Nova Launcher Founder Talks App’s Status and Future After Layoffs

Late last week, news broke that parent company Branch Metrics had laid off over 100 employees, including the entire Nova Launcher team except for founder and original developer Kevin Barry. Barry has now released an official statement addressing the layoffs and the state of Nova Launcher.

If you’re not familiar with the software, Nova Launcher is a third-party home screen launcher that opens up customization options that users may not have had on the default home screen. This includes things like changing grid sizes, choosing widget placement, and having app drawers. Nova was acquired by analytics firm Branch Metrics in 2022, which allowed Nova to gain deep insights into how users use apps.

When the layoffs were shared on social media by Nova Launcher veterans like Rob Wainwright and Cliff Wade, the future of the app was in question as development would be a one-man show. However, former employees assured fans that there was no need to panic and that Barry would continue his good work.

In a brief statement, Barry acknowledges the loss of his collaborators, wishing them the best in their future endeavors. Barry also takes a moment to explain what’s happening with development. He explains that for years, the Nova team consisted of just him. While Barry, Wainwright, and Wade have become the core of the team, Barry reiterates that he “has always been the leader and primary contributor to Nova Launcher, and that hasn’t changed.” Barry continues by stating that he “will continue to control the direction and development of Nova Launcher.”

The statement appears to be an attempt to assuage fan concerns about reduced support. Nova is still expecting the 8.1 patch it has been working on to release, but it will be smaller in scope compared to previous versions. The question remains how exactly the layoffs will affect future development.