Mastodawn

I installed the useful app #Privamatic from #FDroid which rates your privacy settings on #Android and gives you actionable improvement tips: https://f-droid.org/packages/com.techtrest.privamatic/
It suggested to replace #NovaLauncher with @lawnchairapp since Nova was sold to a private company in April that started introducing ads. The open source #Lawnchair can import Nova settings files, so moving was pretty smooth.

Privamatic | F-Droid - Free and Open Source Android App Repository

Privacy score for your Android — 45+ checks, no cloud, no tracking.

wolfkin May 19

RE: https://mastodon.social/@verge/116603761567402158

holy cryballs. This is like when I went to upgrade my sister's NovaLauncher because apparently they inject ads into the app drawer now? and instead of the $7ish price I paid many moons ago it was FORTY DOLLARS. again.. FORTY DOLLARS for Nova Launcher. What in the insanity is going on.

#PriceGouging #NovaLauncher #Plex

Jefe Winski May 14

How to Stop Nova Launcher's Tracking. Nova Launcher’s latest versions now carry several additional trackers compared to previous versions. The app was sold in 2022. The new versions have implemented ads and ad trackers that collect and use your data.

https://www.androidauthority.com/block-nova-launcher-trackers-3662141/

#NovaLauncher #NoTracking #BlockTrackers #Privacy

TrackerControl: https://github.com/TrackerControl/tracker-control-android

ShizuWall: https://github.com/AhmetCanArslan/ShizuWall

How I stopped Nova Launcher from tracking me without sacrificing my setup

Here's how to block Nova Launcher trackers to shore up your user data and keep enjoying that carefully curated layout.

Android Authority

HeadphonesNeil May 10

Finally finished an #Android homescreen that started as a #StarWars droid POV UI, morphed into a starship layout (ideally an #XWing but that's debatable lol) so I kept it all 🤓

*Yes, darker album cover images don't work well but it's a 1% problem atm

#KLWP #NovaLauncher #Maul #ShadowLord

BT Apr 23

If you've not abandoned Nova Launcher yet, this might be the sign to get out. More AI bullshit being added and bloating up what was once a svelte and speedy launcher.

https://www.droid-life.com/2026/04/21/nova-launcher-ai-transformation-report/

#novalauncher #android #aislop #subscription

Nova Launcher's Reported AI Transformation is Major Turnoff

Nova Launcher is one of, if not the greatest third-party launcher apps on Android. It recently came under new ownership this year by Instabridge, a Sweden-based technology company that works in the eSIM and WiFi hotspot space. When they took over, the company said, "Nova needs a sustainable...

Droid Life

NAB 🇬🇧🇪🇺🔶

Apr 21

Riddle me this...
In #grapheneos, using #vanadium and #novalauncher, why when I add a shortcut to the home page does it work for
https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather
But when I try to add a shortcut to
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news
It adds a shortcut to
https://www.bbc.co.uk
instead?
And then why won't it let me edit the url the shortcut points to?

BBC Weather - Home

Latest weather conditions and forecasts for the UK and the world. Includes up to 14-days of hourly forecast information, warnings, maps, and the latest editorial analysis and videos from the BBC Weather Centre.

BBC Weather

Dźwiedziu Apr 21

Dear #novalauncher,

Fuck off

Insincerely
Me

#Android #slop #ai

Kenneth S. Cremeans (kcSeb)Apr 21

Whelp, RIP #NovaLauncher -- You were amazing, but, all great things come to an end eventually. Trying out a few other alternative #Android launcher alternatives.

Suggestions are welcome! 👇🏻

Aljoscha Rittner (beandev)Apr 21

Nova AI: Nova Launcher wird zur KI-App

https://www.golem.de/news/nova-ai-nova-launcher-wird-offenbar-zur-ki-app-2604-207800.html

> Der Nova Launcher für Android könnte in Zukunft stark auf die Integration von KI-Funktionen setzen. Wie Android Authority anhand zahlreicher Codezeilen in der neuen Betaversion herausgefunden hat, plant der neue Besitzer Instabridge, einen KI-Assistenten sowie ein neues Abo einzuführen.

Schon lange deinstalliert und nun auch keine Motivation mehr, zurückzukehren.

#launcher #Android #AI #NovaLauncher

Nova AI: Nova Launcher wird offenbar zur KI-App - Golem.de

Die neuen Besitzer des Nova Launcher wollen die App offenbar um KI-Funktionen ergänzen - und machen sich damit bei Fans keine Freunde.

Golem.de

Dave Robinson Apr 21

Oh no… the #NovaLauncher on my #Android phone has been "infected" with #AI, without bothering to ask me whether I wanted it. Time to find an alternative, I think.