Interesting - the big question though is whether this will work by just installing an app/service on your phone, or if you are still forced to use the Microsoft Launcher on your phone for it to work. Its not that ML is a bad launcher (its actually pretty good) but it ties you in so heavily to the Microsoft services that it's just not as good as the Google Pixel launcher. Bing is still awful, cortana just isn't as good as google assistant and i've no interest in moving from google drive to one drive.

All I really want is the ability to sync messages/notifications onto my windows PC…which can can do right now, but only with their launcher :( Will try it out when I get the update anyway!

Spud1
…

That's my concern, too. I wouldn't mind having desktop integration with my phone, but that doesn't mean I want the Borg to assimilate my phone.

aidanjt
That's my concern, too. I wouldn't mind having desktop integration with my phone, but that doesn't mean I want the Borg to assimilate my phone.

Aside from the Borg that built the OS?

spacein_vader
Aside from the Borg that built the OS?

Sure, but at least I can replace Google components on my Android phone, as evidenced by the Microsoft Launcher being a thing.

aidanjt
Sure, but at least I can replace Google components on my Android phone, as evidenced by the Microsoft Launcher being a thing.

Replace yes, remove or deactivate entirely… Not so much.

spacein_vader
Replace yes, remove or deactivate entirely… Not so much.

Why does google try and recognise any email address in any application and want to “add it to my google contacts”.

No thanks.

Spud1
Interesting - the big question though is whether this will work by just installing an app/service on your phone, or if you are still forced to use the Microsoft Launcher on your phone for it to work. Its not that ML is a bad launcher (its actually pretty good) but it ties you in so heavily to the Microsoft services that it's just not as good as the Google Pixel launcher. Bing is still awful, cortana just isn't as good as google assistant and i've no interest in moving from google drive to one drive.

All I really want is the ability to sync messages/notifications onto my windows PC…which can can do right now, but only with their launcher :( Will try it out when I get the update anyway!

Most likely, although you can get something very similar via airdroid right now.

Also I thought having cortana on your phone sync'd messages/notifications as well.

My phone and desktop/laptop integrate perfectly well already. :)

(Without any need to root the phone, or install custom firmware or software)

Yey, another process to disabled in the next Windows build.