The latest update for the popular Nova Launcher app includes Facebook Ads and Google AdMob.
Compare 8.2.4: https://reports.exodus-privacy.eu.org/en/reports/698198/
With 8.1.6: https://reports.exodus-privacy.eu.org/en/reports/673643/
From 2 trackers to 6 trackers. From 30 permissions to 36. And two of the “trackers” are for ad stuff, like Facebook Ads.
I believe the owner also changed. It’s no longer Branch, but something called Instabridge Sweden.
Switched over to Smart Launcher when Nova became abandonware.
Well, at least with Smart Launcher, they’re actually trying to add useful features rather than just shoveling in ad-tracking.
They require a monthly subscription to “unlock” premium features. No thanks.
It does have a one time payment option. Either that or getting your data sold. You can’t expect people to develop apps for free without anything in return.
I have zero problem paying for software, as that’s how I make my living. I don’t expect free updates for life, but I refuse to have everything in my life be a subscription.
At this point, I don’t mind paying something every year to keep development going (there’s always something that needs to be fixed on new Android versions) and so the author doesn’t feel the need to sell it, but monthly subscriptions… I don’t know.
I think I paid the equivalent to $4 a few years ago for Nova. I’ve been using it for 10 or so years. I wouldn’t mind paying $4 per year just to avoid this sad outcome.
Yeah, big new feature drop from them just this month, right? They added some features that I loved from Action Launcher (swipe to open folders).