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Windows Android Microsoft

Microsoft's Windows Subsystem For Android Just Got a Big Update (zdnet.com) 37

Posted by BeauHD from the android-apps dept.
Microsoft has updated the Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) to Android 12.1 and shipped improvements to Android integration with Windows, networking, the camera in apps, the Settings app, and more. ZDNet reports: Current limitations aside, Microsoft is continuing to invest in bringing Android to Windows 11, as seen in its update to the WSA on Windows 11 (version 2204.40000.15) to Android 12.1, which is available to Insiders on the Dev Channel, according to a Microsoft blogpost. WSA launched with Android 11. Microsoft has improved networking on the Windows Subsystem for Android, so that Android apps can connect to devices on the same network as a Windows PC. Advanced networking allows users to set up smart home devices such as speakers and security cameras with a compatible Android app. This feature is available in Windows 11 preview builds 22621 and higher, with advanced networking on by default for new x64 Windows builds.

Android-Windows integration has also been improved. Windows taskbar icons now show which Android apps are currently using hardware features like the mic and location in the system tray. The taskbar now also correctly appears or disappears when apps are running or stopped. Android notifications also show as Windows notifications and the Windows title of an Android app now reflects the Android activity title. Android apps won't restart afresh after exiting connected standby mode, but instead will recommence where the app was paused.

Of the "many camera updates" in this release, Microsoft highlights that camera orientation is fixed to natural orientation, and that it's fixed incorrect camera previews, letterboxing (where the app window is wider than it is high, or horizontally longer), and a "squishing of the camera feed." Mouse and keyboard inputs in Windows Subsystem for Android have been improved. Microsoft also improved scroll-wheel support, fixed the onscreen keyboard focus, and ensured the Android soft keyboard displays correctly. The updated Windows Subsystem for Android Settings app gained redesigned UX and diagnostics data viewer. As of this update, telemetry collection is off by default. However, Microsoft is encouraging users to enable the setting, so it can collect data about Android app usage. "Other important updates include reduced flicker when apps are restored from a minimized state, the addition of VP8 and VP9 video hardware decoding, and the addition of Chromium WebView 100 to the Windows Subsystem for Android," adds ZDNet.
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Microsoft's Windows Subsystem For Android Just Got a Big Update More

Microsoft's Windows Subsystem For Android Just Got a Big Update

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  • I'm so confused (Score:1)

    by Anonymous Coward

    Windows Subsystem for Android..

    Is this running Windows within Android, or running Android within Windows?

    • Re:I'm so confused (Score:4, Informative)

      by Anonymous Coward on Monday May 23, 2022 @07:09PM (#62559916)

      Windows Subsystem for Android..

      Is this running Windows within Android, or running Android within Windows?

      Microsoft Marketing Stupidity: -- The word "Windows" must always come first, even though it makes no sense.

      Should be Android subsystem for Windows
      Should be Linux Subsystem for Windows

      This silliness goes back 25 years to Windows for OS/2.

      • It's not even that, it's Amazon US Appstore for Windows. So pretty much a waste of time, or at best a y'all-watch-this from some Microsoft product division that has to justify its existence.

        • Ya launching with amazon app store was pretty stupid.

          Though you can install google play and all other gapps packages and then it becomes fine. And magisk root etc.

          This link below automates everything:

          https://github.com/LSPosed/Mag... [github.com]

          • Ya launching with amazon app store was pretty stupid.

            Last I checked, Google had a policy to license the Gapps only for preinstallation on approved hardware. Because Windows 11 can be installed on commodity PCs, shipping with Google Play Store is thus not lawfully available to Microsoft. What would have been less bad than launching with Amazon Appstore?

      • Re: (Score:1)

        by Anonymous Coward

        They could at least have called them Windows Linux Subsystem and Windows Android Subsystem, thus still following their "Windows first" rule. Putting in the "for" is just unforced moronic idiocy.

        • "Linux" and "Android" are trademarks. Nominative use of another company's trademark to describe a complement to that company's good or service is easier to defend in court if the mark follows a separator, such as "compatible with", "fits", or "for". On eBay, for example, these magic words lead to more lenient application of the trading platform's trademark policy [ebay.com].

    • Re: (Score:1)

      by Tablizer ( 95088 )

      It's mutant ninja turtles all the way down...

    • Re:I'm so confused (Score:4, Informative)

      by Heir Of The Mess ( 939658 ) on Monday May 23, 2022 @10:18PM (#62560278)

      Is this running Windows within Android, or running Android within Windows?

      This is Android running inside Windows, and Microsoft will continuously update the supported Android version. So you can get a Mobile device, install Windows 11, run Android apps, and continuously get updates forever, so you don't have to throw the device away after 2 years due to none of the Android vulnerabilities getting patched.

  • It would be nice if there were an option to use the Google Play Store for Android Apps. The Amazon store is so-so, at best.

  • Roadblock ahead (Score:4, Interesting)

    by Gabest ( 852807 ) on Monday May 23, 2022 @07:15PM (#62559938)

    There are apps which check your device, ignoring the holy trinity of hardware-kernel-user separaton, and tell you that they won't run on your untrusted, uncertified, may-be-rooted Android. Not just banking apps, even McDonalds.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by AmiMoJo ( 196126 )

      This is a feature of Android. There is an API for it. The API checks the state of the OS to verify that certain security features are enabled and not compromised, which yes means if you root then the check fails.

      I can understand banking apps using it. Less so the lottery app I use. Even less so the McDonalds app.

      Anyway, there doesn't seem to be any reason why Microsoft couldn't implement the API. They probably need some kind of cryptographic certificate or something, same as every other manufacturer that sh

      • I can understand banking apps using it.

        So you're OK with your bank claiming your devices are "insecure" because they willingly admit to allowing you control over them, and using that as an excuse to deny you access to your money? If it were me, I'd dump that bank and fast.

        Anyway, there doesn't seem to be any reason why Microsoft couldn't implement the API. They probably need some kind of cryptographic certificate or something, same as every other manufacturer that ships Android devices.

        Microsoft would need permission and willing participation from Google to make it work. Even if Microsoft pulled a microg [microg.org] and re-implemented the APIs, they wouldn't work without Google's servers signing an attestation saying that Google approved of the device's current state.

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by AmiMoJo ( 196126 )

          Banking apps should work on rooted phones.

          Aside from anything else, the web banking still works on rooted devices.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by Gabest ( 852807 )

        I don't know the details, but none of the emulators can run the app of my bank. Pretty annoying since, that's where the 2FA notification arrives and the phone is of course getting it late or not nearby. The McDonalds app won't run on any of our Xiaomis, two rooted, one isn't and seemingly certified. I eat at Burger King.

  • Overlord OS (Score:4, Insightful)

    by Catvid-22 ( 9314307 ) on Monday May 23, 2022 @07:21PM (#62559952)
    It seems that Microsoft is embracing a lot of functions other operating systems normally would provide. First there was the ability to run individual GNU/Linux command-line programs, then entire distributions like Ubuntu, and if you think of the Browser as an OS, the ability to run web apps and extensions designed for Chrome. Now here comes the ability to run Android apps. It seems the only thing standing between everything becoming a Microsoft subsystem is the App(le) store.

    • Re: (Score:3)

      by Locutus ( 9039 )
      mostly because they lost those markets and do not want to lose business customers who are being forced to bring in non-Microsoft hardware to run the apps.
      Microsoft failed in the mobile space and Android tablets and phones are all over the place along with the more and more feature rich apps.
      Linux is all over the internet and back office service space and Microsoft was losing customers to Linux on cheap beige boxes and then in virtual machines.
      Microsoft had no way to keep track of this either so they didn't

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by AmiMoJo ( 196126 )

        It probably has a lot to do with Chrome OS supporting Android apps.

        Chromebooks have really started to dominate in the educational space. Cheap, easy to manage, no issues with malware, OS doesn't randomly reboot to install updates while you are using it etc. Android support brings access to many educational apps.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by kenh ( 9056 )

        Microsoft failed in the mobile space and Android tablets and phones are all over the place along with the more and more feature rich apps.

        MS is not in the mobile device market, and running Android on a Windows device doesn't change that reality.

        Only a small percentage of current Android apps make sense on a desktop/laptop device, the vast majority of Android apps are designed and optimized for phone/tablet use AWAY from a users desktop/laptop.

        Which Android app currently installed on your android tablet would you prefer to run on your desktop when you already have the app running on your android phone?

        This is a showcase tool for Windows, much

    • Re: (Score:3)

      by jma05 ( 897351 )

      And of course, the Steam Store, the largest game catalogue, especially for the MS Windows platform.
      A largest choice of apps is the only reason I am on Windows, not for any of its other OS features. I'd rather be on Linux otherwise.

  • WSA: A boon for corporate users (Score:5, Interesting)

    by williamyf ( 227051 ) on Monday May 23, 2022 @07:41PM (#62559982)

    Now that the Windows Phone dream is over for Microsoft, this is the way microsoft offers for corporate customeres that want to develop LoB bespoke internal apps that work on mobile and desktop the very same way at the same time. With a single codebase...

    Make an AOSP App that can run in both Android/AOSP & Windows. Better performance on AOSP/Android than Electron Apps, runs with similar performance on Windows too, no need to deal with multiple SDKs or weird CrossPlatform IDEs/Frameworks (that often overpromise and underdeliver on the "code once-run everywhere" ethos)...

    If you analyze this from a Consumer perspective, this seems like a nice tech demo, not much else.

    But from the point of view of people that buy Enterprise Volume licenses (that nowadays ARE the bread-and-butter of the Windows bussiness), this is great news....

    • Re: (Score:3)

      by beuges ( 613130 )

      They've been pushing the single codebase dream for a while already since purchasing Xamarin, and are evolving it further with MAUI which promises a single codebase delivering Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Web and potentially Linux.

      Naturally, MS won't use this for any of their own apps, just like how they never used Xamarin Forms for anything other than the MS News and Azure mobile apps, but they'll keep telling devs it's the best thing they need to adopt.

      Their idea for single-codebase-cross-platform is grea

  • ..is the first step
    Wait for the apps that require to be built on Windows Android subsystem and cannot be built otherwise

  • Now two tech giants can spy on me at the same time. Brilliant.

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