Microsoft working to bring its “Flow” experience to devices with Windows 10 Redstone 2 release

2 min. read

Published on October 12, 2016

published on October 12, 2016

Readers help support Windows Report. We may get a commission if you buy through our links.

One of the best things about working on several Microsoft devices at a time is some degree of familiarity. Being able to switch between a Windows 10 phone and desktop and work with the same interface makes just about every task simple, and helps to keep you productive anywhere you are. According to some reporting done by Windows Central’s Zac Bowden, the upcoming release of Redstone 2 is going to be bridging the gap between devices even more.

This new functionality is called ‘Flow,’ and it allows you to sync up an app from one Windows 10 device to another, exactly copying your work, settings, etc. Flow is meant to be an expanded version of a Redstone 1 feature known as “Continue App Experiences” which did much of the same thing, although it didn’t have much of a dedicated UI or a very wide array of options implemented for users to play around with.

According to Zac’s sources, much of Flow is going to be handled in classic Windows 10 fashion: through Cortana. Since Cortana is a feature that now every Windows 10 device has well-implemented, it makes for the perfect vessel for something meant to bridge the gap between devices. If Flow is implemented right, this means that Cortana is going to be able to pop up with contextual prompts for you to sync up an app, making it so that you barely have to lift a finger.

While Flow isn’t necessarily a consumer-facing name we expect Microsoft to move forward with right now (it was also less-elegantly referred to internally as “Pick up where I left off”) it seems like the feature is well on its way.

Introducing Flow is going to help drive home the feeling of a well-put-together Windows 10 ecosystem for those that work on multiple devices and should go a long way towards increasing productivity. We have no idea when we’re going to be seeing this release to Insiders, but you can bet that it’s going to be one of many key features when Redstone 2 starts getting a little bit closer.

This is just the beginning for Redstone 2 coverage as we approach 2017. If you want to keep up to date, keep an eye on our Redstone 2 tag.

Radu Tyrsina

Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time). For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web. Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they're looking for.