14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft rolled out today Windows 10 build 15007 and officially started testing, with help from insiders, a new feature that brings functionality similar to Apple’s very own Handoff.
Specifically, the digital assistant Cortana can now let you pick up from where you left off if the feature is enabled with the same account on multiple Windows 10 PCs. For example, if you’re browsing the web with Microsoft Edge on your desktop and then open your laptop, Cortana will let you load the same websites using a notification in the Action Center.
For the moment, this feature is limited to just Windows 10 PCs, and Windows 10 Mobile devices are not supported, as compared to Apple’s own implementation which works with both macOS and iOS devices.
How Microsoft’s feature works (as compared to Apple’s)
Microsoft explains how the new feature works (keep in mind that it’s still in its early days and more improvements should be added in the coming builds, including what could be support for Windows 10 Mobile phones):
“If you have multiple PCs, you probably know how cumbersome it can be to find everything you need to resume work after switching between PCs. Cortana can now help with that! When you switch computers, Cortana will display quick links in the Action Center to help you easily get back into the Microsoft Edge websites and SharePoint (or other cloud-based) documents you used most recently.”
Currently available in preview stage, picking up from where you left off should become available for all users with the final release of the Creators Update in April.
In the case of Apple, Handoff works with Macs, iPhones, iPads, iPods Touch, and even the Apple Watch, as long as these devices are signed in to iCloud with the same Apple ID. Bluetooth must be turned on and some devices also require Wi-Fi to be enabled.
Furthermore, Apple is also offering a universal clipboard, which lets you copy text, images, photos, and pretty much any content from one device and paste on another.