Nova Launcher Gets New Owners, Isn't Going Anywhere
www.droid-life.com
It was announced today that Nova Launcher has been acquired by Instabridge, a Swedish company that “builds products that help people get online.” The announcement starts off rather positive. It confirms that Nova is not shutting down and that Instabridge wants to, “keep Nova... #Android #Apps

Does anyone know this company? I hope it’s Nova launchers saving grace.

  • Voytrekk@sopuli.xyzEnglish
    23·
    5 months ago

    I used to love Nova Launcher, but I just can’t trust it anymore. There are too many open source options that are getting close enough without having to worry about them spying on your behavior.

      • gedaliyah@lemmy.worldEnglish
        19·
        5 months ago

        My top customizable FOSS launchers:

        Kvaesisto
        Search-based with native-themed widgets and app drawer. Lots of integrations, reliable, and my personal daily driver.

        Lawnchair
        Drop-in replacement for Pixel launcher with some friendly features. Very active development.

        Ion Launcher
        Automatic app folders by category and decent customization options.

        Einstein Launcher
        Highly customizable and built from scratch. It’s under 3MB and already pretty capable, although it’s a young project and still in alpha

      • madcat451@lemmy.worldEnglish
        7·
        5 months ago

        I’ve been using Niagara Launcher, it’s a completely different style of launcher that I think fits more in line with how we hold and interact with smartphones. I don’t think I can ever go back to the traditional app icon grid layout style launcher.

        • frank@sopuli.xyzEnglish
          3·
          5 months ago

          I tried it for a half day, and really struggled with how different it is. Any thoughts on that? I don’t always search for an app by name in Nova, often I go by the autopilot of where it lies on my home screen

          • lietuva@lemmy.worldEnglish
            1·
            5 months ago

            I’ve used Nova for many years, then I switched to Niagara. Like you know where your apps are on grid style launchers, you know which letter locates which app on Niagara. You dont need to search for an app, just draw with your thumb across the letters.

        • spankinspinach@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
          3·
          5 months ago

          Second on Niagara. Great integration and flow, I paid for the lifetime version. Moved back to regular android for now but it’s waiting in my app drawer for my inevitable return

      • Dave.@aussie.zoneEnglish
        71·
        5 months ago

        Revert to a version of nova launcher from a few years back.

        All the features I needed from it were finalised years ago, so why update?

        The usual nebulous comments like “bug fixes and performance improvements” in the changelogs isn’t really a strong reason for me.

      • ORbituary@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
        3·
        5 months ago

        If you’re using Graphene, you can disable network access entirely. I’m still in the market for something new, though.

        I don’t like Lawnchair, unfortunately. I’ll check out KISS as someone suggested. I bought Pro Launcher years ago, but didn’t use it… Maybe I can stay this time.

  • Pika@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    31·
    5 months ago

    Even if this does end up being a good thing, it’s too far too late. Considering that they’ve been without a maintainer for over two years now, I jumped ship.