It is surprising to me that Google hasn't made the top bar/tray customisable. You can replace your lock screen, home screen, and keyboard but you're always stuck on the OEM provided notifications tray regardless...<p>I'd love to be able to install something and receive a completely different experience. Right now it is always just a piece meal of a potential experience.<p>PS - I installed Arrow. So far I like it. I'll give it a spin for a week (or until it annoys me).
What an interesting strategy: they eventually want to provide a Microsoft version of everything (they already have their own Google Now and Google Docs and email (Cortana, Office for Android, Outlook for Android)); all they have to do now is port Groove, their Camera/Photos app, and MSIE. Arrow also seems to have a matching lock screen (mentioned in the article, released before Arrow).<p>What I don't get is Arrow doesn't look like MS Phone's launcher. I wonder why.
Looking at the permissions (Basically everything) - it seems like a good way for Microsoft to get access to both usage statistics and user data in one whole sweep.
I was excited for a new Modern UI launcher for Android... but this looks exactly the same as the other hundred or so launchers on Google Play.<p>Wtf, Microsoft, what a wasted opportunity...
I think it is pretty clear that Android is Microsoft's plan B in the mobile market. I know they have kind of said that already although not in so many words. I wouldn't be shocked to see a Microsoft Android phone at some point if Windows 10 Mobile fails to improve adoption of the platform (it will fail). Something similar to what Samsung do with a totally custom interface on top of an Android core. Not sure how things would go in regards to Google core services. I guess Microsoft could reimplement their own services framework that hooks things up to their services. I am not an Android dev though so perhaps one it chip in that could clear things up regarding this?
Admiral Ackbar says...<p>(Seriously, I wonder if it is in fact some sort of a trap. It's not the 1990s any more, but I still don't really trust Microsoft.)