14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has just started work on another major update for its Android launcher, and the first feature to be implemented is support for family accounts.
In other words, starting with Microsoft Launcher 4.10, users will be able to view the last known location of their kids and also monitor the app activity on the phone straight from their own device.
The first beta version is available for download right now, and Microsoft says that it divided the testing program for this next release in two different parts.
The first phase begins today and is specifically focused on bringing family features to beta users. The second phase will start on May 22 and will include other new tools for all beta users, not just parents, so if you’re not looking for options to track your children activity, the new build landing next week will probably be more exciting for you.
Parental controls
As for parents, these features require Android 4.4 and newer for parent devices and Android 5.0 and older for child smartphones.
In order to use it, you first need to create a family account and define kids to be able to monitor the activity and track the location.
Microsoft Launcher has become the app that spearheads Microsoft’s push on Android, and it pioneers the debut of several key features for the company on non-Windows devices, including Timeline. With Microsoft Launcher, the Redmond-based software giant is trying to bring Android and Windows 10 devices closer together, tackling the issue of not having a mobile platform of its own after the demise of Windows 10 Mobile.
You can download the latest Microsoft Launcher beta APK from Softpedia right now, though it’s worth keeping in mind that this is still in the works and some issues might be discovered. The next stable release should happen in June, according to Microsoft’s typical release schedule.