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Windows 10 and Android are now the perfect match
Microsoft's new approach to mobile is pure pragmatism: Play nice with everyone, and get their users hooked on Microsoft apps. With the demise of Windows Phone -- a noble effort, especially after the 2011 Nokia partnership -- the company really has no choice. But now Microsoft is moving beyond merely getting its apps onto other platforms: It's integrating Android in Windows 10 with the "Your Phone" app, which gives you instant access to your mobile photos and text messages on the desktop. During its Surface launch event this week, Microsoft gave us a peek at something even more impressive: the ability to completely mirror your Android phone on Windows 10. All of a sudden, there's a much bigger reason for Windows users to avoid the iPhone.
Windows 10 will soon mirror your Android phone screen on your PC
Never mind running mobile apps on a PC -- Microsoft wants you to see your phone's particular apps on a PC. At the company's Surface event, mobile general manager Shilpa Ranganathan previewed a Windows 10 feature that would mirror your phone's entire screen on the desktop. You could see and reply to a Snapchat conversation without having to reach for the device on your desk. It's not certain when this will be available (it's not part of Windows 10's October Update), but it's likely to be Android-only. It's certainly a practical addition if you're tired of switching devices just to keep up with every social network you use.
Microsoft’s phone-to-Windows app is available for Android
If you've been waiting to be able to access your Android phone's files and notifications on your Windows desktop, you can relax. The PC app, called "Your Phone," is now available for everyone, not just Insiders.
Windows 'Your Phone' app gives you access to Android files on a PC
If you have an Android device and happen to be a Windows Insider in the Fast ring, as well, you're among the first people who can take Microsoft's "Your Phone" app for a spin. Microsoft has started testing the experimental application, which gives you easy access to the files on your phone from a Windows 10 PC. Sure, you can use third-party and cloud services (or you can email yourself), but the feature promises a more seamless way to access files across devices. When you access Your Phone on a computer, you'll see the most recent snapshots on your Android device. You'll then be able to drag and drop them straight into another app, like PowerPoint if you're doing a presentation.
Microsoft Build 2018 by the numbers
During a marathon presentation at the annual Build developers conference, Microsoft executives laid out their vision of a smarter, more responsive IoT-driven future. The company is leveraging AI to better serve those with physical disabilities, repurposing the Kinect to boost its Azure development, and investing heavily in its developer community. Numbers because how else would we have realized the keynote went on for longer than Infinity War?
Windows' 'Your Phone' puts mobile files and alerts within reach
Satya Nadella hasn't even taken the stage to kick off Microsoft's Build developer conference here in Seattle, but the company has already released some news ahead of its opening-day keynote. Among the tidbits is that Windows is soon getting something called "Your Phone," a drag-and-drop experience that makes it easier for Windows users to access their phone's notifications and files from their desktop. Though this experience is at its best with Android phones, Microsoft is also providing some limited continuity for iOS devices in the form of shared browsing data. The catch? You need Microsoft's Edge browser installed on both your Windows machine and iPhone or iPad.
