Microsoft hints at further integration between Windows 11 and Android

In a new job listing, Microsoft has confirmed that it is integrating its Android work into a division called "Microsoft Platform and Experiences for Android." The move could allow for further integration between Windows 11 and Android, meaning Microsoft may be looking beyond just current Samsung phones.

Earlier this week, Microsoft posted several job postings for its new division "Microsoft Platform and Experiences for Android," which aims to bring the apps/services Phone Link or Your Phone, SwiftKey, Microsoft Launcher, and other services including the "Surface Duo experience" into one division.

"The Android Microsoft Platform and Experience team is building the future. We are a world-class platform, middleware, applications and services organization that brings end-to-end experiences across a variety of form factors - empowering customers with powerful connections to Windows, M365 and Azure on the devices they use," the job posting reads.

While there are no details yet and we don’t know exactly how the company intends to work on this, we’re expecting big improvements to apps like Phone Link and Microsoft Launcher in the coming months.

For example, future updates could make the integration between these Android apps and Windows 11 even tighter.

Microsoft is focusing on the consumer market

Under the leadership of Satya Nadella, Microsoft has been increasing its investments in cloud computing and Office. However, Microsoft's strategy seems to have changed in the wake of the pandemic as the company promises to make Windows better and turn it into a product that customers love.

"I want to take Windows from people needing it -- knowing they need it -- to loving it and wanting it," Microsoft's Panos Panay said last year.

Although Microsoft has confirmed that it will no longer make phones, the company can still create an interoperable experience similar to that of iPhones and macOS computers. By doubling down on Android efforts and integration, Microsoft can convince more people to use Windows 11 to complete their daily tasks.

Microsoft recently updated its SwiftKey keyboard with Windows clipboard syncing, and the company also rebranded the Your Phone app to PhoneLink with support for Honor devices, suggesting that the existing exclusive partnership with Samsung may be changing.