Nova Launcher Returns With New Ownership
After facing a rocky period following its acquisition by Branch Metrics in 2022, Nova Launcher has been revived by a new owner, Instabridge. This turnaround presents a mix of hope for loyal users and concern over potential changes that might not sit well with its community.
New Management, New Approach
The past few years have not been easy for Nova Launcher. After being acquired by the analytics company Branch Metrics, significant changes ensued, leading to the layoff of most of the development team, except for founder Kevin Barry. This resulted in a slowdown in app updates and growing user dissatisfaction.
In September, Barry left the company after being directed to halt any further work on the launcher or its potential transition to an open-source model. Many believed this marked the end of a fan-favorite Android launcher. Thankfully, Instabridge has now stepped in to take over Nova Launcher, reassuring users that the launcher will remain operational and focusing on stability and compatibility with Android updates.
Focus on Performance and Feedback
Instabridge has emphasized that enhancing performance and customization options will remain a priority. The new team plans to address bugs and work actively with the community through feedback gathered from platforms like the Play Store and Reddit.
Ads: A Controversial Addition
While the revival of Nova Launcher is a positive development, one of the biggest concerns among users is the potential introduction of advertisements. An FAQ from Instabridge indicates that they are considering various models for sustainability, including the option for ads in the free version of Nova Launcher.
Reports suggest ads may already be present in version 8.2.4 of the launcher, leading to user complaints about the introduction of Facebook Ads and other trackers—changes implemented by the previous owner.
Despite Instabridge's assurance that ads will not be included in Nova Prime, priced at $3.99, users have reported seeing ads even in the paid version. This raises questions about the veracity of those claims and whether users will have to contend with advertisements in both versions of the launcher.
User Data and Open Source Possibilities
Instabridge has stated their intention to collect minimal user data for operational needs, assuring that this data won't be sold to third parties. Additionally, there is hope that Barry's vision for an open-source Nova Launcher could be revisited, with Instabridge currently exploring this idea.
What’s Next for Nova Users?
With the ongoing changes, users may have to adapt to advertisements, as switching to Nova Prime may not be a straightforward solution at the moment. Alternatively, users can consider reverting to earlier versions of Nova Launcher or even exploring different Android launchers altogether. The community’s sentiment about Nova Launcher amid these changes remains to be seen as more users are drawn to options like Niagara Launcher.
