Windows 11 Unveils Game-Changing Feature to Sync Your Phone and PC Effortlessly!

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As an analyst, I’m excited to share that we, at Microsoft, are adopting a fantastic feature from the Apple ecosystem in the upcoming version of Windows 11. This innovative addition will allow you to seamlessly continue working on a document you’ve recently edited or viewed on your phone directly from your PC, simply by clicking on a notification.

While this feature has been under testing among our trusted Windows Insiders for some time, it was only officially named and documented with the release of Windows 11 Build 27788 to the Canary Channel. This means that we’re getting closer to making this functionality available to you!

As an analyst, I’m excited to share that in this latest build of Windows 11 (Build 27788), we’re offering a sneak peek at the revamped Windows MIDI Services. This is essentially a ground-up overhaul of the MIDI functionality on our platform. It’s been nearly four decades since the core MIDI protocol underwent a significant update, and now with the emergence of MIDI 2.0, we’re bringing a more contemporary experience to musicians. This upgrade allows Windows 11 to be compatible with MIDI 2.0 and modernizes MIDI 1.0, enhancing the overall control and versatility for our users.

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In addition to other features, Windows 11 Build 27788 introduces support for “Resume,” a OneDrive functionality that enables you to pick up where you left off with a file you recently edited on your phone. This function displays a notification for any document you’ve viewed or modified within the past five minutes after unlocking your PC. By clicking the notification, you can open the document directly in its designated app on Windows 11.

The function that lets you carry on from where you last stopped using is now referred to as “Resume.” At one point, this feature was temporarily known as “Continue from Phone” and later as “Hand Off.” However, due to its striking resemblance to a macOS feature called “Handoff,” both having similar functionalities, I can’t help but speculate if Microsoft needed to differentiate their feature from Apple’s. Eventually, they opted for the name “Resume” which is what Microsoft now calls this feature in their latest documentation.

When I spotted “Resume” mentioned in the latest Build release notes, it piqued my interest as to whether it was connected to “Continue from Phone.” To clarify, I reached out to a well-known expert on Windows 11 features, phantomofearth. They affirmed that indeed, “Resume” is now known as “Continue from Phone.

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For the time being, Resume functions primarily with Word files, Excel sheets, PowerPoint presentations, and specific sections of OneNote. However, it’s activated only when your computer is already locked upon opening a document on your mobile device.

In Build 27788, there are two major updates highlighted, along with a list of fixes and additional changes detailed in the release notes provided by Microsoft. (Or) Here are the key sections from the change log for the two most significant modifications found in Build 27788. Microsoft has included information about the build’s fixes and other adjustments in the release notes as well.

Windows 11 Build 27788: MIDI update

Windows MIDI Services Public Preview

We’re thrilled to unveil the initial public test version within the box of Windows MIDI Services, which is our comprehensive revamp of MIDI functionality on Windows, prioritizing an exceptional user experience for musicians while laying a robust base for further development and improvement.

Initially introduced in 1983, MIDI serves as the universal standard for synchronizing a variety of electronic musical equipment, such as synthesizers and drum machines, in almost every contemporary digital music production. Its primary function is to store and reproduce note data, manage stage lighting and effects, ensure consistency among mixers in large venues, and perform numerous other tasks. Although it doesn’t produce sound on its own, the MIDI protocol plays a pivotal role in creating music, having significantly influenced the development of genres like hip-hop and many others. The long-awaited MIDI 2.0 represents the first significant overhaul to the fundamental MIDI protocol since 1983, providing contemporary musicians with enhancements such as improved speed and precision, refined instrument control, two-way conversations, device discovery, superior USB timing, and more features tailored for modern music production.

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Our latest MIDI system, known as Windows MIDI Services, is not just compatible with MIDI 2.0, but it also upgrades our earlier MIDI 1.0 implementation to meet contemporary standards. This versatile service operates on 64-bit operating systems across all supported processors, including Arm64. Among its advantages are:

1. Seamless integration with modern MIDI devices and applications.
2. Improved performance and reliability for a better user experience.
3. Enhanced compatibility with various MIDI protocols.
4. Simplified setup process, making it easier for users to configure their MIDI devices.
5. Robust error handling and recovery mechanisms to minimize downtime and maximize uptime.

  • Full support of the MIDI 2.0 Standard, including high-speed data transmission, higher-fidelity messages, increased resolution for controller values, and full in-service MIDI 2.0 endpoint discovery and protocol negotiation.
  • Faster transports, leading to better timing and reduced jitter.
  • Faster USB MIDI driver with full support for both MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0.
  • Every endpoint is now multi-client, meaning multiple apps can use a device at the same time.
  • Better endpoint and port
  • In-service scheduling of outgoing timestamped messages, and timestamped incoming messages, for apps using the new Windows MIDI Services App SDK.
  • Built-in loopback and app-to-app MIDI
  • Automatic translation between MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0 based on API, application, and device needs.
  • Much more device metadata available to applications.
  • Better device add/update/remove notifications.
  • Backwards compatibility with our WinMM (MME) MIDI 1.0 API (and WinRT MIDI 1.0 in the future) enabling applications to light up with new features without any changes, and even access MIDI 2.0 devices at a MIDI 1.0 feature level.
  • Open source. The MIDI Service, all its transports, all the tools, the tests, and the SDK are all MIT-licensed open source, and have been developed in concert with hardware and software partners around the world.

Introduction to the Freshly Introduced USB MIDI 2.0 Class Driver

The recently introduced USB MIDI 2.0 Class Driver, kindly made accessible to Microsoft by AMEI (Japan’s Association of Musical Electronics Industry) and penned by AmeNote, is a swift USB MIDI driver designed to work seamlessly with both the latest USB MIDI 2.0 devices and class-compliant USB MIDI 1.0 devices. By default, it’s activated only for USB MIDI 2.0 devices and a select group of USB MIDI 1.0 devices. Nonetheless, you have the option to assign this driver manually to any class-compliant USB MIDI 1.0 device to enjoy improved data transfer. We also offer several inbuilt transports for functions that were previously unavailable without third-party drivers. To learn more about these built-in transports, click here.

Developing Applications with Windows MIDI Services: To create applications compatible with Windows MIDI Services, developers can utilize the Windows MIDI Services App Software Development Kit (SDK), which is provided separately. Preview versions of this SDK are accessible through our GitHub releases page. However, be mindful that these previews are unsigned, and you’ll receive a warning during download and installation. The SDK runtime installer not only sets up the necessary components but also provides the following tools:

  • Windows MIDI Services Console (midi.exe): The all-around console tool for sending messages, checking the state of MIDI, monitoring incoming messages, sending System Exclusive, and much more.
  • MIDI Diagnostics (mididiag.exe): A tech support tool which provides information about the state of MIDI on the PC.
  • MIDI Kernel Streaming Endpoint Info (midiksinfo.exe): A hardware developer-focused tool which provides information about the KS (Kernel Streaming) endpoints.
  • MIDI multicast dynamic DNS Info (midimdnsinfo.exe): A tool to support the upcoming Network MIDI 2.0 transport.

The Windows MIDI Services Application Software Development Kit (SDK) encompasses not only its standard features, but also the MIDI Settings application – a desktop tool designed for configuring endpoints, renaming them and their respective ports, setting up loopback devices, managing your Network MIDI 2.0 connections, and providing additional functionalities.

Apart from that, we’re currently developing our Network MIDI 2.0 transmission system (shown at the NAMM Show in California), a virtual patch-bay for routing connections between devices, and an update to our Bluetooth Low Energy MIDI 1.0 transport. These features will be included in a future release of Windows MIDI Services.

We’re excited for music-creating Windows Insiders to test drive the Public Preview of our Windows MIDI Services and MIDI 2.0! Use your current applications that utilize the WinMM MIDI 1.0 function while running the new Windows MIDI Services. Also, try out any MIDI 1.0 devices with individual vendor drivers. If you have questions or wish to contribute, hop onto our Discord channel! You’ll find a list of known issues detailed here.

Windows 11 Build 27788: Resume

Ability to seamlessly resume OneDrive files in 1-click from your phone to PC

We’re slowly introducing a convenient function that lets you effortlessly continue working on files from OneDrive right on your Windows 11 computer, straight from your iPhone or Android device with just one click. This new feature will alert you if there’s a OneDrive file you were recently viewing or editing on your phone, such as a Word document, within five minutes of unlocking your PC, prompting you to resume work where you left off.

When you tap this notification, the very same file you were browsing or modifying earlier on your mobile device will automatically open using your preferred web browser on your computer.

  • This feature works only when signing into OneDrive with a Microsoft account. Work and school accounts are not supported. And you need to be using the same Microsoft account signing into OneDrive on your phone and signing into your Windows 11 PC.
  • This feature supports Word docs, Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, OneNote notebooks/pages, and PDFs.
  • The OneDrive file must be opened on your phone when your PC is locked. If you then unlock your PC within 5 minutes of accessing the file on your phone, you will receive the resume notification as noted above.
  • For the best experience using this feature, you should be logged into OneDrive in your default browser on your PC.

This feature can be managed and turned off via Settings > Apps > Resume.

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2025-02-05 22:41