5 things you need to know about Microsoft's 'Your Phone' for Windows 10

Microsoft's Shilpa Ranganathan

Microsoft this calendar week took the wraps off "Your Telephone", a new Universal Windows Platform (UWP) app headed to Windows Insiders in the coming weeks.

I sat down with Shilpa Ranganathan, Microsoft full general manager of Windows, who oversees Your Phone along with the Microsoft Launcher for Android and other mobile projects. I learned a few details about Your Phone including its limitations, some unannounced features, and long-term plans.

Will iMessage sync and piece of work with Your Phone?

No. Apple infamously locks downwardly iOS for the iPhone making it nearly impossible to get reliable, consistent syncing to other devices. While there are unofficial "workarounds" to make this happen, Microsoft is only interested in sanctioned, non-hacking means of getting devices to sync with Windows 10.

Microsoft is not against the idea of proposing to Apple tree a way to make such a system happen. That could happen as Your Telephone rolls out, and the company has time to collect feedback and requests before approaching Cupertino, but such a proposal past Microsoft is non off the table. Ultimately, however, it's upwardly to Apple to play ball.

Are there privacy concerns with Your Telephone?

The idea of syncing your phone to your PC, or rather, mirroring aspects of information technology, could be a security and privacy concern, especially if all the data is existence synced to the deject.

Just that is non what happens with Your Phone.

Your Phone relies on local connections through Wi-Fi (the iPhone also needs Bluetooth), but the system never takes your information and stores it on Microsoft'due south servers. When disconnected there is no maintained information, but rather a local enshroud on the user's PC for some items. Because of this technique, Microsoft will be in full compliance with the new European Union General Information Protection Regulation (GPDR) out the gate.

Your Phone only retrieves the terminal calendar month of text messages and the almost recent 25 photos, but it is not an exhaustive system to mirror your phone's entire contents.

What near making phone calls?

Currently, in that location is no support for handling incoming phone calls on your PC, but Microsoft is exploring the idea and would similar to bring some support to Windows x through Your Phone.

Making and receiving calls through your telephone's speakers and microphones may seem obvious, just there are a lot of mitigating factors to make such a arrangement work. Dell knows this equally its full-phone found in devices similar the XPS 13 (9370) only works on newer hardware.

Whether Your Phone can and will handle phone calls remains to be seen, but like many things, its prioritization will exist driven by user feedback and demand.

Will Your Phone supplant Skype SMS relay?

With a more straight way of managing – and creating – SMS text messages you could meet how Microsoft would abandon the Skype SMS relay project, which seems never to be ready. However, that is not the case.

Your Phone's SMS handling and Skype SMS relay (if it e'er comes to Android) will exist independently. The Skype system relies on sharing your letters to the Microsoft cloud, resulting in privacy concerns for some. That system is opt-in and more comprehensive, whereas Your Phone is a more local, momentary way to make messaging easier.

Every bit for the status of Skype SMS relay, your guess is equally good equally ours.

When volition Your Phone be released?

There are ii timelines: one for Windows Insiders, and one for the public.

Windows Insiders should look a working version of Your Phone in the coming weeks, corresponding with the latest Fast Ring release of Windows 10 Redstone 5. While no firm engagement is gear up, Your Telephone is as well not some distant feature coming adjacent year.

When the characteristic will hit all Windows PCs is a scrap murkier. Like the upcoming "Sets" characteristic, Your Phone is on the same evolution path, with no formal launch date. Your Phone will go public when Ranganathan and her team feel it is reliable and ready.

Related: All the biggest news from Microsoft Build 2022 (video)

Nosotros may earn a committee for purchases using our links. Learn more.

New report reveals Microsoft's future AR strategy; HoloLens 3 is dead

Oh Dear

New report reveals Microsoft's future AR strategy; HoloLens three is expressionless

Business Insider has today published a follow-upward report with more details about Microsoft'due south canceled HoloLens 3 augmented reality headset. The partnership with Samsung is said to include a headset with a prepare of screens inside, powered by a Samsung telephone in your pocket.

Review: Surface Laptop SE is the new standard for K-8 Windows PCs

Keeping information technology affordable

Review: Surface Laptop SE is the new standard for G-viii Windows PCs

Starting at simply $250, Microsoft'south first foray into affordable laptops for the educational activity marketplace is a winner. With a gorgeous design, excellent thermals, and a fantastic typing experience, Microsoft would do correct to sell this directly to consumers as well. Let's just promise Intel can make a better CPU.