Windows users - Microsoft Launcher has arrived

[Wbutchart]

Hi all, arrow launcher is about to graduate from the Garage to a official app now. Its name is changing to Microsoft Launcher, if you are on the beta of arrow launcher it is now downloadable.

Big changes are a new look, which looks amazing. The recent feed has been developed further too. The big new change is the addition of gestures as well, doing specific things to the screen, double tapping etc now will activate pre chosen apps or actions.

Looks great I have to say and integrates well into office 365 as well.

Edge browser is also coming to Android soon but that's not as significant IMO.

 

[libra89]

I'm looking forward to trying it out.

 

[mary beth hale]

Had it downloaded but just got the chance to set it up this evening. Really enjoying it so far. Beautiful and smooth. Love recent feed screen and gestures. Also reinstalled Cortana and giving her another shot on my S8. Recently got a different laptop and just tonight got around to enabling Cortana on it as well. Things seem to be syncing well and the experience is fluid. Thinking about doing the windows insider to get the fall creator's update so I can try the "continue where I left off" option for phone/pc. Not exactly sure how that works.
Anyway, this launcher is a win for me so far.

 

[Wbutchart]

Had it downloaded but just got the chance to set it up this evening. Really enjoying it so far. Beautiful and smooth. Love recent feed screen and gestures. Also reinstalled Cortana and giving her another shot on my S8. Recently got a different laptop and just tonight got around to enabling Cortana on it as well. Things seem to be syncing well and the experience is fluid. Thinking about doing the windows insider to get the fall creator's update so I can try the "continue where I left off" option for phone/pc. Not exactly sure how that works.
Anyway, this launcher is a win for me so far.

Yeah it really is a great launcher, really impressed with it.

I couldn't get the new insider os to install on my PC, given up for now. The continue on seems great, through Cortana seems to be having a go at it, asked me earlier if I wanted to continue a doc for some reason.

 

[jjinal]

I used Arrow for a while but switched back to Nova Prime recently. Might give the new version a look.

 

[mary beth hale]

What I really like about setting up Cortana on phone and laptop is the ability to get texts and reply to them while using the laptop without having to touch the phone. Doesn't really have anything to do with the launcher, but thought I'd throw that in.

 

[mary beth hale]

Just realized I can swipe up on home screen and apps widgets disappear so my homescreen pic shows on the entire screen. Swipe down and the apps/widgets are back. Nice.

 

[Michele La Rocca]

Hello everybody, ex W10 mobile user here, recently switched to a Samsung S8.

I downloaded this launcher to give it a shot even though I enjoy the original Samsung Touchwiz but looks like I'm still stuck on Arrow.

Maybe the updated version is not available in my country yet, but the store name it as Microsoft Launcher (Preview) but when downloaded and installed it shows as Arrow Launcher and has the old look.

I tried it anyway and like it, but still couple things I cannot bare with:

- Icon pack: I love the original Samsung icons since they are all the same shape and less messy. Any chance to get them back on this launcher? Tried to change it to systems icons but they remain the same.

- Widget size: widget are way too big with this launcher, also tried different icon size and grid but the problem is still there, any solution?

Thanks everyone

 

[Scienceguy Labs]

I'm pretty sure that I read that the change over from Arrow to MS Launcher will be rolling out in waves.

 

[mary beth hale]

Hello everybody, ex W10 mobile user here, recently switched to a Samsung S8.
I downloaded this launcher to give it a shot even though I enjoy the original Samsung Touchwiz but looks like I'm still stuck on Arrow.
Maybe the updated version is not available in my country yet, but the store name it as Microsoft Launcher (Preview) but when downloaded and installed it shows as Arrow Launcher and has the old look.

sounds like the preview update hasn't reached you yet. might want to uninstall what you've got and try again.
I googled the launcher and got the page to join the preview program then hit the play store link to download it.
has been getting updates every 2-3 days.
As Scienceguy Labs said, rolling out in waves.
Enjoying it so far.

 

[jjinal]

I just got updated to the actual Microsoft Launcher. I was still on Arrow until today. Looks good.

 

[C LaBelle]

Wasn't a fan of the Microsoft launcher, still not as good as W10M was. I miss the Cortana functionality on my Samsung, especially being able to dictate text messages.

 

[jjinal]

Wasn't a fan of the Microsoft launcher, still not as good as W10M was. I miss the Cortana functionality on my Samsung, especially being able to dictate text messages.

I considered giving Cortana another look but Samsung Focus does pretty much the same thing.

 

[mary beth hale]

Wasn't a fan of the Microsoft launcher, still not as good as W10M was. I miss the Cortana functionality on my Samsung, especially being able to dictate text messages.

Yes, unfortunately Cortana on Android, even though it's improving, doesn't measure up to how it worked on WP. I do use Cortana, but it's just not deeply integrated into the Android system. No voice texting (unless you press the microphone on your keyboard) and having to physically press save button when setting a reminder, are annoying. Still using Cortana in the hope that it will continue to improve. Much like Bixby users, I guess. (wink/grin)

 

[jbjtkbw007]

First thing I re-installed on this phone when I upgraded was the Arrow Launcher, now Microsoft Launcher. Not gonna lie, I'm pretty much all in on Microsoft stuff and I use it on laptop, desktop all in one and apps on this phone. As someone mentioned earlier, getting notifications on my pc has been great. I can respond to texts there too. Plus, I use the Edge browser preview now as my default browser and being able to once again stop browsing on my phone and then bring it up on the pc is so cool. That was one of the best features when I was in the Windows Mobile environment.

 

[mary beth hale]

The launcher had been getting frequent, if small, updates. Still using Microsoft launcher and still enjoying it. First time in quite awhile I've used anything but Nova.

 

[mary beth hale]

My Microsoft Launcher Feed Screen wishing me sweet dreams...nice

 

[Wbutchart]

My Microsoft Launcher Feed Screen wishing me sweet dreams...nice

Dark theme! Nice, I’m still using the transparent on which I really like great launcher through. Finally have pc on fall creators update too which makes it even more useful.

 

[mary beth hale]

Dark theme! Nice, I’m still using the transparent on which I really like great launcher through. Finally have pc on fall creators update too which makes it even more useful.

Downloaded the fall creators update tonight. Will play with it when I'm off work Monday.

 

[Wbutchart]

Downloaded the fall creators update tonight. Will play with it when I'm off work Monday.

It’s quite good, which I’m surprised at, as a lot of the features were not things I would normally use a pc for. The cleaner notification pane is much better to use. Sadly, the new touch keyboard may be too powerful for my old cheap tablet, it’s lagging bad when typing, I’ll see if updates fix that through.