Goodbye Windows phones?

[docj]

Looks like Microsoft's foray into the phone business is pretty much over: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-microsoft-phones-idUSKCN0YG0XV

[RV_]

Actually no, its foray into Lumia phones is over. Like its ill fated and costly Surface RT write off, most tech analysts agree that Microsoft is regrouping like it did with the Surface and Surface Pro lines by dropping for all intents and purposes their RT Surface Tablet failure, and focusing on the Surface line up, both i3, i5, i7 powered Surface Pro 3 and 4, and the Atom powered 10.8 inch screen Surface 3. I think the only wrong move they made was to make the Surface 3 Atom tablet with a smaller screen than the Pro. The Surface line up is now leading the Apple offerings.

 

They have decided to drop Lumias like they did the surface RT failure, and are now developing the Surface phones, not Lumia phones with the two top tier models using the Atom Processor and stunning specs, and a consumer model with the quad core Qualcomm processor.

 

The first Surface phones were scaled around the Atom processors but Intel's reorganization and consolidation of their processor lines also included Intel dropping the Atom line of processors. The new processors codenamed "Kaby Lake" won't be out until early 2017.

 

I had planned to post about it later this week as more came out but this article from yesterday says it all.

 

Excerpt:

 

"Microsoft Surface Phone Release Date And Features: Packing A Kickstand?

 

Processor And Power Specs

 

Previous rumors noted that Microsoft aimed to have Intel's Atom processors on board the Surface Phone. However, Intel announced that it's ceasing the manufacturing process for the Atom CPU, which could lead to important ramifications for Microsoft's plans.

 

Christian Daily reports that the Surface Phone will use Intel's 14nm Kaby Lake processor for processing power.

 

The consumer sector variant should pack 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of default space, while the enterprise-targeted model is rumored to pack 6 GB of RAM and a hefty 128 GB of storage. The third Surface Phone will be a beastly device that directly rivals some PCs reportedly coming with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 830 sporting 8 GB of RAM and 512 GB internal storage.

 

Camera

 

The camera combo will pair a mighty 21-megapixel main camera with a powerful 8-megapixel selfie camera. Insiders affirm that features for the camera will differ among the three models, while the 3,000 mAh battery will be a common trait.

 

Software

 

It is a no-brainer that the Surface Phone will try to make the most out of the Windows 10 OS mobile ecosystem. We are looking forward to seeing the Surface Phone operating Windows 10 for Mobile out of the box. There is a strong chance that the business model and the flagship killer will bring pro installment options, such as additional software for productivity and advanced mobile management.

 

Release Date

 

The Surface Phone was supposed to be released during May 2016. The company changed its mind after the Lumia 950 flopped, so now we are looking towards a Surface Phone launch at the beginning of 2017.

 

Another reason for the delay could reside in the OEM waiting out for Intel to start working on its Kaby Lake processors. As the new series of chipsets is set to begin early 2017, this lines up perfectly with the release of the Surface Phone. Rumors say this is why the Surface Book 2's release was pushed back, as well."

 

That whole article with links to others is here: http://www.techtimes.com/articles/160225/20160522/microsoft-surface-phone-rumor-roundup-possible-release-date-specs-and-more.htm

 

Another here: http://www.thebitbag.com/microsoft-surface-phone-release-date-and-features-packing-a-kickstand/153516

 

Another here: http://www.ibtimes.co.in/microsoft-surface-phone-rumour-round-679798

 

Here: http://www.thebitbag.com/microsoft-surface-phone-confirmed-for-2017-to-focus-on-3-segments-of-buyers/146476

 

It appears that the Lumia 950 and other top line Lumia phones were not as well built as expected so MSFT has turned the phone development over to the surface team. Their new line up will be expensive at MSRP of $700-$1200.00

 

They will be upgrading in July along with the revision of the Regular Windows 10.

 

This from today, Excerpt:

 

"After effectively shutting down their mobile division this week by firing 1,850 employees, most of them in Finland, Satya Nadella has shut the door firmly on any new smartphones....except one. He made it clear that Microsoft will stay in the mix and focus their efforts, which is one way of suggesting the famous tech juggernaut is making a Surface smartphone. Mark my words: It will happen."

 

http://www.computerworld.com/article/3075352/personal-technology/dear-satya-nadella-make-sure-the-microsoft-surface-phone-has-these-features.html

[DJW]

RV

 

I think the 950 and the 950XL failed like a lot of the other Lumia phones the 640 and 640XL come to mind because they were not made to work on Verizon. You cannot exclude the largest wireless network and expect your product to do well. I regret buying the 640 for my grand daughter although it works fine on T-Mobile in HI. The whole Windows Mobile 10 update has been a joke.

 

Dennis

[RV_]

Dennis,

MS said they will continue to support the Lumias they sold. I don't regret getting our two 735s. I am curious to see if mobile 10 is part of the July software releases. Most folks get new phones every three years or so. We'll see what the Surface team does for their Surface phones. Too expensive for me if they charge what folks are getting from leaks.

[Ron]

More interesting discussion about this issue and Microsoft's (possible) strategy in this article. Also some interesting perspectives in the reader comments that follow the article.

---ron

[RV_]

Thanks Ron, that was one of Mark's good articles. I read all the comments and commented myself at the end.