Microsoft’s Picturesque brings Bing photos to your lock-screen

Microsoft has released Picturesque, a new Android lock-screen replacement application, in Google Play to get some eye-balls on its Bing search. The USP of the app is the periodic changing of the phone lock-screen background in sync with Bing’s homepage. The app allows you to change the image from past six Bing backgrounds by either shaking the device or swiping to the right.

Similar to stock Android 5.0 lock-screen, you can take a quick glance at your text messages, missed calls and other notifications right on the Picturesque lock-screen. The app also integrates the Bing search bar on the lock-screen for quick search without the need of unlocking the device. Microsoft has also enabled quick lock-screen toggles for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Brightness etc.

Here are some key features of the Microsoft Picturesque app:

• Beautiful Bing homepage images: Your lock-screen background will be updated with the daily Bing image.

• Search on the lock-screen: Search anything on the web right from the lock-screen.

• Latest news and weather info: Keep yourself updated with the latest news headlines and weather at your current location with detailed predictions.

• Notifications on lock-screen: See your missed calls and messages quickly on the lock-screen.

• Regional calendars & muhurats (Only for Indian users): Personalize the lock-screen to access regional calendars.

• Camera & phone controls: Access your phone camera, quick toggles for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Volume, Brightness settings and torch from the lock-screen

You can download the application from Google Play for free.