iPhones hook up with Windows as Microsoft’s Phone Link dials up Apple's iOS
- Reference: 1682659934
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2023/04/28/microsoft_ios_windows_phone_link/
- Source link:
After [1]previewing it for the last two months, Microsoft this week announced plans to roll out iOS support in Phone Link, between now and mid-May across 85 nations and in 39 languages.
Microsoft has previously allowed Windows to access and mirror files on the iPhone, but hasn't delivered full integration. Tie-ups with Samsung have afforded Android users a better experience.
[2]
In February 2023, for example, Microsoft tightened Windows' links to Android by enabling users with a Samsung phone to activate the device's person hotspot through the PC's Wi-Fi network list. In addition, they also can transfer browser sessions from their smartphones to their PCs. They're not going to lose the browser session now when moving from the Samsung phone to the Windows PC.
[3]
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Redmond has been slower to embrace iOS. In November 2022 the software giant integrated Apple iCloud Photos with the Windows 11 Photos app, making it easier for iPhone users to view those photos on their Windows 11 PC.
[5]'Major' news: Microsoft slips Bing chatbot shortcut into Windows 11
[6]UK Android app devs to get choice of billing system on Google Play
[7]Microsoft opens up Defender threat intel library with file hash, URL search
[8]Apple squashes iOS, macOS zero-day bugs already exploited by snoops
Now comes Phone Link for iOS. The feature will come preinstalled on the Windows 11 PC or – if it can't be found via a search in the Start Menu – can be downloaded from the Microsoft Store.
To use Phone Link for iOS, users will need a Windows 11 device with a Bluetooth connection and the latest version of the app, plus an iPhone running iOS 14 or higher.
Support for iOS support through the Windows app is fairly basic. Users can make and take iPhone calls on their PCs, read and reply to texts, see notifications, and review their call histories. They also can search contacts, according to Microsoft.
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The software giant believes this will help business users.
"This means if your phone is tucked away during a presentation or focus time, you'll receive notifications on your Windows PC and can choose which action to take – all on your Windows 11 PC," Ali Akgun, corporate vice president for windows and devices at Microsoft, wrote in a [10]blog post .
Phone Link for iOS isn't the only app that connect iOS – or Android devices – to PCs. Intel – which competes with AMD at its Intel Innovation show in September 2022 launched the [11]Unison app that works with devices running either mobile OS.
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Chipzilla's app allows users to transfer files, make and receive calls on their PCs, send and receive text messages, and receive and manage notifications.
Intel's software initially works with PCs powered by 12th Gen Core chips from the likes of HP, Lenovo, and Acer, though Intel reportedly has plans to expand the list of PC makers the app will work with after the launch of its 13th Gen chips this year and to package the software into a SDK for developers who want to develop their own apps that take advantage of the capabilities.
That Microsoft is adding iOS support to Phone Link is another reminder that its attempt to create a mobile OS of its own - Windows Phone - cratered. Windows Phone integrated with PCs without the restrictions and workarounds Phone Link requires. ®
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[1] https://www.theregister.com/2023/03/01/microsoft_ai_chatgpt_bing/
[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/oses&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2ZEuZSKW75LILs8myKyvUnwAAAMA&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
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[5] https://www.theregister.com/2023/03/01/microsoft_ai_chatgpt_bing/
[6] https://www.theregister.com/2023/04/19/uk_android_billing_choices/
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2023/04/18/microsoft_threat_intelligence_search/
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2023/04/10/apple_fix_ios_macos/
[9] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/oses&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44ZEuZSKW75LILs8myKyvUnwAAAMA&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[10] https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2023/04/26/phone-link-for-ios-is-now-rolling-out-to-all-windows-11-customers/
[11] https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/docs/unison/overview.html
[12] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/oses&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33ZEuZSKW75LILs8myKyvUnwAAAMA&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[13] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
I still don't really get why Apple won't release iMessage for Windows. They could limit it to just sending messages to other iMessage users, no SMS bridge or anything, so it's still basically encouraging people to go out and buy an Apple phone or fondleslab, which gets people into the ecosystem where they make the bulk of their money.
Why use iMessage when there's WhatsApp and a lot of other alternatives?
iMessage is great. Like many Apple applications it integrates different accounts from many different service providers and several different technologies into a single portal relevant to the function. For example if calls come in via the voice network, or FaceTime or Teams or Zoom, then they appear in the calls list in the one application. If you get a message by SMS, it appears in the Messages app in Green, same as if it pops up in blue it's sorted out automatically that the sender has an iOS device and shifted the conversation from SMS to Internet with all the associated extensions to the capabilities. What's App requires that both ends have the same application and uses proprietary standards. I end up using a combination of Messages and What's App for some people, Messages and Telegram for others, Messages and Signal, We Chat, KiK etc... it's a nightmare remembering who uses what, BUT it means that FaceBook ISN'T dominating the instant messaging market.
"tucked away during a presentation or focus time"
Kudos to Borkzilla for finding yet another form of distraction specifically during times when there should be none.
Does anyone use this stuff?
I had this integration on my beloved Windows phones. I now have it on my Moto Android. It's a general nuisance and quickly disabled.
Is there anyone who actually find this useful?
I wish Apple would do this. I've got apps that send me notifications on my phone (sports scores mainly) and it would be great if they popped up on the Mac so I didn't have to wander off to find out what my phone's beeping about.
I think I used to be able to do this on my old Nokia,.... (maybe even my old 5110?) OK, I had to have it plugged in, but I could defo send and read SMS messages via an App on my laptop (not that we called them 'Apps' then) pretty sure I could start calls, even if I had to use the handset.....
I use PhoneLink
I use PhoneLink with my Pixel 4a
Don't use the call function as cannot be bothered to faff about with B-tooth.
The text function is very useful - it lets me send very long messages complete with correct punctuation that some have said are "very annoying".
Wonderful !
Full hell bingo
The words Microsoft, iOS, notification and integration all in the same sentence