WhatsApp is sending out an end of support message to windows phone users. If you haven’t already seen this you should soon if you are using WhatsApp on a Windows mobile device. The company says whatsapp will stop working on Windows Phones. In another detail, the company will be removing its app from the Microsoft store as well.
The message reads “Microsoft has ended support for Windows Phone, As a consequence, WhatsApp will stop working on this phone after Dec 31, 2019.” In February Microsoft announced that from December 10th 2019, Windows 10 mobile users will not recieve new security updates and any kind of device support. Following this most apps have moved users to their web apps, like Instagram and Uber. Others have their apps available in the Microsoft store but not available for mobile download.
WhatsApp says “You’ll no longer be able to use all Windows Phone operating systems after December 31, 2019, and WhatsApp might not be available in the Microsoft Store after July 1, 2019.
It however offers a link to show you how to switch to a supported phone.
As a Windows Phone user, what this means is that some features might stop functioning at any time. You will be unable to create new accounts nor reverify existing accounts says WhatsApp.
Unfortunately WhatsApp doesn’t have an option to transfer your chat history between platforms. I can’t tell if backing it up to an SD card and moving it will do it. If you tried this and it worked kindly share with us.
Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram. There’s more coming on there.
Facebook will remove the Instagram app for Windows Phone from the store. Actually, it’s being pulled out totally from your device.
Photo sharing app Instagram will become defunct for still active Windows 10 Mobile users like myself. Facebook has started telling users about this through notifications in the application.
Facebook says “Starting April 30, the Instagram for Windows Phone app will no longer be available. You’ll still be able to log into Instagram using your mobile browser. ”
As mentioned, Facebook says you can use the web browser as an alternative. I tried this but the experience isn’t whole. I don’t know yet if the mobile experience would have been improved by then. The Instagram for Windows 10 app will still exist and be supported, but not the mobile app. Where does this leave you as a windows 10 mobile user? Well Maybe turn to 3rd party apps? But will using a 3rd party app allow you to use a Facebook post template so you can create your Facebook posts in a few minutes?
What options are available to you and what will you do to keep using the social media platform? Share your options with us.
[jetpack_subscription_form show_subscribers_total=”false” button_on_newline=”false” submit_button_text=”Subscribe to get updates right in your inbox” custom_font_size=”16px” custom_border_radius=”0″ custom_border_weight=”1″ custom_padding=”15″ custom_spacing=”10″ submit_button_classes=”” email_field_classes=”” show_only_email_and_button=”true” success_message=”Success! An email was just sent to confirm your subscription. Please find the email now and click 'Confirm Follow' to start subscribing.”]
Windows 10 mobile became generally available in March 2016 when Microsoft rolled out its new operating system Windows 10. A successor to the loved Windows Phone 8.1. But Windows phone[mobile] didn’t really get the traction in the mostly iOS and Android dominated world. It didn’t do more than 3% market share at its peak. Forcing new Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella to write it off eventually.
With the OS product lifecycle in view, Microsoft is advising current owners and users of its Windows 10 Mobile to move on. From December 10th 2019, users will not recieve new security updates and any kind of device support. New feature updates for Windows 10 Mobile ended a season ago, so that has been a while.
“We recommend that customers move to a supported Android or iOS device”
Microsoft to end support for Windows 10 Mobile.
“Windows 10 Mobile users are no longer eligible to receive new security updates, non-security hotfixes, free assisted support options, or online technical content updates from Microsoft for free. [Enterprise users will pay for these services if they decide to hold on] Microsoft support will not publicly provide updates or patches for Windows 10 Mobile. 10 Mobile. Only device models that are eligible for Windows 10 Mobile, version 1709 are supported through the end date. For Lumia 640 and 640 XL phone models, Window 10 Mobile version 1703 was the last supported OS version and will reach end of support on June 11th, 2019.”
Also some services like photo uploads and device backup restore may continue to work for another 12 months.
What Next?
“We recommend that customers move to a supported Android or iOS device. Microsoft’s mission statement to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more, compels us to support our Mobile apps on those platforms and devices.”
What we know!
Satya Nadella didn’t say Microsoft will not be venturing into phones in the future. Rather he has continually spoken about the mobility of Windows OS which includes mobile devices. He has specifically said this about devices;
“Microsoft devices will spark innovation, create new categories and generate opportunity for the Windows ecosystem more broadly. Our reinvention will be centered on creating mobility of experiences across the entire device family including phones.”
On a personal note i’ve been asking what next and where next. Having moved from the Microsoft Lumia 950XL to the Microsoft Lumia 950 in the past year i guess it is time to move on. What are our thoughts? share them with us.
Creators Update is the name of Microsoft’s next Windows 10 major update. The update is scheduled to arrive early spring 2017 and for free.
Microsoft announced at the October Microsoft Event what Windows 10 users can expect in the next Update of the OS. The Update is geared towards a generation that want to create.
Microsoft’s Executive Vice President of the Windows and Devices Group, Terry Myerson, speaking out at the event about the update outlined 3 major updates Windows 10 users can look forward to.
Terry’s highlights on the Windows 10 Creators Update include:
Coming as a free update early next year to the more than 400 million devices running Windows 10 and available to Windows Insiders this week.
Expanding vision for mixed reality. Virtual, Augmented reality and holographic computing with 3D for every one. Create share and experience 3D in mixed reality.
3D helps to bring your ideas to life. With 3D in the Windows 10 Creators Update you can capture, create, view and share in 3D. Microsoft says “See how amazing the world is when you unleash your imagination in a new dimension”.
Gamers can experience best in 4K gaming and in game broadcasting.
The Windows 10 Creators Update will allow gamers to easily broadcast their gameplay and create their own tournaments. Integration of new stream service Beam, built into the game play. So you can share or watch live game streams and interact in real time with broadcasters as well. Read more from the Xbox wire.
A faster way to connect and share with the people who matter most, family, friends, collaborators and fellow gamers.
Microsoft wants to put the people who matter and you care about in the middle of your Windows 10 experience. How do they achieve this? Well, there’s a new feature called MyPeople.
Your most important friends, family, and co-workers will be instantly accessible. With Windows MyPeople, you can pin your favorite contacts to the Windows task bar and easily drag and drop any document, photo or video right on top of the contact for easy sharing. You can receive unique notifications, Shoulder Taps, and easily view and open emails, IMs, shared documents and more, all in one place. The Windows MyPeople experience is also integrated across universal Windows apps for easy sharing.
Windows 10 still growing!
Current Windows 10 user statistics; Over 400 million people using Windows 10. That’s over 600 people who choose Windows 10 every minute of every hour of every day for the last year. Spent 200 billon hours of lives on Windows 10. 500% increase in gaming. 3 times as many developers building Windows 10 apps.
Just like the other major Windows 10 update, I expect this to arrive in April 2017. You can also trial out these update before their release by becoming a Windows Insider. There are may more features coming in the update. Check out more details of the Windows 10 Creators Update from our friends at Windows Central.
What do you think about the OS update announcement? A step in the right direction, a new set of disruptive helpful tools? share with the community. We’ll like to know hat you think.
Interested in a new Microsoft Lumia device? Check out the Telefonika Ghana Extended Offer promotion for deals.
In the Extended offer promotion, Telefonika Ghana is giving out some gifts with the purchase of any of the following Microsoft Lumia devices. The offer they say is valid while stock lasts. Headset, Bluetooth headset, Watch, Glass protector and Glass screen protector’s are the freebies being offered with the purchase of a discounted device.
We are giving away amazing freebies with every handset purchased from us. This promo has been extended to 20th September. Visit any of our stores throughout Ghana or our online store (www.telefonika.com). Offer is valid while stocks last.
The extended offer promotion is available at all Telefonika Ghana outlets nationwide. You’ll need to check with a different outlet if supplies are out in one place.
Are you going to take advantage of the offer and get you a new device? Found better offers? Share with the community, let us in on it.
