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Nova Launcher added Facebook and Google Ads tracking

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Re: Nova Launcher added Facebook and Google Ads tracking

#161

Post by JohnFen »

bandrami wrote: post #106
celsoazevedo wrote: post #2

For those still using Nova Launcher (custom launcher for Android), it seems that it's owned by a new company and the latest update comes with the Facebook Ads and Google AdMob SDKs and require extra permissions. 8.1.6: - Branch (analytics) - Bugsnag (crash report) 8.2.4: - Facebook Ads (advertisement) - Google AdMob (advertisement) - Branch (analytics) - Bugsnag (crash reporting) - Google CrashLytics (crash reporting…

Does this mean I need a Facebook account to use it?

No, it means the app is sharing data with Facebook.

Re: Nova Launcher added Facebook and Google Ads tracking

#162

Post by JohnFen »

hypfer wrote: post #147
kristopolous wrote: post #62

There's so many suggestions here that you open up and it's just a buy screen with comment reviews like "oh dearest me, I was lost in the darkness and then I found salvation with this app" I can't help but think there's a lot of devs here pushing their own products.

I mean this _is_ HN after all. That is the core mindset that is being pushed here. Y Combinator is a startup accelerator. It is just called "hacker" news because it's a nice sounding name. Not because it would actually be news for hackers nor because it would actually be culturally adjacent to hacker culture. Though, those aforementioned hackers still do seem to occasionally hang out here regardless. Probably some we…

> Probably some weird case of masochism.

Or keeping an eye on the opposition.

Re: Nova Launcher added Facebook and Google Ads tracking

#166

Post by opan »

AdmiralAsshat wrote: post #151

So, frustratingly, I can't seem to get the launcher to downgrade after it automatically updated last night. Someone on the thread linked to the previous version APK from a site called uptodown (glanced at it, didn't seem to be malware, but didn't do any real forensic analysis). I enabled sideloading on my phone, tried to "update" the app, but the OS then refused to install it, claiming it was invalid. Can't tell if i…

Rollbacks pretty much only work on LineageOS. I've seen this come up a lot in the last year as multiple F-Droid apps pushed out a bad update and people wanted a fix ASAP rather than in a couple weeks.

You can probably extract the apk of the old version on your other phone, btw.

http://7thzero.com/blog/extract-an-apk-from-android-devices-...

Re: Nova Launcher added Facebook and Google Ads tracking

#167

Post by opan »

breput wrote: post #63

I was a 10+ year long Nova Launcher user and knew this day was coming after the sale and layoffs[0][1]... This evening I at looked several replacement launchers, such as Lawnchair and even the stock Pixel launcher again, but Octopi Launcher[2] is the more modern, more refined Nova replacement that you are looking for. It was a very easy, natural transition process from Nova - all of the Nova features that I used were…

I use OpenLauncher from F-Droid and have been pretty happy with it.

Re: Nova Launcher added Facebook and Google Ads tracking

#168

Post by opan »

Abishek_Muthian wrote: post #15
fireflash38 wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Any good alternatives people are using? I've used Nova for absolutely ages

I haven't used an android launcher over a decade, stock LineageOS launcher works well for me i.e. to open app drawer and to click on apps. What do you folks use 3rd party launchers for?

I like to use non-default apps from F-Droid so it's easier to feel at home on any new device. I do try to only get phones with LineageOS support, but it's cool how much of my usual stuff I can throw on an Amazon tablet or Fire Stick also.

Re: Nova Launcher added Facebook and Google Ads tracking

#170

Post by celsoazevedo »

ipcress_file wrote: post #16

I'm still using an old version with the network access blocked. I'll use it until it stops working. If anyone knows of another launcher with app drawer tabs, let me know.

The latest version keeps retrying some failed connections. It's only Firebase, but it seems to be almost every minute. Not good for the battery life, I assume.

No idea about old versions, but something to be aware of.

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