschestrasse 13-15/10/1
A-1230 Vienna
AUSTRIA/EUROPE
Phone: +43(1)60936506
Fax: +43(1)60936504
e-mail: [email protected]
web: http://www.obdev.at/