Microsoft’s on a mission to make its browser experience even more functional, and they are openly seeking user input. The tech giant just proposed a shiny new feature for the Notifications API that lets web apps send incoming call notifications. Here’s the scoop.
Picture this: You’re deep in a browsing session, and suddenly, an incoming call notification pops up right in your Edge browser. Sounds pretty cool, right? Microsoft thinks so too. They’re working on a way to make these notifications visually stand out, customizable, and even come with ringtones. No more fumbling with different apps—handle your calls directly from your browser!
The proposal includes a new “scenario” property in the Notifications API that developers can use to mark a notification as an incoming call. This means you’ll get high-priority alerts with customized buttons like “Answer” or “Decline,” making it super easy to manage calls. Whether it’s audio or video, you’ll have all the options at your fingertips.
Microsoft’s got a prototype ready for you to test. Here’s how to give it a whirl:
- Fire up Microsoft Edge on Windows using the command:
msedge.exe --enable-features=IncomingCallNotifications. - Open the calls notification sample app.
- Install the app by clicking the “App available” button in the address bar.
- Accept notifications from the sample app by clicking the “Permission” button.
- Hit the “Show an incoming call notification” button and watch the magic happen.
Now, you might be wondering why you should bother answering calls in your Edge browser when you’ve got the trusty Phone Link app. Well, let’s break it down: With Edge’s incoming call notifications, you don’t have to switch between apps to manage your calls. Everything you need is right there in your browser. This means you can keep working (or procrastinating) without missing a beat. Edge’s call notifications could offer a more seamless and integrated experience. Imagine browsing the web, answering calls, and managing notifications all in one place. It’s like having a personal assistant right in your browser, minus the coffee runs.
Edge’s new feature promises customizable notifications with options like “Audio” or “Video” answers. Phone Link, while functional, doesn’t offer the same level of customization. Edge gives you the power to tailor your call experience to your preferences.
So, when it comes to answering calls on Windows, Edge might just have the edge (pun intended) over Phone Link. It’s all about making your life simpler and more efficient, and who doesn’t want that?
Microsoft is all ears for your feedback. They want to know how you feel about this new feature and what tweaks you might suggest. Head over to their GitHub repository, read the explainer, and share your thoughts by opening a new issue. This is your chance to help shape the future of web notifications!
