There was a spate of Windows Phone scaremongering over the weekend, after speculation that the platform would be discontinued in mid-2014. This came about after it was noticed that Microsoft had published Windows Phone’s support lifecycle, just as the company does with almost all its other software. Per Microsoft: Windows Phone 7.8 is supported until September 9, 2014; Windows Phone 8 until July 8, 2014. Technically, this means that there is a chance Microsoft will indeed abandon its smartphone platform and stop producing smartphone software in less than 18 months. However, this is unlikely. As Microsoft emphasized on Twitter today, one of the rationales for moving Windows Phone onto the same NT core that desktop Windows uses is easier upgrading. A significant new version—a Windows Phone 8.5 or Windows Phone 9, say—would reset the support period and extend the window out another 18 months.
About Shelly Palmer
Shelly Palmer is the Professor of Advanced Media in Residence at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and CEO of The Palmer Group, a consulting practice that helps Fortune 500 companies with technology, media and marketing. Named LinkedIn’s “Top Voice in Technology,” he covers tech and business for Good Day New York, is a regular commentator on CNN and writes a popular daily business blog. He's a bestselling author, and the creator of the popular, free online course, Generative AI for Execs. Follow @shellypalmer or visit shellypalmer.com.