Microsoft's Windows 10 Fall Update Will Link With iOS for Easy App Switching Across Devices

[MacRumors]

At its Build 2017 conference this morning Microsoft announced that its upcoming Windows 10 Fall Creators Update will include integration with iOS, allowing developers using Microsoft Graph to link desktop apps to mobile apps on both iPhone and Android devices (via The Verge). Users will be able to start apps on a Windows computer and, with the help of Microsoft's AI Cortana, pick up their iPhone to resume the experience exactly where they left off.

The update will also include a multi-platform cloud clipboard that will let users copy content and paste it across Windows, iOS, and Android. The new multi-device transition features coming to Windows 10 function similarly to Continuity on iOS and macOS devices.

Cortana lets users pick up where they left off on other devices​

This new pick up feature is particularly useful on mobile devices, where Microsoft hopes app developers will start to link their desktop apps to resume experiences on devices like an iPhone or Android handset. Microsoft is also creating a cloud clipboard that will roam across Windows, iOS, and Android to let people copy content from a PC and paste it on a phone.

Other Windows 10 updates coming this fall include Timeline, which works in conjunction with the cross-platform pick-up feature and shows users a list of previously used apps across their devices. Additionally, OneDrive Files On-Demand will introduce an easier way to control when documents are downloaded to a device from the cloud, and a cosmetic update to Fluent Design will subtly change how the OS looks.

Timeline on Windows 10​

The company continued integration with Apple's ecosystem by announcing the Xamarin Live Player preview, a live coding environment that will let developers test and debug iOS apps on Windows computers, which marks the first time iPhone and iPad apps can be developed without needing a Mac (via Thurott). Live Player will launch as an extension of the just-launched Visual Studio IDE, and will come with an app for iOS [Direct Link] and Android.

With Xamarin Live Player, developers will be able to do everything from their Windows-based PC: Just connect your Android device, iPhone, or iPad to the PC via USB and you can target those devices directly during development.

"Simply pair your device with Visual Studio by scanning a QR code, and hit debug like you normally would," Nat explains. "The application is deployed in seconds to the Live Player app, enabling you to quickly develop and test your changes without having to recompile and redeploy your application. And you can set breakpoints and debug your application, on device, and over the air."

Microsoft Build 2017 started on May 10 and ends tomorrow, May 12, and includes technical sessions and keynote speakers centered on developers and the tools they use to create applications and services. More information about upcoming Build 2017 events can be found right here.

Article Link: Microsoft's Windows 10 Fall Update Will Link With iOS for Easy App Switching Across Devices

 

[dgr874]

iTunes coming to the Windows Store too! WTH, has hell frozen over????

 

[Appleaker]

Wow this really competes with great features in macOS, which for some people play a role in keeping them on the platform.
It depends how they pull it off but something like this could be impactful, especially a copy and paste and possible AirDrop-like system.
I am hoping this pushes Apple to do more with continuity.... and other unique features that Microsoft has 'taken inspiration from' lately.

 

[Xavier]

Microsoft seem to be getting it right lately. This is appealing.

 

[Mathias Denichi]

If they get iMessage and Continuity phone calls to windows 10, I'm 100% dumping the iPad and MacBook for a SP4/5

 

[CrystalPepsi]

How will this work? Won't iOS 11 need to create an API to allow this sort of integration? If so, will Linux and other OSes get to partake?

 

[fenderbass146]

If they get iMessage and Continuity phone calls to windows 10, I'm 100% dumping the iPad and MacBook for a SP4/5

I just tried making the switch to a sp4 and am returning it. The battery life is horrendous, but If they fix this and get the features you mention plus a decent apple photo competitor id switch in a heartbeat...which is why it will never happen.

 

[JMacHack]

Maybe it will work, but will it work well?

 

[lostczech]

Xamarin is huge news. Not having to develop iOS apps on a Mac?? Maybe that's why we got the Mac Pro news from Apple. They might realize their stronghold on iOS development is coming to an end (unless they actually do something on the Mac side of things).

 

[keysofanxiety]

Maybe it will work, but will it work well?

I doubt it.

 

[convergent]

How will this work? Won't iOS 11 need to create an API to allow this sort of integration? If so, will Linux and other OSes get to partake?

Looks to be enabled through OneDrive and Cortana that are already on iOS. Slick stuff... very impressed with where Microsoft is headed and happy to have just bought a Surface Pro 4.
[doublepost=1494525672][/doublepost]

Maybe it will work, but will it work well?

I'm sure there will be glitches, but the cloud based services this is based on I already use and they work very well. Time will tell.

 

[Mathias Denichi]

I just tried making the switch to a sp4 and am returning it. The battery life is horrendous, but If they fix this and get the features you mention plus a decent apple photo competitor id switch in a heartbeat...which is why it will never happen.

Its bad, but not much worse than the 13in 2016 MBP with Touchbar that I have. I was able to at least get 8 hours with a few power modifications on my i7/256/16gb SP4. My issue is lack of TB3, USB C, and LTE, which the Galaxy Book seems to be doing this, but I don't trust Samsung.

Ill take form factor over battery life.

 

[JorgTheElder]

Its bad, but not much worse than the 13in 2016 MBP with Touchbar that I have. I was able to at least get 8 hours with a few power modifications on my i7/256/16gb. My issue is lack of TB3, USB C, and LTE, which the Galaxy Book seems to be doing this, but I don't trust Samsung.

Ill take form factor over battery life.

I bought a refurbished SP4 and I am really enjoying it. It is a nice upgrade from my SP3. The battery life is ok, but it is a lot better if you remember to turn down the screen brightness. I am amazed/horrified at how quickly the battery drains with the screen at 80% brightness.
[doublepost=1494527171][/doublepost]

Maybe it will work, but will it work well?

Microsoft is the king of "good enough". Here is hoping that it turns our better than "good enough."

 

[Pakaku]

If they get iMessage and Continuity phone calls to windows 10, I'm 100% dumping the iPad and MacBook for a SP4/5

If they get those, I'd finally consider updating past Windows 7 of all things

 

[pika2000]

Maybe it will work, but will it work well?

This. Apple keeps certain things for their first party apps only. Just look at Android wear. Its functionality pales in comparison to the native Apple Watch. Heck, just look how Push Bullet works. It works, but not as seamless as Apple's own ecosystem.
[doublepost=1494528275][/doublepost]

Microsoft seem to be getting it right lately. This is appealing.

Well, they have to. Their own mobile OS is not getting any traction, thus their current mobile strategy is to be platform agnostic. And in actuality, MS does work closely with Apple (Siri uses Bing, for example).

 

[convergent]

This. Apple keeps certain things for their first party apps only. Just look at Android wear. Its functionality pales in comparison to the native Apple Watch. Heck, just look how Push Bullet works. It works, but not as seamless as Apple's own ecosystem.

I would encourage you to watch the Microsoft keynote where they demo'd this in action... it is pretty slick and something that would heavily boost productivity much more than Apple's continuity.

This is a Windows centric model, so the assumption is that you are landing on a Windows computer at some point; although I'm not sure if its required. I live every day in Microsoft Office, as well as most of the business world. That is also a key part of this. So they are providing this continuity across your "devices" that aren't Windows based via the cloud. The first party here is Microsoft for a lot of this ... if you are using Office 360 (including OneDrive). Apple is not the first party for this stuff. So what you say is true, but its in reverse.

Apple's continuity, in contrast, is doing its thing with Messaging for me primarily. And I guess photos as well. Getting messaging to flow to a Windows computer is not going to happen until Apple wants it to happen, and I doubt they ever will. A lot of people I think would be more willing to jump off the iPhone train if Apple's messaging was multi-vendor. Even as I move to Microsoft for other things, that is one thing that with my family being all iPhone would be hard to swallow. But for business and productivity, what Microsoft is doing here looks really good to me. It looks like they are doing most of it via OneDrive and Cortana on iOS... both are already there and work well so its just adding additional capability. Cortana will provide the view of what you were doing last and do you want to continue, and OneDrive will provide the on demand file access. For my working life, this is a very big deal.

 

[aaronhead14]

If they can figure out a way for me to text on Windows (like the Messages app for Mac), that would be amazing.

 

[murdoc2k]

Microsoft seem to be getting it right lately. This is appealing.

Microsoft has just taken "copyright" to the next level

 

[QuarterSwede]

If they get iMessage and Continuity phone calls to windows 10, I'm 100% dumping the iPad and MacBook for a SP4/5

I still wouldn't. I use the latest version of Win 10 and while it's the best version of Windows I've used to date I still greatly prefer MacOS even with it stagnating in recent releases.

 

[pika2000]

I would encourage you to watch the Microsoft keynote where they demo'd this in action... it is pretty slick and something that would heavily boost productivity much more than Apple's continuity.

This is a Windows centric model, so the assumption is that you are landing on a Windows computer at some point; although I'm not sure if its required. I live every day in Microsoft Office, as well as most of the business world. That is also a key part of this. So they are providing this continuity across your "devices" that aren't Windows based via the cloud. The first party here is Microsoft for a lot of this ... if you are using Office 360 (including OneDrive). Apple is not the first party for this stuff. So what you say is true, but its in reverse.

Apple's continuity, in contrast, is doing its thing with Messaging for me primarily. And I guess photos as well. Getting messaging to flow to a Windows computer is not going to happen until Apple wants it to happen, and I doubt they ever will. A lot of people I think would be more willing to jump off the iPhone train if Apple's messaging was multi-vendor. Even as I move to Microsoft for other things, that is one thing that with my family being all iPhone would be hard to swallow. But for business and productivity, what Microsoft is doing here looks really good to me. It looks like they are doing most of it via OneDrive and Cortana on iOS... both are already there and work well so its just adding additional capability. Cortana will provide the view of what you were doing last and do you want to continue, and OneDrive will provide the on demand file access. For my working life, this is a very big deal.

I actually tried the notification access feature on Android, which is more "liberal" in terms of API access than iOS. Installed cortana, set everything up with my Surface Pro 4, and it sucks. It cannot even deliver notifications on time, which is highly critical.

Considering Apple themselves have quirks on their own continuity on their own platform, not sure how smooth MS can do this (heck, they cannot even make OneDrive service as good as Google/Dropbox).

 

[convergent]

I just tried making the switch to a sp4 and am returning it. The battery life is horrendous, but If they fix this and get the features you mention plus a decent apple photo competitor id switch in a heartbeat...which is why it will never happen.

I am very happy with the switch to SP4, but I use a Dell computer for work that is what I'd mainly planned to displace... now I'm loving it and believe my Mac can go by the wayside to and I have one device to do everything. Its not a bad tablet either. Battery life is not the greatest, but its also not what I'd call horrendous (like the Dell 7275 that gets about 2 hours). This is why a lot of speculation of a Koby Lake based SP5 has been floating around... but seems that isn't forthcoming.
[doublepost=1494530865][/doublepost]

I actually tried the notification access feature on Android, which is more "liberal" in terms of API access than iOS. Installed cortana, set everything up with my Surface Pro 4, and it sucks. It cannot even deliver notifications on time, which is highly critical.

Considering Apple themselves have quirks on their own continuity on their own platform, not sure how smooth MS can do this (heck, they cannot even make OneDrive service as good as Google/Dropbox).

I guess its depends on how you are using OneDrive. I use it heavily for work and 99% of the time it works perfectly keeping everything sync'd across my devices. OneDrive does a lot of things for me that Google/Dropbox I don't think can do... what are you finding that it can't do?

 

[modemthug]

If they get iMessage and Continuity phone calls to windows 10, I'm 100% dumping the iPad and MacBook for a SP4/5

You'd have to be mad to leave OS X for Windows 10. There are so many minor frustrations that you have to deal with and unexpected errors and just general bullsh*t.

I have an IT services company that supports Macs and PCs and mobile devices (plus servers, networking equipment, etc.). If everyone was on a Mac we'd lose probably 80% of our billable hours for desktop support. PCs just break that much.

Plus you have to literally edit the hosts file to prevent Microsoft from logging your every move and keep an eye on the hosts file after every update to make sure they didn't reenable what is, by definition, built-in spyware. This is not hyperbole.

 

[pika2000]

I guess its depends on how you are using OneDrive. I use it heavily for work and 99% of the time it works perfectly keeping everything sync'd across my devices. OneDrive does a lot of things for me that Google/Dropbox I don't think can do... what are you finding that it can't do?

For me, a cloud-based file syncing service has one critical feature, which is how quick it detects changes on the local file to sync it to the cloud. Dropbox, almost immediately, always. Google Drive, close, but sometimes it takes a few seconds to start syncing. OneDrive, I actually timed it a few times and often it takes minutes (40 minutes was the longest) before it detects and syncs any changes to the cloud. That is ridiculous, and defeats the purpose of the service. (all of these are clients on a Mac).

 

[2ilent8cho]

Redmonds photocopiers must be on FIRE!

 

[Sill]

iTunes coming to the Windows Store too! WTH, has hell frozen over????

Steve Jobs made a statement over 15 years ago that people had to get over the idea that for Apple to win, Microsoft had to lose. As a result of that cooperation we had some pretty good software released for the Mac, most notably MS Office. The platform was shored up when Apple and its users needed that the most.
It looks like the current - and very practical - CEO of MS has realized the same thing. He's facilitating Windows/iOS integration like never before. This will benefit everyone.

I really wish Satya had a chance to work with Steve Jobs. I firmly believe the entire computing industry would have benefited from their collaboration.