Almost every year, it seems that Microsoft and Samsung extend their partnership on mobile, and this year is no different, with the two firms announcing further integration between Samsung’s devices and Microsoft’s services.
So what exactly did the two firms announce?
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First, the Galaxy Note 20 family of products that Samsung announced today will have even more Microsoft apps and services pre-installed than did previous Samsung devices. This includeds OneDrive, Outlook, Your Phone app with Link to Windows, plus Word, Excel and PowerPoint, apparently via the Office app, plus new integrations.
Second, and as was the case last year, Galaxy Note owners will get early access to new Your Phone features in Windows 10, including the Phone screen feature that Microsoft says “allows you to access your Android phone’s apps, right from your PC while using your keyboard and mouse, or touch screen.” This is new, and will come to Samsung first.
But the most interesting announcements, perhaps, are related to deep integration between Microsoft services and Samsung’s apps. OneDrive will be integrated with the Samsung Gallery app, providing automatic syncing of photos and videos and enabling new protection and cross-device experiences. And OneNote will soon sync with Samsung Notes.
In a related note, Microsoft is also improving Outlook for Android to better support the larger displays on tablets and on Samsung Galaxy handsets using DeX with an external display.
Finally, Samsung will offer a gaming bundle for Note 20 buyers which will optionally provide 3 months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate with cloud gaming and a Power A wireless controller and clip.