In what hardcore Windows phone fans have wanted for a long time, Microsoft’s Joe Belfiore, Corporate Vice President in the Operating Systems Group, has broken the silence on Microsoft’s mobile operating system, Windows 10 Mobile.
In a series of tweets, Belfiore explained his personal thoughts on switching from Windows 10 Mobile to another operating system, as well as, subtly, recommending others to do the same. Additionally, Belfiore also made a comment that leads to the conclusion that Microsoft is only supporting Windows 10 Mobile for businesses that still deploy devices to their employees.
(1/2) Depends who you are. Many companies still deploy to their employees and we will support them! … https://t.co/LKQBL3w7gA
— Joe Belfiore (@joebelfiore) October 8, 2017
The first of the tweets is what alludes to the platform only being supported to be able to support businesses still deploying devices to employees. Then, Belfiore talks of why he switched from Microsoft’s mobile platform, mentioning the issue we’re all too aware of – the app gap and lack of hardware.
(2/2) As an individual end-user, I switched platforms for the app/hw diversity. We will support those users too! Choose what's best 4 u. https://t.co/LKQBL3w7gA
— Joe Belfiore (@joebelfiore) October 8, 2017
Moving on to the updates being made to Windows 10 Mobile… it’s official. It is in maintenance mode. Bug fixes and security updates only, with new features and hardware not being the focus.
Of course we'll continue to support the platform.. bug fixes, security updates, etc. But building new features/hw aren't the focus. ???? https://t.co/0CH9TZdIFu
— Joe Belfiore (@joebelfiore) October 8, 2017
Expanding further on his previous comment of switching due to the app gap, Belfiore explains the effort put in by Microsoft to attempt to bring app developers to the platform, but that their efforts never paid off. Essentially, as we all know from the monthly market share reports, there’s just not enough users for it to be worth it for Microsoft nor app developers.
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. ☹️ https://t.co/ePsySxR3LB
— Joe Belfiore (@joebelfiore) October 8, 2017
While Microsoft supports users moving to iOS and Android, Belfiore explains that they’re OK with their users being on multiple eco-systems, and that most people have a different phone OS to what they use on their PC.
Actually, a huge, huge majority of our Windows/Office (and Xbox) users are mixed-ecosystem. MOST people have a different phone than "PC" https://t.co/maS1yBRPSs
— Joe Belfiore (@joebelfiore) October 8, 2017
So, it’s official. While Microsoft isn’t directly saying it’s “dead” like many want it to say, this is as close as we’re likely to get. The OS is in maintenance mode, with no focus on new features or hardware, and Microsoft itself recommending competing platforms. Microsoft’s recent announcements of bringing Microsoft Edge to iOS and Android signified this further, preceded by the earlier ending of its music subscription service, Groove Music.
