Coming straight outta Microsoft’s Garage, a creative nexus in which the company’s hackers, makers, artists, tinkerers, musicians, inventors get together and throw around ideas, is a new Android app that goes by the name of Picturesque Lock Screen. The app basically functions as a time-saving feature to bring up important information when your screen is still locked, and as the name suggests, in the background will be something appealing to the eye delivered by Bing.

The app, which can be downloaded now in the Google Play marketplace, was created for busy professionals requiring relevant information at a glance. It features a calendar that will bring up important meetings, things to do, etc; a one-swipe dial that will enable connection to conference calls; a search feature that allows you to use Bing still in lock screen mode; the ability to see the latest news and also change your settings (volume, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi); as well as giving you quick access to your most-used apps based on where you are. The picturesque background can also be changed depending on your location, and all you have to do is shake or swipe the phone.

Reviews of the app have been generally positive so far, with one user calling it “The best lock screen I have used period”. At time of writing the app has received a 4.0 rating from 867 reviews.

Microsoft is surely hoping with the new app to persuade users to search in Bing as a Google search will take a few more seconds to do. A few seconds is a long time in the mobile age, so don’t be surprised if this simple looking and simple sounding creation from The Garage pulls in quite a few users.

Photo credit: Microsoft