One of the most persistently frustrating aspects of our highly interconnected world is that we seem to exist in at least three different distinct ecosystems.

Apple users live in the Apple ecosystem which encompasses both its mobile products and its PCs. Windows users live in the Windows ecosystem which encompasses both laptops and desktops but leaves mobile devices out in the cold. Of course, Android users live in their own ecosystem which is mobile-centric. By design there’s almost no overlap between these spheres and that’s a pity.

Microsoft thinks so, too. As part of their ongoing Windows 11 development they’re rolling out a feature that will allow users to run Android apps in a virtualized environment on their PCs.

This is huge news and a first tentative step that begins to bridge the divide between the various ecosystems.  Imaging installing a fun game on your Android based phone and then being able to pick up where you left off when you’re sitting at your Windows PC.

Or imagine downloading some type of productivity app on your Android phone and leveraging your PC to get even more out of it. Both of those are now possible with the latest release of Windows 11.

If you’re an early adopter of Windows 11 you probably already know what the most recent build contains. If you aren’t aware, in addition to the Android app functionality the latest build also sports a new look for Notepad, Media Player, and a raft of taskbar and other improvements.

Even better is that the company is reporting that Windows 11 adoption rates are even higher than the impressive Windows 10 adoption rates were. That bodes well for the company and signifies a broad-based acceptance of the company’s latest OS. Exciting times indeed and kudos to Microsoft for beginning to bridge the divide.