Earlier this year, Apple took the wraps off of macOS Monterey, including many of the same features we’ll be enjoying with iOS 15 and iPadOS 15. One such feature is called “Focus Mode” and essentially Do Not Disturb on steroids. It allows you to set different modes based on different scenarios. For example, you can create a Work Focus that mutes notifications from non-work applications, and it can automatically turn on at specific times.
A few weeks ago, Microsoft unveiled Windows 11, perhaps the biggest update to Windows ever. Many assumed that Microsoft already showed off all of the features coming this Fall, but that’s not the case. Earlier today, Microsoft Chief Product Office Panos Panay revealed our first look at “Focus Sessions”.
With Focus Sessions enabled in Windows 11, the feature essentially merges Microsoft To Do with Spotify and the built-in Clock app. While in use, you are able to listen to your favorite Spotify tracks, while keeping track of any upcoming breaks, the remainder of your task lists, and more.
Focus Sessions vs Focus Mode
Focus Sessions in Windows 11
With macOS Monterey, Apple wants you to set the scene for yourself, based on what you need. This means allowing notifications for certain apps and contacts, while sending others to the Notification Summary for later. And one of the biggest benefits is that these modes sync across all of your Apple devices. A Focus Mode created on the iPhone for work will turn on at the same time as your Mac and your iPad.
Focus Sessions offers a different approach to productivity. With Microsoft To Do acting as the backbone, you pick a certain task from your to-do list to work on. Then, you can set the session to be as long (or as short) as you want it to be. And with Spotify integration, you are able to enjoy all of your favorite music while getting some work done.
Further more, Microsoft is also integrating a series of dashboards for Focus Sessions. These show you how many breaks you have taken, while another one shows the progresss you’ve made on different tasks and overall goals.
Currently, Focus Sessions are not available in the latest build of Windows 11. However, with this introduction by Panay, it’s only a matter of time before it makes its way to one of the beta releases. It will be interesting to pit Focus Sessions against Focus Mode to see which is the better for your productivity needs.
Andrew Myrick is a freelance writer based on the East Coast of the US. He enjoys everything to do with technology, including tablets, smartphones, and everything in between. Perhaps his favorite past-time is having a never-ending supply of different keyboards and gaming handhelds that end up collecting more dust than the consoles that are being emulated.
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