Nova Launcher Pro with Ads: A New Offering from the New Owner

In a surprising turn of events, Nova Launcher, the beloved Android launcher, has found new life under the ownership of Swedish company Instabridge. Last year, Nova Launcher founder Kevin Barry parted ways with Branch Metrics, Nova’s parent company, amidst layoffs within the project. However, Instabridge has stepped in to ensure the continued development and stability of Nova Launcher.

According to Instabridge, Nova Launcher will not be shutting down. Their primary focus is on maintaining Nova’s stability, compatibility with modern Android systems, and active development. While they are considering ad-based options for the free version of the launcher, users have already begun to see ads in the latest update, including trackers for Facebook Ads and Google AdMob.

For users who prefer an ad-free experience, Nova Launcher Prime, the paid version of the app, will continue to be ad-free. Instabridge is also exploring the possibility of open-sourcing Nova Launcher, a move that was previously hindered when Barry was asked to halt his open-sourcing efforts upon leaving the project.

The decision to open source Nova Launcher involves various considerations such as licensing, security, contribution workflow, and trademark management. While Instabridge has not yet made a final decision on this matter, they have committed to transparency once a decision is reached.

Despite these significant developments, Barry, Instabridge, and Branch have not provided immediate comments on the situation. The future of Nova Launcher remains uncertain, but with Instabridge at the helm, users can expect continued support and innovation in the coming days.