The Humble Beginnings of the Windows Phone.
It was way back in 2010 when Microsoft first announced its plans to enter the crowded smartphone market. The company had high hopes for the Windows Phone, banking on its innovative design and features to set it apart from the competition.
The Windows Phone did enjoy a brief moment of success, but it wasn't long before it was overshadowed by Apple's iPhone and Android devices. Microsoft eventually stopped making phones, admitting defeat in what had become a two-horse race.
The Birth and Death of Windows 10 Mobile.
Microsoft entered the mobile phone market in 2010 with the Windows Phone 7. It was an attempt to claw back market share from Apple and Android, which were taking over the mobile phone market. However, it was a failure. The phone couldn't keep up with the competition and Microsoft started to lose market share.
In 2015, Microsoft released Windows 10 Mobile. This was an attempt to fix the problems with Windows Phone 7. However, it was also a failure. The phone still couldn't keep up with the competition, and Microsoft started to lose even more market share.
In late 2017, Microsoft stopped making phones. This is because they realized that they couldn't compete with Apple and Android and that they were losing too much market share.
Why Did Microsoft Stop Making Phones?.
The sad reality is that Microsoft stopped making phones because they just weren't profitable.It's no secret that the mobile market is a tough one, and Microsoft was unable to make a dent in it. Apple and Android continue to dominate, while Microsoft's share of the market continues to dwindle.
There were a number of reasons for this, but chief among them was the fact that Microsoft was late to the game. They didn't enter the mobile market until 2011, long after Apple and Android had already established a foothold.
By that point, it was too late. Microsoft never managed to gain significant ground, and they eventually decided to exit the mobile market altogether.
Will Microsoft Ever Make Phones Again?
The simple answer is: probably not. And that's because there's just no money in it.
When it comes to phones, Microsoft has been lagging behind for years. And while they did release a few good phones, like the Lumia 950, they just couldn't keep up with the competition.
Microsoft has been trying to sell its phone business for years, but no one seems to be interested. And that's because the smartphone market is just too competitive. There are too many big players, and Microsoft is just too small.
So while it's sad to see Microsoft give up on phones, it just doesn't seem like there's any other choice.
What Now for Windows Phone Users?
So, what now for Windows phone users? Well, you could always switch to Android or iOS, although that would mean giving up your favorite features, like Continuum.
Another option is to wait and see what Microsoft does next. The company has said it's not done with mobile, so there's a chance we could see a Surface phone at some point in the future.
Or you could hold out hope that another company will buy the rights to Windows 10 Mobile and keep the platform alive. This has happened before with other defunct mobile operating systems, like WebOS and Firefox OS.
So there are some options for you, even though Microsoft is no longer making phones. It's a sad reality, but hopefully one that won't be permanent.
The Future of Mobile.
It's no secret that Microsoft's mobile phone business hasn't been doing well. In fact, the company has been struggling for years to make a dent in the smartphone market.
So, why did Microsoft stop making phones? The simple answer is that it was losing money. A lot of money.
In 2015, Microsoft wrote down $7.6 billion related to its Nokia acquisition. And in 2016, the company announced it would be taking another $950 million charge related to its phone business. That's a lot of money to lose, and it's no wonder Microsoft decided to cut its losses and get out of the phone business.
So, what does the future hold for Microsoft's mobile plans? The company has said it will continue to support Windows 10 Mobile and its Lumia line of phones. But it's also clear that Microsoft is shifting its focus away from phones and towards other areas, such as augmented reality and artificial intelligence.
Conclusion.
All in all, it was a rather perfect storm that took down Microsoft's phone business. The company was behind in terms of mobile apps, it lost its cool factor, and it was trying to appeal to too many markets at once. It's a shame, because Microsoft had once been a leader in the mobile space with its Windows Mobile operating system.
But now, it seems that Microsoft has no plans to get back into the phone game. The company has said that it will continue to support its existing Windows Phone users, but it doesn't seem likely that Microsoft will start making phones again any time soon.