Windows Phone

Microsoft pulled the plug on Windows Phone 8. 1 software, marking the end of its backing for one of the biggest ever updates to its troubled mobile operating systems. Ending support for Windows 8.

PayPal’s app will no longer support Amazon Fire, BlackBerry and Windows Phone devices after 30 June, reflecting their diminished status.

The worldwide smartphone market will see its first year of single digit year-on-year growth in 2015, reflecting a slowdown in Asia Pacific (excluding Japan), Latin America and Western Europe.

App developers are less enthusiastic about supporting Windows Phone because of the “dominance and ecosystem extensions offered by iOS and Android” and the end of Nokia’s outreach programme following the sales of its devices arm to Microsoft, according to a new report…

Verizon Wireless is to offer an LG-made Windows Phone device, which has been described as “affordable and simple to use”. LG Lancet is said to be “the first Windows smartphone on Verizon with Advanced Calling 1.

Microsoft announced a developer contest in partnership with connected car platform player Mojio.

A number of third-party apps which work with Snapchat have disappeared from the Windows Phone Store, which does not currently have the original app in its catalogue, Windows Central reported. The ephemeral messaging player has previously said it believes such alternatives compromise security.