Windows Phone facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Windows Phone |
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An example of a custom Start screen on Windows Phone 8.1
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| Developer | Microsoft |
| Written in | C, C++, C# |
| OS family | Microsoft Windows |
| Working state | Discontinued |
| Source model | Closed-source |
| Initial release |
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| Final release | 8.1 Update 2 (8.10.15148.160) / 2015 |
| Repository |
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| Available in | 130 languages |
| Package manager | Windows Phone Store |
| Supported platforms | Qualcomm Snapdragon |
| Kernel type | Hybrid |
| License | Proprietary software |
| Preceded by | Windows Mobile, Zune |
Windows Phone was a mobile operating system created by Microsoft for smartphones. It came out in October 2010 to replace older software named Windows Mobile. Instead of small computer menus, it used a colorful style called the Metro design. Microsoft created the system for everyday phone users rather than business offices.
Contents
What Made Windows Phone Special?
Windows Phone had a unique look that was very different from Android and the Apple iPhone. Its main home area was called the Start screen.
Colorful Live Tiles
Instead of regular app icons, the screen showed large squares and rectangles called "Live Tiles." These tiles could flip around and change to show helpful information in real time. For example, a weather tile showed the current temperature outside without needing to open the app. An email tile showed how many unread messages were waiting. Users could easily change the size of the tiles and pick their favorite bright colors.
Special Hubs for Content
The software organized files and activities into sections called "Hubs." The People hub gathered friends from Facebook and Twitter into one simple contact list. The Pictures hub showed photos saved on the device alongside albums stored on OneDrive. Windows Phone also had a special Games hub that connected directly to Xbox Live. Players could see their avatar, check game achievements, and message gaming friends.
Built-In Tools
The system included a pocket version of Microsoft Office with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. It also had the Internet Explorer web browser for surfing online. In 2014, Microsoft added a helpful virtual assistant named Cortana. Users could speak to Cortana to set alarms, check sports scores, or ask general questions.
History and Growth
The first version was Windows Phone 7, which arrived in 2010. In 2012, Microsoft launched Windows Phone 8. This newer version ran on the same Windows NT foundation used by desktop computers running Windows 8.
Microsoft formed a big team with the famous phone maker Nokia in 2011. Together, they built popular smartphones called the Lumia series. In 2013, the budget-friendly Lumia 520 became the best-selling Windows Phone across the globe. Microsoft even bought Nokia's phone division in 2014 to build devices directly. Other technology companies, including Samsung, LG, and HTC, also built hardware for the system.
Why Did Windows Phone End?
The phones had smooth hardware and stylish screens, but the system had trouble competing. The biggest challenge was called the "app gap." Not enough programmers made software for the Windows Phone Store. Most people wanted popular mobile apps and games that were only available on Android and iOS. Because fewer people bought the devices, Microsoft stopped making new updates for the system and shifted its focus to other software.
Images for kids
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The Music and Video Hub on Windows Phone
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A notification showing an update on a test phone
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The Windows logo used on later mobile versions
See also
In Spanish: Windows Phone para niños
