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Microsoft continues to listen to their users when it comes to their apps and the latest update to Arrow Launcher is solid proof.  The update to Redmond’s Android launcher app brings fully customizable home pages to the launcher, a feature that many users of the app have requested.  Frankly, this was one of the key reasons I never stuck with Arrow long term as I couldn’t customize it the way I wanted like I can with the Google Now Launcher.  Now you can easily and freely setup the home page on the launcher the way you want with the apps you want.

Today’s Deal over at Amazon is on the Anker PowerCore 5000.  This 5000 mAh battery is designed to give most phones at least one full charge, with some getting two, all in a compact design.  Right now the PowerCore 5000 is on sale at Amazon for $14.39.  That is a savings of 71% over the regular price.  With that price, you get the external battery pack itself which is in a slim, cylindrical design, a MicroUSB cable and a travel pouch.  This charger is the battery pack my wife has used for years (she has the 4000 mAh model as it is a few years old) and it has been rock solid in durability and performance.

I’ll be honest: I have an on again/off again relationship with Fitbit.  I’ve been using their trackers for 6 years now and while my first tracker (the Ultra) was rock solid, the two subsequent models (the One and the Flex) have been less than stellar.  I found neither of these tracked exceptionally well and with the One in particular, I was constantly fighting to keep it connected to my Nexus 6 or 6P as the Bluetooth was just not reliable.

Initially, in an effort to find a tracking alternative, I started using Google Fit and my Moto 360 smartwatch to track my activities.  It was, shall we say, painful.  Syncing was not accurate nor were step and exercise tracking.  While Fit has grown up a lot, it still has some growing up to do.  That experiment lasted about three weeks and that was all I could really handle.

Finally I had enough and I decided to step way out of the bounds of what most people consider for a fitness tracker.  I picked up an Microsoft Band 2 and I have to say, it is a solid performing device that is very accurate in tracking your fitness information.  In fact, after two weeks of using it, my Fitbit One is now quietly sitting connected to its charging cable on my desk – untouched and likely not being touched for a while.  I’ve deleted the app from my 6P and moved to Microsoft Health for my exercise and step tracking.

To be sure, the Microsoft Band 2 is not perfect.  It has some things that need improvements, most notably how it tracks stairs and the overall weight of the device.  That said, I’m comfortable in recommending it.  It integrates nicely with Android thanks to the Microsoft Health app (and there is one for Windows 10 users too).  It ties in with other services and apps like Lose It!, MFitnessPal, RunKeeper and Strava, and it has a battery life of a couple of days.  That’s better than most smartwatches today which, in a limited way, the Band 2 can perform for you.

Here is my review of the Band 2 and the companion Microsoft Health app.

If you are considering a Huawei Honor device as your next Android phone, there is some good news for you today.  Taylor Wimberly, the eCommerce Customer Acquisition Manager for the company here in the US, posted on his Google+ account some exciting news around support for Honor devices.  In essence, if you buy one, you are going to be supported with software updates – minor and major – for up to 24 months.

From this year we are making a commitment to provide customers with access to new features (at least once every three months during the first 12 months) for up to 24 months following each product launch.

This is great news as one of the biggest problems in Androidville is device updates from manufactures.  Huawei is giving it a good effort and that should make you more confident in buying their devices.