14 DAY TRIAL // Everybody knows already that Windows 10 Mobile as a platform is pretty much dead, and devices that run it would become obsolete once Microsoft stops shipping security updates this coming December.
In the meantime, however, the developer community gives hope that devices like the Lumia 950 XL could live on for a little longer, all thanks to a project that makes it possible to run Windows 10 for ARM.
This particular platform was released by Microsoft for its Always Connected PCs, but given the ARM chips, it can power Windows phones as well.
But as I said on several occasions, while it’s possible to install Windows for ARM on a Windows phone, its limitations blocked it from becoming a daily driver and turning into a Windows 10 smartphone in all regards.
Progress on cellular support
And yet, one of these limitations has recently been resolved, as it’s almost possible to enable cellular service on a Lumia 950 XL running Windows for ARM. Developer Gustave Monce, who is one of the main contributors to this project, explains in a recent tweet:
“We got a Mobile Broadband Driver running. It is able to read the SIM slot, turn on the Modem, read the SIM card, start the Modem firmware, turn on or off the radios at will (I've checked), communicate w/ OS, but no Data working yet.”
So yes, Lumia 950 XL running Windows 10 ARM could soon become a more capable Windows phone, even though Microsoft has very little to do with this project.
Certainly, with the Windows 10 Mobile retirement date approaching fast, such an implementation can only be good news for everyone, especially if they don’t want to give up on their Windows phones. And while the market share of Windows 10 Mobile is now at 0 percent, there are lots of diehard fans out there who’d rather stick with the platform if no EOL was in sight.