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Google Gemini is making a beeline for the Google Assistant's spot as Android's default digital sidekick, and though the change isn't mandatory yet (and maybe not even advisable in its current state), it's already clear the chatbot has immense potential. Nova Launcher has earned its spot as one of the top third-party home screen apps in large part by embracing new Android features and APIs, so it makes sense that Gemini support would already be in the works. Here we are less than a week from Google's ChatGPT competitor making its rebranded debut, and Nova Launcher beta has already started to integrate Gemini.
Nova Launcher Search gets better with more app integrations
Our favorite Android launcher also packs app drawer improvements in the latest beta
The Android smartphone market is abuzz with new tech, and some of our favorite devices run stock Android, or a popular skin like Samsung’s One UI. However, these OS skins usually focus on mass appeal, and not personalization, opening up a massive market for custom launchers. Nova Launcher is one of the enthusiast community’s most beloved options, and it just received a new beta update packed to the gills with new features.
Latest Nova Launcher 8 beta is all about search improvements
An immersive app search, search integration with Spotify, and more
If you love to customize your phone's home screen, a custom launcher is a must. While the list of our favorite Android launchers is quite big, Nova remains among our top choice despite its acquisition by mobile analytics company Branch because of its sheer number of features and customization options. The launcher's major v8 release dropped in July last year on the beta channel, with new test versions dropping once every few months since then. Building on the minor v8.0.5 beta release from May 2023 that fixed some underlying bugs, a new Nova beta is out with minor but notable enhancements related to the app drawer and search.
Nova Launcher devs embrace community with first State of Nova virtual event
Get your answers to everything Nova
Nova Launcher has long been one of the best Android launchers available to customization enthusiasts. It has a wide array of features and useful integrations, backed up by the promise of regular updates to keep it in sync with the latest Android OS developments. However, a lot goes on behind the scenes at Nova, and you finally have an opportunity to ask any question that has been on your mind.
Nova Launcher 8.0.5 beta pays attention to the small details
Polishing things up before going stable
Nova continues to be one of the best Android launchers out there, even after being purchased by mobile analytics company Branch. The app hasn't seen many stable version bumps since that acquisition, but developer Kevin Barry has been hard at work on the beta channel, releasing six test versions now in less than a year. The latest update doesn't really bring any new features, but it does polish up things a bit.
Nova Launcher v8.0.4 beta adds new dynamic theming improvements
You get a few fixes and more personalization options with dynamic theming support
For years now, Nova Launcher has been the gold standard among the best Android launchers, striking the perfect balance between functionality and aesthetic appeal without burning a hole in our pockets. Nova's developer is also fairly regular with updates, so everyone’s favorite launcher stays ahead of the curve. The latest beta channel update is keeping up with this tradition, packing dynamic theming improvements and bug fixes.
Nova Launcher 8 beta hands-on: Branching out in new directions
One of the best launchers on Android is getting even better
Nova Launcher's recent acquisition has seen the app in the news the past few days, but we're not here to discuss the business side of things. Nope, we're here to report on the latest betas for Nova Launcher now that 8 is in testing. After all, development is still moving forward, and thanks to betas being available to anyone who joins the app's discord, we sideloaded the launcher to see what's new. And oh boy, are there some noteworthy changes with 8.0.2 in the mix. Let's dive in for a closer look.
Earlier this week, one of the oldest and best Android launchers — Nova Launcher — was acquired by analytics company Branch. Nova creator Kevin Barry's announcement tried pacifying users and assuring them the original team remains in charge of development efforts. While the community is still wondering what to make of the deal, the latest beta update for Nova Launcher is already here, packing a few Branch-related features.
Nova Launcher has been acquired by analytics company Branch
Hopefully, this isn’t the end of an era for Android launchers
Nova Launcher is easily among the best Android launchers for power users and personalization enthusiasts alike. The app’s developers recently pulled the wraps off the Nova Launcher 8.0 beta with its redesigned settings menu and Material You dynamic theming. But now we're asking new questions about the project's future, as we get word that Nova Launcher and its associated app, Sesame Universal Search, have been acquired by Branch, a mobile links and analytics company.
Nova Launcher 8.0 beta is here with Material You and a totally redesigned settings menu
One of the oldest custom launchers on the Play Store is still going strong
Nova Launcher has held a permanent spot on any roundup of the best Android launchers for the better part of a decade now, and it's still in active development. It wasn't even a year ago that we saw the official launch of 7.0, bringing a full visual refresh and other updated features to anyone willing to download the app from the Play Store. Today, the dev team is back with the start of an all-new beta. Nova Launcher's first 8.0 preview is here, and it's coated in Material You goodness.
Nova Launcher 7 goes live with a visual refresh and new features in tow (APK Download)
Widget corner radius, swipe down gesture, and more
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Nova Launcher has always been among the most popular third-party launchers, even with great alternatives like Niagara popping up left and right. After what felt like months of stagnation, the latest visual refresh and rewrite of Nova is finally starting to roll out on the Play Store, dubbed Nova7. It's based on the latest AOSP launcher code and comes with new animations, styles, and features.
Weekend poll: How important are Android's customization options to you?
How much of your phone is your own?
Customization has always set Android apart from other operating systems, going all the way back to its earliest days. Whether it's manufacturers crafting unique (and usually bad) skins or power users installing launchers or custom ROMs, making your phone feel like your own has always been a core component of the platform. As Android grows into a mature ecosystem, however, its audience's need to change every aspect of a device may start to shift.
Hands-on: The minimalist Niagara Launcher is officially out of beta
An attractive homescreen alternative designed for one-handed use
Smartphone displays have grown much bigger in recent years to cater to our growing appetite for consuming media. However, the software running on most of these phones still isn't optimized for one-handed use. One of the best things about Android is that issues like this can easily be addressed by third-party apps. Niagara Launcher aims to make your phone's homescreen more convenient, and after four years of development and a two-year beta, it's launching for real.
Nova Launcher gets new features and animations in latest beta (APK Download)
Your favorite launcher is getting better
Nova Launcher has long been a reliable option for anyone looking to rejig their home screen and app drawer. Known for offering a straightforward yet customizable experience, the launcher has been among the most popular ones out there. Now we're checking out some of its latest visual tweaks and new features, with the release of the 7.0 beta.
For years, Nova has been the choice of launcher for millions around the world — a quick-fix for phones that either lack a proper launcher or have a clunky one. While it's available for free, you need to shell out $4.99 to unlock everything it has to offer, or not. In the spirit of the festive season, the app is currently on sale for a-cent-less-than-a-dollar.
Nova Launcher beta adds Android 11's quirky flower, pebble, and vessel icon shapes (APK Download)
Also, pentagons, hexagons, just a lot of 'gons
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Nova Launcher continues to be one of the fastest third-party app launchers to get inspiration from the latest Pixel changes. That trend continues with a fresh batch of new icon shapes, some of them lifted from the Android 11 developer previews and subsequent beta.
With over 50 million installs, Nova clearly leads the launcher clan, and the reason for that general approval is nothing short of its plethora of customization options. If you’ve been patiently waiting for a deal to unlock more premium-tier features, now is the time to hit that buy button, as the developer is being a bit generous for the holiday season. Nova Launcher Prime can be bought for just $1 in the US, while those living elsewhere can save even more.
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Android 10 is finally available after months of beta tests, but it's only on a handful of devices. Nova Launcher is nevertheless wasting no time adding support for one of Android 10's most popular features: dark mode. You can now tell your launcher to follow the system dark mode setting.
Nova Launcher just received a new update, v6.1, which adds the awesome and coveted dark mode for the Google Discover pane. It also gets numeric dots for notification badges without the need for TeslaUnread, an undo bar when removing desktop items, and more.
Nova Launcher, the most popular third-party launcher on Android, keeps getting better with time by adopting features similar to Google's Pixel Launcher and improving on them in meaningful ways. In version 6.1 beta of Nova, which was just released, two changes further prove this: dark mode for the Discover feed and numeric Oreo-like notification dots.