After testing the addition of news and interests on the Windows 10 taskbar with select Windows Insiders in recent months, Microsoft announced today that the new feature will roll out to all Windows 10 users in the coming weeks. The experience will provide live updates about local weather right on the taskbar, as well as “snackable” updates on news, sports, stocks, and traffic without requiring users to open any apps.
Microsoft believes that most Windows 10 users spend of a lot time throughout the day checking for news and topics they care about and adding news and interests in the taskbar should help them to stay up to date. The feature will manifest itself as a live tile-like experience showing weather updates next to the System tray. Having weather updates on the taskbar is “something that many of you have asked for,” the company emphasized in today’s announcement.
Hovering the mouse over the weather icon will display a pop up window showing different information cards. Similar to the “My Feed” feature on Microsoft Edge’s New Tab page, users can personalize their experience by choosing which information cards they want to see, how weather updates are displayed, and more. An interest manager also lets users choose content sources and topics they want to see.
“Without opening apps or switching devices, you can quickly get a pulse on what’s happening around you. Click on a story to open a streamlined reading experience so you can save time and stay focused. If you see something you’re interested in, but don’t have time to read through it, you can save it for later or share it,” the company explained.
News and interests is an interesting complement to the Live Tiles Windows 10 users can see for select apps in the Start Menu, and Microsoft says that it will be listening to feedback to improve the experience. The feature will roll out to all users running Windows 10 version 1909 or newer, though those of you who don’t want to see news and interests in their taskbar will be able to easily turn off the icon.
