Nova Launcher 5.0 brings Google Pixel-like features to everyone

posted by Florin T. / Dec 13, 2016, 5:40 PM

Nova Launcher 5.0 brings Google Pixel-like features to everyone

Today, the folks behind Nova Launcher (one of the most popular Android launchers out there) released a stable version 5.0 of the skin, making it available to download from Google Play.

Nova Launcher 5.0 comes with various notable features that were previously available only in the beta versions of the launcher. For example, we're getting a "swipe to open app drawer" option, which is somewhat similar to what Google's Pixel and Pixel XL are offering. Note that you may have to manually enable this option by going to Nova Settings -> App & widget drawers -> Swipe to open.

Other new features: Pixel style search bar, Android 7.1 launcher shortcuts, new search view (including tabs for Frequent, Recent and New/Updated apps), a "timeout" screen lock method, and double-tap-swipe gestures. All these novelties have also been included in Nova Launcher Prime (the $4.99 version of the skin that offers a slew of premium features).

Nova Launcher 5.0 is available for free via the first source link below. If you want to get the beta variant of the launcher (and try out new features before they're released to everyone), you can sign up to become a tester at the second source below.

Nova Launcher 5.0 is out of beta, free for everyone to download

sources: Nova Launcher (Google Play), Nova Launcher Beta via Google+

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13 Comments

1. torr310

Posts: 1646; Member since: Oct 27, 2011

not sure if I wanna update to 5.0

posted on Dec 13, 2016, 6:08 PM 1

5. PHYCLOPSH

Posts: 652; Member since: Jun 28, 2014

That's what people said about Lollipop and I don't blame them. Lollipop was awful, I'd rather suck on a KitKat dipped in booty fudge.

posted on Dec 13, 2016, 8:09 PM 1

7. The_Innovation

Posts: 648; Member since: Jul 18, 2012

I'm using a Pixel. It's very much worth it, trust me.

posted on Dec 13, 2016, 10:48 PM 3

8. Rigbaby

Posts: 98; Member since: Nov 06, 2014

Don't worry it's Nova so they always give you the option to enable those new features if you want. They're just trying to appeal to every android purist with a need to customise so they won't remove features.

posted on Dec 14, 2016, 12:44 AM 2

13. Fellwalker

Posts: 536; Member since: Apr 04, 2014

I doubt you'll get the choice. We were forced into the all apps icon that is black dots on a white background. It jars with everything else, bit that is lollipop they said.

posted on Dec 14, 2016, 7:12 PM 0

10. JC557

Posts: 1919; Member since: Dec 07, 2011

It's not that much of an improvement over kitkat due to Google neutering SD card writing (making SD slot less useful) when using the standard file managers, app control/ stuff like gsam cannot give any details on what's keeping the damn phone awake, asinine background data access rules which flips around between Marshmallow and Nougat which may inadvertently utilize your data without you knowing and you have to go through your apps one by one.

posted on Dec 14, 2016, 1:33 AM 0

2. iLovesarcasm

Posts: 589; Member since: Oct 20, 2014

Swipe to open lags, I prefer the ordinary.

posted on Dec 13, 2016, 6:14 PM 0

3. danidin

Posts: 40; Member since: May 15, 2014

Lags? Buttery smooth on old nexus 7 2013...

posted on Dec 13, 2016, 6:21 PM 1

4. IronTech

Posts: 153; Member since: May 27, 2016

This is the stable version, buddy. Try it before judge it!

posted on Dec 13, 2016, 7:49 PM 0

6. kkmkk

Posts: 699; Member since: May 06, 2013

best launcher im using it since 4 years nothing come close to the leavel of combustibility and smoothness of nova launcher

posted on Dec 13, 2016, 8:42 PM 0

9. MrElectrifyer

Posts: 3960; Member since: Oct 21, 2014

Nice improvements, liking the new layout of the long-press shortcuts.

posted on Dec 14, 2016, 12:51 AM 0

11. libra89

Posts: 2272; Member since: Apr 15, 2016

Maybe I'll try it now. I have been using Action because it already had the swipe up action for the app drawer...and it was not in beta.

posted on Dec 14, 2016, 8:09 AM 0

12. civicsr2cool

Posts: 267; Member since: Oct 19, 2016

Meh, I use Nova for the absolute minimal home screen with gestures to do everything. This only adds bloat to the size of the app for me. But i can see why they'd add this crap.