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Microsoft adds a digital health feature to its Android launcher

Microsoft adds a digital health feature to its Android launcher

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Microsoft Launcher keeps on improving

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Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

Microsoft is adding its own digital health feature to its Android launcher app. While Google has added a similar feature to Android Pie, Microsoft’s Launcher will let any Android users access the ability to track how long apps are being used for. You can track screen time, app usage, and even the amount of times you’ve unlocked your phone. Microsoft Launcher is supported on Android 4.2 and above, so it opens the digital health feature up to a lot of Android users.

The latest 5.1 update to Microsoft Launcher also includes To-Do and Sticky Notes integration, allowing you to sync your tasks and notes from these apps. Microsoft is even adding in “Hey Cortana” support to launch the digital assistant from this Android launcher.

Microsoft has been consistently updating its Android launcher over the past year, helping the software giant embrace Android as the mobile version of Windows. Microsoft added in family-focused features earlier this year, and support for the Windows 10 Timeline feature that lets you resume apps and sites across devices. Microsoft Launcher 5.1 is available immediately as a beta version from the Google Play Store, and should be rolling out to all users in the coming weeks.