Why Microsoft discontinued the production of Windows Phone

Why Microsoft discontinued the production of Windows Phone

Windows Phone was a mobile operating system developed by Microsoft as a successor to Windows Mobile and Zune. It featured a new user interface based on the Metro design language, which aimed to offer a simple and intuitive experience for smartphone users. Windows Phone was launched in October 2010 with much fanfare and optimism, but it failed to gain significant market share and popularity among consumers and developers. In December 2019, Microsoft officially discontinued the support and production of Windows Phone devices. But what were the reasons behind this spectacular failure?

One of the main reasons was the lack of apps. Windows Phone had a very small app store compared to its rivals Android and iOS, which offered millions of apps for various needs and preferences. Many popular apps such as Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, etc. were either missing or poorly updated on Windows Phone. This made it hard for users to enjoy their favorite services and content on their devices. Moreover, developers were reluctant to invest time and money into creating apps for Windows Phone because of its low user base and revenue potential

Another reason was the lack of innovation. Windows Phone had some unique features such as Live Tiles, Cortana, Continuum, etc., but they were not enough to attract users who were already used to Android and iOS ecosystems. Microsoft also failed to keep up with the latest trends and technologies in the smartphone market such as dual cameras, fingerprint scanners, wireless charging, etc., which made its devices look outdated and inferior compared to its competitors.

A third reason was the lack of marketing. Microsoft did not do enough to promote its products and brand awareness among consumers. It relied too much on its loyal fans and partners such as Nokia (which it acquired in 2014) to spread the word about Windows Phone. However, this strategy did not work well because most people were unaware or indifferent about Windows Phone’s existence and benefits.

In conclusion, Windows Phone was a bold attempt by Microsoft to challenge the dominance of Android and iOS in the smartphone market but it failed miserably due to various factors such as lack of apps,
innovation, and marketing . Although Microsoft has officially discontinued Windows Phone, it has not given up on mobile entirely. It still offers some services such as Office, OneDrive, Skype, etc., on other platforms and is working on new projects such as Surface Duo and Windows 10X that could potentially revive its mobile ambitions in the future.

Check out what’s new on our YouTube channel. Subscribe to follow for the latest videos and news in the ecosystem.

Why you should try Windows 11?

Why you should try Windows 11?

Windows 11 is the latest version of the Windows operating system, and it brings many new and exciting features that can enhance your productivity, creativity, and entertainment. Whether you are a student, a professional, a gamer, or a casual user, Windows 11 has something for you. Here are some of the reasons why you should use Windows 11:

A redesigned interface

Windows 11 has a fresh and modern look that makes it easier to use and more pleasing to the eye. The Start menu and taskbar are now centered on the screen, giving you quick access to your apps, files, settings, and web content. You can also customize them to suit your preferences and pin your favorite apps for faster access.

The new interface also supports themes, widgets, wallpapers, and sounds that let you personalize your desktop according to your mood or style. You can choose from a variety of options or create your own with ease.

New productivity and social features

Windows 11 helps you get more done with less hassle with its new productivity and social features. For example:

  • Snap Layouts: This feature allows you to arrange multiple windows on your screen in different layouts with just one click. You can choose from various options such as side by side, stacked, or cornered depending on your needs.
  • Snap Groups: This feature lets you save and restore groups of windows that you have snapped together. You can easily switch between different tasks or projects without losing your context or progress.
  • Desktops: This feature lets you create multiple virtual desktops for different purposes such as work, school, gaming, or personal. You can switch between them with a simple gesture or keyboard shortcut.
  • Microsoft Teams: This feature integrates Microsoft Teams into Windows 11’s taskbar so that you can chat, call, video conference, share files, and collaborate with anyone from anywhere. You can also sync your contacts across devices and platforms for seamless communication.

Updates to security and accessibility

Windows 11 also improves security and accessibility for all users with its updates such as:

Secure Boot: This feature ensures that only trusted software can run on your device by verifying its integrity before loading it. It helps prevent malware attacks and unauthorized modifications to your system.

BitLocker: This feature encrypts the data on your device so that only authorized users can access it. It protects your privacy and confidential information from theft or loss.

Windows Hello: This feature allows you to sign in to your device using biometric authentication such as facial recognition or fingerprint scanning. It eliminates the need for passwords and makes logging in faster and more convenient.

Narrator: This feature reads aloud text on your screen so that people with visual impairments can use Windows 11 more easily. It supports multiple languages and voices for better comprehension.

Magnifier: This feature enlarges text and images on your screen so that people with low vision can see them more clearly. It also has color filters and mouse tracking options for better visibility.

Improvements to performance

Windows 11 also boosts performance for all devices with its improvements such as:

  • Faster boot time: Windows 11 starts up faster than ever before thanks to its optimized codebase
    and streamlined processes.
  • Longer battery life: Windows 11 consumes less power than previous versions by intelligently managing resources and background activities.
  • Smoother updates: Windows 11 delivers updates more smoothly by downloading them in smaller chunks and installing them in the background without interrupting your work.

These are just some of the reasons why you should use Windows 11. If you want to experience these features yourself, you can upgrade from Windows 10 for free if your device meets the minimum requirements. Alternatively, you can buy a new device that comes pre-installed with Windows 11 from various manufacturers.

Windows 11 is more than just an operating system; it’s a platform that empowers you to do more of what you love with ease and joy. Don’t miss this opportunity to upgrade today!

Check out what’s new on our YouTube channel. Subscribe to follow for the latest videos and news in the ecosystem.

WhatsApp will stop working on Windows Phone after January 14 2020

WhatsApp will stop working on Windows Phone after January 14 2020

whatsapp windows phone

If you are still hooked to your Windows phone and actively using WhatsApp from Facebook, this is for you. You have only a few days to switch devices or find an alternative platform for your conversations. The company is alerting, “WhatsApp will stop working on Windows Phones after January 14 2020”.

whatsapp windows phone

In June last year, WhatsApp Inc. sent out an end of support message to Windows phone users. Informing users “Microsoft has ended support for Windows Phone, As a consequence, WhatsApp will stop working on this phone after Dec 31, 2019”. The new alert reads “WhatsApp will stop working on this phone after Jan 14, 2020”.

You’ll no longer be able to use all Windows Phone operating systems after December 31, 2019 the support page reads. This means you will officially no longer be able to use the service on your phone. You might have experienced some features not working properly. This is due to the fact that the company isn’t actively developing for the platform.

Good thing is you can continue using the service on a supported phone as the company advises. The downside however will be that your conversations can’t travel with you cross platform. As they are backed up on different platform accounts.

UPDATE:

It is the 15th of January 2020, the image below is what you’ll see when you open your WhatsApp application.

whatsapp windows phone not supported

[jetpack_subscription_form show_only_email_and_button=”true” custom_background_button_color=”undefined” custom_text_button_color=”undefined” submit_button_text=”Subscribe to recieve updates on the latest from the Microsoft Africa and Middle East ecosystem. ” submit_button_classes=”undefined” show_subscribers_total=”true” ]

WhatsApp is removing app from Microsoft Store and will stop working on your Windows phone

WhatsApp is removing app from Microsoft Store and will stop working on your Windows phone

WhatsApp

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.

Facebook to remove Instagram app from  Windows Phones

Facebook to remove Instagram app from Windows Phones

Instagram app
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.

Microsoft said earlier this year that “from December 10th, 2019 Windows Mobile users will not receive security support”. Therefore, this is no surprise, and more organizations will begin to do the same.

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.

Check out what’s new on our YouTube channel. Subscribe to follow for the latest videos and news in the ecosystem.

[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.”]
Microsoft to end support for Windows 10 Mobile, What Next?

Microsoft to end support for Windows 10 Mobile, What Next?

Windows 10 Mobile

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.”

Windows 10 Mobile



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.”

To us this means until Microsoft has something revolutionary that disrupts the mobile ecosystem. Yup much like Microsoft Surface. You can read Mary Jo Foley’s chat with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella about Microsoft’s mobile ambitions. Or read Paul Thurrott thoughts on what Satya Nadell (really) said about Windows Phone.

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.