Microsoft officially pulls the plug on Windows Phone

[Jos]

Microsoft is officially pulling the plug on Windows Phone, meaning the ill-fated mobile operating system will no longer receive software updates or technical support. The decision comes just over 3 years after the latest version (8.1) shipped to users, and while the platform never really gained any significant traction next to iOS and Android, AdDuplex estimates that nearly 80 percent of all Windows-powered phones are still running Windows Phone 7, 8, or 8.1.

Microsoft isn't done with mobile just yet, but Windows 10 Mobile, the mobile extension of its desktop operating system, is not doing particularly well either. As of the end of 2016, all of the various Windows phone operating systems combined had a market share of 0.3%.

With no new flagship Windows 10 Mobile phone expected for the rest of this year and barely any feature updates in the recent Windows 10 Mobile Creators Update, it’s clear that the company is no longer focusing its efforts on Windows for phones. Instead, they are focusing on getting their apps and cloud based services on iOS and Android devices.

CEO Satya Nadella teased earlier this year that the company is still interested in making smartphones, though they may not look like traditional phones.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/70102-microsoft-officially-pulls-plug-windows-phone.html

 

[MoeJoe]

Called it ! (last year in fact...)

Good riddance.

 

[spydercanopus]

Bring back the Pocket PC then add LTE and Skype.

I don't want a phone. I want a computer in my pocket that can make calls.

 

[VitalyT]

They really did f. up Nokia legacy, didn't they?

 

[hahahanoobs]

They really did f. up Nokia legacy, didn't they?

No, that was gone when they let BB and iPhone surpass them and as a last resort, they teamed up with Microsoft, but judging by the 60 seconds it took for the Nokia 6 to sell out, they could be just fine.

 

[Raoul Duke]

Now if they would only get the phone type stuff out of Windows 10, thinking design elements here

 

[VitalyT]

No, that was gone when they let BB and iPhone surpass them and as a last resort, they teamed up with Microsoft, but judging by the 60 seconds it took for the Nokia 6 to sell out, they could be just fine.

Funny, I only saw that other news after, and was like wait - what?

 

[Per Hansson]

Now if they would only get the phone type stuff out of Windows 10, thinking design elements here

But then how could you take your desktop computer on an airplane if it does not have airplane mode?
And before you ask who would do such a thing, well it'd be the husband of this woman of course: https://www.techspot.com/news/70030...rising-portability-imacs-using-one-train.html
See, it's all for the good of mankind!

 

[Kenrick]

RIP Windows in phones. It took them so long to end the suffering of the customers.

 

[bmw95]

RIP Windows in phones. It took them so long to end the suffering of the customers.

Lol the suffering continues in pretty much every other product they make. If you're a coder though, vscode and visual studio are pretty nice ^^

 

[HardReset]

Hopefully Microsoft continues Windows 10 Mobile. It's much better than Android because security and other updates regularly comes from Microsoft. On the other hand, most Android devices never get single update.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

Hopefully Microsoft continues Windows 10 Mobile. It's much better than Android because security and other updates regularly comes from Microsoft. On the other hand, most Android devices never get single update.

Except for all the windows carrier phone that dont get those updates. Or the devices microsoft didnt bother to support.

Windows really isnt any better in mobile then android is. Android also has actual choices, whereas WP10/WM is withered on the vine with barely any hardware available.

 

[HardReset]

Except for all the windows carrier phone that dont get those updates. Or the devices microsoft didnt bother to support.

Windows really isnt any better in mobile then android is. Android also has actual choices, whereas WP10/WM is withered on the vine with barely any hardware available.

Those problems should be fixed with Windows 10. Generally Microsoft phones had much better update policy than Android and policy right now is even better.

With Android there are actual choices but if you choose wrong, you may end up with less than year old phone that gets no updates. That may happen even if phone was somewhat expensive. It's somewhat mystery why crappy Android is so popular. Well, it's another mystery why Qwerty phones are nowhere to find. Qwerty phones are better than youuseyourpenistocontrol phones on virtually everything else than casual bullshit. Perhaps that reflects how stupid people are nowadays.

 

[oldikes]

I really would want a windows 10 phone, but microsoft has half assed every effort in the phone market theyved made, then wondered why it didnt work.

 

[DelJo63]

Now if they would only get the phone type stuff out of Windows 10, thinking design elements here

More interestingly, the MS Phone was the primary motivation FOR WIN/10 GUI :gulp: One source for multiple usage is a huge R&D expense reduction - - too bad the GUI was/is a disaster in the first place.

Giving credit where credit is due, Win/10 is more secure due to a total rewrite of the OS.

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

Hopefully Microsoft continues Windows 10 Mobile. It's much better than Android because security and other updates regularly comes from Microsoft. On the other hand, most Android devices never get single update.

Yeah? So I can safely assume you still use a Win device and have never owned any Android devices. If You buy some obscure, white box Chinese manufactured thing, then possibly, but not if you buy a reputable branded device. That used the case many years ago, when the Dead Sea was still on the critical list.

 

[HardReset]

Yeah? So I can safely assume you still use a Win device and have never owned any Android devices. If You buy some obscure, white box Chinese manufactured thing, then possibly, but not if you buy a reputable branded device. That used the case many years ago, when the Dead Sea was still on the critical list.

Reputable branded devices also had very serious problems with updates. Only Google offers guaranteed Android updates. For any other brands, it's matter of luck. But then there is only one choice...

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

Reputable branded devices also had very serious problems with updates. Only Google offers guaranteed Android updates. For any other brands, it's matter of luck. But then there is only one choice...

"HAD" is a very good choice of words. Not anymore they don't but I'm only talking about carrier free and unlocked phones, they get updates regularly, even Samsung. My old Sammy 2015 A3 which released with Android 4.4.4 and stopped receiving updates after 7.0.1 and My HTC 10 which shipped with 6.0 is now on 7.1.1. That said, the A3 may receive another Android upgrade but I'm not holding mt breath although it still gets the latest security patches from Samsung. If you buy a phone from a carrier (which nobody should do) then I guess all updates depend on that carrier and that could be very sketchy.

 

[JaredTheDragon]

... too bad the GUI was/is a disaster in the first place..

Have you ever used a WinPhone? The GUI is superior in every way to Android or iOS. The only reason WinPhones failed is because Microsoft didn't market them and didn't promote app development. They never even sent Verizon a 950 to mess with - which was a huge failure on MS's part. Reportedly, Verizon would have gladly carried the 950 and 950XL, but Microsoft dropped the ball. If Verizon had carried any WP10 phones, it would have been a game-changer. Perhaps MS wouldn't dominate but they'd still be in the game.

I still use my old 928 with WP 8.1, and it's outdated with no app support but still a wonderful phone and the UI is far better than my Android. Hell, Android and iOS still use ICONS. In 2017.

Hoping the Surface Phone rumors pan out, but I have little faith in Microsoft regarding mobile. It's just painful to switch to Android; the UI is horrifying.

 

[HardReset]

"HAD" is a very good choice of words. Not anymore they don't but I'm only talking about carrier free and unlocked phones, they get updates regularly, even Samsung. My old Sammy 2015 A3 which released with Android 4.4.4 and stopped receiving updates after 7.0.1 and My HTC 10 which shipped with 6.0 is now on 7.1.1. That said, the A3 may receive another Android upgrade but I'm not holding mt breath although it still gets the latest security patches from Samsung. If you buy a phone from a carrier (which nobody should do) then I guess all updates depend on that carrier and that could be very sketchy.

Well, those phones got updates but only for around two years. That's very poor showing and good reason why I won't ever buy Android phone.

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

Well, those phones got updates but only for around two years. That's very poor showing and good reason why I won't ever buy Android phone.

Your choice, your money. Who cares?

 

[Danny101]

Reputable branded devices also had very serious problems with updates. Only Google offers guaranteed Android updates. For any other brands, it's matter of luck. But then there is only one choice...

"HAD" is a very good choice of words. Not anymore they don't but I'm only talking about carrier free and unlocked phones, they get updates regularly, even Samsung. My old Sammy 2015 A3 which released with Android 4.4.4 and stopped receiving updates after 7.0.1 and My HTC 10 which shipped with 6.0 is now on 7.1.1. That said, the A3 may receive another Android upgrade but I'm not holding mt breath although it still gets the latest security patches from Samsung. If you buy a phone from a carrier (which nobody should do) then I guess all updates depend on that carrier and that could be very sketchy.

As hardware improves and new software features become sporadic, it makes more sense for manufacturers to put out more updates. But really, hardware manufacturers are less incline to update and just force you to buy a new phone. At this point, I would support a more traditional model like Windows + hardware use to be (tentatively).

It would be nice to be able to buy a phone and choose whatever OS I want (Windows, Android, or Linux) to install. Although I suspect, being mobile, the specs would have to be narrower in scope than traditional computers.

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

As hardware improves and new software features become sporadic, it makes more sense for manufacturers to put out more updates. But really, hardware manufacturers are less incline to update and just force you to buy a new phone. At this point, I would support a more traditional model like Windows + hardware use to be (tentatively).

It would be nice to be able to buy a phone and choose whatever OS I want (Windows, Android, or Linux) to install. Although I suspect, being mobile, the specs would have to be narrower in scope than traditional computers.

You're almost there. Android is Linux based. If you're brave enough, you can try a custom ROM.

 

[HardReset]

Your choice, your money. Who cares?

You must be joking?

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

You must be joking?

About what?