Microsoft has ended support for its Windows 8 smartphones, as the US tech giant focuses on other segments, amid ongoing speculation about its strategy for mobile.<\/p>\n
Users of Windows-powered phones \u2013 which have failed badly against rivals from Apple and Google Android \u2013 were invited to upgrade to its latest Windows 10 version after Microsoft officially stopped supporting the earlier version on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
But Microsoft, which is now concentrating on business services, cloud computing, augmented reality, remains a part of the mobile landscape with applications, digital assistants and other offerings.<\/p>\n
\u2018I think it\u2019s the death of Windows 8 phones; not the death of Microsoft\u2019s offerings in mobility,\u2019 said Moor Insights and Strategy principal analyst Patrick Moorhead.<\/p>\n
\u2018Microsoft is very active in mobility, just not active in phone devices.\u2019<\/p>\n
Microsoft in May unveiled a forthcoming Windows update aimed at keeping its desktop and laptop computers at the heart of lifestyles increasing reliant on smartphones.<\/p>\n
Enhancements to the widely used operating system to roll out later this year are designed to make applications built on Microsoft technology work more harmoniously across an array of internet-linked devices, according to demonstrations given at the company\u2019s Build developers conference in Seattle.<\/p>\n
One key addition of the Windows 10 Fall update will allow people to leave what they are doing on one device and pick up where they left off on another \u2013 be it a Windows, Apple, or Android driven machine.<\/p>\n
Windows personal computers \u2018will love all your devices,\u2019 said Microsoft operating systems group corporate vice president Joe Belfiore.<\/p>\n
Windows 10 will be able to integrate with a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets and virtual or augmented reality gear, executives said.<\/p>\n
Microsoft has held firm that it has not given up on the mobile market, but in the interim is updating Windows to remain relevant in a smartphone-centric world.<\/p>\n
Better tuning Windows-powered computers to mobile devices could also serve as a \u2018bridge\u2019 to what is being heralded as the next big computing platform \u2014 mixed reality infused with artificial intelligence, according to analysts.<\/p>\n
Microsoft is aggressively creating a mixed reality technology platform and HoloLens augmented reality gear, which Windows 10 is crafted to support.<\/p>\n
\u2018Microsoft has the lead on augmented reality hardware, which might take 10 years to take hold but is the point where the phone gets less important,\u2019 Moorhead said.<\/p>\n
\u2018They will be patient.\u2019<\/p>\n
Some reports say Microsoft could launch a Surface phone, spinning off the success of tablet computers by that same name.<\/p>\n
While Microsoft\u2019s main business remains software and services, having its own handset would enable it to optimize and own the entire experience, much the way Apple has control over all aspects of its iPhones.<\/p>\n
\u2018I think that s why Microsoft would consider a Surface device,\u2019 Moorhead said.<\/p>\n
\u2018I do think with the success they have had with Surface gives them some permission to try it again, but it would be super risky.\u2019<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Windows phone sales continue to fall due to a lack of new hardware partners or enthusiasm for a platform showing little life, according to industry tracker IDC, which estimated its market share at 0.1 percent in the first quarter of 2017<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Microsoft has ended support for its Windows 8 smartphones, as the US tech giant focuses on other segments, amid ongoing speculation about its strategy for mobile. Users of Windows-powered phones \u2013 which have failed badly against rivals from Apple and Google Android \u2013 were invited to upgrade to its latest Windows 10 version after Microsoft […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[106],"tags":[727,9322],"yoast_head":"\n