Microsoft had Universal Control before Apple, but it hasn't done enough with it

Surface Book 2 13-inch and 15-inch Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Cardinal

Yesterday at WWDC, Apple announced Universal Command as one of the new features for macOS Monterey. Universal Control allows you to control multiple devices with a unmarried mouse and keyboard, including iPads and MacBooks. Yous can even drag and drop items across an iPad, MacBook, and iMac. Some Windows lovers may accept immediately thought of a similar feature from Microsoft that's available in the app Mouse without Borders.

Similar Universal Command, Mouse without Borders allows you to utilise a unmarried mouse and keyboard across devices. Information technology can too drag items across multiple PCs. It'south a great app because it ways if you take one of the best PC mice, you can apply it on multiple computers. There are, even so, 2 major differences that stick out betwixt Universal Control and Mouse without Borders. Kickoff, Mouse without Borders came out several years earlier. 2nd, Microsoft hasn't done enough with Mouse without Borders to take it compete with Universal Control.

First doesn't mean best

Universal Control Source: Apple tree

During every major Apple result, people joke about how Apple "invents something." I've certainly taken a jab at Apple for acting like they came upwards with Live Images or other features. Simply like information technology or not, this design is part of Apple'southward strategy. The company takes ideas, such as waterproofing a phone or wireless charging, and and so perfects them inside their ecosystem. If that feature happens to come out years subsequently Android or Microsoft rolls out an equivalent, and then be it.

Apple isn't offset to the political party with many of its features, just the company at to the lowest degree puts its whole eye into it, as seen by the announcement of Universal Command. When Apple tree unveiled Universal Command, it showcased information technology at a major effect on an iPad, MacBook, and iMac. The feature works seamlessly across major Apple tree hardware.

Microsoft has a different approach to some features, which isn't necessarily bad simply is certainly different. In the case of Mouse without Borders, information technology's a Microsoft Garage Projection. Microsoft Garage allows people at Microsoft to experiment with ideas and develop them farther. Sometimes, such as with Arrow Launcher becoming Microsoft Launcher, an app or idea volition be rolled into a proper Microsoft app. In other cases, Microsoft Garage projects are retired.

Of class, Microsoft doesn't use Microsoft Garage for all features or ideas. It rolls things out properly all of the time, but it didn't requite Mouse without Borders the treatment I recall information technology deserved. For Mouse without Borders to compete with Apple's Universal Control, Microsoft would need to build it into Windows 10 and embrace it in a like way to Microsoft Launcher.

Building information technology into Windows 10

Mouse Without Borders Windows Source: Windows Key

I'thou not sure why Microsoft has left Mouse without Borders as a Microsoft Garage project. Peradventure the company isn't happy with its operation. Perhaps data Microsoft has suggests that it isn't that pop. But to me, Mouse without Borders would fit right in on Windows ten. People with a portable device similar the Surface Go could drop their 2-in-1 at their desk-bound and use it alongside a desktop or a laptop.

I'thousand honestly surprised that Mouse without Borders isn't built into Windows 10. It works fine, and I recommend it to anyone who uses multiple PCs, but significantly fewer people volition find it if it's a separate app you have to find on your own.

Mouse without Borders besides has a configuration procedure that looks more complicated than Apple's Universal Command. Yous accept to enter security codes and pair upwardly PCs. While we haven't gotten our hands on Universal Command, I presume it will work seamlessly and be piece of cake to set upwardly, much similar other features designed to bring iPads and Macs together.

If Microsoft built Mouse without Borders into Windows ten (or Windows 11), it could take it sync through your Microsoft business relationship and piece of work seamlessly between devices. Information technology'southward a shame to meet such a great program left in the garage.

Mouse without Borders

This app lets you command multiple PCs with a single mouse and keyboard. You tin too utilize information technology to drag content across multiple devices.

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