Branch supercharges Nova Search with an even longer list of app integrations in the latest beta
  • yeehaw@lemmy.caEnglish
    621·
    1 year ago

    Didn’t this get purchased by some conglomerate recently? I know there was a reason I held it back from updates.

    Edit:

    Ah yes, it’s in the article of course:

    “If you haven’t heard from nova in a while, it could be because they were in the news over a year ago when analytics company Branch acquired the brand from its creators Kevin Barry and Cliff Wade.”

    • henchman2019@lemmy.worldEnglish
      19·
      1 year ago

      I stopped using it because of that for a while. I have not found another launcher that has the swipe up and down on home screen icons to open other apps, put 9 icons in the dock and a few other things I can’t remember right now…

      I blocked all Internet access to nova to circumvent analytics. Not sure if it’s working but until I find a different launcher…

      • JetpackJackson@feddit.deEnglish
        9·
        1 year ago

        I’m currently using Kvaesitso. It’s different, but it’s worth a try There’s also discreet launcher

        • darcmage@lemm.eeEnglish
          9·
          1 year ago

          It’s doesn’t have anywhere near the same feature set or polish but I think neolauncher probably comes the closest to replacing nova as far as open source solutions go.

      • glimse@lemmy.worldEnglish
        6·
        1 year ago

        Man I’m so with you. I love my 6 icon home screen with swipe actions and “secret” menus (with Tasker)

      • AnonStoleMyPants@sopuli.xyzEnglish
        5·
        1 year ago

        Have been using Niagara launcher for a while. Quite a different feeling than normal launcher but really great. You can swipe up from any app icon to either open a folder of more apps or attach widgets to a small pop up screen. Super handy and I love it.

      • janguv@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
        3·
        1 year ago

        I have not found another launcher that has the swipe up and down on home screen icons to open other apps

        Do you mean using folder icons as app list covers, so that a tap opens the app and a swipe opens the folder? If so, Action Launcher does that (if I’m not mistaken it was the first to do so, and it’s swipe up or down). Neo Launcher also has it (swipe up only).

      • F0l11k@feddit.clEnglish
        2·
        1 year ago

        I use Evie Launcher. It does some of the things you say. You need to find the apk somewhere, bc it’s no longer available on play/aurora store

  • flop_leash_973@lemmy.worldEnglish
    16·
    1 year ago

    It is gonna be a rough time for Android whenever Nova’s new owners get around to trying to come up with ways to “monetize “ Nova further. I wonder how many people would pay $10/month for a launcher.

  • Hyrulian@lemmy.worldEnglish
    15·
    1 year ago

    Used to be a big Nova user, but since I found Niagra I’ve never gone back. It’s just way too clean and simple. It drastically reduces the amount of time I spend opening apps on my phone and I don’t have to think about how to do the optimal home screen layout or set up app drawer categories.

  • Teknikal@lemm.eeEnglish
    12·
    1 year ago

    I’ve already bought sesame and all it’s pay walls specifically because of Nova. I actually bought sesame at the first Nova integration and have found it very disappointing I’m pretty damn bitter at them actually because after promising to support various apps for shortcuts on my first review they still haven’t about 3 years later on fact they’ve took away working features to charge for them a second time.

    I’m still happy enough with Nova I’ve tried various launchers but it’s still the best but mentioning search and nova together triggers me due to sesame and their outright lies and double charging.

    • loki@lemmy.mlEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      I still use sesame. Tasker is set as assistant app and it will launch sesame when assistant is triggered. It has served me well, but integrations are breaking so will have to see how long it will last. I also have Nova Prime but switched after the buyout.

      Sesame was also bought out by the same company, so Nova and Sesame developers are working together with Branch.

        • loki@lemmy.mlEnglish
          1·
          1 year ago

          Sesame basically stopped updating their app even before they got acquired, so they hadn’t added any analytics or trackers. There were some updates after but they were just bug fixes. Exodus tells me there are no known trackers, I also haven’t seen any suspicious traffic from it yet so I still use them.

          Nova, however will be integrated with Branch and will likely phoning home.

    • zettajon@lemdro.idEnglish
      2·
      1 year ago

      I’m going to get one when the Black Friday deals (hopefully) come out. The taskbar only shows up if you use the Samsung launcher right?

    • smallfry@lemdro.idEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      Yes, that is one of the clocks for Sony. Looks like the Sony Xperia V or Sony Xperia 1 V.