Microsoft offers a ton of iPhone and iPad apps. To be more precise, Microsoft, which has its own mobile operating system, has 67 different applications in the iTunes Store. These apps are a mixed bag of startups. Many rely on core apps and services that the company has previously offered in other ways. An increasing number of them all connect, giving you a better Windows 10 experience if you’ve already upgraded to that operating system.
The company is still developing its own operating system. But Windows Phone has always had and will always have limited access in the United States. That’s not good enough to solidify Microsoft’s position as the most used software maker. Microsoft’s apps and services need to be where users are. They’re definitely on the iPhone in America.
Windows 10 connects to many of the 67 iPhone apps Microsoft currently offers, and using these apps can make your online and digital life much simpler. Here are 10 iPhone apps that you can install on your iPhone now and have the best possible experience with Windows 10.
OneDrive
OneDrive is Microsoft’s cloud storage solution and sync tool. Indeed, it is similar to iCloud. Users can add all their files to their OneDrive account and access them from anywhere using a mix of apps and services. Moreover, Microsoft offers additional storage after filling the free 15GB during installation.
As an iPhone user, you can have OneDrive automatically back up your photos and videos, as well as your Word documents and other files, directly to your OneDrive. OneDrive then takes all of this content and makes it available for streaming or downloading on your Windows 10 PC.
Xbox SmartGlass
Xbox Live is the service that powers Microsoft’s entire gaming ecosystem. There’s an Xbox app built into Windows 10 that allows users to snap images from games they own, check out achievements, and start parties with other Xbox One members. It can be used as a keyboard for Xbox One’s apps and can stream games and TV directly from the console.
Xbox SmartGlass isn’t quite as advanced as your Windows 10 PC yet, but it’s still pretty solid. The app allows TV broadcast streaming, achievement tracking and browsing for the Xbox Store. You can also reply to messages from the app. Even when you’re away from both your computer and Xbox One, you can enjoy all that Xbox Live has to offer on your iPhone.
Appearance
Outlook replaces Microsoft’s Calendar and Mail. Why use them instead of the built-in Mail and Calendar apps? Simplicity. Microsoft acquired Accompli, a famous iPhone and Android developer, last year. The Accompli team has turned Outlook Mobile into the best third-party email app in the iTunes Store.
The app divides all emails into two categories: Focused and Other. Focused inbox is all about making sure you see the things you need to care about. Anything that isn’t instant is thrown into the Other inbox. Swipes allow you to quickly move, mark or delete emails. Moreover, Outlook; Works with Gmail, Outlook.com, Yahoo, IMAP and other account types.
[ Download Outlook ]
a note
Apple has just updated the Notes app with iOS 9. Don’t mind this app, it still can’t hold a flame in Microsoft’s OneNote ecosystem. OneNote is not a one-time mobile app. There are versions for the web, iPhone, Android and Windows 10.
Think of OneNote as your digital notebook. You actually create digital notebooks in it. You can paste text, add pictures, record audio, or add handwritten ideas to these OneNote notebooks. All content is synced across multiple devices in the background, making it easy to pick up where you left off later. OneNote Notebooks is also searchable and completely free on PC and Mac.
[ Download OneNote ]
Skype
Microsoft bought Skype a few years ago and made it the default instant messaging tool. Last month, the company updated Skype on iPhone to look more like other iOS apps. This fall, Microsoft plans to release a version of Windows 10 that includes a Messages and Video app for notebooks, desktops, and tablets built on Skype. When that comes, you’ll want Skype for iPhone. FaceTime isn’t cross-platform, but Skype has an app for messaging, audio, and video calling on almost every platform worth using.
[ Download Skype ]
Cortana
Cortana personal assistant on your Windows 10 PC is only as useful as your PC. If you have a desktop, you can’t take Cortana with you yet.
Earlier this year, Microsoft confirmed that it plans to release a version of Cortana built specifically for the iPhone. With the iPhone version of Cortana, users will be able to ask questions and set reminders just like on their PC. Unfortunately, Cortana is unlikely to allow iPhone owners to change settings as they do with Siri due to Apple’s strict iTunes Store policies.
Cortana is not yet available, but is listed as “coming soon” in the Phone Companion app by Microsoft.
MSN News
Every time you open the Microsoft Edge browser on your Windows 10 PC, you get a dump of the latest news available on MSN. The browser does this by default, and it’s pretty handy if you find yourself in the mood to browse the latest news while opening new tabs.
You can’t take Microsoft Edge with you, but you can take MSN News. There’s a dedicated MSN News app on iPhone that automatically provides users with all the stories they’ll get in Microsoft Edge. All the topics and tastes you’ve configured on MSN before are available on MSN for iPhone.
Office and Office Lens
Finally, there’s Office and Office Lens. Windows 10 finally includes some decent replacement apps for the complex and somewhat bloated regular versions of Office. If you have an Office 365 subscription, these apps will sync and unlock your documents and presentations for you. Apps are completely free to view documents and only require an Office 365 subscription on devices with a screen size larger than 10 inches.
Word, Excel and PowerPoint are available for free on iPhone and have no screen restrictions. What’s more, the Office Lens app makes it easier than ever to digitize documents into Microsoft Office. Download all four for a great Office experience away from your Windows 10 device.
[ Download Office Lens ] [ Download Excel ] [ Download Word ] [ Download PowerPoint ]
Good luck with your Windows 10 PC. Here’s hoping that taking some of those experiences beyond your laptop, desktop, tablet, or 2-in-1 will make each day a little easier.
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