Using Android apps on your Windows 11 PC is soon going to improve a bit.

      A recent Phone Link update makes Android apps less confined with an expanded view option.

      Microsoft is introducing a helpful enhancement for Phone Link that addresses one of the most frustrating aspects of streaming Android apps on Windows 11. The new expanded view feature allows users to stretch Android apps beyond the cramped, phone-sized interface they have been constrained to for years. This feature is being rolled out in the latest Phone Link update (version 1.25112.33.0) and aims to make apps appear more natural on larger screens.

      What the expanded view means

      Phone Link has always displayed Android apps in a narrow portrait format that imitates a mobile device, regardless of the size of the PC monitor. Some users have resorted to rotating their phone screens and using the 'Open Phone Screen' option as a temporary fix, but this only benefits apps that support landscape orientation. Apps such as Uber do not support this, leaving users with an awkward layout.

      VLC app shown in extended view mode through Phone Link on Windows Latest

      As reported by Windows Latest, the expanded view introduces a small icon near the window controls. Clicking on this icon allows the app to widen and occupy more desktop space. It performs best with applications that are already optimized for larger displays. For instance, VLC and Amazon resize effectively and fill the window, while Uber still presents thick black bars on either side due to its design for vertical use. WhatsApp shows improved performance since its Android version is already optimized for tablets.

      One downside is that the expanded view does not enhance font resolution, potentially making text appear slightly blurry when enlarged, and the window still cannot be maximized. By default, it also snaps to the left edge, which may feel a bit unusual. While it's not yet flawless, the update brings Phone Link closer to a more desktop-like Android experience, making it more reliable.

      In other news related to Windows 11, Microsoft is also introducing several beneficial updates to enhance daily usability. App updates and removals are set to become simpler, new privacy measures for copy and paste are on the way, and a new Themes section will allow for a more phone-like customization of personal computers.

      Manisha enjoys writing about technology that integrates into everyday life, covering topics from smartphones and apps to gaming and streaming.

      This innovative delivery robot is set to arrive soon in a U.S. city.

      Steps are no issue for Milo. Most ground-based delivery robots resemble compact wheeled vehicles equipped with secure compartments for delivering items. However, these robots face a significant challenge: they struggle with stairs, rough terrain, or other difficult surfaces, which prevents them from approaching someone's front door directly.

      Your AI chatbot wants you to save the planet...by making more purchases.

      A new study warns that everyday AI tools are contributing to increased global emissions in subtle ways. As artificial intelligence becomes integrated into various aspects of our lives—from smartphones to smart speakers—it’s becoming increasingly difficult to discern where technology ends and our choices begin. According to research conducted by the University of Queensland and UNSW, this is a significant issue. They caution that the "AI-ification" of everyday life is quietly escalating global emissions—not only from electricity consumption but also by influencing us to purchase more items.

      Your next Intel laptop may perform significantly better without the need for a dedicated GPU.

      Intel’s upcoming integrated graphics, the Arc B370, has appeared in a recent benchmark leak, revealing impressive performance for a chip integrated directly into the CPU. Found in an engineering sample of the Core Ultra 5 338H (part of the forthcoming Panther Lake family), the chip was tested on FurMark’s 1440p OpenGL workload, achieving a remarkable score of 2,383 points.

      To put this in context, this integrated chip is 33% faster than Intel’s actual desktop graphics card, the Arc A380, and 70% faster than the current Lunar Lake chips. Even more impressive is that it accomplished this while consuming only 36W of power, operating at a cool 2.3 GHz.