We all know very well that Windows 10 Mobile, formerly Windows Phone, has always been in a difficult situation. The adoption by the users has never been very expressive, especially in the North American market, which is an essential market for the tech giant Microsoft.
It’s Official, Windows 10 Mobile Is Dead
Windows 10 Mobile, formerly Windows Phone, has always been in a difficult situation. The adoption by the users has never been very expressive, especially in the North American market, which is an essential market for the tech giant Microsoft. This eventually created a vicious and recessive cycle for the platform: the low market share leads to a disinterest on the part of OEMs in launching smartphones with Windows Mobile and also ends up not being compensatory to develop applications for the platform.
This complex situation has led Joe Belfiore, one of the most important executives at Microsoft, to announce via Twitter that the development of Windows Mobile is definitely stagnant, with no news, features or new devices expected.
Joe Belfiore is Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President and yesterday published a set of tweets that allow us to draw various conclusions regarding the future of Windows 10 Mobile.
The first statements came within the scope of the current Windows Mobile framework. Joe Belfiore argues that Windows 10 Mobile is no longer a good operating system for the average consumer, having these better options with more diversity of devices and applications.
(1/2) Depends who you are. Many companies still deploy to their employees and we will support them! … https://t.co/LKQBL3w7gA
— Joe Belfiore (@joebelfiore) October 8, 2017
(2/2) As an individual end-user, I switched platforms for the app/hw diversity. We will support those users too! Choose what's best 4 u. https://t.co/LKQBL3w7gA
— Joe Belfiore (@joebelfiore) October 8, 2017
Windows 10 Mobile is now tuned to the enterprise market, where it is more important to have a reliable, simple and well-integrated operating system with Microsoft services in this particular case.
Applications are an essential requirement for consumers and Windows 10 Mobile cannot match the needs in this parameter.
We have tried VERY HARD to incent app devs. Paid money.. wrote apps 4 them.. but volume of users is too low for most companies to invest. ☹️ https://t.co/ePsySxR3LB
— Joe Belfiore (@joebelfiore) October 8, 2017
In terms of applications, Belfiore said that nothing could have been done by Microsoft: they paid developers to create Windows applications, coded the applications for them, but the volume of users was too low to justify the investment in the platform.
When asked about the future of the development and progression of Windows 10 Mobile, Joe Belfiore was very direct and confirmed all the indicators that were expressed by the choices and decisions of Microsoft.
Of course we'll continue to support the platform.. bug fixes, security updates, etc. But building new features/hw aren't the focus. 😟 https://t.co/0CH9TZdIFu
— Joe Belfiore (@joebelfiore) October 8, 2017
Belfiore admitted that the development of Windows 10 Mobile will be restricted to only cumulative updates, bug fixes, and security updates. No new features, new operating system innovations or new Windows 10 Mobile devices are to be expected. However, support is guaranteed until 2019, so you will receive more elementary updates focused on the maintenance and security of the platform.
This new strategy from Microsoft has been outlined for some time. Although it was now confirmed by a senior Microsoft framework, the stagnation in the development of Windows 10 Mobile was notorious and it was also obvious the inability of Microsoft to fight with Android and iOS in the segment of mobile operating systems.
With that in mind, Microsoft has slowed down the development of its operating system and tightened its focus on its services by making them available to competitors so as to ensure at least that users stay in the Microsoft universe.
As for the future of the Microsoft Mobile segment, it certainly will not go through Windows 10 Mobile. The latest trends indicate that it may be Windows 10 on the ARM to ensure the presence in this segment with the launch of Surface Phone/Mobile.
However, they are nothing more than rumors and certainly this Surface device will also be destined to the corporate market, not to be expected large trumps and characteristics intended for the average consumer.
So, what do you think about this? SImply share your views and thoughts in the comment section below.
