K0Z

@ K0Z @lemdro.id

Posts

3
Comments

12
Joined

2 yr. ago

13h ago

PSA: Nova Launcher added Facebook and Google Ads tracking
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K0Z @lemdro.id 13h ago
APK Mirror: https://www.apkmirror.com/uploads/?appcategory=nova-launcher
The Nova Launcher archive goes all the way back to 2012, so that's not a problem.
The thing is, if you install an old version and disable updates, you still depend on the Play Store not to update it. From time to time I manually open the Play Store to force updates, when some app isn't working as it should. So for me at least, it's only a matter of time until I forget about this and update the app.
We could block it from accessing the internet, but looking at DNS queries, this latest version also keeps retrying failed connections every few minutes. There's no way that's good for battery life.
In other words, while I'm sad and this is pain in the ass, it's time for me to move on.

14h ago

PSA: Nova Launcher added Facebook and Google Ads tracking

It's crazy how much longer battery lasts after removing Google Services from Android.

Unfortunately for me, not only some of my apps require Google Services, but I also use a Samsung... I don't even have LineageOS available. Even if I did, custom ROMs on Samsung can't use VoLTE, which is a problem as they're shutting down 2G/3G where I live.

14h ago

PSA: Nova Launcher added Facebook and Google Ads tracking

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K0Z @lemdro.id 14h ago

If you're using Nova, be aware that it keeps retrying some failed connections, so while this might improve privacy, it may also increase your battery drain.

I was going to keep using it for now with an Android firewall, but decided to uninstall it to force me to find a replacement.

15h ago

PSA: Nova Launcher added Facebook and Google Ads tracking

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K0Z @lemdro.id 15h ago

btw, the launcher you linked to is called "minimalist phone", that's what the scan is about.

if you meant to link this "AIO Launcher", then it still collects telemetry and crash reports, but I guess most launchers on the play store do this: https://reports.exodus-privacy.eu.org/en/reports/ru.execbit.aiolauncher/latest/

it seems that the only way to use a "clean" launcher is to use an open source alternative.

15h ago

PSA: Nova Launcher added Facebook and Google Ads tracking

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K0Z @lemdro.id 15h ago

Keep an eye on your battery life. I blocked Nova on my firewall app and it was retrying a connection to Google's Firebase every minute or so. I assume because it was failing.

1d ago

PSA: Nova Launcher added Facebook and Google Ads tracking

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K0Z @lemdro.id 1d ago

This is the launcher that everyone installs. I don't think the paid app, which only unlocks some features, has been updated (at least I haven't received an update yet).

1d ago

PSA: Nova Launcher added Facebook and Google Ads tracking

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K0Z @lemdro.id 1d ago

No Facebook Ads or Google Ads on that launcher, but there's the same Branch analytics stuff that made people leave when Nova was sold for the first time:

https://reports.exodus-privacy.eu.org/en/reports/com.qqlabs.minimalistlauncher/latest/

1d ago

PSA: Nova Launcher added Facebook and Google Ads tracking

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K0Z @lemdro.id 1d ago

What's the version to use? The latest pre-release?

I installed it to test. Went to change the fonts, some apps had the old font, some had the new one (even after restarting the app). Couldn't organize apps inside folders by name. It doesn't seem to handle icon adaptation for old apps as well as Nova did.

I feel bad for saying this as it's free and open, but it doesn't seem to be as polished as Nova.

1d ago

PSA: Nova Launcher added Facebook and Google Ads tracking

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K0Z @lemdro.id 1d ago

Man, I'd love to adapt to some of these launchers, but day to day, having a few icons and folders in easy to reach places works better for me than having to type, scroll, use gestures, etc. I always go back to traditional launchers.

1d ago

PSA: Nova Launcher added Facebook and Google Ads tracking

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K0Z @lemdro.id 1d ago

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.

1d ago

PSA: Nova Launcher added Facebook and Google Ads tracking

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K0Z @lemdro.id 1d ago

I've tried Lawnchair. It's better than it used to be last time I tested it. With this said, I don't seem to be able to order folders by name, changed fonts (something more compressed) and half of the icons had the old font, and others had the new one (even after restarting the app)...