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Everybody makes use of an Android launcher, however with just a few exceptions, most OEM launchers do not supply the liberty to personalize important consumer expertise parts, resembling even the grid measurement, fairly like a customized launcher. When you go that route, you may come throughout many fan favorites, however one among the many oldest and most recognizable names must be Kevin Barry’s Nova Launcher. Nova’s proprietor, Department Metrics, simply threw a wrench within the works, although, asserting company-wide layoffs.
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Employees was reduce throughout divisions, and as of Thursday, the Nova crew was lowered to only one individual — the unique creator, Kevin Barry. The sudden transfer additionally resulted within the exit of two of the corporate’s prime consumer-facing executives, Rob Wainwright and Cliff Wade. Cliff was form sufficient to share with Android Police his ideas on what might turn out to be of Nova Launcher, profession plans within the wake of this occasion, and concepts for the Nova Launcher Discord server he owns and moderates.
9 years of ardour
Been there nearly since day one
Kevin created Nova and launched the primary builds in 2011, and the app grew steadily. Cliff Wade tells me he was simply one other individual utilizing the app earlier than Kevin introduced him into Nova’s core crew as a contractor in November 2015.
Kevin and Nova actually modified the lifetime of myself and my household in quite a few methods.
Issues stayed this manner whereas the app grew from energy to energy, main as much as its acquisition by Department Metrics in early 2022. The brand new house owners allowed Kevin, Cliff, and Rob to retain full management of the app’s growth, regardless that Cliff’s function in buyer relations remained contractual. Department made him a full-time worker fairly not too long ago, on the finish of April this 12 months.
Laid off in lower than 5 minutes
Recounting the harrowing expertise
Layoffs are unpredictable, however had been much more so for Cliff’s user-facing function as director of buyer relations, particularly provided that he was transformed right into a full-time worker simply 4 months in the past. Recounting the occasions that went down on August 7, he stated the corporate scheduled an uncommon 15-minute lengthy Zoom assembly at 12:15 p.m. ET, unsuspectingly titled “Vital Sync.” Cliff remembers it was odd as a result of Department by no means did conferences on Wednesdays.
On the decision, an govt delivered a company spiel about the way it was a troublesome day for the corporate, earlier than telling Cliff, “your function at Department has been impacted.” A five-minute assembly put an finish to just about 9 years of passionate efforts to maintain Nova customers glad. Cliff subsequently put up an announcement on the Nova Launcher Discord server, which garnered vital consideration. Later, Kevin chimed in and issued an official Nova replace to verify he’s the only remaining Department worker related to the app, from the unique crew of 12.
What is going to turn out to be of Nova Launcher?
Rather a lot hangs within the steadiness
Whereas Kevin has been clear about his intentions to ship the much-awaited Nova 8.1 replace on the secure channel, Cliff worries whether or not Department will let him dedicate time to it. “The hope is that Kevin continues to have the ability to work on Nova going ahead. Nonetheless, that is a really troublesome factor since there’s no one else on the crew to assist.” Cliff remembers seeing the inflow of over 150 emails from Nova customers on daily basis, and much more following new releases or bug discoveries. With simply Kevin on the crew now, likelihood is there may not be a lot in the best way of buyer assist anymore.
I’ve no information if Department will rent new people to exchange us, or not. That is completely as much as them as they’re those in full management.
Since Nova was Kevin’s child from the get-go, Cliff says, “it is attainable Nova lives on. Kevin did it by himself for about 11 years with out a lot assist from anybody. So he might return to that once more.” Nonetheless, he is not too positive as a result of Department devoted assets to new concepts for Nova, which might be difficult to execute single-handedly and at an affordable tempo.
The place does Kevin Barry plan to take Nova?
Not a lot room to innovate
There is no query Nova has matured by way of the options it presents, and one would possibly say there is not a lot left for Kevin to do as a result of many customers love the launcher’s mix of Android 10–11 styling with Materials Design parts. Nonetheless, anybody aware of the app’s potential would vehemently disagree, understanding of all of the untapped potential.
Kevin has been vocal in regards to the “lowered scope” of modifications with upcoming updates, however Cliff worryingly speculates “Department will attempt to overwork Kevin with Department-related stuff and never enable him a lot time for Nova, or Kevin will merely be overwhelmed with all the pieces Department is wanting of him, and can resign.”
Whereas Department would maybe need Kevin to stroll out on his personal accord, we’re practically sure it could be extraordinarily difficult for him, contemplating he has made the launcher all the pieces it’s, and it could be like shearing off part of his very being. For Department and Nova customers worldwide, Kevin Barry’s exit is likely to be the ultimate nail in Nova’s coffin.
Making an attempt instances forward
Whereas Cliff repeatedly reiterates his love for the app and its passionate customization group, he says, “If Nova is now not developed, shut down or no matter, I hope the Nova consumer base can discover a glad residence with a type of launchers. They’ll present a number of what these customers need and wish.” He is referring to Niagara Launcher, Sensible Launcher, Lawnchair, and different related apps vocal of their outpouring of assist for Cliff on X (previously Twitter).
As for the official and verified Nova Launcher Discord server thriving with customers, Cliff stated, “Department has made it fairly clear that they do not need it. If they alter their thoughts and resolve they need it, then we’ll cross that bridge once we get there.” He says that since Kevin does not have time for the server’s actions himself, he might depend on volunteer moderators, “which I really feel would clearly embody myself, Rob Wainwright, and dire who’ve been working it for years now.” Nonetheless, he is not positive if that is the route Kevin would wish to go.
Plans for this Discord server Cliff owns aren’t set in stone but, however he’s additionally mulling “rebranding the server to one thing alongside the strains of Android Customization”. He worries in regards to the member depend declining, however “it could make sense to maintain it Android associated ultimately if a rebranding is what occurs.”
I really like and miss Nova with all of my coronary heart and soul. I poured a number of years and a ton of hours into that app, the customers and the group. I will miss all of that stuff past any phrases.
That stated, he cautions that it’s nonetheless too early to kind out the Discord state of affairs contemplating he’s jobless in the meanwhile. Reminiscing his lengthy stint at Nova, he says he would love to stay to buyer assist roles, however is “additionally prepared, ready and really a lot able to studying some new issues and doing new issues normally. I will be making use of for all types of stuff alongside the best way, as soon as I begin doing that.”
Whereas a few of us had that sinking feeling when Department bought Nova, it’s actually beginning to set in now, since this might very properly be the top of Nova Launcher as we all know it. I am assured that Cliff, Kevin, Department, and everybody related to the mission will look into methods to make sure it does not simply die like that. Whereas fraught with dangers and uncertainties, I hope thousands and thousands of customers like myself aren’t let down.