Elop’s email sent today clearly hints about discontinuation of Nokia X range of devices in future, as the upcoming future products and designs from Nokia X range are shifted to Lumia products. Now, this is not the full story, it seems and as per a tip received by us Microsoft is killing Asha range and Feature phones as well.
In a internal memo circulated by newly made Microsoft phone business head Jo Harlow, all the efforts now be focused on Windows Phone and Nokia X, Asha and Feature phones will be put in “maintenance mode” for an eventual shut down of services during the period of next 18 months. There will be no new features or updates for these platforms and developer engagement will be ramped down.
Nokia MixRadio & Nokia Xpress Browser have also been moved in maintenance mode and can be spinned off. They may be offered as 3rd party services and Microsoft is in discussion with 3rd parties already. This move seems like a surprise as Microsoft’s Xbox Music is not that well received as a music service even by windows phone fans and may still need to catch up to Nokia MixRadio.
Seems, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella found the idea of slow transition of feature phone / Asha users to Windows Phone too unrealistic. Anyways, this may help Google a lot with their efforts in pushing “Android One” devices.
