It's been a long time since Apple's "Handoff" feature made seamless cross-device workflow a reality for its users, and Android users have been waiting for a similar experience. The ability to start a task on an iPhone - like browsing the web or writing an email - and immediately continue it on a MacBook has long been a dream for Android owners hoping for the same level of integration between their Android tablet or Windows PC. The wait may finally be over, as Google is working on a new, system-wide solution for Task Continuity that will work across Android phones, tablets, and future Android-based PCs. The good news is, Google's new feature sounds a lot like what Xiaomi fans already enjoy with Xiaomi HyperConnect on devices like the Xiaomi Pad 6 and Xiaomi Pad 7. This is great news for the wider Android community, as it means this kind of convenience will soon be available to everyone, regardless of their device.
Google is building "Task Continuity"
Technology news outlet Android Authority has revealed that Google is building a new feature called "Task Continuity." This feature will enable a more robust cross-device collaborative experience. This is a significant step towards solving the long-standing problem of fragmentation in the Android ecosystem. By building this feature into the core Android framework, Google is giving all Android developers and device manufacturers a unified, standardized way to enable cross-device features.
Google's goal is to make the process completely seamless for users. The "Task Continuity" feature will transfer the exact state of an application from one device to another nearby device. For example, if you're working on a document on your phone and want to switch to a larger screen, a small icon will appear in your tablet's taskbar. Tapping this icon will instantly sync your session with the tablet, allowing you to pick up right where you left off. According to IT Home, it's a two-way system, with Google's new framework handling task discovery and status packaging between devices. Since it's a built-in system feature, it won't require a massive third-party app or custom manufacturer implementation to work.
Why it’s so important for Android
Apple has long benefited from features like “Handoff” because it controls both iOS and macOS platforms, ensuring a unified software interface for developers. In the past, any collaboration between Android and Windows relied on a complex and often unreliable partnership between Google and Microsoft. While Microsoft experimented with tools like Phone Link, these were often one-way and unreliable, with high barriers to entry for developers, limiting widespread adoption.
By controlling and integrating the feature directly into the core Android framework, Google is making it possible for any Android user to have a smooth and reliable cross-device experience, something Xiaomi users are already enjoying. The new framework will handle task discovery and status packaging between devices, making the process more efficient and reliable.
Release timeline
The code for this feature has appeared in early development versions of Android 16. However, due to the complexity of system-wide integration, the feature is not expected to be officially released before Android 17 next year. Nevertheless, the foundation has been laid, signaling a new era of cross-device collaboration that will bring a beloved Xiaomi HyperConnect feature to all Android devices, making the ecosystem more cohesive and user-friendly.
