The Microsoft Store, the Redmond company’s online retail site, has had a quite but important shift on their phone offerings. For the first time, the store is now selling more Android based devices than Windows 10. It is a move that isn’t overly shocking given that Microsoft has more-or-less put Windows 10 Mobile into maintenance mode.
Two Windows 10 Mobile phones have been removed from the store which caused the shift to Android. The Acer Liquid Jade Primo and Acer Liquid M330 were removed from the store yesterday, leaving only the HP Elite x3 and Alcatel IDOL 4S as offerings for Windows 10 Mobile devices. Meanwhile, the store now lists the Samsung Galaxy S8, Galaxy Note 8, and the new Razer Phone as options for shoppers.
With this change and with Microsoft’s statements around Windows 10 Mobile, it is clearer than ever that the company’s mobile strategy is their apps and services on Android and iOS. Microsoft has made huge strides in the past year on the quality and number of apps that they offer for Android and the phones that are in the Microsoft Store are pre-loaded with Microsoft productivity apps. The store is also actively advertising that the phones are compatible with the Microsoft Launcher.
With this app centric strategy, don’t be too surprised if over the course of 2018 we see even more Android based phones on offer from the Microsoft Store.
