Microsoft has always been good at finding ways to make work-life just a little easier. With Windows 11, they’re testing a new feature called “Hand Off” – and it’s set to change the way we work across devices.
The idea is – you can start working on a Word document (or any compatible app) on your phone. Then, when you sit back down at your PC, it gives you a helpful nudge: “Want to pick up where you left off?” With one click, you’re straight back into it – no faffing about emailing files to yourself or searching through cloud folders.
It’s all powered by OneDrive, which keeps everything in sync. Right now, it works with Android phones, and while there’s no official word yet on iPhones, it’s likely they’ll be included in the near future.
If you’re thinking this sounds familiar, you’re not wrong. Apple has had a similar feature for some time called “Handoff.” Mac users can pick up where they left off on apps like Safari or Pages by simply clicking an icon in their macOS dock.
To be fair, Microsoft has tried device syncing before. They’ve tried features like “Continue from Phone” in OneDrive, which lets users move between mobile and desktop for certain tasks. There’s also the “Link to Windows” app that syncs notifications and contacts between iPhones and PCs. But so far, none of these attempts have been good enough to match Apple’s solution.
Will Windows 11’s Hand Off be any good? It’s too early to say. The feature is still in testing, so we’ll have to wait and see if it’s as smooth in practice as it sounds.
Let’s hope so because for businesses it would be a great feature. If any of your team works remotely, travels a lot, or just likes to switch between devices, “Hand Off” will make this a really useful tool. The feature is still being tested, so it’s not quite ready for general use yet.
Want to find out more about how Windows 11 could boost productivity in your business? Book a call with Nick: