Windows 10 for phone supports USB Mass Storage, peripherals and hubs

Windows Phone USB

Microsoft has shed more light on what USB scenarios the Windows 10 for Mobile SKU volition support during their WinHEC conference in China.

Microsoft has added back up for the new USB Type-C standard for Windows 10 for phone, which is not only smaller than Type-A but offers more than power and functions. Apple tree – to cheers and jeers – announced that their new MacBook would sport this (and merely this) port in lieu of their mag connector or standard USB port.

At present, it is articulate that hardware vendors can not only build Windows Phones with USB Type-C only also enable various device class drivers.

In one of the slides in the presentation, a listing of USB Host class drivers is given that are supported in the Windows 10 for Mobile SKU. The drivers include:

USB Hubs
Homo Interface Device (HID) for keyboard and mice
USB Mass Storage
USB Audio in / out

Additionally, USB Serial Devices, USB Bluetooth, and Generic USB Host Driver are also mentioned. However, it looks like USB driver installation by the user will not exist supported.

USB Dual Function is also allowed. This format but means the phone can change between USB Host or USB Device (similar when yous plug in a video camera to your estimator and information technology gives y'all options for connecting).

Finally, in an interesting slide from the aforementioned presentation, multiple devices are shown as beingness able to connect to Windows Phone running Windows ten, including an Xbox controller and external brandish.

We should caution that there is no prove that proper docking is supported by the Windows x for Mobile SKU, every bit has been rumored. In fact, during a session defended to docking in Windows 10, phone was specifically avoided in the discussion for vendors. Nonetheless, the USB back up outlined here goes a long manner in delivering something analogous for owners of Windows 10 on the phone.

There is no doubt that beingness able to connect upward USB peripherals to your telephone or 7-inch tablet is the dream for mobile enthusiasts. Microsoft looks to be making this a reality when USB Type-C products become more widely available in the second half of 2022 (just in fourth dimension for that flagship Lumia).

Source: Channel 9

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