Remote Desktop app for Windows Phone 8.1 gets Azure RemoteApp improvements

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Remote Desktop app for Windows Phone 8.1 gets Azure RemoteApp improvements

Microsoft has rolled out a new update to the Remote Desktop Preview app for Windows Phone 8.1, adding improvements to Azure RemoteApp. You can now pin apps available on your Windows Phone from Azure RemoteApp directly to your Start Screen. Microsoft has also added background refresh and notifications. Here is what Microsoft had to say about this update:

“Today marks the release of the last update to theMicrosoft Remote Desktop Preview app for Windows Phone 8.1 for 2014. We are still hard at work on enabling support for Remote Desktop Gateway and Remote Resources (RemoteApp and Desktop Connections), but as we are still putting the final touches on these features, we are delaying their release to early next year.” – David Bélanger, Microsoft.

With this update, you can easily pin apps from Azure RemoteApp directly to your Start Screen. All you have to do is press and hold on one of the apps available on the apps pivot (after you sign into Azure RemoteApp) and then select the ‘Pin to Start’ option.

“Once an app has been pinned, it will be available on your Start Screen to be launched from a single tap. We support creating Small and Medium sized tiles. Apps can also be grouped together into folders now available on Windows Phone. This feature is in addition to the ability to pin desktops connections which was already available.”

The updated app also features automatic syncing, so your apps pivot will be updated to reflect changes whenever your IT admin publishes new apps. If you are sent a new invitation that hasnt been accepted yet, your will now receive a notification reminding you to access the invitations page.

Microsoft is still working on adding more enterprise-focused features including Remote Desktop Gateway and Remote Resources (RemoteApp and Desktop Connections) in future updates. Grab the updated app via the download link below.