Microsoft pulls Android launcher Arrow out of beta

Microsoft has taken the beta stamp of its Android launcher Arrow and made the app available to everyone through the Google Play Store. Among other things, the launcher should provide faster access to commonly used apps, not just those from Microsoft.

Last summer, Microsoft began a test program for the Arrow Launcher, and on Wednesday the company released the app publicly. The launcher puts an extra layer on Android and shows several pages, each with its own function.

For example, there is a page with the apps that are often used on the smartphone, there is a contacts page that focuses on messaging, another window shows the recently used apps and there are optional pages for widgets and notes. Users can arrange the windows as they see fit, omit them and set them as the default screen. At the bottom you can call up a dock with toggles and shortcuts.

Microsoft does not seem to prioritize its own apps at Arrow, but there is Bing integration with optional daily wallpaper being set via the service. The app is free but only available in English and Chinese for now.