Man, things haven’t been going Microsoft’s way this January. First, it was the announcement that their web browser, Edge, was being replaced with a Chromium-based browser. Just the other day they announced that Cortana is no longer in the digital assistant race. Now they’re telling current Windows Mobile users that it’s time to move on.
According to both CNBC and Thurrott, Microsoft has basically killed Windows 10 Mobile. In a recent update to the Windows 10 Mobile support page, a chance was noticed. This change called for the end of the OS, on December 10, 2019. Once that date comes there will be no more updates released for the OS. That’s pretty drastic.
But it gets worse. Once a Windows 10 Mobile device hits the end of support date, that’s it. Microsoft will have officially abandoned the OS and you’ll be the owner of a paperweight.
So what are you to do then? Make the switch to either Apple’s iPhone or Google’s Android ecosystems, says Microsoft.
“With the Windows 10 Mobile OS end of support, 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.”
Yikes! I admit I wasn’t a fan of the OS, but it definitely had some potential. The UI was easily one of the best I’ve seen in a while and had some incredible hardware. The Lumia 950 XL comes to mind, as does the HP Elite.
For now, I suppose the best move is to heed Microsoft’s advice and drop the doomed mobile OS before it’s too late. Hopefully, some of the carriers will pitch with some trade-in deals to help with the transition.
This also affectivity ends the 3-way race between Android, iOS and Windows Mobile. But between me and you, I think that race ended a long time ago.
RIP Windows 10 Mobile. You lived many lives, but it looks like you’ve finally been put down.
