Samsung and Microsoft are cozying up even more.
The two tech giants on Wednesday unveiled deeper integrations between their services and products, including the ability to use mobile apps on Windows 10 and xCloud gaming-related features. It’s an extension of their high-profile partnership announced last year.
The news was part of Samsung’s big Galaxy Unpacked event that included the debut of five new devices: Galaxy Note20, Tab S7, Galaxy Watch3, Z Fold2, and the Galaxy Buds Live. The Note20 will debut Aug 21.
Link to Windows was first announced a year ago and lets Android smartphone users make calls, send text messages, check notifications, and more from their Windows PC, using the Your Phone app.
With the new Note20, users will be able to interact with mobile apps such as Instagram and WhatsApp from their PC. The apps can be pinned to the Windows 10 taskbar or Start menu, and users will be able to run multiple mobile apps side-by-side on a PC later this year.
“Whether you are working on a document, keeping up on your social media feed or simply staying connected with family and friends, everything is accessible in one place, so your flow is never broken,” Microsoft exec Yusuf Mehdi wrote in a blog post.
There is also new auto-syncing between Samsung Notes and Samsung Reminders with Microsoft productivity apps such as Outlook and OneNote. Microsoft is also adding Outlook integration to Samsung Galaxy watches.
That little scrap of paper you used to scribble a thought on is moving to the cloud. Soon, your Samsung Notes will sync to @OneNote on your laptop and @Outlook on the web, so your good ideas always stay with you. ✒? #SamsungEvent pic.twitter.com/JtmlBEvCXB
— Microsoft 365 (@Microsoft365) August 5, 2020
The Microsoft-Samsung partnership is also now extending to gaming. The Note20 will have a unique Xbox Game Pass app in Samsung’s Galaxy Store, giving gamers access to exclusive expansion packs and other downloadable content. The companies are also offering a Note20 gaming bundle that includes three months of a Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription that is required for Microsoft’s new cloud game streaming service that debuts Sept. 15, in addition to a Power A MOGA XP5-X Plus bluetooth controller with an attachable phone clip.
Microsoft is publishing a special Xbox Game Pass app on Samsung's Android app store that will include in-app purchases. The Google Play Store version of the app will not support this. Interesting plot twist in the 30% cut war / xCloud for iOS issues. https://t.co/GR2OGFFT8K pic.twitter.com/1VFSqZ1rN4
— Tom Warren (@tomwarren) August 5, 2020
The partnership between Samsung and Microsoft for Project xCloud is important, hardware being optimized for Cloud gaming is a huge first step for mass adoption, throw in Xbox Gamepass Ultimate and the goal of getting people to 'try it' will be a huge win for this tech pic.twitter.com/9IyNDoonLq
— Parris (@vicious696) August 5, 2020
Samsung and Microsoft partnered previously, but have become much closer over the past year. It’s notable given Microsoft’s past struggles with its smartphone business and Samsung’s relationship with other tech giants. And it’s a departure from six years ago, when Microsoft sued Samsung over Android patent licensing deal.
Microsoft plans to launch its own Android device, the dual-screen Surface Duo, later this year.
Here’s some initial reaction to the company’s deeper partnership with Samsung.
The Samsung / Microsoft tech-mance is a great move and really doesn’t feel like useless crapware anymore.
— Joanna Stern (@JoannaStern) August 5, 2020
One thing is very clear, the Microsoft + Samsung partnership is still incredibly strong. There's a lot of Microsoft in Samsung phones these days.
— Zac Bowden (@zacbowden) August 5, 2020
Good to see partnership between Microsoft and Samsung extend beyond enterprise into consumer services with games. Potential for cloud games is huge and the role of Netflix for games is up for grabs #SamsungEvent #Unpacked2020 #GalaxyUnpacked #XboxGamePass #xCloud pic.twitter.com/PLoNK3TDtt
— Paolo Pescatore (@paolopescatore) August 5, 2020
As an avid @Microsoft Office user, I really like this integration with @SamsungMobileUS #Note20. Smart cloud synching between hand-written notes and Windows productivity apps incl. notes, email.https://t.co/onrZtVo5u9 #TheNextGalaxy #UNPACKED @microsoftcanada @SamsungCanada
— Marc Saltzman (@marc_saltzman) August 5, 2020
If Microsoft is to achieve its goal of reaching 2bn gamers, it has to look beyond gaming consoles and PCs. Partnership with Samsung (sold 300m smartphones in 2019), strengthens Xbox’s position in cloud gaming and will drive adoption of Game Pass. #SamsungUnpacked #xCloud pic.twitter.com/YJlBqLs9El
— George Jijiashvili (@GioKinto) August 5, 2020
