Windows 10 Mobile Needs To Be Put Out of Its Misery (betanews.com)

From a column on BetaNews: It's time for Microsoft to pull the plug. Windows 10 Mobile has been on life support for a long time, and the software giant is only making things worse by not giving it the mercy killing it deserves. It may sound harsh, but there's no future for Windows on smartphones in its current state. Microsoft wants to keep the door open to future developments but, let's face it, when it decided to sell Samsung's new Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ through its stores it basically sealed its own platform's fate. There is no turning back from this. We know it and its fans know it too. [...] Really, the only reason I can see Microsoft developing Windows 10 Mobile -- or Windows on smartphones -- further is to give its fans the illusion that something could happen. One day. Someday. Eventually. Maybe. Hopefully. If all the stars align. And Apple and Google and all the other successful vendors are wiped out from the face of the Earth. Hey, it could happen!

Comments

Yes!

[freeze128]

Blackberry FTW!

Windows 10 Mobile is a Benchwarmer

[lowkeyknight]

Microsoft are just holding on for a cycle or three until they get a functional surface-phone that can dock-&-desktop up and running. Then it will die off.

Re:Windows 10 Mobile is a Benchwarmer

[Anonymous Coward]

That's roughly what people have been saying since Windows CE. That Microsoft would *eventually*, *very soon* swoop in and eat everyone's lunch in the mobile computer space. And when *cough* *cough* analysts failed in their predictions, they claimed that Microsoft just put the project in the back burner for later. You just wait and see, next generation is going to be awesome.

The fact of the matter is that, since then, Nokia rose and fell, Blackberry dominated and then became a shell of its former self, the iPhone set the new standard for what a mobile device is supposed to "be" for a decade and beyond, Android spreads like a virus and people are putting tiny computers into watches that nobody wants or needs. Oh, and Apple removed the headphone jack.

Microsoft had plenty of opportunities to "do something about it", but all of their mobile products have been pretty half-assed so far.

This indicates that they don't really have a clue on how to tackle the mobile space.

I like my Windows Phone

[Anonymous Coward]

But I can't make a straight-faced recommendation that anyone else get one because of the lack of apps available. It's a great choice if you don't want to be spied on :-)

When this thing finally breaks, I can't see getting another one.

Re:I like my Windows Phone

[leathered]

Indeed. There's nothing wrong with the OS, in fact it's a joy to use, the UI being superior to both IOS and Android. But yes, the lack of apps is the killer. And, as usual, it's Microsoft's half-assed dedication to the platform throughout its lifetime that is the cause. They had a chance to save it by adding Android app support, but.. no.

The final straw for me was my new car. The infotainment system supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Development of the Windows Phone equivalent apparently ceased over two years ago.

Re:Such insight!

[drinkypoo]

Whether you personally enjoy your Microsoft phone or not, it makes absolutely no sense for Microsoft to keep trying to exist in a space in which they have proven that they cannot compete. It's just costing them money. They have always been shit at it, it has never made them any money, and it never will.

Analysts/Pundits

[HideyoshiJP]

Analysts and pundits have been telling Microsoft to do this for some time. Personally, I think they need to get out of the business of telling Microsoft how to run theirs. Microsoft has a vested interest staying in the mobile space, even if their phones don't sell shit. The personal computing market is so spread out across the spectrum of devices, people's primary way of digital interaction can change a easily as the wind. If Microsoft does not stay in this space, they will be ill-prepared for this.

Retarded

[LordWabbit2]

This is like someone saying, "there are more VW's than Mercedes on the road, Mercedes should just give up already", it's fucking retarded. You don't attempt to compete by giving up. If you don't like windows mobile don't buy a fucking phone with windows mobile on it, it's that simple. I know a lot of companies who prefer windows mobile because the ease of integration and security when paired with a windows based network, there IS a demand for it, albeit a bit low.

Replace ALL the Microsoft top managers? ReactOS?

[Futurepower(R)]

"This indicates that they don't really have a clue..." ["They" are Microsoft top managers.]

That's the underlying problem. Apparently Microsoft top managers are socially and mentally extremely limited.

If you were a top manager of a software development company, would you do things that caused stories like this article to be written? Network World, Aug. 4, 2015: Windows 10 is possibly the worst spyware ever made. Quote from that story: "Buried in the service agreement is permission to poke through everything on your PC."

The abusiveness of many of the features of Windows 10 are like a multi-billion-dollar advertising campaign that very effectively says, "Dislike Microsoft products".

The answer? Replace ALL the Microsoft top managers, in my opinion. Does anyone else have an idea that would fix the problems at Microsoft?

Another solution: All countries and the U.S. could support ReactOS so that the Windows OS can be eliminated. No company should be allowed to have a virtual monopoly!

Companies that are routinely abusive should be re-organized or eliminated.

Re:I don't see why

[AvitarX]

It's quite nice too.

My girlfriend had one through work for a while, there were no apps, but it could browse the internet quite well, was an inexpensive phone, pretty darned thin, and had a real all day battery.

At a time when that was impressive, I'm surprised it didn't take off, there are plenty of people that just want internet, GPS, and a camera.