If you are an Apple fan, you'd be familiar with the impressive continuity or convergence between their various devices. Take for instance, if you are watching a movie on Mac wearing earphones and got a call on your iPhone, you'll be presented the option of receiving the call right on your computer without resorting to your phone.
But unfortunately, same can’t be said about Google products, with such convergence features lacking on Android, it has been a huge turn down, especially for those who are switching to Android phone from iPhone.
Even Chromebooks running Google's Chrome OS can't boost of the level of convergence in Apple products with Android, albeit as a larger ploy to tie Chromebooks and Android devices closer together, Google had earlier outlined authentication by a secondary device plan, which is to allow you bypass your phone or tablet’s lock screen (though, optional).
The limitation, however remains that you can only open your Chromebook with your Android device in your pocket, with the laptop automatically getting unlocked and signing you into your Google account, without requiring a password.
And still, the area where Android is found wanting is whenever you want to receive your call on desktop, it really can't beat Apple, no not yet — in the continuity or convergence capabilities, though you’ll be able to receive notifications about incoming calls and see your text messages right on desktop, but you just can't pick up from it.
When such limits exists in Google's own ecosystem, what then is to be expected from cross-platform compliance with Windows, given the general adoption of Android smartphone, Google should be thinking in the line of incorporating more convergence features into Microsoft systems.
Microsoft, on the other hand, have been trying hard to take charge of what’s running on Android, with additions like "Your Phone" app that Microsoft released in 2018. Since then, the company has also added other useful features such as SMS Organiser to help Android users achieve better cross-device compatibility with Windows 10.
For now, we can only make-do with the Your Phone app which lets you sync Android notifications to Windows 10, and also send/receive SMS on your PC. It also allows you to sync recent photos and videos, with support for both Android and iOS.
Google found wanting in Android/desktop Cross-platform compliance
If you are an Apple fan, you'd be familiar with the impressive continuity or convergence between their various devices. Take for instance, if you are watching a movie on Mac wearing earphones and got a call on your iPhone, you'll be presented the option of receiving the call right on your computer without resorting to your phone.
But unfortunately, same can’t be said about Google products, with such convergence features lacking on Android, it has been a huge turn down, especially for those who are switching to Android phone from iPhone.
Even Chromebooks running Google's Chrome OS can't boost of the level of convergence in Apple products with Android, albeit as a larger ploy to tie Chromebooks and Android devices closer together, Google had earlier outlined authentication by a secondary device plan, which is to allow you bypass your phone or tablet’s lock screen (though, optional).
The limitation, however remains that you can only open your Chromebook with your Android device in your pocket, with the laptop automatically getting unlocked and signing you into your Google account, without requiring a password.
And still, the area where Android is found wanting is whenever you want to receive your call on desktop, it really can't beat Apple, no not yet — in the continuity or convergence capabilities, though you’ll be able to receive notifications about incoming calls and see your text messages right on desktop, but you just can't pick up from it.
When such limits exists in Google's own ecosystem, what then is to be expected from cross-platform compliance with Windows, given the general adoption of Android smartphone, Google should be thinking in the line of incorporating more convergence features into Microsoft systems.
Microsoft, on the other hand, have been trying hard to take charge of what’s running on Android, with additions like "Your Phone" app that Microsoft released in 2018. Since then, the company has also added other useful features such as SMS Organiser to help Android users achieve better cross-device compatibility with Windows 10.
For now, we can only make-do with the Your Phone app which lets you sync Android notifications to Windows 10, and also send/receive SMS on your PC. It also allows you to sync recent photos and videos, with support for both Android and iOS.
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