Windows Phone

Winsage
March 27, 2026
Microsoft is mobilizing a team of seasoned professionals to enhance Windows 11 in response to user frustrations, as indicated by the trending term "Microslop" on social media. Pavan Davuluri, Executive Vice President of Windows & Devices, leads this effort, supported by notable figures such as Scott Hanselman, a Microsoft Vice President, and Clint Rutkas, a product manager for Windows Terminal and PowerToys. Rudy Huyn is also forming a new team focused on Windows applications, inviting developers to connect and share their portfolios. Huyn emphasized the importance of strong product thinking and customer focus in building this team.
Winsage
March 27, 2026
Microsoft is forming a team to enhance Windows 11 in response to ongoing criticism, including the trending term "Microslop" on social media. Pavan Davuluri, Executive Vice President of Windows & Devices, is leading the initiative, with Rudy Huyn, a veteran from the developer community, assembling a new team focused on advancing Windows applications. Huyn is inviting developers to join, emphasizing strong product thinking and customer focus over prior experience with the platform.
Winsage
February 11, 2026
Microsoft discontinued Windows Phone in 2017, a decision regretted by CEO Satya Nadella. Nex Computer is now taking pre-orders for the NexPhone, which aims to run Android, Linux, and Windows 11. The device features a custom Mobile UI designed for touch interactions, reminiscent of Windows Phone. When connected to an external display, it offers full Windows 11 capabilities but lacks cellular connectivity in Windows mode. The NexPhone is not intended to replace primary smartphones but serves as a secondary option with mid-range performance, powered by Qualcomm's DragonWing QCM6490 chip, 12GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. It operates on Windows for Arm, which may present compatibility issues. While in Windows mode, cellular calling and SMS functions are unavailable, requiring users to switch to Android for those features. The device has a rugged design with military-grade build quality, a 120 Hz 6.58-inch display, a 64 MP main camera, and a 5,000 mAh battery, priced at 9.
AppWizard
February 1, 2026
Square Home offers grid-based menus for mobile customization, allowing users to organize essential apps and widgets conveniently. It enables quick transitions between apps like WhatsApp and social networks without scrolling through screens. Total Launcher provides extensive customization options, allowing users to reposition icons and widgets, modify fonts, and create unique interfaces, though it has a steeper learning curve. It includes a backup tool for saving and sharing custom setups. Kvaesitso focuses on search functionality, enabling users to access apps via a global search feature, streamlining interactions, and is available as an open-source project on GitHub. Niagara Launcher features a minimalist interface designed for one-handed operation, with an alphabetical scroll bar for easy app access and organization.
Winsage
January 29, 2026
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced that Windows 11 has reached one billion users. This figure represents a 45 percent year-on-year increase and is achieved faster than Windows 10. The transition to Windows 11 has been influenced by the end of support for various Windows 10 versions in October, prompting users to upgrade. However, stringent hardware compatibility requirements have limited upgrades for many Windows 10 devices. Microsoft previously missed a target of one billion Windows 10 devices by 2018 due to issues with Windows Phone. The expiration of support for Windows 10 has led many users to upgrade to Windows 11 or enroll in the Extended Security Updates program. Industry analysts suggest that many enterprises are budgeting for hardware replacements or ESU costs ahead of the October 2025 deadline for free Windows 10 updates.
Winsage
January 29, 2026
Windows 11 has officially surpassed 1 billion users, achieving this milestone during the recent holiday quarter. This marks a faster adoption rate than Windows 10, which took nearly six years to reach the same number. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella reported a year-over-year increase of over 45 percent in Windows 11 users, partly due to the end of support for Windows 10. Windows 11 reached 1 billion users in 1,576 days, compared to 1,706 days for Windows 10.
Winsage
January 27, 2026
NexPhone is a new smartphone from Nex Computer, marking the first Windows phone launch in a decade, with an official launch planned for 2026. It supports Android, Windows 11, and Linux, allowing users to connect it to any monitor and use it as a computer. The device runs Windows 11 on Arm, ensuring a smooth user experience. It features 256GB of expandable storage and aims to consolidate various digital tasks into one device. The last notable Windows phone was the Microsoft Lumia 650, released in 2016, and Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 Mobile in 2019.
Winsage
January 22, 2026
A Linux developer, operating under the GitHub handle er-bharat, is creating a desktop environment called Win8DE that resembles the aesthetics of Windows 8. The project is currently in its alpha stages, specifically version 0.5.0, and aims to provide a user interface suited for touchscreen devices. The developer's efforts highlight a gap in the market for a Windows 8-inspired theme for Linux environments, as existing themes do not replicate the card-like UI of Windows 8. The installation process for Win8DE has presented challenges due to dependency issues typical of alpha software.
Winsage
January 22, 2026
The NexPhone is developed by the team behind the NexDock and aims to transform smartphones into versatile computing devices. It features a 6.58-inch FHD+ 120Hz display, a 64MP Sony IMX787 camera, and 12GB of RAM. The device runs on Android 16 and supports multi-boot capabilities, allowing users to run Linux (Debian) and Windows 11. It is powered by Qualcomm’s QCM6490 SoC, which is designed for IoT applications and may not provide optimal performance for Windows. The NexPhone has a 5,000mAh battery and is priced at 9, with a launch scheduled for Q3 2026.
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