Tens to be disappointed as Windows 10 Mobile death date set: Doomed phone OS won't see 2020

The Register ^ | Jan 18, 2019 | Shaun Nichols

[dayglored]

Another Microsoft woulda-coulda-shoulda. How is it that MS has garnered such a poor track record in the mobile market? Can we really blame it all on Steve Ballmer, or was there something else going on?

[dayglored]

Windows 10 Mobile circles the drain for the last time... PING!

You can find all the Windows Ping list threads with FR search: just search on keyword "windowspinglist".

[ConservativeMind]

They exited the automobile space when they ditched Sync after Ford bought into it hook, line, and sinker.

Microsoft cannot be trusted by any manufacturer or end user.

[Dr. Sivana]

Decades ago, an intelligent, insightful good friend of mine prophesied that Windows CE and its successors would take over the digital assistant (later smartphone) market. How wrong he was. I knew it after trying to configure it to sync for a co-worker.

[glorgau]

Damn, I’ve actually got a Windows 10 Mobile phone. I turn it on to get text messages for 2nd factor authentications and such. Mostly I have so as to keep an old phone number for about $40/yr with all calls forwarded to my walk around phone paid for by work.

Really didn’t like the interface, but it was nice to display as a curiosity. No big loss.

[glorgau]

They exited the automobile space when they ditched Sync

I was wondering why Synch sucked so much. It's a pretty particular product.

[dayglored]

Another useful article over here on Ars Technica, saying Microsoft is actively encouraging Windows 10 Mobile users to switch to iOS or Android: Microsoft's guidance for customers is to "move to a supported Android or iOS device" and use the range of Microsoft applications on one of those platforms instead.

[SunkenCiv]

Given the success of the Surface line, I'm a little surprised a Skype-like capability wasn't integrated into the OS. It's not all that mobile, but would help build the ecosystem.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Until a few months ago, my son had one of those weird Windows phones.

[CodeToad]

LOVE the headline! “Tens...”

[dayglored]

It’s The Register, master of sarcasm. Their tongues are so firmly planted in their cheeks it’s a wonder they can down a pint.

[TChad]

Windows 10 Mobile End of Support: FAQ

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4485197/windows-10-mobile-end-of-support-faq

From the FAQ:

Will my device still work after December 10, 2019?

Yes. Your Windows 10 Mobile device should continue to work after December 10, 2019, but there will be no updates after that date (including security updates) and device backup functionality and other backend services will be phased out as described above.

It would have been helpful for Microsoft to specify all the "backend services" that will be phased out.

[867V309]

just got a samsung j3-smooth, fast, battery life, cheap.

[dayglored]

> It would have been helpful for Microsoft to specify all the "backend services" that will be phased out.

Yeah, I'm a little surprised that that page didn't specify them. Microsoft is usually more explicit and/or helpful about such things.

[dayglored]

Still running on my c.2014 iPhone 5c, long gone out of support but still working just fine. Not sure what I’ll do if/when it finally falls over.

[Dr. Sivana]

Microsoft also abandoned all who bought Plays for Sure tunes as well.

[TChad]

Yeah, I'm a little surprised that that page didn't specify them.

Will maps still work? Will they continue to be be updated? Will apps that require location info still work? Will Cortana support end? I presume that basic phone service will still work, but how about texting? Will the Microsoft weather app still work? And so on.

[ctdonath2]

Not the first time Microsoft exited the cell phone business.

Their first attempt was the innovative Kin phone, developed at a cost of $500,000,000.
They sold 500 phones.

That’s not a typo.

[867V309]

Still running on my c.2014 iPhone 5c, long gone out of support but still working just fine. Not sure what I’ll do if/when it finally falls over.

I hear ya. my recently retired was a nokia tiny candy bar c 2008! I still don't pay for data but with wifi everywhere I don't need it. I have t mobile legacy prepaid cell for emergency (cheap!), and magic jack app for wifi calling. The j3 is awesome on wifi.

[SamAdams76]

Does anybody remember the Microsoft Zune?

That was going to be the iPod Killer.

Little did we know at the time that iPhone would be the true iPod killer.