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.
I wish there was a launcher that came close to Nova. The main feature I miss is swiping on icons to launch different apps or intents. That and the scrollable dock.
I have since moved on to Lawnchair, but it isn’t quite 1 to 1 replacement.
I will always shoot to use open source where I can. And I suppose I have to live with some od the limitations and missing features for now.
I could continue to use Nova, and just block internet access like I used to; but that feels like a step back on terms of privacy than just using something more privacy conscious.
Guess it’s time for a replacement.
Any recommendations on a launcher that supports gestures on an icon
Right now, when I swipe up, on my email icon, it opens Signal, swipe down, it opens SMS, and Email, when I just press it
Can’t seem to find any other launcher that does something similar
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.
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
Same, just made the switch. Nova has been on every phone for the last decade. For my use case I’m surprisingly not missing much from switching, mostly just home screen icons max on Lawnchair at 10 per row and I used Nova at 12.
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.
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
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
That’s one of my long running pet peeves, actually. Having your changelog be the exact same bullshit, alongside updates every two days for as long as i’ve used the product, really don’t inspire any sort confidence in a product.
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.
Lawnchair did it for me, but just a home screen and app drawer with folder support is all I want or need. Simple, non-flashy nor battery hungry, and easy to use.
I tried Lawnchair and liked it. Except for I could not find the ‘infinite scroll’ functionality (going from first page to last page and back), which annoys me to no end if it’s not there. So, i am still on Nova.
I moved away from Nova when it last changed owners - there are so many other options that I enjoyed trying the different ideas for what a launcher could be.
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.
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I wish there was a launcher that came close to Nova. The main feature I miss is swiping on icons to launch different apps or intents. That and the scrollable dock.
I have since moved on to Lawnchair, but it isn’t quite 1 to 1 replacement.
I will always shoot to use open source where I can. And I suppose I have to live with some od the limitations and missing features for now.
I could continue to use Nova, and just block internet access like I used to; but that feels like a step back on terms of privacy than just using something more privacy conscious.
Considering that some extra trackers were just added in this company’s first release, it doesn’t seem like it’s going to be great.
Damnit! Thanks for the heads up.
Guess it’s time for a replacement. Any recommendations on a launcher that supports gestures on an icon Right now, when I swipe up, on my email icon, it opens Signal, swipe down, it opens SMS, and Email, when I just press it
Can’t seem to find any other launcher that does something similar
I moved over to lawnchair, there’s a couple things I cant seem to do here that I could before, but fuck it, at least I’m not on nova anymore
Smart Launcher has this. Except with smart Launcher it has swipe up/down/left/right for different apps so one icon can launch five apps
Honestly i would just be happy with the short press launch/swipe up open folder option, I like using folders that dont look like folders.
I think its the same gesture function
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.
As someone still using Nova, got a suggestion for me?
I love Niagara personally, or if you’re in need of even more minimalism then indistractable is amazing
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
Hyperion or Lawnchair are ones that I see people switching to. I just went back to stock.
I like Lawnchair.
Agreed - I switched to lawn chair after being on nova for 10 or so years.
Same, just made the switch. Nova has been on every phone for the last decade. For my use case I’m surprisingly not missing much from switching, mostly just home screen icons max on Lawnchair at 10 per row and I used Nova at 12.
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.
Niagara is great. I need to buy a full license one of these days.
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
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
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.
That’s one of my long running pet peeves, actually. Having your changelog be the exact same bullshit, alongside updates every two days for as long as i’ve used the product, really don’t inspire any sort confidence in a product.
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.
Octopi is what I landed on after Nova
I was recommended Lawnchair for my use case, but I’m not sure it’ll fit. It’s completely free so worth a shot.
i switched to KISS launcher and i like it a lot
Lawnchair did it for me, but just a home screen and app drawer with folder support is all I want or need. Simple, non-flashy nor battery hungry, and easy to use.
I miss the folder gestures.
I tried Lawnchair and liked it. Except for I could not find the ‘infinite scroll’ functionality (going from first page to last page and back), which annoys me to no end if it’s not there. So, i am still on Nova.
Settings (long press blank space on home screen) -> Home screen -> Infinite scrolling toggle.
The is a launcher list, its has not been updated in a while but it shows some nice options.
fossify launcher is my preferred kind of launcher
I moved away from Nova when it last changed owners - there are so many other options that I enjoyed trying the different ideas for what a launcher could be.
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.