Microsoft opens up the Garage, employees working to improve on Android apps

Microsoft has opened up the Garage. Nope, the software giant isn’t showing off a collection of luxury cars and bikes. A new community of developers, musicians, hackers, artists, investors, and artists was started by Microsoft with the aim of coming together to share ideas and build new projects. The goal of the Microsoft Garage is to turn ideas into real endeavors while outsiders are given access so they can comment and give feedbacks and suggestions.

The Garage project is an effort by Microsoft to show people outside what the Redmond employees are doing during their break time. Honestly, I don’t think the hours these employees would be spending on the Garage are their free time but that’s what Microsoft wants us to believe. (Seriously, why would they sacrifice their free hours for more work? Anyway…)

With the Microsoft Garage, employees can work on other projects exactly not for their own company. They can work on other Windows stuff or iOS and Android-related projects. They can do anything as long as the project would benefit Microsoft. This is a great initiative because employees are being encouraged to think, be imaginative, and do more cross-platform apps.

It’s also a new direction for the company. Opening up the Garage for employees to work on iOS or Android apps is a brave thing to do for Microsoft. Jeff Ramos, Microsoft Garage’s manager, said, “It does represent a new direction for the company,” admits Jeff Ramos. We’re evolving our culture, wanting to get better with experimentation.”

Experiment. That’s what Microsoft wants its employees to do. Explore. Tinker. Invent. Who knows what the developers can do outside the Microsoft Windows or Windows Phone platforms. The only problem I see is that these employees might see the light and think that Android or iOS is better than their own. I hope not.

So far, these Microsoft Garage geeks have developed three great apps for Android: Torque, Journeys & Notes, and the Next Lock Screen.

The Torque app allows the user to simply do some gestures to ask Android Wear a question. No need to say “OK Google” just lift your arm or twist your wrist to command your Android Wear-powered smartwatch. Right now, it works best on LG and Samsung smartwatches. The app is currently having problems with Moto 360 but Microsoft is already working on a fix. (Download Torque HERE)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LwxJ_sqObA

Microsoft also made some innovations to the Android lock screen by introducing the Next Lock Screen. This app allows a quick launch and access to information an Android user needs. It’s a time saver lock screen that displays email, calendars, text messages, and missed calls at a single glance. When a call comes in, no need to unlock the phone because a single tap on the screen will do. Next Lock Screen shows your often-used apps for easier access. (Download Next Lock Screen HERE)

From the Garage, Microsoft also managed to release the Journeys & Notes app. It’s a social app that lets the user to take down notes, check-in trips, connect with people traveling the same path. You can leave notes share travel tips for them. (Download Journeys & Notes HERE)

The idea to improve on Android apps is great. It’s very generous of Microsoft, actually. But I have a few questions: Don’t these Microsoft developers have things to do? Why don’t they just work harder to make Windows Phone better? There are more things to work on within Microsoft and Windows. Forget about Android or iOS for now. Focus, Microsoft. Focus.

SOURCE: Microsoft