Continuum is one of Microsoft’s signature features for Windows 10 users that gives your Windows 10 phone PC-like power to get things done. Continuum enables a Windows 10-powered smartphone to be used as a desktop PC by hooking up with an external display, keyboard and mouse through a dock. It turns your phone into a big-screen projector to use your apps and see your content on a larger screen. And also, connect a keyboard and mouse to make it a big time productive tool.
Here’s how Microsoft describes Continuum:
Windows 10 adjusts your experience for your activity, device and display, so you can do your thing in any mode anytime you want. Onscreen features, like menus and task bars, adapt for easy navigation. Apps are built to scale smoothly from screen to screen so they look good from the smallest app window up to the largest 8k displays. You can even change from desktop to tablet mode anytime you want – your screen will give you a smooth transition and a beautiful display. Available exclusively on Windows, Continuum is designed to ensure that the best screen is always the one you’re on.
What can I do with help of Continuum?
Use your phone like a PC! Connect a keyboard and mouse to use everything on your phone on big screen PC. You can create and edit Office docs, send email, even type text messages on your connected screen. When you’re done, it’s saved on your phone. You can also watch videos, browse your photos (all from you phone), or surf the web on your connected screen.
Want to write a long email or create a PowerPoint presentation2? Dock your phone and use a monitor, mouse, and keyboard to quickly create a PC-like work environment.
Can I receive and make call & text when connected?
Yes! Even when you’re connected to your PC, you can still use your phone in all the usual ways like make and receive calls, send texts, check your social media apps and all what you want to do on your phone. You don’t need to disconnect your phone from your PC, get real work done like making notes in Word or browse the web, while still using your phone to talk, text, and tweet.
Can I use my phone as a touchpad?
Yes you can! You use your phone to control your connected screen. To function this – select Tap to control in the Continuum banner at the top of your screen. Now swipe your finger around the phone’s screen to move the cursor. That’s all easy.
What else?
You can change the background photo on your connected screen. Go to Start and then select Settings > Personalization > Start. Under Second display*, make your pick.
* You’ll only see Second display as an option when your phone is connected to a TV or monitor.
Which phones will support Continuum?
According to Microsoft, not all Windows 10-powered smartphones will support this feature. There is also some hardware limitations. Continuum requires the smartphone to have a Snapdragon 808 or Snapdragon 810 processor. The device also needs to have 2GB of RAM at the very least with 8GB of on board storage (recommended 16GB storage device), Bluetooth 4.0 and 802.11n Wi-Fi. Microsoft recommends 3GB of RAM for phones that have 1080p screens and 802.11ac WiFi and USB 3.0 Type C connectors for better performance, although 2GB of RAM is sufficient for phones with 720p screens.
Microsoft Lumia 950, Lumia 950 XL and the Acer Jade Primo smartphones features pretty much similar specifications and have support for Continuum.
How to connect?
There are two ways to connect your phone with your PC through Continuum. You can connect through a wired dock to project your phone to any screen, and hook up the mouse and keyboard for a complete PC feel. Set up is simple using Continuum-compatible accessories. In addition, you can do the same wirelessly by using a Continuum-compatible dongle to project wirelessly from your phone with no Internet connection needed.
Stay tuned, we will soon update step-by-step process on how to setup Continuum for phone.
How would you rate Microsoft’s Continuum feature? Are you interested to use Continuum in future? tell us via comments. Enjoy!
