As Nova Launcher fades out, Smart Launcher is stepping up, offering a new home that feels both familiar and full of promise.
Smart Launcher speaks directly to Nova fans
The developers of Smart Launcher aren’t being subtle. In a post titled “A message for Nova users,” they make their intentions clear: this isn’t just a replacement, it’s a continuation. The message offers reassurance to longtime Nova users, many of whom feel displaced after one of Android’s most beloved launchers began winding down.
Plex urges users to change their Plex password again after another breach exposed login info echoing a nearly identical 2022 security incident.
The feature set echoes what Nova users loved
Smart Launcher touts its modular system, frequent updates, and customization features that mirror much of what Nova was known for. It currently supports gesture controls like swipe-up on icons, allows docks in experimental builds, and lets users pin pages so any screen can serve as the home page.
Even more, the launcher comes packed with built-in widgets and a dedicated news page, cutting down on the need for third-party add-ons.
Smart Launcher respects user privacy
One concern often raised in the launcher space is data collection. According to the devs, Smart Launcher does not collect app usage data unless a feature requires it, and even then, it’s optional. This could be a key point of trust for Nova users migrating over.
A 12-month roadmap lays out the vision
To ease the transition, the Smart Launcher team has outlined what’s coming over the next year:
- Infinite home screen scrolling
- Quick folder actions
- Deeper folder customization
- Backup imports from Nova Launcher
- Smarter, faster search features
- Free upgrade to Smart Launcher 7
With 51 updates already pushed in 2024, the development pace is anything but slow.
The spirit of Nova lives on, just not where you left it
No launcher will ever replace Nova entirely. But Smart isn’t trying to mimic; it’s evolving with respect. The developers aren’t just building a product; they’re building trust. For those still mourning Nova, this might be the smoothest landing available.
