Windows 11 subtly trials a premier macOS functionality, aiming to conceal it from public observation.
Microsoft is gradually bridging the gap in cross-device functionality, taking a significant step towards Apple's level of integration. This week at Microsoft Build 2025, the tech giant unveiled a feature akin to Apple's Handoff, called Cross-Device Resume.
During a session titled "Create Seamless Cross-Device Experiences with Windows for your app," Microsoft demonstrated this upcoming feature, which allows users to resume tasks or apps on a different device where they left off. In a demo, Aakash Varshney, the senior product manager at Microsoft, showcased Spotify as an example. When the app is active on another device, a subtle badge appears on the Spotify icon in the Windows PC's taskbar. Hovering over the icon displays a message indicating the app's recent activity on the mobile device. Upon clicking the icon, the app launches, and the user can continue from where they left off, similar to Apple's Handoff feature.
However, following the presentation, Microsoft quietly removed the demo from the session. Windows Central reported that a leaker, known for discovering unreleased features in Microsoft builds, managed to grab a screenshot of the demo before it was edited out. While Microsoft has yet to comment on the reason for editing out the demo, it's possible that the company is still perfecting the feature for a public release.
The Cross-Device Resume feature is expected to support third-party apps like Spotify and WhatsApp, but its final release date remains unconfirmed. The feature was initially introduced through OS Build 26100.4202, allowing users to resume working on OneDrive files across devices.
Microsoft has previously explored similar concepts, such as Project Rome, which aimed to sync app data between devices. Cross-Device Resume appears to be a more advanced approach, focusing on a more integrated and seamless cross-device experience.
The arrival of Cross-Device Resume could potentially challenge one of the best-hidden macOS features, Handoff, and may even encourage some users to consider Windows as a viable alternative to macOS.
- The Cross-Device Resume feature, similar to Apple's Handoff, is anticipated to resume tasks or apps on a different device, as demonstrated with Spotify during the Microsoft Build 2025 session.
- Upon clicking the Spotify icon on a Windows PC, users can continue from where they left off, emulating the experience provided by Apple's Handoff feature.
- Microsoft's Cross-Device Resume is expected to support third-party apps like Spotify and WhatsApp, potentially expanding its functionality beyond the initial release with OneDrive files.
- As Microsoft continues to refine the Cross-Device Resume feature, it may prompt a comparison with macOS's Handoff feature, adding another point of differentiation between the two operating systems.
- The integrated and seamless cross-device experience offered by Cross-Device Resume could persuade some users to reconsider Windows as a viable alternative to macOS, challenging one of the strengths of the macOS ecosystem.
