Instabridge, a Swedish firm known for its connectivity products, has acquired Nova Launcher, a well-loved Android app launcher. The acquisition, announced on 2023-10-15, aims to revitalize Nova Launcher, ensuring its stability and continued compatibility with modern Android systems. This development marks a significant shift for Nova Launcher, previously announced to be closing.
Instabridge's Plans for Nova
Instabridge acknowledges the large community and robust identity Nova Launcher has built over the years. The company's objective is to maintain Nova's performance, flexibility, and user control. They have assured users that existing features will remain intact, with the potential addition of new, thoughtfully developed functionalities.
To sustain this development model, the company is exploring different monetization strategies, including paid tiers and potentially introducing ads in the free version. However, Nova Prime, the paid version, will remain ad-free, with its price set at $3.99.
Privacy and User Experience
Users concerned about privacy can be assured that Instabridge commits to keeping data collection minimal and purposeful, without selling personal data. While the company is considering open-sourcing the app, a decision is yet to be made.
Instabridge emphasized a deliberate approach to updates, prioritizing quality over speed. Nova Launcher users can expect continued support and enhancements, focusing on performance improvements and customization.
