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Microsoft Launcher has a new update rolling out that should get those of you who are on the Fall Creators Update for Windows 10 excited.  The updated version of what was once known as Arrow Launcher is build 4.1.1.37741 and it brings with it a Fluent Design inspired look to the Utility page.

For those who are not Windows users, Fluent Design is Microsoft’s take on the semi-transparent look of apps that you find in MacOS and mobile.  To this point, the Utility page has had two themes:  Light or Dark.  Now you can change that to be transparent and can adjust how much blur you want behind the cards or widget.

Essential Phone owners, you have a small but important update rolling out to you today.  The company Tweeted earlier today that build NMJ20D is rolling out to owners that fixes some vulnerabilities as well as adding a few new features.

First, before you get all excited, no, this is not bringing you Oreo.  The update is only 75MB in size so this is truly an incremental update.

As for what is fixed, a fair amount.  First, this build patches the KRACK WiFi vulnerability and brings the October Android Security Update patches to the phone.  There are also improvements in the touch screen performance as well as overall system improvements for performance.

The big new feature, fingerprint scanner gestures.

If you are looking to have the new Pixel 2 launcher look and feel on your current phone, the latest update to Action Launcher is your ticket.  The update, version 30.2 for those keeping score at home, brings all of the goodness that is in Google’s new default launcher to any phone without rooting.  In fact, looking at it side-by-side with the Pixel 2 launcher, it is all-but identical plus you have a lot of tweaks that you can do that are not available in the Google launcher.

Action Launcher in this update has brought the At A Glance feature, giving you the date and weather at the top of the display on your Home page and updating with calendar notifications when you have an upcoming appointment.  Functionally, it is the same as the Pixel 2 launcher and it looks identical.

Here is another great Today’s Deal for everyone, especially those who use Amazon Alexa and Amazon Echo devices already.  Today only you can pick up an Amazon Echo Dot for $39.  That is a savings of $10 and the pricing is good on either the black or white models to match your decor.

The promotion on the Amazon Echo Dot is on the 2nd generation of the smaller Echo device and these are new units.  They are not refurbished.  The Echo Dot gives you hands-free access to Amazon Alexa, the company’s Artificial Intelligence powered personal assistant, and allows you to access thousands of skills to control your smart home devices or other services.  The Echo Dot has 7 far-field microphones built in so it can easily handle being the primary device in a room.