Subj : Windows 11 users can now try a new feature that uses an Android p To : All From : TechnologyDaily Date : Wed Mar 20 2024 12:45:06 Windows 11 users can now try a new feature that uses an Android phone as a webcam here's how Date: Wed, 20 Mar 2024 12:42:36 +0000 Description: Windows 11 users may never need to buy a webcam again thanks to this upcoming feature. FULL STORY ====================================================================== Windows 11 users will soon be able to use their Android phones as webcams for video calls, an exciting development for people who dont want to spend money on a webcam or work on the go and need one in a pinch. Earlier this month we reported on the feature being available to just a few select groups (referred to as channels) in the Windows Insider Program , Microsofts community for Windows enthusiasts who want to get early access to potential new features and Windows versions. The feature has had an expanded rollout to all Insider Channels, making it much easier to try it out for yourself. Members of the Windows Insider Program can give feedback ahead of a more widespread rollout. So, the fact that Microsoft is opening this feature up to more channels in the program suggests that its already taken feedback and improved upon the feature enough to allow more people to give it a try. Normally, a new feature being released across all Insider channels strongly suggests that we may see an imminent public release, which is an exciting development for those of us who have been waiting for the feature to drop. Give it a go! If youre not already in the Windows Insider Program, youll have to sign up first. Its free to join, and all you have to do is make sure youll be using it on a PC thats running Windows 10 or Windows 11. Once youve signed up youll need to install the latest preview build, and then make sure your phone is set up and ready to go. Your phone should be running Android 9.0 or later, with the Link to Windows app installed. Before you can get video calling, youll need to quickly hop into your settings and make sure your phone is set as the desired streaming device. This means youll need to go to: Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mobile devices From there hit the Manage Devices options and link your Android phone to your PC. Youll be prompted to download a Cross-Device Experience Host update from the Microsoft Store and you should be ready to go! Overall this feature should be very useful in the long term, whether you have one of the best webcams on the market or not. When Im working on the commute or hot-desking it can be such a hassle to find an external webcam and carry it around with me - or having to resort to using the built-in webcam of a laptop, which sometimes isnt very good quality, especially on older devices. The alternative is just using your phone to join meetings, which is fine, but does mean you have a rather small screen to look at. Of course, sometimes you just want to pick the camera up to show your team something cute your cat is doing, and this feature will be perfect for that as well. Via MSPowerUser You might also like... Windows 11 is forcing users to upgrade Mail app to new Outlook client which comes with a nasty addition adverts Watch out: soon some older PCs will lose Windows 11 support Windows 11 remains an unloved OS but why won't people upgrade? ====================================================================== Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/windows-11-users-can-now-try-a-new -feature-that-uses-an-android-phone-as-a-webcam-heres-how --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 (Linux/64) * Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100) .