Microsoft’s annual BUILD developer conference focused on the Azure platform, Microsoft 365 apps and services, the Power platform, and the roadmap for Windows 11 and Microsoft Edge platforms. For consumers, Windows and Edge updates, as well as developers of tools that expand the usefulness of apps, including Microsoft Teams and OneNote, will be of interest ahead of CEO Satya’s keynote. Nadella at a developer conference.
Microsoft is currently rolling out new developer tools and enhancements, with a focus on rolling out updates for Windows 11 in the coming months. For example, existing code for software will be easier to package for the Windows platform. The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is now available in the Microsoft Store. Android Apps on Windows One of Windows’ biggest advancements with Windows 11 on Windows 10 was the integration of Android apps.
The Windows Subsystem for Android is now running Android Open-Source Project (AOSP) 12.1, which means there are experience improvements that Android apps on a Windows PC can use, including better windowing and resizing, a improved networking and more compatible apps that will be available for download. With Microsoft improving network access for Android apps on a PC, the apps will also allow users to set up smart home devices such as smart speakers and smart security cameras.
Confidentiality and data security measures will also be strengthened. Any Android app using the microphone or camera on a PC will also be able to report with taskbar icons. There are also tweaks to allow Android apps to properly access the webcam, fixes for the on-screen keyboard as well as interface tweaks, which to be honest were to be expected.
Sticking to Android apps on Windows PCs, Microsoft confirms that the Amazon Appstore preview on Windows 11 will expand to five additional countries. This means that users in France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the UK will receive Amazon’s catalog of apps – this should happen before the end of this year.
Widgets in Windows 11 will soon also support third-party widgets – it’s Microsoft opening up access for developers to create companion widgets for their win32 apps or PWAs, what the company calls “adaptive cards”. Currently, Windows 11 widgets only include those developed by Microsoft, and this is a logical upgrade to allow more apps in the Widget Library. No clear timeline yet, except Microsoft says you’ll see new widgets for the apps you use on your PC later this year.
Speaking of Windows 11 improvements, Microsoft will expand the scope of the restore feature to make the store smart enough to restore all your PC apps to a new PC whenever you switch to a new laptop or desktop. The Microsoft Store, at present, does not; this means that a user must also manually download all apps to their new PC (and often struggle with login credentials). Since Microsoft Store has recently added more apps (Firefox, Zoom, and Adobe’s apps are a few examples, and continues to add more), this restore feature will also be very relevant.
“We also shared an early vision of how apps that create and store content in the cloud could begin to integrate that personalized content into familiar user engagement surfaces in Windows 11, such as File Explorer and common file dialogs,” says Panos Panay, senior product manager for Windows and Devices at Microsoft.
Microsoft Teams, the video chat platform, will get a new live sharing feature that will allow call participants to co-edit and co-create using third-party apps that integrate in Teams.
“Since the start of 2020, monthly active users of custom or third-party apps in Teams have increased more than tenfold. There are more than 1,400 Teams apps, with more and more independent software vendors (ISVs) generating millions in annual revenue from customers using their Teams-based apps and Microsoft 365 services,” said Jeff Teper, VP -President of Microsoft 365 Collaboration.
The first steps towards this will be the first tests with Frame.io, Hexagon, Skillsoft, MakeCode, Accenture, Parabol and Breakthru for integration in Teams. Thinking about screen sharing? It potentially goes way beyond that.
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