Latest news with #PhoneLink
Phone Arena
5 days ago
- Phone Arena
The most important Windows 11 features that no one is talking about (and how to use them)
Core OS optimization Built-in support for Android apps Windows 11 allows you to run Android apps directly on your PC through the Amazon Appstore. By integrating the Windows Subsystem for Android, mobile apps can now run natively alongside Windows programs. This creates a seamless experience for blending mobile and desktop workflows, whether it's for productivity apps, games, or messaging platforms. Windows 11 allows you to run Android apps directly on your PC through the Amazon Appstore. By integrating the Windows Subsystem for Android, mobile apps can now run natively alongside Windows programs. This creates a seamless experience for blending mobile and desktop workflows, whether it's for productivity apps, games, or messaging platforms. Steps to enable: Open Microsoft Store and search for Amazon Appstore. Install the Windows Subsystem for Android when prompted. Sign in with your Amazon account to browse and install apps. Launch Android apps directly from the Start menu like regular Windows apps. Phone Link and cross-device integration The Phone Link app has been redesigned for Windows 11, bringing deeper integration with Android devices. You can mirror your phone's screen, copy and paste content across devices, drag and drop files, or even make calls directly from your PC. This feature creates a unified experience between your phone and computer, making file management and multitasking far more convenient. The Phone Link app has been redesigned for Windows 11, bringing deeper integration with Android devices. You can mirror your phone's screen, copy and paste content across devices, drag and drop files, or even make calls directly from your PC. This feature creates a unified experience between your phone and computer, making file management and multitasking far more convenient. Receive the latest mobile news By subscribing you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy Steps to set up: Download Phone Link from the Microsoft Store. On your Android device, install the Link to Windows app. Pair both devices by scanning the QR code shown on your PC. Enable features like screen mirroring and cross-device copy-paste from the app settings. Multitasking powerhouse Windows 11 makes it easier to manage multiple tasks at once. You can snap windows into clean, organized layouts or split-screen views without dragging things around manually. If you're working on different projects, virtual desktops let you keep them separate and switch between them quickly. Built-in AI tools like Copilot are also just a click away, helping you get things done faster without leaving your workflow. Windows 10 users could take advantage of a similar multitasking tool, but you should definitely try it out in Windows 11. Windows 11 makes it easier to manage multiple tasks at once. You can snap windows into clean, organized layouts or split-screen views without dragging things around manually. If you're working on different projects, virtual desktops let you keep them separate and switch between them quickly. Built-in AI tools like Copilot are also just a click away, helping you get things done faster without leaving your workflow. Windows 10 users could take advantage of a similar multitasking tool, but you should definitely try it out in Windows 11. Steps to use Snap Layouts: Hover over the maximize button on any app window. Choose a layout (split-screen, grid, etc.) to organize your apps. Press Win + Tab to create or switch between virtual desktops. If you want, you can enable Copilot from the taskbar to boost productivity with AI help. Dynamic Refresh Rate (DRR) Dynamic Refresh Rate (DRR) is designed to strike a balance between smooth visuals and better battery life, especially on laptops with high-refresh-rate displays (120Hz or higher). When you're scrolling or gaming, the screen switches to a high refresh rate for smooth performance, but when the display is idle or showing static content, it automatically drops to a lower refresh rate to save power. Recommended Stories Steps to activate/set up: Go to Settings > System > Display > Advanced display . Under Choose a refresh rate, select Dynamic (if supported by your hardware). Ensure your monitor or laptop screen supports VRR or high refresh rates for the best results. DirectStorage Support DirectStorage is a breakthrough feature that allows data to load directly from an NVMe SSD to your GPU, skipping the CPU bottleneck. This drastically reduces loading times in supported games and can also improve performance in certain apps. While Windows 10 supports DirectStorage on paper, Microsoft has optimized it for Windows 11, making it faster and more efficient due to improvements in the storage stack. Steps to activate/set up: Ensure you have an NVMe SSD. Update your graphics drivers to the latest version (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel). Use games or apps that explicitly support DirectStorage (many new titles are starting to adopt it). Check DirectStorage status by pressing Win + G , opening Settings > Gaming features. Auto HDR Auto HDR enhances the visual quality of older SDR (Standard Dynamic Range) games and apps by automatically converting them to HDR. This delivers richer colors, brighter highlights, and deeper contrasts without requiring developers to update their software. Initially exclusive to Xbox, Auto HDR is now built into Windows 11, provided you have an HDR-capable monitor or TV. Dynamic Refresh Rate (DRR) is designed to strike a balance between smooth visuals and better battery life, especially on laptops with high-refresh-rate displays (120Hz or higher). When you're scrolling or gaming, the screen switches to a high refresh rate for smooth performance, but when the display is idle or showing static content, it automatically drops to a lower refresh rate to save is a breakthrough feature that allows data to load directly from an NVMe SSD to your GPU, skipping the CPU bottleneck. This drastically reduces loading times in supported games and can also improve performance in certain apps. While Windows 10 supports DirectStorage on paper, Microsoft has optimized it for Windows 11, making it faster and more efficient due to improvements in the storage HDR enhances the visual quality of older SDR (Standard Dynamic Range) games and apps by automatically converting them to HDR. This delivers richer colors, brighter highlights, and deeper contrasts without requiring developers to update their software. Initially exclusive to Xbox, Auto HDR is now built into Windows 11, provided you have an HDR-capable monitor or TV. Steps to activate/set up: Go to Settings > System > Display > HDR. Toggle Auto HDR to On. Calibrate HDR using Windows HDR Calibration from the Microsoft Store for the best results. Be ready Windows 11 will be omnipresent one day – and that day is approaching fast. So it's a good idea to master it in advance and be on top of it in the near future! Some of those are Windows 11 exclusive, and others were present on Windows 10, but are now enhanced for the new OS. Let's dive deeper!Windows 11 has made significant improvements to how it prioritizes tasks and manages system resources. When multiple apps are open, it intelligently allocates power to the one you're actively using, resulting in smoother performance during demanding tasks such as video rendering or gaming. This system-level optimization is especially useful on mid-range or older hardware, allowing you to keep more apps open without noticeable slowdowns. Overall, it's system-wide enhancement that is working in your favor by default.
Jordan News
17-07-2025
- Jordan News
Windows 11 Tests 'Adaptive Energy Saver' Mode to Boost Battery Life - Jordan News
Microsoft has begun testing a new power-saving mode in Windows 11 aimed at improving battery life on laptops. The new feature is called 'Adaptive Energy Saver' and works by automatically turning power saving mode on or off based on the device's workload, not just the battery charge level. اضافة اعلان What's new with Adaptive Energy Saver? In traditional power-saving mode, the system typically dims the screen brightness by about 30%, disables transparency effects, and stops background apps. It also halts unnecessary update downloads and limits syncing of some apps like OneDrive, OneNote, and Phone Link. The new feature differs by not affecting screen brightness, making it less intrusive for users, especially on portable devices such as laptops, tablets, and handheld gaming units. The Windows Insider team responsible for features and beta releases at Microsoft explained: 'Adaptive Energy Saver is an optional feature that automatically enables or disables power saving mode, without adjusting screen brightness, based on the device's current power state and the system's workload.' Availability and future goals The feature is currently available to testers in the Windows 11 Canary channel and is expected to roll out to all users later this year. This move aligns with Microsoft's broader environmental sustainability strategy, as the company seeks to reduce energy consumption and emissions from its devices in line with its public commitments to achieve carbon neutrality.
Mint
15-07-2025
- Mint
Microsoft introduces fresh Windows 11 update to help laptops last longer on battery
Microsoft has announced a new Windows 11 update that helps laptops run longer without needing a charger. This update is part of ongoing efforts to make devices adjust better to your daily habits and keep them powered up when you need them most. As part of this release, a new adaptive energy saver mode will automatically turn the main energy saver on or off. It looks at your laptop's workload instead of only checking how much battery is left. For example, if you are browsing a website or reading a document it will quietly enable energy mode to slow down the background processes and reduce screen brightness. When you start editing video or using intensive applications, the system shifts back to full power mode without needing to change any settings. Energy saver mode in Windows 11 typically dims the display brightness by 30%. It turns off transparency effects and stops apps from running in the background. Windows updates, and apps like OneDrive, OneNote, and Phone Link might not sync completely while energy saver is on. Microsoft says that their goal is to make the battery saver feel invisible but still effective. The company explains that it wants users to spend less time adjusting battery settings and more time focusing on their work. Many people forget to enable battery saving options until their laptops are already warning them about low charge status. This adaptive approach aims to remove that step altogether. The new adaptive energy saver mode will work only on devices with a battery. It won't change your laptop's screen brightness when it turns on or off, making it less noticeable on laptops, tablets, and handhelds. Soon you will be able to see more precise battery estimates and track which apps are using the most battery. This will help you spot issues like background apps draining more energy than expected. For example, if you leave multiple tabs open or videos playing in the background, the dashboard will show how much battery those habits use, so you can decide what to close. Windows 11 update also adds smarter controls for screen refresh rates and brightness. When you step away, your system will lower its refresh rate automatically and return to normal when you come back. This helps save power during everyday use. The update is now rolling out in the latest Windows 11 release. You can check Windows Update in your settings to see if it's ready for your laptop.
Ammon
15-07-2025
- Ammon
Microsoft has a new trick to improve laptop battery life on Windows
Ammon News - Microsoft has started testing a new feature in Windows 11 that will improve laptop battery life. A new adaptive energy saver mode will soon automatically enable or disable the main energy saver mode, based on your laptop's workload rather than just its amount of battery life left. The energy saver mode in Windows 11 typically dims a display brightness by 30 percent, disables transparency effects, and stop apps running in the background. Non-critical Windows update downloads are also paused, and certain apps like OneDrive, OneNote, and Phone Link may not sync fully while energy saver is enabled. This new adaptive energy saver mode, which will only be available on devices with a battery, will automatically enable or disable without affecting screen brightness. That will make it less noticeable on devices like laptops, tablets, and handhelds. 'Adaptive energy saver is an opt-in feature that automatically enables and disables energy saver, without changing screen brightness, based on the power state of the device and the current system load,' explains Microsoft's Windows Insider team. Microsoft has started testing this with Canary Channel Windows 11 testers recently, so expect to see it appear in Windows 11 later this year.
Hans India
15-07-2025
- Hans India
Microsoft Tests New Adaptive Energy Saver to Extend Windows 11 Laptop Battery Life
Microsoft is rolling out a clever new feature designed to increase battery life in Windows 11 laptops. The tech giant is currently testing an adaptive energy saver mode that will automatically switch the energy saver on or off based on your activity, not just the remaining battery life. Traditionally, Windows 11's energy saver dims your screen by 30 percent, disables transparency effects, pauses background app activity, and halts non-critical updates. Apps like OneDrive, OneNote, and Phone Link may not fully sync during this time. What makes this new adaptive energy saver interesting is that it works behind the scenes without lowering screen brightness, making it less disruptive for users on laptops, tablets, and handheld devices. 'Adaptive energy saver is an opt-in feature that automatically enables and disables energy saver, without changing screen brightness, based on the power state of the device and the current system load,' says Microsoft's Windows Insider team. The feature is currently being tested with Canary Channel Windows 11 users and is expected to roll out more widely later this year. Desktop PCs won't get this new adaptive version since they don't run on batteries, but Microsoft did extend its main energy saver mode to all PCs last year, helping even desktops cut down on power consumption.
