Windows 10 Mobile to have a one-handed mode similar to Apple's Reachability
Microsoft has been churning out Windows 10 preview builds like there is no tomorrow (the latest shipping just a few days ago), which is understandable, given that the July 29th release date of its newest operating system version is fast approaching. Windows 10 Mobile updates, though? Not so fast, as the release date for this one is rumored to be some time in September, in time for Microsoft to release new Lumia phones to go along with it, and create some competition to the Android-iOS duopoly during the holidays.
This is why we are glad to report that there has been a new preview build of Windows 10 Mobile hitting developers' handsets, and, along with the obligatory bug-smashing, it introduces some intriguing new features that will likely make it into the final product. The one that caught our attention the most is an eventual one-handed mode for handsets with a 5-inch or above display. This new option slides down the whole interface to fit a much smaller area on the screen, allowing you to reach anything with one thumb in an easier manner, apparently similar to Apple's Reachability regime. Microsoft's one-handed mode is evoked by pressing and holding the home key, and you can return to a full-screen mode by tapping on the black screen portion at the top, or just wait for the one-handed session to time out.
Cortana, on the other hand, has also gotten smarter, and can now track packages for you, or show you information about your upcoming flights with info gleaned from your emails - if you let her peep there, of course. Last but not least of the bigger features introduced in this latest Windows 10 Mobile build, is the new organizational structure for photos in your gallery app, which can now be arranged by the date they were taken, and you can tap on the current month to get a list of months and years you can jump to directly, without endless scrolling through the Photos app.
source: WindowsBlog
source: WindowsBlog
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