Microsoft’s Arrow launcher for Android is now available

Many companies already have their own launchers, such as Nokia’s Z launcher and Yahoo’s Aviate, which also share the same sort of common features as the Arrow Launcher.

The Microsoft Garage has given birth to a myriad of interesting apps with limited utility, but everyone needs a home screen, right? The users with an invite link could download the launcher by joining the Arrow Launcher Beta group on Google+ or download the APK file to give it a try.

Microsoft has officially released its Android launcher, Arrow. Interested Android users can grab the app from the Play Store.

With Arrow, however, the idea is to offer a different interface for Android that makes it easier and quicker to access your most frequently used apps, as well as message friends, take notes, or access your favorite apps and settings.

Microsoft’s strategy in releasing Arrow is quite clear, just to expand its presence on Android.

Prior to the Arrow Launcher, the tech giant has exhibited similar strategies, by releasing its flagship Office for competing platforms such as iOS and Android, along with Cortana, the famous virtual assistant.

Arrow users can do numerous same things that can be done on the default Android Launcher, including rearranging and hiding pages, and adding widgets to the home screen.

Other pages show a recent history of actions on the device, such as apps recently launched, files opened, conversations started etc. Swiping up from the button of the display will bring up a customization panel much like the one iOS has, it provides quick access to essential settings like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, flight mode and controls for the screen brightness.

In any case, Arrow is a Microsoft Garage product for the time being. While it’s available to users all around the world, at the moment Arrow supports just two languages: English and Chinese (Traditional and Simplified).