Nova Launcher has been acquired by analytics company Branch
www.androidpolice.com
Hopefully, this isn’t the end of an era for Android launchers

Since a few folks seem unaware of this, I’m posting anew for visibility.

  • chrundle@lemmy.worldEnglish
    182·
    2 months ago

    Switched to Niagara launcher (Pro version) about a year ago and now I cannot imagine using a phone with an traditional app drawer.

    • Buddahriffic@lemmy.worldEnglish
      14·
      2 months ago

      On the Google Play page data safety section, they seem to share and collect about as much data as Nova.

      • AwkwardLookMonkeyPuppet@lemmy.worldEnglish
        3·
        2 months ago

        I figured as much considering their heavy ad spend on the play store. They pop up as the number one result as an ad for every launcher search I make.

        • Buddahriffic@lemmy.worldEnglish
          2·
          2 months ago

          I found an alternative called Olauncher.minimal af launcher. Play store says it collects and shares nothing, though I don’t know how easy it is to fool. It seems ok so far, though I’m not sure I really want a minimalist launcher.

    • 2501English
      5·
      2 months ago

      If you use more than one widget it’s a terrible choice. I know they have stackable widgets, but it looks awful swiping with differing size widgets.

    • Minnels@lemm.eeEnglish
      4·
      2 months ago

      Also using it since almost a year back i think now. But not pro. I can’t find a reason to pay that much for functionality I don’t really need even if I would pay to support the dev.

      • chrundle@lemmy.worldEnglish
        42·
        2 months ago

        IMO the theming feature in Pro is worth it. Having all icons in the same style makes the app list way less distracting. And supporting the dev is a nice bonus too.

        • Minnels@lemm.eeEnglish
          2·
          2 months ago

          I am a person that really don’t care about icons. I wanted 2 widgets but since I switched I have learnt to live with just one of the two. I promise, if the price was halved i wouldn’t have blinked but as it is now as a subscription every year. Yeah, no I don’t use my phone that much.

    • arefxEnglish
      3·
      2 months ago

      I gotta check this out when I get some time.

    • grrgyle@slrpnk.netEnglish
      43·
      2 months ago

      Came here to mention Niagara. Been using it almost 5 years now and it’s perfect. Early on had some stuff that I missed, like folders or browser shortcuts, but the overall UI made up for it. But now? Flawless. Peerless. Just fucking, delightful.

      I don’t even think about it until I see someone else use their launcher, and feel the need to give them a short Niagara demo.

      • chrundle@lemmy.worldEnglish
        52·
        2 months ago

        I don’t understand why no phone company has considered making at least something similar as default. A vertical list of apps is way more intuitive than a mess of dozens of apps with too many colors. Now if switch to a new phone, I even have to check if it supports gestures for third-party launchers. Another a-hole feature of some brands (specifically Xiaomi). Using Niagara with the bottom navigation buttons makes no sense.