Nova Launcher Receives Major Update Via discord Following Developer Transition
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A notable update to the popular Nova Launcher has been released, demonstrating the app’s continued progress despite recent changes in leadership and a stalled open-source initiative. The new version, 8.1.3, delivers a host of new features and improvements, largely built by the original development team over a year ago, and is now rolling out to users via the Google Play Store.
Community Steps In After leadership Change
In September, news surfaced that the original founder and developer of Nova Launcher was asked to step away from the app and halt efforts related to open sourcing the project. This declaration was met with considerable concern within the Android community. However, a dedicated Discord channel for Nova launcher has remained highly active, serving as a hub for dialog and continued development.
“This news didn’t sit well with the Android community,” one observer noted, highlighting the strong user base and thier commitment to the launcher.
What’s New in nova Launcher 8.1.3
the update focuses heavily on enhancing the Nova Now experience and refining the Cards section. key improvements include:
- Redesigned Media Card: The Media Card has been fully overhauled for a cleaner aesthetic and improved user control.
- Enhanced Card Functionality: Users can now pin Shortcuts directly to their Cards and dismiss cards,allowing for a highly personalized feed.
- New Weather Card: A brand new Weather Card provides users with up-to-date forecasts directly within Nova Launcher.
- Calendar Card Update: The Calendar Card has been updated to improve usability.
- Search Bar Customization: New options allow users to customize the style of the Nova Now search bar.
- Instant Search: A new feature automatically displays the keyboard when Nova Now opens, streamlining the search process.
- Polished Spotify Integration: The integration with Spotify has been refined for a smoother experience.
Beyond the Nova Now enhancements, the update also introduces improvements to Search History and Compatibility. Search history for web suggestions is now saved and searchable across sessions, with a privacy option to disable this feature. Moreover, compatibility has been updated to fully support the latest Android versions.
according to a company release, the update also includes “stability improvements across the board to keep things running smoothly.”
A Future Forged in Community
While the update was not initially available on the official Nova Launcher website, it is indeed now being distributed through the Google Play Store. The release underscores the resilience of the Nova Launcher project and the power of its community.
“Cheers Diego!” a message accompanying the release stated, acknowledging the contributions of key individuals involved in the update’s distrib
