What you need to know

• OneDrive now integrates with the Galaxy Note 10's photo gallery.
• The feature is part of a growing partnership between Microsoft and Samsung.
• The feature natively integrates the photo gallery with OneDrive, rather than relying on the OneDrive app.

Samsung and Microsoft announced several aspects of a partnership in August, including OneDrive natively integrating with the Galaxy Note 10 photo gallery. Microsoft announced that the feature begins to roll out today in Europe, with devices in the U.S. set to receive it soon.

The integration replaces Samsung Cloud in the photos gallery and allows people to sync photos and videos to OneDrive directly from the gallery app. These images and videos can then be viewed in the OneDrive app on iOS, Android, or Windows, as well as on the web. A new photo experience arrives in January for OneDrive online that loads images quickly and has a timeline bar.

Breaking down the Microsoft and Samsung partnership

This integration is another part of Samsung and Microsoft's growing relationship. In addition to Microsoft's strong app effort on Android, the Galaxy Note 10 has several features that pair it well with Windows 10. People can use a Windows 10 device as a monitor for Samsung DeX, and connect their Galaxy Note10 to Windows 10 with the Link to Windows.

I've never been a massive fan of the Samsung Galaxy series of smartphones. The last time I used a Galaxy flagship, it was with the Galaxy S8, and I sold it after only a few weeks because I couldn't get behind Samsung's version of Android. It felt bloated and didn't look very nice. The hardware was excellent, as Samsung hardware always is, but that's only part of the story when it comes to choosing a smartphone, and Samsung's software side of things just didn't work for me.

But it's been two years, and Samsung has overhauled its version of Android with the new OneUI that attempts to debloat things and make things prettier. Microsoft has also since joined in on the Samsung fun by announcing a partnership that sees it integrate its own services into OneUI and the Galaxy Note 10 for a better experience across the Microsoft ecosystem.

This partnership is why we're reviewing the Galaxy Note 10 on Windows Central; it's the phone Microsoft thinks you should buy if you're part of the Microsoft ecosystem. If you use Windows, Office, Outlook, Skype, and more on your PC, the Galaxy Note 10 makes it easy to bring those experiences with you on the go.

This is a review of the Galaxy Note 10 from the perspective of a Microsoft user. If you're interested in the device as a whole and want to know more about Samsung-specific changes and features over previous Samsung phones, make sure you check out Android Central's in-depth review.

Check out Android Central's review of the Galaxy Note 10+

Galaxy Note 10+ hardware

This is some of the best smartphone hardware on the market.

It's a beautifully crafted combination of metal and glass with curved edges, tight corners, and a mesmerizing edge-to-edge display. The Note10+ is big, but it's not unusually large, like Note devices have been in years past. If you're used to bigger phones, the Note 10+ is going to feel right at home. If not, there's a smaller 6.3-inch model that's much more like the size of an iPhone XR.

The display is absolutely gorgeous. It's a high-resolution WQHD+ OLED. Many have said it's the best display on any smartphone right now, and I'm inclined to agree. By default, it comes out of the box running at full HD resolution, but if you want to take advantage of the full quality the display has to offer, you can up the resolution to WQHD+, which is what I did. This can reduce battery life, but I've not noticed any considerable hit to endurance.

Note 10+ battery life

Speaking of battery life, it's very good. I'm using the Exynos model, not the Snapdragon one, but I can't fault this battery life. I'm getting through a day and a half no problem before dropping below 15 percent. Even then, with the Note 10+'s 45w charging, I'm back up to 100 percent in no time.

It also has wireless charging and supports "fast wireless charging." I use both an Anker and Pixel wireless charger, and although both support fast charging, it's only the Anker charger that actually delivers the fast charging capabilities to the Galaxy Note 10+.

There's an under-display fingerprint reader, which is good, but not the best. My OnePlus 7 Pro has a better in-display fingerprint reader than the Note 10+. It feels a little slower, and sometimes a little less accurate. It's definitely slower than any dedicated capacitive fingerprint reader found on most smartphones these days, so you'll notice it coming from a phone that didn't already have an in-display fingerprint reader.

Camera performance with the Note 10+ is very good. I find the photos to be crisp and colorful, but I'll refer you to Android Central's review for a more in-depth look at the cameras, as I really haven't spent too much time with them.

Great haptics on Note 10+

Let's talk about the headphone jack. I personally am not bothered by its removal, but there are people out there who are. Samsung compensates for this by providing a pair of very good in-ear USB-C headphones in the box. You can also buy a dongle separately if you already have a pair of 3.5mm jack headphones you aren't willing to part with.

I'm happy that Samsung removed the jack on the Note 10+, because its removal has made room for a bigger battery and, more importantly, a better haptic motor. Haptics inside a phone are one of the most important UX parts, and having a bad haptic motor can be the difference between a premium feeling and cheap feeling experience. Removing the jack seems to make room for a much larger, much better haptic motor. Now, admittedly, even with the removal of the jack, the Note 10+'s haptic motor isn't as good as an iPhone, or Pixel for that matter, but it's definitely better than previous Note devices.

There's also the staple Galaxy Note pen, which is super cool. It acts as both a pointer and inking device, just like a Surface Pen does with Windows 10.

Powerful specs

On the inside, you get top tier specifications. It has a Snapdragon 850 (or Exynos 9825,) 12GB RAM, and 256GB storage that's expandable via microSD. You also get stereo speakers facing the top and bottom of the device, and super clicky volume and power buttons on the left side — no Bixby button here, which is great.

Overall, this is some excellent hardware for a smartphone. It is worth noting that there are quite a few differences between the Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+. We're reviewing the Note 10+, and while most of the things mentioned here are applicable to both, the smaller Note 10 has a smaller battery, fewer camera features, and a lower resolution display.

Galaxy Note 10+ software

Android, OneUI, and Microsoft all come together to make this phone the phone to get if you're part of the Microsoft ecosystem. Microsoft and Samsung have worked together to integrate several Microsoft software and services into this device so that out of the box, users are getting the best of Microsoft on Android without having to download anything manually.

OneUI is an improvement over Samsung software of the past. It's still bloated with hundreds of features you're probably not going to want or need, but it doesn't feel like the experience is being weighed down by that anymore. This device is paired with 12GB RAM, so any services that are running in the background still leave plenty of room for other activities.

I have mixed feelings about the overall aesthetic design of OneUI, however. It's very rounded at the corners, and in some areas that's great, but in others, it seems a little unnecessary. It does have dedicated light and dark modes, which I appreciate. Overall, I think most people won't have an issue with Samsung's OneUI on top of Android, but I'm not sure the same can be said for the app bloat out of the box.

The Microsoft partnership actually contributes to this somewhat. The Galaxy Note 10 is just bloated with apps, some of which offer the same thing, just by different companies. For example, there are now three email apps that come built into the Galaxy Note 10: Samsung Email, Gmail, and now Outlook. It seems a little excessive and is something that could easily be solved by asking the user during setup which email client they want.

Many (but not all) of the bundled apps can either be uninstalled or disabled by the user. All of the Google and Microsoft apps can be, and several of the Samsung ones. Out of the box, you get all of Samsung's suite of apps, including its own Galaxy App Store in addition to the Google Play Store, plus all of Google's suite and now Microsoft apps, too. Microsoft has the least amount of apps bundled on the device, but there is a dedicated Microsoft folder on the home screen that has Outlook, LinkedIn, Office, and OneDrive.

The Galaxy Note 10+ Microsoft tie-in

Let's focus on the Microsoft additions on the Galaxy Note 10 because that's the primary reason we're interested in this device. Microsoft made a huge deal about partnering with Samsung and working closely with company, it bundled software and services built by Microsoft. On the surface, this doesn't seem like that a big deal, as Microsoft's Android apps are available on any Android if you manually install them. But this is a big deal, because bundling Microsoft apps means users are more likely to check them out. It's all about integrating these Microsoft experiences with the Galaxy Note 10.

Microsoft built an exclusive Office Mobile app for Samsung devices that consolidates all the Office apps on Android into one. I actually prefer this over having separate apps for each, and so far, I haven't noticed a difference in feature set between the standalone apps and the hub app.

The Outlook app has been optimized for the Galaxy Note 10 experience, as well. It now supports the S Pen, and you can use it to hover over emails in your inbox to see a brief overview of the contents of the email, as well as quick actions to common tasks such as reply, delete, and flag. This feature works on previous Note devices, too.

You also get LinkedIn and OneDrive bundled on the device, and as far as I can tell, there are no extra additions or features specific to Samsung. Microsoft did say that OneDrive would be baked into the Samsung Gallery app for photo backup, but I've yet to see this integration.

Your Phone integration

The things that really stands out are the improvements made to Your Phone on this device. The Your Phone experience on the Galaxy Note 10 is very different, going so far as to not even be called "Your Phone," but rather "Link To Windows" instead.

Your Phone doesn't show up as an app in the apps list, as it's been integrated into the systems Settings app, with a new UI that makes it look and feel native to OneUI. This UI is straightforward and provides a quick overview detailing which PC is connected, which Microsoft Account you're using, and the ability to toggle mobile data use and telemetry sending. This is worlds better than the standard Your Phone Companion app, which provides no information to the user and acts as more of an advertisement for other Microsoft Apps.

There's also a quick access toggle in the notification center that lets you jump straight into setting up a link between your phone and PC, or turning it on and off when you don't need it running. The real interesting side of this is what Microsoft has done behind the scenes to improve the Your Phone experience as a whole.

I've used Your Phone on a number of Android devices, and it has never been as reliable or as fast as with the Galaxy Note 10. Microsoft says it did some work under the hood to improve the reliability, and this really shows. Notification and SMS sync is now pretty much instant and is always working without me needing to reconnect every so often.

This makes a huge difference to the overall user experience. I would get so frustrated with Your Phone seemingly disconnecting from my phone for no reason when using the OnePlus or Pixel, but the Galaxy Note 10 is able to maintain a stable connection all the time. The speed in which the Your Phone app syncs with the phone is also improved, meaning you no longer have to wait 10 or more seconds for an SMS to send or a photo to show up.

The last big change Microsoft made to Your Phone on the Galaxy Note 10 is the addition of screen mirroring support on any Windows 10 PC. Other smartphones that actually support screen mirroring only work on select devices tested by Microsoft, but with the Galaxy Note 10, it works on any device, without the use of Bluetooth.

Microsoft also announced that later this year, Your Phone will gain the ability to sync cellular calls between your phone and PC. I assume this will come to the Galaxy Note 10 first, and this will mean Galaxy Note users can take calls using Your Phone on their PC just like an iPhone user can take calls on their Mac. It's a great feature to have built into the OS at a native level.

Samsung DeX for Windows 10

There's also an additional new feature called DeX for Windows that turns any Windows PC into a DeX workstation by connecting your phone with a standard USB-C cable. This will bring up the DeX workstation powered by your phone, allowing you to run all the Android apps you have on your phone directly on your PC. I personally have no use for this, but I can see why this could be useful for businesses or people who have a specific app that's only on Android.

However, the experience is very slow. It appears to be remoting into a virtual DeX desktop environment and is not natively transferring video through the USB port on your laptop. Because of this, there's lag between clicking and typing. If you're used to remoting into a PC at work or home, this won't be much different. But if not, the lag and artifacting are definitely noticeable.

To sum that all up ...

The Galaxy Note 10 is the phone to buy if you want the best Microsoft experiences on Android. Period. The hardware is excellent. You hold this device, and it just screams premium. And the improves made to integrations with Microsoft services make it an excellent option for Microsoft Windows users.

It's not perfect, for the reasons listed above. But there is no better option if you're invested in Microsoft's services. It's that simple.

What you need to know

• OneDrive integration with the Samsung Gallery app is rolling out to Android 10 beta users.
• The feature is available for Android 10 beta using the Galaxy Note 10 or Galaxy Note 10+.
• The feature is part of a growing partnership between Microsoft and Samsung.

Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+ users running Android 10 beta can now automatically sync their images and videos to OneDrive through the Samsung Gallery (via SAMMOBILE). Samsung rolled out the feature to beta testers recently, making it easier to use OneDrive from select Galaxy devices.

OneDrive's integration with the Samsung Gallery app was announced alongside more noteworthy parts of the Samsung and Microsoft partnership, including Link to Windows, Windows 10 PCs being compatible with Samsung DeX, and the Galaxy Book S. The integration allows people to sync images and videos with OneDrive inside their phone's gallery instead of having to use the dedicated OneDrive app.

If a person turns on OneDrive integration, all photos and videos will transfer from the Samsung Cloud to OneDrive, with the exception being any content in the cloud Recycle Bin. Microsoft will honor the amount of cloud storage a person has for the Samsung Cloud in OneDrive for one year. After that, people may need to upgrade their cloud storage plan. Galaxy users get an extra 15GB of cloud storage for a year in addition to the 5GB anyone can get for free.

Breaking down the Microsoft and Samsung partnership

Once the OneDrive integration is turned on, you can not switch it back to Samsung Cloud.

If you've had your eyes set on grabbing Samsung's Galaxy Note 10, then you'll want to pay attention because right now you can get it for 50% off at Sprint. You'll pay just $19.79 a month when you sign up with a new line of service on Sprint's Flex Lease. After you've bought the phone, you'll get a $19.80 credit applied to every monthly bill, saving you a ton of money over the course of the lease.

The Flex Lease is an 18-month commitment. You will need approved credit, and these phones require a new line of service. After that time is up, you can return the phone and upgrade to a new model or buy the rest of the price of the phone. If you choose to buy out the phone instead of upgrading to whatever new phone is out at the time, you can either pay off the rest in one lump sum or choose a six-month payment plan. This deal also includes Galaxy Forever, which means if Samsung releases a new generation you can upgrade at anytime after 12 payments on your current phone.

You can also upgrade to the Galaxy Note 10+ with this deal if you want. You'll get the same discount - $19.80 a month. So the Note 10+ will cost you just $26.04 a month after the discount. The regular Note 10 is available in the 256GB capacity and comes in Aura Black, Aura Glow, and Aura White.

Read our review of the Galaxy Note 10 here and learn about what makes this phone so special. We gave it 4 stars out of 5 and said, "It brings the complete S Pen experience, backed by everything that makes Galaxy phones so great, in a size that's more manageable in your hand and in your pocket."

What you need to know

• Outlook for Android received an update that improves S Pen support.
• Users can now hover over mail, attachments, events, and people.
• The update also allows users to perform quick actions with the S Pen.

A new update for the Android version of Outlook brings improvements and new features for users of the S Pen on the Galaxy Note line of phones. Users can now hover over mail, attachments, events, or people to get a sneak peek at the items. Additionally, users can perform quick actions with the S Pen after hovering over an item.

The app listing on the Google Play Store lists all of the new features that work with Note devices.

The Galaxy Note S is Samsung's latest flagship and shows a new step in the relationship between Microsoft and Samsung. The Note 10 can "Link" to Windows 10 PCs to sync messages, photos, and notifications and users can plug the Note 10 into a Windows 10 PC to use the PC as a DeX monitor.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ review: The best Android phone for Microsoft and Windows users

Many users of the Note get it almost exclusively for the S Pen. Being able to use the S Pen with Outlook will make the email client much friendlier to users of Samsung's stylus.

What you need to know

• The Samsung PlayGalaxy Link app is now available for download.
• PlayGalaxy Link is Samsung's game streaming service that lets you play PC games on your Galaxy smartphone.
• PlayGalaxy Link is currently in beta and is open to users in the U.S. and Korea only.

Samsung announced a new game streaming service called PlayGalaxy Link at its Unpacked event last month. Similar to Steam Link, Samsung's PlayGalaxy Link service lets you stream PC games to your Galaxy phone. As spotted by the folks at Android Police, the Playgalaxy.com site is now up and the Android app can be downloaded by Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+ owners.

To get started, you will need to download the PC application from the Playgalaxy.com website and get the Android app from the Galaxy Store. Once you have installed PlayGalaxy Link on both your PC and phone, you need to launch it on both devices and sign in using your Samsung account.

Next, select your PC and press the START button to connect your phone with your PC over Wi-Fi or mobile data (4G/5G). Once connected, you can select the game you want to play and it will be streamed to your phone.

While you can use PlayGalaxy Link and play games on your phones using the virtual keypad, Samsung recommends you get the Glap Bluetooth gaming controller for a much more enjoyable experience. For now, only the Galaxy Note 10 series is compatible with the PlayGalaxy Link service. In the near future, however, Samsung says it will add support for other Galaxy phones as well.

What you need to know

• Microsoft is offering up to $650 of credit for a Galaxy Note 10 or Galaxy Note 10+ when you trade in your old phone.
• Elegible phones include the iPhone X, Galaxy Note 9, and Google Pixel 3.
• The Galaxy Note 10 starts at $950 and the Galaxy Note 10+ starts at $1,100.

Microsoft has had a trade-in program for some time now, but with Apple's iPhone event happening yesterday, many people are evaluating their mobile devices. If you were underwhelmed by the iPhone 11 or you're a happy Android user and want to upgrade to the Galaxy Note 10 or Galaxy Note 10+, you can get up to $650 in credit when you trade-in your old phone.

How much you get for your old phone depends largely on the model of phone and the condition that it's in. Trading in a Galaxy Note 9, iPhone X, or Google Pixel 3 can get you up to $650 in credit towards a new Galaxy Note device. Even a Pixel 2 or iPhone 8 can get you up to $450, and those devices are getting on in years, at least in terms of the fast-paced smartphone era. Microsoft has a full breakdown of the value of phones through the program on its website.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ review: The best Android phone for Microsoft and Windows users

In order to trade-in your phone and earn credit, you have to take your device to a physical Microsoft Store. You can not take advantage of the deal online.

Being able to sync your smartphone's notifications, photos, and text messages directly to your PC is an incredibly useful feature made possible by Microsoft's Your Phone app for Windows 10. The app itself has been around for quite a while now but was only recently shoved into the limelight with the launch of the Galaxy Note 10. For the first time, the Your Phone service is now natively integrated with Samsung's flagship smartphone, and likely more Samsung smartphones in the future.

This is a massive win for Your Phone as now Microsoft no longer has to rely on users to manually discover, download, and install Your Phone onto their smartphones before use. The service is now integrated into those phones, meaning the user now has two areas of discovery. Microsoft has taken this opportunity to improve the Your Phone experience specifically for the Galaxy Note 10, with better performance and screen mirroring functionality on any Windows 10 PC.

I've seen quite a few people online say that there's no difference between Your Phone on the Galaxy Note 10 compared to if you installed the service manually on a non-Samsung smartphone. I'm here to tell you those people are wrong. Your Phone is much improved when paired with a Galaxy Note 10, as the faster syncing and overall performance increase makes a huge difference to the user experience.

Better for one, worse for the other

The problem with this is that it makes other Android smartphones seem like they are getting a lesser experience when it comes to Your Phone because these improvements are exclusive to the Galaxy Note 10 for now. For example, Your Phone, when paired with my Pixel 3 XL, worked for the most part, but it wasn't always reliable. It was slower to sync, and features like screen mirroring didn't work because the list of smartphones that support that feature is limited to either OnePlus or Samsung.

Even if the Pixel 3 XL were supported, the screen mirroring function would only work on a selection of Surface hardware. The feature doesn't yet work on non-Surface hardware unless it's paired with a Galaxy Note 10 as Microsoft is using Wi-Fi Direct there, compared to the other smartphones that rely on the PC supporting updated drivers with Bluetooth LE. All of this means very few people can take advantage of screen mirroring at this time, which sucks.

To be fair to Microsoft, the screen mirroring feature is still labeled as a preview, so its limited list of supported devices is excusable for now. We just have to hope that Microsoft is planning to roll out these improved Your Phone capabilities to more than the Galaxy Note 10, and more than Samsung, OnePlus, and Surface hardware as a whole in the future. If not, then Your Phone's usefulness will remain in an incredibly small scope, basically remaining exclusive to Samsung devices.

Related: Samsung Galaxy Note 10 review at Android Central

The Microsoft and Samsung partnership should not mean that other smartphones get a lesser Your Phone experience. Microsoft hasn't yet announced if the improvements to Your Phone with the Galaxy Note 10 will be coming to other non-Samsung smartphones again, but I think it's a fair assumption that for now, these improvements will be exclusive to Samsung.

What are your thoughts on the improvements to Your Phone with the Galaxy Note 10? Let us know in the comments.

Samsung has released its new DeX app for PC and Mac that turns any computer into a DeX workstation when a Galaxy Note 10 device is connected. That's a big deal for DeX, but it's a feature that I've seen many people online call "useless" and "unnecessary." So I'm curious, what do you think about the Samsung DeX app? Would you use DeX in place of your native operating system on your PC?

I think a lot of people branding the DeX app as useless assume it's designed to outright replace Windows or macOS on whatever device it's installed on, but that's not what it's for. Samsung DeX for PC and Mac is designed primarily as another way to access your phone while using your PC. The DeX environment lets you run any Android app on you phone directly on your PC without needing to remote in to the device.

Hands-on with the new Samsung DeX app for Windows 10

It can also prove useful for when you have documents or photos on your phone that you want to view on your laptop, without actually transferring the files off of your phone. With DeX, you can open the document, and edit it in an environment designed for the larger screen with a keyboard and mouse, without having to manually transfer the document or photo to your PC first.

I do think DeX's use case is for a niche audience, but I don't think it's totally unnecessary. It has its uses, and that's why it exists. What are your thoughts on the Samsung DeX app? Answer our poll and let us know in the comments.

Samsung has released a new app for PC and Mac that transforms any computer into a DeX dock, powered by the Galaxy Note 10. Using just a normal USB cable to connect your PC to your phone, you can turn any PC into a DeX compatible workstation, allowing you to access your phone and Android apps without needing a dedicated DeX dock.

Related: Samsung Galaxy Note 10 review at Android Central

We've gone hands-on with the new Samsung DeX app for Windows 10 to see how it performs, and we're impressed. When it was first announced, it wasn't clear how exactly this feature would be useful, but upon further inspection, its use-cases become much clearer. This is for people who need access to apps only available on Android, and frequently transfer files between their phone and PC.

Now, using the Samsung DeX app, you can access Snapchat, WhatsApp, and every other Android app without needing to use virtualization technology like Bluestacks, or rely on streaming your phone to your PC like with the Your Phone app. What's more, those who use their phones for work no longer need to worry about making sure all their files are available across all their devices. You can just work directly off your phone using the DeX client.

Download Samsung DeX

A mobile extension

This app is designed primarily to compliment your PC and not outright replace it. I don't think anyone is using DeX full time, because it just doesn't make sense to, especially if you have a full PC sitting right next to your phone. This is useful for when you need to use an app that Windows doesn't have, or access and share files between your phone and PC.

The DeX experience itself is very Windows-like. You've got your traditional taskbar, system tray, and app menu in the locations you'd expect, plus a few niceties such as app previews when hovering over running apps in the taskbar, and the ability to drag around and resize app windows.

This is what Windows 10 Mobile's continuum mode wishes it was. It's a full-fledged desktop experience with all the bells and whistles you'd expect an OS with a mouse and keyboard to have. It's nice, but I still can't see people opting to use this over Windows.

Of course, the DeX app is just another way to access your phone, with Microsoft's own Your Phone app stepping in to streamline the experience. Your Phone from Microsoft syncs data such as SMS, photos, and notifications to a Windows 10 app, instead of relying on the user to boot into the phone directly.

What are your thoughts on Samsung DeX? Let us know in the comments.

We're back with another exciting episode of the Windows Central Podcast, and this week, Daniel Rubino and Zac Bowden deliver a super-sized edition of the show with news about 19H2 and 20H1 builds, and the roll out of a Beta Channel for the new Chromium-based Edge browser.

They also talk about why Samsung's Galaxy Note 10 is a great smartphone option for users heavily invested in the Microsoft ecosystem, plus Daniel shares his experience visiting the Huawei factory in China. Finally, the duo have a chat about a host of other general tech topics, particularly wearables and wishful thinking about a Surface Watch.

This episode of the Windows Central Podcast was recorded on August 9 2019.

Links:

• Windows 10 19H2 builds 18362.10014 and 18362.10015 roll out to Slow ring Insiders
• Windows 10 20H1 build 18965.1005 rolls out to Fast ring Insiders
• Microsoft rolls out Beta Channel for the new Chromium-based Edge browser
• Windows 10 'Your Phone' screen mirroring works on any PC with the Galaxy Note 10
• Cortana cut from Johnson Controls' GLAS thermostat

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Hosts

• Daniel Rubino
• Zac Bowden

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Microsoft's new "Link To Windows" feature that's currently exclusive to the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 may be coming to other Galaxy handsets soon. XDA recently spotted a video showcasing an upcoming OS update for the Samsung Galaxy S10 series, which appears to show Link To Windows as a feature that's now baked into the OS, starting with the OneUI 2.0 update.

This is a big deal, because it means more users will be able to experience the improved Your Phone integration between PC and Galaxy phones without the need to buy a new Galaxy Note 10. Your Phone integration on the Galaxy Note 10 is much improved over other phones that have the Your Phone app installed manually by the user.

For example, now that Your Phone is integrated with the OS on Galaxy phones, it can maintain a much more reliable connection between the phone and PC, and also has additional functionality such as being able to activate screen mirroring on any Windows 10 PC without the use of Bluetooth, and soon, take cellular calls directly from the PC itself.

Microsoft has also hinted that Link To Windows will be coming to other Galaxy handsets in the near future, so it's likely that we'll be seeing this come to the Galaxy S10 series. We're not sure if it'll be coming to other older Galaxy phones like the S9 or Note 9, but you never know. What are your thoughts on Link To Windows? Let us know in the comments.

Microsoft's screen mirroring feature, part of the Your Phone app on Windows 10 has been frustratingly limited to a handful of PC's that support Bluetooth LE, and a small collection of Android phones. Right now, Microsoft and Samsung have been working together on a new mobile partnership that see's the Redmond giant work to integrate Microsoft software with Samsung hardware, starting with the Galaxy Note 10.

Related: Samsung Galaxy Note 10 review at Android Central

Because of this, the Your Phone integration between the Galaxy Note 10 and Windows 10 PC's is much improved. I've been using Your Phone for just a couple of hours, and the connection between my Surface Studio and Galaxy Note 10+ has been better than it ever has been on other phones. Notification sync is instant, as is sending messages. In addition to this, the ability to use screen mirroring is functional without the need of Bluetooth.

This means the Galaxy Note 10 can take advantage of the Your Phone screen mirroring feature on any Windows 10 PC running version 1903 and up. This has been confirmed by Analy Otero Diaz, a senior program manager lead at Microsoft who is working on these mobile experiences.

This is just one example of how Microsoft is treating the Galaxy Note 10. Microsoft and Samsung announced a new partnership at the Galaxy Note 10 launch event, which see's Microsoft treating the Note 10, and likely future Galaxy devices, as first class citizens in the Microsoft ecosystem. Microsoft has also announced that the ability to make cellular calls through Your Phone on Windows 10 will be coming via the Galaxy Note 10 later this year as well.

What are your thoughts on this integration? Let us know in the comments.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 is launching very soon, bringing a decent set of improvements to Samsung's flagship stylus-powered superphone. For Windows Central readers, perhaps the most noteworthy aspect of the Note 10 was Microsoft's presence at its reveal, with CEO Satya Nadella on-stage to talk productivity and partnership.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 will use Outlook as its default mailing client, replacing Gmail for the first time. Additionally, Samsung will integrate OneDrive directly into the Gallery app for seamless cloud backups, and leverage Your Phone for integration with connected Windows PCs. Samsung will also benefit from full DeX support for Microsoft Office.

Related: Samsung Galaxy Note 10 review at Android Central

We may never get another phone from Microsoft again, or at least not until a significant paradigm shift in the user experience that might allow for Microsoft to carve out a niche. It's looking increasingly like Android, or specifically, Samsung's Android, is becoming Microsoft's replacement for its dead phone platform. But are you interested? We'd like to hear from you.

To buy or not to buy

I've been a Galaxy Note 9 user for some time. As a huge tech nerd who struggles to resist the latest shiny things, the Note 10 doesn't seem to be what I'd describe as "mind-blowing," besides the price that is. I got my Note 9 for around 700 euros, admittedly a few months after launch. But the Note 10 starts at an eyewatering 950 euros, for what is arguably a pretty comparable set of hardware features. Some specs are actually a downgrade, with a smaller battery compared to my current handset. To get a bigger battery, I'd have to upgrade to the Note 10+, which is over 1050 euros. Oof.

I'm also a bit disappointed Samsung doesn't seem to have done a great deal to meet Huawei and Google Pixel in terms of camera innovation. The Samsung cameras are excellent and rarely let me down, but some of the camera samples coming out of the Huawei P30 Pro are just on an another level.

Its integrations with Microsoft represent the most attractive aspects of the Note 10, but you can get those yourself simply by, well, downloading those apps and setting them to default. It doesn't seem as though some of the exclusive integrations such as OneDrive in the Gallery app will come to the Note 9, which is a shame. Since it's just a software update, it feels like this is more to do with the deal between Samsung and Microsoft rather than serving its users. Oh, and it sucks that the headphone jack is gone. I will die mad about the headphone jack.

Even if I don't buy the Note 10 (firmly on the fence right now), the partnership between Samsung and Microsoft does have tons of potential. Envision a world where Microsoft persuades them to kill Bixby in favor of Cortana. It might give Cortana a vague chance at achieving some sort of market penetration, in a world where devices that shipped with Cortana are actually indignantly cutting her out in favor of Alexa. Samsung has things Microsoft needs, and Microsoft has things Samsung needs. I see this as an absolute win.

Regardless, we want to hear your thoughts. So be sure to vote in our poll, drop a comment, and let your voice be heard. Be kind though. Phones are serious business, obviously. We'll loop back around with the poll results in a week or so.

What you need to know

• The Samsung DeX app is now available for Windows and Mac.
• The app allows the Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+ to project the DeX experience onto a computer.
• The app requires a Galaxy Note 10 or Note 10+ and doesn't work with older Galaxy devices.

The Samsung DeX app is now available for Windows and Mac. The app allows users to connect the Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+ to their computer and use a desktop experience powered by their phone. DeX also works with monitors, but the Samsung DeX app allows users to convert any Windows PC or Mac into a screen for their DeX experience.

Related: Samsung Galaxy Note 10 review at Android Central

The Samsung DeX app is free and works with Windows 7, Windows 10, and Mac OS versions higher than 10.13. Samsung's post announcing the availability of the app outlines some of the advantages of using DeX on a computer, including being able to use files stored locally on your phone during a presentation and being able to play mobile games on a larger screen.

One of the major drawbacks of using Samsung DeX is that many monitors don't have a spare mouse or keyboard attached. The Samsung DeX app allows you to control the DeX experience with your computer's mouse and keyboard.

Several apps have been optimized to work with Samsung DeX, including Microsoft Office and Microsoft Remote Desktop. Other popular apps like YouTube, Twitch, and Adobe Premiere Rush also work through Samsung DeX.

While Samsung DeX as a platform works with older Galaxy phones and Galaxy Tab devices, the Samsung DeX app for Windows and Mac only works with a Galaxy Note 10 or Galaxy Note 10+.

We're back with another exciting episode of the Windows Central Podcast, and this week, Daniel Rubino and Zac Bowden have news about Windows 10 build 18956 and go into detail regarding the expanded partnership between Samsung and Microsoft — thanks in large part to the new Galaxy Note 10. Samsung has also unveiled the Snapdragon 8cx-equipped Galaxy Book S. They also have a great conversation about the expectation of privacy and reports that Microsoft contractors listen to portions of Skype calls. Daniel also teases his upcoming trip to visit Huawei's facilities in China and previews some upcoming laptop reviews.

This episode of the Windows Central Podcast was recorded on August 9 2019.

Links:

• Windows 10 build 18956 (and earlier): Everything you need to know | Windows Central
• Microsoft and Samsung expand partnership, including Microsoft apps and services integrating with the Galaxy Note 10 | Windows Central
• Samsung announces Galaxy Book S with Snapdragon 8cx for $999 | Windows Central
• Microsoft contractors reportedly listen to Skype phone sex calls | Windows Central

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Hosts

• Daniel Rubino
• Zac Bowden

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Samsung's newly-announced Galaxy Note 10 is highly-anticipated, and if you're looking to get your hands on one you are going to want to try and save some bucks on the purchase. Phones continue to get more expensive as they get better each year, but that isn't stopping the deals from popping up. Verizon is looking to have you purchase your Note 10 or Note 10+ direct from them with this new BOGO offer. You will need two lines to upgrade, but you can also add a line if you need and still get the free phone on that line.

The free Note 10 comes in the form of 24 monthly credits, unless you opt for the 5G variant which is credited over the course of 36 months instead. Upon completing your purchase, you'll need to head to Verizon's Rebate Center and use promo code SWITCHNOW along with the other required information to get the full rebate.

In addition to getting the free phone, adding an Unlimited line scores you a free $200 gift card, which is shipped to you within 8 weeks. Purchases made now through August 22 will also be eligible for up to a $150 Samsung.com voucher that you can use towards some new accessories for the device. You'll need to create a Samsung account in the Shop Samsung app, click on the Note 10 promo, and then click "See if I'm eligible".

What you need to know

• The new Samsung Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+ are now available to preorder at the Microsoft Store.
• Microsoft Stores will also have models on display for customers to check out in-store.
• You can preorder the new phones starting at $950 at the Microsoft Store now ahead of their August 23 release.

Samsung only just revealed the new Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+, but the flagship phones are now available to preorder. As part of its continued partnership with Samsung, the Microsoft Store is stocking the two new phones and you can preorder them now either in-store or at the online Microsoft Store starting at $945.

The Note line is where Samsung typically goes all-in every year, packing it with top specs and features. The Note 10 and Note 10+ are no different. Powering each is Qualcomm's Snapdragon 855 chip, and you'll get your choice of a 6.3-inch display on the Note 10 or a 6.8-inch one on the Note 10+.

The two phones look largely the same outside of their differing sizes, but there are some slight tweaks under the hood depending on the model. The Note 10+ packs a bigger battery (4300mAh), a microSD card slot for expandable storage, a 512GB storage option, and 12GB of RAM. The base Note 10, meanwhile, lacks a microSD card slot, includes 8GB of RAM, and only comes with 256GB of storage.

Otherwise, you're looking at the same color options, camera tech, and an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor. Here's a closer look at how the specs break down.

For Microsoft fans, both phones come with Windows 10's Your Phone capabilities built in, along with integrated OneDrive syncing with the Samsung Gallery app and a number of preinstalled Office apps.

For more on the Note 10 and Note 10+, check out the coverage from our friends at Android Central. In the meantime, you can preorder the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+ at the Microsoft Store and Samsung now.

Portable (and affordable) power accessories we love

Each and every one of these charging gadgets will keep your favorite gear and gadgets going for longer, and none of them costs more than $30.

VisionTek 8,000 mAh micro-USB power bank ($13 at Dell)

This compact dual-output powerbank can speedily recharge any and all your devices, thanks to a two-amp "fast charge feature," using its micro-USB out port. Its simple design includes an LED indicator, and it costs about as much as a single ticket to the movies.

Panasonic eneloop AA batteries (From $13 at Dell)

Panasonic's rechargeable batteries are among the best available, and just a couple of them will keep your favorite remote, mice or other peripherals powered up when you need them. They're also eco. And the company's affordable charger fits and charges both AA and AAA batteries at the same time.

Belkin Qi Wireless Charging Pad ($30 at Dell)

This unobtrusive Qi wireless charging pad looks good (and kind of like a UFO …) and easily charges all your Qi-compatible device up to 5W. Its LED indicator lights up when you're charging. And it costs just $30.

What you need to know

• Microsoft and Samsung have strengthened the partnership between the two companies.
• Microsoft's CEO and Corporate Vice President were on stage at Galaxy Unpacked to discuss the partnership.
• The partnership includes several Microsoft apps and services integrating with Samsung devices.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella joined Samsung Electronics CEO DJ Koh to discuss the growing partnership between Microsoft and Samsung. Earlier during the presentation, Microsoft's corporate Vice President, Shilpa Ranganathan presented several aspects of the partnership. Several Microsoft apps will be natively integrated into the Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+, and Your Phone and DeX will allow users to work seamlessly across their Galaxy and Windows devices.

Your Phone

Microsoft's Your Phone app is natively integrated into the Galaxy Note 10. With this app, users can sync their phone notifications, text messages, and photographs with their Windows 10 PC. Users on Galaxy Note 10 devices will also be able to mirror their phones to Windows 10 using Your Phone. The mirroring supports multi-touch gestures as well as mouse and keyboard. Additionally, Your Phone will support relaying phone calls later this year. Your Phone isn't exclusive to Samsung devices, but Microsoft is clearly working closely with Samsung to make sure that all of its features work well on the Note 10.

OneDrive integration

Microsoft also announced that OneDrive will be natively integrated into the Samsung Gallery app. This allows users to have photos and videos automatically synced across their devices. A OneDrive app is already available on Android, but this new integration makes it easier for Samsung mobile device users to sync their gallery to Microsoft's cloud. The new feature is coming this fall.

Microsoft also highlighted that users can mark up files on OneDrive with the S Pen and that files stored on OneDrive vault have increased security.

Outlook and Office

Microsoft announced several ways that Outlook and Office work well with Samsung devices. Microsoft Outlook is preinstalled on Galaxy Note 10 devices. Note 10 devices also have enhanced S Pen integration including hovering over an email with the pen to see a preview and accepting or declining event invitations by hovering the S Pen.

Outlook also has new features for Samsung devices. There's a new three-pane view for Samsung tablets, and users can open multiple messages in separate Windows when they connect to Windows 10 through Samsung DeX. Outlook is also coming to Samsung Galaxy wearables in the future.

Microsoft Office won't be preinstalled on Note 10 devices, but Microsoft highlighted its mobile suite of productivity apps being available on the phones.

A new way to shop

Microsoft and Samsung aren't just partnering on software. The Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+ will be sold in person at Microsoft Stores and available online through the Microsoft Store. There's also a trade-in program that allows you to trade-in select mobile devices at the Microsoft Store to get up to $650 in trade-in value towards a Galaxy Note 10 device.

Galaxy Book S

The Galaxy Book S is probably hidden a bit by the announcement of the Galaxy Note 10 phones. The new laptop has Gigabit LTE connectivity and the new Snapdragon 8cx chip inside. The Galaxy Book S was developed through a partnership of Samsung, Microsoft, and Qualcomm. It's the highest-end Windows 10 PC powered by ARM and the first to be announced running the Snapdragon 8cx.

A growing partnership

Microsoft and Samsung have worked together recently, but today's announcements bring everything together and expand the partnership further. The fact that Microsoft's CEO and Corporate Vice President joined Samsung's CEO on stage indicates how serious this partnership is. Nadella also said that there was more to come in the future from this partnership.

Helpful headphone accessories

You'll get the most convenience out of your new smartphone if you have the proper accessories to go with it. Here are some that we recommend.

Kimwood USB-C Headphone Adapter ($12 at Amazon)

This simple dongle allows you to use your 3.5 mm wired headphones with any USB-C port. It's perfect for use with the Samsung Note 10 or 10+ smartphones.

Anker 10W Max ($16 at Amazon)

This case allows you to extend the battery life of your iPhone to a total of 25 hours while protecting it at the same time. The helpful design gives you access to the Lighting port while charging wirelessly so you can listen to music or make calls.

Tribit XFree Tune ($40 at Amazon)

This pair of wireless headphones gives you quality sound at a cheap price. They work for 40 hours before needing a recharge and have a comfortable design so you'll be able to use them for long stretches.

What you need to know

• Samsung officially launched its Galaxy Note 10 on stage at its Unpacked event today.
• The phone is set to go on preorder on August 8, and Microsoft stores will sell it and have it on display.
• This is part of an expanded partnership between the two companies that also sees Microsoft services integrated in the Galaxy Note 10.

If you're looking to pick up one of Samsung's new Galaxy Note 10 or Galaxy Note 10 Plus phones following their unveiling today, you'll want to check out the Microsoft Store. Samsung announced on stage that the Microsoft Store will stock its latest flagship phone, and you'll be able to preorder it starting August 8.

In a post about the partnership, Microsoft outlined some deals it will be running for the phone as well. While you'll be able to explore the phone in retail Microsoft Stores, you'll also be able to trade in "select mobile devices" and receive up to $650 in trade-in credit towards a Galaxy Note 10.

The move is part of an expanded partnership between Microsoft and Samsung. The Galaxy Note 10 will come pre-loaded with Your Phone connectivity, with Samsung building an easily accessible toggle into the Quick Actions menu. Several Microsoft Office apps are also being integrated into the Note 10, including native OneDrive syncing in the Samsung Gallery app.

If you're looking to pick up a Galaxy Note 10, you can preorder the phone starting August 8 at the Microsoft Store.

Portable (and affordable) power accessories we love

Each and every one of these charging gadgets will keep your favorite gear and gadgets going for longer, and none of them costs more than $30.

VisionTek 8,000 mAh micro-USB power bank ($13 at Dell)

This compact dual-output powerbank can speedily recharge any and all your devices, thanks to a two-amp "fast charge feature," using its micro-USB out port. Its simple design includes an LED indicator, and it costs about as much as a single ticket to the movies.

Panasonic eneloop AA batteries (From $13 at Dell)

Panasonic's rechargeable batteries are among the best available, and just a couple of them will keep your favorite remote, mice or other peripherals powered up when you need them. They're also eco. And the company's affordable charger fits and charges both AA and AAA batteries at the same time.

Belkin Qi Wireless Charging Pad ($30 at Dell)

This unobtrusive Qi wireless charging pad looks good (and kind of like a UFO …) and easily charges all your Qi-compatible device up to 5W. Its LED indicator lights up when you're charging. And it costs just $30.

What you need to know

• Samsung announced the Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+ at Samsung Unpacked.
• The new flagship devices will come preinstalled with Your Phone
• Microsoft has pushed Your Phone and other Android apps on Samsung's phones increasingly over the last year.

Samsung announced the Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+ at Samsung Unpacked today. But it wasn't just Samsung's higher-ups that graced the stage. Microsoft's corporate Vice President, Shilpa Ranganathan, appeared, announcing several ways that the Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+ work with Microsoft's Android apps. Most notably, the flagship devices will come preinstalled with Your Phone.

Later during the event, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella came on stage to discuss the close partnership between Samsung and Microsoft. Microsoft also shared a blog post on the partnership.

Today, Microsoft showed an even bigger investment in the Your Phone app. The Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+ have Your Phone support built-in so users can easily connect their phone and PC. Your Phone syncs notifications, photos, and text messages from your phone to your PC. The Your Phone integration with the new Galaxy phones works with keyboard, mouse, and touch. Microsoft also announced that the ability to relay calls through the Your Phone app will be available later this year.

The press release for the Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+ outlines the integration of Your Phone and the new devices.

Microsoft has increased its efforts on Android over the last few years. Your Phone screen mirroring was initially tested exclusively on Samsung phones for Insiders. Microsoft is also expanding the Your Phone team of engineers.

Helpful headphone accessories

You'll get the most convenience out of your new smartphone if you have the proper accessories to go with it. Here are some that we recommend.

Kimwood USB-C Headphone Adapter ($12 at Amazon)

This simple dongle allows you to use your 3.5 mm wired headphones with any USB-C port. It's perfect for use with the Samsung Note 10 or 10+ smartphones.

Anker 10W Max ($16 at Amazon)

This case allows you to extend the battery life of your iPhone to a total of 25 hours while protecting it at the same time. The helpful design gives you access to the Lighting port while charging wirelessly so you can listen to music or make calls.

Tribit XFree Tune ($40 at Amazon)

This pair of wireless headphones gives you quality sound at a cheap price. They work for 40 hours before needing a recharge and have a comfortable design so you'll be able to use them for long stretches.

What you need to know

• Samsung's DeX is coming to PCs as an app.
• The DeX app will let you drag and drop files between devices and interact with mobile apps on your PC.
• Samsung announced the new app alongside the Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+.

At its Unpacked event today, Samsung announced that it is bringing a DeX app to PC and Mac alongside the new Galaxy Note 10. The app will act as a way for your phone and PC to communicate with one another, including dragging and dropping files and interacting with mobile apps.

From Samsung:

In addition to the DeX app, Samsung says you'll be able to "link to Windows" directly from the Galaxy Note 10's Quick Panel. Once linked, you'll be able to see notifications, messages, and look at recent photos without having to pick up your phone. Later this year, Microsoft says you'll also be able to make and receive phone calls from your PC.

This feature relies on Microsoft's Your Phone features built into Windows 10. That's not wouldn't a surprising development, as Samsung's Galaxy phones were among the first to be supported by Your Phone. Still, it's a convenient feature to have built directly into the Quick Panel.

Portable (and affordable) power accessories we love

Each and every one of these charging gadgets will keep your favorite gear and gadgets going for longer, and none of them costs more than $30.

VisionTek 8,000 mAh micro-USB power bank ($13 at Dell)

This compact dual-output powerbank can speedily recharge any and all your devices, thanks to a two-amp "fast charge feature," using its micro-USB out port. Its simple design includes an LED indicator, and it costs about as much as a single ticket to the movies.

Panasonic eneloop AA batteries (From $13 at Dell)

Panasonic's rechargeable batteries are among the best available, and just a couple of them will keep your favorite remote, mice or other peripherals powered up when you need them. They're also eco. And the company's affordable charger fits and charges both AA and AAA batteries at the same time.

Belkin Qi Wireless Charging Pad ($30 at Dell)

This unobtrusive Qi wireless charging pad looks good (and kind of like a UFO …) and easily charges all your Qi-compatible device up to 5W. Its LED indicator lights up when you're charging. And it costs just $30.

Android is basically the go-to platform for folks invested in the Microsoft ecosystem, and for former Windows phone users. And today, Samsung is returning to the Barclays Center in New York to unveil a new Note smartphone. Sure, we already know a LOT about the Note 10 and Note 10+, but there will very likely still be something unexpected and interesting to watch during the official launch event. (We may also have heard there may be some sort of Microsoft presence at the event ... ) Whether you've already decided to buy a Note, are on the fence, or happy with what you have already, there's no doubt you're going to be entertained by at least some part of the presentation.

It all goes down today, August 7, 2019, with the live stream kicking off at 1 p.m. PT (Los Angeles) / 4 p.m. ET (New York) / 9 p.m. BST (London) / 1:30 a.m. IST (India) — and you can watch it right here with us at the video embed above.

Windows Central Executive Editor Daniel Rubino and our good friends from Android Central will be on the ground at the event, bringing you coverage and analysis. As the stream goes on, and well after it's finished, keep it locked to Android Central for every piece of Galaxy Note 10 coverage you need.

Cheap PC accessories we love

Take a gander at these awesome PC accessories, all of which will enhance your Windows experience.

Anker 4 port USB 3.0 hub ($10 at Amazon)

Whether on a desktop or laptop PC, you always need more ports to connect things to. This hub gives you an additional four USB 3.0 Type A ports.

Ikea Fixa Cable Management System ($11 at Amazon)

This IKEA cable management kit is your ticket to a clean setup. It's simple and functional.

NZXT Puck ($20 at Amazon)

This clever little accessory has powerful magnets on the rear to make it stick to any of the metal panels on your PC case or anything else. It's great for hanging accessories like headsets.