Last week, I wrote about my eager for Windows customers to have the identical sturdy expertise that macOS customers have for accessing iMessage on their Mac gadgets. Intel’s Unison app, now obtainable on choose Intel Evo-certified laptops from HP, Lenovo, and Acer — and presumably extra Windows laptops sooner or later — is a modest step in the best path.
With that in thoughts, I had managed expectations for Microsoft’s up to date Phone Link app, now obtainable in preview construct 22623.1325 of Windows 11. Unfortunately, Microsoft’s try to grasp sturdy iPhone textual content messaging assist in Windows is equally lackluster.
Microsoft formally offers entry to iMessage on Windows utilizing its Phone Link program. For Windows Insiders, a preview of the upgraded app is now potential. With the improve, the up to date Phone Link app permits iPhone customers to make and obtain calls, ship and obtain messages utilizing iMessage, and examine their cellphone alerts inside Windows 11. The program additionally permits iPhone customers to attach their handsets to a Windows laptop computer or PC.
What Is Phone Link?
Unlike the Intel Unison app, which customers should obtain from the Windows App retailer on each their PC and that iPhone, Phone Link is embedded on this new preview construct of Windows 11. The app connects Windows machines to iPhones by way of Bluetooth, sending directions and messages to the iMessage app.
Phone Link (Image Credit: Microsoft)
Sadly, Phone Link has the identical limitations that plague the Intel Unison app. You can talk with contacts who additionally personal iPhones straight out of your PC. However, you received’t have the ability to take part in group messages or ship pictures in communications. PC customers will see their iMessage discussions in a condensed kind.
Limitations, Limitations, More Limitations
Only messages despatched or acquired by way of Phone Link are proven in discussions, so that you received’t have the ability to see the whole historical past of communications with one other social gathering. This Microsoft app can’t distinguish between a textual content message acquired by way of iMessage and an everyday SMS message; Phone Link makes use of neither blue nor inexperienced bubbles, which is a big textual content messaging expertise concession versus utilizing an iPhone with a macOS machine.
Because Phone Link can solely show pictures in your cellphone, the app lags far behind what’s potential when utilizing a macOS machine. The picture restrict is a paltry 2,000 of your latest footage; neither video recordsdata nor albums are supported. Moreover, you can’t switch recordsdata and pictures out of your pc to the cellphone, and there’s no approach to switch recordsdata from a cellphone to a pc. These limitations are virtually laughable in comparison with utilizing a macOS machine with an iPhone.
On the Brighter Side
Microsoft has by no means enabled calls or messaging for iPhone customers till now, and that iPhone integration for Windows remains to be not comparable to what’s supplied for Android. In addition to being native, Phone Link is a part of Windows 11, in contrast to earlier PC hyperlink apps from Intel, Dell, and different firms, which give a fundamental stage of iPhone integration.
It appears that with Phone Link, Microsoft endeavors to offer the identical optimistic Android cellphone expertise that Windows customers now have for iPhone customers. In that regard, Microsoft’s coronary heart appears to be in the best place, although its execution with Phone Link comes up quick.
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While Phone Link has no photograph connectivity, I ought to level out that Microsoft’s Windows 11 Photos app already has iCloud Photos integration. Eventually, this functionality might present up in Phone Link as properly. In addition to this new Phone Link functionality, different important new options within the Windows 11 preview replace embody AI-powered Bing on the taskbar, a display recording device, and enhanced contact optimizations.
Microsoft began testing with a “limited number” of testers this week. If , you possibly can strive the brand new Phone Link performance for iOS by way of the Dev, Beta, and Release Preview channels for Windows Insiders. The Windows crew at Microsoft has indicated it’s going to broaden the provision of the preview to further Insiders over time and primarily based on suggestions the corporate gathers with this primary set of Insiders.
Same Old Ecosystem Story
I’ve repeatedly talked about this in earlier analyses, however the lack of strong integration between the iPhone and Windows is a big drawback for the trade.
Solutions like Microsoft Phone Link, Intel Unison, and people from Dell and others are all workarounds that really feel gimmicky and patchwork-like, particularly for customers who’ve performed in Apple’s ecosystem for a restricted time.
While I give Intel and Microsoft credit score for making an attempt to resolve the issue, each firms’ arms are tied till Apple totally helps the iPhone in Windows.
With the general PC market returning to its pre-pandemic flat (and even contracting) ranges, coupled with maybe recessionary circumstances this 12 months that may lengthen PC buy cycles, this lack of real iPhone integration into the Windows ecosystem is a substantial headwind for each shoppers and companies.
Windows 11 High Points
Putting the iPhone integration subject apart, there’s loads to love in Windows 11, which has morphed right into a compelling various to macOS.
Compared to Windows 10 and earlier variations, Windows 11 affords quicker startup instances, higher useful resource administration, and improved laptop computer battery life. In the consumer interface space, Windows 11 has a redesigned UI with new animations and visible results. It additionally introduces a brand new Start Menu design that locations app icons within the heart of the display, which guarantees usability advantages.
Windows 11 additionally sports activities new productiveness enhancements with a brand new characteristic referred to as Snap Layouts, which permits customers to place a number of apps side-by-side with predefined layouts.
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A brand new digital desktop characteristic within the newest Windows 11 permits customers to create a number of desktops for various duties and a number of other new security measures, equivalent to a built-in ransomware safety device, hardware-based isolation for delicate processes, and improved safety for distant work situations.
Finally, Windows 11 is designed to be backward-compatible (a historic Windows power) with most Windows 10 functions and {hardware}.
While Windows’ iPhone integration deficiency doesn’t finally dilute the worth proposition of Windows 11, iPhone integration is a missed alternative for Microsoft which will by no means get resolved.
Cross-platform interoperability is an important aspect of the Apple ecosystem, and it’s laborious to think about any state of affairs the place Apple affords these “keys to the kingdom” to Intel or Microsoft since there’s no enterprise upside for Apple.
The losers, after all, are the hundreds of thousands of Windows customers who personal iPhones and must sub-optimize their total productiveness.