Don’t worry, Windows Phone fans, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, and there's also some good news for you too

Mar 31, 2017 06:43 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft, the creator of Windows Phone and Windows 10 Mobile, will sell the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ powered by Android, the rival mobile operating system developed by Google.

As weird as that might sound, the Redmond-based software giant thinks this is a brilliant idea, so it worked together with Samsung to create what are being called the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ Microsoft Edition.

The two devices are nothing more than standard models shipping with an OOBE customization, so when they are connected to Wi-Fi and configured for the first time, Microsoft apps like Office, OneDrive, Cortana, Outlook, and others are automatically downloaded and installed.

Samsung’s phones already came pre-loaded with some Microsoft apps, but this is the first time the two companies turn to this kind of “customization” for devices sold in the United States. And this isn’t all. Microsoft itself will sell these Microsoft Edition Android phones in its own stores, probably in exchange to having all the apps installed on them.

Hardcore Windows Phone fans have every reason to be outraged, especially because Microsoft is very close to giving up on its Lumia brand, so there’s a good chance that the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ running Android would be the only phones sold in Microsoft’s stores.

Only sold in the US

But on the other hand, let’s see the glass half full: what Microsoft does here is to attack Android phones with bloatware, a lot of bloatware, as all the apps that you wouldn’t need are supposed to be installed on these phones. Is there a reason to buy a Samsung Galaxy S8 Microsoft Edition? Probably not because you can install all these apps manually anyway, so this partnership could actually do more harm than good to Android.

The new Samsung models will arrive in Microsoft stores on April 21 in the United States, and the company says this is a good opportunity to make its services more widely available for customers that aren’t using Windows.

“A Microsoft customization is applied to the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ Microsoft Edition when the devices are unboxed and connected to Wi-Fi. This customization ensures customers a best-in-class productivity experience with Microsoft applications such as Office, OneDrive, Cortana, Outlook and more,” the company explains.

“Microsoft Store is committed to empowering its customers to achieve more through Office and Microsoft applications. The new device customization is an example of bringing together Microsoft applications on more devices so customers can work, play and connect from their pockets.”

As for Windows phone fans, there’s some good news for them too. Microsoft will launch the Windows 10 Creators Update for Mobile on April 25 and it comes with an awesome new Share icon!