Instabridge, the Swedish company known for its Wi-Fi hotspot app, has acquired Nova Launcher, offering a new lifeline to the popular launcher after the departure of founder Kevin Barry from its previous parent company. While Instabridge assures users that Nova will continue to be stable and actively maintained, concerns arise over the potential introduction of ads to the free version of the launcher.
The latest update for Nova Launcher has already included trackers for Facebook Ads and Google AdMob, leading to reports of users encountering ads, as highlighted by Android Authority. However, users of the paid version, Nova Launcher Prime, can expect to enjoy an ad-free experience despite any changes to the free version.
Moreover, Instabridge is exploring the possibility of open-sourcing Nova Launcher, a move that could have significant implications for the developer community. Barry had previously expressed interest in open-sourcing the project, but faced obstacles in doing so before his departure.
As discussions continue regarding the future direction of Nova Launcher, the tech community awaits updates on whether the launcher will remain ad-supported, transition to open source, or undergo other changes under Instabridge’s ownership.
Source: The Verge