One of Windows 10’s most valuable features could soon get an upgrade
Sending text messages from your Windows 10 PC could get even easier soon.
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What you need to know
Microsoft’s Your Phone app on Windows 10 will gain picture-in-picture support for messages and the ability to copy text from images, according to a report fromWindows Latest. While these features aren’t available to general users or Insiders yet, Windows Latest has images that appear to show the features in action. The outlet suspects that the features will arrive for Insiders within a month or two, but that’s not confirmed at this time.
Microsoft’s Your Phone is a large part of the tech giant’s plans for mobile phones. People can sync their text messages, photos, and other content across their devices and use the Your Phone app on Windows 10 to control their smartphone. The app is an increasingly useful addition to Windows 10. Our executive editor, Daniel Rubino, said earlier this year that the app “could change the way you use mobile tech.” While some of Your Phone’s features areexclusive to select Samsung phones, the app has continued to gain useful features over time, such as the ability tocontrol a smartphone’s audio.
The addition of picture-in-picture messages would give people another way to keep in touch through text messages. Picture-in-picture windows on Windows 10 stay above other applications, so you could keep a window open to text someone without having to close the app you’re in.
How Your Phone finally let me keep my phone in my pocket
The usefulness of copying text from images will vary largely on if people use text messages for sending and receiving images. Some mobile phone plans still charge extra for images, so many prefer to use web-based apps for images. That being said, it’s always good to have more options.
Merging phones and PCs
Your Phone allows you to sync text messages, photos, and notifications from your phone to your Windows 10 PC. You can also use it to control your smartphone’s audio.
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Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
