Microsoft is gearing up to reboot Windows 11 with new features before the end of Q1 2022. The Windows 11 will be refreshed with Android support, Taskbar improvements, redesigned new Notepad with Dark Mode, and Media Player apps. According to reports, the Redmond-based software giant is planning to launch a public preview of the Android apps support for Windows 11 in February. There are reports that Microsoft has pushed Android apps support for Release Preview channel Windows Insiders. The upcoming update will be the biggest after the initial release of Windows 11 in June 2021.
The Taskbar will feature mute and unmute functionalities with the ability to display a clock on secondary monitors. You can also expect drag and drop capability. The Weather widget will return to the Taskbar alongside NotePad and Media Player apps in Dark mode.
The Android apps support will continue to stay in Beta mode when it’s widely available next month. Microsoft started to provide Android apps on Windows 11 for select testers in October. The feature enables users to install a limited number of apps via Amazon’s Appstore. It is to be noted that Windows 11 does not provide support for Google Play Store but they have tied up with Amazon to integrate their Appstore.
According to Panos Panay, The PC market has experienced strong growth throughout the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. He also added that Windows 10 and Windows 11 are running on 1.4 billion devices per month. There has been a rise in hybrid work and learning with the entertainment sector depending upon OTT platforms.
The pandemic has thrown open new avenues for filmmakers in the form of Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hotstar, Hulu, YouTube, and much more. Moreover, consumer habits have been changed for everyday tasks. The company disclosed that there has been a 6x increase in people making use of apps like Cisco WebEx, Slack, Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams. The forthcoming Windows 11 update will also ship with improvements related to screen sharing in Microsoft Teams.
According to Canalys, the Global PC shipments have crossed 340 million in 2021, which is 27% higher than 2019. The main reason behind this is that professionals are buying new PCs and laptops for the purpose of WFH requirements. The accessories shipments like headphones, speakers also increased considerably. There are professionals who keep ready stock of multiple laptops so that they can continue the work in case the working device fails to function.
Windows now occupy over 1.4 billion monthly active devices, which is 10% increase when compared with pre-pandemic levels. In 2021, there has been 50% growth in people who plan to make use of their PC for creativity, gaming, and work purposes. With the launch of Windows 11, Microsoft has started to mobilie an entire tech industry comprising of silicon, OEMs, retailers, and partners to produce and manufacture PCs and laptops in large quantities for the benefit of students, professionals, and senior citizens.
