Microsoft recently rolled out an update to its dedicated Android launcher replacement, Microsoft Launcher, bringing the app’s version to 4.5 and adding distinctly new features bound to make any user happy. Before continuing, it’s important to remember that, as with all rolling updates, users shouldn’t be too concerned if this one hasn’t hit their device just yet. Updates can take hours, days, or – in more extreme circumstances – weeks to finish rolling out. Bearing that in mind, this is one update that is sure to be welcomed by those who want to customize their Android experience without delving into root settings or mods.
Interestingly, most of the changes appear to be a start in the direction of at least some of the features expected from some of the more popular launcher apps on the Google Play Store – although some of those do come with dependency on the version of Android installed or other software. For starters, users will finally be able to tweak the size of icons on the home screen the home screen, as well as in the dock and app drawer. Meanwhile, the calendar card now lets users send out notifications about scheduled events from the card itself, such as to alert others that they will be arriving late or unable to attend. In that same category of features, users will now be able to set recurring reminders and will have the ability to add blank pages to their setup while in verticle mode. With regard to apps with dependencies, users will finally be able to set wallpapers for the home and lock screens, as long as their device is running Android Nougat (OS version 7.0) or later. For users who have updated their device to Android 8.0 (Oreo), the app now supports Oreo shortcuts. Meanwhile, devices that have been set up with the company’s enterprise device management software, Microsoft Intune, Microsoft Launcher can now be used to view corporate data. Moving past those new inclusions.
As might be expected from a company with decades of technology experience and interface design know-how, the new launcher update generally makes things cleaner. However, it also brings things closer to what most users expect from their Android experience without sacrificing previously introduced features such as its interconnectivity with Windows OS and its customizable feed. Anybody interested in checking out can hit the Google Play button below.
