HP Too Is Done Making Windows Phone Handsets

HP, one of the only OEMs that offers a Windows Phone handset in its lineup, is now giving up on Microsoft's mobile operating system, too. The company told news outlet The Register that it won't be adding any new handset to its existing "Elite" Windows Phone smartphone lineup. Furthermore, the company said its Elite x3 handset will reach the end of support in 2019.

Nick Lazaridis, president of the EMEA regions at HP, told The Register that the company concluded that "it doesn't make sense" in continuing to build Windows Phone handsets when Microsoft itself doesn't seem as interested in its own mobile operating system. Microsoft has changed its strategy and is now less focused on Windows 10 Mobile, Lazaridis was quoted as saying.

In a rather surprise move last year, HP unveiled the Elite x3, a high-end Windows Phone handset. The phone packed enough muscle power that it could also serve as a laptop or desktop using a dock. HP was going after the business market with Elite x3 handset, and had planned to expand the Elite Windows Phone lineup.

A company representative told The Verge that HP might in the future re-evaluate its strategy and decide to make more of Windows Phone handsets if Microsoft shares "additional roadmap details" with it. With HP losing faith in Windows Phone, the future of Microsoft's mobile operating system looks very bleak.

In July, Microsoft ended support for Windows Phone 8.1, which according to estimates runs on more than 80 percent of Windows Phone handsets, hinting that the company doesn't really see much value in supporting its devices for a long time.

Under Satya Nadella, Microsoft has changed several of its strategies. The company has launched Office and several of its products to rival Android and iOS platforms. On Thursday, Microsoft said it was bringing Microsoft Edge Web browser to Android and iOS as well. The company also rebranded Arrow Launcher as Microsoft Launcher and added its Continuum feature to it.