Windows Phone

Windows Phone — the platform developed by Microsoft for mobile devices which succeeded Windows Mobile. A system was provided in 2010, but, despite efforts of the company, for several next years it did not become popular. According to data for the first quarter 2017, an absolute majority of the sold smartphones work running Android and iOS, and a share of other operating systems including Windows, decreased to two tenth percent.

2018

New Windows applications of Phone 8 will not be after October 31

At the end of August, 2018 Microsoft called for third-party developers the term to which the company will adopt Windows applications 8 and Windows Phone 8. The publication of the software (packets of XAP or APPX) created for these and older versions of operating systems in Microsoft Store will come to the end on October 31, 2018. Read more here.

Termination of sales of smartphones

In April, 2018 Microsoft sold out all smartphones on the Windows Phone operating system. Big discounts applied to the last devices.

That any smartphone based on Windows Phone is not available to purchase in Microsoft Store shop, the editor of VentureBeat Emil Protalinski reported.

I monitored shop the last two years and generally thought that phones will come to an end half a year ago — the journalist noted.

According to him, models of HP Elite x3 with a docking station and Alcatel of IDOL 4s which before exhaustion of all stocks were offered at the prices of 300 and 100 dollars respectively most longer held on. At the same time for launch of sales of the device were estimated at 800 and 300 dollars. Besides, IDOL 4s was offered complete with points of virtual reality for $169.

Phones on Windows Phone ended only in Microsoft online store, and still it is possible to find in some retail partner shops of the device. However it is possible that retailers sell the last stocks then these smartphones it is finally abandoned the market.

Microsoft officially stopped support of Windows Phone in the middle of 2017 — three years later after an exit of the last update for the operating system.

Having refused Windows Phone, Microsoft continued work in the mobile industry, developing the Windows platform of 10 Mobile, however the company recognizes a failure and this product.

Of course, we will continue support of the platform. Let's fix bugs and to release updates of security systems and other. But the release of new features and devices is not planned — said in Microsoft in the fall of 2017.

Then in the company noted that the audience of users of smartphones based on Windows 10 Mobile is too small that the company was interested in investments into this direction of development.^[1]

2017

Microsoft refused further development of Windows Phone

The vice president of Microsoft for operating systems Joe Belfiore said in October that the company will cease to develop new features and the hardware for Windows Phone. Together with it he assured that Microsoft will continue to support the platform and to release for it updates with error corrections and elimination of vulnerabilities. A series of statements for the future of the platform was published on twitter of the vice president^[2][3].

Despite it, authorities of Microsoft did not announce the termination of development of Windows for smartphones earlier. Nevertheless, the other day the representative of HP company said^[4]that the company is not going to release mobile devices on Windows any more, having explained it with disinterest of Microsoft in development of the platform. On October 8 the vice president of the company who is responsible for development of operating systems answered several questions of the users of Twitter concerning the future of the platform. He said that development of the platform and the hardware for it is not the priority direction any more, but assured that users will continue to receive necessary security updates and error corrections.

As one of explanations of such step the vice president of the company said that despite different programs for support of application developers, the share of users of the platform was too small for many companies because of what they did not see sense in expenditure of the resources for creation of versions of applications for mobile Windows.

Support of version 8.1 is complete

On July 12, 2017 Microsoft announced official completion of support of Windows Phone 8.1.

Three years ago Windows Phone 8.1 was large updating for a system. It brought a set of useful functions, including the voice assistant to Cortana. The interface and a kernel of OS are changed, the center of notifications^[5] appeared^[5].

Microsoft did not begin to update up to 8.1 devices under Windows Phone 7. For July 12, 2017 to all appearances Microsoft will not begin to continue the participation in a mobile race. Windows Phone unconditionally lost Android and iOS. Under control of the last 99.6% of all smartphones operate in the world. Microsoft, redeemed the rights to mobile business of Nokia and refused to develop Lumia line.

According to not confirmed data, Microsoft is going to release small update of Windows 10 of Mobile OS only in order that OS stretched before the end of support in 2018.

2016: Release of Windows 10 Mobile

Main article: Windows 10 Mobile

Windows 10 Mobile is the version of Windows 10 OS for mobile devices with screen diagonal to nine inches. OS is focused on synchronization with the version of Windows for the PC and broader synchronization of content, "universal" applications, connectivities of devices to the external display and uses of the smartphone as the PC with the interface, a mouse support and keyboards. Smartphones on Windows Phone 8.1 can be updated to Windows 10 Mobile.

2014

Waiting of updating of Windows Phone 8.1

On July 30, 2014 in world media messages about the future updating for Windows Phone 8.1, the first updating for this mobile OS appeared.

According to data in media, an update under the name Windows Phone 8.1 GDR1 will provide support of folders on the starting screen for which creation drag and drop of one tile over another is possible. Support of interactive covers for gadgets will become an important innovation presumably that will allow producers to create solutions like HTC Dot View and LG QuickCircle - owners of smartphones running Windows Phone 8.1 will be able to obtain information without opening of the cover closing the device screen, but prick it happened - the device will be automatically unblocked.

As a part of updating support of the devices equipped with 7-inch screens with the resolution of 1280×800 pixels will be allegedly provided. From other noticeable innovations sources noted support of Voice over LTE technology. In addition:

• complete implementation of the NTP protocol for updating of time and date using servers with open data;
• system improvements for work with voice mail and messages;
• record of date and coordinates in metadata to MP4 video when shooting on the phone camera;
• an opportunity for producers to change an order of tiles on the starting screen and also to disconnect or include automatic check of updates;
• activation of Cortana using automobile accessories, etc.

Mobile OS will support GSM and CDMA, including with two SIM cards. Smartphone manufacturers will have an opportunity to create own screens of blocking.

It is expected that developers will receive Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 until the end of August, 2014. Updating will become available to normal users in September-October, 2014.

Windows Phone 8.1

On April 3, 2014 Microsoft provided updating of mobile Windows Phone 8.1 OS – advanced and even more personalized.

Within the annual Microsoft Build 2014 conference the company announced also expansion of a line of smartphones running new OS. Updating of Windows Phone 8.1 will become available to users of devices on Windows Phone 8 in the coming months, it will be preset on the new models of smartphones produced in April, 2014.

Together with Windows Phone OS announced 8.1 Microsofts the first-ever personal virtual assistant to Cortana created on the basis of the character - heroines of the game Halo. Created on the basis of Bing technologies, Cortana will get acquainted with the user to improve the relations and to study, asking questions taking into account behavior of the owner of the gadget and consulting on it before helping with solving of tasks.

One of probable implementations of an image of Cortana as it is seen by users as official screenshots of the program are not published yet

One of new features doing smartphones running Windows Phone 8.1 even more personalized - the "Center of notifications (Action Center)" supplementing "live tiles", showing new events and notifications at the same time and also Senses – feature set, managing directors of use of data, disk space and resources of the accumulator.

It will become easier for IT specialists to manage devices under Windows Phone 8.1 OS, to be connected to the main business applications, services for business users by means of functions of the simplified registration of devices, the built-in client for MDM (Mobile device management), S/MIME for the protected mail and support of VPN.

8.1 users of Windows Phone 8 in the coming months will be able to update the Windows Phone devices. Windows Phone 8.1 OS will be preset on the new smartphones released since April, 2014.

The Cortana application will appear in the USA in the form of the beta, in the nearest future, in Great Britain and China - in the second half of 2014, and in 2015 - in other countries. The registered developers will be able to update the smartphones to Windows Phone 8.1 within the program for developers in the second half of April.

2012: In Russia in 6 months 250 thousand smartphones on Windows Phone 7 are shipped

About 250 thousand smartphones based on Windows Phone 7 were shipped to the period from September, 2011 to February, 2012 in the Russian sales channels. According to the results of all 2011 3% in a total amount of the smartphones delivered to Russia were the share of it, IDC reports.

The prevailing part of deliveries of smartphones based on WP7 fell on three vendors: Nokia, HTC and Samsung, speak analysts. Let's remind that the first smartphone on WP7 - HTC Mozart - went on sale in Russia in September, 2011.

The known addiction of Russians to devices of Nokia played a role in growth in sales of smartphones on mobile Microsoft OS: so, according to Svyaznoy, with entry into the Russian market of the first Nokia smartphone on WP7 in December - Lumia 800 - its share in the overall ranking of OS sharply spread up.

Believe in IDC that in 2012 on WP7 devices about 14% of all smartphones shipped to Russia is necessary already. It is more, than IDC allocates for Apple for the same period - iOS share in 2012, according to forecasts of analysts, will make 9%, having increased by 1%.

2011

Plans of updating of Windows Phone 7

In 2011 it was announced that in 2012 Microsoft is going to update twice the mobile platform Windows Phone 7^[6].

The first the version of Windows Phone of 7 Tango code-named will be published. It will be the second important updating of the platform during all the time and the first after Mango. However it will not bring new functionality to owners of Mango devices. Instead of this effort of developers will be concentrated on adaptation of the platform under cheap models of smartphones. It is contrary to hearing that the future device Nokia Lumia 900 of upper price range will be equipped with Tango.

In the IV quarter 2012 there will be a next version of WP7 - Apollo code-named. And this updating will already have the same character as Mango. This new version will be adapted for so-called superbackgrounds - smartphones with the big touch screens equipped with multi-core processors. Besides, Apollo will introduce new features which will allow to use effectively devices in corporate environment.

According to experts, WP7 has good perspectives in the corporate sphere, traditionally strength of Microsoft. One of main competitors of WP7 is BlackBerry here. However RIM postponed start of the new BB 10 platform for the end of the year. The anonymous source which published information on the platform claims that it is far from end and in the current type is not competitive.

In general the long-term plan published on pages by WMPoweruser includes 4 stages:

• release of Windows Phone 7 with the unique graphical interface for devices of average and upper price ranges (the IV quarter 2010),
• release of Mango (the IV quarter 2011),
• Tango release (the II quarter 2012) and
• Apollo release (the IV quarter 2012).

NoDo service pack

Updating includes long-awaited functions of a copying/insert. Other important improvement — the accelerated applications launch and games and also stability when loading big programs. In the solution security at the Wi organization increased - Fi - connections and also integration level with social network improved. Besides, the errors connected with switching of the modes of functioning of the camera are eliminated. The program components of third-party developers improving performance of certain models of communicators were a part of updating. The following complex updating of Windows Phone 7 code-named of Mango came out in 2011.

Microsoft collects data on location of users

Smartphones based on mobile OS Microsoft, including Windows Phone 7, in the automatic mode collect information on location of users. It should be noted that structures of different producers periodically send to servers of the company data packets which the unique identifier of the smartphone, data on available networks Wi-fi and also satellite coordinates enters. The representative of the company confirmed that Microsoft really collects coordinates of users. However it is emphasized that, unlike iPhone and iPad, these data are not stored in memory of devices.

Forecast of IDC: The share of Windows Phone will exceed the Apple iOS share

The company IDC submitted in March, 2011 the forecast for market development of operating systems for smartphones to the period from 2011 to 2015. According to it by the end of this time Google Android which already came out on top according to the results of the IV quarter 2010 will go to a big separation from market shares of 45.4%. At the same time the share Microsoft Windows of Phone will exceed a platform share Apple iOS. Values for two last will be according to 20.9% and 15.3%.

The agreement with Nokia signed at the beginning of 2011 will become a pacing factor which promotes public awareness of the platform. In its framework the Finnish company already started sales of smartphones on the Microsoft platform.

The fourth place in popularity by the end of 2015, according to the forecast, will be occupied by the BlackBerry OS platform from the Canadian Research In Motion, and 0.2% in comparison with 20.9% in the current year will fall to the share of Symbian.

The highest annual average growth rate during the period from 2011 to 2015 (the CAGR parameter appears in the report) is promised IDC to the Microsoft operating system - 67.1%. The share of Symbian will decrease on average by 65% annually. Growth rates of Android, iOS and BlackBerry during the considered period will be 23.8%, 18.8% and 17.1% respectively.

Before analytics of IDC already gave the long-term forecast - in September, 2010. Then the period from 2010 to 2014 was considered. Experts calculated what by the end of 2014 the most popular system will remain to Symbian from market shares of 32.9% whereas Android takes the second place from shares of 24.6%, and the third place - BlackBerry OS.

Localization of OS with Russian

On January 28, 2011 Microsoft announced that in the second half of the year 2011 Russian will be included in the list of the languages supported by the new mobile platform Windows Phone 7. It will expand possibilities of the Russian developers to create and test the applications on a mother tongue and, thus, will allow them to be completely ready by the time of a release of phone to the Russian market.

At this time about 24000 developers confirmed the interest in the new mobile platform Microsoft worldwide. The number of applications in app store of Windows Marketplace only in 3 months exceeded 6500.

The Russian developers also estimated advantages and possibilities of Windows Phone 7, confirmation of what is world success of a number of projects. It is, first of all, about such games, popular among users of Windows Phone, as Doodle God of the Russian company Joybits and Brain Evolution developed by SPB Software company. Developers from Joybits noted, in particular, a convenient subsystem for games (XNA) and the latest building tools – all this allowed them to port the game Doodle God on the Windows platform of Phone 7 in only 3 days. Now Doodle God takes the 6th place in the rating of users of Windows Phone 7 among all applications in the world.

At the same time for some categories of developers (for example, for students) participation in Marketplace is absolutely free. Everything that for this purpose is required, - to become the participant of the DreamSpark program. And the free training course of Windows Phone 7 of Training Kit in which it is in detail told about creation of mobile applications is still available to those who want to try the hand in application development.

2010

iPhone funeral in Microsoft headquarters

Microsoft held the parade on September 13, 2010 devoted to completion of development Windows of Phone 7. In its framework a funeral took place smartphones iPhone and BlackBerry.

Staff of Microsoft selected very original method to celebrate completion of development of Windows Phone 7. Having gathered on the street near Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, they organized the improvised funeral, "having done" in the iPhone and BlackBerry smartphones. On streets the whole procession devoted to the new platform, its functions and opportunities also walked.

Start of Windows Phone 7

Windows Phone 7 (the code name "Photon") — the Microsoft platform for mobile phones based on Windows Embedded CE 6.0. It is announced in February, 2010. Turns on completely new minimalist graphical interface and new programming aids. In Russia sales of the first WP7 device - HTC Mozart - began in September, 2011.

Differences from the previous versions and new features

• Three new methods of user interaction: first, MultiTouch support as at iPhone; secondly, management by means of stirring and an inclination of the device; thirdly, management of gestures. The user can scroll abrupt movements of a finger on the screen lists, draw on the display, automatically replace orientation of the screen by the simple turn of a device. Besides, Windows Phone 7 supports managing movements. As the sensor the sensor of the built-in camera is used.

• The improved visual effects. Generally it belongs to the fact that plotting of many menus became more interesting in Aero style on Windows Vista. There are animation effects when changing windows, the call of a context menu is possible on deduction of a finger on the screen. Animation wall-paper or rollers are in standby mode possible. Elements of the interface not necessary constantly appear when clicking or are made translucent.

• The multimedia component is finished: it is improved Windows Media Player Internet Explorer, gallery and the game mode.

• The screen keyboard underwent review. When using the keyboard of a letter increase and appear over the user's finger.

• In Windows Mobile7.0 it is going to implement support of recognition of a certain type of movements even in the blocked status.

• The changed scrolling. Scrolling of lists of the menu is followed by a visual effect of blur (as though icons rush with high speed), the end of scrolling is followed by a sharp stop. Besides, in Windows Mobile7.0 there will be two more options of scrolling: a) scrolling of cards at GPS navigation which speed directly depends on finger traverse speed on the display; b) fast scrolling – for movement according to long file lists, etc. It is activated at long clicking the display – and further many times the accelerated movement in the necessary direction, at the same time on the right arises the scrolling indicator. When scrolling scroll bar there are only in case of need scrollings of the list, and after it – disappear.

• Compatibly to ZUNE (the mediaplayer from Microsoft)

System Requirements

Windows Not less than 512 MB of a fixed memory (it is recommended twice more), the display with diagonal from 3.5 inches with the resolution of 800x480 pixels and above and also the built-in ATI or Nvidia and support graphic processor of multitouch input are necessary for work of Mobile7.0 the ARM v6 processor + with support of hardware acceleration of Open GL ES 2.0, not less than 256 MB of RAM. It is also necessary to have the built-in digital camera with the resolution not less than 3 megapixels, aGPS technologies, the sensor of light, a three-axis compass, the accelerometer, Bluetooth 2.1, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g and the standard connector for connection of earphones.

Competitors

In connection with Windows Mobile 7 it is about the mysterious Pink project - not the specific mobile phone, but the concept of the supermodern mobile device which different brands will be able to release. It is supposed that Pink (read — Windows Mobile 7) will become the real competitor of the Apple iPhone.

2001-2009: Windows Mobile

Main article: Windows Mobile

Notes