Nova Launcher’s New Owner May Introduce Ad-Supported Version
▼ Summary
– Nova Launcher, a popular Android app, has been acquired by the Swedish company Instabridge, preventing its shutdown.
– The new owner’s immediate goal is to maintain the launcher’s stability and compatibility with modern Android versions.
– Instabridge is evaluating adding ads to the free version of Nova Launcher, and code for ad trackers has already been found.
– The paid version, Nova Launcher Prime, will remain free of advertisements if ads are introduced.
– Instabridge is also actively considering open-sourcing Nova Launcher but has not yet made a final decision on the process.
The future of the popular Nova Launcher is taking a new turn under fresh ownership, raising questions about potential changes to its user experience. The Swedish company Instabridge, known for its Wi-Fi hotspot connection app, has officially acquired the Android customization tool. This move comes after a period of uncertainty for the launcher, following the departure of its founder and the layoff of most development staff under its previous parent company.
Instabridge has publicly committed to maintaining the launcher’s stability and ensuring it remains compatible with the latest versions of Android. In a recent blog post, the new owner stated that keeping the app actively maintained is its immediate priority. However, the company also revealed it is “evaluating ad based options” for the free version of the launcher. This potential shift has already sparked discussion within the user community, especially as the latest app update includes code for Facebook Ads and Google AdMob trackers. Some users on platforms like Reddit have reported seeing advertisements, a development covered by other tech publications.
Should advertisements be implemented, the company has clarified that the paid experience, Nova Launcher Prime, will “remain ad free.” This maintains a potential path for users who wish to avoid any sponsored content within their home screen interface. The introduction of a revenue-generating model for the free tier could represent a significant change for an app long valued for its clean, customizable experience without intrusive monetization.
Another major point of consideration is the potential open-sourcing of Nova Launcher’s code. This was a topic of discussion even before the acquisition. When founder Kevin Barry announced his departure last year, he indicated that efforts to open-source the project had been halted, despite previous public assurances from leadership that the code would be released to the community if he ever left. Instabridge has acknowledged this history and stated it is “actively evaluating” open sourcing Nova.
The company notes that responsibly open-sourcing a product involves complex considerations like licensing, security, and managing contributions. While no final decision has been announced, Instabridge promises transparency once its evaluation is complete. The responses from Barry and the involved companies regarding the acquisition and its implications are still awaited. For now, the user base watches closely to see how the balance between sustainable development and user experience will be managed under this new chapter for Nova Launcher.
(Source: The Verge)
