14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has just rolled out Microsoft Launcher 4.12 for Android, after the company previously released this version in beta to users enrolled in its testing program.
As a continuously-evolving Android app, Microsoft Launcher is getting updates regularly, and the release of version 4.12 comes with a series of new features and improvements.
Note: users who have until now been running the beta build of Launcher 4.12 already have these features, so they are entirely new only for those who are enrolled in the stable channel.
What’s new in Microsoft Launcher 4.12
First and foremost, this new release comes with folder and app icon gestures, as Microsoft Launcher now allows users to configure the app and choose between swipe to open and click to launch. This should help the launcher score extra in terms of customization and usability, especially as there are already several other alternatives on the Google Play Store that offer enhanced gesture support.
Then, users can now tweak the last row of expanded dock and select to display apps, pinned contacts, folders, search bar, or widgets.
For parents, there’s a new parental control feature that makes it possible to enable web filtering through the Family card – the previous release also introduced tools aimed at parents, so version 4.12 continues work in this regard.
Folders in the app drawer are now sorted alphabetically by default in Microsoft Launcher 4.12, and there are also several other UI refinements, including animation adjustments, blur effects offered as optional, and app badges in the app drawer.
This update also introduces one important change: there’s full support for Android 8.0, but at the same time, the app no longer works on Android 4.0.X and 4.1, so you must update your device or continue running an old version of the launcher.
As always, you can download the latest version of Microsoft Launcher from Softpedia using the stand-alone APK file found here.
