Microsoft has killed off support for Windows Phone 8.1, spelling the end for the troubled smartphone OS.
Windows Phone 8.1 users will no longer receive updates, which will eventually make their handsets obsolete. The move is good news for both iOS and Android, enabling them to bolster their already dominant position among smartphone platforms.
In October 2016, Microsoft published a list of products (check here) that it would be discontinuing support for in 2017, comprising four waves of cuts in January, April, July and October. Windows Phone 8.1 falls under the third wave of products, which have now been relegated to tech history.
Some Windows Phone 8.1 users will be able to upgrade to Windows Mobile 10, but not all Windows Phone handsets will support the newer OS.
Here are five reasons why:
Not enough apps
An OS can live or die by its apps and while Windows Phone had many of the big players on board, including Facebook and Twitter, it simply didn't have as comprehensive a selection as its rivals. It was also unable to keep up with evolving social media, with the absence of Snapchat making it a no-go for many users. What's more, the OS just didn't have the user numbers to encourage more developers to create apps for it.
In October 2016, Microsoft published a list of products (check here) that it would be discontinuing support for in 2017, comprising four waves of cuts in January, April, July and October. Windows Phone 8.1 falls under the third wave of products, which have now been relegated to tech history.
Some Windows Phone 8.1 users will be able to upgrade to Windows Mobile 10, but not all Windows Phone handsets will support the newer OS.
Here are five reasons why:
Not enough apps
An OS can live or die by its apps and while Windows Phone had many of the big players on board, including Facebook and Twitter, it simply didn't have as comprehensive a selection as its rivals. It was also unable to keep up with evolving social media, with the absence of Snapchat making it a no-go for many users. What's more, the OS just didn't have the user numbers to encourage more developers to create apps for it.
No manufacturer support
With a couple of exceptions, Windows Phone was mostly limited to Lumia handsets with little or no support from big players like Samsung and LG. This lack of choice didn't help to make Windows Phone appealing to potential buyers. And while Apple only ever offers a few handsets, the app offerings, support and Apple brand loyalty appear to counteract the lack of choice.
With a couple of exceptions, Windows Phone was mostly limited to Lumia handsets with little or no support from big players like Samsung and LG. This lack of choice didn't help to make Windows Phone appealing to potential buyers. And while Apple only ever offers a few handsets, the app offerings, support and Apple brand loyalty appear to counteract the lack of choice.
The Nokia deal
Initially, Microsoft partnered with Nokia to make its Lumia handsets, but later bought out Nokia's mobile business for a cool $7.17 billion. However, the failure of Windows Phone to really take off meant that the investment never quite offered the expected returns.
Initially, Microsoft partnered with Nokia to make its Lumia handsets, but later bought out Nokia's mobile business for a cool $7.17 billion. However, the failure of Windows Phone to really take off meant that the investment never quite offered the expected returns.
Too little, too late
When the iPhone first launched ten years ago, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer seriously underestimated how successful it would be. This error meant that Microsoft was catastrophically late to the party with its first Windows Phone 7 device in 2010. By this point, Apple was already on its fourth-generation iPhone, leaving Microsoft with a serious amount of catching up to do in a market already dominated by iOS and Android.
When the iPhone first launched ten years ago, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer seriously underestimated how successful it would be. This error meant that Microsoft was catastrophically late to the party with its first Windows Phone 7 device in 2010. By this point, Apple was already on its fourth-generation iPhone, leaving Microsoft with a serious amount of catching up to do in a market already dominated by iOS and Android.
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Nokia and microsoft is the legend
ReplyDeleteNokia and microsoft is the legend
ReplyDeleteThat's so right but do you believe all legends die at one time?
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