Microsoft is rolling out a new Windows 10 Insider Build that brings option to connect Android and iOS devices with Windows 10. At Build 2017, Microsoft detailed its plan to link Android and iPhones with Windows 10 and now it is allowing Insiders to test the feature.
As part of this effort, Microsoft has announced , which brings cross-device web browsing. The new link feature will allow Build 16251 users to share a link from their mobile device directly to a Windows 10 PC. Apple has also tried a similar feature called Handoff but Microsoft plans to add more useful features including ability to share contents between cross-platform devices. The feature is only supported by Android devices for now but will soon be rolled out for iPhone as well.
The feature can be enabled by downloading Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 16251 and linking your phone from Settings > Phone. Once the device is linked, testers will be redirected to download a test application called "Microsoft Apps" for Android that completes the process of interlinking mobile and Windows 10 PC. Once linked, Android users can send any weblink to Windows 10 PC by clicking on share and then tapping "Continue on PC" option.
Once the option is selected, Windows Insiders will have to authenticate themselves by signing in with their Microsoft Account. Once authenticated, insiders can either continue testing the feature or continue later. Microsoft says web browsing is one of the first cross-device feature and it is also working on an ability to copy and paste between devices with the help of universal clipboard and SwiftKey keyboard.
Microsoft has also enhanced its digital assistant Cortana with the new preview build. With Build 16251, Windows users can view Cortana results within the digital assistant and it works across movies, celebrities, stock prices, weather and flight status. Earlier, Cortana would launch browser to showcase the results. Microsoft has already enabled Cortana to talk users through Windows 10 update process and now users can Cortana to lock, sign-out, shutdown or turn off their PC.
The new build also brings improvements to Edge browser and enables Game Mode by default in the Game Bar for some games. It also brings commandline improvements, improved boot up experience and improvements to input option.