I found this intriguing Microsoft Edge feature because of a bug in my X feed

This morning, while going through my news feed, I came across an unusual post. Initially, it appeared to be about a new Microsoft Edge feature being tested. However, upon closer inspection, I realized that the post was from 2023. I’m puzzled as to why this old post ended up in my “Following” feed, which is supposed to display content in chronological order. I considered the possibility that a more recent post within the same thread might have bumped the original content, but it seems that isn’t what happened.

Irrespective of the reason behind my observation, the “Mobile upload” function piqued my interest. Debuting in February 2024, this feature enables you to transfer images directly from your phone to your desktop for use. With this tool, you can effortlessly utilize photos taken on your phone or images saved on your computer without needing to send them to yourself or wait for OneDrive to back up your files. Leo Varela was the one who initially noticed this feature during its testing phase in 2023 and shared snapshots demonstrating it in action.

Microsoft offers multiple methods to link mobile devices and computers, one of which is a standalone Edge feature called “Drop.” This mobile upload function simplifies the process if you wish to transfer an image from your phone to the web on your computer. Although sending files to oneself isn’t complicated, it can feel slightly awkward as you wait for a self-message notification.

To use this new feature, I found it essential that both my smartphone and computer were connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Additionally, every time I wished to transfer an image from my phone to my computer’s browser, I needed to scan a QR code.

As a researcher employing this novel tool, I find myself with the ability to decide whether my files will be automatically synced with OneDrive for backup purposes or if I prefer to manage backups independently.

Microsoft provides an FAQ section on the topic of mobile file uploads. This section states that it’s possible to transmit as many as ten images simultaneously, with each individual image not exceeding 1 Gigabyte in size.

Currently, mobile upload doesn’t appear significantly more hassle-free compared to using Drop, self-sending a file, or device syncing with Phone Link. The necessity of scanning a QR code every time I want to upload an image to my computer makes it impractical for seamless integration into my workflow. However, the feature is intriguing, and I’m grateful X demonstrated it in my feed, even if the reasoning isn’t entirely clear.

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2025-01-13 18:09