Even the most ardent Android users may sometimes candidly admit jealousy over some features that are exclusive to the Apple iPhone ecosystem. Besides the App Store, one of those envy-inducing Apple exclusives is how well the iPhone works with Mac computers, especially now with Continuity and Handoff for iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite.

With PushBullet, for Android and PC/Mac (along with extensions for several web browsers), Android users can get some of those cool connective tissues between their smartphone and computer. And the best part is it's free.

Continuity for Android and Any Computer

If you weren't aware, OS X Yosemite and iOS 8 introduced a new range of features, collectively called Continuity, which (when working), allows Apple users to switch tasks like text messaging, phone calls, and several Apple apps like Mail, Maps, and Messages using "Handoff" -- seamlessly between Macs and iPhones.

PushBullet does something similar for Android, and it's free.

As a third-party app, don't expect its feature list to be quite as extensive as if Google had baked it into their OS. But PushBullet covers the most important Continuity function, especially if you hate punching out long conversations on touchscreen keyboards: text messaging.

And the app added WhatsApp, Hangouts, Line, Facebook Messenger and Telegram to its growing list of supported messaging apps just last week. That -- plus the fact that PushBullet has wide compatibility with Windows, Mac OS X, Android, iOS, and Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Opera web browsers -- makes PushBullet an impressive addition for any smartphone.

Simple Setup, Rock-Solid Reliability

PushBullet only does three Continuity-like things, but they're incredibly useful features and it literally takes under five minutes to set up.

First, download PushBullet to your phone, computer and web browser (specifically Chrome, if you want everything to work). Then log in with your Google or Facebook account on all of the PushBullet apps, enable PushBullet connections on your smartphone and computer when prompted, and that's it! You're all done with basic setup.

PushBullet will mirror all of your phone's notifications on your computer, and you can customize which ones you want (or don't want) to pop up on your browser or computer. This means you'll see phone calls (though no through-computer calling like Continuity), updates and messages on your computer -- even with your device on silent.

On the Chrome extension with Macs or the Windows app, you can send and reply to SMS messages, with all of your contacts automatically available.

(Photo : Robert Schoon)

And with the recent update, you can also send and reply to WhatsApp and other messaging apps the same way. Most of those new messaging apps supported, of course, already have a web-based or computer app equivalent, but sending texts from a full QWERTY keyboard is a godsend.

Besides mirroring notifications and messaging, PushBullet works as an internal messaging system between your devices, which is perfect for sending yourself a reminder on your phone, tablet, or anything else.

You can also send links and files directly from your computer to your mobile device -- no Bluetooth linking, logging into the cloud, or USB cord hassles needed.

(Photo : Robert Schoon)

Beyond that, if you enable "Universal copy and paste" on each device, you can literally copy any text from your computer and immediately paste it on your device, or vice versa.

Tap That App

PushBullet is so simple, unassuming, and incredibly useful, it's amazing that it hasn't gotten more attention -- or an acquisition offer from Google or Microsoft yet.

Simply put, this app makes doing everything between your computer and smartphone much easier, and its list of functions is something that every serious smartphone OS should, and probably will, include someday soon.

Get PushBullet for all of your devices and most browsers here.

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