Dive Brief:
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The New York City Police Department announced it will replace 36,000 Windows phones with iPhones starting this fall, according to The Verge.
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The switch comes in response to Microsoft's recent announcement of plans to end support for most Windows phones.
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The NYPD deputy commissioner for IT came under fire for choosing Windows phones last year even after the phone’s market share dropped below 1%. The NYPD has not specified which phone model officers will receive, but experts say it’s unlikely they will get the iPhone 8 being released next month.
Dive Insight:
The NYPD tested Androids, iPhones and Windows phones and selected Windows phones for their security features and remote management capabilities, according to CNet. Unfortunately, Windows phones took a plunge shortly thereafter.
The phones once were considered a key growth area for Microsoft. In 2013, the company acquired mobile phone maker Nokia in 2013 for about $7.9 billion, but the brand faded substantially soon after.
Unfortunately, such declines are a fact of life when it comes to technology. Sometimes the “brand of the day” fades away seemingly overnight and something new takes its place. Just ask BlackBerry.
