Android phone users can now include their PCs in their digital ecosystem. Microsoft has announced that it is now allowing PC users to run their Android apps on their Windows 10 desktops. Building on existing mirroring features, this new addition to the Your Phone app is available to Windows 10 testers today. 

“Your Phone” and Windows 10

With this new feature, Android users can launch the Your Phone app on their Windows 10 PCs and open their Android apps from the list. Once users launch the app, it will appear on a separate window from Your Phone.

Support for Android apps also means users can multitask with both mobile and desktop apps using alt+tab. Users can even pin Android apps to the Start menu or the Windows 10 taskbar. ” extensions of their desktops. Just pin your favorite mobile apps to your taskbar to run them as if they were regular desktop programs.

Microsoft integrates Android apps into Windows 10 with new Your Phone update https://t.co/2kvUrb4bLT pic.twitter.com/3dsfOeAWml

— The Verge (@verge) August 5, 2020

“Your Phone” Functions for Windows 10

In a blog post, Microsoft said that later this year, it would allow Samsung Galaxy Note20 users to run both mobile and desktop apps side by side. Afterward, both Microsoft and Samsung will work together to scale the feature to more devices.

However, as of now, not all Android phones can enjoy the new Your Phone features. The Verge warns that some devices won’t be able to cast to other screens. Some apps could also fail to respond to keyboard or mouse inputs or may play audio from the phone instead of the PC. 

How to Use “Your Phone” for Windows 10

As of now, only Samsung users can access the new Your Phone features. Hopefully, Microsoft won’t take too long to launch the product. 

The post New Windows 10 Feature Integrates Android Apps to PCs first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Sam Arnold

Android users jealous of Apple’s AirDrop can now enjoy a similar feature on their devices. Google has announced that it is releasing Nearby Share, which allows Android devices to share files among one another. This feature also replaces Android Beam, Android’s former file sharing feature. With Nearby Share, Android users no longer need to download third-party apps to share photos or other files with other Android users.

How Android’s Nearby Share Works

Gizmodo reports that Nearby Share works similarly to AirDrop. The feature lets Android users share files with other nearby Android users quickly. They don’t need to use other apps like Google Drive or WhatsApp.

With Nearby Share, you can pick from any of the nearby Android devices for sharing files. Once the recipient agrees to receive your file, you can share your data wirelessly through Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, WebRTC, or direct wi-fi. Even without wi-fi or a mobile connection, Nearby Share will find a way to send your files.

Android's alternative to Apple's Airdrop is called 'Nearby Sharing' and it's rolling out todayhttps://t.co/CjKc3Sstnc pic.twitter.com/dpurJAmWwD

— Gizmodo (@Gizmodo) August 4, 2020

How Nearby Share Protects Your Privacy

With Nearby Share, users can send or receive files anonymously. If you want to send files but not your phone number or email address, you can do so, too. Recipients can also accept or decline your file-sharing requests. 

Which Android Devices Can Use Nearby Share?

Google says that Nearby Share is currently available only on selected Pixel and Samsung devices. Over the coming weeks, all Android users can use Nearby Share on their gadgets. In the coming months, Chromebook users can also try Nearby Share.

Android users can also look forward to more updates upon the release of Android 11. 

The post Android Rolls Out its Version Of Airdrop, “Nearby Share” first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Sam Arnold