You may have heard the news that Nova Launcher, a popular Android home screen replacement, is facing significant changes. Most of the team behind this beloved app has been laid off, leaving just one full-time developer, Kevin Barry, who also happens to be the founder of Nova Launcher.
Kevin Barry remains committed
Despite these layoffs, Barry has assured users that development on Nova Launcher will continue, although the pace will inevitably slow down. He will remain in charge of the project, but the reduced team means that the next major version of Nova will have a more limited scope than initially planned. Barry has already mentioned that he needs to “cut scope” on upcoming updates, reflecting the impact of the layoffs.
Tl;dr sadly the parent company have chosen to lay everyone off except the original Creator pic.twitter.com/8sNXXWEcwR
— Solana Jax (@SolanaJax) August 9, 2024
Rob Wainwright, one of the developers who was laid off, addressed the situation in the project's Discord channel. He acknowledged that development will slow down with fewer hands on deck but reassured users that updates will still come, albeit less frequently. “Development will undoubtedly slow with fewer people working on the app, but the current plan is for updates to continue in some form,” Wainwright wrote.
A staple in the Android community
For years, Nova Launcher has been a mainstay in the Android community, known for offering a highly customisable alternative to the standard home screen options. The app has garnered loyal users who appreciate its flexibility and features. Nova Launcher's journey began as a solo project by Barry before it became a team effort, making the recent layoffs particularly poignant for those who have followed the app's development.
In July 2022, Branch, a mobile analytics company, acquired Nova Launcher. The acquisition was seen as a positive move then, hoping it would bring new resources and support to the Nova team. However, recent events have taken a different turn. Branch is reportedly laying off over 100 employees across the company, including most of the Nova team. According to Cliff Wade, Nova Launcher's customer relations lead, the team once consisted of “around a dozen people,” but now only Barry remains.
The future of Nova Launcher
Despite the challenges, Nova Launcher will continue to function for its current users. The app, which has evolved from a one-person project to a widely respected tool in the Android community, will remain available even if development slows. In a recent post, Barry reflected on the situation, recalling how Nova was initially a solo effort. “The original Nova team, for many years, was just me,” he wrote, adding a personal touch to the announcement of the layoffs.
While the future of Nova Launcher may be uncertain, Barry's commitment to the project is clear. Users can expect updates to continue, although the scale and speed may differ from what they once were. The app will still be available for those who have relied on Nova Launcher to customise their Android experience, even as it faces new challenges.
