End of an era: Nova Launcher's parent company lays off practically everyone
End of an era: Nova Launcher's parent company lays off practically everyone
Layoffs have reduced the Nova Launcher from twelve members to just a single one man team. What does this mean for the launcher's future?
So, anybody know a good launcher to use once Nova goes offline?
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Its insane that custom launchers are even needed. I gave the base Samsung version a try and it wont even let me move the app drawer button, its glued to the bottom right. I'd expect an android to let me customize more than windows. Never understood the big tech companies need for this much control. Some brand manager will have a heartattack if I change an app icon, a basic feature in any version of Windows.
After getting a replacement phone, I had to redo everything. I decided to check out some new options. I have nova prime and have loved it.
I am now using Niagara Launcher. It's different. Very different. The team recommends using the app for at least a week to give it a true test run. I did have my doubts because it's so different but dang do I love it. I haven't switched back and I don't mean this to throw shade on nova. Nova is great, but I like this better.
Instead of thinking of ways to change the launcher, they created a whole new launcher as if they didn't take into consideration the current way we do things.
Give it a shot.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=bitpit.launcher
I used Nova for years. When they got bought out I switched to a bunch of different launchers. My favorite turned out to be Kvaesitso.
It was weird for me at first because having apps on the main screen was something I've grown acustomed to. You can have a row if you want though. There is an option. After using it for a few weeks, I realized their layout works best for me.
Let me know if there are other launchers you recommend. I appreciate it.
I've been working on a launcher for a while now, do help me test it out!
Features include:
- Widget stacks (with auto scroll)
- Swipe up and swipe down to launch different apps
- Display app drawer icons as tiles or a list
- Individually resize home screen icons, for mixed-size icon layouts
- Freely position and resize a widget or icon
- Frosted glass background for widgets (experimental)
- App drawer folders
- Fade a widget
- Separate layouts for different screens for foldables
- Tap a folder to launch its first app (swipe to open folder)
- Assign a nickname to an app for instant app search and launch (e.g. searching "ff" launches Firefox instantly)
- Lots of custom animations and haptics
Planned features include:
- Profile switching with Tasker support
- Square tiles for app drawer
- Swipe to open a widget pop up
Novalauncher 6.2.19, before they added telemetry
I switched to Lawnchair a while back (android 14 broke folders in nova for me). It's not got the same depth of customisation, but ive found it pretty good alternative. And so far seems quick and reliable.
I use Olauncher, pretty similar to Niagara and is FOSS. https://github.com/tanujnotes/Olauncher
I really like Fast Draw. I wanted the app pages like Nova has, and personally didn't really need any more than that. This one works like a charm!
https://github.com/peterfajdiga/FastDraw
Dammit lol that's the one I picked to use
Maybe it will keep working unchanged for a while
I tried a bunch. The only one I really love is Niagara. It's simple and awesome.
I still use version 7 of Nova, it's the only launcher in the market that knows how to handle icons. Any other is frankly a disaster, they can't make them look good at all.
Been using Action Launcher for the past 2 years. Grouping of apps, theming, option to have multiple slideable docks ❤, shutters... I adore it.
NOOOOO
I have tried Kvaesito, Niagara, Nova, Kiss and Lawnchair(and forks), personally I prefer Lawnchair because it it the most standard regarding workflow and has all if not most features one would want in a launcher. Plus the fact it is fully FOSS and supports Arcticons. If you have a small number of apps you typically launch then Kiss or Niagara(Paid Pro version recommended) would work nicely.
Lawnchair.
Just wondering, but why isn't it possible to just use something like the RethinkDNS app and block all internet access Nova has? That's what I've done at least. Haven't found a launcher I like as much, and don't see why a launcher would need internet access constantly. I already use RethinkDNS to block other apps too, like Gboard
Yeah I just tried it out and I'm not a fan it's far too simple. I love Nova for being able to swipe up or down on icons for separate actions. I have a foldable so I use that to trigger multi-app groups
Neo Launcher is pretty nice!
After I switched to gesture based navigation, I haven't found a third party launcher that works seamlessly with it.
I'm using Samsung OneUI launcher now. It does most of what I needed Nova to do anyway.
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I use Hyperion and like it a lot.
