Oh boy, those words again! Microsoft sold its feature phone businesses to Foxconn yesterday, in a bid that is supposed to streamline the company’s mobile efforts.
But the sale of this unit has been seen by some as a hint that Windows 10 Mobile might have a radically different future soon — one where the Lumia phones might not have a place.
Indeed, reports quickly followed claiming that Microsoft is no longer interested in the mobile business, and these led to the software titan releasing a statement that it will continue to invest in the platform for many years from now.
Backing up a little, this is what Redmond had originally said confirming the sale of the feature phone division to Foxconn:
“Microsoft will continue to develop Windows 10 Mobile and support Lumia phones such as the Lumia 650, Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL, and phones from OEM partners like Acer, Alcatel, HP, Trinity and VAIO.”
For many, this was indication enough that Redmond no longer intends to releases other Lumia models and will gradually phase out the brand.
A Microsoft spokesperson then said in a statement that the company is committed to the vibrant Windows Phone market, adding that it will continue to develop Windows 10 for mobile — again a hint that the company has put into action a different plan for the long term.
Which, from the looks of things, is focused on the Surface Phone, a premium device designed by the same team responsible for the other hardware in the popular Surface lineup.
Hardware like the Surface Pro 4 and the Surface Book.
But it does signal a change from the traditional line of operation, as the sale of the feature phone businesses itself reveals. This took many by surprise, as Microsoft was the leading company in this sector, selling 16.7 million phones worldwide in the first quarter.
More than what Samsung managed with 13.1 million.
Change then, is in the air!
source:windows10update
