Microsoft is testing Android 12.1 and other improvements for Windows 11

It seems that Microsoft is not resting on its laurels when it comes to this The system that allows Windows 11 to run Android apps: Friday for the company Announce an update It upgrades the version of Android running on your PC and helps make apps feel right at home running on a PC. Windows Subsystem Update for Android is currently only available for testing for Windows Insiders, but that’s probably a good thing for reasons we’ll touch on in a bit.

The main improvement is an update to the Android version that supports the ability of Windows to run mobile apps. The current public version appears to be running Android 11 (based on some spurs I’ve done with developer tools), but the version Microsoft is testing is running Android 12.1, Also known as Android 12L. What this effectively means is that if you have anything other than a recent Pixel, your computer may be running a newer version of Android than your phone.

The update also brings improvements to how Android apps integrate with Windows. popup messages from apps They may now appear as Windows notifications, and the taskbar will be able to show if the Android app is accessing your microphone or location. The company also says that Android apps should work better after waking the computer from standby. Instead of restarting, they should resume where they left off.

Microsoft also says it has completely redesigned the Settings app it uses to manage the Windows subsystem for Android, grouping settings together and providing a “cleaner user experience.” It has also made various improvements to how Android apps access your PC’s camera, and it has improved network capabilities so that you can set up smart home devices with an Android app running on your PC.

While all of these seem like big improvements, you may want to hold back from trying to use the feature yourself for now. For one, it’s currently rolling out on the Dev channel, and it’s The bleeding edge of Windows Insider episodes. (Meaning, you’re more likely to experience bugs and crashes outside of running Android apps.) To this point, Microsoft warns that upgrading to Android 12.1 “may cause some apps to fail to run.” This may not be so surprising How difficult was it to roll out Android 12 on phones. The company says it’s working with partners “to address these issues as quickly as possible,” so hopefully they’ll be straightened out before they reach consumers.

Even if the update isn’t fully finished yet, it’s good to see that Microsoft is already giving some love to Android apps over the Windows feature. You could easily have presented it as a great thing that came with Windows 11, shoot itThe project was considered somewhat completed. However, the fact that we’re seeing major changes to it makes it seem like Microsoft is committed to this feature for now. If she really wants to get a first-class experience, she will need a lot of work The easiest way to download apps from Google Play StoreInstead of choosing the very limited Amazon Appstore.