Damien Wilde / Android Authority
In brief
- Nova Launcher lead developer Kevin Barry has made a statement regarding the status of the launcher.
- Barry explains the roles of Rob Wainwright and Cliff Wade in the Nova team
- He further explains that he was and still is the main person responsible for Nova Launcher.
Late last week, news broke that parent company Branch Metrics had laid off more than 100 employees, including the entire Nova Launcher team, with the exception of 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 homescreen launcher that opens up customization options that users may not have had with the default homescreen. This includes things like changing the grid size, choosing widget placement, and setting up app drawers. Nova was acquired by analytics firm Branch Metrics in 2022, which allowed Nova to gain deep insights into how users use the app.
When Nova Launcher veterans like Rob Wainwright and Cliff Wade announced the layoffs on social media, the future of the app was in question as development would now be a one-man show. However, former employees assured fans that there was no need to panic and that Barry would continue the good work.
In a brief statement, Barry acknowledges the loss of his co-workers and wishes them well in their future endeavors. Barry also takes a moment to explain what’s going on with development. He explains that for years, the Nova team consisted of just him. While Barry, Wainwright, and Wade formed the core of the team, Barry reiterates that he “has always been the leading and most important contributor to Nova Launcher and that hasn’t changed.” Barry goes on to explain that he “will continue to control the direction and development of Nova Launcher.”
The statement appears to be an attempt to allay fans’ fears of reduced support. Nova is still expected to release the 8.1 patch it has been working on, but it will be at a reduced scope compared to before. It remains to be seen exactly how the layoffs will affect future development.
