14 DAY TRIAL // Wileyfox is a company that took everyone by surprise last week when it announced at IFA 2017 that it launches a Windows phone, especially because the device lands at a time when even Microsoft itself appears to be giving up on its own mobile platform.
But Wileyfox says that things aren’t that bad, as the device that it markets specifically for enterprises was developed with Microsoft’s help, which should be an indication that the software giant still believes in the mobile operating system.
Wileyfox told WindowsArea (in German) on the sideline of IFA that the idea behind the so-called Wileyfox Pro was to build a powerful device that would be specifically aimed at companies not having a budget for the more-expensive iPhone. With an affordable phone, both Wileyfox and Windows 10 Mobile could increase market share, even though it goes without saying that at 249 euros, most companies would be more tempted to choose an Android device rather than Windows 10 Mobile.
Large companies testing the Windows phone
The company, however, says that despite the criticism, Microsoft does have a mobile strategy, even though no specifics were provided. Wileyfox says the Redmond-based software giant has so far been “the best partner” it ever worked with, albeit once again no details were offered as to how the firm helped create the smartphone.
It appears that in addition to Microsoft, some other companies are supporting the Wileyfox Pro, including large firms in the United Kingdom, some of which have pledged to at least give a try to the smartphone internally, probably to determine if it’s worth adopting it for own employees.
One such name is Vodafone Group, which will soon start a pilot program for Wileyfox Pro, and if everything goes right, the company could be the first large customer switching to Windows phones.
Of course, everything sounds really great on paper, but this doesn’t change anything when it comes to the future of Windows 10 Mobile, if Microsoft itself doesn’t actively support the platform.