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The Microsoft Launcher has extensive configuration options. / © NextPit There are options for the notification and menu bar, the notification dots, default applications and much more. The Microsoft Launcher can be configured in a myriad of ways and adjusted to your own preferences. Now for the less rosy part: Bing is, of course, the default search engine in the Microsoft Launcher and its search bar, which is the reason it may quickly disappear from many homescreens. Tapping on the wallpaper icon on the homescreen loads a new one whenever you’re tired of seeing the current background. Here’s a nifty little feature: if desired, you can furnish the Microsoft Launcher with sleek background pictures from Bing. The feed and the quick menu are well-designed. Unfortunately, the swipe-up feature only works on the homescreen, not across the entire system like with Apple. It contains a second row with five freely arrangeable app shortcuts, five important system settings, and a slider for controlling screen brightness. Just as on the iPhone, the quick menu is pulled up from below. The feed, which is nearly identical and located in the same place as iOS, displays numerous information, news, frequently used apps, and similar things in a bundle, and users themselves can determine what content is displayed. Two of the launcher’s most essential functions are the feed to the left of the homescreen and the quick menu that can be pulled from the bottom. Briefly swiping your finger from top to bottom opens a system-wide content search like on the iPhone or current Huawei smartphones. Android’s notifications remain untouched by the Microsoft Launcher. App folders are displayed as squares and you can view up to four of the included icons at a glance without opening the folder. The launcher’s surface seems modern and non-intrusive. The Microsoft Launcher was quick to download and install, and Android requests the necessary permissions both at launch and when selecting certain functions.
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