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Let’s Chat: What Went Wrong with Windows Phone?

Is it the lack of apps? Is it the devices? You tell us

Mar 23, 2017 22:50 GMT  ·  By
Windows 10 Mobile expected to collapse to 0 percent share
   Windows 10 Mobile expected to collapse to 0 percent share

Windows Phone/Windows 10 Mobile is collapsing, there’s no doubt about that, and forecasts from various research companies estimate that, in just a few years, the platform should drop to 0.0 percent market share, with the smartphone world to be divided into two different sides: Android and iOS.

As for the reasons behind the decline of Windows phones, many believe it’s because of the lack of apps, as many of the applications that exist on Android and iOS are not available on Microsoft’s platform.

Without a doubt, the limited choice when it comes to doubt contributed to this en-masse migration from Windows phones to devices powered by rival platforms.

Microsoft is well aware of the fact that the lack of apps has always been a major drawback on Windows phones and this is the reason the company looked into several ways to deal with it, including bringing Android apps on its devices.

Project Astoria, a dream that never came true

Project Astoria was one of the most ambitious mobile projects started by Microsoft and its goal was as simple as it could be: to allow Android apps to run on Windows phones. Preview builds released as part of the Windows Insider program even included an early version of Project Astoria and insiders were allowed to install Android apps on Windows phones running them, but Microsoft gave up on this idea for no clear reason all of a sudden.

But it can’t be just the lack of apps. That’s why some people believe that Windows Phone and Windows 10 Mobile weren’t supported by OEMs, which in turn provided customers with only a few choices when looking for devices running the platform, thus eventually affecting worldwide adoption.

At this point, hardcore Windows phone fans believe that it’s no longer important what went wrong, but how Microsoft can do better in the future and make its mobile platform a better alternative to Android and iOS. But in order to improve a product, you must decide what brought it down close to nearly 0 percent market share, so to lend Microsoft a hand, we’re asking you.

What went wrong with Windows Phone? What should Microsoft do differently in the future? Why should anyone stick with Windows phones at this point?