Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority
TL;DR
- Has Nova Launcher’s layoff spree left the company with a sole survivor?
- While the app exists, it lacks essential assets for buyer support and stagnates beyond initial growth.
- According to sources, development of Nova 8.1 appears to be ongoing, though its prospects remain uncertain.
For longtime Android enthusiasts, it’s likely that you’ve had a stint with Nova Launcher at some point in your mobile journey. After losing some steam recently, primarily due to Google’s removal of native gesture support and other features that once enabled seamless integration with third-party launchers. Despite Nova’s reputation for being less popular than some other launchers, it still maintains a devoted fan base; I often recommend it to users seeking an alternative when the default interface on devices such as those from Oppo and Vivo feels too reminiscent of iOS.
Regrettably, Nova’s familiar landscape is set to undergo a significant transformation following the parent company’s decision to substantially downsize the team, effectively rendering most of its workforce redundant.
In 2022, Department Metrics made the decision to purchase Nova Launcher once more, leaving many Android enthusiasts questioning the app’s future prospects at that time. Plainly skepticism was well-founded. Details surrounding the layoffs were revealed through direct messages from Nova Launcher’s veteran team members, including and, who shared the news via official Nova channels on X (formerly Twitter) and Discord, respectively.
Departments metrics have reportedly terminated approximately 100 employees across the company, except for Kevin Barry, the founder and original creator of the Nova group. The transition from a twelve-person group to this significantly revised collective is substantial indeed. Given the significant implications of the Android 12 changes on Nova Launcher’s customizations, one wonders how the popular home screen replacement will adapt to these constraints. It’s still premature to make any definitive statements about this situation.
Formerly affiliated with Nova Launcher, these individuals’ statements seem to convey a sense of reassurance, suggesting that there is no reason for alarm and that Kevin will continue to excel in his endeavors. Despite this, we won’t assist but feel that this is merely a classic PR statement intended to gloss over the situation, and the more likely truth is that even the Department of Metrics itself probably isn’t entirely sure what to do with Nova Launcher moving forward?
Without a dedicated customer service team or public relations support, the company is essentially running as a solo operation. According to Kevin, despite the significant loss of team members, he remains committed to Nova Launcher, having recently completed work on Nova 8.1. Although considered a positive indicator, he also emphasized that the revised plan will have a “narrower focus compared to the original intention.” He acknowledged that amidst the current chaos, numerous uncertainties remain to be resolved.
At its core, a reduced asset base inherently slows down growth, prompting Nova Launcher to evolve at a significantly diminished pace. If we had to speculate, this likely implies a more substantial release with substantial enhancements rather than just minor tweaks and updates when Nova 8.1 is finally released.
We have contacted Department Metrics to obtain further guidance on the upcoming layoffs and the future trajectory of Nova Launcher, pending receipt of their response, which will likely necessitate a revision to this communication.
