Nova Launcher (Android Third-Party Desktop) Tests AI Assistant, Needing Deep Permissions & Subscription Tie-in

Many Android users who use Nova Launcher for custom desktops may be interested—its test version has been found to add an AI assistant feature.

APK teardown shows Nova AI is tied to the Nova Plus subscription system. To enable it, users need to grant deep permissions like SMS, GPS location, and call logs. It can be used without extra apps, supporting chat, history management, and sharing.

The AI can also learn user behavior to provide personalized services like app predictions, schedule reminders, and morning briefings, possibly appearing on the leftmost screen or search bar. However, the features are still in development, so the launch time is uncertain.