The massive image:(*11*) Microsoft actually needs you to make use of Windows’ Phone Link app. Once enabled, the quickest option to entry it was by way of the taskbar’s working processes menu. But now Windows is gearing as much as combine it instantly into the Start Menu as a permanent sidebar characteristic.
As proven within the screenshot above, you will be capable of entry your telephone’s most simple options instantly from the Start menu. These embody messages, calls, and pictures. You’ll additionally be capable of verify your handset’s battery standing and connectivity.
Microsoft is additionally touting a “continuity” expertise with the brand new integration, highlighting that you can decide up the place you left off with the most recent actions out of your telephone, proper from the Start Menu.
The characteristic is at present restricted to Android telephones however assist for Apple iOS is within the pipeline. They’re holding quiet concerning the actual timeline, however it’s coming.
To get in on the motion as we speak, you’ll have to be working Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.3790 or larger within the Beta Channel. Your Phone Link app also needs to be model 1.24052.124.0 or newer. Microsoft says they will be increasing to different Insider Channels down the street.
An enormous criticism with newer Windows 11 builds is all of the litter they’ve launched, together with new taskbar icons nobody requested for and adverts in all of the incorrect locations (not that there is any proper place for them).
An enormous criticism with newer Windows 11 builds is all of the litter they’ve launched, together with new taskbar icons nobody requested for and adverts in all of the incorrect locations (not that there is any proper place for them). Thankfully, for these apprehensive about this characteristic taking on their Start Menu, it will be disabled by way of Settings > Personalization > Start.
Microsoft has been centered on leveling up Phone Link as of late. This week, the corporate rolled out a nifty “Scan Text” characteristic to the app. It’s basically an optical character recognition (OCR) device that permits customers to extract textual content from photographs of their Android telephone’s gallery instantly onto their PC.
With Phone Link, Microsoft seems to be taking cues from Apple’s playbook, aiming for that seamless connection between macOS and that iPhone. The many goodies the characteristic contains are additionally a probably an end result of Microsoft’s cozy collaboration with Samsung, engaged on making the expertise between Windows 11 and Samsung gadgets clean. The firm additionally prolonged assist to different Android telephones and even iPhones final 12 months.