14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has just published a new beta version of its Android launcher, as work on the app continues towards a new stable release expected later this month.
Microsoft Launcher version 4.9.0.42467 is the first build of beta branch 4.9 and introduces a series of new features and improvements based on the previous stable release.
Launcher 4.9 comes with improved home screen import logic, which should make the initial configuration process smoother if you’re importing home screen settings. Additionally, Microsoft has also focused on usability improvements with this release, so you can now sort apps alphabetically in folders, a highly-requested feature that already exists in other very popular launchers, like Nova.
New gestures on the home screen
Additionally, with this version Microsoft finally makes it possible to display names of apps or folders in the dock, and not just the icons as it was the case in the previous build. This is certainly a neat touch to the home screen, even though by the looks of things, many users actually don’t want the text to be displayed, thus keeping thinks simpler and cleaner.
There are also new gestures coming to users with Microsoft Launcher 4.9. First, Microsoft has added support for a customizable gesture for the home button on the home screen. And second, there is a new gesture option in Launcher 4.9 that allows you to quickly lock the home screen without the need for pressing the lock button on the phone.
Keep in mind, however, that this is just the first beta of a new version, and there’s a chance bugs and issues could still be there. This means some things might not work exactly as expected, though in the past, beta builds have proved to be quite stable on most devices.
You can download Microsoft Launcher APK for Android right now from Softpedia to try out these new features yourselves.