It was just a few weeks ago when The Verge, a respected technology blog, talked about how Windows Phone is dead. Citing the limited availability of apps and the lack of support from third parties, the publication went as far as saying that Windows Phone as a whole was a failed experiment, and how Microsoft should move on. As a Windows Phone user myself, I was a bit cast down by the article. But then I discovered that things are not as dark as they seem at first. Windows 10 has one feature that can turn it into an attractive choice for businesses: Continuum. And that there are more than one upcoming Windows 10 models on the way, not built by Microsoft.
VAIO is a brand usually associated with high quality laptops. After Sony sold it to a group of Japanese investors, a series of new VAIO products appeared on the market. And one of them is most exciting for Windows Phone fans: VAIO Phone Biz, a business-facing handset with Windows 10 running on it.
When I say “business phone”, I refer to one that’s more suitable for business than for everyday use. It doesn’t mean the games you’ll find won’t work on it. Especially since its built-in browser has complete HTML5 support. What “business phone” means is that it is focusing on office-related applications, with its seamless integration with Windows 10 desktops, Microsoft products like Office 365, and Continuum.
Hardware-wise, the phone might be impressive (I don’t want to praise it before its price is known). It has an octa-core Snapdragon 617 chipset, which combines efficient multi-tasking with a mid-range price. The phone will be equipped with 3GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage (plus all the OneDrive storage you can get), a full HD 5.5″ screen, an impressive camera – in short, everything a modern smartphone needs. While it doesn’t fit into the “flagship” category, it has great specs for a mid-range business phone.
What makes the VAIO Phone Biz special is its choice for its operating system: Windows 10, called by the company “the most ambitious mobile OS” to date. The use of Windows 10 on this phone eliminates any issue with document formats, and any problems with integrating it with an in-house, Windows-based system. More than that, the use of Continuum can turn the phone into a pocket-sized computer as well.
While the phone won’t be able to connect to Microsoft’s wired Continuum adapted, it will work perfectly with Actiontec’s ScreenBeam Mini2 wireless adapter. Connected to a HDMI port on a large screen, this device can connect any Continuum-enabled smartphone to it, turning it into an instant desktop PC.
In my opinion Windows Phone is just as dead as Google’s Glass: it won’t be a hit on the consumer market, but it has a huge potential for a more limited niche.