Microsoft will call in the pall bearers on Windows Mobile, ending the life span of several editions of the mobile platform, including Windows Phone 8, Windows Phone 8.1, and Windows Mobile. The unceremonious end will take place on the week of October 10, 2017.
Next week, the mobile operating systems will bite the dust. Several generations of Windows handheld afficionados will be left homeless by the change in strategy. Those who have clung steadfast through Windows Phone 7, 7.1, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8, 8.1, 8.1.1, 8.1.1.1.1, and Windows Phone 10 will still be able to use their Lumia-branded and other devices, however, there will be no future updates.
Insiders suggest that Microsoft staff including Joe Belfiore, Bill Gates, and others, have left their WIndows phones in the desk drawer and picked up Android powered phones from Samsung.
Microsoft of course released a Samsung "Microsoft Edition" phone some months ago, which runs Android, and is packed with Microsoft apps spanning the Office family, and other essential first-party apps.
Microsoft's direction of late seems to be too build the Microsoft ecosystem on top of iOS and Android, since abandoning their purchase of Nokia and dropping support for the various flavours of Windows Phone and Windows Mobile.
Don't bury your Windows logos yet, as there is a spark on the horizon in the form of the Surface UltraMobile.
Until next time,
Xavier Zymantas
XYZ Media Group
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