We continue to support the platform, Windows boss says

May 25, 2016 09:29 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft has announced a new round of layoffs impacting its mobile business, but in an email sent to employees this morning, Terry Myerson, Executive Vice President of the Windows and Devices Group, says that this isn’t by any means the end of the Windows Phone platform.

Myerson explains that the company remains committed to supporting Windows handsets in the future, adding that although “the phone success has been limited,” the company needs to “be more focused in the phone hardware efforts.”

Although Myerson hasn’t specifically said it, today’s changes could pave the way for the Surface Phone, a device that’s expected to see daylight in the spring of 2017 and run Windows 10 Mobile. The Microsoft executive reiterates the message offered last week, after the sale of the feature phone business, hinting that no new Lumia models would be launched, but suggesting that something “great” would indeed come at some point.

“We always take care of our customers, Windows phones are no exception. We will continue to update and support our current Lumia and OEM partner phones, and develop great new devices,” he says.

Continued focus on iOS and Android apps

Myerson goes on to explain that both Android and iOS would remain key focuses for its mobile efforts, as they plan to improve their products already available on these platforms.

“Our company will be pragmatic and embrace other mobile platforms with our productivity services, device management services, and development tools - regardless of a person’s phone choice, we want everyone to be able to experience what Microsoft has to offer them,” he states.

Microsoft has often been accused of focusing too much on rival platforms and bringing apps here first, despite the fact that the company should have supported its own operating systems. This isn’t going to change in the short term, as Microsoft bets big on the large userbase on both Android and iOS to bring more customers for its services.

In the end, the message is as clear as it could be: Microsoft is reorganizing in mobile, but the platform isn’t done yet. Read the full email from Terry Myerson in the box below.

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