ON THIS DAY: The future of Windows Mobile – Does Microsoft want to reboot the concept of a phone?

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As Windows Central approaches its 20th anniversary in 2027, we’re looking back at the stories that have defined our community – everything from Microsoft and Xbox to Windows and PCs. It’s a reminder of how much we’ve all accomplished together.

Interestingly, Microsoft attempted to innovate in the mobile space with the Surface Duo (2020) and Surface Duo 2. While these devices were groundbreaking in their design and concept, they ran on Android and were ultimately discontinued due to low sales.

We’re also working on getting approval to share details about a “true” Surface phone that was in development around 2014, so keep an eye out for that!

This article was originally published on Friday, October 23, 2015. – Daniel Rubino, Editor-in-Chief

I recently published a report comparing Microsoft’s strong recent financial performance with the continued struggles of Windows Phone. While the situation wasn’t unexpected, the report provided specific data to illustrate the contrast. My main goal wasn’t to simply state the obvious, but to offer a broader look at Microsoft’s position in the mobile market, outlining the challenges they face and what they seem to be planning for the future.

I’ve been thinking about where things are headed, and I wanted to share my thoughts on what Microsoft might do next. Now, this is all just speculation on my part, but I believe it’s based on what we’ve seen from them in the past. Looking at their recent moves, a few clear paths seem likely.

Out with the old smartphone

A few weeks ago, I observed that Microsoft, and particularly Panos Panay, didn’t seem very excited about the new Lumia 950 and 950 XL phones. I nearly overlooked the Lumia 550, but Microsoft seemed to do the same thing at their October product launch.

As a fan, I’ve been trying to explain that these Lumias don’t really show where Microsoft is at *now*. The Lumia 950 and 950 XL feel like leftovers from the Nokia era, and it’s pretty obvious. Even their original codenames are a nod back to the very first Nokia phones – it’s like a knowing, ironic wink to the past.

A lot of people have reminded me that Microsoft acquired Nokia’s mobile phone business, meaning they now own the phones. While that’s true, the phones were still being developed under Stephen Elop and his team, including Jo Harlow. Both Elop and Harlow were released by Microsoft in late June. Terry Myerson briefly led the team before Panos Panay, well-known for the Surface devices, took charge of engineering for all hardware – including Windows Phones – in late July.

This change is significant, particularly considering the previous Lumia phones weren’t successful. Panay and his team, however, have been very successful with the Surface line. Now, with Panay leading engineering for Windows Phone, Surface, Microsoft Band, and Xbox, there’s huge potential for innovation. Plus, with this engineering group now working alongside the main Windows team under Myerson, they’ll be able to work together more effectively with a unified vision.

Microsoft could easily stop making phones, but that might reflect poorly on CEO Satya Nadella. It’s not that people would be upset about it – investors would likely be pleased – but Nadella had an opportunity to turn things around when the previous team left. Ending the phone business now would make his earlier restructuring seem like a mistake. Why put someone in charge of the phone division only to shut it down shortly after?

I still don’t understand the point of the Universal Windows Platform (UWP) for Windows 10 if you take mobile devices out of the picture. Without mobile support, the entire platform seems pointless.

I think Microsoft has a clear vision for its mobile strategy, and that’s why they put Panay in charge. But I don’t believe they’ll simply copy what other companies are doing with their high-end phones.

The future of smartphone devices

The Windows Phone is no longer available. It lost its competition with the iPhone and Android around 2014, though some argue the decline began as early as 2012. While it briefly showed some promise, by 2015 it was clear the original Windows Phone concept wasn’t sustainable, especially with the development of Windows 10.

I previously mentioned the Lumia 950 and 950 XL don’t fully capture Microsoft’s current direction. I used the word ‘fully’ because features like Continuum, and Windows 10 itself, definitely reflect Microsoft’s vision for the future. These new Lumias *do* demonstrate what Windows 10 is capable of, and I believe Microsoft was truthful when they said so.

However, Microsoft’s recent hardware efforts don’t quite align with expectations either. Let me illustrate with a few examples.

For several years, Apple’s iPad was the leader in portable computing, and many people asked Microsoft to create a competing device. Most wanted a tablet running Windows, similar to the iPad’s hardware. Microsoft’s answer was the Surface, which turned out to be quite different from what people anticipated. Even the Surface Pro 4, released in 2015, wasn’t a direct competitor to the iPad Pro.

MacBook Air and Pro laptops long dominated the high-end market, and many asked Microsoft to create a competitor. They answered with the Surface Book, and, as they often do, didn’t just copy the competition – they built something completely new.

Microsoft finally answered years of requests and launched the Band 2 smartwatch. While Android, Apple, and Fitbit already had successful options, the Band 2 stands out as a unique and excellent device, carving out its own special place in the market.

You can probably guess my point. Microsoft doesn’t just make hardware for the sake of it. They carefully consider future market trends before developing new devices, rather than simply reacting to current demands.

Microsoft decided not to release the Surface Mini because it didn’t offer anything unique. Essentially, it was just a smaller version of the existing Surface and wouldn’t have stood out from the competition.

We’re hoping Microsoft will create a truly innovative phone, but the Lumia 950 and 950 XL don’t quite fit the bill. While they’re good phones, they don’t represent the kind of bold change Microsoft seems to be aiming for now. After all, they surprised everyone with the announcement of holographic computing – a genuinely unexpected move that really stood out.

Apple faced similar skepticism years ago. When they launched the first iPhone in 2007, it seemed like just another smartphone – we’d seen those before. But it was different because of its core ideas: no buttons, a big screen, and complete control of the software. A lot of people, myself included, dismissed it at first. Some didn’t even consider it a true smartphone because it lacked the ability for developers to create native apps – it relied on web apps instead.

With everything we’ve discussed, I’d like to ask a challenging question: what will be the next big thing after the smartphone?

It’s fair to ask about the future of smartphones. Will they simply keep getting more complicated with each new version and added feature, or will they truly evolve? What’s next for this technology?

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella understands that the value of smartphones lies in future innovation, not just current features. He explained this to Mary Jo Foley when discussing their approach to smartphone development.

To stay competitive, we constantly need to anticipate future trends and innovate. We’re doing that with Windows, particularly through features like Continuum. I don’t want to simply create another typical phone; I want our devices to offer something truly unique. With Continuum, our vision is to create a phone that can also function as a desktop computer, all thanks to our universal platform. No other device currently offers that level of versatility, and that’s what we’re striving for with our device innovation.

Smartphones are clearly changing how we use computers. Tablet sales are declining as people increasingly use larger smartphones instead. Even Apple is seeing this trend, with its larger iPhones impacting iPad sales. Traditional PC sales are also down, and it’s not due to problems with Windows—people are simply spreading their computing needs across smartphones, tablets, TVs, and other devices like smartwatches.

Remember when you used to check email on a desktop PC, not on your smartphone?

I’m bringing this up because I believe Microsoft is trying to solve a long-term problem. They realize they can’t compete effectively with Apple and Android using today’s technology. So, instead of trying to win now, they’re focusing on what the future of mobile computing might look like. The Lumia 950 and 950 XL represent where we are *currently* with mobile tech – they don’t offer anything truly new, which is why reviews often just say they’re ‘not bad’ compared to iPhones or Android phones.

What does that mobile future look like?

A lot of people seem to think a “Surface phone” would simply be a premium phone with the Surface name on it. But that misses the point – Surface is about innovation and changing what’s possible. Just slapping the brand on another standard smartphone wouldn’t be very exciting.

Microsoft aimed to revolutionize PC development with the Surface, and that was its primary goal. If they wanted to do the same for phones, what would that look like?

Ditch platform specific programming, make universal hardware

The biggest challenge for Windows Phone has always been a lack of apps, which has kept many people from switching. This issue is still a major problem in 2015, especially with the move to Windows 10 and a new software system. It’s not just a Microsoft problem, though – BlackBerry and even Android face similar issues. You often see new popular games and services launch on iOS first, with Android versions following later.

This isn’t a simple challenge; it reflects the current state of the computing world. As a developer, choosing the right platform for your app is crucial. It’s a difficult decision, particularly with Windows 10 already installed on over 110 million computers. Soon, it will be hard for developers to overlook Windows 10, especially when the Xbox store launches later this year.

Windows 10 and its Universal Windows Platform show Microsoft’s goal: to create software that works on any device, regardless of its hardware. The idea is simple – install the app you want and it just works, no matter what device you’re using.

The main challenge is that many other operating systems exist, like iOS and Android, plus older Windows apps and games. To address this, the solution is to provide tools that allow developers to easily bring their existing creations to your platform. Microsoft’s Bridge Technologies – Astoria, Islandwood, Centennial, and Westminster – are designed to simplify this process for apps originally built for Android, iOS, Windows, and the web.

Microsoft is moving away from directly creating software tied to specific devices or even its operating system. As apps and online services become increasingly integrated, the company believes a shift is necessary. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella refers to this approach as a “path dependent strategy,” meaning the company is adapting based on how technology naturally evolves.

People aren’t building apps for our platform just because of our small phone market share. The real draw is that a billion people will have a Start Menu, and that’s where your app can live. From there, you can reach users on many different devices – phones, HoloLens, Xbox, and more. This is a long-term strategy; where you begin isn’t necessarily where you’ll end up, and that’s important to understand. Ultimately, developers build where the users are, and we have a large user base on desktop computers.

The next piece of the puzzle is what does a phone look like in this system?

Microsoft is experimenting with ways to make devices boot multiple operating systems, as shown in their patent filings. They’ve already managed to run the Android operating system inside Windows 10 Mobile. Beyond that, they own a patent for 3D Touch technology and acquired Ntrig, a company that contributed to the pen input features of the Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book. Their vision of Continuum aims to create a seamless experience between PCs and mobile devices through software, and is central to the Surface line of hardware. Looking ahead, Microsoft is also developing innovative technologies like HoloLens and exploring other cutting-edge ideas.

When you combine these features, what can people accomplish with a smartphone that wasn’t possible before? What unmet needs or desires does it address?

I do not think we have seen what Microsoft has planned for mobile, not entirely.

The vision for the future definitely includes features like Continuum, which aims to let you use your phone as a full computer. I believe the ultimate goal is to have powerful computing in your pocket, working seamlessly across different software and devices. The future will be defined by screens and the power of what fits in your pocket.

Microsoft’s future mobile efforts will likely aim to bridge the gap between tablets and PCs, similar to how the Surface line originally tried to combine the best aspects of both.

Rumors suggest Microsoft is developing a unique phone powered by Intel processors, and I’ve heard similar things from my own sources. This is a project solely between Microsoft and Intel – Nokia isn’t involved. It’s not just going to be another standard phone with typical features; I expect something truly innovative and unexpected.

Imagine you’re on the Surface team – what kind of mobile phone would you create to really change the game? Don’t just list technical details; I’m interested in the *ideas* behind the phone, not just the fastest processor or latest features.

As I mentioned earlier, this is my interpretation of things, informed by recent moves and announcements from Microsoft. To assume their plans for mobile devices are simply another typical smartphone would be a mistake.

Microsoft consistently proves it can turn ambitious ideas into reality. Just look at their innovations in 2015 – products like Windows 10, HoloLens, the Surface Pro, and the Surface Book all demonstrated their ability to create entirely new types of devices. Now, it’s exciting to imagine what they’ll do when they focus that same creativity on mobile technology.

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2025-10-25 18:17