Microsoft will soon begin support for iPhones on its Phone Link app in Windows 11.
The brand announced on its blog Wednesday that it will begin its global rollout of Microsoft Phone Link for iOS in 39 languages across 85 markets in mid-May. This support will allow iPhone users to make and receive phone calls, send and receive text messages, view notifications, and access contacts directly on their PCs.
Microsoft began beta testing the Phone Link app for iPhone with its Windows Insiders in February. The company said feedback about the additional support has been positive, with reviewers stating, “This is exactly what I’ve been hoping for on my Windows PC.”
Though some consider the Phone Link for iOS somewhat of an iMessage for Windows 11, there are some functionalities missing from the app. For example, it does not support group chats, photos, videos, and conversation history outside of the current chat session, MacRumors noted.
Windows won’t differentiate between iMessages and SMS text messages, as all bubbles will be gray bubbles in the Phone Link app.
Requirements for using the feature include an iPhone running iOS 14 or later, the latest version of the Phone Link app, and a Bluetooth connection, as that is how the smartphone connects to a Windows 11 computer. Phone Link for iOS is not compatible with iPad, iPadOS, or macOS.
To see if the app is available on your Windows 11 PC and install the feature, find Phone Link in the search box of your Windows taskbar. Then follow the step-by-step installation setup guide.
This addition further expands the mobile support of the Phone Link app, as the feature has been compatible with Android devices for some time. Many Samsung models, including the Galaxy Z Fold, Galaxy Z Flip, Galaxy S series, and Galaxy Note series, are compatible with Phone Link. Microsoft has a partnership with the brand Honor to bring Phone Link to devices such as the Honor Magic V, the Honor Magic 4 series, and the Honor Magic 3 series in China.
Apple is less than a day away from launching its highly anticipated OLED MacBook Pro with a touch-sensitive screen. But it appears that the upgrade is going to cost a pretty penny. According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple is reportedly eyeing a starting price of $2,899 for the 14-inch MacBook Pro, while the 16-inch version could start at $3,399 in the US.
"At $2,899, the 14-inch model would mark the highest starting price for a new MacBook Pro model, surpassing the $2,799 Apple charged for a 17-inch version introduced in 2006," says the report. The report claims that Apple is targeting a minimum price hike of $400 for its upcoming redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.
I've spent a good amount of time digging into the spec sheet of the new M6 MacBook Pro (14-inch), and for all intents and purposes, this is a classic Apple "chip and connectivity" refresh. It's not a full redesign. The chassis, Liquid Retina XDR panel, speakers, ports, and battery, all of them carry over unchanged.
However, the M6 brings more cores, stronger on-device AI, higher memory bandwidth on the larger configs, and modern wireless. Here’s the practical rundown of what actually improved, and whether those gains are worth your money.
Two new highly requested iCloud plugins just got added to ChatGPT, giving people who rely on Apple’s Mail and Calendar services a way to search emails, check appointments, and manage their schedules directly through the chatbot.
The integration is rolling out to all ChatGPT plans, including the free tier. You can access it on the web, desktop, and iOS.