In a Reddit AMA, the then-Branch CEO Alex Austin also revealed that if Kevin ever left Branch, they would open-source Nova Launcher’s code and release it to the community.
We still have hope if they keep their promise!
Android’s most beloved launcher may be done for good
Submitted 3 weeks ago by ardi60@reddthat.com to technology@lemmy.world
https://www.androidpolice.com/androids-most-beloved-launcher-may-be-done-for-good/
Comments
themurphy@lemmy.ml 3 weeks ago
noodlejetski@piefed.social 3 weeks ago
themurphy@lemmy.ml 3 weeks ago
Big unlucky.
can@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
Read a bit further:
Two years later, Kevin Barry left Branch and is no longer involved in Nova’s development. In his announcement, Barry revealed that he had been the sole developer for the past year, spending recent months preparing to open source Nova Launcher and clean up its codebase. However, Branch ultimately asked him to stop both development and his open-sourcing efforts.
themurphy@lemmy.ml 3 weeks ago
Yeah, I read it. But they still promised open source, nothing about Barry working on it or not.
That’s why I said “keeping their promise”
glitchdx@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
if it’s nova launcher I’m gonna be pissed.
interdimensionalmeme@lemmy.ml 3 weeks ago
Hey by any chance do you have the last APK file and the SHA256 of that file ?
Oh wait, it this it ?
apkmirror.com/…/nova-launcher-8-1-1-android-apk-d…
Name: com.teslacoilsw.launcher_8.1.1-81001_minAPI26(arm64-v8a,armeabi-v7a)(nodpi)_apkmirror.com.apk
Size: 11970405 bytes (11 MiB)
SHA256: 30bccfdd995969089ad364a7a6bb7bbea482a703fbfb30ebccad6418aa977fecIs there an x86_64 version ?
Just making sure we’ve got the last version saved
Oh wait, it’s not open source ? And they’ve been acquired in 2022 ?
date of acquisition 2022-07-19
Ok, last one before the acquisition, just in case
apkmirror.com/…/nova-launcher-8-0-2-android-apk-d…
Name: com.teslacoilsw.launcher_8.0.2-80002_minAPI26(arm64-v8a,armeabi-v7a)(nodpi)_apkmirror.com.apk
Size: 12580956 bytes (11 MiB)
SHA256: 61a760413387dde99f2a2ef4b065caf278b575c8028cc5b3092f05192cfee258hansolo@lemmy.today 3 weeks ago
Seriously, one of the few apps I’ve ever paid for - and this is what I get?!
thatradomguy@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
I’m sorry, brother. My condolences. I actually get my launcher from Fdroid and so I’ll probably also be fucked.
cRazi_man@europe.pub 3 weeks ago
For those coming looking for alternatives, this mega comparison chart is what I used to select an alternative launcher when I switched.
I would strongly recommend checking this site for the trackers in an app if you’re at all concerned about privacy. Links to each app’s exodus privacy report is also at the end of the table linked above.
thax@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 weeks ago
Nice list. I recently started using Fossify Launcher and have been pretty happy with it. It’s simple but does what I need. Thought I’d mention it as it’s absent from that list.
Squizzy@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Fossify is a tad too basic for me. I use the dialler and calculator. Both have slight issues. The calculator always starts with zero so tapping 1416 will give you 14016.
Dialler doesnt seem to wake or respond as quick as others.
I take it as it is given I know it is private and open but still there are gaps in UI and UX with foss that I wish were a bigger priority.
surfrock66@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
So if Neo started updating again I think it is the closest open source match?
cRazi_man@europe.pub 3 weeks ago
100%
I stuck with Neo for ages waiting for updates to fix the last few issues…and they never came. Neo would be perfect if someone forked it and continued development.
madcaesar@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Help a brother out, which one is closest to Nova? I don’t mind paying for good work, I just want home screens and being able to place my icons where I want, also widgets!
cRazi_man@europe.pub 2 weeks ago
There’s no direct replacement. The features I use are in Pear launcher so I use that. You have to look through launcher comparisons to find the features you need.
Also, I’m surprised purple are still using Nova. I thought most people abandoned it after it got sold.
I’ve made a post about this and some people are giving recommendations. Check out comments here: europe.pub/post/4256799
9point6@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
I might be misremembering but wasn’t it bought out by one of those data harvesting companies a while ago?
Covenant@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
Yes
Tetsuo@jlai.lu 3 weeks ago
I’m very thankful to Kevin for this amazing launcher that I’m still using to this day.
Also a bit disapointed he trusted Branch and gave them the opportunity to ruin it.
arin@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
It’s always capitalism
FriendBesto@lemmy.ml 3 weeks ago
You make it sound as if human greed as part of the human condtion will suddenly and magically disappeared under any other form of trade or political system. That is not what literal history has us shown to be the case, over, and over again.
What fucked it up was he selling to the wrong company. But we do not know why he did it. For all we know, he was tired to taking lead in the project and wanted to cash out. He was entitled to do that, or what is the option, force him to work on it just for your needs or to sell to only the company that you or I approved of? What gives us the right to force their hand?
It sucks but that is what he wanted. We both agree that it us unfortunate though. It is too bad.
neclimdul@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Man probably needed to eat. What a system we’ve got.
Edce@lemmy.ca 3 weeks ago
I asked many years ago to add an option to send donations. They said it wasn’t needed. I wonder if additional revenue may have helped.
kaitco@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
I don’t even know how to use Android without Nova…
Why does nothing good ever last?
Dran_Arcana@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
I switched to Niagara a few years back because Nova didn’t have good support for foldables and tbh I haven’t looked back. It’s very different but once you get used to it it’s much faster than a traditional launcher.
spacejank@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
I’ve been using Niagara for about 6 months now and love it. Having the alphabet down the side of the home screen for immediate 2 tap access to any app is so slick.
oaklandnative@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
I switched to Niagara a few years ago when Nova was sold. True game changer once you get used to it (which doesn’t take too long). It works great on phone or tablet. And there is still something SO satisfying about watching the alphabet and apps move with your thumb. It’s so smooth and the haptic feedback is perfect (running on Pixel 7, GrapheneOS, and a cheap old Samsung tablet A8).
Random video showing the UI within the first minute:
overload@sopuli.xyz 3 weeks ago
Yep, have been using and currently using Nova for the last 8 years I think. Suuucks to see it go as I couldn’t find a viable search based launcher like Nova when it was sold.
Rekorse@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
I like Olauncher a lot but I can’t do like a feature comparison with Nova, I never used it. Hope you find something good to replace it with though!
gilokee@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Fuck, I’ve been using this since I got an android phone in 2008. RIP.
ripcord@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
God DAMMIT.
I don’t know why, but this is some proverbial straw for me today. Motherfuck.
SoleInvictus@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 weeks ago
Same. I loudly exclaimed “FUUUUUUCK” as I read the article, much to the confusion of my partner.
alecsargent@lemmy.zip 3 weeks ago
Its Lawnchair or nothing for me.
pineapplelover@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 weeks ago
I used to use lawnchair but there was some lag with it. Now I use whatever default launcher there is
TrumpetX@programming.dev 3 weeks ago
I dislike that I can’t group up things in folders in graphene in the drawer. I switched to Smart Launcher. It’s not exactly folders, but it’s good.
Gaja0@lemmy.zip 3 weeks ago
Mine for the last 3 years
AbsolutePain@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
KISS is so good. It’s 100% the fastest way to get to where you wanna be when you pull up your phone.
HulkSmashBurgers@reddthat.com 3 weeks ago
I’ve been using kvaesitso. I like it!
Evil_Shrubbery@thelemmy.club 3 weeks ago
Yeah, it’s open sauce, has shortcuts, widgets, & works fine.
HulkSmashBurgers@reddthat.com 3 weeks ago
I also really like the tagging feature.
ilinamorato@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Oh, this is great news. I have Nova tweaked to work almost exactly like this. Excellent, thank you.
DrDystopia@lemy.lol 3 weeks ago
KISS has been the only reasonable launcher ever since Android ruined it’s overview system.
jjlinux@lemmy.zip 3 weeks ago
These companies lack any sort of common sense. Nova is used (and suggested) by Android users that are at least minimally tech-savvy. What on earth would make them believe that news like this one would remain secret, and therefore allow them to keep the userbase to suck on their data?
ScrotusMaximus@lemmy.zip 3 weeks ago
Niagara launcher has been my go to for years now
anguo@piefed.ca 3 weeks ago
I find the ckncept interesting, but I often don't remember the name of an app. I need to see its icon.
ScrotusMaximus@lemmy.zip 3 weeks ago
It shows native icons by default
UnfairUtan@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Looks great, but i don’t think i can live without widgets. Especially for home-assistant and calendars
cheers_queers@lemmy.zip 3 weeks ago
Niagara is my favorite by far, i have been paying for pro for years
Tiefa@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Man, I’ve been using it for a long time. I was going to buy the forever sub a while ago and never did. When did it jump to $42. I could’ve sworn it was like 20.
crocswithsocks@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Yup, switched to Niagara a few years ago and I don’t intend to ever switch again.
NaClKnight@fedia.io 3 weeks ago
gahdam...end of an era. This sucks.
Lileath@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 weeks ago
Am I the only person that uses KISS launcher on this site? Once I got used to how it functions switching to something different will be hard.
AbsolutePain@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
I love KISS launcher. I can’t go back to normal launchers. Been using it for years.
Demdaru@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
It’s that vertical one aye? Used it for oldie backup phone and it was a blessing. But if you use more apps, it’s not worth it imo
Lifter@discuss.tchncs.de 3 weeks ago
Searching is way faster than trying to keep stuff organized in folders and screens. You get at least two clicks anyway and you keyboard is already there.
Matriks404@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
I don’t understand the point of most of Android launchers, since they don’tcreally look that different from each other.
can@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
Dammit. I knew I should she already switched once they were bought but I couldn’t find anything that matched the features at the time.
I really like being able to set swipe actions on my icons. For example swiping up or down on an icon will open an alternative app, folder, or a specific functionality. It’s allowed me to keep a clean screen while keeping everything I need accessible.
pulsewidth@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
I just use the Fairphone 2 Launcher and it’s fine 🤷🏻
I used Nova on my last phone and it worked great, I paid for pro. So I know what I’m missing, not worth it to get back in the Google Play Store system though. I like being anon with no Google account, especially considering Nova sold to a company that data mines user data?
ksyko@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Reminds me of QuickPic and ES File Explorer
YaxPasaj@lemmy.eco.br 3 weeks ago
It’s sad to see it go, for people that want to try a minimalist launcher, ap15 is great.
lena@gregtech.eu 3 weeks ago
This isn’t a very popular opinion, but I just use the stock Huawei one. Works perfectly for me
ibot@feddit.org 3 weeks ago
Damn.I need to find an alternative. I also like the Microsoft Launcher, but it’s Microsoft…
mr2meows@pawb.social 3 weeks ago
i use oxshell
lechekaflan@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
I hate being hinted and asked to click on the link, so I save you a click:
dual_sport_dork@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
That talk about substitutes happened when it was initially handed over to said data miner, and anybody concerned should have switched back then. I did, moving to Lawnchair, and never looked back. Oodles of other options are doubtlessly available.
Edce@lemmy.ca 3 weeks ago
Lawnchair was too bare bones for me. However, I was able to recreate 90%+ of my Nova setup with Neo.
github.com/NeoApplications/Neo-Launcher
Akasazh@feddit.nl 3 weeks ago
I’m quite satisfied with lawn chair too
0x0@infosec.pub 3 weeks ago
I would be so happy if Kevin got accidentally ‘hacked’ and the source leaked, by now im so ingrained in nova that it just feels wrong switching.
Kissaki@feddit.org 3 weeks ago
Are you using a different client? Without teaser texts? The Lemmy website mentions Nova in the teaser.
Image
lechekaflan@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
I’m on the PC and using Firefox, viewing Lemmy directly rather than on mobile.
I see only this.
nshibj@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
I hate clickbait too. Just downvote posts like this
aeternum@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 weeks ago
it’s android. what do you expect? It’s one giant data miner.