Less than a fortnight ago, Microsoft rolled out the much-anticipated Windows 10 Mobile update for Windows Phone devices, prompting many to believe that it was the dawn of a new era for the software giant’s mobile business.
Subsequently, Windows loyalists hoped that the company would aggressively seek to counter the domination of Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS in the worldwide mobile market. However, it seems like Microsoft is embarking on a different strategy.
Apparently, 2016 is not going to be the year for Windows Phone, as explained by none other than Microsoft’s head of the OS group, Terry Myerson.
In a recent interview with The Verge, Myerson clarified that while the company was not giving up on Windows Phones, it had many other plans to work on in 2016.
He also admitted that Windows Phone has been consistently under pressure as other big players in the mobile market were still leading by a huge margin in terms of sales and market penetration.
“We’re fully committed to that 4-inch screen, there will be a time for it to be our focus, but right now it’s part of the family but it’s not the core of where I hope to generate developer interest over the next year. There’s no lack of recognition to realize how important that form factor is, but for Microsoft with Windows and for our platform it’s the wrong place for us to lead,” he said.
“If you wanted to reach a lot of phone customers, Windows Phone isn’t the way to do it. If you want to reach a lot of Windows customers, then this is the largest install base of 9 to 30-inch screens. If you wanted to do new and exciting things, then the Xbox and HoloLens is the place to have a discussion,” he added.