Microsoft's Your Phone software, the bridge between Android devices and Windows 10, will be revamped for Windows 11 While no new features appear to be planned in the short term, we did get a small glimpse of the app at Microsoft's recent Surface event

Like other apps updated for Windows 11, the Your Phone app enjoys rounded corners, softer colors, and a new look, but the real improvement is in the interface

Launch the app now and you will see separate sections for notifications, messages, calls, and (if you own a supported Samsung device or Surface Duo) apps In the new version, XDA Developers discovered that notifications now cascade along the left side of the app, with the ability to respond directly from the desktop or laptop when appropriate

Messages, photos, apps, and calls, on the other hand, have been moved to the top of the screen While undoubtedly a bit confusing for those familiar with the current layout, it should be a bit more accessible for those new to the app [Things like iMessage and Photos are always in perfect sync] It's understandably not as impressive as the synergy between iPhone and Mac, but still useful for those who work across form factors

More people can benefit from Microsoft going all in on Android after the white flag on Windows Phone

I installed Your Phone for Windows 10 as soon as it was released, but haven't activated it since Why? Because I already have the perfect system in place for what I rely on

In fact, WhatsApp Web is where I send and receive most of my messages, and the Windows 10 app is excellent, pinned to the taskbar, with notifications popping up instantly when messages arrive

Similarly, the photos I need on my desktop can be instantly synced with Google Photos on my phone without having to use the Microsoft app You can also send SMS messages and make phone calls from your desktop at Both of these things are rarely done, so there seems little value in an off-the-shelf solution

But for some users they are invaluable, and coupled with Windows 11's upcoming support for Android apps, Microsoft's OS will become the natural home for Android users, before the Mac-interested types jump They may start to think again

Microsoft Windows 11 will be released on October 5 as a free upgrade to Windows 10, but the rollout will be staggered so that Microsoft's own Surface Pro 8, Surface Pro X, Surface Go 3, or the innovative new Surface Laptop Studio, you won't see it on your screen right away unless you purchase a new device