Microsoft Launcher’s Digital Health Features, To-Do Integration, Now Available to All Users

More than a month ago, I reported about Microsoft Launcher’s big 5.1 update. Redmond started testing the major 5.1 update with beta testers back in late November, and the update has now started rolling out to everyone over this weekend.

Microsoft Launcher 5.1 brings a bunch of new features, including a suite of Digital Health focused features that help you track your phone usage and give you an opportunity to focus more on the real world.

Windows Intelligence In Your Inbox

Sign up for our new free newsletter to get three time-saving tips each Friday — and get free copies of Paul Thurrott's Windows 11 and Windows 10 Field Guides (normally $9.99) as a special welcome gift!

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

The update introduces integration for Microsoft To-Do, as well as Sticky Notes, two of Microsoft’s consumer-focused services that have been getting quite a lot of attention lately. Here is the full changelog for Microsoft Launcher 5.1:

  • Track your screen time, app usage and phone unlocks with the new screen time card
  • To Do card now shows tasks from apps like Microsoft To Do, Outlook and Skype
  • Notes card now shows your Notes from Sticky Notes on Windows, Outlook and OneNote mobile
  • Cortana now has an updated card with commute/traffic
  • “Hey Cortana” as a beta feature for the en-us market
  • Cortana support in the es-ES market
  • Bing mini-answers shows you quick answers for stocks and currency

The update is now available from the Google Play Store, so make sure to check for updates if you are yet to receive the new features. Microsoft did start rolling it out on December 22nd, so it’s likely you already have the update — if not, just upgrade from the Play Store. 

Tagged with

Share post

Please check our Community Guidelines before commenting

Conversation 9 comments

  • cadrethree

    24 December, 2018 - 1:05 pm

    <p>Does anyone know what kind of battery life to expect using this on a Moto g6? When I had it installed on my Moto g4 it seemed to hit my battery hard? Maybe, my imagination? Really liked this program and the other one they have, but I needed the battery life and it's not always convenient to use my powerbank out in the field. So I uninstalled both.</p>

    • IanYates82

      Premium Member
      24 December, 2018 - 5:24 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#386893">In reply to cadrethree:</a></em></blockquote><p>It used to be a battery hog. Not so much anymore in my experience. </p>

  • JoePaulson

    24 December, 2018 - 2:53 pm

    <p>They need to just take the leap and make their own Android phone. All it will take is creating an enterprise feature that will allow SSO and muti-user support through AD using the biometrics of the device.</p>

  • wp7mango

    24 December, 2018 - 5:14 pm

    <p>The Microsoft Launcher is awesome. I'm enjoying it more and more. It's almost starting to feel like an OS in its own right. </p><p><br></p><p>For me, the latest Microsoft Launcher makes the Android experience so good that I no longer miss Windows Phone.</p>

  • Daekar

    24 December, 2018 - 9:24 pm

    <p>Just happened to switch to this from SquareHome 2 today, and was pleased to find the sticky note functionality. I tested it side by side with my laptop, and I can confirm that the notes sync quickly between Outlook 365, the sticky notes app on Windows 10, and the launcher. Haven't looked at the OneNote mobile app yet. </p>

  • mattdur

    26 December, 2018 - 10:49 am

    <p>In the new Digital Health tool I cannot see the number of phone unlocks. I only see the longest session.</p><p>Is this statistic somehow phone dependent or is this feature not yet available?</p>

  • cluegate

    29 December, 2018 - 9:46 am

    <p>For former Windows Phone users, Launcher 10 is more useful. Microsoft Launcher has lots of features but poor in UI Design. </p>

    • robincapper

      09 April, 2019 - 10:19 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#388299">In reply to cluegate:</a></em></blockquote><p>Agree and it's only getting worse</p>

  • rks80

    15 March, 2019 - 2:10 pm

    <p>i am using this site for <a href="i am using this site for health related issues" target="_blank">health</a> related issues </p>

Windows Intelligence In Your Inbox

Sign up for our new free newsletter to get three time-saving tips each Friday

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Thurrott © 2024 Thurrott LLC