Android vs iOS for users of Windows PCs and Microsoft services

[ozaz]

I know Microsoft’s Your Phone app offers far more functionality for Android users than for iOS users.

Are there any additional benefits of Android phones and tablets specific to users of Windows PCs or Microsoft services?

I use Windows PCs, various Microsoft365 apps and services, iPhone, and iPad. It’s probably around 4-5 years since I last used Android.

Thanks

 

[SteveJUAE]

Don't forget Onedrive is also there and works well with Samsung (Android) devices having better file managers etc

Synching photos, screenshots etc etc

All your cloud saved files are easily accessible across all devices with your bundled 1TB MSOffice storage

 

[ozaz]

Synching photos, screenshots etc etc

All your cloud saved files are easily accessible across all devices with your bundled 1TB MSOffice storage

Isn't this all possible with the iOS version of OneDrive through?
What I'm interested in understanding is the extent to which Android may offer advantages over iOS

 

[Ludatyk]

Isn't this all possible with the iOS version of OneDrive through?
What I'm interested in understanding is the extent to which Android may offer advantages over iOS

Your Phone feature is pretty much it.

There's no other advantage as far as I know, reason why Your Phone feature is available because it gives Android users features similar to iPhone and Mac combination. Whereas Android users can interact with their notifications on Windows, but I think Your Phone features takes it to another level and can use your Android apps on Windows.

 

[koigirl]

Samsung is increasingly compatible with Windows machines.

 

[SteveJUAE]

Isn't this all possible with the iOS version of OneDrive through?
What I'm interested in understanding is the extent to which Android may offer advantages over iOS

Look at your original posting and you will find the core of why its better is the integration of onedrive especially with Samsung and Android has always had better file mangers and directory structure access etc etc

Samsung DEX I understand is better and so are Android emulators

 

[Ludatyk]

Samsung is increasingly compatible with Windows machines.

Actually it’s the other way around… Windows machines is increasing compatibility with other Android phones. Samsung and Microsoft has built services that talk to their devices for awhile now… deeper integration of OneDrive on Galaxy Devices and Your Phone feature was limited to Galaxy Phones in the beginning.

 

[ozaz]

can use your Android apps on Windows

If you pay for an Android app via Google Play store on phone/tablet will you also get access to paid version of that Android app on Windows (which I understand will be delivered via Amazon app store)?

 

[Ludatyk]

If you pay for an Android app via Google Play store on phone/tablet will you also get access to paid version of that Android app on Windows (which I understand will be delivered via Amazon app store)?

I would think so.

But there’s not too many Android apps on the Amazon App Store… well, there isn’t any paid app thats worth purchasing imo. But I’m referring to using Android apps through your Android phone on Windows, that’s what Your Phone feature is able to give you.

 

[ozaz]

If I want to get a cheapish tablet to try Android again (and Samsung Dex for the first time) is Galaxy Tab S6 Lite sufficient, or does it have some limitations with regards to Dex functionality?

I'll be buying used and would also get a keyboard and s-pen.

Don't necessarily know yet if I want to switch to an Android tablet long term, hence looking to minimise cost at this stage (whilst still looking to getting a decent understanding of the ecosystem).

 

[cuzo]

If I want to get a cheapish tablet to try Android again (and Samsung Dex for the first time) is Galaxy Tab S6 Lite sufficient, or does it have some limitations with regards to Dex functionality?

I'll be buying used and would also get a keyboard and s-pen.

Don't necessarily know yet if I want to switch to an Android tablet long term, hence looking to minimise cost at this stage (whilst still looking to getting a decent understanding of the ecosystem).

Linus tech tips recommended it as a cheap starter tablet but honestly on the android side it makes no sense buying anything higher end over a iPad.

A chrome book is better imo due to the full browser and updates but if you’re bent on trying dex just get the s6 tab lite but it drains battery pretty quickly and dex isn’t wireless to tv.

You can find them for 150 on eBay or OfferUp.

 

[ian87w]

If I want to get a cheapish tablet to try Android again (and Samsung Dex for the first time) is Galaxy Tab S6 Lite sufficient, or does it have some limitations with regards to Dex functionality?

I'll be buying used and would also get a keyboard and s-pen.

Don't necessarily know yet if I want to switch to an Android tablet long term, hence looking to minimise cost at this stage (whilst still looking to getting a decent understanding of the ecosystem).

I have the Galaxy Tab S7 FE, and I am using it as my main portable computer, replacing my Windows laptop. My main annoyance with dex is the waste of space at the top bar where it has only a back button at the left corner, and minimize/resize/close buttons on the right corner. The rest of the bar is empty. It doesn't even show the app's name. Feels like a waste of space, especially when vertical space is needed.

In the end, I just keep on normal mode, and simply use side-by-side for multi-tasking. Not all apps play well with Dex anyway. Hopefully Android 12L will improve things around for better tablet support.

The tablet does the job that I need, and for basic productivity, it works. Android tablet, just like the iPad, works best when you just have one or two apps on screen at the same time. Why I prefer my Android tablet than my Windows laptop, battery life. Even at 30%, I can still do a lot of things on the tablet, even watching netflix/youtube without any overheating. On a Windows laptop, battery life will be a concern, and most intel laptops overheats too easily from basic things like watching youtube/netflix.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

Isn't this all possible with the iOS version of OneDrive through?
What I'm interested in understanding is the extent to which Android may offer advantages over iOS

You have to keep the OneDrive app open in the background, for it to auto sync anything. This is with most (if not all) 3rd party cloud apps on iOS.

On Android, even with the app closed, it'll auto sync just fine.

 

[cuzo]

You have to keep the OneDrive app open in the background, for it to auto sync anything. This is with most (if not all) 3rd party cloud apps on iOS.

On Android, even with the app closed, it'll auto sync just fine.

I always felt this was a big reason call blocking apps rarely work well on IOS because IOS limits what applications can see on the system. This is a BIG issue for me with IOS, even with uploading photos I ahve to open the app. IOS really doesn't want any application looking into the file system that much, I'll give you what you need, that's it.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

I always felt this was a big reason call blocking apps rarely work well on IOS because IOS limits what applications can see on the system. This is a BIG issue for me with IOS, even with uploading photos I ahve to open the app. IOS really doesn't want any application looking into the file system that much, I'll give you what you need, that's it.

More like a limit of background processes. Which is why standby life is amazing on iOS devices. But Android is still very close with standby life dealing with it in it's own way. So imo the ends doesn't justify the means anymore.

 

[ozaz]

A chrome book is better imo due to the full browser and updates

I see Chromebook more as an alternative to Win/Mac than to iPad, and in this regard it’s inadequate for my needs.

For my tablet, I want a slate form factor device with a stylus. I use it primarily as a consumption device but with occasional productivity uses (mainly digital notes, as well as occasional laptop replacement when travelling without a laptop). Some of the crucial things for me include ability to download content for offline consumption (Netflix, Kindle, etc) and ability to do handwritten notes in OneNote, and use OneNote offline. Are there slate form factor Chromebooks worth looking at with these use cases in mind?

 

[ozaz]

Interesting development in this area: https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft-doubles-down-its-android-and-windows-efforts-latest-reorg

 

[sracer]

Interesting development in this area: https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft-doubles-down-its-android-and-windows-efforts-latest-reorg

Interesting indeed. If the Android teams are moving in the organization to report to Panay, then it means that Android support is going to be slow-walked to eventually fade away. (at least based on my observations regarding Panay's history over the past 10 years)

 

[ian87w]

I don't think Microsoft can do much to "integrate" Android with Windows. All Microsoft can do is partner up with the OEMs (Samsung, and recently Honor). Google simply hates Microsoft, and will do anything to eat Microsoft's lunch (ChromeOS is intended to fight MS in enterprise and educations). Whatever good thing Microsoft do, it will end up only OEM specific (eg. Samsung) or just superficial.

 

[Healthy27]

For me, it's hard to go from IOS to Android...even with additional functionality.

 

[SigEp265]

I always felt this was a big reason call blocking apps rarely work well on IOS because IOS limits what applications can see on the system. This is a BIG issue for me with IOS, even with uploading photos I have to open the app. IOS really doesn't want any application looking into the file system that much, I'll give you what you need, that's it.

I use WideProtect on the iPhone. I am able to block entire area codes. But i believe it doesn't work if your phone is on DND mode.

 

[nickdalzell1]

When I was still using my 6S, I just enabled 'silence unknown callers' and unless a contact I knew was calling, it'd never ring or show the 'incoming call' screen.

Android has had a similar feature (phone-->settings-->Call blocking and rejection-->switch on unknown/private number) but it's been broken for years. It's definitely switched on for my three lines but they all get random calls from crap all the time.