14 DAY TRIAL // With Windows 10 build 15031, Microsoft is introducing a new feature called Compact Overlay window, which is essentially picture-in-picture support for universal apps published in the Store.
Picture-in-picture, which comes in super handy on TVs, but also made its way to PCs with third-party apps, allows users to continue watching a movie or talking with friends in a video chat without actually closing the apps and using a smaller window that remains on top of all the other apps.
The new Compact Overlay window support is being added in the upcoming Windows 10 Creators Update, but developers need to add this feature in their apps.
“Some tasks don’t require the user’s full attention but is perfect to leave at the corner of the screen so we’re introducing a new compact overlay mode for UWA app developers,” Microsoft explains.
“When an app window enters compact overlay mode it’ll be shown above other windows so it won’t get blocked. The best part is that compact overlay windows work just like normal windows in all other ways so app developers can tailor the experience with what they already know.”
Microsoft to add picture-in-picture support to its own apps
Microsoft itself will pioneer the adoption of picture-in-picture support in Windows 10 Creators Update, so it’ll update its own apps to support the feature. Movies & TV app and Skype Preview will be the first two apps getting this functionality in future updates, so expect more information to be provided soon.
The Windows 10 Creators Update is projected to launch in April, so Microsoft is expected to further improve picture-in-picture support by the time the operating system update becomes available. Developers, however, can already start planning in advance should they want their apps to support Compact Overlay windows, especially in the case of multimedia players and messaging apps.
It goes without saying that this new feature will be exclusive to PCs running the Windows 10 Creators Update, even though in some cases, such functionality could be very useful on mobile devices as well.