Microsoft's Windows Phone platform has never had it easy. Ever since its arrival in 2012, it has been in an uphill battle against Apple and Google to attain visibility and credibility. Recently, the echo chamber of 'Windows Phone is dead' has been reaching peak levels especially following Microsoft's Q3 FY2016 earning's last week and lackluster sales of Lumia phones.
We have reported extensively on Microsoft's retrenchment in mobile, their strategy and product roadmap, but now an internal email from Terry Myerson appears to confirm our analyses.
The email was sent recently to various Microsoft executives and partners, and it reaffirms the company's pledge to Windows 10 on mobile despite recent negative press. The email has been verified as authentic through multiple sources. We are reprinting the core of the email's contents for context.
I understand that you are hearing concerns from certain partners about Microsoft's commitment to the mobile space.Let me be very clear: We are committed to deliver Windows 10 on mobile devices with small screen running ARM processors.We are currently in development of our next generation products and I wanted to reconfirm our commitment to Windows 10 Mobile. We believe in this product's value to business customers and it is our intention to support the Windows 10 Mobile platform for many years. We have a device roadmap to support that from Microsoft as well as our OEM partners who will also be selling an expanded lineup of phone devices based on this platform.
It is evident from the email that Microsoft is feeling the pressure from consumers, media, and even their partners on whether or not there is a future with Windows 10 Mobile. Putting aside the chances of success with such a platform is the looming question will Microsoft abandon mobile soon as many tech sites suggest they should.
Microsoft is committed to Windows Phone for many years
This internal email addresses that apprehension head-on, noting that Microsoft is devoted to Windows 10 Mobile for "many years" and that they have new products currently in development. We have reported on plans for a new mobile device from Panos Panay and his Surface team for some time in 2017 and Myerson could be referring to that project here.
The news in the email won't necessarily dispel the hard fact that Windows 10 Mobile has a long road ahead and many challenges to face. Microsoft clearly has to knock it out of the park with their forthcoming hardware and it will be fascinating to see what they do next.
Whatever comes in 2017, it has to be both transformative as well as disruptive to the mobile industry. That is a hard-hitting task for any company to take on, but Microsoft's recent accomplishments with HoloLens and Surface gives credence that they are more than capable of delivering.
I'll have more news on Microsoft's mobile plans and Surface phone very soon.
