Branch Terminates Entire Nova Launcher Team, Founder Kevin Barry Remains

13 Aug 2024

In a surprising turn of events, Branch, the parent company of the popular Android app Nova Launcher, has made the drastic decision to terminate its entire team. This move leaves Kevin Barry, the app’s founder and original developer, as the sole remaining employee.

Unforeseen Changes at Branch

Barry, who has been a pivotal figure in the development of Nova Launcher, shared his thoughts on the situation, stating, “I’ll be around to answer questions [about layoffs] until they change this X account’s password. You could…email us but unfortunately, there’s no one left to read them.” His candid remarks highlight the abruptness of the layoffs and the uncertainty surrounding the future of the app.

The decision to let go of the entire team raises questions about the direction Branch intends to take with Nova Launcher, a favorite among Android users for its customization capabilities. With Barry as the only point of contact, the community is left to ponder what this means for the app’s ongoing development and support.

As the dust settles, industry observers will be keenly watching how Branch navigates this challenging landscape and whether Nova Launcher can continue to thrive under such circumstances.

How to hide apps in Android Nova Launcher?

To hide apps in Nova Launcher, follow these steps: 1. Open the app drawer. 2. Tap the three-dot menu icon in the upper-right corner and select 'Settings'. 3. Choose 'App & widget drawers'. 4. Scroll down and tap 'Hide Apps'. 5. Select the apps you want to hide by checking the box next to them. 6. Tap the back button to save your changes. The selected apps will no longer appear in the app drawer.

How to use Google Now in Nova Launcher?

To use Google Now in Nova Launcher, follow these steps: 1. Ensure you have Nova Launcher version 5.3 or higher. 2. Download and install the Nova Google Companion app from APKMirror (it's not available in the Play Store). 3. Open Nova Launcher settings. 4. Tap 'Integrations' and enable 'Google Now'. 5. Set Nova Launcher as your default launcher if it's not already. Now, you can access Google Now by swiping right on your home screen.

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