Microsoft Confirms Windows 10 Mobile Is Dead As It Focuses On iOS And Android Ecosystems
"Microsoft, as all companies do, decided on a change in strategy and so they are less focused on what they thought they would be focused on today," said HP EMEA boss Nick Lazaridis last week. "Given that, we also had decided that without Microsoft's drive and support there it doesn't make sense. If the software, if the operating system ecosystem isn't there then we are not an operating system company."
Microsoft's Joe Belfiore
Now, we're hearing straight from the horse’s mouth that Microsoft is done committing serious resources to Windows 10 Mobile. Joe Belfiore, Microsoft's Corporate Vice President of Windows, took to Twitter to explain that Microsoft will only provide bug fixes and security updates to Windows 10 Mobile in the future.
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 also goes on to say that Windows 10 Mobile simply couldn't compete with the thriving app ecosystems provided by Apple's iOS and Google's Android operating systems. App developers were more than willing to devote resources to those platforms, but treated Windows 10 Mobile like an afterthought. In fact, even throwing money and coding expertise at developers wasn't enough to gain any momentum on the app front according to Belfiore:
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
Windows 10 Mobile was Belfiore's "baby", so it should come as no surprise that he had to throw in frown faces to express his disappointment in this turn of events for the smartphone operating system. To add insult to injury, Belfiore also revealed that he -- like Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates -- no longer uses a Window Phone on a daily basis. He has instead made the switch to Android, although he doesn't specify which device which manufacturer he decided to go with.
(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
Going forward, Microsoft will devote the majority of its resources with respect to "mobile" on apps and services for iOS and Android like OneDrive, Office 365, Microsoft Edge for Android and iOS, and the newly released Microsoft Launcher for Android.
