Microsoft Sacrifices Lumia 950 And 950 XL For A Stronger Surface Phone

Forbes ^ | Jan 24, 2016 | Ewan Spence

[dayglored]

Announced in October 2015, and released a month later, Microsoft's Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL smartphones have not set the world alight. The first 'out of the box' Windows 10 powered smartphones occupy a curious pivot point in Microsoft's plans. What do they tell us about the direction of Microsoft and how it will approach mobile in 2016?

Between them they represent the end of a line of smartphones that stretches back to Nokia's 2011 decision to go with Windows Phone rather than Android, They also represent Microsoft's future attitudes to smartphones as a single element of a wide range of Windows 10 powered devices all living on the same code-base, all sharing information, applications, and data, through Microsoft's cloud-based services.

The two handsets build on past glories, and point the way towards a potential future. Unfortunately it is a very unclear future. With CEO Satya Nadella focusing on Microsoft's software and cloud services it means that much of the functionality that made Windows Phone a commendable choice in the past is no longer exclusive to the Lumia handsets. You can run Microsoft's cloud services on iOS and Android easily, and in terms of process and workflow there's little difference between Windows, Android, and iOS.

Windows Phone stood for a different way of looking at design, interface, and data. It blurred the lines between applications and treated data as the primary glue. You could move between apps with ease, and you did not need to be conscious that you had stepped through six different apps with six different taps because of the deep linking into applications that was present. You went where you needed to go quickly and with little fuss or forethought.

[dayglored]

Interesting perspectives on the Microsoft mobile scene.

[dayglored]

The Microsoft mobile perspective ... PING!

You can find all the Windows Ping list threads with FR search: just search on keyword "windowspinglist".

[Dalberg-Acton]

Watching the playoff game and all the Surface tablets went kerflooey. This isn’t the first time either. Not much of a recommendation for the devices.

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

The Patriots’ Surface tablets stopped working for a while during the AFC Championship game
http://www.theverge.com/2016/1/24/10823198/the-patriots-surface-tablets-just-broke-during-the-afc-championship

[Scutter]

It was the wifi connection. Had nothing to do with the Surfaces.

[dhs12345]

Microsoft OS on a smart phone - yuck!

I have used CE devices before and I have not had good luck.

[Dalberg-Acton]

My mistake. Thanks for pointing that out, FRiend!

[Scutter]

No worries.

[Scutter]

I decided to pass on the 950XL and keep my Lumia 1520 (which has been awesome). Hearing all the issues with the 950XL, and now this news, I am really glad that I waited.

[Scutter]

You info is woefully out of date, Windows Phone is nothing like the old Windows Mobile. It is fantastic in every regard except a persistent gap in the number of applications compared to iPhone and Android. Unlike Windows, it has a very vocal crowd of users that switched to it from Apple/android and love it.

It remains to be seen what the Windows 10 Phone will be like, though. I worry that a lot of what made Windows Phone so good (very efficient,, great UI, and fast updates due to a solid code base) will get lost. The reason Microsoft is doing this is an attempt to address the app gap. Developers will be able to write one app that can be compiled tomgenerate apps that run on both desktop windows and phone.

[minnesota_bound]

I have T-Mobile and both the past Samsung S4 I had and my current LG G3 cannot get a good signal indoors where I work. A co-worker had the Lumia and T-Mobile and got a great signal.
They must have a better antenna/receiver. It would be nice if other manufactures would be able to replicate that great reception.

[Jonty30]

I have a 930 and I love it. I don’t mind the gap in apps, because 90% of apps are just rap.

My concern is whether Microsoft is in it no matter what, or will they shut the division at some point.

[cartan]

I have a 930 and I love it. I don't mind the gap in apps, because 90% of apps are just rap.

Me too…

My concern is whether Microsoft is in it no matter what, or will they shut the division at some point.

And me too.

I really hope they keep trying. If they do, my next phone will be a WinPhone again.

[jospehm20]

I used a Windows 8 phone in Afghanistan for a year or so. I liked it.

[Excellence]

Surface phone?
I want something bigger than a Nokia but smaller than a Surface.

[Jonty30]

The surface phone is basically a full powered computer that you will be able port apps across all forms of computers. The apps that work will also work on the laptops and tablets and phones.

[dhs12345]

Sorry. I am not willing to take a chance when there are better options.

I have a lot of experience with Windows products and MS’ strength is on the PC.

Also, trying to “unify” the applications and the GIU is insane. Certainly, the look and feel will be the same. But the software tends to be a kludge, one size fits all.

I really hated it when Windows switched to the unified GUI. I am of the belief that if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Linux did something similar.

[Scutter]

I share somemof your concerns. I guess we’ll have to wait and see. In the interim, my Lumia 1520, which hasn’t gotten the Windows Phone 10 update yet, is still suiting me just fine.