By far one of the most underrated features available to Windows 10 users is the Your Phone app. Released alongside the Windows 10 October Update in 2018, the software is designed to improve the relationship between Microsoft’s operating system and Android …a relationship which has been pretty fraught in the past.
Microsoft’s Your Phone app is essential for any Windows 10 users rocking an Android phone. The client allows you receive notifications from your smartphone apps directly on your PC, so you never miss anything — even when your handset is tucked away in your pocket.
You can also send and receive texts as well as make and receive calls from your PC while your phone is charging in the next room. There are also a couple of other features in Your Phone worth shouting about, such as the ability to access your phone’s photo library and apps.
Your Phone app is already pretty feature-rich, but don’t think Microsoft is resting on its laurels with the app. In fact, the American tech giant recently announced it’s bringing support for Rich Communication Services, better known as RCS, to the app.
In case you weren’t aware, RCS is being pitched by many tech giants, such as Google, as the next generation of SMS. In many ways, RCS functions very similarly to chat services offered by the likes of iMessage, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger – messages can be sent over Wi-Fi or mobile data, videos and photos can be sent at a rapid pace and there’s also support for group chats. Additionally, RCS also lets you see when another user is typing a response, something else you don’t get using traditional SMS.
The only real problem with RCS is the fact it doesn’t offer end-to-end encryption, something the likes of iMessage and WhatsApp pride themselves on. That said, it’s still a mighty improvement over regular SMS.
All in all, Microsoft deciding to support RCS is a big deal, especially for those that particular enjoy the app for communicating with friends and family. However, for now the feature is only available for those with a shiny new Galaxy S20.
In a tweet, Microsoft group program manager Roberto Bojorquez announced a partnership between the American tech giant and Samsung that brings RCS support to the Galaxy S20.
He said: “Proud to announce that we have partnered with the Samsung Messages team to bring RCS messaging support to Your Phone app via Link to Windows. Starting with the Galaxy S20 series you will be able to send and receive RCS texts from PC if your default SMS app is Samsung Messages!”
It’s currently unclear when other Android devices are expected to receive support for RCS using the Your Phone app.
In addition to Samsung and Microsoft, Google has also been a huge proponent of RCS. In fact, the Mountain View firm’s Messages app has support for the new communication standard in the US, UK, France and Mexico with more countries lined up in the near future.
The Galaxy S20 series will release on Friday, March 13 and is priced from £799 but climbs to a whopping £1,399 if you want the Ultra edition with a whopping 512GB of internal storage.