Microsoft Launcher beta gets Cortana integration, remote data-wiping, support for Arabic & more.

Today Microsoft has released a new version of its Launcher for Android and those among you who are in the beta program will see the update in Google Play Store, ready for you to download. The most noteworthy feature in version 4.6 is the integration of Cortana, Microsoft’s personal digital assistant. I was curious to see if Cortana would work for me and, indeed, the assistant does work. Strangely, the standalone Cortana app for Android is not even available for my region. Well, I’m not going to complain now that I finally have Cortana working on my Android devices.

Now with Cortana built-in, users will be able to use it to make calls, schedule meetings, change wallpaper, Continue on PC or read the latest headlines.

Share Launcher via NFC & QR code – Now it’s easy to share the app with your family and friends. Simply go in the Launcher Settings and tap ‘Share Microsoft Launcher’. The options to share via NFC and QR code will be listed first and second. The other sharing options are still there should you want more traditional ways to do so via social networks, SMS, etc.

Support for Arabic/RTL languages.

Intune integration supports remote data-wiping – This feature is available to devices connected to enterprise networks and will allow administrators to send a wipe command to devices that are either lost or stolen.

The other features in this update are:

·       Choose what contacts to display on your People card.

·       Place widgets into the dock.

·       Pin searched app/contact to home screen.

The Microsoft Launcher beta is pretty stable. So, if you like to test new features, join the beta program here. If not, this update shouldn’t take long to reach everyone. Beta testers can download the update in Google Play Store.

Google Contacts brings faster bulk merging of duplicate contacts.

Today Google has updated its Contacts app for Android. Yes, Google has a contact management app of its own which has been downloaded over 10 million times in the store. That’s not a lot for a Google app and the reason for this is simple. Contact is not built into Android and must be downloaded in the store. Most Android users do not do this because their phone manufacturers already provide their own apps as default that connects to users’ Google account on Google servers. I like Google Contacts over Samsung’s on my S7 Edge. While Samsung went to great length to make its app simple, I still prefer Google’s version.

In today’s update, users will be able to initiate Google Duo video calls directly from Contacts. With this integration, no need to go looking for Duo on one of your screens or through the app list to make a video call. The change log specifically says “setup and make Google Duo video calls directly from Contacts.” I cannot go deeper into this because nobody I know uses Duo.

This update also brings “faster bulk merging of duplicate contacts.” And for Japanese users, this update will “automatically fill in the phonetic name (furigana) for kanji characters.”

If you want to take advantage of the features in this update, head in Google Play Store to download.