Microsoft CEO Nadella says that there will be more Windows Phones coming in the future

by Alan Friedman

May 03, 2017, 11:14 AM

Microsoft CEO Nadella says that there will be more Windows Phones coming in the future

A few days ago, we pointed out how the latest version of Microsoft's 10Q document filed with the SEC appeared to call "time of death" for Windows Phone. In a section of the document listing current business activities, Windows Phone no longer appeared after it had showed up in the previous quarter's 10Q. With a microscopic market share and no new Microsoft branded Lumia phones released since 2015, it has been left to third party manufacturers like HP and Alcatel to keep Windows 10 Mobile alive.

In a published interview with MarketPlace, Microsoft CEO Satya Nardella says that Microsoft will return to the hardware business when it comes to smartphones. But he added that these would be devices that break the mold, like the Surface line did. (Hmm, Surface Phone anybody?). The executive explained that Microsoft is still in the smartphone business with its iOS and Android apps. And of course, there is that portfolio of Android patents that brings home the bacon.

When it comes to hardware, Nadella makes it clear that Microsoft is looking for something new. "So in some sense when you say will we’ll (sic) make more phones, I’m sure we’ll make more phones, but they may not look like phones that are there today," the CEO said.

"We make phones today, we have OEMs like HP making phones and others and we picked a very specific area to focus on which is management, security, and this one particular feature that we have called Continuum, which is a phone that can even be a desktop...and at this point, we’re making sure that all of our software is available on iOS and Android and it’s first class, and we’re looking for what’s the next change in form and function. What we’ve done with Surface is a good example. No one before us thought of 2-in-1s and we created that category and made it a successful category to the point where there are more 2-in-1s coming. And that’s what we want to do."-Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft

There has been speculation about an ARM powered Surface Phone that would run apps using the full version of Windows 10, but this is something that might not be ready until 2020 at the earliest. Based on Nadella's comments, perhaps we shouldn't say that Windows Phone is dead at all but is merely in suspended animation awaiting a new design and new features to be brought back to life.

source: MarketPlace via MSPoweruser.com

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110 Comments

1. nh1402

Posts: 138; Member since: Oct 30, 2013

Hopefully they're only forced upon their employees.

posted on May 03, 2017, 11:15 AM 5

2. TreyTreyTaylor

Posts: 728; Member since: Dec 21, 2010

They have to hang it up. Seriously.

posted on May 03, 2017, 11:21 AM 4

10. yann

Posts: 614; Member since: Jul 15, 2010

They already did it. Windows phone is crippled eco system. An OS without developer support is dead anyway. That's windows since last few years. One by one all apps are gone or abandoned without support and updates. Viber is awful all the way in windows. Booking is gone. Even MS own Health&Fitness app is closed!!! No words for the dead one. Let him R.I.P.

posted on May 03, 2017, 12:29 PM 8

38. krystian

Posts: 423; Member since: Mar 16, 2016

They did hang it up. I think people misunderstand what he is saying. MS is simply waiting for the next big tech adoption to occur. They are building their entire OS around the idea that any new tech that comes to fruition by other companies, they can jump on it without worrying about rewriting a completely new OS for it and building out an ecosystem. AR is going to be huge. This will help MS build out a proper ecosystem. They have postponed hololens for consumers to make it better and wait for other companies to release theirs too. This way they are not too early like they always used to be, or they are not too late. They perfect their product based on trends instead of rushing to get something out. They rushed the tablet. The world wasn't ready for it. Theirs was way too complex. They were techies. Steve jobs was a salesman. He had to convince people why they need a computer back when woz built one. That was his job. He didn't tell them specs or this or that, he had to do something that a dumb user can understand. MS needs to tweak their tile interface to make it more modern. It has been sitting the same for years and it's a chaotic mess unless you go and spend a lot of time configuring it. People don't want to do that. Only techies do it.

posted on May 03, 2017, 5:03 PM 0

78. xq10xa

Posts: 810; Member since: Dec 07, 2010

Dear god..........stop it MS. Please just stop it. javascript:;

posted on May 04, 2017, 12:28 PM 0

3. danny_a2005

Posts: 366; Member since: Oct 06, 2011

I don't want to be hateful, but this is not their market, what a waste of time and resources for the company

posted on May 03, 2017, 11:22 AM 2

4. PHYCLOPSH

Posts: 656; Member since: Jun 28, 2014

Satya can speak for himself (and his posterior). There won't be any 2-in-1's coming anywhere near my orifices...

posted on May 03, 2017, 11:26 AM 0

5. 87186

Posts: 312; Member since: Aug 01, 2014

just...just stop, MS.

posted on May 03, 2017, 11:44 AM 1

21. SIGPRO

Posts: 2817; Member since: Oct 03, 2012

Why should they stop? Windows on phones exist longer than Android and iOS......guess you did not know that! The Surface line is awesome already the best tablets around. It even crippled ipads!

posted on May 03, 2017, 2:04 PM 1

29. Mxyzptlk unregistered

No one said anything about Android and iOS existing longer. Nice deflection. Windows Mobile is facing the same fate webOS, Blackberry, Palm, and other OS that either fell victim to time because they couldn't stay relevant or because they just couldn't cut it. The Surface line is capable, but A. They're full versions of Windows in tablet form and B. They're expensive. Why else do you think schools and businesses are using the iPad and Chromebooks?

posted on May 03, 2017, 4:49 PM 2

46. TechieXP1969

Posts: 14967; Member since: Sep 25, 2013

Loads aren't cheap. Neither are MacBook or the Air. The surface does way more for less money or same money. The reason the iPad is being used is because you don't need a full PC for simple class work. That do2smt mean MS can't compete.

posted on May 03, 2017, 8:39 PM 0

57. Mxyzptlk unregistered

Loads aren't cheap? This guy is either pretty drunk or pretty senile.

posted on May 04, 2017, 11:39 AM 0

51. Podrick

Posts: 1285; Member since: Aug 19, 2015

The "expensive" problem might be solved with the upcoming Windows 10 on ARM. If done right and I think they will during 2nd generation of the product, that'll be a big boost in sales for Microsoft.

posted on May 03, 2017, 10:29 PM 0

59. Mxyzptlk unregistered

We will see. I think it's a great tablet, but too expensive.

posted on May 04, 2017, 11:44 AM 0

34. meanestgenius

Posts: 22871; Member since: May 28, 2014

They shouldn't stop at all. And with the Surface line, Microsoft has done something that no other tablet maker has been able to do, and that's stop the progression of the iPad in the tablet space. Apple needs to add some type of innovative feature to the iPad, or its going to keep sinking in the tablet space. Even Chromebooks are quickly replacing iPads in the the education system.

posted on May 03, 2017, 4:57 PM 3

58. Mxyzptlk unregistered

Of course, no one is rushing out to buy a Playbook because those were pretty awful and not very useful. At with the iPad, the optimization and syncing of accounts is pretty seamless despite what some ignorant people will say. I think we can say the education system failed them.

posted on May 04, 2017, 11:43 AM 0

70. meanestgenius

Posts: 22871; Member since: May 28, 2014

*At least... Lol, so much pain in your comment because iPads are going downhill in the tablet market and the education market.

posted on May 04, 2017, 11:59 AM 0

83. Mxyzptlk unregistered

*Who cares? Really now? http://www.phonearena.com/news/The-Apple-iPad-remained-the-most-popular-tablet-in-the-world-during-Q1-Samsung-draws-nearer_id93761 You were saying?

posted on May 05, 2017, 3:11 PM 0

90. meanestgenius

Posts: 22871; Member since: May 28, 2014

*You care. Yes, really. "Even though Apple shipped 13% fewer iPad tablets year-over-year globally during the first calendar quarter....." "For Apple, this was the 13th straight quarter with lower year-over-year iPad shipments." Those quotes are from the link you provided. Thanks for posting a link which proves my point. Saved me some precious minutes. ;D

posted on May 05, 2017, 4:14 PM 0

97. Mxyzptlk unregistered

*I don't. No, not really. The tablet market overall is diminishing. Only the iPad remains the tablet to still make an impact, which was the point of my link. Man you are clearly incompetent, so maybe you should take some of that saved time and get yourself a clue or two.

posted on May 06, 2017, 10:40 AM 0

104. meanestgenius

Posts: 22871; Member since: May 28, 2014

*You do. It says right there in didgal ink that iPad sales are falling, and have been falling for quite some time. Reading comprehension is clearly not your strong suit. The fact that you're trying to disprove what is already a proven fact shows how you're just an inbred trolling Apple shill like I've been saying. The level or incompetence from you is astounding.

posted on May 06, 2017, 11:21 AM 0

79. 87186

Posts: 312; Member since: Aug 01, 2014

I actually did...I worked for Verizon while in college. started in 2006 before iOS and Android even debuted. used a Moto Qm, Samsung Omnia, HTC hero...I mean I could go on the point isnt what's been out longest. MS themselves focuses on other platforms BEFORE their own. Nadella even said it in this very article - "...and at this point, we’re making sure that all of our software is available on iOS and Android and it’s first class" so please, spare me the smug response. I used to be an avid WP user until last year when I switched to iOS because I was tired of my unsupported HTC M8

posted on May 04, 2017, 3:32 PM 0

6. ryandt220

Posts: 13; Member since: Jul 11, 2015

How long are we going to continue flirting with the idea that a full version of Windows on a phone is a good idea? Using Windows 10 on a tablet, especially a Surface, is just not a good experience.

posted on May 03, 2017, 11:46 AM 6

47. TechieXP1969

Posts: 14967; Member since: Sep 25, 2013

How is not? Just because it isn't a boring UI like iOS?

posted on May 03, 2017, 8:43 PM 1

60. Mxyzptlk unregistered

Or a laggy UI like TouchWiz?

posted on May 04, 2017, 11:44 AM 0

7. GreenMan

Posts: 2702; Member since: Nov 09, 2015

The Windows Mobile boat doesn't seem like it will float anytime soon...!!! Anyhow, according to various rumors; the next version of Windows Phone/Mobile will run the full-blown desktop OS... And since Windows 10 now support ARM Architecture, it further supports the 'theory' that it might actually happen in a few years... But... Even though it does sound pretty intriguing; what about battery life...? What about performance...? And what about the user interface...? Now, squeezing a full-blown OS into the dimensions of a tablet was indeed a smart move considering the fact that it 'unexpectedly' killed The Behemoth; The iPad (Apologies for bringing Apple in an irrelevant article, can't help myself...!)... But smartphones...? I doubt it, really... Any desktop 'software' (as opposed to 'app') would be absolutely unusable on such a tiny screen... Okay, people are not going to use it on their screens but on a full sized monitor via Continuum but... In a world of Android TVs and Cloud Syncing, the need of Continuum (Or Dex) is rather moot... Anyhow, old fingers crossed... Lets hope I live long enough to see how it goes...! G'Day!

posted on May 03, 2017, 11:51 AM 4

48. TechieXP1969

Posts: 14967; Member since: Sep 25, 2013

No one is talk g about using Windows on a phone. They are talking taking said pbone ata Hong it to a display and using Windows like you not play do. Why can't you guys think outside the box? Samsung Dex is just a small sample of what will happen

posted on May 03, 2017, 8:45 PM 0

8. Mxyzptlk unregistered

Windows Phone is dead. They are seriously beating a dead horse here like another company.

posted on May 03, 2017, 11:51 AM 2

9. clevelandiskindacool

Posts: 37; Member since: Jul 03, 2012

Microsoft probity holds many patents on upcoming tech in which they see the cell phone market using. So by "windows phones" they mean "making money off of manufactures"

posted on May 03, 2017, 11:51 AM 0

13. Mxyzptlk unregistered

So they're going to be a patent troll and sue others companies for reinventing the hamburger? When your own platform is dead and you can't make it in the market dominated by Android and iOS, sue.

posted on May 03, 2017, 12:48 PM 0

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