A setup that’s a bit too minimalist– Nova Launcher feels the “enormous” layoffs at the company that obtained it in 2022.
Kevin Purdy – Aug 9, 2024 6:20 pm UTC
Nova Launcher
Back in July 2022, when mobile app metrics firm Branch got the popular and well-regarded Nova Launcher for Android, the app’s website set up among those self-directed FAQ posts about it. Under the concern heading “What does Branch desire with Nova?,” Nova creator and developer Kevin Barry began his reaction with, “Not to mess it up, do not fret!”
Branch (formerly/sometimes Branch Metrics) is a company interested in assisting services track the links that lead into their apps, whether from SMS, e-mail, marketing, or inside other apps. Nova, with its Sesame Search tool that assisted users discover and gain access to much deeper links– like heading straight to calling a cars and truck, instead of simply opening a rideshare app– appeared like a sensible fit.
Barry composed that he had actually gotten a variety of acquisition uses for many years, however he didn’t wish to be swallowed by a huge corporation, an OEM, or an unpredictable start-up. “Branch is various,” he composed then, due to the fact that they wished to include personnel to Nova, keep it offered to the general public, and mainly leave it alone.
2 years later on, Branch has actually left Nova Launcher a bit too alone. As recorded on Nova’s authorities X (previously Twitter) account, and records from its Discord, since Thursday Nova had actually “gone from a group of around a lots individuals” to simply Barry, the creator, working alone. The Nova cuts belonged to “a huge layoff” of supposedly more than 100 individuals throughout all of Branch, according to now-former Nova employees.
Barry composed that he would keep dealing with Nova, “However I have less resources.” He would require to “cut scope” on an upcoming Nova release, he composed. Other workers kept in mind that client assistance, marketing, and even correspondence would likely be strained or vanish.
Ars has actually connected to Branch for remark and will upgrade this post with reaction.
A few of the icon modification alternatives, revealed here on a tablet, inside Nova Launcher.
Nova Launcher
Customized, tidy Android home screens
It’s tough to inform if Nova would have been much better off without ever having actually been inside Branch, or if it may have undoubtedly encountered the vexing concern of how to get individuals to constantly spend for an Android energy. For Nova to be threatened, or at least greatly constrained, is an unfortunate state for a really beneficial tool.
Setting up a launcher on Android permits you to disregard whatever home screen, app tray, and search bars your phone featured and create your own. Nova Launcher permitted individuals to alter the number of icons appeared on their screen, and how huge. It permitted concealing default apps that might not be uninstalled. It was, and still is, among the very best methods to conserve your phone of bad skins,