Mircrosoft seems to be not content with its Garage project. That division that works on turning fresh ideas into real projects like making new apps for Android. The first successful app to be launched was the Next lockscreen for Android that was released and received several updates last year. The software giant has decided to “own” one more by purchasing Double Labs, the same company that developed the Echo Notification Lockscreen.
So aside from Next, Microsoft also now has the Echo Notification Lockscreen. Julie Larson-Green, Microsoft’s Chief Experience Officer, noted that the Redmond company is “taking productivity to the next level” and “keeping you in the moment”. Larson-Green noted that since default lockscreens on more platforms today are not as personalized– they simply work as alerts. There’s a need for more customization and the ability to set priorities to make things more efficient and improve productivity.
This is one of the executive’s moves to enhance the way people access information and she’s hoping that working around the Android platform will give Microsoft access to the mobile OS in a deeper way. Echo Lockscreen is a popular app so this means Microsoft can now reach a larger percentage of the market. The company can also take advantage of the feedback both the Echo and Next apps are getting which they can incorporate into the notifications features of its native products like the Office or Windows 10.
Microsoft Windows Phone only holds three percent (3%) of the mobile market. Entering the Android app game may not entirely change the numbers but at least we know that future notifications in Windows will be great as they are in Android, as proven by Next and Echo Lockscreen apps.
Download Echo Notification Lockscreen from the Google Play Store
VIA: BUSINESS INSIDER
