A few years ago, a launcher would be the first app many people installed on a new Android phone. Yet as the native phone software has gotten better, launchers have become less essential. But that's ...

It's time to let go.

Developers of a few popular third-party Android launchers have come together. They are urging Google to ensure gesture navigation, app switcher, and other aspects work reliably on custom launchers.

David Nield is a technology journalist from Manchester in the U.K. who has been writing about gadgets and apps for more than 20 years. He has a bachelor's degree in English Literature from Durham ...