Microsoft Phone Link update brings iMessage support to Windows PCs

Screenshot: Microsoft

While Apple users don't typically use Windows devices, those users who do will get the option to use iMessage right from their PCs. But it'll be on a limited capacity, of course. A preview of this new feature is available to Windows Insiders now. You can use the Microsoft Phone Link app to send and receive messages through iMessage, make or receive calls, and see your notifications. 

Microsoft uses Bluetooth to link Windows devices to iPhones. As mentioned, there are limitations., including the inability to send pictures or join group messages. You won't be able to view the full message history, either. Only the messages sent or received through Phone Link will be visible. It might seem like the feature is too rudimentary, but this is the first time Microsoft supports calls and messages from iPhones, making it a step in the right direction. Microsoft has started testing the feature out with a small group of users, but it plans to increase this number over time.

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Disney's 'The Mandalorian' gets animated sticker pack for iMessage

Do you love The Mandalorian? If you have an iPhone, you can express your love for the Star Wars series through cute, animated stickers on iMessage. For $1.99, you can get a pack with 23 stickers that include the titular bounty hunter, the adorable The Child (or Baby Yoda as the internet lovingly calls the creature), Cara Dune, to name a few. It features some of the iconic moments of the Disney+ show. To make sure the animated stickers move, you'll need to have iOS 10 or higher installed. Otherwise, the stickers will appear as static images.  

The Mandalorian is scheduled to come back for season 2 exclusively on Disney's streaming service sometime this fall. 

Apple’s been moderating search terms for GIFs on iMessage after porn showed up

Apple uses Bing to power its new GIF search on iOS 10 and trouble showed up in the most unusual way. Searching for even a supposedly harmless term like “huge” uncovered things like someone’s private parts or someone engaging in sexual acts. Apple has since started to moderate the search terms for both words with obvious sexual connotations but this will be a tricky line to tread as even seemingly harmless words like “bounce” show up images of women’s breasts.

Source: Engadget + Gizmodo

Apple introduces new emoji sticker packs for iOS 10 beta users

One of the new things coming to iOS 10 is that third-party developers can develop emojis or gif packs for iMessage through an API Apple’s releasing. Getting the ball rolling, Apple’s released four new emoji sticker packs for iOS 10 beta users. If you’re on the beta program, you can download 3D Smileys, Hands, Classic Mac icons, and Hearts from the App Store. From the app, you can view the collections under a tab that has the App Store icon.

Source: 9to5Mac | Via: Mashable