• MalReynolds@slrpnk.netEnglish
    0·
    9 days ago

    Here’s me using it on gOS with network deny permission (suck it assholes, also haven’t updated since years? ago). I’d use something else but I use KLWP for my UI and it gives the least friction…

    • K0Z@lemdro.idOPEnglish
      0·
      9 days ago

      Keep an eye on your battery life. I blocked Nova on my firewall app and it was retrying a connection to Google’s Firebase every minute or so. I assume because it was failing.

      • MalReynolds@slrpnk.netEnglish
        0·
        9 days ago

        Nah, battery life is 30+ hrs, not bad for a Pixel 7 (no Google services helps a lot), did change the battery 18mnths ago.

        • K0Z@lemdro.idOPEnglish
          0·
          8 days ago

          It’s crazy how much longer battery lasts after removing Google Services from Android.

          Unfortunately for me, not only some of my apps require Google Services, but I also use a Samsung… I don’t even have LineageOS available. Even if I did, custom ROMs on Samsung can’t use VoLTE, which is a problem as they’re shutting down 2G/3G where I live.

    • K0Z@lemdro.idOPEnglish
      0·
      9 days ago

      Man, I’d love to adapt to some of these launchers, but day to day, having a few icons and folders in easy to reach places works better for me than having to type, scroll, use gestures, etc. I always go back to traditional launchers.

  • Eager Eagle@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    9 days ago

    I had purchased it several years ago, but this is at least the 3rd concerning headline in the past 3 years. If you’re still on that boat, jump ship.

    • Redjard@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
      0·
      9 days ago

      The old versions are still fine. I never found a sufficient alternative, and it was (predictably) never open sourced despite the claims at aquisition so I couldn’t fork it, but at least I can freeze the last good version in time, restrict network access and updates, and hold out as long as I can.
      Probably until some future android version breaks it too badly.

      • TruF@lemdro.idEnglish
        0·
        7 days ago

        The issue with sticking with the old versions is newer versions of Android could totally break it with no way to fix it. Enjoy it while you can, but I’d recommend at least experimenting with other launchers so you have a plan when the day comes, not if. When.

    • K0Z@lemdro.idOPEnglish
      0·
      7 days ago

      The code is on the launcher itself. Prime is a separated app that is supposed to unlock paid features and disable the ads. I’ve seen some comments on Reddit of people claiming to have prime and seeing ads, so I don’t know what’s going on.

      • kbobabob@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
        0·
        7 days ago

        It’s pretty common to have a free version with ads and a paid version/unlocked version. Are people just mad that the free version has more tracking/ad sources now?

  • Meldroc@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    9 days ago

    Switched over to Smart Launcher when Nova became abandonware.

    Well, at least with Smart Launcher, they’re actually trying to add useful features rather than just shoveling in ad-tracking.

      • limerod@reddthat.comMEnglish
        0·
        8 days ago

        It does have a one time payment option. Either that or getting your data sold. You can’t expect people to develop apps for free without anything in return.

      • K0Z@lemdro.idOPEnglish
        0·
        9 days ago

        At this point, I don’t mind paying something every year to keep development going (there’s always something that needs to be fixed on new Android versions) and so the author doesn’t feel the need to sell it, but monthly subscriptions… I don’t know.

        I think I paid the equivalent to $4 a few years ago for Nova. I’ve been using it for 10 or so years. I wouldn’t mind paying $4 per year just to avoid this sad outcome.

    • PeachMan@lemmy.worldEnglish
      0·
      9 days ago

      Yeah, big new feature drop from them just this month, right? They added some features that I loved from Action Launcher (swipe to open folders).

  • osidlwld@lemdro.idEnglish
    0·
    9 days ago

    Is this true only for the non-paid, free version Nova Launcher? I checked for info about Nova Launcher Prime, the paid version which I’ve used for years, and don’t see anything about trackers being included.

    As far as paid Android apps go, I will vouch for them. I paid for prime and have continued to use it, unlike many paid apps - such as weather apps - that after less than a year became worthless and were basically a ripoff. Nova Launcher has always seemed good.

    • limerod@reddthat.comMEnglish
      0·
      8 days ago

      The person who developed the launcher is not with them. So, why would you Considering, the increased push for tracking it would be stupid to use nova.

      There are plenty of launchers which are useful. There’s literally no reason to still use Nova.

    • bonenode@piefed.socialEnglish
      0·
      9 days ago

      The paid app is not the app though. Just an unlocker for the free app to add the paid features. Unless they changed how it works the last years. Could be easily tested if you only install the Prime app and make sure you did the remove the other.

      Edit, yupp, just checked play store (directly copied with the weird typo in it):

      Nova Launcher Prime acts as a license for in the free Nova Launcher App. You will need to install it first.

      You’re being tracked the same no matter if you pay or not. These days even paying for something doesn’t stop companies to collect all your data, just because.

    • K0Z@lemdro.idOPEnglish
      0·
      9 days ago

      This is the launcher that everyone installs. I don’t think the paid app, which only unlocks some features, has been updated (at least I haven’t received an update yet).

  • tyrant@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    8 days ago

    I’ve been using Niagara and it took a little getting used to but it’s simple and nice. Privacy policy seems less bad than a lot of others?

  • iamthetot@piefed.caEnglish
    0·
    9 days ago

    I’ve been using Nova for, gods, something like five years now or more.

    What are some good ones these days? When I started using Nova, it was very highly recommended.

    • 🇵🇸antifa_ceo@lemmy.mlEnglish
      0·
      9 days ago

      I use Niagara launcher now and while it takes some getting used to and doesn’t have all the customization of Nova but I think I prefer how it streamlines phone interaction a lot of the time. At least for me.

      • The Quuuuuill@slrpnk.netEnglish
        0·
        9 days ago

        Niagara and KISS are IMO the best launchers out. Niagara is more polished, KISS is open source, requires few permissions, and has an almost pathological dedication to supporting low power hardware

  • ijeff@lemdro.idMEnglish
    0·
    9 days ago

    Thanks for the heads up! End of an era. I’ve been dabbling in Lawnchair (the new update is an improvement but some bugs remain) and Niagara (great but lacks support for a widget page).

  • Lka1988@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    0·
    8 days ago

    An ad company added trackers to an app they bought? Wow. Shocker.

    Glad I ditched Nova when they were initially acquired.