Microsoft Launcher for Android updated with support for 12x12 grid layout; migration from other launchers & more.

 

Microsoft Launcher, formerly known as Arrow Launcher, has been updated today with new options, like support for 12x12 grid layout and the ability to add more than five icons to the dock. In addition, Microsoft is making it possible to adjust app title font display and edit folder icon and shape. This beta version also let users perform migration from other launchers or backup/restore settings during setup.

Check out the full change log of Microsoft Launcher version 4.3 below. The launcher can be downloaded free in Google Play Store.

-          Apps grid option: support max 12x12 grid layout and half grid granularity.

-          New user experience: Migration from other launchers and backup/restore on welcome page.

-          Drag /drop apps do not enter edit mode.

-          Some UI adjustment: app title font display & folder icon/shape edit, dock support more than 5 apps, search bar default on bottom; theme support for settings page, settings page restructure.

-          Crash fix, bug fix & performance tuning.

Microsoft renames Arrow Launcher to Microsoft Launcher with new design and features.

Today Microsoft has rebranded its launcher app for Android. Arrow Launcher is more, make place for Microsoft Launcher. A change that makes sense as the previous one was no indication that the launcher was developed by the software giant. And of course, there is more to it as Microsoft Launcher gets a new logo, a redesign and some new features.

Top on the list of new features is the addition of “Continue on PC”. If you’ve never heard of it before, it’s a useful feature that lets users easily share files from a phone to a PC running Windows 10, obviously.

Microsoft Launcher also includes support for gestures. For example, users can double tap to screen lock or swipe down to do a search, etc. Users can re-assign these gestures to perform other tasks in the app settings. The launcher also supports pining contacts to the Home screen, in folders or on the dock.

The launcher also brings an improved personalized feed which you can access by swiping from the left on the Home screen. The personalized feed can even be set as the default Home screen, bringing everything you like on your main screen for quick access.

Long time Arrow Launcher user will notice much of the change that the new Microsoft Launcher brings. For those looking for a new launcher on their Android devices, check out Microsoft Launcher in Google Play Store.

Version 3.8 of Microsoft Arrow Launcher for Android is now rolling out to the beta channel.

Hey folks, version 3.8 of Microsoft Arrow Launcher is out through the beta channel and while there is nothing much to it in terms of new features, Microsoft is introducing the “Me avatar”, a sort of Me tile which former or current Windows Phone users will remember. 

Users will need to sign in with their Microsoft account to have their profile picture displayed at the top of what Microsoft calls the -1 page – you swipe from the right to the left on the home screen page to access it. Tapping the profile picture takes you to a Microsoft page where users can manage their accounts and services they’re subscribed to and obviously change their profile picture.

Here’s the rest of the change log:
1. News: the redesigned News card.
2. People: See your Outlook contacts in People card and let Arrow help you merge duplicate contacts.
3. Calendar: Redesigned Calendar card shows your upcoming appointments.
4. Setting: Reset Arrow settings to default settings.
5. Folder spacing/layout improvements.
6. Additional bug fixes.

Again, this update is available to those who are in the beta program. Check the Google Play Store page of the Arrow Launcher to join the beta program to get the latest features before they go public. Just bear in mind that these updates may contain bugs.  

Launcher 10 brings Windows Mobile live tiles to Android and it looks great.

Android is the most customizable mobile OS on this planet and you’ve probably read that several times and as such the Google Play Store offers a wide choice of launchers for you to use if you do not like your device’s default one. I currently use Microsoft’s Arrow Launcher, which is to me the smartest launcher available on Android as it learns from my daily usage and habits to push up the apps I use most to the top for quick and easy access. This post, however, is about another launcher that Windows Mobile fans will very likely appreciate for its similarity to Windows Mobile live tile screen. Actually, it brings the Windows Live tile experience to Android.

It’s name is Launcher 10 and is available free in the store with in-app purchases. This launcher brings Windows live tiles to Android making it look like a Windows Mobile device. The live tiles will show notification for the calendar, contacts, clock etc. Tile badges will show number of missed calls, unread messages etc. And like Windows, swiping from the right will reveal the all apps list, while pinned apps can be resized. Additionally, users can choose the tiles color, transparency, tap and hold to reposition them, and unlike Windows Mobile, Launcher 10 supports landscape mode. The tiles will rearrange perfectly to fit as you rotate your device. 

If you are a previous Windows Mobile user or fan or would just like to experience live tiles on your Android device, Launcher 10 is definitely worth a look. To help you make up your mind, check out the change log for the latest update:

1. Most widgets should now fill the full size of the tile if you have turned off the tile background behind widgets option.

2. Tile labels and live tile text should now scale to fit the tiles. Now if you change the number of tile columns, the text will scale to ensure a consistent look.

3. Added a preference for tile label text size so you can customize the size of the tile labels.

4. Added a preference for app list size to allow for custom sizing of the all apps list (text and icons).

Launcher 10 can be downloaded in Google Play Store.

Microsoft brings file transfer from/to PC & phone to Arrow Launcher for Android.

Microsoft has updated Arrow Launcher for Android yesterday adding new cards and support for more features to the built-in backup and restore tool.

The first card is the is the Arrow Hub card, a feature for transferring files from PC to mobile. For this feature to work, users are required to sign in with their Microsoft account. After that, the file transfer card will show a upload button to send files to other devices. Tap the button reveals a menu with four choices of file types: Image, video, Document, Clipboard. Tap the one file type you want, then tap once to select the file you want to upload or press and hold on one file and select more than one file. The next step must be done on a device with a web browser and access the Arrow Files website to view and/or download the uploaded files. Accessing the site requires login in with the same Microsoft Account used in Arrow Launcher on the Android device.  The website also have a add button at the bottom right that allows uploading a file from a PC to the phone. All in all, it's quite a quick and easy way to instantly share files between your devices.

This update also adds a new MSN News card with the option to select a category of news you want displayed and remove those you do not want. By default, the card will show three latest news headlines and Microsoft included a "Show All" button for a full list of news.

Version 3.5 of Arrow Launcher improves the Backup and Restore tools:

Widgets/icon pack and more settings;

• Voice input for Reminders & Notwes
• Search experience upgrade (voice & QR)
• Option to turn off recent apps in app drawer
• Stability and bug fixes.

That's quite a nice update and I'm particularly enjoying the file transfer feature. Check out the the update in Google Play Store or download Microsoft Arrow Launcher.

 

Microsoft releases new Arrow Launcher beta with new features and PDF support.

After recently making its Arrow Launcher for Android tablet-friendly, Microsoft has published another for those in the beta community to try. Version 3.2 of Arrow introduces a bunch of new features which I assume apply to both phones and tablets.

I used to be a fan of Google Now Launcher on my Android devices. But since Microsoft launched Arrow Launcher, I've started using it and haven't looked back.

Here's what's new for beta testers:

- Apps page: Hide icon title; lock App & Widget position; moveable app draw icon (as shortcut widget); add blank apps page

- DateTime widget: show next alarm time; support multiple cities weather

- Setting: Introduce new features with video snippet

- Document: support PDF format

- Swipe right to BACK for all pages

if you wish to try the new features before they make their way out to the general public, join the community on Google + and post your feedback, then proceed to download the beta version on Google Play Store.

Microsoft makes its Android Arrow Launcher tablet-friendly.

Microsoft has finally brought Arrow, its launcher for Android, to tablets with support for both portrait and landscape mode. Before this update, Arrow Launcher was available on Android phones only and in portrait mode. I'm looking forward to try it on my Google Nexus 7 later today. That's the only Android tablet I own and will stick to it until it dies.

In addition to making Arrow Launcher tablet-friendly, Microsoft also added the ability to choose what to backup and restore; added support for more IM apps in Recent Pages. The latter feature lets you quickly access your most recent messages and interact with them without opening the messaging app.

Give the new Arrow Launcher - version 3.1 - a try in Google Play Store.

Microsoft Arrow latest update brings customization of icon and name of individual app.

Another Microsoft app for Android was updated today, introducing some nice and useful features. Microsoft Arrow is a beautiful launcher for Android and the default launcher on my S7 Edge. This launcher is smart enough to learn my habits and put the apps I use most within finger reach. The app itself, compared to other launchers, is simple enough to use and does not require much effort to setup.

Microsoft has updated Arrow with a bunch of new features, letting users customize the icon and name of individual apps. All that is needed is a press and hold on an app to change its name or assign another icon to it. A button in the edit mode has a link to Google store to download the icons packs.

Version 2.9.2 of Arrow Launcher also introduces and backup and restore feature to save your app layout and settings. This comes in handy in case you need to reinstall Arrow - just restore and Arrow is at it was before.

The update also includes the following:

• Wallpaper enhancements - more wallpaper options, resizing, resolution tweaks, and loading optimizations.
• Bug and crash fixes.

Microsoft Arrow for Android is available free in Google Play Store.

Microsoft Arrow Launcher for Android lets you choose your favorite search engine.

Seriously folks, if you haven't tried Microsoft Arrow Launcher yet, you are missing what probably is the best launcher around. This thing knows me better than I do. Arrow is not just a launcher. It brings your digital world within your fingers reach and constantly tracks your habits and adjusts to it. So your apps, friends, messages are there where you want them to be so you do not have to open apps to start a conversation. Again, try Arrow Launcher for at least a week and see it get better and get ready to just love it.

Microsoft is always updating the app and the latest one does add new features and improvements. The first one adds choice for your favorite search engine. Bing was the de facto search engine and with this update, Microsoft lets you choose your favorite search engine. 

Users of the launcher have enjoyed the ability to access our conversations through the Recent page without firstly launching the messaging app. Microsoft has improved this feature by adding support for more messaging apps without mentioning which ones.

Arrow Launcher also received some performance optimization making it "faster" and bug fixes for the badge notification count.

Again, give Arrow Launcher a shot. It is free for download in Google Play Store.

Microsoft adds instant messenger preview support in Arrow Launcher for Android.

Today Microsoft has updated its Arrow Launcher for Android, an app the Redmond folks want you use in place of Google Now launcher. I joined the beta recently to try new features before they get released to the public. I can't tell if today's update is public or a beta release, but the new features are quite nice and focus on Instant messaging. 

Microsoft made it easier to access our conversations in one place in the Recent page without having to launch the app itself. This feature is not enabled by default, so users will have to tap the three vertical dots at the top right of the Recent page to enable the IM preview. Once that is done, conversations will be listed for easy and quick access.

Microsoft also lets users improve performance if they wish to by turning off background animations and blur settings. A feature that owners of low end Android devices will find useful. Still in the performance chapter, Arrow launcher is now faster in terms of page swipes, app launches, memory usage and more. Microsoft doesn't specify what more tweaks they made though.   

Check out the new update in Google Play Store.

Microsoft makes Arrow Launcher "Apps" page fully customizable on Android.

If you joined the Arrow Launcher beta program, you should check out the update that Microsoft posted in the Play Store. They made the launcher's home page fully customizable based on popular demand. Users will be able to put whatever apps and widgets they want on the Apps page. The double tap screen to lock is also back.

Microsoft also added Bing search, which is accessible with a swipe up on the dock and the Bing search box will appear at the top.

Collage feature. Hold down on any photos to hide, annotate or share. Microsoft also added live wallpaper support.

Again, these features are available in the beta version of Arrow Launcher, but it should take long before they make their way to the official app. Check it out in the Google Play store.

Microsoft updates Arrow Launcher with stronger Wunderlist integration and more.

Microsoft has updated its Arrow Launcher for Android today, offering a stronger Wunderlist integration which, according to the change log, displays "all lists" and set reminders. Now, I must say that I do not use any of these apps on my Nexus. I'm a fan of stock Android, so I obviously use Google Now and my favorite to-do list app is...I use none. 

Back to Arrow Launcher. Check out the full change log:

• Stronger Wunderlist integration features - all lists are displayed; set reminders
• Notification badge counts can now be displayed on the Apps page
• Image preview for applicable text messages on the Recent page
• Language support for German, Spanish, Turkish, Vietnamese, Polish, Italian, and Indonesian
• More memory efficient than ever. We've also addressed some crash bugs.

Get Arrow Launcher in Google Play store.

Microsoft makes it Arrow launcher faster on load & reduces crash by 20%

If you've joined the Arrow beta program, Microsoft needs your help again to test some performance improvements they made to the launcher for Android. The app is another Microsoft Grage project. If you are not a beta user and want to participate, just join the official Arrow community on Google+ and join the party.

Here's the list of features Microsoft wants you to test:

• Apps page loading: force stop Arrow and load up Arrow again to see if the Apps page is loading fast enough for you. We have improved the performance of this by 50%.
• Scrolling in App Drawer, especially in the Widgets tab - we have greatly improved the scrolling performancce there.
• Crash and memory usage. We have reduced crashes by 20% in this version and improved memory usage.

Grab the update in Google Play Store and send your feedback to Microsoft Garage via their Google+ community.

Microsoft made its Arrow launcher for Android 30% faster.

Android is all about customization. Users know that and developers too. That is why there is such a large choice of customization in the Play Store, each striving to make your Android experience unique. Microsoft has joined the fray recently by releasing its own launcher which the company says is "fast, simple and personal."

In version 1.0.1, released yesterday, Microsoft has made the launcher faster and added support for Spanish and Portuguese languages. Check out the full change log below:

• PERFORMANCE: Improved performance by 30% for swiping between pages, expanding the dock, and entering /exiting apps.
• ENHANCEMENT: Improved text readability on light-colored wallpapers.
• BUG FIX: Fixed issue that would cause widgets to show on Apps/Reminders pages.
• LOCALIZATION: Spanish/Portuguese support.

Microsoft states at the end of the log that they are working to make Arrow Launcher even faster. Until then, download the launcher in Google Play Store.