Microsoft’s Joe Belfiore recently took on Twitter to finally admit that the company will no longer introduce new features or phones for its Windows 10 Mobile platform. Although it’s been cleared for a while the end of the road for the platform, many enthusiasts were hoping that Microsoft would continue adding new enhancements, and now it’s obvious that won’t be the case.
However, according to the software giant (via The Verge), Windows 10 Mobile will continue to receive security patches and bug fixes for users who adopted the platform.
On Twitter, Belfiore said: “Of course we’ll continue to support the platform.. bug fixes, security updates.” “But building new features/hw aren’t the focus.”
We already knew, but now it’s just official
This news shouldn’t come to a surprise to anyone, there has been signs of Microsoft distancing itself from the platform. Windows 10 Mobile has stopped receiving new features and significant changes for more than a year now. The development has been branched as “feature2,” instead of Windows 10 Mobile Creators Update, or Fall Creators Update. And the company even started cutting jobs in the mobile department last year. However, it’s now the first time the company admits that Windows 10 Mobile and phone hardware is no longer the focus.
Microsoft’s focus moving forward
Moving forward the focus for the company is to build cross-platform software and cloud-powered technologies, which not in every case will include Windows.
Joe Belfiore also revealed that he has already switched his phone to an Android, just like former Microsoft CEO, Bill Gates, recently revealed in an interview.
According to the company the main reason the phone platform didn’t work was because developers never got interested on building and maintaining apps.
“We have tried VERY HARD to incent app devs. Paid money.. wrote apps 4 them.. but volume of users is too low for most companies to invest.” Belfiore unveils.
So, yes, the Windows Phone platform as we know is dead.
The company’s mobile efforts are now focus on helping Windows 10 users be more productive with their iOS and Android devices, as we’ve seen already a number of apps and experience arriving to those platforms.
Recently, Microsoft made available its Edge experience on iOS and Android with new cross-device functionality. In addition, the software giant has a new Microsoft Launcher app for Android phones that aims to improve the experience on that platform.
Seeing that Microsoft is no longer developing its mobile OS, it’s unlikely that will see a phone carrying the Surface brand or any other hardware running Windows 10 Mobile. However, it doesn’t mean that Microsoft has abandoned the mobile space forever, there is always a next time.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].