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Microsoft Announces iMessage Support on Windows With Several Limitations
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The Dell Mobile Connect app had similar functionality on my Inspiron tower. Was shuttered last year after Intel acquired Screenovate.
It’s a step in the right direction, for sure.
I imagine the follow up will be "Apple purposefully breaks iMessage on Windows."
FWIW, iMessage on Mac is a big reason that I switched to Mac in the first place. Having everything in one spot is a selling feature, and I would not hate on Apple for stopping this, I would fully understand.
FWIW, iMessage on Mac is a big reason that I switched to Mac in the first place. Having everything in one spot is a selling feature, and I would not hate on Apple for stopping this, I would fully understand.
Still better than anything ms has going right now. ms is the king of mediocrity and bugs
Yes because the governments of the world are so technically inclined.
Windows has such a Swiss cheese security model they have no reason to make this happen.
Yes because the governments of the world are so technically inclined.
completely irrelevant.
You’re absolutely right on both counts, but I had to laugh at it not being called “the Dock”… With every update it gets closer in looks and functionality to macOS’s Dock, and if it looks like a Dock and docks like a Dock…
(Also, longtime Windows – since 1992 – and Mac – since 2003 – user here. It really used to be the case that you could hardly confuse the two, even if there was some customization back in Windows 98 SE that allowed you to have secondary taskbars that looked and worked a lot like the Dock, even more so than the Classic Mac OS Launcher ever did)
This is really good, I wonder if there is any collaboration with Apple at all. I'm currently happily using iMessage on an Android phone, but it's a convoluted setup involving using a Mac device as a server and not for everyday users. But if Microsoft can at least get iMessages working, although without picture/video/group chat yet, then I don't see why Google couldn't do it on Android.
The other question to ask is if Apple will find a way to shut this down.
Edit: Didn't realize this worked on a bluetooth connection to the iPhone, I guess that rules out Android unless you want to carry 2 phones around, sigh.
The other question to ask is if Apple will find a way to shut this down.
Edit: Didn't realize this worked on a bluetooth connection to the iPhone, I guess that rules out Android unless you want to carry 2 phones around, sigh.
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What's fascinating to me is how well Windows runs on PCs which are a bit older. My Surface Pro 6 runs Win 10 with NO issues at all, no slowdowns or anything, and that's an i5 on 8GB of RAM. My 2017 Macbook pro (about the same time frame as the SP6), with an i7 and 16GB of RAM, however, chokes BIG time on a daily basis with the garbage Apple calls Ventura. Just that stupid display bug that eats up CPU when you connect external displays is enough to drive me nuts. I'll gladly take all the bloat for an OS which just works.
You’re absolutely right on both counts, but I had to laugh at it not being called “the Dock”… With every update it gets closer in looks and functionality to macOS’s Dock, and if it looks like a Dock and docks like a Dock…
(Also, longtime Windows – since 1992 – and Mac – since 2003 – user here. It really used to be the case that you could hardly confuse the two, even if there was some customization back in Windows 98 SE that allowed you to have secondary taskbars that looked and worked a lot like the Dock, even more so than the Classic Mac OS Launcher ever did)
If you look at the leaked pictures of Windows 12, it looks exactly like Apple's dock. Personally I can't stand the dock, maybe it's just my workflow but I find it inordinately difficult to use and fugly to boot. First thing I install on any macOS device I get is uBar, which is about as close to a Windows taskbar you can get. It's a huge shame that Microsoft is going in this direction where trying to "simplify" things just makes them more complicated, more like "dumbify" things IMO.
Pretty sure it's also great for iPhone users who ALSO use Windows.
You know you can turn that off right? Is it the fact that it's there, taking up space?
Apple very likely haven't done anything to help Microsoft with this. It's just using a Bluetooth stack known as MAP.
Somewhat valid points for hardcore gamers maybe. For the rest of us:
1. 4K Ultra? We all have normal large 4K TVs for the most part. All games for PS5 and Xbox X are designed with 4K by default.
2. Can you upgrade? No. Don't need too when games are built specifically for the hardware. Fully optimized without worrying about updating drivers or spending $500+ on a graphic card to get that extra 5 FPS. Note the Graphic card alone costs more than the top of the line console and the console you will get a lifespan of 10+ years. Graphics card lifespan? 3 years if you are lucky and it doesn't overheat.
3. Emulation? Not sure folks are rioting in the streets because they can't play Mortal Kombat 2. Then again, a lot of games are brought back to consoles but you have to pay for them. M.A.M.E is nice though I can't lie.
4. You are really downplaying exclusives. They come frequently and you guys wait years for them to port over. Spider-Man. God of War. etc....
Very good step in the right direction. I’m currently using the program: Remote phone call from JustRemotePhone
It does cost money and I did buy it. But I’m glad Microsoft is working on implementing it natively.
It does cost money and I did buy it. But I’m glad Microsoft is working on implementing it natively.
Although it may seem like it, this isn’t really noteworthy. Microsoft is using a Bluetooth profile to receive and send the messages, the exact same way a car would. This functionality has been around for a very long time and has nothing to do with anything Apple has recently done.
The functionality has always been very limited and will likely never be improved. If Apple cares enough they’ll probably just remove support for the Bluetooth profile.
The functionality has always been very limited and will likely never be improved. If Apple cares enough they’ll probably just remove support for the Bluetooth profile.
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What I do think is interesting here is that it looks like Microsoft has reverse-implemented Bluetooth protocols.
Traditionally, the computer (or phone) has been the host device, with accessories (headsets, speakers, mice, cars, etc.) as the connected devices. But now Microsoft is “cheating” this, and pretending Windows is an accessory to the iPhone. As a result, Windows can probably do anything a car can, including making calls, downloading call history, downloading the address book, and limited texting functionality. That is pretty smart.
Traditionally, the computer (or phone) has been the host device, with accessories (headsets, speakers, mice, cars, etc.) as the connected devices. But now Microsoft is “cheating” this, and pretending Windows is an accessory to the iPhone. As a result, Windows can probably do anything a car can, including making calls, downloading call history, downloading the address book, and limited texting functionality. That is pretty smart.