At the Surface event yesterday, Microsoft talked about improvements coming to its Microsoft Launcher app on Android. With a new set of features, the launcher is becoming even more popular. Among the changes are WhatsApp integration, a news feed, and adoption of Microsoft Timeline.
Microsoft Launcher is already a very popular launcher for the Android OS. With the new features, the app is about to become even more potent. Arguably the best new ability is integration with the Windows 10 Timeline feature.
Using the Timeline lets you see activity through past Windows 10 use, set out in cards for more efficient movement between apps. On Android, the launcher will now show you Timeline tabs to show Windows 10 activities on your handset.
Microsoft Launcher is also getting one-tap access through Glance integrations with calendar, calls, and weather.
Users will also see a cog located at the top right corner. This icon allows access directly to the feed settings, allowing users to enable or disable launcher features.
Elsewhere on Microsoft Launcher, there is now a direct feed to Microsoft News, the company’s recently launched MSN News replacement.
WhatsApp integration has also been added, which allows users to interact with WhatsApp from the launcher. Translation can be completed in real time within WhatsApp, allowing different-language conversations.
Surface Event
Alongside the launch of the Surface Pro 6, Surface Laptop 2 and Surface Studio, Microsoft also discussed its Your Phone app yesterday. The company says it is connected users between mobile and Windows 10 and Your Phone is the bridge.
Your Phone allows Android users to mirror their device onto a Windows 10 PC. In preview, the feature set has been limited, but today Microsoft expanded the capabilities.
