14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft confirmed at some point plans to add USB flash drive support (OTG) for Windows Phone, but users have yet to receive the promised feature.
Although it was initially planned for Windows Phone 8.1, USB OTG (on-the-go) support has not been added yet. Not even in Windows Phone 8.1 Update 2 that's only available on some Lumia smartphones.
However, the Redmond-based company demoed the new feature on Windows 10 for Phones, which means that they have already managed to implement it, so that users can to take advantage of USB OTG when the new OS gets released.
During one of the many BUILD 2015 presentations, Microsoft demoed USB OTG support and how it will work on Lumia smartphones.
As NPU points out, the device used for the demo was a brand-new development Nokia Lumia smartphone that we haven't seen yet. The phablet might or might not be offered to developers after Windows 10 gets released, but for now it's one of the few that support USB OTG.
As seen in the video, those who use Windows 10 smartphones will be able to attach flash drives to their phones and watch movies or clips stored on the drive.
USB OTG available only on devices with USB dual-role hardware support
Microsoft claims that USB OTG support is limited to devices with USB dual-role hardware support, which is why the feature was demoed on a prototype Lumia smartphones.
The video also shows a slightly different 4-column start screen, which is a change for Windows 10 for Phones. A “File explorer” application will be included in a future Windows 10 for Phones Technical Preview build, so it will be easier to browse files stored on the phone.
Last but not least, Microsoft also explains how Windows 10 for Phones devices will interact with Arduino via USB. All these features and more will be part of Windows 10 for Phones.
According to Microsoft, the new operating system will arrive on PC this summer, while smartphone users will have to wait until fall to get the new version.
