Windows 11 could get a Hand Off feature that brings Apple-like convenience in integrating your phone and PC
Date:
Wed, 25 Sep 2024 15:48:54 +0000
Description:
New feature lets you seamlessly continue tasks across devices, connecting
your phone and PC via OneDrive.
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Windows 11 could get another feature to develop a tighter level of integration between your PC and smartphone, and its called Hand Off.
Windows Latest noticed that a Windows tester on X, @techosarusrex, pointed out the feature in a tweet, having discovered the hidden capability in a recent Beta channel preview of Windows 11 (build 22635). Windows 11 will be getting some new continue from device/handoff capabilities (seen in build 22635.4225)
https://t.co/xxD7GiQz5J pic.twitter.com/kOMNYUJGDm September 21, 2024
Windows Latest observes that the Hand Off feature looks to be related to the Continue from Phone functionality the tech site previously wrote about a few months back (also in testing).
Whatever the case, the screenshots provided on X give us more clues as to how it might work, as there are settings to control which apps can use Hand Off (only OneDrive right now), as well as a toggle to turn on (or off) the actual Hand Off feature itself.
The overall idea is that when a Hand Off is available - meaning the ability
to carry on what you were doing on your phone, on your PC instead when you return to sit at your computer - an icon will appear in the taskbar to notify you. As shown, when youre back at your PC, itll allow you to, for example, pick up work on a document you were previously editing on your phone.
As far as we can tell, this ability wont be limited to Android phones, and
you should be able to carry on your activity from an iPhone as well (we dont see why not). While OneDrive is the only option to use with Hand Off currently, this is very early (still hidden) work in testing - so broader support for more apps could be brought in yet. (Image credit: Shutterstock/sergey causelove) How does Hand Off fit in with Continue from Phone?
Exactly how Continue from Phone and Hand Off are related remains to be seen - the latter could even be the new name for the former. Clearly they are tied together closely, though, but well just have to wait for more details on exactly how Hand Off will work (assuming it ever goes live in testing, that is). Its possible Hand Off could work in both directions, meaning you can
pick up activity from your PC on your phone, too.
Some of you may have noticed the similarity between this hidden Windows 11 feature and Apple s Handoff functionality, which allows users to seamlessly continue activities between their iPhone, iPad, and Mac. With Apples Handoff, you can start an email on your iPhone, for instance, and pick up where you left off on your Mac.
Windows 11s Continue from Phone and Hand Off features aim for a similarly seamless experience, but whatll be interesting is that given Apples Handoff
is tied to its iCloud ecosystem, whether Microsofts take will only be usable with OneDrive. Or, as mentioned above, whether support will be made more expansive.
Smoother and more robust integration between Windows 11 and smartphones will give users a reason to stick with the OS, and I think if Microsoft focuses on improving this aspect, it will prove fruitful. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE... Heads
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Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/windows-11-could-get-a-hand-off-fe ature-that-brings-apple-like-convenience-in-integrating-your-phone-and-pc
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