Microsoft's Corporate Vice President for Windows, Joe Belfiore, has today clarified the company's stance with Windows 10 Mobile and what it's currently doing in the mobile space. In a series of tweets on Twitter, Belfiore states that as an individual end-user, he has switched to Android, and that Windows 10 Mobile is no longer a focus for Microsoft.
(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://twitter.com/aybata/status/917052522241691648(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://twitter.com/aybata/status/917052522241691648— Joe Belfiore (@joebelfiore) 8 October 20178 October 2017
Belfiore confirms what we have been reporting in the past; that from here on out, Microsoft will continue to service Windows 10 Mobile with bug fixes and security patches, mainly for the enterprise market who adopted Windows 10 Mobile for work. Microsoft is not planning to bring any new consumer-facing features to Windows 10 Mobile, nor is it planning to release any new hardware.
Chime in: Are you STILL sticking with Windows Mobile?
As such, it's safe to assume that Windows 10 Mobile, and Windows phone in its current form, is "dead." Microsoft has now officially stated that it has no plans to continue developing new features for the platform but will continue to support remaining users with bug fixes and patches through its feature2 branch.
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/0CH9TZdIFuOf 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) 8 October 20178 October 2017
Belfiore even explains why Windows phone is no longer the focus, citing a lack of apps as the main problem. Even after offering to pay for and build apps for third parties, the apps simply never came and as such users failed to adopt the platform in any major way.
So for now, Microsoft is working hard to bring the best of Windows and the Microsoft ecosystem to other mobile platforms. Just this week, Microsoft announced that it is bringing Edge to iOS and Android, along with improving Microsoft's now official Android launcher with further tie-ins with your Microsoft account.
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/ePsySxR3LBWe 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) 8 October 20178 October 2017
Microsoft's new mobile play is to bring the Microsoft experience to users on other platforms, rather than expect users to make the switch. In reality, the majority of Windows users aren't Windows phone user, but rather iOS and Android users, hence why it makes more sense to bring the best of Windows to those devices instead.
What's next for Windows 10 Mobile and existing Windows phones
Hopefully Belfiore's comments will ease the minds of the last few users who are still holding out for new features and focus for Windows 10 Mobile from Microsoft. Windows 10 Mobile has no real future, and consumers still clinging to the platform should really start looking elsewhere. With all that in mind, if Windows 10 Mobile is still perfect for you, then Microsoft is more than happy to keep you updated with security patches and bug fixes.
Meanwhile, Microsoft is rumored to be working on a new "mobile" device codenamed Andromeda, that will launch next year with a version of Windows 10 built with Microsoft's new "Windows Core OS" platform. We have more information about Windows Core OS at this link, so make sure you give it a read.
