If you watched the opening keynote of Microsoft's Build conference, then you probably didn't see much Windows Phone (unless you were looking at your own). The Verge talked to Terry Myerson about this, and Microsoft confirmed that they are leading with non-Windows, 4-inch devices, and they want to “generate developer interest” on those platforms for this year.
PC World interpreted this conversation to say that Windows Phone is put on hold.
That might be a little hasty, though. Microsoft is still building Windows 10 for Mobile. In fact, since Microsoft updated “Windows OneCore” and jumped build to 14xxx-level build numbers with Windows 10 build 14251, Windows 10 Mobile and Windows 10 PC are kept in lockstep. As far as I know, that is still the plan, and Windows Insiders should continue to receive these on compatible devices.
That said, Microsoft has basically admitted that Windows Phone would just be a distraction for developers this year. At the very least, they don't believe that the platform will be ready for them until next year's Build conference, which means that consumers will probably be even further down than that because there would be no applications for them. Yes, Windows Phone could be slowly shimmying out of the spotlight, but it could also be delayed until they make a good impression, and have the PC, Xbox, Hololens, and other ecosystems secure to lift it up.
I think this is smart for
I think this is smart for them to step back and stop trying to push Windows Mobile devices on consumers who don’t know what they are in for. Having said that, I love my 950XL, and having used high-end Android and IOS devices, there is no way I would leave Windows Mobile. If Microsoft can get app development generally to shift towards their platform and development suite, Windows Mobile will actually stand a chance to gain public approval in a year or so when it returns to market.
It’s a beautiful OS, and the
It’s a beautiful OS, and the Live Tiles really put static shortcut icons to shame.
Sadly, Microsoft themselves have basically let the platform die a slow death while they buddy up to the competition, which hasn’t exactly left a great taste in the mouths of WP Users.
By the time they decide to pay some attention to it, about the only sound they’ll hear is Crickets, in large part because they themselves have made other platforms a more compelling choice, even if you use Microsoft services.
So basically Microsoft are
So basically Microsoft are shoehorning mobile centric rubbish on to the desktop with those horrible live tiles and all the data gathering that’s de rigueur on mobile devices for no apparent reason, didn’t they say they wanted “one” OS able to run on all devices?
I like the live tiles, nor do
I like the live tiles, nor do you have to use them.
Data gathering has a reason. Some is arguably too invasive (some personal data), and some is even altruistic (anonymous medical record compilation has already helped make cancer breakthroughs).
And they are making ONE version of Windows. You can’t run a full desktop on a 4″ screen hence the ability for the Windows 10 Phone devices to run the mobile interface (live tiles) when just using the phone but run in normal DESKTOP mode if adding a desktop monitor.
You may like live tiles but
You may like live tiles but many people who use computers for serious work don’t as they’re nothing but a distraction that’s intended to appeal to people that spend their life watching cat videos and posting rubbish about their lives of Twitbook.
Data gathering may have a reason but without consent and just assuming it’s OK to collect data on people it’s nothing more than a privacy invasion no mater how altruistic the reasons are for doing it.
They may also be making ONE version of Windows, even though that’s not true as Windows 10 mobile is a separate OS, unfortunately in its hubris Microsoft thinks it can just force people who use computers for serious work into using a OS that’s intended for taking selfies, driveling on about their inane lives, and other pointless acts.
Microsoft needs to put more
Microsoft needs to put more money and advertising into the windows phone. I have an iPhone and android for work, but I love the Windows platform on the phone. Even though the android is a business phone I hate the operating system and am going to buy a windows phone for business. One of the major problems is deveoplers just have not developed the apps to keep up with the other two mobile operating systems.
The number of Window Phones’
The number of Window Phones’ users is significantly lower than the number of iPhone and Android devices’ users, but there are still about 8 million people who use Windows Phones and the number is fastly growing, especially in UK. Although the prediction are not very optimistic, IDC predicts that sales will be failing in the future. Thank god I own an iPhone, I would be very disappointed if I owned a Windows Phone. I have no problem with Windows Phones, I think it is a good platform, however there are not much applications available. The reason is that developers are not interested in Windows Phone development. Take a random software company, they focus on iOS and Android and mention Window Phones only in passing. Microsoft failed to attract developers once. And now they try to do it all over again with another product. In my opinion, it is not the best strategy. Why would they abandon a promising operational system? It makes no sense. As well as saying that Windows Phone will be a distraction for developers. Who can it distract somebody who isn’t interested?