Microsoft Now Has Another Custom Lock Screen App for Android

Microsoft’s Garage lab just released yet another lock screen app for Android devices today. The company’s latest, Favorites Lock Screen, takes your interests in order to offer a “personalized” lockscreen experience. The app is primarily for Android users in India.

Favorites Lockscreen shows you the latest news about your favorites celebrities and interests, as well ass wallpapers related to your interests. The lock screen includes all the basic features, including the ability to access essential toggles like WiFi and Flash, as well as some of your most used apps.

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Microsoft’s latest custom lock screen resembles some of its previous lock screen apps, including the Next and Picturesque lock screen apps. Instead of incorporating the features of its Favorites Lock Screen app into something like the Next Lock Screen which has a significantly larger user base and feature set, Microsoft decided to build a separate one in an effort to “empower employees to pursue innovation,” the company said in a blog post.

“Even though the Picturesque team already had a great lock screen app available in India, we wanted to try something different. “We wanted to build a lock screen focused on fandom, not just beautiful images. Our app allows people to craft a more personalized experience centered around their passions and interests,” stated one of the program managers of the Favorites Lock Screen team, clarifying the purpose of the company’s newest lock screen app.

It’s unlikely Favorites Lock Screen will be able to gain as much traction as Garage’s previous blockbusters like its Arrow Launcher (now Microsoft Launcher) and Next Lockscreen apps. But that’s really the point of Garage: letting engineers come up with new app ideas and seeeing what works. Some Garage apps have previously been killed shortly after launch, and I have a strong feeling Favorites Lock Screen will follow the same route, or possibly get abandoned a few months down the road.

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Conversation 15 comments

  • everno

    Premium Member
    20 December, 2017 - 9:24 am

    <p>I definitely find the garage apps exciting. I have enjoyed the ability to pull use my Microsoft Programs in a more integrated way. As a recent convert from iPhone…. With the Galaxy Note 8 purchase.</p><p>Curious if you have heard anything from the Garage teams… seeing as though Next &amp; Picturesque have gone SEVERAL months without an update.</p><p>Thanks!</p>

  • Pbike908

    20 December, 2017 - 9:31 am

    <p>It's been my experience that 3rd party Lock Screens from ANY DEVELOPER are battery drains due to inefficient background tasking. They either hinder sleep or they don't work properly because they can't pass info to the lock screen.</p>

    • IamDefiler

      20 December, 2017 - 12:23 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#229343"><em>In reply to Pbike908:</em></a></blockquote><p>Welcome to 2009…</p>

    • dhallman

      20 December, 2017 - 7:35 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#229343"><em>In reply to Pbike908:</em></a> For me the issue has been that getting by one lock screen reveals another that still has to be unlocked. That is the reason I disabled 'next'. I'll see if this one is better. But this Microsoft veneer is no replacement for Windows phone. Update: US only. Oh well.</blockquote><p><br></p>

      • evequefou

        21 December, 2017 - 2:33 pm

        <blockquote><a href="#229611"><em>In reply to dhallman:</em></a></blockquote><p>Nope, not US either. India-only, I presume. </p>

      • MikeGalos

        21 December, 2017 - 2:33 pm

        <blockquote><a href="#229343"><em>In reply to Pbike908:</em></a> Update: US only. Oh well.</blockquote><p><br></p><p>So much for <em>"T</em><em style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">he app is primarily for Android users in India."</em></p>

  • rmlounsbury

    Premium Member
    20 December, 2017 - 10:25 am

    <p>I can safely say that the lock screen is one part of my device I could careless about replacing. I actually think that Apple's idea of pretty much dumping the lock screen in general was a good one. You can get to the lock screen but you have to want to and considering all my pertinent information is behind the lock screen the faster I get past it the better. </p>

  • Chris Payne

    20 December, 2017 - 12:36 pm

    <p>"…<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">as well </span><em style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">ass</em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;"> wallpapers related to your interests…"</span></p><p><br></p><p>The typos on this site are the best.</p>

  • Oasis

    Premium Member
    20 December, 2017 - 1:03 pm

    <p>Favorites Lockscreen shows you the latest news about your favorites celebrities and interests, as well ass wallpapers related to your interests. The lock screen includes all the basic features, including the ability to access essential toggles like WiFi and Flash, as well as some of your most used apps. TYPO: ass wallpapers?</p>

    • lwetzel

      Premium Member
      20 December, 2017 - 1:45 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#229433"><em>In reply to Oasis:</em></a></blockquote><p>Duh.</p>

    • Wolf

      Premium Member
      20 December, 2017 - 5:07 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#229433"><em>In reply to Oasis:</em></a></blockquote><p>Well I dunno … maybe ass wallpapers could be related to one's interests. They could certainly be appropriate in the bathroom. ;D</p>

  • toshdellapenna

    20 December, 2017 - 1:13 pm

    <p>Things like this are a reason why they should have kept developing Windows Mobile 7 along side WP 7 instead of axing it. This reminds me so much of what Windows Mobile was back then. Here's to hoping that winmos replacement actually has some real customizations beyond resizing tiles and changing the accent color.</p>

  • DavidmShah

    11 February, 2018 - 3:38 pm

    <p>It is always good to see Microsoft launching new apps for Android platform on app stores like <a href="https://getappvalley.com/&quot; target="_blank">AppValley</a>, <a href="https://tutuappx.com/&quot; target="_blank">Tutuapp</a>, and <a href="https://tweakbox.mobi/&quot; target="_blank">TweakBox</a>. I personally have been using the MS launcher on my Note 8 for a while now. It's design is really sleek and very fast and easy to use.</p>

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    07 July, 2018 - 5:41 am

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