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Microsoft building Android launcher??

EarlyMon said:
Help me understand the point of asking Microsoft to copy what is perhaps the most popular launcher, because I truly don't get it.

What's the target?

Having Nova but with a Microsoft trademark?

What does this launcher bring to the table that Nova doesn't?

Your list of missing features was so big you had to quote a complete, working app?

Your description makes this sound like less than an alpha release.
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I meant it for adding normal/common/most useful/addicted features which an Android user loves. So, now it would add widget support, adding/removing screens and hide apps feature. Do you want to compromise these most used features for a TM?
 
EarlyMon said:
Help me understand the point of asking Microsoft to copy what is perhaps the most popular launcher, because I truly don't get it.

What's the target?

Having Nova but with a Microsoft trademark?

What does this launcher bring to the table that Nova doesn't?

Your list of missing features was so big you had to quote a complete, working app?

Your description makes this sound like less than an alpha release.
Click to expand...
For an Android user it is smooth and great. But in terms of features if it wouldn't support features which are common for an Android phone, then yes you can say it as a pre alpha.
 
It shouldn't have to be a clone of almost every other launcher. You are trying to make this a Nova clone with a different name.
If you are going to help in the beta phase then use the time to suggest things that will make the launcher unique.
Help Microsoft make it different and uniquely theirs.
 
MLSS said:
It shouldn't have to be a clone of almost every other launcher. You are trying to make this a Nova clone with a different name.
If you are going to help in the beta phase then use the time to suggest things that will make the launcher unique.
Help Microsoft make it different and uniquely theirs.
Click to expand...
Definitely true. But, there are some features, (if not present) doesnt even make it an ANDROID LAUNCHER. For instance, if in the next update Android 6.0, it will allow only ONE HOMESCREEN. It's not unique! It's being stuck and lack of features. You have to keep in mind what users are using and what's helpful and also unique ideas.
 
Well, an Idea which has been accepted is - "Adding a hide my apps" options in the recent section. That will be optional. It protects users privacy. If you unlock your phone near a friend and he/she finds an annoying app that you wouldn't want anyone to know. So, till now I've contributed to the privacy part. I've also suggested some unique features and some great ideas posted by other members too. But, I can't disclose them publicly :) Beta testers are helping as much as possible. And, if they don't introduce common features(useful/most widely used) then it will definitely affect it's popularity, just like NEXT LOCKSCREEN.
 
Ankush Das said:
I meant it for adding normal/common/most useful/addicted features which an Android user loves. So, now it would add widget support, adding/removing screens and hide apps feature. Do you want to compromise these most used features for a TM?
Click to expand...
If you just said that it lacked widget support then you just said that Microsoft is clueless about Android launchers.

Is that true? Did that happen??
 
EarlyMon said:
If you just said that it lacked widget support then you just said that Microsoft is clueless about Android launchers.

Is that true? Did that happen??
Click to expand...
Microsoft tends to start with a very small idea and then let the beta community's decide what to do. While their builds are crude at first "beta" release, they quickly grow and common things (widgets, multiple pages ect....) are added.
I wish I had time to test it but I'm so busy with football and work that I just don't have time to provide the right amount of input.
I'll be keeping eye on it though.
 
I don't really have time to play with it or I would.
It's football season 2 a days started yesterday, Sundays are the only days I get time to enjoy anything outside of football from now until the end of the season.......
I'm not complaining lol
 
zuben el genub said:
Apparently some Xiaomi Android phones can switch from Android to Windows 10
http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2015...fer-windows-10-conversion-for-android-phones/
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No, that's Ars Technica exaggerating a story that had been hyped to death.

Not some Xiaomi phones - only the Mi 4 - and it's not just user switchable - it's a test program that is closed except for a select few.

It's not a user button to just run Windows, it's a conversion for the phones involved.

The test isn't to establish dual booting - it's an experiment to see how well the Chinese will like the Windows Phone.

Microsoft had already announced that it was limited to that phone, that market and for that reason by the time Ars Technica (along with others) misrepresented the entire affair.
 
So far Win Phone devices like Nokia Lumias have been an abject failure here in China, from what I've seen. In the last year I've only actually seen one Windows phone in the wild, and that belongs to a Malaysian friend who's working here. Maybe Microsoft getting on board with a leading Chinese manufacturer may help it.
 
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My daughter has a Nokia Lumias Windows phone here in Tulsa, OK, USA. she chose it because of the "pretty colored skin on it with Butterflys"

so far, she says it "is just okay", but she tells me all the time how she is not able to get apps that her friends use on Android.
I asked her if she wanted me to replace it..... "No, it makes calls, it does SMS really well, the Voice turn-by-turn map works, and she can watch her online TV shows just fine.... that is all she needs.....

she is frugal and won't let me replace it.
 
mikedt said:
So far Win Phone devices like Nokia Lumias have been an abject failure here in China, from what I've seen. In the last year I've only actually seen one Windows phone in the wild, and that belongs to a Malaysian friend who's working here. Maybe Microsoft getting on board with a leading Chinese manufacturer may help it.
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Windows phone has been an abject failure everywhere, IMO.
 
I found the launcher bare bones and lackluster... Probably just an attempt to get some interest from Android users for their failing mobile platform akin to BlackBerry's move when they introduced BBM.
 
I really wish Windows Mobile 6.5 would've lived on. The today screen was just as awesome androids own home launcher scene is now and just as versatile I'd say. I still got my trusty old hd2 if I really do miss windows mobile too much though. LoL
 
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