Microsoft Insider Preview Build announcements: More from Cortana, phone link

Microsoft Insider Preview Build announcements: More from Cortana, phone link
Credit: Microsoft

(Tech Xplore)—Microsoft announced a new Insider Preview Build for Windows 10 on PC and Mobile. The builds are 16251 for PC, and 15235 for Mobile. Judging by news stories, the most popular talking point around all the new tweaks and features is how Windows lets you link your phone and PC.

Windows 10's hook-up with a person's Android phone was one of many details presented on the Windows Blogs site.

Dona Sarkar, software engineer, Windows and Devices Group, on Wednesday posted the announcement focused on Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 16251 for PC & Build 15235 for Mobile. "Today we are excited to release Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 16251 for PC to Windows Insiders in the Fast ring!" And, "We are also releasing Windows 10 Mobile Insider Preview Build 15235 to Insiders in the Fast ring."

Windows lets you link your phone and PC? What is that all about? Talking about 16251, Sarkar said "This build's scenario is focused on cross-device web-browsing."

"Pick up your web browsing where you left off," said Engadget. You will send links from your Android smartphone to a PC.

TechRadar explained more about what this does. It "allows you to link your Android handset to your PC (under Settings > Phone), whereupon you'll install an app on the phone allowing for cross-device browsing (after you've logged into the Microsoft account you're using on the PC)."

Jon Fingas in Engadget similarly described what can happen, under this plan, when integrating Windows with mobile devices. "If you have an Android phone, you can link it to your PC to continue your web browsing on the bigger screen. Once it's set up, you only have to use your browser's usual sharing option to punt a website to your computer."

Another talking point has been the news surrounding Cortana. The new preview build adds more voice commands for Cortana.

Use Cortana voice commands to lock, sign-out, shutdown, or turn off your PC, said Sarkar. "Hey Cortana, restart PC." "Hey Cortana, turn off PC." "Hey Cortana, sign out." "Hey Cortana, lock PC.

A number of sites pointed out that in Windows 10 Mobile, you can switch to a portrait view while you're using the PC-like Continuum mode.

Android phones were mentioned, but Sarkar said, "Support for iPhone is coming very soon, stay tuned."

Another new item reported: "We've updated the new XAML touch keyboard," said Sarkar, "to now support a full keyboard layout option for English (United States), English (Australia), French (France), Italian (Italy), German (Germany) and Spanish (Spain) languages."

Actually, the Sarkar posting presents numerous improvements and new features, so it would be best to check it out if interested.

Reactions to the Windows 10 Build announcements were generally positive. Mark Hachman, PCWorld, pointed out the new Cortana capabilities and more communication between Windows and your phone. He said the -to-PC connectivity was "a welcome foundation for future improvements."

Mike Wehner in BGR said, "Microsoft has been working extremely hard to make Windows 10 the most capable and appealing version of its desktop operating system ever, and it's already made some great progress. Once flooded with compatibility issues and bugs, Windows 10 has come a long way since its launch."

More information: blogs.windows.com/windowsexper … #ZWBgvDO91C4of1t9.97

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