Having a colorful exterior on a Nokia Lumia was pretty much a given in the good old days of Windows phone. Now that the brand is dead, I can't help but reminisce how pretty those handsets looked.
Windows phone 8 RSS
As was announced last August, Microsoft will no longer be distributing app updates for devices running Windows Phone beginning today. You'll need to update to Windows 10 Mobile for apps.
Since this weekend, people who are still rocking Windows Phone 8.x devices have been denied the right to download and update their apps in the Windows Store, instead getting an error message.
Another week, another stack of Microsoft news to go through. Quite a few gaming tidbits, some of the usual Insider Preview builds, and a fair number of app updates. Be sure to catch up via our guide.
Microsoft today announced the dates that it will be killing off the Store on Windows 8.x and Windows Phone 8.x. Phone users will have until next year, while PC users will have until 2023.
Microsoft is discontinuing support for Skype for Business, Teams, and Yammer apps for Windows Phone. Development efforts will now be transitioned to the Android, iOS, and desktop counterparts.
MyTube! is a handy third-party YouTube app for Windows made on the UWP platform. It manages to one-up YouTube's website on several turns, in ways that just might make it indispensable for some.
This week, Microsoft announced that it's shutting down push notifications for devices running Windows Phone 7.5 and Windows Phone 8.0, as both platforms are unsupported. Windows Phone 8.1 is safe.
WhatsApp previously announced that it will not support BlackBerry OS and Windows Phone 8 and older from December 31. Users will be able to use the app, but new features won't make it to the app.
Telegram for Windows phones has recently received an update on the Microsoft Store. The 2.5 update introduces several new tools but the highlight is the ability to add a bio to your account.
Windows Phone is no longer supported, and the future of Windows 10 Mobile appears uncertain. But among the dozens of Windows phones that launched over the years, which one do you think was the best?
WhatsApp has revised its end-of-support dates for several platforms, adding 18 months of support for Nokia S40 devices. But Windows Phone 8, BlackBerry OS and BB10 devices will lose support this year.
Microsoft's Translator app on older versions of Windows and Windows Phone will no longer work from next month, while some users will have to download "new versions" to continue using the app.
EE is informing customers that it's no longer supporting its My EE account management app on Windows phones or BlackBerry devices, advising users to log into its website on their devices instead.
With Microsoft making no effort to encourage eligible users to upgrade to Windows 10 Mobile, 85% of US Windows phone owners remain on older versions of the OS. Check out more data from AdDuplex here.
It's been three years since the Lumia 1520 went on sale - but if you've still got your heart set on the device, you can buy one unlocked for $259.99 - and it's eligible for Windows 10 Mobile upgrade.
The latest data from AdDuplex shows that for a third consecutive month, Windows 10 Mobile is on 14% of active Windows phones. On PCs, the Anniversary Update has doubled in usage since last month.
Bankers in the UK will be excited to learn that if they bank with NatWest, and use a Windows phone, there's a all-new app for that! Among the new features is full support for Continuum.
Google has stated that it is deprecating AdMob SDK for Windows Phone 8 on November 1, 2016. Apps already using the service will be able to use it after the announced date - without any guarantees.
The latest AdDuplex data indicates that while Windows 10 Mobile is growing, a majority are already on the Anniversary Update. The company also gives us a peek at Windows 10's desktop usage.
An internal memo has revealed that Amtrak has withdrawn its app for Windows phones "due to low levels of use" - but the company says that its mobile site offers equal functionality to the app.
Microsoft has clarified that while it will end Skype support for Windows Phone 8 / 8.1 - and Windows RT - in October, the app "will continue to work (possibly with some limitations) until early 2017".
In 7 days' time, Microsoft will end its offer of a free upgrade to Windows 10 for Windows 7/8.1 PCs. But even if you're not yet ready to move to the new OS, you can 'reserve' a free upgrade for later.
97% of active Windows phones are still Lumias; the Lumia 535 is the most popular; and 25% of handsets in Germany are on Windows 10 Mobile - these are just a few insights from the latest AdDuplex data.
Microsoft is dropping Skype support for older versions of Android, and as it focuses its development efforts on the Skype UWP app for Windows 10, older Windows Phone handsets will be left behind too.
AdDuplex data indicates that Lumias account for almost 99% of devices running Windows 10 Mobile - but growth of the new OS is already slowing. There's some interesting data on Surface usage too.
From this month, Windows Phone 8/8.1 users will no longer have access to banking services via Wells Fargo's app and mobile website - but a new app designed for Windows 10 is coming this month.
Microsoft has launched the latest version of its Office 365 Admin app for Android and Windows phones - and it will soon be available for iOS - with a new design and a range of UI improvements.
The latest monthly AdDuplex report indicates further modest growth for Windows 10 Mobile - but Microsoft's Lumia range continues to account for over 97% of all Windows handsets in use.
It's been a month since Microsoft announced the start of its official rollout of Windows 10 Mobile for some of its older Windows Phones. Have you upgraded your handset yet - and if not, why not?
AdDuplex has published its latest monthly breakdown of Windows handset usage, and it appears that some of Windows 10 Mobile's recent growth has come from the sale of new devices - not just upgrades.
Microsoft finally announced details of its long-awaited Windows 10 Mobile upgrade today, publishing a list of devices that can grab the update now - but it looks like some phones will be left behind.
Microsoft originally said it would begin upgrading older Windows Phones to Windows 10 Mobile in December - but after months of waiting, it's finally announced the beginning of its rollout.
HERE will be removing its apps, including Maps, from the Windows Store on March 29, and they will stop working on Windows 10 Mobile in June, while the Windows Phone 8 apps will no longer be updated.
Spotify will no longer support its Windows Phone application, according to a customer support representative for the firm. They did, however, hint at the possibility of a Windows 10 application.
AdDuplex has published its latest monthly breakdown of Windows handset usage, but admits that it erroneously overstated the proportion of devices running Windows 10 Mobile in recent months.
In February 2010, Microsoft unveiled Windows Phone 7. Six years on, we look back through the history of the OS, the decisions that led to its present state, and what - if anything - still lies ahead.
Six years ago, on February 15, 2010, Microsoft unveiled Windows Phone 7 Series. Join us for a brief stroll down Memory Lane, as we look back on its short, and not entirely sweet, existence.
AdDuplex's latest monthly stats show that Windows 10 Mobile has increased its share of Windows handset usage again - although the rate of growth has slowed, despite the availability of new devices.
There have been dozens of Windows handsets since Windows Phone 7 launched in 2010, and some have been truly impressive, often in very different ways. Which do you think is the best Windows phone ever?
