Arguably the most famous Android launcher just lost its founder and original developer. Kevin Barry, who has been the only person working on Nova Launcher for the past year, has announced that he has left Branch and is no longer involved with Nova Launcher.

Nova Launcher has been considered one of the best Android launchers for years. Its customization options and excellent performance made it stand out in the crowded launcher space. The app has stagnated lately, but it undoubtedly has earned a place in history. Many features you see on modern launchers were inspired by Nova Launcher.

Branch Metrics, a mobile analytics company, acquired Nova in 2022. At the time, former CEO Alex Austin said that Nova Launcher would be open-sourced if Barry left the company. With a new CEO in charge of Branch, it's unclear if that will still occur.

Barry has, however, been preparing Nova Launcher to be open-sourced. He shared the following in a farewell post:

"For the past several months I have been preparing the Open Source release of Nova Launcher. This work included cleaning up the codebase, reviewing licenses, removing or replacing proprietary code, and coordinating with legal to ensure a proper release. When Branch acquired Nova in 2022, Branch then-CEO and founder Alex Austin made several public commitments to the community about Nova's future."

Barry has since been asked to stop working on the launcher, including work to make the app open source.

A Change.org petition has been created to make Nova Launcher open source, though it only had 3,011 votes at the time of publication.

Is Microsoft Launcher abandonware?

With Nova Launcher losing its founder and final developer, many will be on the hunt for a new launcher. Microsoft Launcher used to earn rave reviews, but its developer has slowed down over the years.

Officially, Microsoft Launcher is fully supported. The app received a small update on July 22, but it has not received meaningful updates in a while.

Apart from some token integration with Copilot in 2024, which does not feel special considering even Notepad on Windows 11 integrates with the AI tool, Microsoft Launcher has felt abandoned for months, if not years.

Our Executive Editor Jez Corden and Senior Editor Zac Bowden discussed five good Microsoft products that have become stagnant earlier this year. One of those products, Microsoft Movies & TV, is now being shut down.

At the time, I joked that Jez flagged the existence of Movies & TV to Microsoft, which then led the tech giant to end support for the service. Maybe publishing an article about Microsoft Launcher isn't a good idea.

Looking for a launcher in 2025

Microsoft Launcher came out at a time when third-party launchers were more important for a smartphone experience. Arrow Launcher, which later became Microsoft Launcher, entered beta testing in 2015 and first shipped to the public in 2017. The smartphone ecosystem has changed a lot since then.

First-party launchers have improved greatly, including optimizations for specific form factors. In many cases, you'll get the best experience on a foldable by using the launcher that ships with the device.

While it's worth browsing through the best Android launchers, it's not vital in 2025.

I recently got a new phone, and for the first time in years I have not installed Microsoft Launcher. Instead, I've opted to use the default launcher for the device as I look into alternatives.

With Nova Launcher losing its last dev, I may not look in that direction either. But that will depend on whether the app is open-sourced and picked up by the community.

Do you use a third-party launcher on your Android device? Let us know in the comments below!

What you need to know

• Microsoft has updated its Launcher app for Android to version 6.240402.2.1139391 in the beta channel.
• The update brings Microsoft Copilot integration into the launcher app.
• Microosft has been slipping its Copilot AI integration into nearlly all its app, but its Android launcher has lagged behind in development in the last year. 

It took longer than expected, but Microsoft has finally added its Copilot AI to its Microsoft Launcher app for Android smartphones. 

In an update dated May 27th, version 6.240402.2.1139391, at least for those enrolled in the beta (via the Google Play store), get a nice welcome message that the app now has Copilot weaved throughout. 

What's new: Microsoft Launcher v6.240402.2.1139391

Copilot in Your Feed We're thrilled to enhance your Microsoft Launcher experience with the integration of Copilot right into your feed. This update brings your everyday Al companion closer to you:

• Effortless Access: Copilot is now just a swipe away, ready to assist you with answers and content creation. 
• Creative Power: Generate images and text directly from your mobile feed using simple words. 
• Pro Performance: For our Copilot Pro users, enjoy a more responsive and swift interaction.

More specifically, the search widget now has the Copilot icon instead of the Bing one, which seemed really out of place for the last six months. 

But the bigger change is now in the Feed feature, which users can access by swiping right to reveal Glance, News, and now, in between them, Copilot. 

The UI for Copilot here is the same as the web version or the standalone Copilot app, letting users ask questions via audio, typing, or photo upload. 

Of course, like everything else, users who aren't into Copilot can not have Copilot show in the Feed or hide the Feed altogether. You can even reorder Copilot to make it first or last in your feed.

Interestingly, compared to the full Copilot standalone Android app, the Launcher version seems to lack some advanced features like Designer, Vacation Planner, Cooking Assistant, Fitness Trainer, and Notebook, which are displayed in the full app along with a Copilot Pro subscription.

Either way, you now have easier access to Microsoft Copilot, whether you rely on Microsoft Launcher, prefer the standalone app, or enjoy using both.

What you need to know

• Microsoft Launcher for Android is getting updated with Bing Chat integration.
• Users will be able to quickly launch into Bing Chat via the search bar on the Launcher.
• It's coming to any device running the Microsoft Launcher, including Surface Duo!
• The feature is currently in beta, but will likely rollout to everyone soon. 

It's been a very long while since Microsoft Launcher on Android received any new features. For the last year, Microsoft has seemingly had the Launcher in maintenance mode, but that may now be changing as the latest Microsoft Launcher beta update finally introduces a feature users have been asking for since February.

With the latest beta build, Microsoft has added Bing Chat AI integration into the Launcher's search bar, giving users the chance to jump into a Bing Chat session without first needing to download the Bing app. Now, users will see a Bing Chat icon in the search bar pinned to their home screen, or when swiping down to access the Launcher's search functionality.

Tapping on the Bing Chat icon will pull up an immediately familiar Bing Chat interface, as it's simply using the website like it has been doing in pretty much all cases where Bing Chat is available. So now users will have a quick launch capability into Bing Chat when using the Microsoft Launcher.

The good news is this feature appears to also be rolling out on Surface Duo devices, so if you're using Microsoft's first-party Android device, you too are getting an AI injection with the upcoming Microsoft Launcher update.

As mentioned, this functionality is currently only available in the Microsoft Launcher Beta, which you can sign up for here. Now that it's in beta, it shouldn't be too long before it begins rolling out to all users, hopefully in the coming weeks. 

What you need to know

• The latest update for the Microsoft Launcher is providing major problems for some users.
• Users are reporting having uninstall/reinstall to get it working.
• This seems to be more of an issue for Surface Duo users, timed unfortunately alongside a recent system update. 

Reports on Reddit and Twitter started coming in this morning from users of the Microsoft Launcher after their app was updated to the latest version. It's not clear right now as to how many are affected by this, but it does seem to be happening to a range of devices and not just the Surface Duo. 

Twitter user tkuenneth received the June update for his Surface Duo and this immediately caused Microsoft Launcher to stop working. 

This next image is from Reddit user yugabe, with the same issue as above but with the error code in English, which shows the option to reset the launcher once the error code pops up.

Of course, if you're on a Surface Duo with Microsoft launcher as your only launcher this could be more of an irritation, but for those on other phones with a different default launcher it should automatically switch to that so you will still be able to use your phone just fine.

It seems for those that have updated there's no real solution other than to reset the launcher to get it working again. However, some users are also reporting that resetting the launcher doesn't work either. Hopefully Microsoft can get an update pushed out quickly to fix these issues. Having to reset the launcher is bad enough but when you end up having to customize all of your settings again that certainly gets tiring quick.

We'll keep an eye out to see if this problem is more widespread than we believe it to be right now. Hopefully it's limited to a small number of users.

What you need to know

• Microsoft Launcher (beta) just got updated to version 6.211203.0.1025841.
• This version update includes a few items, including a promo banner for those without the Start app.
• Other items in the update are bug fixes, UX improvements, and the Microsoft Rewards widgets now supporting Spain and Italy.

Heads up: A new version of Microsoft Launcher (beta) is live, version 6.211203.0.1025841. It doesn't pack anything in the way of major content, but it contains a few small items worth noting. Chiefly, a promotional banner was added to the News feed page for those who don't have the Start app installed.

Beyond that, general bug fixes were included in the update, as were UX improvements. Also, the Microsoft Rewards widgets now offer support for Spain and Italy. Here's the official changelog:

• Promotional banner was added on News feed page for users who don't have Start app installed.
• Microsoft Rewards widgets now support Italy and Spain.
• Other known bugs were fixed, and UX improvements were made on feed

In case you're not familiar with the circumstances leading up to the inclusion of this new promotional banner, here's the scoop: Earlier in January, a Microsoft Launcher beta update removed the built-in News feed, seemingly in an effort to move people toward Microsoft's Start app's News widget. Now, Microsoft is doubling down on its Start push with a promotional banner to remind people to give the app a shot.

That's it for the Launcher update, though. There were no major features or overhauls this time around, but that could always change in the future, should Microsoft run out of digital promotional banners.

What you need to know

• Latest Microsoft Launcher Beta build has removed the News feed.
• It appears Microsoft is prioritizing the Start app's News widget instead.

A new build of Microsoft Launcher has begun rolling out on Android, and it features the removal of a feature that's been part of the launcher since the very beginning. Starting with this build (6.211203.0.1025721,) it appears the built-in Microsoft News feed has been taken out, likely because Microsoft wants to prioritize the Microsoft Start widget instead.

Microsoft Start has offered its own News and Weather widgets since the app first launched, which has made the News feed built into the Microsoft Launcher somewhat redundant. It was located in a separate tab, whereas the new News widget from Start is available front and center in the Launcher's activity feed. Unfortunately, the widget only shows headlines, and tapping on a story opens the dedicated Start app.

Either way, the built-in Microsoft News feed appears to be going away. It's been quite a long time since Microsoft Launcher got any new features, so it's a little disheartening to see features being removed. Hopefully 2022 will see new life blown into the Launcher, especially on Microsoft's own Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2, which has even less features than the normal Microsoft Launcher experience on other Android phones.

It's been well over a year since the first Surface Duo hit the market, yet its built-in launcher experience still pales in comparison to the version of Microsoft Launcher you can get on other smartphones. Heck, it pales in comparison to Pixel and Samsung launchers too regarding fit and finish. For some reason, Microsoft has opted to leave the Microsoft Launcher on Surface Duo incredibly barebones, much to the disappointment of users.

This hasn't improved with Surface Duo 2, though Microsoft did update the UI with a minor design refresh, and that just recently rolled out to the Surface Duo 1. We still have no new features, no enhanced customization tweaks, and the launcher itself is just bad at integrating itself with the Surface Duo as its native default launcher experience. As someone with a keen eye for UX design, the Microsoft Launcher is doing a terrible job on Surface Duo in a lot of areas.

For example, on most smartphones these days, the launcher and the gesture system go hand-in-hand. They complement each other. If you swipe up to go home when in an app, that app usually zooms out and back into the icon in which you tapped to open it. That's not so on Surface Duo. The launcher acts like it's an entirely separate entity, with zero ties to the rest of the OS.

Additionally, for some inexplicable reason, the Microsoft Launcher on Surface Duo appears to unload itself when it's not on display. This makes it so the launcher "pops" back on screen when you swipe up to go home, creating a super disjointed experience. On Pixel or Samsung, the launcher is always running, and the integration with gestures makes going between app and home screen feel fluid and thought out. This is the kind of thing that's missing with Launcher on Surface Duo.

Admittedly, this issue is a little hard to spot if you're not looking for it, but it is there, and it's more noticable if you're using light theme for some reason. When light mode is enabled, the display will sometimes flash black when closing an app to go home when in single-screen mode. This happens because the Launcher has unloaded, and quickly needs to reload as you're swiping up. It's been a real pet peeve for me, and I really hope Microsoft fixes it soon.

Then there's the feature drought. On Surface Duo, Microsoft Launcher is a barebones launcher experience. It supports folders, an app drawer, and the Microsoft Launcher activity feed, and that's about it. This is a real shame, as the Microsoft Launcher on other smartphones is so much more in-depth, with hundreds of customization options to choose from such as custom icons, grid sizes, gestures, theming controls, and much, much more.

Why is the Microsoft Launcher on Surface Duo devices still missing out on these customization options, well over a year into its existence on the market? It's almost as if Microsoft is purposefully limiting the Microsoft Launcher experience on this form factor. If that's true, please stop. It's good to have rich customization options in your launcher experience.

Regardless of the feature drought, the issues with Microsoft Launcher not feeling integrated with the rest of the Surface Duo OS is a serious sticking point for me. The launcher unloads and reloads itself whenever you go into and out of an app, and it makes no effort to tie itself to gestures to create a more fluid experience. It's just a poor UX all around, and I wish Microsoft would fix it.

Better yet, I wish the Surface Duo team would dump Microsoft Launcher and go its own route. Surface should create a special Surface Duo launcher that's designed for the dual-screen form factor from the ground up. Integrate it deep with the gesture system and the rest of the OS, and allow it to feel like a component of the OS rather than a third-party launcher that isn't really integrated at all.

I will say I like the new Microsoft Launcher UI. It's clean and consistent with the rest of Microsoft's current design language. I also like the fluid dock that moves icons depending on what screen you're using, and the blur effects look great too. I just wish everything else I mentioned above would be addressed, then it would be great.

I love my Surface Duo 2, and I just want the OS to be perfect. I want the UX to feel polished and fluid, and I want the overall user experience to feel seamless as if it were all built by the same team. The disjointed experience between the Microsoft Launcher and the rest of the OS on Surface Duo is becoming extremely tiresome.

What you need to know

• Microsoft Launcher is back to getting updates via the Google Play Store for Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2 owners.
• Previously, Microsoft had pulled the updates likely due to a blocking bug, which has now been resolved.
• Original Surface Duo owners now have a visual refresh that matches Surface Duo 2.

Back in late October, Microsoft paused updates for Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2's Launcher app via the Google Play Store. At the time, it was speculated that perhaps Launcher's builds were being forked for some special Surface Duo features, but later learned it was likely due to some internal software issue that needed to be resolved.

Starting last night, both Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2 are now back to getting their respective Launcher app updates via the Google Play Store (instead of monthly system updates). Additionally, the app now appears in search, whereas before, it did not while Microsoft resolved the ongoing issue.

Interestingly, Surface Duo's update is more of a big deal. It brings the slightly refreshed design found on Surface Duo 2 with Android 11, including updated Widgets in the Your Feed (Glance, News) sidebar and improved translucency. These updated designs more closely match Windows 11 with rounded corners and updated graphics. Likewise, the app drawer now matches Surface Duo 2's, with a new grab bar near the top.

Not much has changed for Surface Duo 2 owners, though presumably there are always minor tweaks going on with each update.

The Google Play Store updates should apply for regular versions and those enrolled in the Microsoft Launcher beta program. Here is the full changelog for the beta version, which brings the new UI changes described above:

• Launcher's feed and overall design were updated.
• The News feed experience was enhanced.
• The toggle between work and personal apps was improved.
• Additional filters are now available to improve searching.
• Other known bugs were fixed, and improvements were made.

Microsoft is poised to distribute the Android 11 update for original Surface Duo owners, though it is cutting it down to the wire as it stated "by year's end" for the release. Indeed, updating Microsoft Launcher to match Surface Duo 2's look and feel is a necessary step in that process, so this may be a good sign that the update is imminent.

What you need to know

• Microsoft Launcher is no longer available via the Play Store for Surface Duo users.
• Future updates will come through monthly system updates instead.
• The move suggests Microsoft may be forking the codebase for a more optimized experience on Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2.

Update: Windows Central is hearing that this may have more to do with the Surface team controlling what goes on Surface Duo rather than Launcher getting "forked" for the dual-screen devices. However, we are waiting to confirm this report.

Microsoft Launcher has been on the Google Play Store for a few years now, and with Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2, the company has customized the launcher to fit its dual-screen vision.

Technically, the Microsoft Launcher version on the store for all Android phones and Duo is the exact same app, but certain features are disabled via policy changes for Surface Duo. Users could use the production version or opt-in to the beta variant where some early fixes were pushed out.

But starting in the last week, Microsoft Launcher no longer shows up in the store for Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2 users. Following the hard link, the app states, "this app isn't compatible with your device anymore." Additionally, beta users are advised to "uninstall and reinstall this app."

Most people chalked this up to typical Microsoft errors. Surface Duo owners blamed compatibility issues with the new device, while Surface Duo 2 owners were left scratching their heads.

We reached out to Microsoft's Vishnu Nath, Partner Director PM Microsoft Mobile and X-Device, who works on Launcher, for clarification:

While a rather terse explanation, it does confirm that this is deliberate and not some Play Store error. From now on, Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2 owners should expect Microsoft Launcher updates via system updates similar to the one pushed last week for Surface Duo 2.

As to why Microsoft is doing this, two theories come to mind:

1. Microsoft wants tighter control over Microsoft Launcher for Surface Duo
2. Microsoft Launcher may soon be going in a very different direction with new code that requires a different delivery method

Of those two explanations, number 2 is the most interesting. Our Surface Duo 2 review remarked that Microsoft Launcher had been effectively stagnating for most of its life on Surface Duo with only modest bug fixes but no new features. While the pre-installed version on Surface Duo 2 is ahead of the public version, there's not much new in it save for some updated graphics for the feed area.

Since Surface Duo is a journey for Microsoft, it makes sense that Microsoft Launcher may soon fork the codebase as it heads into Android 11 (and perhaps even the just-announced Android 12L) territories. If Microsoft Launcher becomes, at its core, different from the regular Android version, using the current "single app" method may no longer be viable.

Of course, none of this is confirmed by Microsoft, so we'll continue digging.

During Surface Duo 2 briefings, Microsoft did confirm to Windows Central that it is exploring more customization options for its foldable phones, hinting we could finally see some more innovation with Microsoft Launcher. Separating the app in the Play Store and tying it to monthly updates could be that first step.

Watch this space.

What you need to know

• Microsoft Launcher recently received an update that makes it easier to delete a work folder.
• The update also improves the time widget to work with daylight saving time.
• Several bug fixes and performance improvements also ship with the update.

Microsoft Launcher received an update over the weekend that brings some handy new features. After updating, Microsoft Launcher allows you to long press to delete a work folder for an Android work profile. The app also improves the time widget to work with daylight saving time.

As is normally the case, the update also includes several bug fixes and performance updates. Here's the complete changelog from the Microsoft Launcher Google Play Store listing:

• Support long press to delete work folder for Android work profile enrolled users.
• French privacy requirements are now available in settings.
• The time widget will now update for daylight saving time.
• Bug fixed on notification display in dark theme.
• Bug fixed on home screen restore issue from lower app version.
• Other known bugs and performance improvements were made.

Interestingly, the same exact change log appears in Microsoft Launcher Preview, so there's a chance that these features have been around for some time, but that recent update has the same changelog. You can grab the latest update from the Google Play Store now.

What you need to know

• Microsoft Launcher beta has a new update that brings it to version 6.210102.0.940491.
• After the update, apps will remain in the same order after you restart Microsoft Launcher.
• This latest version also makes it so browser settings won't be affected by updates.

Microsoft Launcher beta has an update that brings it to version 6.210102.0.940491. The update includes several fixes that focus on keeping apps and browser settings in place when you restart or update Microsoft Launcher. While the update mentions the Surface Duo specifically, it's rolling out to beta users on all Android phones. We've spotted the update on a Surface Duo and a non-Surface Duo Android phone.

For Surface Duo users, apps should align better following this update. For all Microsoft Launcher users, apps should remain in the same order after you restart the Launcher.

Here's the full changelog as found on the Microsoft Launcher beta Google Play listing:

• Home screen settings and app alignment on Surface Duo have been improved
• Apps will now remain in the same order after restarting Launcher
• Browser settings will no longer be affected by updates
• Issues with Time and Weather widgets have been corrected
• Known bugs were fixed and performance updates were made for an improved experience

You can learn more about all of Microsoft's iOS and Android beta apps in our guide.

If you're on the Surface Duo, you should also keep an eye out for the January update. Our sources indicate that the next update for the Surface Duo is expected early next week.

What you need to know

• Microsoft Launcher recently received an update that expands its feature list on the Surface Duo.
• The update also brings support for new features, such as keyword search in Office apps.
• The update is available now through the Google Play Store.

An update rolled out to Microsoft Launcher over the holidays. The update's changelog lists several improvements and new features for the Surface Duo, but several of the listed improvements already appeared in previous updates. There are some changes, such as improvements to spacing and icon consistency, that appear to be unique to this recent update. The update brings Microsoft Launcher to version 6.2.201102.92686 and is available now through the Google Play Store.

Here's the complete changelog, as found on the app's Google Play Store listing:

• Improvements on opening feed page in landscape and concurrent with another app on Surface Duo
• Support overview on single screen of Surface Duo
• Support screen time on Surface Duo
• Improvement on app group creation flow via context menu
• Multi-touch of app icon repositioning supported on home screen
• Support keyword search in Office apps
• Improvements on spacing and icons consistency in app drawer
• Fixed known bugs on app drawer, app icon size, folder swipe up gesture

Some of these features, such as screen time support for the Surface Duo, were already available, so there's a chance that a few items listed in the changelog aren't actually new to this update.

Microsoft Surface Duo

Main

• Surface Duo review
• Best Surface Duo accessories 2020
• Best Surface Duo cases 2020
• Best Surface Duo pens 2020
• List of Surface Duo specs
• Save up to $700 on Surface Duo

What you need to know

• Microsoft Launcher Beta received two updates over the last 24 hours.
• The first update includes new features, while the second only includes bug fixes.
• The update may be limited to the Surface Duo of Microsoft Launcher.

Microsoft Launcher beta received two updates over the last two days. The first update brings the launcher to version 6.2.201201.93161 and includes several new features. The second update brings Microsoft Launcher beta to version 6.2.201202.93332 but only lists "bug fixes" in its changelog.

The first update appears to have rolled out late last night, and the following update appeared at some point today. It's worth noting that we spotted these changes on a Surface Duo, which occasionally has different changelogs for Microsoft Launcher than the general version of the app.

Here's everything that's new in the update that brings version 6.2.201201.93161:

• Work profile setup optimization via feed page
• Design improvement on app paddings in folder
• Bug fix on icon pack reset after app re-start
• Bug fix on swipe up gesture to trigger shortcuts page
• Fixed other known bugs and performance improvements

Being able to optimize work profile setup on the feed page is a welcome touch to people who use Microsoft Launcher with work accounts. The improvement to app padding within folders may make it less likely to tap the wrong part of your screen on accident.

You can learn more about all Microsoft's iOS and Android beta apps in our guide.

What you need to know

• Microsoft Launcher beta for the Surface Duo has a new update.
• The update brings the option to create a group with two instances of Microsoft Edge.
• The same update also brings support for group creation with weblinks.

A new update is rolling out for Microsoft Launcher beta on the Surface Duo. The update brings several new features for grouping Microsoft Edge to your home screen. The update brings the app to version 6.2.201104.93013 and is available now to testers through the Google Play Store.

Microsoft Launcher beta now lets people create groups with two instances of Microsoft Edge on the Surface Duo. People can also create groups with weblinks on the Surface Duo. With browsers becoming increasingly useful, both of these new features are welcome additions.

Here is the full list of changes in the most recent update:

• Support app group creation with two Edge apps on Surface Duo
• Support app group creation with weblinks on Surface Duo
• Design improvements on error widget view to launch associated app
• Fixed known bugs

We spotted the change update and changelog on one our Surface Duo devices. The same update doesn't seem to be available to non-Surface Duo devices, which makes sense as the changes are related to the Surface Duo.

Microsoft Surface Duo

Main

• Surface Duo review
• Best Surface Duo accessories 2020
• Best Surface Duo cases 2020
• Best Surface Duo pens 2020
• List of Surface Duo specs
• Save up to $700 on Surface Duo

What you need to know

• Microsoft Launcher update 6.2.201004.92360 enables Screen Time on Surface Duo.
• It's the first Microsoft Launcher feature to be enabled on Surface Duo outside of the initial featureset.
• More Microsoft Launcher features are on the way.

Microsoft Launcher on Surface Duo has been updated with its own Screen Time feature, something that's been available on other Android devices for a while, but was curiously missing on Surface Duo at launch. Screen Time lets you see an overview of your device usage, including screen on time, how many times you've opened apps, and how much time you've spent inside an app.

The feature is almost identical to the Screen Time feature available on other Android devices with Microsoft Launcher, except on Surface Duo you can span the it so that it gives you an overview of the day on the left screen, and an overview of the last week on the right screen. That's a nice touch, as it means you can see all the data on your Surface Duo at once thanks to that 8.1-inches of screen real-estate.

The update is rolling out now for Micosoft Launcher beta (6.2.201004.92360) testers on Surface Duo, meaning it shouldn't be far behind for those sticking to the stable builds of the Microsoft Launcher. It's worth noting that some users have mentioned that this update wiped their home screen. That didn't happen to me, but worth keeping an eye out for.

Update November 10 — Release notes now available

Microsoft has updated the release notes for this Launcher update, noting the addition of screen time on Surface Duo, along with several other Surface Duo-specific improvements. Here's a look at the release notes:

• Feed page improvements on Surface Duo
• Overview improvements on Surface Duo
• Screen time supported.
• App group creation via context menu supported.
• Keyword search supported on MS Office apps.

This latest update is version 6.2.201004.92370.

Microsoft has said that it will slowly be adding popular Microsoft Launcher features to Surface Duo over time, as the launcher on that device launched with a limited featureset. I'm told that Microsoft is currently in the process of bringing back the ability to customize icons with third-party icon packs downloaded from the Play Store, which would make customizing Surface Duo's home screen much more fun.

In the meantime, what are your thoughts on Surface Duo and its version of Microsoft Launcher? Let us know in the comments.

Microsoft Surface Duo

Main

• Surface Duo review
• Best Surface Duo accessories 2020
• Best Surface Duo cases 2020
• Best Surface Duo pens 2020
• List of Surface Duo specs
• Save up to $700 on Surface Duo

What you need to know

• Windows Timeline is being removed from Microsoft Launcher soon.
• Microsoft recommends users use the Launcher's recents widget.
• Recents can also be found in Office and Windows Search.

Microsoft's Timeline feature on Windows 10 has seen little success since it's debut, with only a handful of applications really taking advantage of the cross-device syncing capabilities that Timeline provides. While Timeline is still part of Windows 10 today, other Microsoft products appear to be moving away from it in favor of a more traditional "recents" UI.

In the latest Microsoft Launcher beta, a new notification is present that tells the user that Timeline support inside the Microsoft Launcher is going away, and that users should instead use the recents interface found in the Launcher feed, Microsoft Office, and Windows Search.

This doesn't paint a very good picture for the future of Timeline on Windows, but if we're honest, that's not a bad thing. Timeline was a neat idea that was executed poorly. A feature that's designed to surface recent documents and files should have been placed in the "start" menu from the very beginning, not Task View.

Best Android Phones in 2020

Microsoft hasn't announced that Timeline is going away on Windows, but it is going away on the Mircrosoft Launcher. Perhaps we'll see Timeline morph into something else on Windows 10 in the future, or maybe Microsoft will just leave it to stagnate further like they have for many other Windows 10 features (looking at you, My People.)

Are you an active Timeline user? How do you feel about it being removed from the Microsoft Launcher on Android? Let us know in the comments.

Thanks for the tip, Tiago.

After you've used Microsoft Launcher for some time, you'll figure out the settings and layout you like. You can back up these settings onto the cloud to save you time when you set up a new device or want to revert to a previous layout. Microsoft Launcher backs up your settings, icon layout, wallpaper, and more.

How to back up Microsoft Launcher

1. Download Microsoft Launcher or see the mobile app link below.

2. Press and hold your home screen. This will show a page with options to add widgets, change your wallpaper, or change launcher settings.
3. Select Launcher Settings (you can also reach this page by clicking on Launcher in the app drawer).
4. Scroll down and select Back up and restore.
5. Select Back up Microsoft Launcher.

6. Select Back up.
7. Select Back up now.

You've now backed up Microsoft Launcher. Your home screen, wallpaper, icon layout, and other settings should now be backed up onto the cloud.

How to restore Microsoft Launcher

After you've backed up Microsoft Launcher, you can restore it on another device. You can also restore your settings and other content on the same device following a reset or after you've changed things around.

1. Press and hold your home screen. This will show a page with options to add widgets, change your wallpaper, or change launcher settings.

2. Select Launcher Settings (you can also reach this page by clicking on Launcher in the app drawer).
3. Scroll down and select Back up and restore.
4. Select Restore Microsoft Launcher.

5. Select Restore.
6. Pick the backup that you'd like to restore and select Restore.
7. Select Restore Now.

8. Select Confirm to replace your current layout.

Microsoft Launcher will now download and restore your layout and more from your chosen back.

Microsoft Launcher makes it easy to customize the home screen of your Android device. Sometimes, however, you can accidentally drag an icon to a new place on your screen. Fortunately, you can lock your home screen to prevent accidental rearranging from you or anyone that uses your phone.

How to turn notification badges on or off on Microsoft Launcher

1. Download Microsoft Launcher or see the mobile app link below.

2. Press and hold your home screen. This will show a page with options to add widgets, change your wallpaper, or change launcher settings.
3. Select Launcher Settings (you can also reach this page by clicking on Launcher in the app drawer).
4. Select Home screen.
5. Select More.

6. Scroll down and toggle Lock home screen on (or off if you prefer not to show them).

Now, if you try to move an icon on your home screen, it will appear red. If you drag it and try to move it, you will see a prompt telling you that your home screen is locked. You can unlock it through this prompt if you'd like to move the item on your home screen. Within the prompt, you can also choose to have your home screen lock again once you turn off your phone's display.

Microsoft Launcher features a straightforward interface that has quite a few customization options. For example, you can turn on notification badges that allow you to glance at your home screen and see which apps have notifications waiting. You can turn on numbers or red dots depending on your preference. You can also turn these notification badges off if you prefer a clean home screen.

How to turn notification badges on or off on Microsoft Launcher

1. Download Microsoft Launcher or see the mobile app link below.

2. Press and hold your home screen. This will show a page with options to add widgets, change your wallpaper, or change launcher settings.
3. Select Launcher Settings (you can also reach this page by clicking on Launcher in the app drawer).
4. Select Home screen.
5. Select Notification badges.

6. Toggle Show notification badges on (or off if you prefer not to show them).
7. Select Got it when prompted to display all messages.
8. Toggle Microsoft Launcher on.
9. Press Allow.
10. Return to the Notification badges section to make sure they are toggled on or off, depending on your preference.

Customizing notification badges on Microsoft Launcher

Now that you've enabled notification badges, you can customize how they appear. You can turn on dots or numbers for the badges and select specific apps to show or not show notification badges.

1. Press and hold your home screen. This will show a page with options to add widgets, change your wallpaper, or change launcher settings.
2. Select Launcher Settings (you can also reach this page by clicking on Launcher in the app drawer).
3. Select Home screen.
4. Select Notification badges.

5. Select Notification Type to switch between dots and numbers.
6. Select Numbers or Dots depending on your preference.
7. Return to the Notification badges section of Microsoft Launcher's settings.
8. Select Pick which apps have badges.
9. Check or uncheck the apps you want to show or not show notification badges.

What you need to know

• Fluent Icon Pack is a set of Android icons that take after Microsoft's Fluent Design System.
• The pack has more than 1,600 icons, and it pairs perfectly with Microsoft Launcher.
• Fluent Icon Pack is available at Google Play for $1.50.

So, you have Microsoft Launcher set as your default launcher on your Android phone, but you still want to add a little more Microsoft flavor. With Fluent Design becoming all the rage with Microsoft's own apps and services, particularly when it comes to icons, that might be a good place to start. Luckily, there's a third-party icon pack that does just that.

Fluent Icon Pack is a set of icons for Android that bring exactly what the name implies. The developer behind the project has built up icons based on Microsoft's Fluent Design guidelines, and they're quite the eye candy. Even better, there are more than 1,600 icons currently in the pack, which means most, if not all, of the apps installed on your phone should be covered.

Here's a quick look at its features:

• Over 1640+ vibrant icons.
• 10 Fluent Design inspired wallpapers from WallpaperHub by Michael Gillett.
• Dynamic Calendar icons (for Launchers that support this feature) for the following Calendars:
  • aCalendar
  • Google Calendar
  • Today Calendar
  • Default System Calendar
• Inbuilt feature to send icon requests.
• New Material Design dashboard.
• Cloud based Full HD Wallpapers.

Fluent Icon Pack works with a ton of different launchers, but it really shines with Microsoft Launcher. Windows Central executive editor Daniel Rubino and I have been using Fluent Icon Pack for a week or so, and we both think the icons are done really well. When paired with Microsoft launcher, it's like getting a dash of Windows 10 on your phone.

Fluent Icon Pack is available to pick up at the Google Play store for $1.50. Once installed, you can apply the icon pack through the theming options of whatever launcher you're using.

What you need to know

• Microsoft Launcher is getting its biggest overhaul since launch.
• The app's 6.0 update is now rolling out for everyone with landscape mode, a fresh design, and more..
• You can grab Microsoft Launcher 6.0 now from Google Play.

Microsoft has been cooking up a new version of Microsoft Launcher in preview for several months, and now it's finally available for everyone to check out. Version 6.0 of the app is now officially rolling out to everyone, and it comes with a refreshed design, new features, and more.

"This launcher is built on a new codebase allowing us to bring multiple new features to you – such as Personalized News, Landscape mode, Customizable App Icons, Bing-Supported Wallpaper, Dark Theme, and numerous performance improvements like speed to load, low memory utilization, battery optimization and fluent animations," Microsoft said in its blog post announcing the new update. Here's a full look at the main features of Microsoft Launcher 6.0:

• Personalized news: Stay in the know. The personalized news feed updates throughout the day with top trending stories, making it easy to stay on top of whatever's relevant to you.
• Landscape mode: Microsoft Launcher supports vertical and horizontal orientations to enhance your viewing preference.
• Customizable icons: Give your phone a consistent look and feel with custom icon packs and adaptive icons.
• Beautiful wallpapers: Enjoy a fresh new wallpaper from Bing every day or choose your own photos.
• Dark theme: Reduce eye strain when using your phone at night or in low light environments. This feature is compatible with Android's default dark mode settings.
• Improved performance: Microsoft Launcher now loads faster, uses less memory, is more battery efficient, and offers fluent animations.

This is a major update for the launcher that Microsoft has been working on for months. It also likely gives us a look at what the Surface Duo's out-of-box launcher experience will be like when it finally arrives.

If you're using Microsoft Launcher, you can grab the update now via Google Play. For those who were testing the Microsoft Launcher Preview, you'll start seeing a pop-up message that states the preview will be phased out by the end of July.

What you need to know

• Microsoft Launcher Preview gained a third row in its dock and folder support in its app drawer in a recent update.
• The update also allows you to double tap to lock your screen.
• The update is rolling out now to beta testers of Microsoft Launcher.

Microsoft Launcher Preview has a new update that makes it easier to organize your apps. The update allows you to add a third row within the launcher's dock and organize apps into folders within the app drawer. The update also has a couple other features and fixes. The update is rolling out now to beta testers of Microsoft Launcher.

Here's the complete changelog from Microsoft:

• Add up to 3 rows in Dock
• Organize your App Drawer with folders
• Double tap to lock screen
• Improved app search
• Fixed bugs and crashes

To organize your apps into folders within the app drawer, you can follow these steps:

1. Open the app drawer by pressing the app drawer icon.
2. Press and hold on an app that you'd like to be in a folder.
3. Press Select.
4. Tap other apps that you'd like to be in the same folder.
5. Press the folder icon.

The update also brings the option to double tap the screen to lock it, improves app search, and fixes several bugs.

What you need to know

• Microsoft is set to drop Cortana support in Microsoft Launcher for Android.
• The company says support will go away "by the end of April."
• This is part of a larger set of changes coming to Cortana across all platforms.

Microsoft announced today that Cortana services will soon be dropped from Microsoft Launcher for Android. Microsoft plans to discontinue Cortana services in Microsoft Launcher by the end of April. The company outline the move in a blog post about some larger changes coming to Cortana.

This move is part of a larger shift in Microsoft's Cortana strategy. Rather than being an assistant across devices, Microsoft is focusing the AI backbone of Cortana towards making people more productive. "This next step in Cortana's evolution will bring enhanced, seamless personal productivity assistance as a free update to the latest version of Windows 10 coming this spring," Microsoft said in today's blog post.

There are further casualties as part of this process, beyond Cortana in Microsoft Launcher. Microsoft also announced that it is dropping Cortana support in versions of Windows 10 that have reached their end-of-service dates, including Windows 10 Mobile. Further, Cortana skills are being dropped entirely.

We're back with another exciting episode of the Windows Central Podcast, and this week, There's renewed interest and speculation about Surface Duo thanks to a photo of Satya Nadella showing off the upcoming device. Windows 7 support has officially ended, but there are still hundreds of millions of machines in service running the OS.

In other software news, Windows 10 build 18546 has arrived for Fast ring insiders with a cool new graphing calculator, and Edge is out of beta. Additionally, there's a public preview available for Microsoft Launcher 6.0 for Android.

Daniel and Zac close out the show with a few morsels of Xbox news and rumors.

This episode of the Windows Central Podcast was recorded on January 17th 2020.

Links:

• Satya Nadella poses for the camera with Surface Duo in hand | Windows Central
• Windows 7 support officially ends today, more than 10 years since its release | Windows Central
• Windows 10 build 19546 arrives for Fast ring Insiders with graphing calculator | Windows Central
• The new Microsoft Edge review: A browser that could rival Google's Chrome | Windows Central
• Microsoft Launcher 6.0 for Android enters public preview with new UI and more | Windows Central

Subscribe to the podcast

• Download directly: Audio
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• Listen via: Windows Central app Windows 10 | Android
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Hosts

• Daniel Rubino
• Zac Bowden

Make this show great by participating!

Send in your comments, questions, and feedback to:

• Email: wcpodcast@windowscentral.com
• Twitter: @WindowsCentral with hashtag #wcpodcast

What you need to know

• A new version of Microsoft Launcher is now in preview.
• It features a new UI and rewrite of several key areas.
• This is also the Launcher that the Surface Duo will be based on.

Microsoft has released a preview of the next version of its Microsoft Launcher for Android today, which features a rewrite of several key areas, along with a new user interface and features. This new version of the Microsoft Launcher comes in at version 6.0, and is its biggest update yet (via ALumia).

This version of the Microsoft Launcher appears to be what the home screen experience on the Surface Duo will be based on, which means this preview gives us an early look at some of the experiences the Surface Duo will have to offer out of box. It features new icons, widgets, a landscape mode, and a rewrite of the activities area, apps list, dock, and search UI. It also revamped dark and light modes, and Microsoft is touting better memory performance too.

Unlike previous beta versions of the Microsoft Launcher, this new preview is its own listing in the Google Play Store, meaning existing Launcher beta testers will need to download this new preview version manually to begin testing it. Microsoft does warn this this new preview version of the Launcher is buggy, with unfinished features and user interfaces.

Download Microsoft Launcher Preview

I've been testdriving the new Microsoft Launcher for a little while now, and I think this might be the best version of the Microsoft Launcher yet. It gives us an exciting look into just some of the experiences we can expect to see on the Surface Duo, and works great on existing smartphones today. You can download the preview here.

What you need to know

• Microsoft Launcher can now follow your system's theme setting.
• Microsoft Launcher already had a dark theme, but it can now match your devices' theme.
• Android devices need to run Android 9 or later to use the new feature.

Microsoft Launcher has a new update, bringing support for the launcher's theme to match the theme of your phone (via MSPU). The update brings Microsoft launcher to version 5.10, makes dark mode darker, and brings several bug fixes.

The ability to have Microsoft Launcher's theme match your phone's theme was rolled out to beta testers last month but is now generally available. To use this feature, a phone has to run Android 9.0 or later. Here's the full changelog:

What's new for 5.10:

• Launcher theme can now follow your system theme on supported devices running Android 9 and above through the new System theme option in Launcher settings, and the dark theme is darker now to improve readability and make content easier on your eyes in the low-light condition.
• General bug fixes and performance improvements.

All of Microsoft's iOS and Android beta programs, and how to sign up

The update is relatively small, but being able to match your launcher and your phone's settings removes one step for every time you switch your phone's theme.

What you need to know

• Microsoft Launcher beta can now follow your system's theme setting.
• Microsoft Launcher already had a dark theme, but it can now match your devices' theme.
• Android devices need to run Android 9 or later to use the new feature.

Microsoft Launcher beta has a small update that makes it easier to use the app's dark mode (via Neowin). The update brings the app to version 5.10 and brings support for following your system's theme setting. It also makes dark mode darker. Additionally, the update has some bug fixes as outlined by the app's changelog,

All of Microsoft's iOS and Android beta programs, and how to sign up

This update is fairly small but reduces how often you have to jump into Microsoft Launcher's settings. Now, if you swap your phone from light to dark mode, the launcher can follow suit with no extra steps.

What you need to know

• Microsoft Launcher received a small update for the beta and public versions of the app.
• The update brings support for "live date update" for calendar icons.
• The feature works with the Microsoft Launcher calendar icon and some other calendar app icons.

A small update is rolling out for Microsoft Launcher. Both the beta and publicly released versions of the app have a changelog for version 5.9.0. In addition to bug fixes, the update brings support for live date updates for calendar icons. The feature is supported by the Microsoft Launcher calendar icon as well as some other calendar icons.

Live date update changes the date that's displayed on your calendar application. For example, I applied the new feature to my phone today, and the icon shows today's date. It's a handy way to check what day it is quickly.

The update rolled out over the weekend and should be available to all Microsoft Launcher users. Microsoft Launcher gets new features on a regular basis. Last month, Microsoft rolled out a new Cortana experience to Microsoft Launcher users.

What you need to know

• New app and game limits from Microsoft allow parents to limit screen time on a per-app or per-game basis.
• The feature works across Windows 10 devices, Xbox One consoles, and Android devices using Microsoft Launcher.
• The feature is available in preview now.

Making sure that children understand the value of limiting screen time is important to many parents. Now, a new app and game limits feature from Microsoft makes it easy to regulate how much time children spend in specific apps and games, even when they jump between devices. The feature is available in preview now and works on Windows 10 devices, Xbox One consoles, and Android devices using Microsoft Launcher.

Microsoft already as many settings that can limit or restrict screen time through family account settings, but this new feature gives some useful new options. Parents can now limit how much time a child spends within a specific app or game, no matter what device the child is on. For example, you could set a time limit for Netflix that extends across your home PC, Xbox One, and an Android phone. Parents can also make sure that apps required for homework or any app that they feel needs a different limit aren't restricted by screen time limitations.

This app can be customized to work differently on weekdays and weekends. For example, you could allow your child to play Fortnite all day on weekends, but limit it to only an hour on weekdays.

Microsoft emphasizes in the blog post announcing the new feature that no technology replaces parenting, but that these tools can help parents when used in conjunction with communication.

To use the feature on Android phones, you'll have to make sure the devices use Microsoft Launcher. An Xbox news post breaks down the feature further in relation to Xbox One consoles.

What you need to know

• Microsoft Launcher has been updated to version 5.8.
• The update brings an optimized search experience that makes local results easier to access.
• The update also allows you to add new apps to the home screen automatically.

Microsoft Launches has a new update available. The update brings the app to version 5.8, and it adds a few handy features (via MSPU). The 5.8 update rolled out to beta testers last month, but it is now available to all Microsoft Launcher users.

The new update brings several new features. First, Microsoft Launcher can now automatically add new apps to the home screen on devices running Android 8.0 and above. Second, the search experienced has been optimized to make local results easier to access. Finally, Microsoft Launcher now has Microsoft Intune Fully Managed Devices Support. Here is the complete changelog.

• Newly installed apps can be added to home screen automatically for devices running Android 8.0 and above.
• Search experience is optimized so the local results are easier to access.
• Microsoft Intune Fully Managed Devices Support- IT pros now can configure home screen experiences for managed devices, including wallpaper, home screen apps, app icons placement, and feed availability.

Microsoft Intune support makes it easy for IT professionals to manage and configure devices including wallpapers and homescreens.

To install the update, open the "My apps & games" section within the Google Play Store from your phone and check for app updates.

What you need to know

• Microsoft Launcher 5.7 is now rolling out for everyone.
• This update brings a new conversation experience for Cortana.
• It also movee the feed tabs to the bottom for "better navigation."

Microsoft Launcher version 5.7 is now rolling out to everyone after a few weeks of beta testing. This update adds a couple of new notable features, including a more conversational Cortana experience and some UI tweaks for the feed.

The new Cortana conversation experience switches things up by showing the extent of your conversation with Microsoft's digital assistant instead of having single queries and responses. It's a look that's spreading across all platforms that is intended to make interacting with Cortana more seamless.

This update also moves the feed tabs to the bottom of the screen so they're a little more convenient to access. In addition, you'll get improvements to the drag and drop experience on your home screen.

Here's the full release notes for Microsoft Launcher version 5.7:

• Feed tabs are moved to the bottom for easy access
• Cortana conversation experience updates (en_US only)
• Improved icon drag & drop experience on home screen

Microsoft Launcher 5.7 is now available for everyone via Google Play. This update also comes alongside an update to 5.8 for the beta version of Microsoft Launcher, which adds a couple of improvements for IT administrators and the ability to have new app installs automatically add icons to your home screen.

What you need to know

• Microsoft Launcher beta version 5.8 is now available.
• The update gives IT administrators the ability to fully manage devices with Microsoft Intune.
• For phones on Android 8.0, Launcher will now automatically add icons to the home screen for new app installs.

A fresh update is now rolling out to the Microsoft Launcher beta for Android. Ticking the version number up to 5.8, this update adds a couple of handy new features related to app installs and IT administration (via Neowin).

The first change most people will notice is that Launcher can now automatically add icons for new app installs to the homescreen on phones with Android version 8.0 or higher. It's a small, but useful improvement that should come in handy.

Next up is added integration with Microsoft Intune for IT administrators. Launcher 5.8 now works with Intune Fully Managed Devices. This allows administrators to have control over the configuration of a phone's home screen, including everything from wallpapers to app placement.

Here's a rundown of the full release notes:

• Newly installed apps can be added to home screen automatically for devices running Android 8.0 and above.
• Microsoft Intune Fully Managed Devices Support- IT pros now can configure home screen experiences for managed devices, including wallpaper, home screen apps, app icons placement, and feed availability.

Microsoft Launcher version 5.8 is now available for beta testers to check out via Google Play. If you haven't opted in to the beta test, you can do so from the app's store page to get started. These features should make their way to the release version of Microsoft Launcher once they've been fully tested in the beta channel.

What you need to know

• The Cortana conversation experience is available for beta testers of Microsoft Launcher.
• The feature helps you keep track of your requests to Cortana.
• The update also brings a couple of navigation improvements.

Microsoft Launcher beta on Android gained a new Cortana experience and several navigation improvements in a recent update. The update brings the app for version 5.7. The most noteworthy change is the addition of the Cortana conversation experience. This feature shows your conversation with Cortana rather than just having one-off queries and responses.

The Cortana conversation experience is the new look for Cortana on all platforms. More than just showing queries, the conversational view is designed to remember your conversation so Cortana can better assist you, though this is a work in progress.

In addition to Cortana conversational experience, Microsoft Launcher beta also improved drag and drop support for icons on the home screen and moved feed tabs to the bottom of the screen for convenience. You can grab the latest update from the Google Play Store if you're a beta tester.

Portable (and affordable) power accessories we love

Each and every one of these charging gadgets will keep your favorite gear and gadgets going for longer, and none of them costs more than $30.

VisionTek 8,000 mAh micro-USB power bank ($13 at Dell)

This compact dual-output powerbank can speedily recharge any and all your devices, thanks to a two-amp "fast charge feature," using its micro-USB out port. Its simple design includes an LED indicator, and it costs about as much as a single ticket to the movies.

Panasonic eneloop AA batteries (From $13 at Dell)

Panasonic's rechargeable batteries are among the best available, and just a couple of them will keep your favorite remote, mice or other peripherals powered up when you need them. They're also eco. And the company's affordable charger fits and charges both AA and AAA batteries at the same time.

Belkin Qi Wireless Charging Pad ($30 at Dell)

This unobtrusive Qi wireless charging pad looks good (and kind of like a UFO …) and easily charges all your Qi-compatible device up to 5W. Its LED indicator lights up when you're charging. And it costs just $30.

What you need to know

• Microsoft Launcher version 5.6 is now available for beta testers.
• The update adds closer integration with Microsoft Teams and Outlook.
• You'll also find a revamped "Settings" page tagging along.

Microsoft released another update for Microsoft Launcher beta testers to check out today, bringing along a handful of new features. Coming in at version 5.6, the latest update to Microsoft Launcher aims to further erase barriers between Microsoft's services by added closer integration with Microsoft Teams and Outlook. There's also a revamped settings page coming with this update.

Here's a full look at the release notes for Microsoft Launcher version 5.6:

• Adaptive icons support - Now you can have the same look for your app icons with multiple choices for shapes.
• You are able to join Microsoft Teams meeting in Calendar card in your Feed.
• You can see your flagged emails from your Microsoft Account or work/school account in Tasks card.
• Launcher settings experience has been optimized so you can discover and find what you're looking for quickly.

It's worth noting that adaptive icons aren't actually new in this version. Rather, that feature shipped as part of the 5.5 update that rolled out to beta testers in May. Still, version 5.6 has a solid list of new features that should come in handy for those living in Microsoft's ecosystem.

If you're already a Microsoft Launcher beta tester, you can grab the latest update from Google Play now. Alternatively, you can sign up to become a beta tester directly from Microsoft Launcher's Google Play page. Given the app's history, it's likely we'll see these features make their way to the release version over the coming weeks.

See at Google Play

Cheap PC accessories we love

Take a gander at these awesome PC accessories, all of which will enhance your Windows experience.

Anker 4 port USB 3.0 hub ($10 at Amazon)

Whether on a desktop or laptop PC, you always need more ports to connect things to. This hub gives you an additional four USB 3.0 Type A ports.

Ikea Fixa Cable Management System ($11 at Amazon)

This IKEA cable management kit is your ticket to a clean setup. It's simple and functional.

NZXT Puck ($20 at Amazon)

This clever little accessory has powerful magnets on the rear to make it stick to any of the metal panels on your PC case or anything else. It's great for hanging accessories like headsets.

What you need to know

• Microsoft Launcher version 5.5 is now available for beta testers.
• The update brings new features like adaptive icons that can be matched in shape and size, along with the ability to hide your dock.
• Other tweaks include adjustments for accessing shortcuts when your home screen is locked, faster Tasks card syncing, and more.

Microsoft today pushed out a new version of the Microsoft launcher beta for Android, bringing with it several new features. The update bumps the version number up to 5.5 and includes handy additions like adaptive icons and the ability to hide the dock on your home screen.

Adaptive icons are particularly interesting, as they allow you to assign one shape and size to all of your icons so they match across the system. Meanwhile, hiding your dock can save space while making it accessible with a swipe up from the bottom of your screen.

Here's a full look at the release notes for Microsoft Launcher beta 5.5:

• Adaptive Icons- Choose one icon shape for all your apps.
• Hidden Dock- It's back! You can set the dock to be hidden and still access apps and widgets.
• UX adjustments for accessing shortcuts when the home screen is locked.
• Get notification badges for calling and messaging apps without setting Microsoft Launcher as your default assistant. Set Launcher as your default assistant for better accuracy.
• Faster Tasks card syncing for MSA and work/school accounts.

This follows an update Microsoft Launcher received in April that added several new features, including a new design for the weather widget, better Microsoft To-Do integration, and much more.

These updates are available now for beta testers with an update available on Google Play. If you're not already a beta tester, you can opt in from Microsoft Launcher's Google Play page to test them out. Otherwise, Microsoft has been fairly consistent with quickly pushing new features to the release version, so they should arrive for everyone before long.

See at Google Play

Cheap PC accessories we love

Take a gander at these awesome PC accessories, all of which will enhance your Windows experience.

Anker 4 port USB 3.0 hub ($10 at Amazon)

Whether on a desktop or laptop PC, you always need more ports to connect things to. This hub gives you an additional four USB 3.0 Type A ports.

Ikea Fixa Cable Management System ($11 at Amazon)

This IKEA cable management kit is your ticket to a clean setup. It's simple and functional.

NZXT Puck ($20 at Amazon)

This clever little accessory has powerful magnets on the rear to make it stick to any of the metal panels on your PC case or anything else. It's great for hanging accessories like headsets.

The Microsoft Launcher for Android has both a public release and also an ongoing beta – it's that latter one that today is getting a refresh with a few new features.

Version 5.4.0 is now live for those enrolled in the beta program and with comes a few new features worth calling out:

• Try out our new Cricket widget to keep track of your favorite teams in the Cricket World Cup! (available in GB, PK, AU, and IN)
• Improvements to Status bar and System Navigation to match the theme
• Android Work Profile customers can view Personal and Work apps separately in the App Drawer.
• Bug fixes and performance improvements

Besides the above, Gorden Lin, who works on the Microsoft Launcher Team notes "we are also experimenting with some new UI changes across different parts of Launcher, so you might see some of new UI in your own version of 5.4 when upgraded".

Overall, this is more of a smaller, tidying up update, but things like Android Work Profile improvements and a Cricket widget are welcomed additions, even if more niche.

If you're not part of the Microsoft Launcher for Android beta program, it's easy to get started.

• Go to https://play.google.com/apps/testing/com.microsoft.launcher
• Click "Become a tester." You'll see a confirmation "You are now a tester."

Once enrolled and the system has added you the beta version will just come through the Google Play Store as a regular update to your existing Microsoft Launcher app.

See at Google Play

Microsoft today is pushing out version 5.3 of its popular Launcher for Android. The latest version of Microsoft Launcher has been in open beta testing for a few weeks, but now it is ready for primetime with its official unveiling.

Version 5.3 brings lots of features including a new clock and weather widget that provides much more detail than before. Additional features include tasks card support for To-Do's My Day, which lets you have your daily goals right in the Glance area as a widget.

• Time/Weather widget redesign- Now you can have multiple widgets in multiple sizes in multiple styles for multiple locations! Also check out the updated and more detailed L2 page with hourly and 10 day forecast.
• UX refinements to the Home Screen, Dock and Search widget
• Tasks card now supports "My Day" and "Flagged Emails" from Microsoft To Do
• News tab now supports "Technology" as a news interest
• Font type changed from Segoe UI to Roboto
• Work profile customers can now get access to their work apps
• Beta community link in Settings changed to lead to Microsoft Tech Community

Direct of Program Management Microsoft Mobile eXperiences, Vishnu Nath also remarked on Twitterthat users can look for "Flagged Mail support, tons of UX refinements & polish" in today's update.

If on Android there are few better ways to connect all your existing Microsoft services under one app. Launcher not only works great for a general app launcher, but it's tie in with Cortana, To-Do, Office, Timeline, Microsoft News, Bing Rewards, and Sticky Notes make it an excellent hub for all things Microsoft in your digital life.

See at Google Play

Microsoft is shipping out another new beta update for Microsoft Launcher for Android. The latest update clocks in at version 5.3, and it brings along with it a redesigned weather and time widget, along with integration with Microsoft To-Do tasks and a number of general refinements to the user experience.

Here's the full rundown of what's new, from Microsoft:

• Time/Weather widget redesign- Now you can have multiple widgets in multiple sizes in multiple styles for multiple locations! Also check out the updated and more detailed L2 page with hourly and 10 day forecast.
• UX refinements to the Home Screen, Dock and Search widget
• Tasks card now supports "My Day" and "Flagged Emails" from Microsoft To Do
• News tab now supports "Technology" as a news interest
• Font type changed from Segoe UI to Roboto
• Work profile customers can now get access to their work apps
• Beta community link in Settings changed to lead to Microsoft Tech Community

These changes are only shipping out to beta testers right now, but they should make their way to the release version of the app before too long if testing goes well. If you want to sign up to be a beta tester, you can do so at the Google Play store. Otherwise, beta testers can get started with the latest tweaks as the update propagates on Google Play.

See at Google Play

Microsoft has shipped another new beta update for Microsoft Launcher, adding several small features to the mix. The Android launcher now includes a dedicated Microsoft Rewards card, through which you can complete tasks to earn rewards points. Additionally, there are some smaller changes to do with folders and long-press shortcuts on the home screen.

Here's a full look at everything that's new in Microsoft Launcher beta version 5.2:

• Non-full screen folders for easier one-handed use and large-screen devices
• Microsoft Rewards daily deal card allows you to earn Rewards for using Microsoft Launcher and completing other tasks!
• Long-press shortcuts enabled on icons even when the home screen is locked.
• Customers can send a CPU profile through "Contact Us" in Settings in case of performance issues
• Launcher font size will now respect the system font size

Microsoft Launcher version 5.2 is available for beta testers to download now. If you want to become a beta tester and check out all of what's new, you can opt in to become a beta tester on Google Play now. Otherwise, each of these new features should make their way to the release version of the app before too long, barring any major issues.

See at Google play

Microsoft Launcher 5.1 is the next big update for Microsoft's Android launcher that's packing several noteworthy new features and enhancements that make for a well-rounded release. The update is currently in beta testing with users now and is expected to ship officially sometime in the next few weeks. Let's go hands-on with the most notable new improvements coming in the next Microsoft Launcher update.

With Microsoft Launcher 5.1, Microsoft is finally introducing Sticky Notes sync between your PC and phone with Microsoft Launcher. You can create and edit already existing Sticky Notes with the same formatting and color options, which will then show up on your PC or phone by syncing with your Microsoft Account. It's great having all your synced Sticky Notes available in Your Feed for at a glance viewing when on the go.

In addition to the new Sticky Notes integration, Microsoft is also bringing To-Do support to the Microsoft Launcher as well. No longer is Wunderlist the only listing service that ties in with the Microsoft Launcher. You can now see all of your Microsoft To-Do tasks in Your Feed, and create or edit existing tasks with just a few taps without entering the To-Do app. If you're a Microsoft To-Do user, you'll love the integrations being made here in Microsoft Launcher.

New digital health features

Microsoft has also introduced a new Digital Health feature, built directly into the Microsoft Launcher that tracks your app usage and unlocks. Just like Google's own Digital Wellbeing or Apple's Screen Time feature, Digital Health in Microsoft Launcher gives you a day or week overview of your usage of your phone, including screen-on time, and the amount of times you open and spend in specific apps. Unfortunately, Microsoft's tracking doesn't come with any lockdown features.

The Digital Health feature also comes with a new widget that you can place on the home screen that provides you with your screen-on time at a glance. Tapping on it will take you to the dedicated Digital Health widget that offers much more detail as to how you're using your phone. I love this feature so much, but I do wish it came with the ability to lock apps after a certain amount of usage. Perhaps that'll be introduced in the next big update.

Hey Cortana is also now enabled when using the Microsoft Launcher in the United States. When on the launcher, shouting the "Hey Cortana" command will invoke the Microsoft Launcher's version of Cortana, allowing you to do things such as check the weather or turn on the lights without having to use your hands. This functionality is somewhat limited, however, as it only works when the phone is unlocked, and no apps are open. I'd love to see an always listening mode where Hey Cortana worked regardless of whether the Microsoft Launcher was on screen or not.

Useful Cortana improvements

In the United States, the Cortana card itself will now show commute and traffic information, which gives the card a little more purpose in the feed. Previously, the Cortana card would sit doing nothing unless you had an unread SMS message. It's great to see Microsoft continue to focus on Cortana across PC and phones this year, and further integration with the Microsoft Launcher is always appreciated. Fingers crossed more Cortana features begin rolling out to more markets soon.

In addition, there's also a new tips card which is excellent for those new to Microsoft Launcher. It gives you a bunch of ideas and helps towards getting Microsoft Launcher setup to your liking, including things such as enabling notification badges, customizing the feed, and more.

Unfortunately, Microsoft Launcher is still missing a nice close animation when exiting apps in the latest beta. Perhaps this will show up before the 5.1 release ships, but closing an app is very jarring and doesn't match the animation that takes place when you tap on an app icon to open it. That animation is nice and smooth, and the close animation just isn't. I've also noticed that sometimes the navigation bar area won't blur when sliding between Your Feed and home screen. This is just a minor UI bug that I'm sure will be fixed in due course.

Overall, Microsoft Launcher 5.1 is an excellent update that is packing lots of new features that are a welcomed addition to Microsoft's home screen experience on Android. If you've been holding off trying the Microsoft Launcher on your phone, we definitely recommend giving the 5.1 update a try. It's available now in beta and will likely roll out to the stable version in a few weeks.

Download Microsoft Launcher at Google Play

We're back with another exciting episode of the Windows Central Podcast, and this week Daniel Rubino and Zac Bowden wind down a truncated work week due to the American Thanksgiving holiday, but that doesn't mean there isn't a lot to discuss! Daniel has his hands-on impressions of Surface Go with LTE and Surface Studio 2. Plus, the dynamic duo dig deep into Microsoft Launcher 5.1. It features To-Do and Sticky Notes integration, plus Cortana support.

Finally, Windows Hello now supports FIDO2 Security Keys for an added layer of convenience and protection.

This episode of the Windows Central Podcast was recorded on November 23 2018.

Links:

• Surface Go with LTE preorders now available, starting at $679
• Which model Surface Studio 2 has the NVIDIA GTX 1070?
• Microsoft Launcher beta gets To-Do and Sticky Notes integration, 'Hey Cortana' support
• Windows Hello adding support for FIDO2 Security Keys

Subscribe to the podcast

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• Listen via Spotify
• Listen via: Windows Central app Windows 10 | Android
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Hosts

• Daniel Rubino
• Zac Bowden

Make this show great by participating!

Send in your comments, questions, and feedback to:

• Email: wcpodcast@windowscentral.com
• Twitter: @WindowsCentral with hashtag #wcpodcast

Microsoft Launcher has been on a tear lately, most recently adding Windows Timeline support and a revamped feed with its big 5.0 update. With the latest update for beta testers, now available as version 5.1, Microsoft isn't slowing down with major features.

Microsoft Launcher 5.1 is a significant update for anyone who lives in the Microsoft ecosystem. Not only does it bring added integrations with more prominent names from Microsoft's portfolio, such as Outlook and Skype, it also adds the ability to sync your tasks and notes from To-Do and Sticky Notes.

The update also brings handy features like tracking your screen time, as well as the return of "Hey Cortana" support. Here's a full look at what's new with Microsoft Launcher version 5.1:

• Track your screen time, app usage and phone unlocks with the new screen time card
• The Launcher To Do card now shows tasks from apps like Microsoft To Do, Outlook and Skype
• The Launcher Notes card now shows your Notes from Sticky Notes on Windows, Outlook and OneNote mobile
• Cortana now has an updated card with commute/traffic
• "Hey Cortana" as a beta feature for the en-us market
• Cortana support in the ES-ES market
• Bing mini-answers shows you quick answers for stocks and currency

If you're a beta tester, you can grab Microsoft Launcher version 5.1 from Google Play right now. Otherwise, each of these new features should hit the release version soon if testing goes well.

Thanks for the tip, Tyler!

See at Google play

Microsoft Launcher's big update to version 5.0 is now rolling out to everyone on Android, coming a little over a month after first launching for beta testers. This update brings several added tweaks and features, but the biggest addition by far is Windows Timeline integration.

Timeline support has been a long time coming, with Microsoft promising its eventual release earlier this year. Now, when you're signed into the same Microsoft account on your PC and Android phone, your Windows Timeline activity will sync between devices. This allows all of your browsing activity from Microsoft Edge to show up in your Timeline on your phone, and vice-versa. Additionally, documents will appear in Timeline as well, so you can pick up where you left off in any Office documents, should you have the Office apps installed on your phone.

The other major change is related to the Feed layout, which now features dedicated tabs for News, Glance, and the aforementioned Timeline. The news tab is essentially one long feed of the latest headlines, powered by Microsoft News. This replaces the News widget that previously lived in the Feed. Glance, meanwhile, is similar to the previous Feed, albeit with a much cleaner interface that shows you relevant information at a glance with dedicated widgets.

Here's the official rundown of what's new in Microsoft Launcher version 5.0:

• Feed - Updated Feed navigation for your Glance, News and Timeline tabs. You can now access your Feed settings from the top of your Feed
• News - Updated News experience powered by Microsoft News
• Timeline on mobile - Activities from your PC and phone now can be seen on your Android phone
• Cortana - Use Cortana to send emails with multi-turn emailing. Cortana is now supported in the DE-DE market
• Family - Parents can now view their kids' real-time location

See at Google Play

Microsoft has today announced its next big update to its Microsoft Launcher for Android, bringing with it a brand new Your Feed page, and support for Windows Timeline. I've been playing with it over the weekend, and so far it's looking pretty good. The new update introduces an updated Your Feed page that is now split into three tabs; Glance, News, and Timeline.

Microsoft has been promising Timeline support in the Microsoft Launcher since earlier this year, and it's now available for beta testing. When signed into the same Microsoft Account on your PC and phone, your Timeline activity will sync across devices, just as it does across PCs. If you browse with Edge on PC, all that activity will show up in your phones Timeline, and vice-versa. This even works with documents too; if you have the Office apps on your phone, you can jump directly into whatever documents you were working on with a single tap on your phone.

The News tab is essentially just the old news widget but extended out into its own area. You can customize it with your favorite topics too, meaning you can filter out any news items you don't really care about, such as politics, or technology, or lifestyle. This does mean the news widget that used to sit alongside your other widgets in the feed is no longer present, but I much prefer having News in its own tab anyway.

The new Glance tab is just like the old Feed page, but with a much cleaner UI. You can still add custom widgets to it, and reorganise what shows up where. The top of the Feed page has also been refined, featuring a cleaner interface that makes good use of space, while still showing all the relevant information, including Microsoft Rewards point, weather, and calendar events.

Microsoft Launcher 5.0 is rolling out today for beta users, and will likely roll out to the public in the coming weeks. iPhone users can expect to see Timeline support show up within the Microsoft Edge app as beta in the next month or so. What are your thoughts on the latest Microsoft Launcher for Android? Let us know in the comments.

Download Microsoft Launcher at Google Play

Microsoft Launcher beta testers are getting their hands on a fresh set of new features with the Android app's latest update. Ticking up to version 4.13, today's update includes a couple of major highlights and some smaller tweaks, including a cleaner feed and Cortana dictation for incoming texts.

The most visually striking tweaks are to the Launcher Feed, which will no longer show card headers for widgets. This has the effect of delivering a sleeker look with less separation between different widgets. Moving widgets to the feed can also now be done by dragging and dropping them into place.

Cortana integration in Microsoft Launcher is also getting a little smarter, with the ability to read incoming texts aloud for you if you're busy doing something else. Parents can also use Cortana with the launcher's family tracking features, with the ability to ask for their kids' locations via voice. Finally, Cortana also now supports English for Indian users.

Here's the full rundown of what's new according to Microsoft's release notes:

• Now you can drag and drop widgets to and from the Launcher Feed. Widgets also no longer have card headers when placed in the Feed.
• Updates to the calendar card let you add a new event with one click when you no longer have any more events for the day.
• Tuning fixes for new app drawer animation.
• Parents can now ask Cortana for the location of their kids via voice (ex. "where are my kids?").
• Cortana can now read incoming SMS messages and now supports en-IN.

If you're already enrolled in the Microsoft Launcher beta, you can grab version 4.13 now. Should testing go well, these features should be hitting the release version soon.

See at Google Play

Following a couple of weeks in the oven with beta testers, Microsoft is shipping out another new set of features for Microsoft Launcher on Android. Included in the latest update are custom gesture controls for app icons, full Android O support, updates to the relatively new family card, and more.

The most notable of these additions is the new gesture controls for apps. Microsoft Launcher users will now be able to swipe up from icons to perform custom actions. To set the action you want to associate with the gesture, you can tap and hold on an icon to see a new option to add an action to be associated with the gesture. Once you've set things up, you'll be able to swipe up on the icon or folder to take whatever action you've chosen.

Other bits tagging along in this update are web filtering for the family card, alphabetical sorting for folders in the app drawer, and general UI and animation improvements. Here's a look at the full release notes:

• Folder and app icon gestures (swipe to open or click to launch).
• Choose how to use the last row of expanded dock: Apps, pinned contacts, folders, search bar or widgets;
• Parents can enable web filtering through the Family card.
• Folders in the app drawer are now sorted alphabetically.
• UI improvements: Animation adjustments; blur effect as an option; App badges in the app drawer;
• Fully support Android 8.0 and remove support for 4.0.X and 4.1

If you're already using Microsoft Launcher, you can grab all of these features now via the latest update on Google Play.

See at Google Play

Microsoft Launcher beta testers are getting a small batch of new features to check out this week with the app's latest update. Rolling out now, the update adds new custom gesture controls for app icons and folders, updates to the relatively new family card, and more.

The most notable addition is that of custom gesture controls for apps. To get started with them, you can tap and hold on an icon or folder as if you were going to edit it. From there, you can select an option to add an action to take when swiping up from the icon. Once set, you'll be able to use the swipe gesture on that icon to take the action you set.

There are also some smaller tweaks tagging along here, including general UI and animation adjustments and full support for Android O. Here's a look at all of what's new:

• Folder and app icon gestures (swipe to open or click to launch).
• Choose how to use the last row of expanded dock: Apps, pinned contacts, folders, search bar or widgets;
• Parents can enable web filtering through the Family card.
• Folders in the app drawer are now sorted alphabetically.
• UI improvements: Animation adjustments; blur effect as an option; App badges in the app drawer;
• Fully support Android O and remove support for 4.0.X and 4.1

If you're enrolled in the Microsoft Launcher beta, you should be able to grab this update now as version 4.12. If testing goes well, we should see these features hit the release version relatively soon.

See at Google play

Microsoft Launcher is shipping out another new set of features for beta testers to check out on Android. And like other recent updates to the launcher, this one focuses on a new family feature and some smaller tweaks here and there.

One of the biggest pieces of this update is the ability for parents to now choose which kids to show or hide on the family card. This builds off of the foundation of a relatively new family safety feature Microsoft recently added, which allows parents to keep an eye on their kids' activity on Android phones running launcher, along with Windows PCs and Xbox consoles.

Other new bits include general improvements to reading news articles in Microsoft Edge, support for multi-turn SMS and calling with Cortana, and more. Here's a look at all of what's new:

• Family: parents can show/hide kids in the Family card;
• Improvements to reading news articles with Microsoft Edge browser;
• Toggle to hide page indicator on home screen;
• Cortana: support multi-turn SMS + calling;
• UI improvements: welcome page, settings page, widgets & context menu;
• Support for removing screens in overview mode via drag & drop

If you're enrolled as a beta tester, you can grab all of what's new in Microsoft Launcher version 4.11 now on Google Play. And if you aren't yet giving the beta a go, you can sign up to become a tester. Otherwise, version 4.11 should be rolling out to the general release for everyone soon, is testing goes well.

See at Google Play

Searching the internet if largely a text-heavy experience, but Bing is looking to make things a little more visual. Microsoft announced today the rollout of new intelligent visual search capabilities across Bing, Microsoft Launcher, and Microsoft Edge, each of which will now support easily tracking things down with a snap from your phone's camera.

Using visual search is a fairly simple process. Within any of the apps in which it's available, you can either snap a photo or upload one from your camera roll. From there, you can hone in on an object in the picture on which you want more information, and Bing will identify it. Visual search will then serve up more information on the object, including its location and links to explore.

One of the main features Microsoft is touting is visual search's ability to streamline shopping. If you spot a jacket, piece of furniture, or something else you want to pick up, you can upload a picture and Bing will return similar items, prices, and options for where to make a purchase.

Microsoft says that visual search is available starting today in the Bing apps for both iOS and Android. Further, Android users can check the feature out in Microsoft Launcher and Microsoft Edge. The feature will be "coming soon" to Microft Edge for iOS.

Following up on the launch of its first family safety feature last week, Microsoft Launcher is bringing a couple of additional new features to beta testers. Notably, the latest update enables intelligent visual search from the search bar, along with a way to keep an eye on your Microsoft Rewards points from the main feed.

As its name implies, visual search will let you use your camera to search for places and things around you. The feature uses a bit of AI magic to recognize everything from celebrities to landmarks and apparel, and then searches the web for more on whatever you capture.

Additionally, if you're a Microsoft Rewards member, you'll now see your Rewards balance in the Launcher feed. You can also earn Rewards points for using Bing Search in Microsoft Launcher.

Here's a look at the official release notes:

• Introducing Visual Search. Use the camera function through the Launcher Search bar to capture images and intelligently recognize celebrities, landmarks, items, apparel and more!
• Microsoft Rewards: Now Microsoft Rewards customers can see their Rewards balance in the Launcher Feed and earn points for using Bing Search through Microsoft Launcher!

Last week, Microsoft also gave parents with Microsoft Launcher the ability to view the last known location and device activity of their children on Android phones running Launcher. Activity tracking is also now available across Windows PCs and Xbox consoles.

If you're enrolled as a beta tester, you'll see these features roll out to your Launcher soon with version 4.10. To become a tester, you can sign up on Google Play now. If you'd rather skip out on beta testing, then these features should make their way to the release version soon.

See at Google Play