Microsoft rolls out Android apps for Windows 11, new features to mainstream users

RV_ · February 15, 2022

I finally took the plunge to Windows 11 and like it. No real effort to transition,. But now things are getting interesting.

Excerpt:

"The full set of Windows 11 features that begin rolling out today includes:

Access to the Amazon Appstore Preview, which features a curated set of Android apps and games (Note: This will be available only to Windows 11 users in the US for now)
The ability to mute/unmute and share any window from the taskbar
A weather icon for the taskbar, which will serve as a new entry point to Windows 11 widgets
The ability to see the clock and date on the taskbar of a secondary monitor
Redesigned Media Player app
Redesigned Notepad app

Back in January, Microsoft officials outlined plans to make all of these features available to mainstream Windows 11 users starting this month. Last week, Microsoft moved a number of these features into the Beta and Release Preview testing channels to make sure they were ready for availability.

Users will get access to these features in a variety of ways.

The Notepad and Media Player apps are available as app updates to Windows 11 customers via the Microsoft Store. Users should get these updated apps automatically, but they also can get them manually by checking for app updates by going to Microsoft Store > Library and clicking Get updates.

For the call all mute/unmute, Window sharing, and weather on taskbar, users can get these via the February 2022 optional preview release (aka "C" release). To access "C" releases, navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and select Check for updates.

And to access the Amazon Appstore Preview, users first need to install the Amazon Appstore app. Customers can install the Appstore in two ways:

Install the Amazon Appstore app from the Microsoft Store by searching for "Amazon Appstore"
Install any app for Android from the Microsoft Store, and the Microsoft Store will automatically install the Amazon Appstore

Although Microsoft announced last year that it would deliver only one feature update per year to Windows 10 and 11 users starting this year (with the 22H2 releases coming around October), today's blog post about the new features indicates that Microsoft is planning to continue to roll out new features independently of this annual update. From the post:

"Over time, you'll see us release new features into Windows 11 for end users more frequently in addition to our annual update. We will leverage the variety of update mechanisms we have in place including servicing and Microsoft Store updates. Our goal is to deliver continuous innovation, providing you with the best experiences year-round."

Even more and related link in the full article here:

https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-starts-rolling-out-android-apps-for-windows-11-other-new-features-to-mainstream-users/?ftag=TREc64629f&bhid={%24external_id}&mid={%24MESSAGE_ID}&cid={%24contact_id}&eh={%24CF_emailHash}

Edited February 15, 2022 by RV_