Mobile phone enthusiasts looking forward to a new Windows 10 handset in the future will be disappointed as Microsoft has officially put an end to the Windows-powered smartphone series. The confirmation came from the Redmond-based tech titan's executive, stating that the company will no longer launch new hardware and software updates for Windows 10 phones.
Microsoft's top executive Joe Belfiore announced the death of Windows 10 mobile phone on Twitter. Microsoft is no longer interested to release a new Windows 10 mobile device like the Lumia smartphone. Likewise, current Windows 10 mobile users can no longer expect fresh software updates and features coming to their gadgets. However, Microsoft gave an assurance that the Windows 10 phones will still be supported by providing bug fixes and important security updates, The Verge reported.
Belfiore noted that building new hardware and software features are no longer the focus of Microsoft, citing many problems that the company have faced that led them to this decision. Even before Belfiore's series of tweets came out, there were already signs suggesting that the Windows 10 mobile would meet its end soon. For one, the previous development period for Windows 10 Fall Creators Update had nothing new in store for the mobile version. It is also worth noting that Microsoft has no longer released new contents for Windows 10 mobile devices for almost a year.
The major reason mentioned by Belfiore for the demise of the Windows 10 mobile is the lack of support from software developers. Microsoft has incurred losses from their Windows Phone app store, due to developers backing out from potential software projects. Microsoft has been offering developers huge payment and even wrote the apps for them just to support the Windows 10 mobile. In the end, these were all turned down due to low number of people using the current apps.
With the Windows 10 mobile already dropped, Express UK speculated that this recent move by Microsoft could mean that the long-rumored Surface Phone will not be released. However, there are still leaks surfacing on the internet regarding the design and features of the Surface Phone. Even without the Windows 10 mobile version, the Surface Phone is expected to run the new Windows Core operating system, offering more improved features compared to the previous OS.
