Removed after Redstone 3, and absent in Redstone 4, Microsoft is set to add the Phone API back in to Windows 10. Now that Windows devices with LTE connections are on the horizon, it makes sense that Phone API would make its return.
What is the Phone API?
The Phone API is the programming toolkit that allows developers to build phone-centric features into their software, making use of a number of commands and parameters.
With an appropriate dialler, and LTE hardware, it would be possible for software running on Windows 10 to make phone calls, send and receive text messages, manage call waiting, call on hold, redial, phone book, voicemail, and other features.
Laptop calls?
While you may not want to hold your laptop or desktop PC to your head while making a call, Microsoft doesn't envision you doing that. You'd be using a bluetooth headset and mic, or a wired headset, with an on-screen soft-phone, or be plugged in to a USB-A or USB-C desk phone.
Making phone calls on your laptop isn't the desired end-game here. Could we be seeing Microsoft moving closer and closer to collaborating with Android, handing off calls to your mobile? Could we see a Microsoft dialler built in to the Microsoft Launcher on Android?
The ultimate end-game here would be a Microsoft mobile phone, whether this is branded as a Lumia device, or a Surface device, remains to be seen. Microsoft could skip the first-party phone hardware party All together, and let its OEMs like HP and Dell, with their enterprise focus, create phone hardware with Snapdragon, Windows 10, LTE, Wifi, Bluetooth, and the Phone API.
Until next time,
Xavier Zymantas
XYZtech XYZ Media Group
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