FastLaunch is a tiny app that lets you select your favorite applications and then holding down the SEARCH key will pop up a menu of them so you can launch them at any time. This is only for devices with a SEARCH key.

Just run FastLaunch, put checkmarks beside your favorite apps, and then hold SEARCH to get the menu. (If you have other apps installed that show up on SEARCH hold, you will get a menu asking what you want to have happen when you hold SEARCH.)

You can also add to the menu some toggles: Airplane Mode, Bluetooth and WiFi.