For those who might not know, Windows 10 has an app called "Your Phone" that basically allows users remote access to their phone's contents so they don't have to pull out their phone if they get notifications, messages, and now — calls.
Microsoft's latest Windows 10 preview, build 18999 for Insiders — or 20H1, to be specific — adds call support to Your Phone. Much like the update rolled out earlier this year that made the app capable of mirroring a user's messages and notifications, this new feature will let people focus on their workflow on their desktop even as they get incoming calls.
Updated Your Phone App
Non-insiders, unfortunately, will have to wait before they can try this new functionality out. But those enrolled in Microsoft's Windows Insider Program can take advantage of the new Your Phone app now. All that's required is an Android phone that's running at least Android 7 Nougat and, of course, the Your Phone, which can be downloaded from the Google Play Store free of charge.
As Microsoft details in its blog post, the new calls feature will let users answer incoming calls right on their PC. Not only that, they'll also be able to initiate phone calls from their desktop or laptop using the in-app dialer or contacts list. They can also decline calls with custom text or send callers directly to voicemail. It also shows the user's recent call history. But perhaps most importantly, the feature allow seamless transfer of calls between the PC and phone.
There are some other requirements needed apart from a phone running Android 7 Nougat, though. The laptop has to have Bluetooth support, of course, and it will need to run the 10H1 build, and the Windows 10 build 18362.356.
How Does The Surface Duo Play Into This?
Microsoft has been doing a great deal toward making phones and PCs more integrated, and this is a step further in that direction. With the just-announced Surface Duo phone, which runs Android, these developments now make more sense and the context is much clearer. Microsoft wasn't just playing nice by giving Android users these features, after all — it was also laying that groundwork for the benefit of its own Android device.
Clearly, Microsoft is putting a lot of effort into bringing PC to Android integrations, and now it's clear it's because it wants to give the Surface Duo a bunch of cool features. The great thing about this, though, is that Microsoft isn't making those features exclusive to just one phone.
