The much expected Windows 10 April update, otherwise known as the “Redstone 4” release has brought with it some nifty new features and improvements, including Timeline and Nearby Sharing functionalities.
Marked as version 1803, the April Update brings with it some enhancements like: Focus Assist, Data Management and tons of other improvements to Microsoft's browser, Edge - including demo functionalities, such as underpinnings for Progressive Web Apps, and a way of uploading apps to the Microsoft Store.
Albeit, the new version of Windows 10 looks nearly identical to earlier versions, but the feel is somewhat smoother owing to some subtle changes Microsoft introduced with Fluent Design which gives a semi-transparent “acrylic” UI that brought out the colors of background apps.
Fluent Design, Microsoft’s new aesthetic permeate farther and farther into Windows 10 design, lending it a bit of “frosted glass” effect within the Start menu. Microsoft have also added shortcut icons for Documents and Pictures above the Start Menu icon in the lower left, with the notifications moved to the Action Center on the lower right.
And perhaps, what's the most noticeable new feature, Timeline optionally records the pages you visit using Edge (though not supported on any other browser) and keeps track of the documents you use within Microsoft Office.
The feature is on by default, and on clicking the taskbar button reserved for Task View, Timeline will open up to reveal your recent activities, dating back to the past days and weeks.
Microsoft also introduced a rather take-on to AirDrop, Near Share, also known as “Nearby Sharing” in the Settings menu to allow Windows PCs to share files and URLs with other nearby PCs, similar to how Apple's AirDrop feature debuted several years ago works.
Additionally, the Edge browser and File Explorer “Share” options, now directly connect to nearby PCs, which formerly is limited to routing the data through Mail, Facebook, Twitter, and other apps.
Near Share requires a Windows PC (smartphones are not supported) with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled, and you’ll need to turn on Nearby Sharing in the Settings menu to share data. Though the way Windows assigns PCs names—with a seemingly random string of letters and numbers—can make identifying which PC you’re sharing with a bit complicated.
While there are many other ways of transferring files, Near Share presents a nifty addition to a Windows tricks, as it makes sharing large files or quickly beaming a complex URL, or zip a photo or a small file to a colleague in a conference room, a breeze.
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