Microsoft kills off Windows Phone 8

Microsoft has ended support for its Windows 8 smartphones, as the US tech giant focuses on other segments, amid ongoing speculation about its strategy for mobile. Users of Windows-powered phones - which have failed badly against rivals from Apple and Google Android - were invited to upgrade to its latest Windows 10 version after Microsoft officially stopped supporting the earlier version on Wednesday. But Microsoft, which is now concentrating on business services, cloud computing, augmented reality, remains a part of the mobile landscape with applications, digital assistants and other offerings. Microsoft has ended support for its Windows 8 smartphones, as the US tech giant focuses on other segments, amid ongoing speculation about its strategy for mobile. 'I think it's the death of Windows 8 phones; not the death of Microsoft's offerings in mobility,' said Moor Insights and Strategy principal analyst Patrick Moorhead.