Android: job cuts in the Nova Launcher
Nova Launcher is losing jobs - the popular Android launcher will be developed by just one person in future.
The Nova Launcher is one of the most popular launchers for Android.
(Image: Nova Launcher)
Job cuts at Nova Launcher are causing concern in the community: the popular Android launcher will only be developed by a single person in future. At least two other people who worked on the Nova Launcher have lost their jobs as part of redundancies at the parent company Branch.
The Nova Launcher is considered the benchmark among Android launchers, allowing users to edit the home screen of the operating system and its behavior more deeply than Android normally allows. In 2022, the essentially free Nova Launcher was purchased by Branch Metrics, which is now laying off 100 employees.
It is unclear how many of them worked on Nova Launcher. Public posts from the Nova team suggest that there were at least three. Kevin Barry, the original solo developer of the launcher, is the only one who will continue to work on the Nova Launcher. Barry writes this in a blog post on the Nova Launcher website.
"This week, Branch parted ways with a number of employees, including people who were involved with Nova. We realize that this decision is a blow to people who have done great work at Nova and Branch," Barry writes, before categorizing: "I have always been the main person responsible for the Nova Launcher, and that hasn't changed. I will continue to control the direction and development of Nova Launcher."
Development continues
Cliff Wade, who worked as Community Manager for Nova Launcher, has been dismissed. Developer Rob Wainwright was also dismissed. Kevin Barry mentions both by name in his blog entry. It is unclear whether other people worked on the Nova Launcher.
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In any case, Barry confirms that the Nova Launcher will continue. With his blog entry, he apparently wants to allay the Nova community 's fears that the development of the Nova Launcher could be coming to an end. "The original Nova team consisted of just me for many years," writes Barry.
The Nova Launcher can be installed free of charge on Android devices. A prime version with additional functions can be purchased for 3 euros.
(dahe)
