Tag Archives: Microsoft

Review of the New Link to Windows Application

Fig. 1. Screen Clip of the Link to Windows Application. Microsoft. Fair use Journalistic and AI created, 2025, Jeremy Swenson.

Minneapolis—

In today’s interconnected world, managing tasks across multiple devices has become second nature for many. The Link to Windows application takes this multitasking to the next level, creating a seamless bridge between Android smartphones and Windows PCs. It’s not just about convenience; it’s about enhancing productivity, ensuring security, and even adding a touch of fun to your digital life. Here’s a closer look at what the app offers, how it works, and why it’s worth integrating into your daily routine.

How It Works:

The Link to Windows app is like a personal assistant for your devices, synchronizing your Android smartphone with your Windows PC using a Microsoft account and a Wi-Fi connection.[1] Once paired, the app allows users to access essential phone functions directly from their computer. This includes:

  • Sending and receiving text messages.
  • Managing calls.
  • Accessing mobile apps right on the PC.
  • Viewing and transferring photos.
  • Mirroring notifications in real time.

Samsung and Surface Duo devices, the app is built-in, while others can easily download it from the Google Play Store. On the PC side, it integrates with Microsoft’s Phone Link app, pre-installed on Windows 10 and 11. The setup process is intuitive and guided, ensuring even beginners can start using the app with ease.

Key Benefits:

1. Security: Keeping Your Data Safe

Security is a cornerstone of the Link to Windows experience.

  • End-to-End Encryption ensures that messages and notifications are private and protected from prying eyes.
  • Granular Permissions empower users to decide exactly which features are shared between their devices, offering peace of mind.
  • For professionals, the app’s enterprise-friendly design makes it a great tool for IT-managed systems, maintaining compliance with corporate security standards.
  • Microsoft Account Integration leverages robust authentication protocols, including multi-factor authentication, to secure your data.

2. Convenience: Simplifying Multitasking

Imagine texting with the speed and ease of a full keyboard—that’s just one of the standout features of Link to Windows. Typing messages on your PC eliminates the frustration of small on-screen keyboards and lets you copy-paste content seamlessly between apps. Whether you’re drafting a quick response or multitasking during a meeting, this feature alone is a game-changer. Beyond texting, the app’s convenience extends to:

  • Unified Notifications: No more juggling devices; get all your alerts in one place and respond directly from your computer.
  • Drag-and-Drop File Transfers: Share photos, documents, and other files instantly between your phone and PC.
  • App Streaming: Run Android apps on your PC in a separate window, perfect for accessing mobile-only tools while working on a larger screen.

3. Fun: Enhancing Everyday Life

Link to Windows isn’t all about work—it’s also about fun and personalization.

  • Gaming Fans can play their favorite mobile games on a larger screen with keyboard and mouse controls for better precision.
  • Media Enthusiasts will love the ease of browsing photo galleries or streaming music directly from their phone to their PC.
  • Customization Options let you tailor notification styles and app layouts to match your workflow or personal aesthetic, making the experience uniquely yours.

Competitors in the Market:

While Link to Windows shines as a leader in device integration, it isn’t without competition. Apps like AirDroid and Pushbullet offer similar functionalities, such as file transfers, notifications, and messaging synchronization. However, these competitors often require premium subscriptions to unlock full features, whereas Link to Windows integrates seamlessly and cost-effectively with the Windows ecosystem.

Even Samsung recommends it as their own attempt at it failed: “The DeX for PC on Windows OS will end support from the One UI 7 version. We encourage customers to connect mobile phones and PCs through the Link to Windows feature.”[2]

Additionally, Apple users may point to the Apple Continuity suite, which offers exceptional integration between iOS devices and Macs. Though limited to Apple’s ecosystem, its smooth handoff capabilities, messaging sync, and call management rival those of Link to Windows. For those in mixed-device households, Link to Windows provides a more versatile alternative, particularly for Android-Windows users.

Why It’s Revolutionary:

The magic of Link to Windows lies in its ability to make your devices feel like extensions of one another. Instead of viewing your phone and PC as separate entities, the app integrates them into a single ecosystem. For instance, you can answer a text message on your PC, drag a photo into a PowerPoint slide, and then pick up a call—all without ever touching your phone. This unified experience is not just convenient; it’s empowering.

Room for Improvement:

While the app is a stellar achievement, it does have some room for growth:

  • The initial pairing process can be slightly clunky for non-tech-savvy users.
  • Not all features, such as app streaming, are available on every Android device, which can limit its appeal.
  • Apple users are left out, as there’s no comparable integration for iOS devices, making it a missed opportunity for cross-platform connectivity.

Final Verdict:

The Link to Windows app represents a new era in device integration. It’s a must-have for Android users who rely on Windows PCs, offering unparalleled security, convenience, and even an element of fun. From the ease of sending texts with a full keyboard to the joy of playing mobile games on a larger screen, the app transforms everyday tasks into streamlined experiences.

About the Author:

Jeremy A. Swenson is a disruptive-thinking security entrepreneur, futurist/researcher, and seasoned senior management tech risk and digital strategy consultant. He is a frequent speaker, published writer, podcaster, and even does some pro bono consulting in these areas. He holds a certificate in Media Technology from Oxford University’s Media Policy Summer Institute, an MSST (Master of Science in Security Technologies) degree from the University of Minnesota’s Technological Leadership Institute, an MBA from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, and a BA in political science from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. He is an alum of the Federal Reserve Secure Payment Task Force, the Crystal, Robbinsdale, and New Hope Community Police Academy (MN), and the Minneapolis FBI Citizens Academy. You can follow him on LinkedIn and Twitter.

References:

[1] Microsoft. “Use Phone Link to Sync Your Android or iPhone”. 12/06/24. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/sync-across-your-devices?r=1

[2] Bowe, Zac. “Samsung is killing DeX for Windows — suggests Microsoft Phone Link as a replacement”. 12/03/24. https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/windows-11/samsung-is-killing-dex-for-windows-suggests-microsoft-phone-link-as-a-replacement

Why Would Salesforce Pay Billions More for LinkedIn?

In June Microsoft agreed to buy LinkedIn for $26.2 billion in the largest acquisition of its time, betting the professional social network can recharge the company’s software offerings despite recent difficulties.
Microsoft LinkedIn Deal
Microsoft never had a good social media platform and their search and web analytics still can’t shake a stick a Google’s.  Although Microsoft has done well with the Surface, Office 365, and business software tools like SharePoint, OneDrive/Cloud, and Azure, they have struggled with their Nokia phones running on Windows – wasting money.  LinkedIn is fiercely respected among recruiters and job seekers, and had great income streams in prior quarters.  Yet they have scaled back what they offer to free members, removed their events feature years ago, and have made many user and cosmetic changes that have forced some people to use LinkedIn only as a tool to promote their own sites which they can directly control and monetize – thus driving their revenue and market appeal down.

Buying LinkedIn cost Microsoft $196 per share, a 50% premium from their before sale announcement price.  This is a win for LinkedIn shareholders, and is likely a win for Microsoft in the long run.  Once Microsoft integrates its systems with LinkedIn it will have a giant CRM like Salesforce.com or Oracle.  This CRM will be used to tastefully listen and market Microsoft subscription solutions to LinkedIn users, among related items.  Yet even if that effort backfires it does not matter because LinkedIn by itself produces good income.  Thus, with some user experience tweaks, for example, bringing back the event feature which will allow them to see what interests and products can be inferred from event registrations.  Facebook presently does a good job at this.  Even if a person does not go to the event they have still indicated interest by registering, and that is valuable data especially when cross referenced with other LinkedIn data.  The key is data mining, analytics, cloud services, and tastefully cross marketing and selling these and yet unknown services.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-89PWn0QaaY

Observing the above, it’s of no surprise that Salesforce was one of the early bidders to buy LinkedIn but it is a surprise that they lost out since they like Oracle have such a nasty track record of successful acquisitions.  Recently in a securities filing, LinkedIn disclosed an email from Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff in which he says that Salesforce would have increased its bid and restructured its offer had it been giving an opportunity by LinkedIn.

“Reflecting on the additional proposals it made after LinkedIn and Microsoft agreed to exclusivity, the email indicated that Party A would have bid much higher and made changes to the stock/cash components of its offers, but it was acting without communications from LinkedIn,” the filing says. “The Transactions Committee also considered the contractual provisions contained in the definitive merger agreement with Microsoft, including those relating to discussions with third parties, and determined not to respond.” (Salesforce’s Benioff says he would have paid more than $26B for LinkedIn).

Yet after carefully reviewing how it handled the bidding process to make sure it wasn’t legally exposed, LinkedIn’s deal teams decided not to respond to the email.  Although, the Benioff email didn’t say how much more he would have offered – many new sources are speculating $4.2 to $4.7 billion more than Microsoft.  Let’s hope both companies continue to compete to make the industry better.

By Jeremy Swenson