What you need to know
- Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella admitted that pulling the plug on Windows Phone was a strategic mistake.
- While no longer in development, AR 4789, a concept designer recently shared a video of what Windows Phone might look like running on Windows 12.
- Microsoft is potentially in a position to get back into the mobile market as it’s currently the world’s most valuable company.
While the Valentine’s Day cheer continues to spill over from last week, a heartbreak for Windows Phone lovers is seemingly brewing. I know many of us wish Microsoft never made the strategic mistake that led it to pull the plug on Windows Phone. Am I the only one who secretly wishes Microsoft would make a comeback in the mobile scene with the Windows Phone running on a new OS? Maybe Windows 11 or Windows 12?
Well, I’m certainly not alone in this. AR 4789, a well-renowned concept-maker, recently shared a video on YouTube showcasing what the Windows Phone would be like today while running Windows 12 (via BetaNews).
The video is oddly satisfying to watch, and I can see myself getting the phone if it existed. The concept borrows heavily from Microsoft’s Windows 11 OS. But right off the bat, it ships with several features you’d expect on any modern phone, including an In-display fingerprint sensor and perhaps Always-On Display technology.
Interestingly, the concept also showcases a mini-taskbar at the bottom of “Windows 12 mobile.” As you’d expect, it neatly packs several apps, including Microsoft Copilot (obviously), Start menu, File Explorer, Microsoft Store, and Microsoft Edge. I would presume that Microsoft would finally fix some of the critical issues that have been highlighted by users regarding the Start menu on Windows 11, and also truly incorporate a consistent Fluent design on these apps.
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Of course, the concept also presents a scenario where users have access to a wide array of customization options. There’s also a search bar conveniently placed on the phone’s homepage, which is designed to let users search for stuff on the web (with Microsoft Bing set as the default search engine, as you’d expect).
Lastly, I’d expect it to ship with a ton of AI-baked goods and features. For instance, Microsoft Copilot’s Circle to Copilot feature, which is heavily inspired by Samsung’s Circle to Search feature on its latest line of Galaxy phones could be one of those features.
There’s no time like the present for Microsoft to get back into mobile
Microsoft continues to fly high as the world’s most valuable company, ahead of Apple. The tech giant’s success has been attributed to its early and heavy investment in generative AI, coupled with its extended partnership with OpenAI.
With a $3 trillion and counting market cap and lessons from previous mistakes, Microsoft could potentially make a comeback in the mobile market with Windows Phone and dethrone iOS and Android from the top seat. Apple is already in trouble as sales of its iPhone 15 series didn’t pan out as expected, which can majorly be attributed particularly to the decreased sales in the Chinese market.
