Windows 11 updates come and go, but they don't necessarily resemble each other, as the company turns more and more towards Android and smartphones.
A few days ago, we mentioned the temptation for Microsoft to push Windows 11 users more and more towards the online account as opposed to the local account. However, just a few days earlier, it was Microsoft's desire to bring Windows 11 users and smartphone owners closer together that was making the headlines. Indeed, Microsoft is preparing an update to its Phone Link application, which will enable interconnection between smartphone and PC environments via file transfer.
Windows Latest
This Phone Link update, although not yet effective on the "general" version of Windows 11, is just a first step for Microsoft. As Windows Latest explains, the Redmond firm is planning to integrate a feature called "companion", similar to Windows widgets, but focusing on the Start menu. A companion is to take the form of a new panel placed immediately to the right of the Start menu when it is opened. In future, companions could concern many elements of Windows, but initially they will be limited to the Phone Link application in order, as you'd expect, to further boost the link between Windows and Android/iOS.
As can be seen in the screenshot published by Windows Latests, the companion associated with Phone Link enhances the smartphone's integration with Windows. Messages received, calls and other terminal notifications can be easily consulted. The panel also offers the possibility of consulting various "statistical" information such as the smartphone's battery level, current connectivity or audio settings. Windows Latest reports that this feature is being tested on an increasingly regular basis by Microsoft, which first introduced it back in May. As we said earlier, the link with Phone Link is only the first companion envisaged by Microsoft, with other "adaptive cards" - to use the publisher's terminology - planned.
