Windows 10 Mobile for older phones delayed to end of February

Star Wars Episode VIII isn't the only thing that's delayed, but hopefully Lumia users won't be waiting that long for their deserved update. At best, they just need to wait yet another month, on top of already two months of waiting. In a tweet sent to French carrier Bouygues Telecom, subscriber Joel Devaux revealed that he was advised by one of the carrier's representatives that the Windows 10 Mobile update for older but supported Lumia smartphones won't be coming until the end of next month, further delaying the much needed refresh of Microsoft's mobile OS.

By now it's becoming a guessing game when Microsoft actually plans to roll out the Windows 10 Mobile update to those who already have smartphones ready and waiting. It's not like the OS Isn't launched yet. It has been in the market already for a few months now via the Lumia 950 and 950 XL and, most recently, the budget-friendly Lumia 550.

But just as important as new handsets are, it is perhaps more important for Microsoft to support existing Lumia smartphones already in the market and in users' hands. Those would far outnumber any new purchases of the new Lumias. Earliest estimates, including unofficial tips, put the update first in early December or January. Apparently, those estimates were still generous. A Polish carrier leaked a February 1 date, which might still happen, although the French seem to be saying "non".

Windows 10 Mobile is, or at least should be, important to Microsoft's overall Windows 10 push. It will be the litmus test of Microsoft's Universal App Platform spiel, which should see apps that work across PCs, tablets, phones, and even HoloLens. Phones is also where Continuum will shine brightest, one of the biggest features of Windows 10 Mobile.

At the moment, the exact list of which models will get Windows 10 Mobile still Isn't certain, as it has fluctuated time and again, mostly to remove some names from the list. So far, the offical list from Microsoft includes the Lumia 430, Lumia 435, Lumia 532, Lumia 535, Lumia 540, Lumia 635 (1 GB RAM), Lumia 640, Lumia 640 XL, Lumia 735, Lumia 830, and Lumia 930.

VIA: Windows Central