Microsoft testing a handoff like feature for Windows 10 Anniversary Update

[AlTech]

Microsoft is testing out a handoff like feature (See IOS 8 and OS X Yosemite Handoff) to allow Windows 10 Devices to be able to continue from one device to another.

 

For example, starting an email on your phone and then switching to a laptop for finishing the email.

 

 

Microsoft is testing this in their latest Windows 10 Insider Preview Fast RIng Builds. Let's hope this is released in the anniversary update. This is rumored to require Bluetooth 4.0 + LE so any phone and laptop, tablet or desktop with that should work.

 

 

 

As of now it has not been implemented yet but they are certainly testing it internally.

 

Microsoft has started testing its app handoff feature, a term popularised by

Apple when it introduced Handoff alongside iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite, allowing apps to handover data across devices (such as laptops and smartphones) so that users can continue where they left off. The Redmond giant had revealed it had started work on the feature at the Build conference last month. The Windows 10 feature, codenamed Project Rome, aims to let Windows 10 apps connect and share data with other devices via Bluetooth and the Internet.

As spotted by a Reddit user in the latest Windows 10 Insider Preview build of the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, the privacy section now includes a new toggle option that says, "Let apps on your other devices launch apps and continue experiences on this device over Bluetooth. Changes to this setting will apply to everyone that uses this device." The option however, has not been implemented fully as of now. Users could expect it to be released alongside the Windows 10 Anniversary Update later this year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Since I own a Windows Phone and multiple Windows Desktop devices I'll be sure to review the handoff like feature when it is released (I don't suppose they'll also call this Continuum).

 

This is real freaking cool. But the use of this will depend on how many people use Windows Phones. And that may convince people to start considering Windows 10 Mobile.

 

http://gadgets.ndtv.com/laptops/news/microsoft-starts-testing-app-handoff-feature-for-windows-10-830379

 

[79wjd]

How about wMessages? 

 

As it is, I wouldn't even consider getting a laptop that isn't a Mac or a phone that isn't an iPhone due solely to how well iMessages/calls go between my phone and my computer (and I've yet to find a third party Android application to even come close).

[AlTech]

3 minutes ago, djdwosk97 said:

How about wMessages? 

 

As it is, I wouldn't even consider getting a laptop that isn't a Mac or a phone that isn't an iPhone due solely to how well iMessages/calls go between my phone and my computer (and I've yet to find a third party Android application to even come close).

This would probably work on anything from messages to emails to documents to skype calls.

[79wjd]

3 minutes ago, AluminiumTech said:

This would work on anything from messages to emails to documents to skype calls.

In theory, but whether or not messages/calls will be available/sendable from any/all connected devices and whether or not it will work consistently well is yet to be seen.

 

I would also really like Android to gain this functionality as well -- and just provide a Windows/OSX/Linus application that supports messages/phone calls.

[AlTech]

Just now, djdwosk97 said:

In theory, but whether or not messages/calls will be available/sendable from any/all connected devices and whether or not it will work consistently well is yet to be seen.

 

I would also really like Android to gain this functionality as well -- and just provide a Windows/OSX/Linus application that supports messages/phone calls.

They can because they've integrated messaging and skype together.

 

WhatsApp is fine for cross platform communication.

[The Benjamins]

17 minutes ago, djdwosk97 said:

How about wMessages? 

 

As it is, I wouldn't even consider getting a laptop that isn't a Mac or a phone that isn't an iPhone due solely to how well iMessages/calls go between my phone and my computer (and I've yet to find a third party Android application to even come close).

If you have project fi phone service all messages, calls and voicemail can be done on any device that has internet and google hangouts. it is very awesome taking phone calls on my desktop when im playing video games.

[atrash]

IOS and OSX handoff is so freaking awesome and very handy. Microsoft should try and implement it system wide from browsers to the Universal apps. I'll be looking forward to test it out.

[The Benjamins]

does anyone know if NIC teaming will be fixed in this update?

 

Its been broken for months

 

[suicidalfranco]

Just now, djdwosk97 said:

How about wMessages? 

 

As it is, I wouldn't even consider getting a laptop that isn't a Mac or a phone that isn't an iPhone due solely to how well iMessages/calls go between my phone and my computer (and I've yet to find a third party Android application to even come close).

Did you try AirDroid (featured app Win/Mac, Linux browser only), PushBullet (Win/Mac/Linux) or MightyText(Win/Mac/Linux)? 

There's also Samsung's own solution called SideSync (Win/Mac), Galaxy exclusive

https://www.airdroid.com

https://mightytext.net

https://help.pushbullet.com

http://www.samsung.com/us/sidesync/

[PlayStation 2]

maybe i'm stupid but why the fuck does this need bluetooth to function

[LAwLz]

4 hours ago, Dan Castellaneta said:

maybe i'm stupid but why the fuck does this need bluetooth to function

You're not stupid for asking that. It is a very good question why they chose Bluetooth instead of WiFi.

Cool feature but it seems like they crippled it by deciding to only use Bluetooth. Maybe WiFi support comes in a later update.

[Godlygamer23]

5 hours ago, atrash said:

IOS and OSX handoff is so freaking awesome and very handy. Microsoft should try and implement it system wide from browsers to the Universal apps. I'll be looking forward to test it out.

Though the proper term for the iOS and OS X version is called Continuity. 

[Fetzie]

21 minutes ago, LAwLz said:

You're not stupid for asking that. It is a very good question why they chose Bluetooth instead of WiFi.

Cool feature but it seems like they crippled it by deciding to only use Bluetooth. Maybe WiFi support comes in a later update.

Yeah, so I need to buy a bluetooth card for my PC? Fuck that. Nobody has bloody bluetooth on their desktop.

[AlTech]

18 minutes ago, Godlygamer23 said:

Though the proper term for the iOS and OS X version is called Continuity. 

They have Hand Off and Continuity. both are Apple terminology.

[AlTech]

17 minutes ago, Fetzie said:

Yeah, so I need to buy a bluetooth card for my PC? Fuck that. Nobody has bloody bluetooth on their desktop.

Linus does and LMG computers do. If you have high end Mobos then you should.

[Godlygamer23]

1 minute ago, AluminiumTech said:

They have Hand Off and Continuity. both are Apple terminology.

You're correct. Hand Off is a specific term that they use in association with Continuity with the latter including other features in addition to Hand Off. 

[79wjd]

6 hours ago, suicidalfranco said:

Did you try AirDroid (featured app Win/Mac, Linux browser only), PushBullet (Win/Mac/Linux) or MightyText(Win/Mac/Linux)? 

There's also Samsung's own solution called SideSync (Win/Mac), Galaxy exclusive

https://www.airdroid.com

https://mightytext.net

https://help.pushbullet.com

http://www.samsung.com/us/sidesync/

Ive tried mighty text and it just didnt work all that seamlessly.

[Dingus]

Isn't this just the Continuum feature they talked about ages ago?

[AlTech]

6 minutes ago, Dingus said:

Isn't this just the Continuum feature they talked about ages ago?

Nope. Continuum is when you connect a compatible Windows Phone to a dock (or wirelessly to a display which supports miracast) and used a keyboard, mouse and monitor and essentially make it feel like a PC. This is limited to only certain apps and certain handsets (currently only on Lumia 950, 950 XL, Acer's new flagship Windows Phone and HP's new Business WIndows Phone) 

 

This is basically like apple's Continuity feature. Where you can start doing something on one device and then wireless switch to the other to finish it off. Except this is for Windows 10 devices. Below is an example of Apple's implementation. 

[Colonel_Gerdauf]

12 hours ago, Dan Castellaneta said:

maybe i'm stupid but why the fuck does this need bluetooth to function

 

8 hours ago, LAwLz said:

You're not stupid for asking that. It is a very good question why they chose Bluetooth instead of WiFi.

Cool feature but it seems like they crippled it by deciding to only use Bluetooth. Maybe WiFi support comes in a later update.

It comes down to the question of whether you want the email data on a closed channel, or on the intranet.

[PlayStation 2]

8 minutes ago, Colonel_Gerdauf said:

 

It comes down to the question of whether you want the email data on a closed channel, or on the intranet.

You could still steal data from a Bluetooth stream, though?

[AlexGoesHigh]

12 hours ago, suicidalfranco said:

Did you try AirDroid (featured app Win/Mac, Linux browser only), PushBullet (Win/Mac/Linux) or MightyText(Win/Mac/Linux)? 

There's also Samsung's own solution called SideSync (Win/Mac), Galaxy exclusive

https://www.airdroid.com

https://mightytext.net

https://help.pushbullet.com

http://www.samsung.com/us/sidesync/

Pushbullet is love, Pushbullet is life.

 

Though i wish they switched their desktop app to something other that chromium. (not Java though)

[LAwLz]

33 minutes ago, Colonel_Gerdauf said:

It comes down to the question of whether you want the email data on a closed channel, or on the intranet.

Or they could have an alternative for both. Bluetooth has such a limited range, and it's not a very common feature for desktops and laptops. If snooping is a concern then they could just encrypt it in the application layer when you select the WiFi option.

 

32 minutes ago, Dan Castellaneta said:

You could still steal data from a Bluetooth stream, though?

There are standards which allow Bluetooth to be encrypted, and I assume Microsoft will use that. I wouldn't be too worried about it.

[Mew]

9 hours ago, LAwLz said:

You're not stupid for asking that. It is a very good question why they chose Bluetooth instead of WiFi.

Cool feature but it seems like they crippled it by deciding to only use Bluetooth. Maybe WiFi support comes in a later update.

Maybe Bluetooth does the job just fine while consuming less power using Bluetooth low power? 

[79wjd]

52 minutes ago, LAwLz said:

....and it's not a very common feature for desktops and laptops.

Most laptops have bluetooth.