Jaxbot’s WP7 Lock Screen — не столько программа, сколько небольшой плагин для HTC HD2 и любого другого WM-коммуникатора с экраном WVGA-разрешения, позволяющий вам оценить экран блокировки (lock screen) из Windows Phone 7.
После установки программа запускается, как и любое другое приложение (и в этом её минус, нельзя использовать Jaxbot`s WP7 Lock Screen по прямому назначению), как только вы кликаете по ней, появляется так называемый экран блокировки. На этом экране отображаются уровень приема сигнала и название оператора, а также количество пропущенных сообщений и звонков, число непрочитанных писем. По центру экрана помещена информация о текущем времени и дате. Для разблокировки нужно потянуть страничку блокировки вверх. Никаких дополнительных функций или возможностей у утилиты нет
Чтобы опробовать мобильный интерфейс Windows, не обязательно менять смартфон. Экосистема Microsoft доступна и для пользователей других ОС, нужно только установить необходимые компоненты. Какие — сейчас расскажем.
Лаунчер
Arrow Launcher — одна из наиболее продвинутых оболочек, умная и адаптирующаяся к привычкам пользователя. Ближайшими аналогами Arrow Launcher можно назвать малоизвестные в России Aviate Yahoo и Nokia Z Launcher.
Microsoft Launcher
Microsoft CorporationЦена: Бесплатно
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Arrow предлагает множество жестов для управления и очень удобный интерфейс с пятью основными рабочими столами. Каждый предназначен для отдельной категории: приложения, сообщения и звонки, недавние действия и виджеты. Шторка остаётся стандартной. Значки приложений тоже не изменены, так что было бы неплохо установить отдельный пакет значков, например Stark или Minimal UI. Они позволят почти полностью имитировать внешний вид Windows 10 Mobile.
Приложение не найдено
К сожалению, Microsoft не рискнула выпустить оболочку для Android в стиле Windows 10. Поэтому стоит обратить внимание на приложения сторонних разработчиков, которых довольно много. Наилучшим выбором может стать SquareHome 2. Этот лаунчер полностью имитирует плиточный интерфейс последних версий Windows 10 Mobile.
Плитки настраиваются, перемещаются, добавляются — по одной или совместно. Плиткой можно сделать не только значок приложения, но и любой виджет, а потом подогнать его под нужный размер. Правда, в отличие от оригинальной системы, значки в SquareHome размещаются на страницах, как в обычных оболочках для Android.
Square Home
ChYK the devЦена: Бесплатно
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Обои
Конечно, для полного погружения необходим не только лаунчер, но и соответствующие обои. Они передают дух экосистемы не хуже более серьёзных настроек. Постоянно обновляющуюся подборку обоев, маскирующих Android под Windows 10 Mobile, можно найти здесь.
Экран блокировки
Экраны блокировки Microsoft представлены в Google Play сразу двумя приложениями, каждое из которых имеет собственные фишки.
Первое, Next Lock Screen, является, скорее, эстетической надстройкой над стоковым локскрином в стиле Windows Phone. Оно не заменяет экран блокировки и работает только в том случае, если гаджет разблокируется паролем или рисунком. Разблокировка при помощи сканера отпечатка пальцев или одной из функций Smart Lock сразу открывает рабочий стол, минуя все красоты Next Lock Screen. На локскрин можно вывести 5–10 часто используемых приложений, которые запускаются напрямую. Свайп вверх открывает список приложений, свайп вниз разблокирует устройство.
Вторая замена стоковому экрану блокировки — Picturesque Lock Screen, представляющий оболочку для Bing. После установки приложения не только меняется стиль экрана блокировки, но и выводятся разнообразные уведомления, результаты спортивных состязаний, новости и погода.
Элементы управления для этого локскрина противоположны используемым в Next: свайп вниз открывает доступ к быстрым настройкам и избранным приложениям, свайп вверх разблокирует гаджет. Если провести пальцем влево, можно получить доступ к новостям от Bing. При этом в верхней части каждого из экранов размещается панель Bing. Её можно использовать для поиска в контактах, приложениях или интернете без разблокировки устройства.
Cortana
По заявлениям разработчиков Microsoft, их голосовой помощник по всем параметрам обходит Siri и Google Now. Так ли это, лучше проверить самостоятельно. Cortana для Android так же, как и в фирменной системе, умеет синхронизировать оповещения между ПК на Windows 10 и смартфонами под управлением ОС от Google. К сожалению, работает она только на английском языке и в ближайшее время вряд ли появится поддержка русского. Кроме этого, наблюдаются проблемы при совместной работе Cortana и Google Now.
Приложение не найдено
Microsoft Apps
Конечно, без этого приложения нельзя представить работу с экосистемой Microsoft на Android. Это универсальная оболочка с доступом к списку фирменных приложений компании Microsoft Apps в Google Play и офисным файлам в памяти устройства. Такой список позволяет работать с программами напрямую, без использования стокового магазина для установки или удаления.
Связь с Windows
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Всех этих программ достаточно для того, чтобы опробовать возможности Windows 10 Mobile прямо сейчас. К сожалению, установка приложений на Android не позволит в полной мере ощутить плавность интерфейса, удобство использования системных приложений и продуманность настроек. Только общий вид и совсем немного программ. Сможете выжить со спартанским набором? Можно покупать смартфон на Windows 10 Mobile.
Our Windows Phone lockscreen serves two purposes. It gives us an opportunity to glance at key information without having to unlock our Windows Phone and it affords us an opportunity to stylize our phone’s appearance.
Through the native lockscreen settings you have the ability to customize the wallpaper that will appear and tweak what bits of information will appear. In addition to the native Windows Phone lockscreen settings, there are plenty of apps available in the Windows Phone Store to let you customize your lockscreen further.
While this may be old hat to some, we’ll touch base on a few of the options available to customize your Windows Phone lockscreen after the break.
In-House Settings
The in-house or native settings for your Windows Phone are clearly labeled on the settings menu under lock screen. Native settings include:
- Background Image: This is where you set your lockscreen wallpaper. You can choose an image from your Pictures Hub or choose any of the Windows Phone apps that offer lockscreen support to provide the image.
- Notifications: Here is where you choose an app to show detailed status/information from on your lockscreen. The most popular app may be the Windows Phone calendar but other options include Messaging, Email, or apps installed that have lockscreen support.
- Quick Status Widgets: The native lockscreen settings supports up to five quick status displays. These are the small icons that appear on your lockscreen to notify you of new emails, missed calls, new voice mails, etc. Several third party apps will have quick status support as well.
Two additional settings are present with the native settings. You can turn on/off the display that shows the artist when playing music and set the time limit for when the Windows Phone screen times out and the lockscreen is set. The current time range is limited to 30 seconds, 1, 3 and 5 minutes.
One quick note about using a third party app for your background image. There is a shortcut key on the native settings menu that will let you open that particular app and go directly to its lockscreen settings. This is a nice feature in that you don’t have to dig around the app to get to these settings.
Windows Phone Lockscreen Apps
Along with the native settings, there is a cornucopia of Windows Phone apps that have lockscreen support. Some allow you to populate the Windows Phone lockscreen with images and information generated by the app and some will offer you a wider range of customization tools. For example, Amazing Weather HD (store link) offers lockscreen support that will let you display weather information and custom images on your lockscreen. Today Widgets (store link) on the other hand will let you customize your lockscreen background image and display the weather and daily quotes to your Windows Phone lockscreen.
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In addition to Amazing Weather HD and Today Widgets, here are a few of the many Windows Phone apps that offer lockscreen support.
Wallpaper Patterns (free): If you are content with the native lockscreen settings for quick status items and information sources but want to spruce up your wallpaper, Wallpaper Patterns offers and endless source of color patterns to spruce up your Windows Phone. (Store link)
Awesome Lock (trial/$1.49): Awesome Lock lets you customize your lockscreen with images from four sources (Bing, your Galleries, 500px, and Facebook) or you can settle on a solid color. Along with the custom wallpapers, Awesome Lock can populate your lockscreen with weather forecast, stock information, news headlines, calendar appointments and twitter feeds. The customization goes a bit further by letting you set the news feeds, stocks to highlight and Twitter feeds to pull from. (Store link)
WPCentral (trial/$.99): It is time for a shameless plug for an app that our own Jay Bennett has done a fantastic job designing. Our lockscreen support adds the latest Windows Phone and Microsoft news items on your lockscreen to tease you just enough to dive into the full app. (Store link)
LockMix (free): Much like Today Widgets, LockMix lets you customize the lockscreen wallpaper and add informative widgets to the lockscreen layout. Image sources include Bing Images, 500px, a solid color or images from your Pictures Hub. Widgets include appointments, battery meter, Chuck Norris facts, news, RSS feeds, weather and more. (Store link)
Instagram Beta (free): While Instagram is a popular photo-sharing app for our Windows Phone, it also has lockscreen support that rotates your lockscreen wallpapers. The app offers two image feeds, home feed and my feed, and will rotate the images periodically. (Store link)
Photostream (free): Photostream taps into Flickr, 500px, your local photo albums and OneDrive albums to rotate your Windows Phone lockscreen wallpaper automatically. The rotation can be set as quickly as every thirty minutes to once a week and you have the ability to choose from image categories or specific albums. (Store link)
Weather Flow (trial/$1.99): While Amazing Weather HD is one of my favorite lockscreen apps, Weather Flow is not too far behind. The lockscreen support offers four image source options and three weather layout styles. (Store link)
Pokefondos ($.99): If you are a fan of Pokémon and minimalistic wallpapers, Pokefondos may have just what you’re looking for. The app has an extensive collection of minimalistic renderings of several generations’ worth of Pokémon characters. (Store link) Note: there is a free Lite version of Pokefondos that you can find here.
So what is your favorite lockscreen setup? For me, I use the native quick status icons for missed calls, new SMS and email messages with the Calendar as my app to show detailed status. I opted for Amazing Weather HD mainly because I can overlay the weather information on my own wallpaper image. It is a feature all weather apps with lockscreen support should have.
We’ve touch on several apps in the Windows Phone Store that offers lockscreen support as well as the native settings. If we’ve missed your favorite lockscreen app or would like to recommend your lockscreen set-up, feel free to sound off in the comments below.
George is the Reviews Editor at Windows Central, concentrating on Windows 10 PC and Mobile apps. He’s been a supporter of the platform since the days of Windows CE and uses his current Windows 10 Mobile phone daily to keep up with life and enjoy a game during down time.
Lock screen apps for Windows Phone allow you to personalize your lock screen. They also protect your privacy and help to ensure that no one gets into all confidential data in their mobile phones. Lock screen apps bring a degree of freedom to the screen.
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Check out the best 10 lock screen apps for Windows Phone:
1) Live Lock Screen BETA
This app lets you choose from six new lock screen layouts and add a distinctive touch to the Windows Phone. Each of these layouts comes with a revamped design for time, date and notifications along with a unique animation. Download this app today and get the latest incredible images from Bing every morning.
Cost: Free
Ratings: 4 out of 5 stars
Publisher: Microsoft Corporation
Works with: Windows Phone 8.1
Download Live Lock Screen BETA
2) PRIVATE Lite
PRIVATE Lite is one of the best lock screen apps for Windows Phone. The app features an ultimate variety of pattern lock designs, cloud support for videos, no limit on number of albums and more. With this app, you can lock down multiple images from gallery.
Cost: Free
Ratings: 4 out of 5 stars
Publisher: Shoalee
Works with: Windows Phone 7.5 and up
Download PRIVATE Lite
3) Animated LockScreen Preview
This free preview has four lock screens: Tokyo, Diagonal, Stripes, and Zoom. Animated LockScreen Preview is receiving amazing reviews from the users for its interesting features. The app has a user-friendly interface and is quite easy to operate.
Cost: Free
Ratings: 4 out of 5 stars
Publisher: Venetasoft
Works with: Windows Phone 8 and up
Download Animated LockScreen Preview
4) Lockie
Lockie is one the best lock screen apps available for your Windows Phone. It allows you to display weather, calendar events, note, quote, battery and more in the lock screen and live tile, in addition to several advance setting options. You can personalize accent color, live tile, lock screen, hourly format, and much more.
Cost: Free
Ratings: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Publisher: Zendios
Works with: Windows Phone 8 and up
Download Lockie
5) Lockmix
With Lockmix, you can easily arrange a variety of widgets to your lock screen. The app conveniently turns your lock screen into a grid where you can pin multiple tiles, which are updated regularly to display information. Also, you can pin each widget to the start screen as a live tile. It is one of the most recognized lock screen apps available for Windows Phone 8.
Cost: Free
Ratings: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Publisher: XPERIENSIS
Works with: Windows Phone 8 and up
Download Lockmix
6) Lock Screen
Download this app today and pin tile to start screen with custom color. This tile will lock screen once you tap on it. It is a simple to use app that comes with a host of useful features. The app is regularly updated to include new and exciting offers for the users.
Cost: $0.99
Ratings: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Publisher: Baby Dragon
Works with: Windows Phone 8 and up
Download Lock Screen
7) [+] Lockscreen
Lock Screen+ has thousands of beautiful pictures which perfectly add to your Phone. You can also add a DIY Calendar on the picture and highlight late information from the local calendar. Each day, you will have fresh and latest wallpaper.
Cost: Free
Ratings: 4 out of 5 stars
Publisher: Snack Studio
Works with: Windows Phone 7.5 and up
Download Lockscreen
Rotation Lock
Rotation LockThis useful app allows you to pin a tile to your start screen for quick access to rotation lock setting. The app has now a new friendly list to select theme color for the tile. Rotation Lock is a nice choice when looking for the best lock screen apps for Windows Phone.
Cost: Free
Ratings: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Publisher: Gabrhel Digital LLC
Works with: Windows Phone 8 and up
Download Rotation Lock
9) Lock Screen Text
Among popular lock screen apps, Lock Screen Text allows you to add any text you like to the lock screen. The app does not affect your background image and comes with exciting features. you can add to-do lists, emergency contacts, love notes etc.
Cost: $0.99
Ratings: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Publisher: Gabriel Caldwell
Works with: Windows Phone 8 and up
Download Lock Screen Text
10) Astronomy Lock Screen
It is one of the simplest lock screen apps available today. It automatically downloads the daily Astronomy Picture of the Day and you can use it as a lock screen using background agent. You can save the current image into Picture Gallery.
Cost: Free
Ratings: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Publisher: Martin Suchan
Works with: Windows Phone 8 and up
Download Astronomy Lock Screen
Which are your favorite lock screen apps? Let us know in the comments.
It might not look like much, but your Windows Phone lock screen can provide all manner of interesting and important information to you – and it can do this natively, without third party apps.
Lock screen settings are already included with Windows Phone 8, offering alerts for missed calls, new messages, calendar information and more.
Several apps you can install offer even more functionality, such as automatic lock screen background changers and messages – ideal for telling someone where to return a lost phone!
Native Lock Screen Settings
By default, the Windows Phone 8 lock screen will display the time – and that’s about it.
In order to get more information on your lock screen, you will need to open Settings > Lock screen. Here you will find a selection of powerful options to customize what is displayed on your phone’s lock screen.
Begin with the Background, which can be set to cycle through images from various places, such as the Photo tool, social apps and even third party lock screen apps (see below).
If you’re a music lover and want to see what tracks are currently playing, you can toggle the Show artist when playing music option to ensure that this happens.
The real power comes in the notifications section, however. Here you can choose from up to five apps for your lock screen, such as native features like the calendar, email inboxes and phone calls. Any apps that are designed to display lock screen information can also be added.
To add a lock screen status, tap the + button and select the appropriate app from the resulting menu. Note that you can also Choose an app to show detailed status – something like the calendar is particularly useful here.
With your options set, exit the Lock screen settings and lock your phone. When you view the lock screen from now on, it will display the information as configured.
Not Enough Functionality? Try Lock Screen Apps!
Of course, there is bound to be something you’re not seeing.
For instance, Windows Phone 8 doesn’t come with a built-in weather app (although curiously big brother Windows 8 does), so you might need to find a third party service to handle this, like those listed in our Best of Windows Phone index).
Additionally, you might like your lock screen to be a bit more functional in its offerings, perhaps providing space for you to leave contact details for forwarding a lost phone. Combining a lock screen app with the lock screen settings in Windows Phone 8 can deliver a striking and productive lock screen as seen above.
The following three free lock screen apps should prove useful…
Lock Screen Master
If you’re looking for control over your lock screen background, the Lock Screen Master app offers the ability to select albums from your Photo hub, as well as access to online image albums.
Better still, the app provides a setting for you to configure the delay between each lock screen background it cycles through.
All you need to do is make sure your selected photo album contains the images you want to see on your lock screen and the app will do the rest!
Here is an option which combines lock screen background image management with some additional widgets: Lock Widgets is a great addition as it delivers information about current and future weather to your phone.
Current Weather and Tomorrow’s Forecast can be displayed, while the Battery Meter is among the most accurate available on the platform.
Background images can be selected from Bing, NASA or your Photos hub, and the app requires your location in order to display the weather information.
Lost Phone Screen
You can also make use of your Windows Phone lock screen by putting some of its redundant space to work.
There are several apps offering this service, but Lost Phone Screen is the preference (and certainly has one of the best icons of any app anywhere!), offering a choice of static lock screen wallpaper and four lines with which to share your contact information and perhaps offer a reward if your lost phone is found. (We wouldn’t recommend relying only on this if your phone goes missing. Microsoft offers a good «Find My Phone» service via SkyDrive.)
You can also toggle whether or not the app leaves space for your phone to display the currently playing track.
Conclusion – Make Your Lock Screen Work For You!
While Windows Phone is by no means the only platform that offers lock screen summary information, it certainly offers a good selection of options, both with native settings and with third party apps.
Those featured here have been singled out as the best free options, but there are others. In fact, if you use any of the other app choices, why not tell us what they are? Also feel free to share your thoughts on lock screen apps and settings in general, particularly if you have a favoured configuration.
Image Credits: PlaceIt