Latest news with #taskbar
The Verge
6 days ago
- The Verge
Microsoft releases lightweight Office taskbar apps for Windows 11
Microsoft is starting to roll out lightweight taskbar apps for Microsoft 365 users on Windows 11. These taskbar apps will automatically launch at startup and provide quick access to contacts, file search, and calendar straight from the Windows taskbar. The Microsoft 365 companion apps, as Microsoft calls them, are starting to roll out to business users of Microsoft 365 this month. The People companion provides a browsable org chart, as well as the ability to look up anyone in your company. You can also quickly start a Teams message or call with a contact, or email them directly. The File Search companion is designed for quick access to Microsoft 365 files from the Windows 11 taskbar. You can search by file name, author, or other keywords to find files across OneDrive, SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, and Outlook. There's also an option to preview a file before you open it, and plenty of filtering and sharing options. The Calendar app is a quick view of a Microsoft 365 calendar from the taskbar, where you can see upcoming events, search for appointments, or join meetings. All three apps have been in beta in recent months, after Microsoft originally announced them at its Ignite conference last year. They are now heading to all business users of Microsoft 365 as part of a general availability release this month. The apps will be automatically installed as long as Microsoft 365 apps are installed on a Windows 11 system. IT admins can prevent the automatic install of these Microsoft 365 companion apps, and end users can stop them from automatically launching at startup. Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All by Tom Warren Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Microsoft Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All News Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Tech Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Windows
Android Authority
10-06-2025
- Android Authority
Android 16 will make it easier to find your recent apps with a new taskbar overflow feature
TL;DR An upcoming Android 16 update will add a taskbar overflow button to improve app switching on tablets when many apps have been recently opened. Tapping the overflow button will open a horizontally scrolling carousel that displays previews of your recent apps. This feature is set to launch later this year with either Android 16 QPR1 or QPR2. Back in 2021, Google added a taskbar to Android to improve app switching on tablets. Since then, the company has made several improvements, such as adding an app drawer, creating a more compact design, and showing recently opened apps. In an upcoming Android 16 update, Google is introducing another enhancement: a taskbar overflow button. When desktop windowing is active on a tablet, Android displays the icons of recently opened apps in the taskbar. If a lot of apps have recently been opened, the taskbar will be full of icons, which can feel overwhelming. To address this, Google is working on a taskbar overflow feature that will provide 'a simple, visual way for you to find the app you need when the taskbar is full.' Tapping the overflow button will open a horizontally scrolling carousel that shows previews of your recent apps. Google Google hasn't detailed how you'll access the taskbar overflow, but an image it shared shows a gray, circular button located after the divider separating pinned and recent apps. This button's appearance and placement align with what we've previously seen, suggesting it's the trigger for the overflow menu. The taskbar overflow's design and function are reminiscent of the existing Alt + Tab switcher, raising the possibility that it might eventually replace it. However, we'll need an official announcement or a hands-on opportunity with the feature to know for sure. Google says the taskbar overflow feature is 'launching later this year,' arriving with either the Android 16 QPR1 or QPR2 release. While there's no word on whether the tiny taskbar for phones will also debut this year, we expect the new overflow feature to be integrated with Android's new Desktop Mode for phones. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
