Peek View into the Microsoft Launcher

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Image Source: Microsoft Garage

Microsoft Launcher

l've used it for some time now, and the Microsoft Launcher has some good features which allowed me to enjoy it during this while. So, let's take a look:


The description on its website says this: "Sync with your Windows PC, customize your Android phone’s home screen, prioritize, organize, and give your phone a whole new look with Microsoft Launcher." and I'll limit my descriptive scope, somewhat akin to the previous statement.

This launcher is only available on the Android platform. It was formerly called Arrow Launcher when it was first released in late '17, and it allows integration of some of the content, like calendar schedules, notes, documents etc. from Microsoft's very own Windows OS.


Features

  • App dock: This a located at the bottom of the desktop and offers shortcuts to some switches like Airplane mode, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Flashlight, Network, Location, Audio mode/profile, etc. and a brightness control at the bottom of the shortcuts. Apps can be put here, and there's some customization for the docker available in the settings.
  • App drawer: on the app drawer, apps can be viewed in an alphabetical, horizontal or vertical fashion; apps can be made into folders or even hidden from this view (security optional). Tapping and holding an app icon allows one to select from a range of options depending on an app. For example, while most apps have an Select multiple, Add to Home & Uninstall, besides the info and edit icon buttons, some apps have an extra, custom option like Resume playback on VLC, Notes, Checklist on Simple Notepad. You can easily search for apps using the search bar on the top.
  • Continue on PC: This allows you to get photos on your phone available on a Windows PC. The integration goes as far as allowing a user to transition between editing a document on the phone and a PC.
  • Feed: ML enables you to customize a feed which includes apps (frequently used apps), calendar events, contacts (frequently contacted), documents, and news (the categories of which you're allowed to select).
  • Home Screen: On the desktop, you can have a customized, the Bing daily or Microsoft Launcher wallpaper as a default and effects can be applied; this can also be used as a theme when you aren't on the desktop; time, location & weather's accessible from home plus a revered search bar. App icons and widgets can be placed here and icons can even be put in folders. Contacts can also be arranged here for easier access (call/message).
  • Search: the search bar on ML can be used to find files, settings and apps or directly find a hit on the web through the Bing search engine. It's also possible to push a search via image of an object (where you can capture and/or upload image of an object using your camera/from local directory) or the barcode of some item. Cortana can also be used to make a voice query just like with Google, albeit getting discontinued by the end of April '20; the digital/virtual assistant has already been taken down as an app on the Android and iOS platforms since January 31 o' the same year.
  • Launcher Settings: Okay, I know. It sounds somewhat ridiculously absurd to include this as a feature, but this is where most of the fun in this launcher is stocked. These include, though not limited, to 
  1. Backup/recovery of settings: with so much customization offered by this launcher, you need something like this to backup/recover your customized settings to/from local storage or the cloud drive.
  2. Gestures: if you're familiar with many launchers, you should know this feature. It allows you to make a set/customized touch gesture that opens some app or feature.
  3. Icon pack: application icon look and size can be modified; ML also enables you to integrate applications that offer more of this, so you can have a different look from the default.
  4. Theme: Light, dark & transparent theme options are available and a blur effect applied to the wallpaper.

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