![\"Nova](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Nova-Launcher-app-icon.jpg\"\/ "\\"Nova"){kind=icon}
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Robert Triggs \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n
TL;DR<\/p>\n
Nova Launcher v8.6.8 beta includes a built-in AI assistant that provides contextual insights based on your calendar, contacts, and app usage. There\u2019s also an included AI chatbot.
\nCode indicates a recurring \u201cNova Plus\u201d subscription tier is coming, offering higher AI limits and faster responses, separate from the legacy \u201cNova Prime\u201d purchase.
\nThe launcher is shifting from a customization tool to a proactive agent, with hints of a \u201cNova Mobile\u201d phone plan management feature.<\/p>\n
Earlier this year, Nova Launcher was acquired by Swedish company Instabridge<\/a>. While the new owners claimed they wanted to be responsible stewards, they also emphasized the need for a \u201csustainable business model.\u201d We are now seeing what that might look like: a pivot toward \u201cNova AI.\u201d New beta versions reveal that Nova is transforming from a simple launcher into a data-hungry, proactive agent. To power its upcoming features, the launcher is preparing to request deep access to your personal life, including your private SMS conversations, physical location, call history, and more, and gating some of these features behind an upcoming Nova Plus subscription tier.<\/p>\n Nova AI<\/p>\n Nova Launcher v8.6.8 beta includes several strings that point to an upcoming AI feature called \u201cNova AI\u201d tied to a \u201cNova Plus\u201d subscription tier.<\/p>\n Code<\/p>\n Copy TextNova AI
While we are unable to determine the exact version when these strings were introduced, they are present in the mentioned beta release, and we can spot the groundwork even in Nova Launcher v8.5.6.<\/p>\n The primary feature for Nova AI is a built-in conversation assistant that doesn\u2019t require a separate app \u2014 it lives in your launcher.<\/p>\n Code<\/p>\n Copy TextNova AI
There are too many strings to share here, so here are key takeaways:<\/p>\n Conversational chat: Nova AI will feature a dedicated chat interface where you can \u201cAsk anything.\u201d It features suggested prompts like \u201cWhat\u2019s happening near me right now?\u201d and \u201cWhat should I watch this evening?\u201d Beyond the chatbot, Nova AI will apparently also try to learn about you as a user to provide contextual insights across the\u00a0 following use cases:<\/p>\n App Usage: Anticipate your needs based on your habits. Code<\/p>\n Copy TextApp Usage
Nova AI will also act as a \u201cmorning briefing,\u201d potentially surfacing useful information about upcoming events, spotting schedule conflicts, and giving a heads-up before meetings. There are also mentions of an \u201cinner circle\u201d of contacts, for which Nova AI will remind you to reply and provide relationship-aware answers. With location data, Nova AI will present weather information, local recommendations, and commute info.<\/p>\n Nova AI could sit on the minus-one home screen, accessed by swiping left from the home screen, and be integrated into Nova\u2019s search bar. The presence of a notification channel indicates your launcher will send you notifications for these insights. Strings also suggest the presence of home screen chips to potentially showcase insights and briefings directly on your home screen.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t want to miss the best from Android Authority?<\/p>\n Android Authority reader Blank 9485 tipped us about these inclusions and also shared these screenshots that show off the Nova AI feature in action:<\/p>\n Nova Plus subscription tier<\/p>\n Perhaps the biggest change coming to Nova with the Nova AI feature is another subscription tier called \u201cNova Plus\u201d (which was called \u201cNova Ultra\u201d in slightly older builds but has been renamed in the most recent beta). This will very likely differ from the \u201cNova Launcher Prime\u201d legacy unlock but will include all the features offered through Prime.<\/p>\n Based on the strings, Nova Plus will likely be offered on monthly and annual recurring billing cycles, with free trials. Free users will likely have a daily limit on AI messages, while subscribers will likely unlock a \u201cPRO\u201d badge, higher daily limits, and \u201cfaster, more capable responses.<\/p>\n The strings also mention privacy-centric toggles, suggesting users may be able to exercise control over what data they share with Nova AI. There are strings that indicate users will be allowed to download their AI data and request its deletion, either immediately or after 30 days.<\/p>\n Nova Mobile phone plan<\/p>\n There are strings pointing to something called \u201cNova Mobile\u201d with a description about managing a phone plan.<\/p>\n Code<\/p>\n Copy TextNova Mobile
In older releases, \u201cNova Mobile\u201d was part of the Nova Plus\/Ultra paywall, but the string has since been removed.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, we could not find any additional information on this beyond the string.<\/p>\n Where is Nova Launcher headed?<\/p>\n To be clear, all of these strings reveal features that are work in progress and may or may not materialize in the stable release of the launcher.<\/p>\n Still, these findings point to a monumental and likely controversial pivot for Nova Launcher. The transition from a highly customizable app launcher to a proactive, data-hungry AI agent marks a complete shift in the classic app\u2019s identity.<\/p>\n More importantly, the shift toward a recurring \u201cNova Plus\u201d subscription model that hinges on AI features is a massive departure from the beloved \u201cNova Launcher Prime\u201d purchase\/subscription, which\u00a0was based on launcher-oriented features, a move that is sure to spark debate among\u00a0long-time fans, whoever is still left<\/a>. Toss in the mystery of a potential \u201cNova Mobile\u201d phone plan, and it is clear that Instabridge has ambitious, sweeping plans.<\/p>\n We will have to wait for an official announcement to see how users react to handing over deep system permissions to their launcher and whether they are willing to pay a monthly fee for the privilege.<\/p>\n We could not locate a PR email address or contact form for Instabridge and Nova Launcher, so we have reached out to their support teams. We\u2019ll update this article when we hear back from them.<\/p>\n \u26a0\ufe0f An APK teardown helps predict features that may arrive on a service in the future based on work-in-progress code. However, it is possible that such predicted features may not make it to a public release.<\/p>\n
\nAccount
\n“We couldn’t activate Nova Plus yet. Please try again in a moment.”
\nSign in to get started.
\n“Let’s set up your AI.”<\/p>\n
\n“Nova AI is built into your launcher \u2014 no separate app needed. Sign in with Google to get started. It’s completely optional.”<\/p>\n
\nGoogle integration: Nova AI setup explicitly requires signing in with a Google account.
\nChat history and sharing: Users can view previous conversations, delete chats, and even generate shareable public links for specific conversations.
\nSourced answers: The AI appears to search the web or local data and will explicitly cite its sources.<\/p>\n
\nCalendar: Connect your schedule for smart reminders.
\nCall History: Suggest follow-up calls for frequently contacted people.
\nContacts: Surface people you need to contact for birthdays, follow-ups, people you haven\u2019t talked to in a while, etc.
\nInstalled App: Suggestions tailored to apps you use.
\nLocation: Discover things around you that match your interests.
\nRecent App: Quick switch tips based on what you just used.
\nSMS Contacts: Remind you to reply to people.<\/p>\n
\nAnticipate what you need next based on your habits
\nCalendar
\nConnect your schedule to everything else \u2014 reminders that know about traffic, weather, and what you need to prepare
\nCall History
\nSuggest follow-ups with people you call often
\nContacts
\n“Surface the right person at the right moment \u2014 birthdays, follow-ups, people you haven’t talked to in a while”
\nInstalled Apps
\nSuggestions tailored to the apps you use
\nLocation
\n“Discover things around you that match your interests, not just what’s nearby”
\nRecent Apps
\nQuick-switch tips based on what you just used
\nSMS Contacts
\nRemind you to reply to people who matter<\/p>\n![\"google](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768240152_738_google_preferred_source_badge_light@2x.png\"\/ "\\"google"){kind=icon}
![\"google](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768240152_238_google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x.png\"\/ "\\"google"){kind=icon}
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nManage your phone plan
\nNova Mobile<\/p>\n