The application now comes with support for Textra

Apr 2, 2015 21:18 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft's Garage project saw its first results last year, and believe it or not, the first applications launched were aimed at Android platform.

Next Lock Screen is an Android application developed by Microsoft, which allows users to see their calendar, missed calls, text messages, and many more, all at a glance.

The application acts like an Android launcher with many innovative features that should differentiate it from other launchers available on the market.

The latest update for Next Lock Screen brings several new options and some bug fixes. New features, as well as support for Textra (SMS messaging), have been added too.

According to Microsoft, the newest version of Next Lock Screen aims at providing users with multiple additions to the Pin and Pattern experience.

For example, developers have added a new option that will allow users to disable haptic feedback. Also, another new option will allow them to hide pattern or even hide keys on PIN entry.

New options, bug fixes and improved performance

Furthermore, thanks to some under-the-hood changes, Next Lock Screen for Android should now have improved performance on device start.

But that's not all. Next Lock Screen users will now benefit from weather details through MSN weather. Speaking of which, other weather experience improvements mentioned in the update include availability in China, better temperature accuracy and refresh frequency.

Last but not least, Microsoft claims it has fixed quite a few bugs for 24-hour clock and the option to dismiss alarm unlocking device.

You can now download Lock Screen for Android for free via Google Play Store. The application should be fully compatible with all devices powered by Android 4.0 and up.

Keep in mind that some features like the possibility to receive MMS notifications and instant message notifications for Skype, WeChat, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Google Hangouts, and Line, require Android 4.3 and up.