Nova Launcher, a beloved staple among Android users, is officially ceasing operations, prompting a wave of heartfelt tributes across social media platforms. The announcement came from Kevin Barry, the app’s founder and original developer, who shared the news in a blog post dated September 6. Barry revealed that he had departed from Branch, the company that acquired Nova Launcher in 2022.
Under Branch’s ownership, Nova Launcher initially introduced advanced user analytics and experimental features designed to enhance the user experience. However, the trajectory of the app shifted dramatically as the company faced significant layoffs, reducing its workforce to just Barry by 2024, as reported by Android Authority. This reduction in resources left Nova Launcher without an update for approximately 1.5 years, with the last version released in May 2024. Barry’s recent exit from Branch casts further doubt on the app’s future updates.
In his blog post, Barry expressed his intention to open source Nova Launcher, detailing the meticulous process involved, which includes cleaning up the codebase, reviewing licenses, and coordinating with legal teams to ensure a smooth release. He recalled Branch’s initial public commitments, which included a promise to open source the app should he ever leave the company. Unfortunately, Barry noted that he was instructed by Branch to cease his work on both Nova Launcher and the open sourcing initiative.
“Nova Launcher has been an incredible project and has an incredible community. I’m grateful for the years of support, feedback, and enthusiasm,” Barry reflected in his blog post.
Netizens react to Nova launcher shutting down:
The news of Nova Launcher’s shutdown resonated deeply within the online community, particularly on Reddit, where users expressed their dismay at the loss of their favored launcher. While the app remains available on the Play Store, the lack of future updates means users will inevitably need to seek alternatives.
- One user lamented, “What I don’t understand, why buy something successful and then let it die? Same thing happened to BeyondPod. You would think the buyers would want to recoup their investment, but apparently some just want to kill something others love.”
- Another user shared their long-standing loyalty, stating, “Nova Launcher is arguably the best launcher over the past decade. Bought it a day after the prime version went live on the Android Market, and it remains one of my favorite purchases of all time.”
- A third user expressed their sorrow, saying, “There is no other launcher as good as Nova, and I think there will never be. Very sad that a legend is gone.”
