Microsoft has announced an update for its Windows Subsystem for Android on Windows 11embedding several improvements including the switch to Android 12.1.
At this time, this update is restricted to Insiders in the Dev Channel.
Improved Windows integration
The Windows Subsystem for Android, which allows you to run Android applications on your Windows PC, continues to improve. In a blog post, Microsoft announced a major new update for the program, reserved for the Insider program development channel for the time being.
Among the new features is a complete redesign of the Windows Subsystem Settings app for Android, which helps make the user experience more enjoyable, thanks to improved navigation and a better presentation of settings. New features are coming, such as the ability to review all diagnostic data collected by the software. New configuration options are available, which allow you to force applications not to resize or to activate the swipe with the directional arrows.
Applications launched using the subsystem will generally integrate better with Windows. It will be possible to see at a glance which applications currently launched are using the webcam, the microphone or even geolocation in the taskbar and when your PC comes out of standby, the applications will resume where they left off. shut down instead of restarting. Another improvement, Android Toasts, these small pop-ups that appear on the screen of your smartphone when you perform an action such as sending a message or changing the volume, will be presented in the form of Windows notifications. Finally, this update improves support for webcams, keyboard and mouse in applications.
An update still unstable
However, the announcement that makes people talk is the switch to Android 12.1, also called Android 12L. This new version of Google’s operating system was officially introduced last March for Pixel smartphones and aims to improve the Android experience on tablets and folding smartphones. No wonder the Windows Subsystem for Android is trying to adopt it quickly since Android 12L is supposed to make it more enjoyable to use on the big screen, which will certainly benefit PC users.
It’s also no surprise that Microsoft is releasing this update only for Insider users and only on the dev channel, as it’s not quite there yet. The company says apps that previously worked may not launch after the update, and that it ” work with [ses] partners to solve these problems as soon as possible “.
If you want to experience these new features, you will need to register for the Insider program and download the 2204.40000.15.0 update. Note that Microsoft advises that only users with strong technical knowledge install updates from the dev channel.
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Google Play update lets you enjoy Android 13 features on older versions of the OS
Sources: The Verge, Microsoft
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