Microsoft ends support for its ill-fated iPhone competitor, Windows Phone
Microsoft on Tuesday terminated support for Windows Phone 8.1, marking the end of an era in which the company tried to directly compete against Android devices and Apple's iPhone.
Phones running the software will no longer get updates or technical support, according to Microsoft. Version 8.1 was the last iteration of Windows Phone before the company migrated to Windows 10 Mobile, available as an upgrade on some older devices and preloaded on ones like the Lumia 950. Even the 950, however, is almost two years old.
Microsoft first took a real stab at iPhone and Android devices with 2010's Windows Phone 7, which introduced a tile-based interface that subsequently came to Windows 8 and 10. Despite some advantages the OS was missing key features, and there was never any breakout hardware.
By the time Windows Phone 8.1 emerged in 2014 it compared better against Apple and Google's offerings, but the smartphone market had already become a platform duopoly. Microsoft has since been winding down its phone unit -- much of it acquired in a $5 billion Nokia takeover -- despite simultaneously ramping up its Surface line with devices like the Surface Studio and Surface Laptop.
The company's mobile strategy now revolves largely around apps and services for iOS and Android. The Office suite, for example, is available on the iPhone and iPad, and generates regular revenue through Office 365 subscriptions.
Phones running the software will no longer get updates or technical support, according to Microsoft. Version 8.1 was the last iteration of Windows Phone before the company migrated to Windows 10 Mobile, available as an upgrade on some older devices and preloaded on ones like the Lumia 950. Even the 950, however, is almost two years old.
Microsoft first took a real stab at iPhone and Android devices with 2010's Windows Phone 7, which introduced a tile-based interface that subsequently came to Windows 8 and 10. Despite some advantages the OS was missing key features, and there was never any breakout hardware.
By the time Windows Phone 8.1 emerged in 2014 it compared better against Apple and Google's offerings, but the smartphone market had already become a platform duopoly. Microsoft has since been winding down its phone unit -- much of it acquired in a $5 billion Nokia takeover -- despite simultaneously ramping up its Surface line with devices like the Surface Studio and Surface Laptop.
The company's mobile strategy now revolves largely around apps and services for iOS and Android. The Office suite, for example, is available on the iPhone and iPad, and generates regular revenue through Office 365 subscriptions.
Comments
http://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-iphone-funeral-2010-9
All joking aside, it's actually quite unfortunate. Unlike that iKnockoff that is Android, Microsoft at least designed their own, unique system on their own merits. Unfortunately, their ecosystem was laughable. It was too expensive when compared to Android and could not compete with Apple on just about everything.
Apple invests resources into every aspect of their products from, antenna technology, battery technology, chip technology, etc., etc.
I personally will never own a product made by MS, Google, Samsung. I only buy Apple tech and if it's not made by Apple I'll most likely do without. Obviously, a TV (LG) and a printer (Brother) would be the exceptions.
Apple really hit it with the "I'm a Mac and I'm a PC" ads....it was perfect timing for Apple and it worked brilliantly. I think that was sort of the turning point for Microsoft.
It seems like it was just a few years back when some analysts were happily crowing how Windows Phone was going to eventually have higher market share than the iPhone. Why is it they can always see Apple's failing future but no other company's failing future? I keep saying the future is impossible to see but analysts swear they accurately know how things are going to turn out years down the road. At least other things are turning out well for Microsoft. All Wall Street keeps talking about is how well their cloud business is doing. Good for them but they're still laying off employees just the same. Watch Microsoft's share price rise for the layoffs. It's just great the way Wall Street cheers for the loss of jobs.
Oh, see, there you go. I hadn't heard about Nokia going bankrupt or being shut down, so I was really confused.
I feel there's something about beating a dead horse, or some other...