14 DAY TRIAL // The latest firmware update released for Microsoft’s Surface Duo brings some pretty good news for users in North America and Europe, as it includes support for running Android apps on the desktop.
The whole thing happens via the Your Phone app, which allows users to mirror the apps on their mobile devices right on their Windows desktops.
The latest update (version 2022.111.64) also includes device and UI stability improvements, system performance refinements, and security patches that were included in the February 2022 Android security bulleting.
Microsoft says it has also improved the Android Auto experience, but no further information on this front has been provided.
Android apps on the desktop
Microsoft is also working on bringing Android apps to the Windows desktop in Windows 11. The feature is already available in a public preview in the United States, and the company is expected to expand it to more regions in the coming months.
The Android apps can be downloaded from the Microsoft Store via the Amazon Appstore, and they come with several native Windows features, including support for pinning them to the taskbar.
“We are adding over 1,000 more apps and games in partnership with the Amazon Appstore. Windows 11 users in the U.S. can access the Amazon Appstore Preview in the Microsoft Store, and popular apps like Audible, Kindle, Subway Surfers, Lords Mobile, Khan Academy Kids and many more. This experience, built on the Android platform and supported by Intel Bridge Technology, introduces a new category of mobile apps and games available for Windows,” Microsoft said earlier this month.
At this point, there’s no ETA as to when Microsoft could expand this feature to more regions across the world, but the whole thing shouldn’t take too long given this can be enabled with updates shipped via Windows Update for these computers.