Что сейчас с windows phone

На днях ко мне в руки попал Nokia Lumia 630 — старейший смартфон, который работает на Windows Phone 8.1. Пользовался им неделю и понял, что Windows Phone во многом опережала конкурентов (Android и iOS), но вышла слишком поздно из-за чего не смогла покорить рынок.

Мобильная система от Microsoft давно канула в лету: смартфоны на ней не выпускаются последние четыре года. Забегая наперёд, скажу, что пользоваться ей в наше время невозможно.

Тем не менее, Windows Phone не растеряла свой шарм, и ее отголоски можно найти даже в iPhone 12. В общем, обо всём по порядку.

Что не так с Windows Phone в 2021


Смартфоны Lumia до сих пор выглядят достойно.

Тут нужно ответить на главный вопрос: что такое смартфон для современного пользователя? В первую очередь — это сервисы. Каждый день я плачу при помощи смартфона, давно не ношу с собой пластиковые карты, вызываю такси, покупаю билеты, бронирую жильё и иногда даже работаю.

Речи о работе каких-то современных сервисов на Windows Phone в 2021 году даже не идёт.

В 2017 году исполнительный директор Microsoft Джо Бельфиор заявил о прекращении выпуска новых устройств на Windows 10 Mobile. Ещё через два года, в 2019, было объявлено о закрытии магазина приложений для Windows Phone 8.1, а также выпуска обновлений для Windows 10 Mobile. Смартфонам на Windows Phone 8 (впоследствии и 8.1) отключили работу сервера уведомлений.


Перспективы у платформы были.

Напомню, Windows Phone — закрытая операционная система, которая не поддерживает установку приложений в обход магазина приложений Microsoft. Назовите любое приложение — его сюда не установить. Даже банально Telegram или WhatsApp. Да и смысл от этого всего теряется, потому что узнавать о новых оповещениях вы не сможете.

У меня дома много старых гаджетов, и могу сказать, что никто, ни Google, ни уж тем более Apple так не ограничивает своих пользователей. Периодически залипаю в iPhone 4s на iOS 6, там у меня стоит Telegram, ВКонтакте, электронная почта, и им я, в принципе, могу пользоваться.

Если захочется установить какое-то приложение из App Store, то на смартфон просто загрузится его старая версия. Нет «законсервированности», которая есть в Windows Phone.

Откуда взялась Windows Phone


iPhone стал убийцей КПК.

Microsoft громко вошла на рынок КПК и смартфонов ещё в 2000 году, задолго до Android и iPhone. Тогда у «майков» была Windows Mobile. Слишком замудренная операционная система, оптимизированная под управление стилусом. Не слукавлю, если скажу, что WM была неким аналогом Android для того времени.

Куча софта и безграничные возможности кастомизации сделали её довольно популярной. Но с выходом iPhone понятие смартфона изменилось: отныне пользователи хотели видеть устройство с интуитивно понятным интерфейсом, которым удобно пользоваться одной рукой.


Чувствуется выдержанность стиля.

Превратить в нечто похожее Windows Mobile было нереально, поэтому Microsoft в 2010 году полностью перекроили привычную многим операционную систему. Теперь интерфейс приобрёл минималистичный стиль с большими заголовками и крупными значками. Оболочку назвали «Metro», в ней использовали наработки интерфейса от Xbox и плеера Zune.

Также был запущен многострадальный магазин приложений Microsoft Store. Компания не смогла толком договориться с разработчиками, поэтому хороших приложений в нем можно по пальцам сосчитать.

Тем не менее, эту платформу любили во многом за авангардность. Она была закрытой, имела хорошую оптимизацию, поэтому система летала даже на откровенно бюджетных смартфонах. Но самое главное, Windows Phone во многом опередила время.

1. Тёмная тема


Тёмный фон не отвлекает от контента.

Пока интерфейсы Android и iOS использовали светлые подложки, Microsoft решила в 2010 году опередить индустрию на несколько лет вперёд и добавить в систему тёмную тему. Интерфейс отлично чувствовал себя на смартфонах с AMOLED-экранами, которых в то время становилось все больше и больше.

Причём тёмная тема была не отдельной опцией, а стандартной настройкой системы. Смотрелось в те времена это непривычно: когда у меня была Nokia Lumia, я даж включал светлое оформление.

2. Интерактивные виджеты-значки на рабочем столе


Одно из лучших воплощений рабочего стола. ИМХО.

Пока Android использовал на рабочем столе абсолютно страшные и разрозненные по стилю виджеты, а в iOS их вообще не было, Phone имела самый стильный, на мой взгляд, рабочий стол. Microsoft решила не идти по пути клише существовавших тогда операционных систем, а придумала новое решение.

Каждый значок приложения на рабочем столе был интерактивным и демонстрировал какую-то информацию. Будь то погода, сообщения, новости или фотографии. Всё это сопровождалось очень приятной анимацией.

Согласитесь, такой интерфейс выглядел абсолютно уникально. Покажи такой экран в наше время, и его ни с чем не спутаешь.

А теперь вспомните рабочий стол iOS 14 и iOS 15. Согласитесь, есть между ними что-то общее.

3. Вирусов не было, хоть это и Windows


Это вам не Android.

Windows Phone, как я уже говорил выше, была закрытой системой. Во многом она напоминала iOS, как минимум в безопасности. С учётом того, что приложения можно было загружать строго из Microsoft Store, подхватить какой-нибудь вирус было невозможно.

К тому же, весь софт работал в своей «песочнице», и никак не мог взаимодействовать с системными ресурсами. Опять же, привет iOS! На фоне Android Windows Phone была островком спокойствия.

Так что, те люди, которые нуждались в надёжной защите своих данных, но не могли позволить себе iPhone, покупали себе HTC или Nokia с Windows Phone и не парились.

4. Экосистема


В устройствах на Windows действительно была преемственность дизайна.

Во-первых, в Windows 8.1 (и Phone 8.1) Microsoft замахнулась на реализацию общего магазина приложений для компьютеров, планшетов и смартфонов. Приложения, которые вы могли установить на свой телефон, можно было установить и на другие устройства. Похожим образом недавно начал работать App Store с Mac M1.

Во-вторых, в платформу был глубоко интегрирован сервис OneDrive (раньше он назывался SkyDrive). Файлы с рабочего стола компьютера можно было синхронизировать с облачным хранилищем и просматривать их с других устройств.

Впоследствии аналогичная реализация появилась в iCloud Drive. Это я ещё не говорю об автоматической синхронизации всех фотографий и видео. Всё работало как надо.


В свое время хотел себе ноутбук-трансформер. Сейчас понимаю, что это не нужно.

Также синхронизировались данные между приложениями. Если вы начали писать текст в Word на компьютере, его можно быстро продолжить писать на смартфоне или другом компьютере. Ну и аналогично с заметками, таблицами и так далее.

В-третьих, система синхронизировала настройки персонализации. При желании можно было включить опцию, с которой цветовая палитра системы становилась общей для всех гаджетов. То есть, если вы сделаете плитки синими на смартфоне, они станут синими и на компьютере. 

5. Огромные возможности для фото


Были даже специальные камерафоны. Слева: Nokia Lumia 1020 с камерой 41 МП.

Смартфоны на Windows Phone были, пожалуй, лучшими камерофонами. Тут отдельное спасибо нужно сказать Nokia, которые разрабатывали кастомное приложение Lumia Камера (впоследствии оно стало стандартным).

Выверенные алгоритмы и ручные настройки позволяли делать фотошедевры даже на бюджетные смартфоны с камерой 5 МП. На них можно было делать даже астрофото! Ночной режим, разумеется, тоже был.

Почему Windows Phone канула в лету


К тому же, в последние годы жизни Windows Phone Microsoft зачем-то начала целиться в коммерческий сектор. Нужно было делать акцент на массового потребителя.

Однозначного ответа на этот вопрос нет. Кто-то считает «не повезло», но на самом деле это результат множества факторов. Во-первых, Windows Phone имела крайне ограниченный магазин приложений.

К 2010 году на рынке устоялись два кита — Android и iOS. Разработчики неохотно оптимизировали свои приложения под новую платформу, потому что Windows Phone использовала другой API, а на это нужно было много времени и денег.

А зачем тратить время и деньги на оптимизацию приложений для платформы, которой пользуются два с половиной землекопа? Владельцев WP-смартфонов было очень мало на фоне Android и iPhone.


На Windows Phone очень долго не было Instagram.

Выходит замкнутый круг: разработчики не выпускали свои приложения из-за малого числа пользователей, при этом потребители не хотели переходить на эту платформу из-за малого числа приложений.

Так что, можно сказать — Windows Phone просто вышла слишком поздно. Если бы Microsoft представила новую операционную систему раньше, а не выдавливала последние соки из Windows Mobile, история могла обернуться совершенно иначе.

А сегодня это просто кусочек истории мобильных технологий. Кто знает, может Microsoft ещё сможет нас удивить.

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iPhones.ru


Её отголоски есть даже в iOS 15.

  • windows,
  • Обзоры,
  • смартфоны,
  • Это интересно

Василий Шкодник avatar

Василий Шкодник

@podogreykin

Главный любитель технологий и Звёздных воин в галактике. До сих пор слушаю музыку с iPod.

Есть вопрос или замечание: [email protected]

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This page provides details for the version history of the Microsoft’s Windows Phone branded mobile operating systems, from the release of Windows Phone 7 in October 2010, which was preceded by Windows Mobile version 6.x.

Windows Phone 7[edit]

Windows Phone 7 was the first release of the Windows Phone mobile client operating system, released worldwide on October 21, 2010, and in the United States on November 8, 2010.

Table of versions[edit]

Table of versions: Windows Phone 7
Version Release date Changes
7.0.7004 October 29, 2010
  • initial version of the Windows Phone 7 OS
7.0.7008 2010
  • improved update process for future update
7.0.7390 (NoDo) March 22, 2011[1]
  • Added CDMA support, Copy and Paste, fast application startup, and deeper Facebook Integration
7.0.7392 2011
  • revoke of fraudulent certificates
7.0.7403 2011
  • intermediate update required for updating to Mango
Version Release date Changes

Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango) [edit]

Windows Phone 7.5 logo

At the 2011 Mobile World Congress, Steve Ballmer announced a major update to Windows Phone 7 due toward the end of the year, Windows Phone 7.5, codenamed Mango.[2] The new OS would address many of the platform’s shortcomings, including a mobile version of Internet Explorer 9 that supports the same web standards and graphical capability as the desktop version, multi-tasking of third-party apps,[3][4] Twitter integration for the People Hub,[5][6][7] and Windows Live SkyDrive access.[8] Although the OS internally identifies itself as version 7.1, it is marketed as version 7.5 in all published materials intended for end-users.[9][10]

Microsoft started rolling out Windows Phone 7.5 to both the United States[11] and International[12] markets on September 27, 2011. The first phones that came pre-loaded with Windows Phone 7.5 were released in the last quarter of 2011.

A minor update released in 2012 known as Tango, along with other bug fixes, would also lower the hardware requirements to allow for devices with 800 MHz CPUs and 256 MB of RAM to run Windows Phone. Certain resource-intensive features are also disabled on these phones, and the Windows Phone Store will also prevent the installation of apps that are considered to be too intensive for use on weaker hardware.[13] The lower requirements were adopted in order to allow the development of lower-cost devices, particularly to target emerging markets such as China.[14]

Table of versions[edit]

Table of versions: Windows Phone 7.5
Version Release date Changes
7.10.7720 (Mango) September 27, 2011
  • Messaging and social integration
  • Dynamic Live tile information
  • Twitter and LinkedIn integration in the People hub.
  • Groups: organize contacts by groups which can also be pinned on the start screen.
  • Contact cards now include all the contacts conversation history (SMS, emails, MMS, Messenger, etc.)
  • Facebook Places check-in support.
  • Windows Live Messenger and Facebook Chat integration.
  • Threads: all messaging communication organized in a single thread (Messenger, SMS, MMS).
  • Threaded email conversations support.
  • Outlook tasks support.
  • Facebook events integrated into the calendar.
  • Linked email accounts: multiple email accounts can be combined and linked into one inbox.[15]
  • Built-in voice-to-text/text-to-voice functionality, which will allow for hands-free texting or chatting.
  • Server search for Exchange.
  • Information Rights Management support for emails and Office documents.
  • Visual Voicemail[16]
  • Search/Bing[17]
  • Bing Vision: barcode, covers, posters, products scanning, and OCR text translation.
  • Bing Audio / Music: Shazam-like audio recognition.
  • Bing Local Scout: «around me» business and POI locator.
  • Bing Quick Cards: product/media information, reviews.
  • Bing Search: indoor maps (US only), image search results, third-party app integration.
  • Bing Maps: turn-by-turn navigation, voice guidance.
  • Microsoft Office Mobile
  • Skydrive and Office 365 documents sync (PDF also supported).[18]
  • Excel Mobile now supports adding additional macro functions.
  • Microsoft Lync support via downloadable app.
  • Added «To-Do» option when editing OneNote pages.
  • Removed ability to edit Office documents from versions older than Office 2007.[19]
  • Photo management
  • People / Groups gallery with Skydrive and Facebook sync.
  • People tagging in the photos with Skydrive and Facebook sync.[20]
  • Photo auto-fix — automatically improves sharpness, brightness, etc.[20]
  • Pictures tile is now animated.
  • Video sharing via MMS, Facebook, Skydrive, and email.[20]
  • Twitter integration—Tweet your pics![20]
  • Integration with the People Hub.[20]
  • Quick access to the Camera Roll.[20]
  • When you choose a photo from within an app, you can now pick from online albums on Facebook or SkyDrive, not just pictures saved on your phone.[20]
  • Pin any album to Start, including Facebook albums.[20]
  • Multimedia
  • Zune SmartDJ mix support.
  • Artist picture now displays on lock screen when music is played.
  • UI change of the media controls on the lock screen.
  • Ability to control video aspect ratio during playback.
  • Single music track repeat without having to pin it on the start screen.
  • Podcast downloads / subscriptions over the air (US only).
  • Open / play media content by voice.
  • Ability to create and save playlists.
  • Marketplace
  • Revamped Marketplace UI and search.
  • Camera
  • UI changes (new icons + added arrow icon on the lower left of the viewfinder to indicate camera roll).
  • Settings are now saved when the Camera application is closed.
  • Disable/enable shutter sound.
  • Support for front facing camera.[21]
  • Touch focus and capture—Tap any spot on the screen to focus there and take the shot. (This varies according to hardware—some phones will have tap-to-capture but will still automatically center focus.)[20]
  • Review pictures above the lock—Snap a photo when your phone is locked, then take a peek at it above the lock. You’ll only be able to get to photos you just took—better for security.[20]
  • Changes for portrait orientation—Now, when you take a picture in portrait orientation, you’ll see it in portrait orientation when you review it.[20]
  • Games
  • Redesigned Xbox LIVE Games hub with integrated 3D avatar and avatar customization.[22]
  • Friends and achievements now integrated in the hub.
  • Fast Async for multiplayer games.[23]
  • Internet Explorer 9 Mobile
  • Hardware-accelerated rendering.
  • Support for HTML5 audio and video playback.
  • Background HTML5 audio playback.
  • Geolocation support.
  • New JavaScript engine.
  • New UI with URL bar at the bottom of the screen.
  • URL bar is now available in landscape mode.
  • Removal of Find on Page feature[24]
  • Moved the «tabs» button to a menu item under the application bar.
  • Security
  • Voice commands are now disabled when the device is locked.
  • Complex (alpha-numeric) PIN support.
  • Other changes
  • Internet sharing[25]
  • Battery saver: phone automatically disables power consuming services and applications running in the background if the battery is low. Also predicts time remaining on battery.
  • Ringtone manager with custom and downloadable ringtones.
  • The «People» tile has been reworked and is animated differently than before.
  • Search icon and quick jump list added to the application list.
  • Support for 16 new languages: Czech, Danish, Hungarian, Dutch (Netherlands), Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil, Portugal), Finnish, Swedish, Greek, Russian, Korean, Chinese (Traditional, Simplified), Japanese.
  • East Asian handwriting recognition.
  • Support for new languages and emoticons in on-screen keyboard.
  • Hidden WiFi network support.
  • Qualcomm MSM7X30 and MSM8X55 support.
  • Programs menu will have alphabetical options similar to the people functionality[26]
  • Power off now requires a swipe down gesture after holding down the power button for a few seconds.
  • Removal of «soft-on» alarm feature[27]
  • Modification of alarm sleep interval[28]
  • Development API changes and additions
  • Third-party application multi-tasking and fast application switching.
  • Support for background tasks and services/agents.
  • Expanded live tiles that can be updated without network connection and can have two sides which flip periodically.[29]
  • App Connect: third-party applications can integrate with Bing search, have multiple live tiles, and can have push notifications that link deep («Deep Toast») into various parts of the application directly.
  • Optional 32 bit color support for Silverlight applications with hardware dithering.
  • Silverlight 4 support.
  • Silverlight + XNA support in the same application screen.
  • Raw camera feed access for third-party applications.
  • New sensor API combines compass, gyroscope, and accelerometer.
  • Improved Listbox control with better scrolling performance.
  • Improved WebBrowser control with IE9 rendering engine and system-wide cookies access.
  • Clipboard API.
  • Hardware-accelerated video decoding in the MediaPlayer control.
  • TCP/IP and UDP sockets support.
  • Embedded database with LINQ (based on SQL Server Compact 4.0 engine, but without direct SQL execution).
  • Background file transfer agent.
  • Generational garbage collector.
  • NEON/SIMD support for XNA applications.
7.10.7740 2011
  • Fixed email issue in Microsoft Exchange Server 2003
  • Fixed voicemail notification issue.[30]
7.10.8107 (Refresh) 2011
  • LTE support
  • Fixed keyboard disappearing bug
  • Fixed location access issue
  • Other bugfixes[31]
7.10.8112 2012
  • Initial release for AT&T Nokia Lumia 900 & HTC Titan II.
7.10.8773.98 (Tango) June 28, 2012
  • Better media messaging
  • Ability to send ringtones via MMS
  • Export and manage contacts to SIM card
  • Support for low-cost devices with 256 MB RAM and low clock CPU.[32]
  • New wallpapers
  • Letter indexing
  • More reliable notifications
  • Attachment download with Microsoft Exchange 2003 Server
  • Faster numeric PIN response[33]
  • Location awareness icon[33]
  • Minor improvements and changes[34]

Also confirmed are 23 additional markets[35] including; Bahrain, Bulgaria, China, Costa Rica, Croatia, Estonia, Iceland, Iraq, Israel, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, Ukraine, Venezuela and Vietnam. This update will also include a Skype application.
The Nokia Lumia 610 and ZTE Orbit,[36] introduced at Mobile World Congress in 2012, are the first phones to run the Tango update.

7.10.8779.8
  • Fixes an issue with app purchases in some regions.
  • Changes default sync times for email.
7.10.8783.12
  • Provides other Windows Phone improvements.
Version Release date Changes

Windows Phone 7.8[edit]

Windows Phone 7.8 is the final major release of Windows Phone 7. It consists exclusively of user interface improvements backported from Windows Phone 8, as existing Windows Phone 7 devices can not be upgraded to due to changes to its architecture and hardware requirements. These include a home screen with the ability to resize live tiles, new accent color options, and an updated lock screen with support for Bing wallpapers. Unlike Windows Phone 8, the lock screen does not allow third-party apps to display notifications on it.[37][38]

Table of versions[edit]

Table of versions: Windows Phone 7.8
Version Release date Changes
7.10.8858.136 February 1–2, 2013
  • New start screen UI with customizable sizes of the tiles, as found in Windows Phone 8
  • New splash screen at startup, the phone displays the new logo of Windows Phone 8
  • New logo for basic applications such as Games, Office, Windows Phone Store
  • 20 accent colors (one for the manufacturer or the operator), as Windows Phone 8
  • Improved lock screen similar to Windows Phone 8, presence of dynamic wallpaper (Bing) notifications and probably third-party applications
  • Volume control problems[39]
  • Data consumption issues with certain apps[39]
7.10.8860.142 March 14, 2013
  • Intermediate update
  • Features «several quality improvements»
  • Enabled Tethering Wi-Fi in Samsung Omnia GT-I8350
7.10.8862.144 March 14, 2013
  • Fix for functionality issues with Live Tiles, such as Live Tiles not updating
  • Details of all updates included in this release at http://www.windowsphone.com/en-gb/how-to/wp7/basics/update-history
Version Release date Changes

Windows Phone 8[edit]

Windows Phone 8 logo

GDR1[edit]

General Distribution Release 1, a minor update known as Portico was rolled out in December 2012 that brought some improvements and bugfixes, including enhancements in Messaging, more efficient Bluetooth connectivity, and an «always-on» setting for WiFi connections, among other additional platform updates

GDR2[edit]

Microsoft rolled out a package of minor updates called General Distribution Release 2, beginning in July 2013 and spanning the following months, depending on the manufacturer and carrier. Along with this update Nokia released its own update which updated the firmware of the user, namely Lumia Amber, which was available for only Lumia phones. The update brought many camera improvements and fixed some bugs in the cameras of existing Lumia phones.

GDR3[edit]

On October 14, 2013, Microsoft released the third General Distribution Release update for Windows Phone 8, which would roll out to phones over the following months. Windows Phone Developers were among the first to receive the update under a new Developer Preview Program.

Table of versions[edit]

Table of versions: Windows Phone 8
Version Release date Highlights
8.0.9903.10
(Apollo)
October 29, 2012
  • Transitions to core components from Windows 8, including kernel, file system, drivers, network stack, security components, media and graphics support
  • Support for multi-core CPUs of up to 64 cores (system is currently optimized for Snapdragon S4 dual and quad core processors)
  • Support for WXGA (1280×720, 1280×768) resolutions
  • Support for MicroSD cards
  • Internet Explorer 10
  • Background multitasking (enhanced)
  • NFC support added, including payment and content sharing with WP8 and Windows 8 machines (NFC is partially supported in Tango update, e.g., ZTE Orbit)
  • Native code support (C and C++), simplified porting from platforms such as Android, Symbian, and iOS (Native code is also supported in WP7 for vendors, carriers and key partners)
  • Simplified porting of Windows 8 apps to Windows Phone 8 (compatibility with Windows 8 ‘Modern UI’ apps)
  • Carrier control and branding of «wallet» element is possible via SIM or phone hardware (Orange will be first)
  • Nokia map technology (Navteq maps with offline mode, turn-by-turn directions)
  • Native 128-bit Bitlocker encryption, Secure Boot
  • Remote device management of Windows Phone similar to management of Windows PCs
  • VoIP and video chat integration for any VoIP or video chat app (integrates into the phone dialer, people hub)
  • In-app purchases
  • Firmware over the air for Windows Phone updates
  • Minimum 18 month support of Windows Phone updates to WP8 devices
  • Camera app now supports «lenses», which allow third parties to skin and add features to camera interface
  • Camera burst mode that let users choose the best picture from a series of pictures
  • Camera panoramic setting using Microsoft’s PhotoSynth technology
  • Possibility to take screenshots
  • Deeper SkyDrive integration, including ability to sync data such as music collections
  • Data Sense tracks and reports data usage, lowers data usage when nearing pre-set data cap, enables compression of websites through cloud service, locates WiFi hotspots
  • Scrapped Zune desktop software for syncing
  • Kids corner
  • Rooms
  • Live Apps
8.0.10211.204
(GDR1)
December 11, 2012
  • Messaging improvements — multiple recipients when sending messages, automatically saving unsent drafts, possibility to edit forwarded messages[40]
  • Text replies to incoming calls
  • Internet Explorer improvements — prevent pictures from downloading automatically, possibility to delete selected sites from browsing history
  • Wi-Fi connectivity — option of keeping WiFi alive while screen is off, Wi-Fi network prioritization
  • Other unnamed improvements
8.0.10327.77

8.0.10328.78
(GDR2)
[41]

July 12, 2013
  • Google accounts. Windows Phone 8 now supports the CardDAV and CalDAV protocols that allow people to sync Google contacts and calendar information when they get new phones.
  • Xbox Music. Easier to select, download, and pin music. More accurate metadata and other performance improvements.
  • FM radio. Possible to listen to FM radio from the Music+Videos hub. (Not available for all phones.)
  • Data Sense. Possible to set a limit based on the data plan (already included since initial release for Verizon subscribers)
  • Skype. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) apps like Lync and Skype features improved stability and performance.
  • Internet Explorer. Better browsing experience with improved HTML 5 compatibility.
  • Camera. Set favorite Lens so it opens automatically when pressing the camera button. (Not available for all phones.)
  • Other improvements. Includes many other improvements to Windows Phone.
8.0.10512.142
8.0.10501.127
8.0.10517.150
8.0.10521.155
(GDR3)
[41][42]
October 14, 2013[43]
  • Support for large displays and start screen with six tiles across instead of four (only for supported devices)
  • 1080p screen resolution support
  • Support for Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 SoC (Quad-core CPU)
  • New Driving Mode feature to ignore texts, calls and quick status alerts, plus auto-reply via SMS to people trying to contact you
  • Accessibility improvements for visually impaired
  • Improved Internet Sharing (pair over bluetooth with Windows 8.1 devices and ICS is set up automatically)
  • Ability to leverage custom notification sounds, including instant messages, emails, voicemails, reminders and custom ringtones to contacts for text messages
  • Screen Rotation lock
  • Better storage management
  • Ability to close applications in app switcher
  • Wi-Fi access during phone set up
  • Bluetooth bug fixes and improvements to connection quality for Bluetooth accessories
  • «Hundreds of under-the-hood performance tweaks and enhancements»
8.0.10532.166 April 14, 2014
  • Preparation for Windows Phone 8.1 upgrade
Version Release date Highlights

Windows Phone 8.1[edit]

Windows Phone 8.1 logo

GDR1[edit]

General Distribution Release 1 (GDR1; also referred to as Update 1) adds new language and region support for Cortana, the option to organize apps into folders on the Start Screen, SMS forwarding of multiple messages, improvements to Xbox Music, a live tile for the Windows Phone Store and an option for sandboxing applications. In addition, Update 1/GDR1 also includes new VPN and Bluetooth features for enterprise users, as well as support for interactive cases such as HTC’s «Dot View» case, larger «phablet» screen resolutions such as 1280×800, 540×960 qHD and 1280×768 and the Qualcomm QuickCharge 2.0 standard.[44][45]

Microsoft has made several changes to Internet Explorer Mobile that brings the browser experience closer in line with the experiences on Safari (iOS) and Chrome (Android). To accomplish this, Microsoft moved away from open standards and adopted non-standard features used in Safari and Chrome, implemented browser detection, improved page rendering by detecting legacy WebKit features, brought support for HTML5, and fixed interoperability issues with bad HTML code.[46]

An example for the comparison of the changes made to the user-agent string in Update 1/GDR1 in order to overcome erroneous methods of browser detection and correctly deliver mobile content to Internet Explorer Mobile.[47][48]

IE11 on Windows Phone 8.1:
Mozilla/5.0 (Windows Phone 8.1; ARM; Trident/7.0; Touch; rv:11; IEMobile/11.0; NOKIA; Lumia 928) like Gecko
IE11 on Windows Phone 8.1 with Update 1/GDR1:
Mozilla/5.0 (Mobile; Windows Phone 8.1; Android 4.0; ARM; Trident/7.0; Touch; rv:11.0; IEMobile/11.0; NOKIA; Lumia 720) like iPhone OS 7_0_3 Mac OS X AppleWebKit/537 (KHTML, like Gecko) Mobile Safari/537

GDR2[edit]

Information regarding GDR2 (also referred to as Update 2) was released in February 2015 it was revealed that Microsoft was working on a 2nd update for Windows Phone 8.1 that would provide increased security for OEM’s, add extra languages and additional technology support and is also reported to bring an anti-theft mode.[49]

Table of versions[edit]

Table of versions: Windows Phone 8.1
Version Release date Highlights
8.10.12359.845
(Blue)
April 14, 2014 User Interface

  • Action Center showing either standard or silent toast notifications, accessed by swiping from top to the bottom
  • Quick settings access in action center with four (or five on large screens like 6 inch Nokia Lumia 1520[50]) configurable shortcuts to: Airplane mode, bluetooth, brightness, camera, internet sharing, location, project screen, Quiet Hours, rotation lock, VPN, Wi-Fi [items in this list cannot be changed]
  • Start screen backgrounds
  • Support for start screen live tile rows of up to 6 small or 3 medium live tiles[51]
  • ‘Cortana’ smart personal assistant, based on the Bing service [available only on limited number of markets]
  • Swipe down to close apps in multitasking view
  • Recently installed apps are annotated with ‘NEW’ in the app list[52]
  • Support for virtual on-screen buttons called ‘Navigation bar’ with custom background color selection
  • Gesture keyboard, that is, swipe across letters on keyboard to type (Shape Writing) [not available on all languages / keyboards types]

General user experience changes

  • Bing smart search (similar search system as Windows 8.1)
  • Back button doesn’t close application
  • Contact speed dialling
  • Ability to show only Contacts with phone number
  • Contacts with ‘Inner Circle’; up to 40 Contacts (requires Cortana support)
  • Double-Tap to unlock your phone (Feature from Lumia devices on Amber Update and newer)
  • Favourite photos by tapping a heart icon
  • General keyboard enhancements including show emoji when typing and recognize names of Contacts
  • In-call speech commands
  • Notification if charger isn’t of adequate power
  • Quiet Hours — Disable notifications during pre-selected time-frame or when ‘Busy’ in calendar (requires Cortana)[53]
  • Screenshot button combination is now Power + Volume Up
  • Search button will be the new way to open Speech (aka ‘Cortana’)
  • Separate volume controls for ringtones/notifications and music/media
  • Set default Voice Navigation app for the OS
  • Voice Narrator for Accessibility
  • File picker
  • Wi-Fi Sense: sharing secured Wi-Fi Networks with contacts if they have Wi-Fi Sense
  • Wi-Fi can auto re-enable after a set duration of time
  • Status bar with Signal strength, Wi-Fi, Battery etc. is always visible (doesn’t auto-hide)[52]
  • Phone history group repeat calls from a user annotated with number of calls[52]

New technology support

  • VPN (Virtual Private Network), auto-triggered VPN
  • Enterprise Wi-Fi support with EAP-TLS
  • Miracast; PlayTo and mirroring of Windows Phone screen to TVs and/or monitors
  • Bluetooth 4.0 LE (requires phone firmware support, temporarily removed from DP version)
  • Dual SIM
  • Mouse and keyboard (HID) (in fact there is no HID support in WP 8.1 currently, true HID support is expected in WP 8.1 GDR2 somewhere in middle of 2015)
  • Support for Qualcomm Snapdragon 200/400/400 LTE
  • Full support for TD-LTE and SGLTE

Internet Explorer 11

  • WebGL
  • Normal mapping
  • File uploads
  • File downloads to local storage
  • Password manager
  • Video player including HTML5 video support (video playback doesn’t have to be full screen)
  • Tab, history, favorites and password synchronization with Internet Explorer 11 in Windows 8.1
  • Forward and back by swiping right and left

Apps

  • Ability to install apps, save photos, app and game data on inserted SD Cards (apps on SD Cards only allowed from one originating phone)
  • Auto-updates for apps (like Windows 8.1), including when only on Wi-Fi
  • App Suggestions by location
  • Better backup functionality including app and game data to OneDrive (if developer enabled)
  • Battery power sense, monitors app battery usage
  • Battery Saver (under Battery Sense) will have an app exclusion list
  • Single sign-in for apps (like on Windows 8) with Microsoft Account; sign in will persist across devices + apps with permissions prompt
  • Podcast app powered by Bing, full featured
  • Facebook and OneDrive photos integration in photos app removed
  • Office apps support password protected documents
  • Office Lens support for scanning documents with camera, import into Office with OCR
  • OneDrive (previously SkyDrive) with integrated file browser (like Windows 8.1)
  • Twitter integrated more deeply into the contacts Hub
  • Updated calendar app with weather for days and week view
  • Updated camera app, similar to Windows 8.1, with burst mode.
  • Updated email app with ability to always download emails and pictures within them, sync with accordance to usage patterns
  • Updated messaging app with ability to mute thread
  • Xbox Music and Xbox Video as standalone apps instead of the Music + Video Hub (allowing more updates to be pushed)
  • Xbox Game Hub redesigned

System

  • Chkdsk for SD cards to ensure card health
  • The phone will have to update to the latest version before you can restore it to factory settings
  • Trusted app list for NFC that will remove the need for asking whether you want to open a particular app
  • Virtual SmartCard support
  • Wallet supports tickets, membership cards, and Passbook
  • Ability for operators to install certain applications once SIM card is detected
  • Ability for operators to control Data Sense limits remotely

Enterprise

  • S/MIME to sign and encrypt email
  • Enterprise enrolled phones can have their passwords changed and remotely locked
  • Access to corporate resources behind the firewall with app aware
  • Certificate management to enroll, update and revoke certificates for user authentication
  • Enhanced MDM policies to lock down functionality on the phone for more enterprise control, in addition to richer application management such as allowing or denying the installing of certain apps.

Developer features

  • Background tasks: Bluetooth signal strength, Chat message notification, Device connection change, Device use trigger, Gatt characteristic notification, Location, Push notification, Rfcomm connection, System event, Timer
  • Geofencing API for location-based reminders
  • Native HTML5/JavaScript app development support
  • Audio/video transcoding (same API as in WinRT), hardware accelerated
  • Media editing: audio and video effects; slow motion video
  • Apps can capture audio/video from themselves
  • New APPX app package format for new Windows Phone 8.1 apps, similar to Windows 8.1 APPX format
  • Stereoscopic 3D support
  • New developer tools including: SemanticZoom, DatePicker, TimePicker
8.10.12382.878 May 14, 2014
  • Intermediate update
  • Features «several quality improvements»
8.10.12393.890 June 2, 2014
  • Change in Boot Logo
  • Some minor bug fixes
  • Battery improvement
8.10.12397.895 June 12, 2014
  • Improvements to APIs
  • Enables new devices
8.10.12400.899 July 16, 2014
8.10.14141.167
8.10.14147.180
(GDR1)
[54][55]
August 4, 2014 Apps

  • New country support for Cortana; China, UK, Canada, India and Australia
  • Support for a store live tile when the tile is medium-sized
  • Store tile size has been standardized for all layouts and some tiles have changed places on the Start screen.
  • Improved Xbox music app and live tile support.
  • Support for app folders.
  • Enable phone cover apps to launch when a phone cover is closed and specify the default setting for the lock screen’s auto unlock setting.
  • SMS merge & forwarding
  • Apps Corner; specify which apps are displayed in a special sandboxed mode or boot straight to an app
  • Hundreds of Internet Explorer 11 enhancements that greatly increase compatibility with the mobile web[56]

General user experience changes

  • Add phone book entry for Cortana to allow users to initiate speech from a car that doesn’t have support for activating speech on the phone that is connected over Bluetooth.
  • USB action choices
  • User-customizable snooze settings for alarms
  • Improved selection, possibility to delete multiple calls, messages or contacts
  • Support for password protected office documents

New technology support

  • Dual SIM CDMA + GSM radio support
  • Bluetooth PAN (personal area network) 1.0 profile
  • Bluetooth aptX codec support for A2DP
  • Bluetooth browsing support for AVRCP
  • Bluetooth accessory notifications
  • Network Time Protocol support; automatically set the time using an NTP client in a Windows Phone device that doesn’t support NITZ or when cellular data is not available.
  • Voice over LTE (VoLTE) support
  • Support for Qualcomm Quick charge 2.0, up to 75% faster charging in supported devices (Snapdragon 400, 600 and 800)

Enterprise

  • Send and receive data through a virtual private network (VPN) when connecting to Wi-Fi hotspots
  • Support for L2TP VPN protocol with IPsec

OEM

  • Support for notification LED[55]
  • Support for custom lock screens
  • Support for 1280 x 800 WXGA resolution
  • 540 x 960 qHD resolution support for diagonal screen sizes up to 6″
  • 1280 x 768 WXGA resolution support for diagonal screen sizes of 6.01″ to 7
  • Possibility to install Wi-Fi Feature Pack which removes all cellular-related functionality from the operating system
8.10.14157.200 August 19, 2014
  • Bug Fixes
8.10.14176.243 September 24, 2014
  • Fixes error 80188308 some users were experiencing during update ( works in HTC 8X India model- in preview for developers )
  • HTC Windows Phones 8X, 8S, and 8XT will now be able to get the Windows Phone 8.1 Update
  • Fixes an Access Violation in «minuser» component which caused WinRT apps and WebViews to crash if scrolled by the user while (or 2–15 seconds after) loading, which was a regression introduced in the 8.1 Update 1 release (8.10.14147.180).
8.10.14192.280 October 24, 2014
  • Tests Microsoft’s ability to distribute a «Critical Update». Note that this update does not actually contain critical fixes — it’s just a test.
8.10.14203.306 November 13, 2014
  • «Critical Update» for unstated reasons
  • Allows for real-time Live Tile for the Battery Saver App (also allows you to add Battery Saver to the Quick Settings found in the Action and Notification Center)
  • Adds preferred install time for automatic updates
  • Made NTP time sync support enabled by default for CV devices (instead of rely on OEM to enable it)
8.10.14219.341 December 5, 2014
  • New country support for Cortana; Spain, France, Germany and Italy (alpha). (However, due to a widespread bug in the deployment, Cortana is not available for many users)
  • Cellular Data Toggle for Quick Settings access in Action Center.
  • Support for offline maps storage on MicroSD card
  • Hardware keyboard support
  • Ability to use the SD card storage space temporarily for OS updates (must be enabled in the ROM)
8.10.14226.359 December 24, 2014
  • Fixes screen issues on the Microsoft Lumia 535
8.10.14234.375 February 24, 2015
  • Fixes screen issues on the Microsoft Lumia 535 (not be solved with the previous update)
8.10.15116.125
(GDR2)
[57]
March 2, 2015 General user experience changes

  • Additional language support (Bangla, Khmer, Kiswahili, Lao)
  • All apps button at bottom of start screen
  • Ability to rename the phone from the About section, without the need for connecting to the PC via USB
  • Double-tap on navigation bar to turn off screen[58]
  • Settings categorized and searchable[59][60]

New technology support[61]

  • Bluetooth Message Access Profile
  • Bluetooth Human Interface Device Profile 1.1
  • Bluetooth HID over Generic Attribute Profile
  • Absolute Volume Control (part of AVRCP)
  • Video over LTE
  • MKV video container support[62]

Security features

  • Anti-theft reset protection[63]
  • Customizable app permissions for calendar, camera, contacts, messages and microphone[60]
8.10.15127.138 March 2015
  • Anti-theft reset protection (available only for new phones running build 8.10.15127.138)[64]
8.10.15135.146 March 2015
8.10.15137.148 March 2015
8.10.15143.154 April 2015
8.10.15145.156 April 2015
8.10.15148.160 May 2015
  • Voice over LTE support enabled for selected operators.
  • Native Wi-Fi calling support enabled for EE UK and T-Mobile USA.
  • Additional improvements to stability, audio quality, Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity, national roaming, and more.[65]
8.10.15153.165 June 2015
8.10.15155.167 July 2015
8.10.15156.168 January 2016
8.10.15165.177 August 2016
8.10.15172.184 March 2017
  • Only includes keyboard and speech files
8.10.15176.188 December 2017
  • Only includes keyboard and speech files
8.10.15185.197 November 2018
  • Only includes keyboard and speech files
8.10.15191.203 June 2019
  • Only includes keyboard and speech files
Version Release date Highlights

Windows 10 Mobile[edit]

Windows 10 logo

Windows 10 Mobile was announced on January 21, 2015, as a mobile operating system for smartphones and tablets with screens smaller than 8 inches, with the first build released on February 12, 2015.[66] It is the successor to Windows Phone 8.1[67] and replaced the Windows Phone brand, while Microsoft has since ceased active development of Windows 10 Mobile. Windows Phone 8.1 devices were eligible for upgrade to Windows 10, pursuant of manufacturer and carrier support.[68] Some features may have varied depending on hardware compatibility.[69]

See also[edit]

  • Android version history
  • BlackBerry 10 version history
  • Firefox OS version history
  • iOS version history
  • Palm OS version history
  • Sailfish OS version history
  • Symbian version history
  • Tizen version history

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  60. ^ a b «Hands on with Windows Phone 8.1 Update 2». WMPoweruser. March 2, 2015. Archived from the original on March 4, 2015. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
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  69. ^ «Yes, Windows 10 is Coming to Low-End Windows Phones». thurrot.com. Petri. February 9, 2015. Archived from the original on February 11, 2015. Retrieved February 11, 2015.

Выиграйте кроссовер FAW за покупки в приложении «Каталог Onlíner»

Провалы случаются у всех — как у начинающих компаний, так и у известных производителей. Иногда технологии, которые на первый взгляд кажутся прорывными, в реальной жизни таковыми не становятся. Но случается, что критике подвергается не определенная не сыскавшая популярности инновация, а целые продукты. Ниже — подробно о нескольких примерах, когда репутационные издержки заставляли производителей менять стратегии по разработке новых гаджетов на годы вперед. А иногда — и просто уходить с рынка.

В The Verge так кратко описывают провал целого направления в «смартфоностроении», основывающегося на ОС от Microsoft: «Компания потратила целые годы, тщетно пытаясь убедить разработчиков создавать приложения под Windows Phone, и в процессе разрушила Nokia. Сперва пришлось потратить $7,2 млрд на приобретение телефонного бизнеса этой компании, а после — списать покупку на неудачный эксперимент, попутно сократив тысячи рабочих мест и потратив на этом пути еще как минимум миллиард». 

В статье также вспоминают высказывание Билла Гейтса, считающего «отсутствие лидерства Microsoft в зарождении эпохи смартфонов самой большой ошибкой в ее истории». Но в целом выделить один фактор, повлиявший на неудачу Windows Phone, сложно. В сети, как правило, профильные издания указывают на несколько факторов, из-за которых ситуация сложилась так, как сложилась.

Например, по воспоминаниям одного из бывших инженеров Nokia, работавшего в компании в начале 2010-х, «Microsoft недооценила возможности Google и их сервисов — в частности, Gmail, карт и поисковой строки, оптимизированных именно для мобильных устройств».

«Очевидно, что к тому моменту Apple была на подъеме, и Microsoft знала это, — упоминает инженер. — Но Google являлась новичком в связанном с ОС бизнесе, и их еще не воспринимали серьезно, Android в то время был сырым. Но реальную ценность сервисам компании в Microsoft почувствовали, когда Google отрезала их от YouTubeMapsGmail — это заставило Windows Phone выглядеть дешево».

Второй причиной этот же сотрудник видит «неудачную Windows 8» — подробнее про десктопную ОС мы рассказывали здесь. «До Windows 8 WP вызывал любопытство у многих людей. После Windows 8 юзеры стали ассоциировать эти два продукта как недостойные, хотя их команды были довольно независимыми. И то, что было плохо сделано в Windows 8, не отражало того, как подобное реализовывалось в WP», — вспоминает инженер.

Преодолеть нелюбовь сообщества к Windows 8 (2012 года) у компании не сразу получилось даже в последующей Windows 10, вышедшей куда позже (2015-й). Но к тому моменту большинство пользователей мобильных устройств уже остановились либо на iOS, либо на Android. К тому же «молодые команды, выросшие на почве хейта к Microsoft, предпочитали делать свои стартапы для других платформ».

Чем все закончилось? Официально о прекращении поддержки в Microsoft заявили лишь в декабре 2019 года, наконец посоветовав владельцам аппаратов под управлением этой операционки перейти на устройства с Android или iOS. Хотя в действительности о разработке следующих версий мобильной системы, а тем более выпуске работающих на ней смартфонов речи не шло уже как три года.

В GSMArena добавляют: «последним из могикан» стало устройство под названием Lumia 650 (2016 года). Своей смартфонной ОС в Microsoft с того момента так и не сотворили — впрочем, как утверждают представители компании, уже и не хотели. Вместе с этим несколько «смартфонов» производитель впоследствии все-таки выпустил — правда, уже на Android.

Речь про Surface Duo с двойным экраном (его выпустили в 2020-м) и продолжатель, Surface Duo 2. Концептуально девайсы похожи, но вместо гибких дисплеев, использующихся в большинстве аналогов этого формфактора, в «сурфейсах» применили две традиционные плоские панели — скрепление идет через специальный шарнир.

Взрывающийся Galaxy Note 7, ставший кошмаром Samsung

Развернувшийся в 2016 году скандал с новым смартфоном Samsung, Galaxy Note 7, до сих пор входит в списки вроде «топ самых громких фейлов десятилетия» профильных изданий. Флагманский аппарат компании, понравившийся большинству обзорщиков и некоторым из успевших заполучить его пользователей, стал самовоспламеняться. Решить эту проблему у компании в краткие сроки так и не вышло — впоследствии ситуация повлияла на политику и принимаемые компанией технологические решения на годы вперед.

Galaxy Note 7 позиционировали как преемника Galaxy Note 5 — «шестую» номерную модель серии в Samsung решили пропустить. Обзоры СМИ и блогеров начали выходить 17 августа, большинство из них были крайне положительными. К плюсам устройства относили его дизайн, усовершенствованный скругленный по бокам экран, сканер радужной оболочки глаза, поддержку видео с широким динамическим диапазоном (HDR), а также ряд функций фирменного «пера» (стилуса), помещающегося внутрь корпуса.

Насколько популярным получилось устройство? Medium вспоминает, что только на родном для производителя корейском рынке всего за два дня оставили около двухсот тысяч предзаказов, что привело к задержке в поставках телефона в другие страны. «Но все это было еще до того, как взорвался первый телефон, вместе с частью репутации Samsung», — констатируют в The Verge.

К 1 сентября успели поступить сообщения о произвольном возгорании не менее 35 телефонов (по другим источникам, 90). Кто-то заявлял об ожогах, некто — о возгорающихся из-за смартфона автомобилях. В компании поспешили выступить с заявлением, в котором представители Samsung извинялись, говорили об отзыве моделей Note 7 (всего порядка двух миллионов) и обещали вскоре выпустить сменные рабочие устройства.

Но положение успело выйти из-под контроля — ситуация еще немного усугубилась, когда один из гаджетов загорелся в самолете. Множество крупных авиаперевозчиков тогда запретило перевозить новинку на собственных бортах. «Samsung попала во все мировые заголовки, но определенно не в хорошем смысле», — добавляют в издании.

Что назвали причиной возгорания модели? Все дело в аккумуляторных батареях. По словам представителей Samsung, заручившихся поддержкой в анализе проблемы независимых экспертов, к возгоранию приводили две основные причины — они связаны с недочетами в техпроцессе их сборки. В первом случае имел место дефект в верхней правой части батареи, вызывавший ее возгорание после повторного заряда/разряда. Во второй группе аккумуляторов осечку дал так называемый дефект положительного электрода, вызывавший короткое замыкание и, как следствие, возгорание.

Как в компании выходили из положения? Запустили программу по возврату всех Galaxy Note 7 (независимо от того, наблюдались ли проблемы с конкретным экземпляром), а также разослали специальное ПО, «делающее существующие бесполезными».

«Решение признать вину за возгорающиеся телефоны и заменить их на другие модели спасло репутацию компании», — говорят в The Verge. Впрочем, есть и альтернативный взгляд на корни проблемы. Некоторые инсайдеры полагают: на инженеров Samsung оказывалось серьезное давление по дедлайнам, из-за чего им якобы пришлось пойти на компромиссы и ускорить процесс вывода устройства на рынок — без должного уровня тестирования и выявления потенциально опасных последствий на ранних стадиях.

Мнение выше — всего лишь версия, подтверждать или опровергать которую компания вряд ли будет. Но ее отголоски заметны и сегодня. Одно из предположений гласит, что в нынешних смартфонах Samsung ускоренные зарядки ограничены мощностью в 40 Вт (чаще — в 25 Вт) неспроста. Возможно, использовать более мощные адаптеры (многие конкуренты перешли минимум на 67-ваттные) компания не спешит, как раз помня о неудачных батареях Galaxy Note 7.

Читайте также:

  • Три громких провала Apple, которые доказывают: ошибаться может кто угодно

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Microsoft-Preps-Windows-Phone-Event-for-November-7th

Windows Phone 7 phones advertised

Windows Phone is a mobile operating system developed by Microsoft, and is the successor to its Windows Mobile platform,[1] although incompatible with it.[2] Unlike its predecessor, it is primarily aimed at the consumer market rather than the enterprise market.[3] It was launched in Europe, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, the US, Canada, Mexico, and the EPAL region in the second half of 2010, and Asia in early 2011.[4] With Windows Phone, Microsoft offers a new user interface with its design language named Metro, integrates the operating system with third party and other Microsoft services, and controls the hardware on which it runs.[5]

History[]

Development[]

Windows phone 7

Metro UI

Work on a major Windows Mobile update may have begun as early as 2004 under the codename «Photon», but work moved slowly and the project was ultimately cancelled.[6] In 2008, Microsoft reorganized the Windows Mobile group and started work on a new mobile operating system.[7] The product was to be released in 2009 as Windows Phone, but several delays prompted Microsoft to develop Windows Mobile 6.5 as an interim release.[8]

Windows Phone was developed quickly. One result was that Windows Mobile applications do not run on it. Larry Lieberman, senior product manager for Microsoft’s Mobile Developer Experience, told eWeek: «If we’d had more time and resources, we may have been able to do something in terms of backward compatibility.»[9] Lieberman said that Microsoft was attempting to look at the mobile phone market in a new way, with the end user in mind as well as the enterprise network.[9] Terry Myerson, corporate VP of Windows Phone engineering, said, «With the move to capacitive touch screens, away from the stylus, and the moves to some of the hardware choices we made for the Windows Phone 7 experience, we had to break application compatibility with Windows Mobile 6.5.»[10]

Naming[]

The name ‘Windows Phone’ is a rebranding of Microsoft’s old mobile OS called ‘Windows Mobile’. Before the official announcement of ‘Windows Phone 7’, Microsoft began to refer to devices running Windows Mobile as «Windows Phones». Microsoft at first announced its new platform as «Windows Phone 7 Series» which initially came under criticism as being too wordy and difficult to say casually. Responding to this, on April 2, 2010 Microsoft announced that the «Series» would be dropped from the name, leaving the platform named Windows Phone 7.[11] The official statement on the matter was:

«Customers want a simpler way to say and use the name consistently. The important thing is keeping the focus on the Windows Phone brand, which we introduced in October and will continue investing in through Windows Phone 7 and beyond.»

Launch[]

In February 2010, a Microsoft press release listed the companies that would help make and operate Windows Phone. Many hardware makers were listed in the release.

Microsoft unveiled Windows Phone on February 15, 2010, at Mobile World Congress 2010 in Barcelona[12] and revealed additional details at MIX 2010 on March 15, 2010. The final SDK was made available on September 16, 2010.[13]

HP later decided not to build devices for Windows Phone, citing that it wanted to focus on devices for its newly purchased webOS.[14]

Windows Phone supports twenty-five languages and Windows Phone Marketplace allows buying and selling applications in 35 countries and regions.[15]

Partnership[]

Launch partners[]

On October 11, 2010, Microsoft’s CEO Steve Ballmer announced 10 devices operating Windows Phone, made by HTC, Dell, Samsung, and LG, with sales beginning on October 21, 2010 in Europe and Australia and November 8, 2010 in the United States. The devices were available on 60 carriers in 30 countries, with additional devices to be launched in 2011.[16]

Partnership with Nokia[]

Nokia-windows-phone-7

On 11 February 2011, at a press event in London, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and Nokia CEO Stephen Elop announced a partnership between their companies in which Windows Phone would become the primary smartphone operating system for Nokia.[17] The event was largely focused on creating «a new global mobile ecosystem», suggesting competition with Android and iOS by saying «It is now a three horse race». Integration of Microsoft services with Nokia’s own services were announced; specifically that Bing would power search across Nokia devices, and an integration of Nokia Maps with Bing Maps, as well as Nokia’s Ovi store being integrated with the Windows Phone Marketplace.[17] The partnership involves «funds changing hands for royalties, marketing and ad-revenue sharing», which Microsoft later announced was, «measured in billions of dollars.»[18] The first Nokia Windows phones, the Nokia Lumia 800 and Nokia Lumia 710, were announced in October 2011 at Nokia World 2011 event.[19][20]

Other OEM partners[]

Microsoft, on May 25, 2011, has announced expansion of partners who plan to release Windows Phone. Acer, Fujitsu, and ZTE, in addition to Nokia, released their first Windows Phones based on the first major upgrade to Windows Phone platform.[21]

Versions[]

Windows Phone 7[]

Windows Phone 7

Main article: Windows Phone 7

Windows Phone 7 was announced at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, on February 15, 2010, and released publicly on November 8, 2010 in the United States.

In March 22, 2011, was released the first feature update, called NoDo, which added CDMA support and Copy and Paste feature.

In September 27, 2011, Microsoft released Windows Phone 7.5 Mango. The update included a mobile version of Internet Explorer 9 that supports the same web standards and graphical capability as the desktop version, multi-tasking of third-party apps, Twitter integration for the People Hub, and Windows Live SkyDrive access. A minor update released in 2012 known as «Tango», along with other bug fixes, lowered the hardware requirements to allow for devices with 800 MHz CPUs and 256 MB of RAM to run Windows Phone.

Windows Phone 7 devices can not be upgraded to Windows Phone 8 due to hardware limitations. Windows Phone 7.8 was released as a stopgap update in 2013 to include some of the user interface features from Windows Phone 8.

Windows Phone 8[]

Windows Phone 8 logo

Main article: Windows Phone 8

Windows Phone 8 (codenamed Apollo) was announced in June 20, 2012, and publicly released in October 29, 2012. Windows Phone 8 replaced its previously Windows CE-based architecture with one based on the Windows NT kernel with many components shared with Windows 8.

Also, Windows Phone 8 introduced NFC technology, dual-core chipsets support, higher-resolution screens to the platform.

Windows Phone 8.1[]

Windows Phone 8

Main article: Windows Phone 8.1

Windows Phone 8.1 was announced on April 2, 2014, after being released in preview form to developers on April 10, 2014. New features added include a notification center, support for the Internet Explorer 11 web browser, with tab syncing among Windows 8.1 devices, separate volume controls, and the option to skin and add a third column of live tiles to the Start Screen. Starting with this release, Microsoft dropped the requirement that all Windows Phone OEMs include a camera button and physical buttons for back, Start, and Search.

Windows Phone 8.1 introduced Cortana, a voice assistant similar to Siri and Google Now. Cortana replaced the previous Bing search feature, and was released as a beta in the United States in the first half of 2014, before expanding to other countries in early 2015.

Windows 10 Mobile[]

Windows 10 logo

Windows 10 Mobile was announced on January 21, 2015, as a mobile operating system for smartphones and tablets running on ARM architecture. Its primary focus is unification with Windows 10, its PC counterpart, in software and services; in accordance with this strategy, the Windows Phone name has been phased out in favor of branding the platform as an edition of Windows 10, although it is still a continuation of Windows Phone, and most Windows Phone 8.1 devices can be upgraded to the platform.

Windows 10 Mobile emphasized software using the Universal Windows Platform (UWP), which allowed apps to be designed for use across multiple Windows 10-based product families with nearly identical code, functionality, and adaptations for available input methods. When connected to an external display, devices could also render a stripped-down desktop interface similar to Windows on PCs, with support for keyboard and mouse input. Windows 10 Mobile featured Skype message integration, updated Office Mobile apps, notification syncing with other Windows 10 devices, support for the Microsoft Edge web browser, and other user interface improvements. Microsoft developed a middleware known as Windows Bridge to allow iOS Objective-C and Android C++ or Java software to be ported to run on Windows 10 Mobile with limited changes to code.

With the diminishing interest and application development for the platform, Microsoft discontinued active development of Windows 10 Mobile in 2017, and the platform was declared end of life on January 14, 2020.

Features[]

User interface[]

Windows Phone features a new user interface, based upon Microsoft’s Windows Phone design system, codenamed Metro.[22] The home screen, called the «Start screen», is made up of «Live Tiles». Tiles are links to applications, features, functions and individual items (such as contacts, web pages, applications or media items). Users can add, rearrange, or remove Tiles.[23] Tiles are dynamic and update in real time — for example, the tile for an email account would display the number of unread messages or a Tile could display a live update of the weather.[24]

Several features of Windows Phone are organized into «hubs«, which combine local and online content via Windows Phone’s integration with popular social networks such as Facebook, Windows Live, and Twitter.[24] For example, the Pictures hub shows photos captured with the device’s camera and the user’s Facebook photo albums, and the People hub shows contacts aggregated from multiple sources including Windows Live, Facebook, and Gmail. From the Hub, users can directly comment and ‘like’ on social network updates. The other built-in hubs are Music and Video (which integrates with Zune), Games (which integrates with Xbox Live), Windows Phone Marketplace, and Microsoft Office.[24]

Windows Phone uses multi-touch technology.[24] The default Windows Phone user interface has a dark theme that prolongs battery life on OLED screens as fully black pixels don’t emit light.[25] The user may choose a light theme instead, and can also choose from several accent colors.[26] User interface elements such as tiles are shown in the user’s chosen accent color. Third-party applications can be automatically themed with these colors.[27][28]

Text input[]

Users input text by using an on-screen virtual keyboard, which has a dedicated key for inserting emoticons,[29] and features spell checking[29] and word prediction.[30] Users may change a word after it has been typed by tapping the word,[31] which will invoke a list of similar words. Pressing and holding certain keys will reveal similar characters. The keys are somewhat larger and spaced farther apart when in landscape mode. Phones may also be made with a hardware keyboard for text input.[32]

Messaging[]

Windows Phone combined messaging through «threads». Threads allow the Windows Phone user to engage with their contacts through Windows Live Messenger and Facebook Chat as well as traditional text messages. Text message can also be composed through voice recognition. Voice recognition allows speech to be converted to text message and also allows text message to be converted to speech which can be read aloud.

Web browser[]

Internet Explorer Mobile 9

Internet Explorer Mobile on Windows Phone.

Windows Phone 7.5 features a version of Internet Explorer Mobile with a rendering engine that is based on Internet Explorer 9.[33]

Internet Explorer on Windows Phone allows the user to maintain a list of favorite web pages and tiles linking to web pages on the Start screen. The browser supports up to 6 tabs, which can all load in parallel.[34] Other features include multi-touch gestures, a streamlined UI, smooth zoom in/out animations, the ability to save pictures that are on web pages, share web pages via email, and support for inline search which allows the user to search for a word or phrase in a web page by typing it.[35] Microsoft has announced plans to regularly update the Windows Phone web browser and its layout engine independently from the Windows Phone Update system.[36]

In a demo, Microsoft said that users will be able to stream YouTube videos from the browser. Clicking on a video from the mobile YouTube website will launch the video in a standalone app and will also add the YouTube video to the Music + Video Hub.[37]

Contacts[]

Contacts are organized via the «People hub«. Contacts can be manually entered into contacts or imported from Facebook, Windows Live Contacts, Twitter, and LinkedIn. A «What’s New» section show news feed and a «Pictures» section show pictures from those social networks made by the contacts. A «Me» section show the phone user’s own social networks status and wall, allow the user to update his status, and check-in to Bing and Facebook Places. Contacts can be added to the home screen by pinning them to the start. The contact’s «Live Tile» displays his social network status and profile picture on the homescreen and the contact’s hub displays his Facebook wall as well as all of the rest of his contact information and information from his other social networks.

If a contact has information stored on multiple networks, users can link the two separate contact accounts, allowing the information to be viewed and accessed from a single card.[38] As of Windows Phone 7.5, contacts can also be sorted into «Groups». Here, information from each of the contacts is combined into a single page which can be accessed directly from the Hub or pinned to the Start screen.

Email[]

Windows Phone supports Hotmail, Exchange, Yahoo! Mail, and Gmail natively and supports many other services via the POP and IMAP protocols. For the native account types, contacts and calendars may be synced as well. Users can also search through their email by searching in the subject, body, senders, and receivers. Emails are shown in threading view and multiple email inboxes can be combined or kept separate.

Multimedia[]

WPZuneHub

The Music + Video Hub on Windows Phone.

Zune for Windows Phone is a built-in application providing entertainment and synchronization capabilities between PC and Windows Phone.[39] The Windows Phone multimedia experience is divided into two distinct hubs, the «Music + Videos» hub and the «Pictures» hub, both of which are similar in appearance and functionality to that of the Zune HD.

The «Music + Videos hub» allows the user to access music, videos, and podcasts stored on the device, and links directly to the Windows Phone Marketplace to buy music, or rent it with the Zune Pass subscription service. When browsing the music by a particular artist, users are able to view artist biographies and photos, provided by the Zune Software.[29] This hub integrates with many apps that provide video and music service, including, but not limited to, iHeartRadio, Youtube, and Vevo. This hub also includes Smart DJ which compiles a playlist of songs stored on the phone similar to the song or artist selected.

The «Pictures hub» displays the user’s Facebook and Windows Live photo albums, as well as photos taken with the phone’s built-in camera. Users can also upload photos to social networks, comment on others photos, and tag photos on social networks directly from the Pictures hub.[29] Multi-touch gestures permit zooming in and out of photos.

Media support

According to Brandon Miniman’s test review for pocketnow.com, he stated «if Zune can play it, your Windows Phone 7 device can play it» — this refers to the supported playback of files.[40] The audio file formats, supported, include WAV, MP3, WMA, AMR, AAC/MP4/M4A/M4B and 3GP/3G2 as standards. The video file formats, supported, include WMV, AVI, MP4/M4V, 3GP/3G2 and MOV (QuickTime) standards. These supported audio and video formats would be dependent on the codecs contained inside them. It has also been previously reported that the DivX and Xvid codecs within AVI are also playable on the system.[41][42] Unlike the previous Windows Mobile operating system, there are currently no third-party applications for handling other video formats. The image file formats that are supported include JPG/JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIF and Bitmap (BMP).[43][44]

Games[]

Main article: List of Xbox Live games on Windows Phone

Xbox Live on Windows Phone provides some Xbox 360 features on Windows Phone devices by displaying the user’s avatar in a 3D fashion. Via «Games hub«, the users are able to interact with the avatar, view gamerscore and leaderboards, message Xbox Live friends, and Spotlight.[45] Multiplayer (turn-based) gaming with live multiplayer are also released.[46]
Microsoft has unveiled more than 50 premium Windows Phone Games titles at Gamescom that makes use of Xbox Live on mobile.[47] Xbox Live on Windows Phone currently doesn’t offer real-time multiplayer games, but will be added in the future.[48] Some key features of Xbox Live on Windows Phone include ability to be signed in simultaneously on the console and phone, send and receive messages between Console and Phone, unlock unique gamer points only available by purchasing the gaming title on the phone, etc.

Search[]

WP7Bing

The Bing application on Windows Phone.

Microsoft’s hardware requirements stipulate that every Windows Phone must have a dedicated Search button on the front of the device that performs different actions.[24] Pressing the search button while an application is open will allow users to search within applications that take advantage of this feature; for example, pressing Search in the People hub will let the users search their contact list for specific people.[49] This has been changed in Windows Phone 7.5 however — as the search button is reserved for Bing — so applications that previously used this feature (such as the Marketplace) now include soft search buttons.

In other cases, pressing the Search button will allow the user to perform a search of web sites, news, and map locations using the Bing application.[50]

Windows Phone also has a voice recognition function, powered by TellMe, which allows the user to perform a Bing search, call contacts or launch applications by speaking. This can be activated by pressing and holding the phone’s Start button.

Bing is the default search engine on Windows Phone handsets due to its deep integration of functions into the OS (which also include the utilization of its map service for location-based searches and queries). However, Microsoft has stated that other search engine applications can be used.[50][51][51]

Aside from location-based searches, Bing Maps also provide turn-by-turn navigation service to Windows Phone user and Local Scout shows interest points such as attractions and restaurants in the nearby area.

Bing Audio allows the user to match a song with its name and Bing Vision allows the user to match barcodes and tags with the product online.

Office suite[]

Microsoft Office Mobile 2010 hub

Microsoft Office Mobile on Windows Phone

The «Office hub» organizes all Microsoft Office apps and documents. Microsoft Office Mobile provides interoperability between Windows Phone and the desktop version of Microsoft Office. Word Mobile, Excel Mobile, PowerPoint Mobile, OneNote Mobile, and SharePoint Workspace Mobile allow most Microsoft Office file formats to be viewed and edited directly on a Windows Phone device.

Microsoft Office files from SkyDrive and Office 365, as well as files stored locally on the phone, can be accessed through the Office Hub. Office files are sorted by tiles: Word documents (blue tile), Excel spreadsheets (green tile), PowerPoint presentations (red tile), and OneNote documents (purple tile).

Multitasking[]

In Windows Phone 7, multitasking is limited to bundled apps. Starting with Windows Phone 7.5, a card-based task switcher can be accessed by pressing and holding the back button. The screenshot of last five open app are shown as cards. Apps can be kept running even when out of view through «Live Agents».[52] In other cases, apps are suspended and can be quickly resumed.

Sync[]

See also: Zune Software

Zune Software manages the contents on Windows Phone devices and Windows Phone can wirelessly sync with Zune Software. In addition to accessing on the Windows Phone devices, Zune software can also access the Zune Marketplace to purchase music, videos, and all apps for Windows Phone. While music and videos are both stored locally on the PC and on the phone, apps are only stored on the phone even if purchased from the Zune Software. Zune Software can also be used to update all Windows Phone devices. Although Zune Software is unavailable on Mac OS X operating system, Microsoft has released Windows Phone Connector which allow Windows Phone devices to sync with iTunes for Mac and iPhoto.[53][54][55]

Updates[]

WinPhoneUpdate

A test notification of an «update available» pop-up in the Windows Phone emulator.

According to Microsoft documentation, software updates will be delivered to Windows Phone users via Microsoft Update, as is the case with other Windows operating systems.[56] Microsoft had the intention to directly update any phone running Windows Phone instead of relying on OEMs or wireless carriers,[57] but on January 6th 2012, Microsoft changed their policy to let carriers decide if an update will be delivered.[58] The software component, called Windows Phone Update, exists both on the phone (for smaller updates, over-the-air) and in the Zune Software for Windows PCs (for larger updates, via USB connection). Users will be notified to attach their phones to a PC if such an update is required.[59] Microsoft has said that in the future, all updates, both large and small will eventually support over-the-air downloads.[60] Charlie Kindel, Program Manager for the developer experience of Windows Phone, confirmed that the update infrastructure system for Windows Phone was available and that Microsoft is «in a position where we have the systems in place to effectively and reliably deliver updates to (Windows Phone) users».[61]

Microsoft plans to regularly ship minor updates that add features throughout the year, and major updates once a year.[62]

All third-party applications can be updated automatically from the Windows Phone Marketplace.[63]

Advertising platform[]

Microsoft has also launched an advertising platform for the Windows Phone platform. Microsoft’s General Manager for Strategy and Business Development, Kostas Mallios, said that Windows Phone will be an «ad-serving machine», pushing advertising and brand-related content to the user. The platform will feature advertising tiles near applications and toast notifications, which will bring updating advertising notifications. Mallios said that Windows Phone will be able to «preserve the brand experience by going directly from the web site right to the application», and that Windows Phone «enables advertisers to connect with consumers over time».[64] Mallios continued: «you’re now able to push information as an advertiser, and stay in touch with your customer. It’s a dynamic relationship that is created and provides for an ongoing dialog with the consumer.»[65]

Bluetooth[]

Windows Phone supports the following Bluetooth profiles:[66]

  1. Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP 1.3)
  2. Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP 1.3)
  3. Hands Free Profile (HFP 1.5)
  4. Headset Profile (HSP 1.1)
  5. Phone Book Access Profile (PBAP 1.0)

Marketplace[]

Windows Phone Marketplace

Windows Phone Marketplace running on a Windows Phone

The Windows Phone Marketplace is used to digitally distribute music, video content, podcasts, and third party applications to Windows Phone handsets. The marketplace is accessible using the Zune Software client or the marketplace hub on devices (though videos are not downloadable through the marketplace hub and must be downloaded and synced through the Zune software).[67] The marketplace is managed by Microsoft, which includes an approval process.

Music and videos[]

Zune Marketplace offers 14 million songs up to 320 kbit/s in DRM-free MP3 format from the big four music groups (EMI, Warner Music Group, Sony BMG and Universal Music Group), as well as smaller music labels. It offers movies from Paramount, Universal, Warner Brothers, and other studios and also offer television shows from popular television networks.

Microsoft also offers Zune Pass music subscription service which allows subscribers to download an unlimited number of songs for as long as their subscription is active.

Applications and games[]

Development[]

Third party applications and games for Windows Phone must be based on XNA or a WP7 specific version of Silverlight[68] only.[69] For Windows Phone apps to be designed and tested within Visual Studio 2010 or Visual Studio 2010 Express editions, Microsoft offers Windows Phone Developer Tools as an extension. Windows Phone Developer Tools run only on Windows Vista SP2 and later.[70] Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 are not supported. Microsoft also offers Expression Blend for Windows Phone for free.[71] On November 29, 2009, Microsoft announced the Release to web (RTW) version of its Visual Basic .NET Developer Tool, to allow development in Visual Basic.[71]

Submission[]

Registered Windows Phone and Xbox Live developers can submit and manage their third party applications for the platforms though the App Hub web applications.[72] The App Hub provides development tools and support for third-party application developers. The submitted applications undergo an approval process for verifications and validations to check if they qualify the applications standardization criteria set by Microsoft.[73] The cost of the applications that are approved is up to the developer, but Microsoft will take 30% of the revenue (the other 70% goes to the developer).[74] Microsoft will only pay developers once they reach a set sales figure, and will withhold 30% tax from non-US developers, unless they first register with the United States Government’s Internal Revenue Service. Microsoft only pays developers from a list of thirty countries.[75] A yearly fee is also payable for developers wishing to submit apps.[76]

In order to get an application to appear in the Windows Phone Marketplace, the application must be submitted to Microsoft for approval.[75] Microsoft has outlined the content that it will not allow in the applications, which includes content it deems «sexually suggestive».

Hardware[]

Samsung Omnia 7

Samsung Omnia 7, on the 3 Austria network, running Windows Phone

Main article: List of Windows Phone devices

System requirements[]

Microsoft has said that it is issuing «tough, but fair» hardware requirements to manufacturers.[77]
All Windows Phone devices, at minimum, must include the following:[78][79]

Minimum Windows Phone device requirements
Capacitive, 4-point multi-touch screen with WVGA (480×800) resolution
ARM v7 «Cortex/Scorpion» – Snapdragon QSD8X50, MSM7X30, and MSM8X55
DirectX9 rendering-capable GPU
256MB of RAM with at least 8GB of Flash memory
Accelerometer, ambient light sensor, proximity sensor and Assisted GPS
FM radio tuner
Six (6) dedicated hardware buttons – back, Start, search, 2-stage camera, power/sleep and volume buttons[80]

Until November 7th, 2011 camera, compass and gyroscope had been required.[81][82]

Reception[]

Reviews[]

Reception to Windows Phone has been generally positive which Engadget and Gizmodo felt were notable omissions in a modern smartphone OS which has largely been addressed in the Mango update. ZDNet praised the OS’s virtual keyboard and noted the excellent touch precision as well as powerful auto-correct and revision software.[29][83] The touch responsiveness of the OS has also been universally praised by all three sites with reviewers noting the smoothness of scrolling and gestures like pinch to zoom in web browsing.[84]

The reception to the «Metro» UI and overall interface of the OS has also been highly praised for its style, with ZDNet noting its originality and fresh clean look.[85] Engadget and ZDNet applauded the integration of Facebook into the People Hub as well as other built in capabilities, such as Windows Live, etc.

[]

According to Gartner, 1.7 million smartphones using a Microsoft mobile OS were sold world wide in the second quarter of 2011, for a 1.6% market share.[86] In the third quarter of 2011, WP7’s world wide market share dropped slightly to 1.5%.[87]

Studies carried out by Nielsen Company indicated that in the US, WP7 achieved a smart phone market share of 1% each in the periods March to May,[88] and May to July 2011.[89] For Q3 2011, Nielsen reported a US market share of 1.2% for WP7,[90] which rose to 1.4% in Q4 2011.[91]

Awards[]

Windows Phone was presented with a total of three awards at the 2011 International Design Excellence Awards; Gold in Interactive Product Experience, Silver in Research and Bronze in the Design Strategy.

«The Windows Phone 7 was built around the idea that the end user is king. The design team began by defining and understanding the people who would use this phone. It was convinced that there could be a better user experience for a phone, one that revolves more around who the users are rather than what they do. The Windows Phone 7 lets users quickly get in, get out and back to their lives.»[92]

At the awards ceremony, Windows Phone 7 was given «the noteworthy People’s Choice Award, an award handed to the favorite IDEA 2011 gold award winner.»[93]

it’s very good admit card and answer key …

See also[]

  • List of Windows Phone devices
  • Metro (design language)
  • Microsoft Silverlight
  • Microsoft XNA
  • Mobile operating system
  • Zune HD
  • Windows Mobile
  • Xbox Live
  • Windows 8

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  92. «Windows Phone Wins Three IDEA Awards».
  93. «Windows Phone wins IDEA 2011 – people’s choice design award».

External links[]

  • Windows Phone official website (archived 2012-10-11)
    • Windows Phone at Windows Mobile Developer Center (archived 2012-10-22)
    • Popular Windows Phone downloads at Microsoft Download Center
  • Windows Phone and Windows Phone version history at Wikipedia

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Wikipedia

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Microsoft Windows family

Versions • Components • History
Original
DOS-based
Windows 1.0 • Windows 2.0 • Windows 2.1 (Windows/286 • Windows/386) • Windows 3.0 • Windows 3.1
Windows 9x
Windows 95 • Windows 98 • Windows Me
Windows NT
Early versions
Windows NT 3.1 • Windows NT 3.5 • Windows NT 3.51 • Windows NT 4.0 • Windows 2000
Client
Windows XP (development) • Windows Vista (editions • development) • Windows 7 (editions • development) • Windows 8 • Windows 10 • Windows 11
Windows Server
Server 2003 • Server 2008 (2008 R2) • HPC Server 2008 • Home Server • Small Business Server • Essential Business Server • Windows Server 2012 • Windows Server 2016 • Windows Server 2019 • Windows Server 2022
Specialized
Windows Embedded • Windows PE • Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs
Mobile
Windows Mobile • Windows Phone
Cancelled
Cairo • Nashville • Neptune • Odyssey • Windows 10X
Related
Metro • Midori • OS/2 • Windows Aero • Windows Setup • Windows XP themes • Microsoft Plus!

На днях из Microsoft Store исчез последний смартфон на Windows. Формально кончина этой системы датирована ещё осенью прошлого года, но затухание было плавным и унизительным: остатки телефонов продавали со скидками до 60%, а их всё равно покупали крайне медленно и неохотно, — кому нужны девайсы с мёртвой ОС?

Почему-то считается, что Microsoft делала слабую и бесперспективную платформу. Эту легенду выдумали те, кто даже не прикасался к смартфонам на WP и судил о них лишь по скудной статистике продаж. Действительно — на рынке гаджеты тотально проваливались, но основная причина краха точно не в качестве.

Всё гораздо сложнее.

Уникальная ОС

Фото © AP Photo/Richard Drew

Фото © AP Photo/Richard Drew

Из-за смерти Windows Phone стоит взгрустнуть хотя бы потому, что её создатели стремились одновременно к простоте и оригинальности. Более того, у них частично получалось реализовать свои идеи. Интерфейс всех версий WP был настолько удобным и понятным, что им до сих пор вдохновляется даже Apple: например, карточки с большими шрифтами в новой версии Music — явный привет из мира Windows.

Ещё один плюс почившей ОС — оптимизированность. Всего четыре года назад в каждом салоне связи имелся стенд с гаджетами на WP — так вот, даже за шесть-семь тысяч можно было купить условную Lumia 520, которая бы вообще не тормозила, держала заряд пару дней и терпимо фотографировала. Стоит ли напоминать, какой невыносимый шлак тогда предлагали за те же деньги Android-производители?

Третий плюс затонувшей платформы — экосистема. Microsoft добилась того, что планшеты, смартфоны и компьютеры на Windows синхронизировались так же круто, как iOS и mac OS у Apple. Многочисленные Android-вендоры пока далеки от этой цели — они стараются, но безрезультатно.

Другое дело, что вышеперечисленные преимущества так и не помогли Microsoft, — система всё равно померла.

Создавая Windows Phone, в Редмонде изначально сделали ставку на два фактора: влиятельность бренда и примитивное управление, очевидное и для детей, и для пенсионеров.

С первым пунктом сразу же вышла катастрофа — к моменту релиза WP большинство пользователей уже подсело на iOS и Android, поэтому словосочетание Windows Phone их ни капельки не возбуждало. Тем более из памяти ещё не выветрилась ужасная Windows Mobile, заточенная под стилусы и очень терпеливых людей (там всё тормозило).

Расчёт на примитив тоже не оправдался. Да, телефоны не глючили, но, когда пришло время как-то развивать систему и выводить её за рамки привычных «плиток», оказалось, что сделать это изящно не выйдет. То ли боссы Microsoft сами не хотели перегружать интерфейс, то ли разработчики запороли задачу, но факт остаётся фактом: в WP прекрасно работало всё, что было заявлено, вот только сам список функций выглядел откровенно смешным на фоне тех же iOS и Android.

Во многом поэтому смартфоны на Windows Phone приобретались либо фанатами Microsoft (такие тоже существуют), либо в подарок нетребовательному юзеру: школьнику, старику, далёкому от техники человеку — не суть.

Фото © AP Photo Ted S. Warren

Фото © AP Photo Ted S. Warren

В чём главная трагедия Microsoft?

Чтобы перетянуть к себе народ на почти сформировавшемся рынке, нужно инвестировать, рекламироваться, прогрессировать и безжалостно гасить конкурентов. В Microsoft, быть может, это понимали, но расставили приоритеты иначе: сначала захотели допилить систему до идеального состояния, а уже потом заняться приложениями и поиском партнёров.

Теперь ясно, что этот план сразу же стоило спустить в канализацию и с первых же версий Windows Phone интенсивно искать тех, кто будет выпускать для неё программы и телефоны.

Что в итоге? С приложениями всё было настолько тоскливо, что даже «Инстаграм» (!) сначала долго не выходил, а затем всё же появился, но обновлялся раз в год, — например, там отсутствовала опция записи видео.

Фактически из-за лени и жадности Microsoft осознанно отсекла гигантскую аудиторию, которой нужен полноценный, а не кастрированный «Инстаграм». И такой же мрак царил со всем остальным: с играми, с популярными программами, с какими-то важными утилитами. Пока App Store и Play Market ломились от контента, магазинчик Microsoft обрастал пылью. И компания с этим ничего не делала — попытки простимулировать разработчиков были редкими, скромными и, как правило, безрезультатными.

Выпуск телефонов — ещё одна замечательная тема. В своё время Microsoft купила Nokia, чтобы снова сделать её великой. С технической точки зрения к моделям Lumia было не прикопаться: им доставались отличные корпуса, качественная сборка, шикарные камеры и вменяемое железо. Но зачем из названий убрали слово Nokia, не понимает никто: как показывает сегодняшний опыт возродившейся компании, бренд по-прежнему силён и примагничивает покупателей. А Lumia — нет: никто ведь не слышал про Lumia 3310, Lumia N-Gage или Lumia N70.

Впрочем, Microsoft никто не мешал параллельно с презентациями новых «люмий» договориться с другими топовыми производителями, чисто чтобы распространить ОС по миру. Но список партнёров вызывает лишь смех: HTC, HP, Alcatel — только они вписались в авантюру с WP.

Остальным это было не надо, а Microsoft и не настаивала — сдаться всегда проще.

Фото © AP Photo/Santi Palacios

Фото © AP Photo/Santi Palacios

Почему исчезновение непопулярной ОС — это плохо?

В Microsoft, кажется, до сих пор не осознают, насколько важный сегмент они упустили, когда махнули на смартфоны рукой и признали поражение в гонке с iOS и Android. Босс компании Сатья Наделла периодически обещает вернуться на рынок с каким-то феерическим девайсом (у него даже есть кодовое имя — Surface Phone), но пока что эти идеи далеки от реализации.

Есть концепты, чертежи и патенты, но гаджет ещё даже не в зародыше. По слухам, Surface Phone будет складным смартфоном, однако Apple, Samsung и другие гиганты уже активно изучают потенциал этого форм-фактора. Значит, Microsoft снова придётся нелегко: шансов выпустить хитовый телефон с нуля и так критически мало, а с мощными конкурентами и подавно.

Для обычных пользователей смерть Windows Phone тоже довольно печальна. Microsoft — одна из немногих IT-компаний в мире, которая могла бросить достойный вызов iOS и Android. Очень жаль, что в Редмонде так бездарно капитулировали: с третьей системой, особенно если бы она всё же набрала популярность, рынок был бы гораздо бодрее и прогрессивнее.

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