14 DAY TRIAL // 2017 could be the year of Windows phones, as Microsoft itself has promised more “cool features” for Windows 10 Mobile, most likely planned to ship with the Redstone 2 update in the spring.
And information provided by the firm at the Ignite conference provides us with a quick glimpse into some of the new features coming in Redstone 2 for mobile devices and scheduled to become available for insiders in the coming builds.
First and foremost, Microsoft will focus specifically on improving Continuum, so Windows 10 Mobile devices will get new features to double as a PC when connected to an external monitor in a more effective way.
Neowin writes that Microsoft will make it possible to use resizable windows with Continuum, allowing you to snap them just like on the desktop. For the moment, Continuum offers an experience that’s similar to the one in tablet mode, with apps running in full screen, but starting with Redstone 2, apps can be resized and snapped on the screen just like on the desktop.
A more PC-like experience
And these changes do not stop here. The migration towards the PC will continue with options to pin apps to the taskbar, as you can do on the desktop, but also with Start menu customization options. This means that the phone can be further configured in Continuum mode to work more like a PC and this is what Microsoft has been aiming for from the very beginning.
Additionally, Microsoft will introduce a new feature that is currently called “Proximity Connect” and which will automatically push a phone into Continuum mode once it’s in the range of a wireless adapter. This should help perform the transition to the PC mode faster, especially when you arrive at the office.
These features should become available for insiders in the coming builds and then launch for everyone in the spring when the Redstone 2 update goes live. Without a doubt, there’s more to come for phones, especially because Continuum isn’t Microsoft’s only focus, but we’ll definitely find out more in the coming months.