Microsoft
The company will let people run iPhone (assuming Apple agrees) or Android phone apps on their computer. It's also building Teams into Windows similar to how FaceTime is integrated into Macs, except that it's not exclusive to Windows as it's available on all platforms.
Windows is attempting to create a place where Android and Mac programs can work together rather than being segregated into their own ecosystems. CEO Satya Nadella said, "Today, the world needs a more open platform, one that allows apps to become a platform in their own right. Windows is a platform where things that are bigger than Windows can be born, like the web."
The Windows upgrades comes when demand for laptops and PCs skyrocketed due to work from home requirements and increased spending on tech devices during the pandemic amid stimulus payments. Given the expected increase in hybrid and remote work, some of this demand will certainly stick.
This has been a boom for Microsoft which benefits from increased software sales and OS installs. Currently, the company is attempting to have the Windows 11 upgrade ready for users this fall and have Windows 11 PCs and laptops available for sale.
Another major announcement was that Microsoft Teams will be automatically built into Windows 11 similar to how FaceTime is integrated into Macs. The company also announced that it won't take any cut from developers on its Microsoft Store in an attempt to lure developers to build apps for Windows. It would also let developers use any commerce technology which also differentiates them from Apple and Google which automatically takes a cut of in-app transactions.
The company is also planning to fold in features from Xbox into Windows 11 such as Auto HDR which uses AI to enhance visuals. The company is also adding a Widgets feature that would help surface Internet content based on a users' activity and interests.
