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Microsoft mobile services
Microsoft mobile services
Microsoft mobile services
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Microsoft mobile services are a set of proprietary mobile services created specifically for mobile devices; they are typically offered through mobile applications and mobile browser for Windows Phone platforms, BREW, and Java. Microsoft's mobile services are typically connected with a Microsoft account and often come preinstalled on Microsoft's own mobile operating systems while they are offered via various means for other platforms. Microsoft started to develop for mobile computing platforms with the launch of Windows CE in 1996 and later added Microsoft's Pocket Office suite to their Handheld PC line of PDAs in April 2000. From December 2014 to June 2015, Microsoft made a number of corporate acquisitions, buying several of the top applications listed in Google Play and the App Store including Acompli,[1] Sunrise Calendar,[2] Datazen,[3] Wunderlist,[4] Echo Notification Lockscreen,[5] and MileIQ.[6]

Applications and web services
Mobile service App Web SMS Exchange ActiveSync Description Status
Calendar Mobile Web-based version of Windows Live Calendar designed for mobile devices to view, schedule and manage calendar appointments and events. SMS service for users to query today and tomorrow's appointments in their Windows Live Calendar Final
Contacts Mobile Web-based version of Windows Live Contacts designed for mobile devices for access to contact information. Client-based version allows integration of the Windows Live contact list with the mobile device's address book. Also allow users to query contact information via SMS Final
Groups Mobile Web-based version of Windows Live Groups designed for mobile devices Final
Outlook Mobile Web- and client-based version of Outlook that targets mobile devices, and allow new email alerts via SMS Final
Windows Live Messenger Mobile Web- and client-based version of Windows Live Messenger that is designed for mobile devices, and allow users to send instant messages via SMS Final
Profile Mobile View and update user's own Windows Live Profile information using a mobile device Final
OneDrive Mobile [3] Web-based version of OneDrive designed for mobile devices for accessing documents stored on the cloud. Client-based version allows upload of photos directly from a mobile phone camera. Final

Bing Mobile

[edit]
Main article: Bing Mobile

Bing Mobile (previously Live Search Mobile) is a mobile website and collection of applications that serves as a central hub for Bing services and websites in the form of "cards" that present information in a similar manner as Google Now and enables Bing Rewards for US-based users. The Bing Mobile homepage shows the most popular search results in the form of a card, and can be personalised to show headlines based on the user's personal settings.[7]

Bing for mobile browser - m.bing.com

[edit]

Mobile browsing allows users to access Bing on their mobile devices through WAP or GPRS connection. The interface is optimized for viewing on mobile handsets. Users can:

  • Search the web for information
  • Get news information
  • Find local businesses in the user's local area
  • Get maps and driving directions
  • Get answers to questions
  • In the UK and Japan – "Find My Location" to pinpoint a user's location

In the US on HTML-ready mobile devices such as iPhone, Android, and touch-screen Windows phones, further features are available:[8][9]

  • Automatic location detection (geolocation)
  • Suggested local listings based on location and time of day
  • Save listings to Favourites, and send that list to friends
  • Movie listings with clips and trailers
  • Sports scores and stats, with real-time updates during games

The Bing for mobile browser is available in 31 markets worldwide.

Bing for mobile application

[edit]

The Mobile Application is available as a Java ME application for non-Windows phones, as a richer .NET Framework application for Windows Phones, and as an application for BlackBerry OS, Android, iOS, and Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless (BREW). It provides local listings, maps (road and aerial satellite), driving directions, and traffic conditions.[10][11] Other features include:

  • Predictive text input
  • Browse and search through business categories
  • Image search and image exploration
  • Speech recognition search input
  • Search results include a phone number and address; users may click to call for an immediate connection
  • Send search results to others using SMS
  • Find maps for specific addresses
  • Get directions to and from a destination
  • Get turn by turn directions using a GPS receiver
  • View traffic information for major roads in selected cities
  • Get weather forecasts
  • View movie showtimes and theatres
  • Turn-by-turn navigation for Windows 6.x phones.[12]
  • A hub in Windows Phone 7.x and later devices.[13]
  • For Android it includes a built-in browser
  • Bing Rewards
  • The ability to set the device's lock screen based on Bing's daily images

The Bing app for iOS (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad) includes these further features:

  • Barcode and cover art scanning
  • Enhanced product listings
  • Social updates from Facebook and Twitter
  • Social search – see results from social network alongside web results
  • Share search results on Facebook, Twitter, or through email

The Bing app is available in the US on a variety of Windows phones, Android platform devices, all BlackBerry devices, several BREW devices, iPhone and iPod Touch, and Sidekick devices.

Bing 411

[edit]

In the United States, Microsoft operated a toll-free number (1-800-BING-411 or 1-800-CALL-411) for directory assistance called Bing 411. This service used voice search technologies powered by Tellme. Users are able to find and connect for free to local shops and restaurants and obtain driving directions, traffic reports, sports scores, stock quotes, weather reports through this service. These numbers were discontinued on June 1, 2012.[14][15][16]

As a replacement for the above numbers, a non-toll-free number was set up at 330-247-7411. This number has also since been discontinued, with callers directed to dial 408-752-8052 instead.

Cortana

[edit]
Main articles: Cortana (intelligent personal assistant) and Bing Audio

In 2014 Microsoft launched Cortana with the Windows Phone 8.1 operating system, Cortana is a digital personal assistant with music searching capabilities and has the ability to tell jokes, show the latest headlines, predict sports events, enable "quiet hours" and show relevant local data using Foursquare.[17]

Groove Mobile

[edit]
Main article: Groove Music

Groove Music was launched with Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8 as Xbox Music, a rebranded version of Zune,[18] in Windows Phone 8 the service was included in the Music + Videos Hub and allows users to download the content they've bought via the Xbox Music Pass and stream it to their PCs. Originally Xbox Music was a Windows and Windows Phone exclusive application, but was launched in iTunes and Google Play in 2013 though the Windows Phone application did have more features than its counterparts but was criticised for unbundling several core features from the service such as podcasts and FM radio (which got their own applications) with the launch of Windows Phone 8.1.[19][20]

In 2015 Microsoft enabled OneDrive integration that allows users to stream the songs they've stored on OneDrive via Groove Music.[21] The service works only if the files are in a OneDrive folder named "Music" and otherwise can't detect any other songs. It currently only supports MP3, M4A (AAC), and WMA files.[22]

JobLens and Internships Lens

[edit]

JobLens (previously Nokia JobLens), Boston University JobLens and Internships Lens are augmented reality applications, JobsLens was originally launched in 2013 and largely features the same user interface as the CityLens application, it uses the Here maps' LiveSight technology to visualise the possible employment options of the user, JobLens offers filters for specific jobs based on the user's preferences and jobs recommended by people in the user's social networks. JobLens gathers data from LinkedIn, Salary.com, and Zillow.[23][24] JobLens users may use Microsoft OneDrive to store their CVs on.[25]

Internships Lens is an augmented reality application developed by Microsoft Mobile (previously Nokia) in cooperation with Internships.com and works similar to JobLens. It also uses the Here Maps' LiveSight technology to augment possible employment information. Unlike JobLens, Internship Lens offers the ability to research employers. It has over 75,000 internships by over 40,000 but is largely limited to geography and offers mostly American information. The service doesn't function outside of the United States. Like JobLens, Internships Lens is powered by Nokia's HERE Maps service and can be launched from both the Microsoft Camera's lens feature and from the app launcher.[26] Despite most Here powered services being owned by Nokia, Microsoft got the JobLens and Internships Lens after the acquisition.

Microsoft announced that they will retire the applications on June 1, 2015, from the Windows Phone Store.[27][28]

Lumia Beta Apps

[edit]
Main article: Lumia Beta Apps

Lumia Beta Apps (previously the Nokia Beta Labs)[29] facilitates beta applications being developed by Microsoft or select 3rd party developers for Lumia products. The applications are of reasonably good quality, but may have rough edges and occasional service breaks, not commercialized yet, not guaranteed to be published, not officially supported, under active development, free of charge, not be used for commercial purposes.

Applications may graduate to become commercial offerings, or they will be archived along with the lessons learnt based on user feedback. Microsoft collects feedback through UserVoice and has since launched several new applications such as Cinemagraph Beta and Gestures.[30] Originally the site was operated by Nokia but Microsoft moved the development to a more feedback-orientated design in August 2014 to allow more users to add their feedback rather than just Nokia-developers.[31] Microsoft has discontinued the Nokia Camera Beta trial and re-released the Beta app as "Lumia Camera Classic" while implementing the new features in the Lumia Camera app,[32] and has added OneDrive integration to Lumia Cinemagraph (formerly Nokia Cinemagraph) after first trialing it in the Lumia Beta Apps site.[33] On 25 February 2015, Join Conference (previously Nokia Conference) was made public for all Windows Phones but republished under the Microsoft Garage, and reduced the number of markets it was available in.[34][35]

Lumia imaging applications

[edit]
Main article: Lumia imaging apps

Lumia imaging apps (earlier the Nokia imaging apps)[36][37] are a series of imaging applications formerly by Nokia[38] and now by Microsoft Mobile, which are bundled with its Lumia line of Windows Phone smartphones. Lumia imaging applications were originally based on technology from the Nokia acquisition of Scalado.[39][40] Some software e.g. the Lumia Cinemagraph app enables the creation of subtle animated GIFs (or Cinemagraphs) from images.[41][42]

With the launch of Windows 10 Mobile Microsoft would include the Lumia Camera application as a part of the system and would no longer become a Lumia exclusive application unlike the other imaging apps.[43][44] With the launch of the Lumia Imaging SDK 3.0 Microsoft announced that the Lumia Imaging SDK would support the Windows 10 Universal Application Platform and could be written in the same languages as other Windows 10 applications such as C#, C++, JavaScript, and Visual Basic. Other than that the Lumia Imaging SDK would also be able to be implemented for form factors other than just Nokia and Microsoft Lumia smartphones as the SDK could now be used for tablets and computers.[45]

Mail Mobile

[edit]
Main article: Mail (Windows)

In Windows Phone Microsoft bundled a preinstalled email client that supports Outlook.com, Exchange, Yahoo! Mail, iCloud, IBM Notes Traveler and Gmail natively and supports many other services via the POP and IMAP protocols (the latter was added with Windows Phone 8.1). Contacts and calendars can be synchronized from other services as well. Users can also search through their email by searching in the subject, body, senders, and receivers, previously opened attachments can also found through the search function. Emails are shown with threads, and multiple email inboxes can be combined into a single view (a feature commonly referred to as "combined inbox") or can viewed separately.[46]

Microsoft Community

[edit]

Microsoft Community (previously known as the Microsoft Mobile Community, Nokia Support Discussions, Nokia Discussions, and Ovi Support Discussions) is a discussion board where users can ask questions about Microsoft Mobile devices and services and contribute by giving insight and information. The website hosts information about Symbian (including non-Nokia Symbian devices by other OEMs), MeeGo, S30, S40, Asha and Lumia devices, and also serves as a forum for news and updates on Microsoft Mobile's online services and applications.[47]

On June 27, 2015, Microsoft launched Microsoft Mobile Devices Community by merging the existing Nokia with the Windows Phone Community and making it a collection of categories in the Microsoft Community. The ranks and points earned by users of the Microsoft Mobile Community migrated, as well as all the articles and discussions, discussions concerning "legacy Nokia-branded Microsoft devices" (Symbian, Maemo, MeeGo, S30, S30+, S40, etc.) were also migrated to the Microsoft Community, and the Mobile Devices Community also offered a place for non-Lumia Windows-based devices.[48] It was further renamed to Microsoft Community in 2016.

Microsoft Data Gathering

[edit]

Microsoft Data Gathering (previously Nokia Data Gathering) is an application designed for NGOs and charities originally launched on Symbian and Series 40 devices and launched for Windows Phone 7 in 2012. Microsoft Data Gathering enables organisations to create questionnaires that they can send over to fieldworkers via WiFi and mobile networks, the application has had several past successes such as in Brazil where the Nokia Data Gathering application was used by the Health Vigilance Foundation to track the spread of dengue fever.[49] The software was originally developed by the Instituto Nokia de Tecnologia, a Brazilian research centre founded by Nokia.[50][51]

Microsoft Devices Blog

[edit]

Microsoft Devices Blog (originally Nokia Conversations, launched in 2008, and later Lumia Conversations)[52] and Lumia Conversations UK (formerly NokNok.TV) are news blogs by Microsoft that deliver the latest information about Lumia phones, Windows Phone applications and corporate life at Microsoft while also offering news about other Microsoft services and Nokia branded feature phones.[53][54] The sites are also used to host videos of Microsoft Lumia related events such as the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Catalonia.[55] Lumia Conversations UK operates a podcast service known as The Nok where they discuss the latest news on Microsoft Lumia related topics and technologies, discuss the products in depth and review applications for Lumia handsets.[56]

On September 30, 2015, Microsoft announced that they would merge Lumia Conversations with Microsoft Surface Blog to form the new Microsoft Devices Blog. All old Nokia and Surface articles were migrated to the new site. This move reflected the larger reorganisation where Microsoft would put all their commercial hardware teams into a single division. Other than Lumia and Surface devices, the blog would also feature news on other Microsoft hardware devices such as the Microsoft Band and Microsoft HoloLens.[57]

Microsoft Education Delivery

[edit]

Microsoft Education Delivery (previously Nokia Education Delivery, and alternatively called Text2Teach) is a service operated by Microsoft (and earlier by Nokia) in developing countries to deliver education material over mobile telephones. It operates in countries like the Philippines where it is used in over 38,000 public schools and has been running for 10 years, debuting on the Nokia 3310 device.[58][59]

Microsoft Maths

[edit]
Main article: Microsoft Mathematics

Microsoft Maths, also known as Microsoft Mathematics or Microsoft Maths Solver, is a freely downloadable educational program, designed for Microsoft Windows, and mobile platforms, that allows users to solve math and science problems. Developed and maintained by Microsoft, it is primarily targeted at students as a learning tool. Microsoft Math app is also available on iPhones and iPads. On Android, it is available as a Math Helper feature within the Bing app.

Microsoft Software Updater

[edit]
Main article: Microsoft Software Updater

Microsoft Software Updater (earlier Nokia Software Updater and Ovi Suite Software Updater) is a Windows[60][61] utility launched in 2007,[62] that enables customers to update and recover their mobile device firmware[63] of a S40, S60 or Lumia device from any Internet enabled access point. The service was launched in beta in 2006,[64] and the Nokia Software Updater's beta phase ended at 25 August 2011, and started offering a similar service named Nokia Download!, a utility for downloading content to mobile phones.[65] Nokia Software Updater 3.0.495 was released in 2011. After acquisition by Microsoft, the utility was renamed to Microsoft Software Updater. The service can be used to restore the firmware on "bricked" phones which previously could only be done at local Nokia Care customer service centers.[66]

MixRadio

[edit]
Main article: MixRadio

MixRadio (formerly Nokia MixRadio, Nokia Music Store, and OVI Music Store) is a music service that was launched as Nokia Ovi Store on 29 August 2007 by Nokia. MixRadio allows free streaming of playlists without any subscriptions or ads. It is available in 31 countries, including the US, Brazil, India and China. Microsoft sold the service to the LINE Corporation in 2015 and it now operates as a subsidiary called MixRadio Ltd.[67][68]

Motion Data

[edit]

Motion Data (previously the Nokia Motion Monitor)[69] is a SensorCore based activity tracker included in Microsoft Lumia devices that collects data on a user's steps and physical location for usage in third party applications. Motion Data is included under settings in newer Microsoft Lumia devices and displays user information such as recent insights on physical activity in a timeline. It can be organised for intensity and shows data averages for daily, weekly, and monthly activity.[70][71] Motion Data also maps the route where the device has been and lists the applications that have access to the Lumia SensorCore.[72][73]

In November 2015 Microsoft updated Motion Data's user interface to match that of Windows 10 Mobile, added more detailed data collection, and added a list of applications that can utilize the Motion Data service.[74]

Movies & TV

[edit]
Main article: Microsoft Movies & TV

Originally Movies & TV was known as Xbox Video, which was rebranded from Zune alongside Xbox Music with the launch of Windows 8 in 2012. Despite being included in Windows Phone 8 and Microsoft stating that Windows Phone 8 could use Xbox Video in the operating system on their websites and press releases, the service itself didn't allow for the downloading and streaming of content until the launch of Windows Phone 8.1.[75]

Movies & TV ais a video streaming service that allows streaming content on multiple devices but lacks the ability to save playback.[76] It integrates with Xbox SmartGlass and can be accessed from the web.[77]

MSN Mobile

[edit]
Main articles: MSN § Apps, and MSN China § Mobile apps

MSN Mobile (previously Pocket MSN) includes mobile information and communications services for mobile devices from Microsoft as part of their MSN, Windows Live, and Bing range of services. Many MSN sites can be directly accessed from mobile devices. MSN applications and services come either pre-installed and bundled with Windows Mobile, Windows Phone, and Windows. More recently Microsoft has also started bundling their services with their Nokia-branded feature phones.[78][79][80]

MSN Mobile product offerings originate from two mobile-focused groups within Microsoft's online services division. The oldest group, named Windows Live Mobile, primarily delivers SMS and WAP-based services. The newer group, MSN Mobile, started in August 2006 focused on bringing MSN premium and user generated content to mobile devices via both mobile browse and client applications. In 2014 Microsoft rebranded their Bing suite of applications to the MSN and subsequently released their MSN suite of applications for other platforms.[81][82][83]

Nokia Mail and Nokia Chat

[edit]
Main article: Nokia Mail and Nokia Chat

Nokia Mail and Nokia Chat (earlier Nokia Messaging and Ovi Mail) was launched on 13 August 2008 as a beta release of "Nokia Email service", a push e-mail service, later incorporated into Nokia Messaging.[84] Nokia Messaging operated as a centralized, hosted service that acts as a proxy between the Messaging client and the user's e-mail server. The phone does not connect directly to the e-mail server, but instead sends e-mail credentials to Microsoft's servers.[85] Microsoft discontinued the service for Microsoft Lumia devices and advised its users to migrate to Microsoft Skype.[86] Microsoft officially discontinued the service alongside Nokia Mail on 9 March 2015 and Nokia accounts on April 19, 2015, in favour of Microsoft's own instant messaging service, Skype and Microsoft's own e-mailing service, Outlook.com.[87][88]

Nokia Store

[edit]
Main article: Nokia Store

Nokia Store (formerly the Ovi Store) was the application store for the Nokia Asha platform and the Nokia X platform. Customers could download mobile games, applications, videos, images, and ringtones to their Asha and X devices, the store also listed Symbian and MeeGo applications, though developers could no longer launch nor update them. In January 2015 Microsoft announced that they'll encourage developers to migrate their apps to the Opera Mobile Store and Microsoft will officially close down the Nokia Store on 31 March 2015.[89] Microsoft officially stopped accepting new applications to the Nokia Publish service and new registrations to the Nokia Publish and Nokia Developer websites since 18 February 2015,[90] and officially retired the Nokia Developer site on 31 March 2015 and encouraged developers to go to the MSDN, TechNet and Windows Developer sites (where Nokia Developer's content was migrated)[91] to develop applications for Windows Phone and Windows.[92] The Nokia Store was officially closed on 31 March 2015.[93]

Office Mobile

[edit]
Main articles: Microsoft Office Mobile and Outlook Mobile

Microsoft Office Mobile (previously Pocket Office) was originally launched in 1998 with Windows CE v1.0, it is a suite of applications that comes bundled with the Windows Phone and has separately downloadable versions for iOS and Android,[94] and was previously available for Windows Mobile[95][96] and Symbian.[97]

Microsoft Office Mobile has 4 core applications which are Microsoft Word Mobile, Microsoft Excel Mobile, Microsoft PowerPoint Mobile, and Microsoft OneNote Mobile, besides the core applications Office Mobile offers separately downloadable versions of Teams, SharePoint, the Microsoft Lens(Formerly Office Lens),[98] the Office Remote,[99][100] and Microsoft Office 365 apps.[101]

In 2014, Microsoft acquired Acompli, a company that developed an email and calendar application for Android and iOS which was rebranded as Outlook Mobile.[102] In October 2015 Microsoft announced that another acquisition, Sunrise Calendar would be integrated into the Outlook Mobile application.[103][104] After Sunrise Calendar's features are integrated Microsoft announced that it would discontinue the application but that it is still available for download in Google Play, and the App Store before its official discontinuation.[105]

Office Sway currently has an iOS and Windows 10 app, with a Windows 10 Mobile in development.[106]

Microsoft Lens

[edit]
Lens logo

Microsoft Lens (formerly Microsoft Office Lens) is a OneNote companion app designed to capture, scan and enhance images of whiteboards and printed documents, including traditional business cards, and store them in various formats including PDF, JPG, Word, OneNote, PowerPoint as well as contact address-book databases (e.g.for business cards). The application was limited in its ability to capture multi page documents. From later updates it can capture multipage documents. It has smart intelligent actions eg: Scanning QR codes for detecting links, Extract text from documents, Scan table, Read aloud text etc.

Microsoft Lens is set to be retired on December 15, 2025[107]

Office Remote

[edit]

Office Remote was originally launched by Microsoft Research in November 2013 to control Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint documents using a device running Android or a Windows Phone. It required Microsoft Office 2013 (except for Office 2013 RT) or an Office 365 subscription to work.[108][109] As of September 2019, the required mobile apps were no longer available. Office Remote had the following capabilities:

  • For Microsoft PowerPoint, Office Remote enabled large buttons to make presentations more easily accessible, forward and backward slides, view thumbnails and jump to a side as well as access speakers while presenting a PowerPoint file and have access to the direction of the presentation with an on-screen laser pointer.
  • For Microsoft Excel Office, Remote could jump between spreadsheets, graphs and any named object via gestures, change spreadsheets with swiping, navigate through columns and rows and use PivotTables and filters to change the levels of zoom.
  • For Microsoft Word, Office Remote offered zoom control and scrolling.

Office 365 Video

[edit]

In April 2015, Microsoft launched Office 365 Video, a private video sharing service for the subscribers of Office 365 Academic or Enterprise license. Office 365 Video can be used for training, promotional and informative videos for employees of companies whose intranets do not support video sharing capabilities. The service comes with a mobile app for iPhone.[110][111]

Outlook Groups

[edit]
Main article: Outlook Groups

Outlook Groups was a mobile collaboration application that can be used with Office 365 domains, Microsoft accounts, work accounts or school accounts, despite its name it's not related to Outlook 365 Groups and these two similarly named services do not share many features and Outlook Groups does not integrate with either Yammer and Office 365 Groups.[112] Though the application is free to download the service can exclusively be used by Office 365 subscribers and further integrates with Microsoft Office's other services like OneNote (with which users can collaborate in "notebook") and the core services like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.[113][114] In October 2015 Microsoft added Admin functions which added the ability to create groups, manage members of a group, mention full names, highlight and deep link to a user's profile card.[115] Outlook Groups was retired by Microsoft on May 1, 2018 [116] The functionality was replaced by adding the "Groups node" to the folder list within the Outlook mobile app.[117]

Photosynth

[edit]
Main article: Photosynth

Microsoft Photosynth is a discontinued digital photo analyser from the Microsoft Live Labs and the University of Washington that can generate three-dimensional models and point clouds of photographs.[118]

Users have the option to geotag their digital shots on sites such as Flickr and then upload them to the online Photosynth web service. Images uploaded on Photosynth give people the ability to seamlessly view landmarks, public spaces and objects from all sides.[119][120] The web service can walk or fly through a scene to see photos from any angle, zoom in or out of a photo, see where pictures were taken in relation to one another, smoothly change viewing angle between nearby photos, smoothly zoom in and out of high-resolution photos and find similar photos to the one displayed.

In July 2015 Microsoft announced that they would discontinue the mobile applications for Photosynth from their mobile software distribution platforms but that they will continue to support the application for users who already installed it and that the service would exclusively act as a web service.[121] In February 2017, Microsoft discontinued the service altogether.[122]

Remote Desktop

[edit]
Main article: Remote Desktop Services

Microsoft launched the remote desktop service for several mobile platforms starting in 2013 with the service's launch on iPhones, iPads and Android tablets, the service features multi-touch capabilities, and thanks to compressing technology can also stream video and audio files, connect to external monitors and display presentations from their mobile device.[123] A year after the Remote Desktop service's initial launch Microsoft expanded it to the Windows Phone platform,[124] which later got Azure RemoteApp support.[125]

Mobile browsing

[edit]

Mobile Browsing allows users to access MSN content and services optimized for their mobile devices. Users can:

  • Get MSNBC breaking news
  • View latest Fox Sports highlights and scores
  • Catch up on latest MSN Entertainment, celebrity and movie news
  • Watch videos from the MSN Video service
  • Find local movie and showtimes in the user's local area
  • Get local MSN weather forecast
  • Check their daily horoscope
  • Search the web for information
  • Chat with online buddies with Windows Live Messenger
  • Get maps and driving directions
  • Peruse
  • Get answers to questions

Mobile applications

[edit]

MSN Mobile client software is preloaded on many newer PDA and phones. Some carriers charge a premium to access this service. The client software usually allows IM and email access; some versions provide access to Spaces and Search as well. This application is available on Android,[126] Windows Phone[127] BlackBerry,[128] and later on iPad.[129] in 2014 Microsoft rebranded Bing's suite of mobile applications to the MSN brand renaming their Windows Phone and Windows Store clients from Bing to MSN, these new applications are MSN Money (formerly Bing Finance), MSN Weather, MSN News, MSN Sport, MSN Food & Drink, and MSN Health & Fitness (which absorbed MSN Healthy Living).[130] Later these applications were launched on iOS and Android.[131][132][133] The redesign of the applications and site proved positive and helped increase traffic with an additional 10.000.000 of daily visitors.[134] Sections include MSN News, MSN Entertainment, MSN Sports, MSN Money & Finance, MSN Lifestyle, MSN Videos, MSN Autos,[135] MSN Travel, msnNOW, MSN Online Safety & Security, MSN Career, Family & Living, MSN Education, MSN Shopping, MSN Health, My MSN, and Wonderwall. Though MSN mobile applications have evolved into full featured standalone versions bringing together multiple MSN sections into specialised applications, historical MSN apps were mere readers for the website and often didn't include any features other than the ability to read articles.[136]

Skype Mobile

[edit]
Main article: Skype

Skype has mobile applications for most mobile operating systems and comes pre-installed on Windows Phone 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1,[137][138] Skype Mobile is popular among enterprises who use it for business communications but has been criticized for its lackluster and whimsical video quality,[139] in 2014 Microsoft started improving on the quality Skype's mobile applications and fixed a notification bug that would notify users on various devices they've signed into with their Skype account even if they are actively using it on one of their devices.[140]

After Microsoft acquired Skype they also got their mobile services including GroupMe and Qik.

GroupMe

[edit]
Main article: GroupMe

GroupMe is a mobile group messaging service for Windows Phone, Android and iOS, GroupMe allows users to send text messages to anyone in their contact lists and notifies users of planned events in their calendars. The service was launched in May 2010. When Microsoft announced their plans to acquire Skype in May 2011 Skype, Skype acquired GroupMe in August 2011 as the Microsoft-Skype merger wasn't passed through regulations, GroupMe was then just a year old startup company at the time of their acquisition by Skype Technologies.[141]

Skype Qik

[edit]
Main article: Skype Qik

Qik, Inc. was originally a video messaging company, it was acquired by Skype Technologies in 2011,[142][143] and was eventually integrated into Skype's features with the original Qik client being retired by Microsoft in April 2014.[144]

Later in 2014 Microsoft relaunched Qik as a video message sharing application for Windows Phone, Android and iOS that requires users to register their mobile telephone numbers and send and receive messages to and from contacts in their phonebooks. Videos created via Skype Qik can't be shared or saved in any way or form and will be automatically deleted after a short period of time.[145]

On February 22, 2016, Microsoft announced their plans to retire the Skype Qik app on March 24 citing low usage.[146] Many features from the app have been integrated into the Skype app.[147]

Skype WiFi

[edit]

Skype WiFi (previously known as Skype Access)[148] is a service designed to provide cheap WiFi all over the world which is accessible through an iPhone and Android app, when the service launched Skype offered the service free of charge for an entire weekend.[149] In 2012 the service was expanded to the United Kingdom and provided it in the form of routers and would be gratis for owners of a Skype account during the entire month of October.[150] In 2013 Microsoft launched the Skype WiFi app in the Windows Store and at the time Microsoft claimed that the service works with over a million hotspots around the world.[151] In June 2015, Microsoft announced that they were in the process of rebranding Skype WiFi into Microsoft WiFi.[152]

Skype for Business

[edit]
Main article: Skype for Business

In 2015 Microsoft rebranded the Lync messaging service to Skype for Business, a move accompanied by the fact that the Microsoft Lync team and Skype Technologies were moved into a single business unit.[153] Alongside the rebranding Microsoft added several features from Skype such as video conferencing and calling alongside several new features and graphical user interface changes such as searching contacts, full-screen videos, and call managing. IT admins can use Active Directory Authentication Library-based authentication to configure multi-factor authentication for the Skype for Business mobile application.[154][155] The Skype for Business application was first rebranded on Windows Phone in July 2015 and was gradually introduced to other platforms.[156]

Despite its branding Skype for Business is a part of Microsoft Office and can only be used by Microsoft Office 365 subscribers and users of Microsoft Office Professional Plus.[157]

TechRewards

[edit]
See also: Windows App Studio

TechRewards (previously DVLUP) is a developer programme by Microsoft Mobile (originally Nokia)[158] that encourages developers to make Windows Phone Store and Windows Store (and formerly Nokia Asha, and Nokia X)[159][160] applications and rewards developers who update and create applications. The DVLUP platform exists to increase visibility and quality of the applications by its users and functions as a pilot programme which allows users to create, book and manage their own application's promotion and marketing.[161][162] Under Microsoft the Nokia Developer Ambassador program was abolished.[163] The service is currently available in over 192 markets.[164]

In April 2015 Microsoft updated the DVLUP programme as a part of the Microsoft Developer Network and made it mandatory for new and existing users to have a Microsoft account, and would migrate all past content, history, points, and data during this move and added single-sign in for MSDN users and gave the platform a visual facelift to make it more aligned with the MSDN and other Microsoft properties.[165] The new site was called the Windows Developer Rewards programme and has turned the site to resemble more like a game so that developers would have "more fun" while earning points.[166]

Video games

[edit]

Microsoft develops a few video games for Microsoft Lumia handsets. The general trend in these games is saving the environment.

  • Modern Mayor (previously Nokia Modern Mayor) is a Sim City-like game where the player is placed as a mayor of a dystopian city and has to reconstruct and improve the city's environment. The game is designed to raise awareness on pollution and in-app purchases go to real life charities.[167][168]
  • Climate Mission (previously Nokia Climate Mission) and Climate Mission 3D (previously Nokia Climate Mission 3D) are mobile games designed to educate the player on reducing their carbon footprint.[169] The game has three basic levels: ants; trees; and icebergs. Each category contains twenty different levels.[170][171]

Xbox

[edit]
Main articles: Xbox Live, Zune Marketplace, and List of Xbox games on Windows Phone

Windows Phone 7 was the first mobile operating system to have Xbox Live integration in a mobile app dubbed Xbox Live Extras, and with launch of Windows Phone 7.5 Microsoft included Xbox Live in the operating system's Games Hub. Xbox Live on Windows Phone enables users to edit their avatars, communicate with people from their Xbox Live friends list, and hosts the games installed on the device.[172][173]

SmartGlass

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Main article: Xbox SmartGlass

Xbox SmartGlass is a companion application for the Xbox 360 and Xbox One consoles that enables users to connect their mobile devices with their consoles. The Xbox SmartGlass enables users to launch applications, play their music and videos, and control a select number of games and interact with an additional layer of the Xbox's TV settings. SmartGlass has been dubbed Microsoft's answer to the Nintendo WiiU's second screen.[174]

See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Microsoft mobile services

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Microsoft mobile services comprise a broad of cloud platforms, development tools, management solutions, and productivity applications provided by to facilitate creation, device security, and user productivity across platforms like Android, , and Windows. Central to this are Azure App Service Mobile Apps for scalable backends supporting authentication, data synchronization, and push notifications; for endpoint management enabling policy enforcement and app deployment on mobile devices; and mobile apps such as Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, and for seamless access to enterprise tools. The evolution of Microsoft's mobile services traces back to its early hardware-software integration efforts, beginning with the release of on June 23, 2003, which extended the Windows brand to pocket PCs and smartphones, offering enhanced wireless connectivity and integration with desktop applications like Outlook. This was followed by the launch of on February 15, 2010, introducing a tile-based interface and deep integration with Microsoft services such as Xbox Live and to compete in the smartphone market. A pivotal partnership with , announced on February 11, 2011, aimed to accelerate Windows Phone adoption through exclusive hardware development, culminating in Microsoft's $7.2 billion acquisition of Nokia's Devices and Services division in April 2014. By 2017, facing market challenges, Microsoft discontinued active development of Windows 10 Mobile, with official support ending on December 10, 2019, for the final version (1709). This marked a strategic pivot under CEO Satya Nadella's "mobile-first, cloud-first" vision, articulated on March 27, 2014, emphasizing cross-platform services over proprietary operating systems to empower developers and enterprises through Azure and universal apps. Today, this focus manifests in tools like .NET Multi-platform App UI (MAUI) within for building cross-platform apps with up to 95% code reuse across iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS, alongside low-code options in Power Apps for rapid mobile solution deployment. These services prioritize security and scalability, with Intune integrating with for zero-trust access and Azure providing real-time analytics via . Enterprise adoption is evident in cases like , which leveraged (predecessor to ) for mobile apps serving over 40,000 users. As of 2025, with Visual Studio App Center retired on March 31, 2025, Microsoft continues to innovate through AI-enhanced tools like Copilot in mobile apps, with users encouraged to migrate to Azure Pipelines or other Azure services for continued build, test, and distribution capabilities, ensuring robust support for hybrid work environments.

Overview and History

Origins in Windows Mobile

Microsoft launched Pocket PC 2000 in April 2000, the initial version of its mobile operating system built on Windows CE 3.0 designed for handheld devices like personal digital assistants (PDAs) and early smartphones, serving as the foundational platform for integrating 's initial mobile services such as and productivity tools. This OS enabled seamless connectivity between mobile devices and desktop environments, emphasizing enterprise-focused features to extend the Windows ecosystem to portable computing. Central to these early services was , Microsoft's synchronization software that allowed users to exchange data like emails, calendars, contacts, and files between devices and PCs running , providing a reliable over-the-air and USB-based syncing experience. Key bundled applications included Pocket Outlook, which handled email, calendar, contacts, and tasks with support for wireless synchronization and integration with desktop Outlook for real-time updates. offered web browsing capabilities optimized for small screens, rendering content with basic support for forms and navigation, while Media Player Mobile enabled playback of audio and video files, including in formats like WMA and WMV. A significant enhancement came in 2005 with the introduction of support via the Messaging and Security Feature Pack for , allowing instant delivery of Outlook emails, calendars, and tasks from Exchange servers without manual polling, reducing battery drain and improving responsiveness. Despite these advancements, Windows Mobile faced substantial challenges from competitors like , which dominated enterprise email with superior , and devices, which offered simpler interfaces and broader consumer appeal, resulting in service limitations such as a fragmented app ecosystem that relied heavily on native Microsoft tools rather than third-party developers. The platform's app availability remained sparse until the release of Windows Mobile 6 in 2007, which introduced improvements like enhanced Office Mobile editing, better HTML email rendering in Pocket Outlook, and an updated SDK for easier native and managed code development, though it still lagged behind rivals in developer adoption and app variety. From 2000 to 2009, 's evolution included key carrier partnerships, such as the 2001 collaboration between and Verizon Wireless to integrate personal management services with , enabling bundled data plans and device . By 2002, this expanded into a nationwide for superior data services on Verizon's network, supporting MSN-powered content and devices. Further milestones included Verizon's 2004 rollout of multiple smartphones and its 2005 launch as the first U.S. carrier for the on , bundling broadband access with enterprise services to boost adoption.

Acquisition of Nokia and Windows Phone Era

In 2010, Microsoft launched on October 21 as a major overhaul of its , introducing a tile-based interface and integrated services to differentiate from competitors. The platform debuted with the Windows Phone Marketplace, which served as a central hub for downloading apps, games, and media, and featured Xbox Live integration for seamless mobile gaming experiences, including achievements and multiplayer support across over 60 launch titles. This built on earlier foundations by emphasizing a unified for and productivity. Key services enhanced the platform's appeal, including the People Hub, a centralized contact management tool that aggregated social feeds from networks like and for real-time updates and interactions. In 2012, Microsoft introduced SkyDrive mobile apps, providing cloud storage access for files, photos, and documents directly on Windows Phone devices, with updates enabling seamless syncing across platforms. That same year, Windows Phone 8 launched on October 29, shifting to the Windows NT kernel for improved performance and introducing native code support with and C++, which allowed developers to port more sophisticated apps from the desktop Windows ecosystem. To bolster hardware and market presence, Microsoft acquired Nokia's Devices and Services division for $7.2 billion in September 2013, a deal completed in April 2014, which integrated Nokia's expertise in smartphone manufacturing. This acquisition enabled Microsoft to produce Lumia-branded devices running , featuring deep service integrations like Here mapping and enhanced connectivity, aiming to create a cohesive devices-and-services . reached its peak global of 3.7% in the second quarter of 2013, driven by Lumia sales and partnerships, before facing competitive pressures from Android and .

Shift to Cross-Platform Services

Following the decline of Windows Phone, Microsoft announced the end of support for on July 11, 2017, marking the conclusion of active development for its . This decision, coupled with the cessation of new feature updates for in October 2017, prompted a strategic pivot toward cross-platform accessibility, prioritizing services on dominant ecosystems like Android and rather than exclusivity to Windows devices. The shift built upon the foundation of services developed during the Nokia acquisition era, redirecting resources to ensure broader reach through web and native app integrations. Key milestones in this transition included the release of mobile apps for in March 2014 and a preview for Android tablets in November 2014, enabling seamless productivity tools across platforms. In September 2015, received major updates for and Android, featuring redesigned interfaces, enhanced search, improved messaging, and group calling capabilities to improve usability on non-Windows devices. By October 2017, launched its Launcher app for Android, providing a customizable experience integrated with services like Outlook and , further embedding the company's ecosystem into the Android environment. These developments aligned with the adoption of frameworks like the Universal Windows Platform (UWP) for Windows-centric apps, while emphasizing native cross-platform development for portability beyond Windows. This cross-platform focus drove significant adoption, with Microsoft apps collectively surpassing 1 billion installs on Android devices by 2019–2020, exemplified by Word, Excel, and PowerPoint each reaching that milestone individually. By 2025, integrations of AI features like Copilot into mobile apps, including the Microsoft 365 Copilot app rollout starting January 2025, enhanced functionalities such as app building, workflow automation, and seamless device continuity for Android and users. In the current landscape, Microsoft's emphasis on the ecosystem has solidified mobile service adoption, with over 430 million paid commercial seats reported by mid-2025, reflecting robust growth of 7% year-over-year and driving cross-platform usage through cloud-synced productivity and collaboration tools. As of Q1 FY2026 (September 2025), Commercial seats continued to grow 6% year-over-year, underscoring sustained expansion in cross-platform mobile service usage. This strategy underscores a commitment to across operating systems, positioning as a key provider of mobile services irrespective of device choice.

Search and Discovery Services

Bing Mobile

Bing Mobile refers to Microsoft's suite of search services optimized for mobile devices, serving as the primary gateway for users seeking information on smartphones and tablets through web and app interfaces. Launched alongside the broader Bing search engine on June 3, 2009, the mobile-optimized site m.bing.com provided early support for location-based results by integrating GPS data to deliver nearby business listings, weather, and events, alongside enhanced image search capabilities that displayed results in a visually navigable format. In November 2011, Microsoft released dedicated Bing apps for and Android, marking a shift toward native mobile experiences with features like offline map access and quick sharing to social networks. The apps introduced in 2018, allowing users to upload or capture images via camera to identify objects, landmarks, or products and retrieve related information such as options or similar visuals. Additionally, the Bing Rewards program, integrated into the mobile apps, enabled users to earn —later rebranded as Rewards points—by completing daily searches and quizzes, redeemable for gift cards or donations. From 2014 to 2019, integrated through Cortana, Microsoft's , which powered queries on and extended to and Android apps for hands-free results drawn from Bing's index. By 2023, Bing had surpassed 100 million daily active users overall, with mobile devices accounting for approximately 66% of its search queries, reflecting the dominance of usage in modern search behavior. In 2023, the Bing mobile apps received significant AI enhancements, incorporating GPT models from to generate concise summaries of search results, answer complex questions conversationally, and provide cited insights directly in the interface via Copilot integration. These features continue to evolve with performance improvements and bug fixes as of 2025.

MSN Mobile

MSN Mobile originated as a wireless content service launched by in June 1999, designed to deliver news, weather, and other information to cellular phones, handheld devices, and pagers via MSN.com. This early iteration marked Microsoft's initial foray into mobile-optimized portals, building on the broader network established in the mid-1990s. Over the years, it transitioned from web-based access to dedicated applications, reflecting the shift toward smartphone ecosystems. In September 2014, rebranded its suite of Bing-branded apps for as apps, introducing the Mobile app with customizable home screens that allowed users to personalize feeds for , , and other content. The app quickly expanded to cross-platform availability on and Android later that year, enabling seamless access across devices and emphasizing curated, user-tailored experiences powered in part by Bing's content engine. Legacy web and early mobile versions of services were phased out in favor of this unified app, which by 2024 had garnered hundreds of thousands of user ratings on major app stores, indicating widespread adoption. The Mobile app serves as a comprehensive content portal, aggregating real-time news from over 1,000 sources worldwide for personalized daily briefings and in-depth stories. It includes advanced weather features such as hourly and 10-day forecasts, interactive radar maps, air quality indexes, and UV details to help users plan activities. Finance tools provide market trends, stock trackers, and economic news from leading sources, allowing users to monitor portfolios and investments directly within the app. Additional elements like short videos and productivity tips enhance its role as an all-in-one mobile hub. MSN Mobile operates on an ad-supported monetization model, displaying targeted advertisements within content feeds to generate revenue while keeping the app free for users. It integrates closely with the browser, enabling smooth transitions from app summaries to full web articles for deeper exploration.

Personal Assistant Services

Cortana

Cortana was launched in April 2014 as a key feature of , serving as Microsoft's voice-activated inspired by the artificial intelligence character from the Halo video game series. It utilized to handle user requests, enabling functionalities such as setting reminders, providing weather updates, and controlling music playback through voice commands. Among its core features, Cortana introduced the "Hey Cortana" wake word for hands-free activation, allowing users to interact without pressing buttons. It integrated deeply with for scheduling tasks and managing calendars, syncing events and appointments seamlessly across devices. Additionally, the feature served as a personalized repository where users could store interests, preferences, and connected services like email accounts, enabling Cortana to deliver tailored responses and proactive suggestions. By mid-2018, Cortana had reached a peak of over 150 million monthly active users, reflecting its growing adoption on mobile and desktop platforms. Cortana's evolution expanded beyond Windows Phone with the release of standalone apps for and Android in December 2015, making it accessible as a companion assistant on non-Microsoft devices. However, Microsoft discontinued these standalone mobile apps in March 2021, shifting Cortana's capabilities into integrated tools within for enhanced productivity features like email management and task automation. As of 2025, legacy support for Cortana has fully ended following the retirement of its standalone app in Windows during late 2023, with remaining functionalities migrated to Microsoft Copilot for continued voice assistance in enterprise environments.

Microsoft Copilot Mobile

Microsoft Copilot Mobile is a generative AI assistant application developed by Microsoft, serving as the primary successor to the earlier Cortana virtual assistant. Launched as a standalone free app for iOS and Android devices on January 3, 2024, it leverages OpenAI's large language models, including GPT-4 and later versions such as GPT-5, to enable advanced mobile interactions. The app supports a range of creative and practical tasks, including image generation, code writing, and real-time translation, allowing users to perform complex queries directly from their smartphones. Key features of the app include Designer mode, which utilizes DALL-E 3 for creating custom images from textual prompts, and seamless integration with applications for tasks such as summarizing documents or generating insights from emails and files. Additionally, Copilot Voice enables natural, conversational interactions in over 50 languages; as of October 2025, it supports 77 languages for multilingual voice input and output, enhancing accessibility across global users. An enterprise variant, integrated into , extends these capabilities to professional environments, facilitating collaborative AI-driven workflows while adhering to organizational data boundaries. Adoption has been rapid, with the app accumulating approximately 79 million downloads by mid-2025, reflecting strong user engagement in both and enterprise contexts. measures are emphasized, including of data in transit and at rest, options for deleting conversation history, and processing within secure boundaries to prevent unauthorized data access. These features position Copilot Mobile as a versatile tool for on-the-go and , with ongoing updates enhancing its multimodal AI functionalities.

Productivity and Office Services

Office Mobile Suite

The Office Mobile Suite, comprising applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, was initially launched in 2009 as a bundled component of , enabling basic document viewing and editing on early smartphones. This version focused on compatibility with the Windows Mobile ecosystem, providing core productivity tools optimized for limited hardware. In 2014, Microsoft expanded the suite to cross-platform availability, releasing native apps for and Android devices, which allowed users to create, edit, and collaborate on documents beyond the Windows environment. These mobile apps support real-time co-authoring, where multiple users can simultaneously edit files stored in the cloud, with changes reflected instantly across devices. Key features across the apps emphasize touch-optimized interfaces for on-the-go productivity. In Word for mobile, users can create and format documents with voice input via the Dictate feature, introduced in 2016, which converts speech to text using device microphones. Excel on mobile supports data analysis tools, including pivot tables adapted for touch interactions, allowing users to summarize and visualize datasets through gestures like swiping and tapping. PowerPoint's mobile version includes the Presenter Coach AI, launched in 2020, which provides real-time feedback on pacing, filler words, and delivery during rehearsals via the device's microphone. The suite integrates seamlessly with for cloud synchronization, ensuring files remain accessible and up-to-date across devices, while supporting offline editing that automatically syncs changes upon reconnection. The 2025 updates incorporate AI for generating auto-summaries of documents, enhancing efficiency by condensing content into key insights directly within the apps. As of 2025, the Office mobile apps have amassed over 500 million downloads on Android alone, reflecting widespread adoption. Licensing offers free access to basic viewing and light editing functions, with premium capabilities—such as advanced collaboration, additional storage, and full AI features—available through subscriptions starting at $6 per user per month.

Email and Collaboration Tools

Microsoft Outlook Mobile, launched in January 2015 for and as a preview for Android, serves as a unified mobile client integrating , , and contacts management to streamline personal and professional communication on the go. Developed following Microsoft's acquisition of the Accompli email app in 2014, it was rebranded and expanded to provide a seamless across devices, supporting multiple accounts in a single interface. A key feature introduced in October 2016 was Focused Inbox, an AI-driven sorting mechanism that prioritizes high-importance messages from frequent contacts and separates them from less urgent ones, using to adapt to user behavior over time. This helps users focus on critical communications without missing important updates, with options to toggle between Focused and Other inboxes. Additional usability enhancements include customizable swipe actions, allowing users to archive, flag, delete, or mark as read with simple gestures, which can be personalized via app settings. Outlook Mobile also integrates with , enabling chat previews and quick access to team conversations directly from email threads for improved . Complementing email tools, , launched in June 2016 as part of Office 365, offers through visual boards resembling digital setups, where teams can create buckets, assign tasks, set due dates, and attach files. The , released in 2017 for and Android, extends these capabilities with push notifications for task updates, progress tracking, and real-time comments to keep remote teams aligned. It supports standard protocols including IMAP, POP3, and Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync, ensuring compatibility with various email providers beyond Microsoft ecosystems. In 2025 updates, AI enhancements powered by introduced automated email drafting, intelligent response suggestions, and event recommendations based on calendar and email content analysis, further reducing manual effort in communication workflows. These tools also facilitate file attachments from the broader Office Mobile suite for seamless sharing during collaboration.

Security and Authentication Services

Microsoft Authenticator, launched on August 15, 2016, serves as a key mobile tool for secure authentication, enabling users to verify their identity without passwords through methods such as biometric scans ( or face recognition) and push notifications sent to registered devices. The app supports (MFA) for a wide range of accounts, including Microsoft services and third-party providers, by generating time-based one-time passcodes or approving sign-ins via app notifications. It also facilitated password autofill for supported browsers and apps until mid-August 2025, when this feature was discontinued to consolidate password management within . As part of Microsoft's push toward phishing-resistant , enables passwordless sign-ins using FIDO2 standards, where users confirm access by matching a displayed number on the screen with one in the app or via biometrics, reducing reliance on vulnerable passwords. This integration extends briefly to services like Outlook, allowing seamless, secure email access through the same MFA prompts. By 2025, with the enforcement of mandatory MFA for Azure sign-ins starting October 1, has become a preferred method for complying with these requirements, particularly for Azure CLI, , and admin centers, where legacy is phased out. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint on mobile platforms, introduced in preview for Android and iOS in 2020, provides comprehensive threat protection tailored for mobile devices. The app offers real-time antivirus scanning to detect malware, web protection to block phishing sites and malicious links, and—until its discontinuation in February 2025—a built-in VPN for encrypted browsing. Designed for both personal and enterprise use, it integrates with Microsoft Intune for centralized device management, allowing administrators to enforce compliance policies, monitor threats, and remotely configure security settings across enrolled Android and iOS devices. This enterprise focus ensures scalable protection, with features like app vulnerability assessments and jailbreak detection enhancing overall mobile ecosystem security.

Entertainment and Media Services

Music and Audio Services

Microsoft's entry into mobile music services prominently featured , launched in July 2015 as the rebranded successor to Xbox Music. The Groove mobile app, available on and Android, enabled streaming access to a catalog of over 40 million tracks through the Groove Music Pass subscription, alongside support for offline downloads of songs and albums for mobile playback. Users could create and share playlists across devices, integrating personal music libraries stored in for seamless access on , , and Android platforms. In a bid to enhance its offerings, briefly incorporated elements from MixRadio, a curated radio service acquired as part of the 2014 Nokia purchase, which added personalized radio stations to the Groove ecosystem in early 2015. However, sold MixRadio to later that year, leading to its full shutdown by Line in March 2016, after which Groove focused on on-demand streaming and personal collections. The Pass streaming service was discontinued on December 31, 2017, with Microsoft announcing a partnership with to ease the transition for subscribers, who could migrate their playlists and libraries directly to the platform. Following the shutdown, the Groove mobile apps for and Android were retired in December 2018, shifting emphasis away from proprietary streaming. As of 2025, Microsoft's mobile audio capabilities continue to support personal music management through integration for storing and accessing libraries across mobile devices, enabling offline playback and cloud-synced audio without a dedicated streaming service. Song generation features are available via web-based Copilot integrations, accessible through mobile browsers.

Video Streaming and TV Apps

Microsoft's Movies & TV app serves as a core component of its mobile video services, enabling users to purchase, rent, and stream digital movies and TV shows directly from the with support for offline downloads on compatible Windows devices. Initially launched in 2012 with the release of , the app provided mobile users with access to a curated library of high-definition content, marking Microsoft's push into on-demand video consumption tailored for smartphones. The service traces its roots to the Video Marketplace introduced in 2006 as part of Microsoft's media player ecosystem, which offered video downloads and streaming before evolving into Xbox Video and eventually rebranding to Movies & TV in 2012 to align with the Windows platform's unified experience. This progression expanded availability to mobile platforms, including and later cross-device support on Windows tablets and PCs, while maintaining for -era purchases. By 2025, the app remains available on Windows and ecosystems. Key features of the Movies & TV app include 4K Ultra HD playback support, added in 2018 to deliver enhanced visual quality on high-resolution mobile screens, and seamless content synchronization across devices linked to a single , allowing users to resume viewing sessions without interruption. Offline viewing remains a hallmark, with downloaded titles playable without an connection after initial verification, making it suitable for or low-connectivity scenarios. In July 2025, Microsoft ceased new movie and TV purchases or rentals through the app and associated storefronts, shifting focus to legacy content management while preserving access to existing libraries on Windows and . Eligible purchased titles can be synced to for viewing on , Android, and other compatible devices. The app integrates with third-party streaming platforms such as Netflix and Disney+ through account-based ecosystems, though primary functionality centers on Microsoft's owned content catalog, accessible on supported platforms.

Gaming Integration Services

Microsoft's gaming integration services on mobile devices began with the launch of the My Xbox LIVE app in June 2012 for Android devices, following its iOS debut earlier that year, offering users access to Xbox Live features like achievements, messages, and social networking directly from their smartphones. This app laid the foundation for mobile companionship to Xbox ecosystems, evolving over the years into the modern Xbox app, which incorporates party chat capabilities and achievement tracking overlays to enhance real-time gaming interactions without leaving the mobile interface. By providing seamless connectivity to consoles and cloud services, these features have transformed mobile devices into essential extensions of the Xbox experience. A key milestone in this integration came with Xbox SmartGlass, released in October 2012 for , Android, , and devices, enabling users to use their mobile gadgets as a second screen for controlling consoles and accessing interactive content such as maps, stats, or media controls during gameplay. SmartGlass exemplified early efforts to bridge mobile and console gaming, allowing for enhanced immersion, like browsing or receiving contextual information tied to on-screen events. Although later superseded by more advanced apps, it pioneered the concept of mobile as an interactive companion to stationary gaming hardware. The advent of cloud gaming further expanded these services with Project xCloud's public preview beta in October 2019, initially supporting four titles on Android mobile devices and expanding to over 50 games by November of that year, all streamable without downloads via compatible controllers or touch inputs. Renamed in 2020, the service integrated deeply with mobile platforms, allowing Ultimate subscribers to play high-fidelity console titles on phones and tablets. By 2025, it featured touch controls optimized for more than 50 games, eliminating the need for physical controllers in select titles, and remained a core component of Ultimate, which boasted over 37 million subscribers globally as of Q1 2025. This integration has enabled mobile gamers to access a vast library of games on the go, with the mobile app supporting approximately 8 million monthly active users as of early 2025 through features like clip sharing for game highlights.

Communication Services

Skype Mobile

Skype Mobile refers to the dedicated application for Skype's (VoIP), video calling, and services, optimized for smartphones and tablets across major operating systems. Initially released as a beta version for Nokia's platform on December 10, 2009, the app enabled users to make free Skype-to-Skype calls and send instant messages directly from compatible devices, marking Skype's early push into beyond desktop clients. This launch targeted the prevalent Symbian ecosystem at the time, allowing international calling without traditional cellular networks when connected via or data. By 2011, Skype Mobile had achieved cross-platform availability, with native apps for (launched March 31, 2009), Android (October 2010), and continued support for , facilitating seamless on diverse devices. This expansion coincided with Skype reaching an estimated 660 million registered users globally, driven by the growing adoption of smartphones and the appeal of free or low-cost international communication. , a core feature from the app's inception, allowed users to bypass carrier charges for VoIP sessions, significantly boosting accessibility in regions with limited cellular plans. Key features of Skype Mobile evolved to include high-definition (HD) video calls, introduced progressively across platforms starting around 2011 to enhance visual quality for one-on-one and group interactions. Screen sharing was added to the in 2019, enabling users to broadcast their device screen during video calls for collaborative purposes like or presentations. Additionally, real-time translation capabilities, powered by , supported over 100 languages for text messages by 2019, with voice translation available in a smaller set of languages to bridge communication barriers in multilingual conversations. In January 2011, Skype acquired Qik, a mobile video streaming service, for approximately $150 million, which introduced video messaging functionality; this was later integrated into the core app by 2014, allowing users to send short video clips asynchronously. Leading up to its retirement, Skype Mobile received updates enhancing audio and security, including was implemented for private one-on-one calls and chats in 2018 using the , providing stronger privacy protections, though group calls relied on server-side encryption. These features were part of ongoing refinements before the consumer version of , including its mobile app, was retired on May 5, 2025, as shifted focus to integrated services like Teams. Following retirement, encouraged migration of mobile users to the Teams app for continued VoIP, video, and messaging capabilities. A business-oriented variant, Mobile, launched in 2015 with apps for , Android, and , offering enterprise-grade features like meeting integration and presence indicators tailored for professional use. This app was retired alongside Skype for Business Online on July 31, 2021, with Microsoft directing users to migrate to Teams for continued business communication.

Microsoft Teams Mobile

Microsoft Teams Mobile is the mobile application version of , a collaboration platform launched on March 14, 2017, that provides mobile access to chat, video meetings, and functionalities integrated within the ecosystem. From its inception, the app supported cross-platform availability on iOS and Android devices, enabling users to participate in team-based workflows on the go. By 2024, Microsoft Teams had reached 320 million monthly active users globally, reflecting its growth as a mobile-first hub for both professional and personal collaboration. Key features of the Teams Mobile app include live captions for real-time transcription during meetings, available in up to 40 languages to enhance accessibility for multilingual participants. Breakout rooms allow organizers to divide large virtual events into smaller discussion groups directly from the mobile interface, facilitating interactive sessions. Additionally, seamless integration with the Outlook calendar enables mobile users to schedule, join, and manage meetings without switching apps, streamlining productivity. The platform evolved significantly with the introduction of a free personal version in April 2020, expanding access beyond enterprise subscribers to include individual users for casual teaming and family coordination. In 2023, Microsoft integrated Copilot, an AI-powered assistant, to generate automated meeting summaries, capturing key discussion points, action items, and speaker attributions post-session. This evolution positioned Teams Mobile as a versatile tool for on-the-move collaboration. In its enterprise orientation, Microsoft Teams Mobile succeeded , which served as a legacy calling backbone before its phase-out, emphasizing team workflows over individual communications. The app delivers mobile push notifications for real-time alerts on messages exchanged across chats and channels, ensuring constant connectivity for business users.

Device Management and Utilities

Software Update and Maintenance Tools

Microsoft introduced over-the-air (OTA) software updates with the launch of in 2012, enabling users to automatically receive operating system patches and app updates directly on their devices without requiring a PC connection. This system automated the delivery of security fixes, feature enhancements, and compatibility improvements, marking a shift from earlier updates that relied on the for PC-based installations. The OTA mechanism included background downloading to minimize user interruption and compatibility checks to ensure stable installations. In 2015, as Windows Phone evolved into Windows 10 Mobile, Microsoft rebranded and enhanced its recovery capabilities with the Windows Device Recovery Tool (WDRT), which succeeded the earlier Windows Phone Recovery Tool introduced in 2014. The WDRT facilitated firmware reflashing and full software reinstallation for Lumia devices and other Windows phones, helping users recover from bricked states or failed updates by downloading the latest official firmware from Microsoft servers. Features such as rollback options allowed reversion to previous stable versions if issues arose post-update, while automated diagnostics checked device compatibility before proceeding. Complementing these mobile-centric tools, the Software Recovery Tool—released in 2013 for Lumia devices under Microsoft's acquisition of 's mobile division—served as a PC-based companion application for advanced maintenance tasks like flashing and system restoration. This tool connected Lumia phones via USB to a Windows PC, enabling users to reinstall the operating system, update drivers, and perform low-level repairs not possible through OTA methods. It was particularly useful for enterprise environments or users facing connectivity issues with wireless updates. In the modern era, Microsoft has shifted focus to cross-platform enterprise management through , which by 2025 supports automated app and configuration updates for Android and devices alongside Windows. Intune's update policies enforce timely deployment of security patches and OS compliance checks, integrating with (MDM) to handle background downloads and staged rollouts for organizations. This evolution extends legacy principles to a broader , including features like device inventory reporting for Apple and Android to monitor update status. Timely application of these updates has been shown to significantly mitigate the risk of exploitation from known vulnerabilities, with indicating that prompt patching can reduce the window of exposure for cyber threats. While and camera applications from occasionally include optimization features for device performance, the primary maintenance occurs through dedicated update tools.

Imaging and Camera Applications

Microsoft's imaging and camera applications for mobile devices have evolved from specialized tools for Lumia smartphones to cross-platform utilities emphasizing document scanning and photo enhancement. Early offerings focused on creative capture and editing for users, while later developments integrated (OCR) and productivity features across ecosystems. The Lumia Imaging Apps suite, introduced in 2013 following Nokia's acquisition by , provided advanced camera functionalities tailored to Lumia devices. Nokia Camera, the flagship app, supported RAW (DNG) image capture on high-end models like the Lumia 1020 and 1520, enabling professional-grade photography with uncompressed sensor data for post-processing flexibility. This feature was rolled out via a software update in late 2013, allowing users to save images in a format that preserved full and detail. Complementing this, Creative Studio offered real-time filters and editing tools, including effects like vignette, auto-enhance, and color adjustments, alongside basic cropping and sharpness controls. The app also included a panorama mode for stitching multiple shots into 360-degree views, enhancing immersive capture on Lumia hardware. These tools were exclusive to Nokia Lumia s and represented Microsoft's initial push into mobile imaging innovation post-acquisition. In 2015, Microsoft expanded its mobile imaging portfolio with Office Lens (renamed Microsoft Lens in 2021), a scanning app initially developed for but quickly ported to and Android platforms. The app uses OCR technology to digitize printed or handwritten text from documents, whiteboards, business cards, and receipts, converting captured images into editable formats. Users can export scans directly to OneNote for seamless integration with 's productivity ecosystem, or save them as PDFs, Word files, or images in . By design, it automatically enhances image quality—correcting perspective, removing shadows, and boosting contrast—to produce clean, readable outputs. Available free on both and Android, Microsoft Lens became a staple for mobile document management, with features like multi-page scanning and intelligent categorization (e.g., distinguishing documents from whiteboards). Advanced features in Microsoft's mobile imaging apps have included AI-driven enhancements and legacy 3D capabilities. In 2020, updates to the Microsoft Photos app on Windows introduced generative AI for object removal, allowing users to erase unwanted elements from images using inpainting, though mobile equivalents focused more on post-capture editing in Lens. Earlier, —a Microsoft service for generating 3D models from photo sequences—integrated with mobile camera apps like Microsoft Pix on , enabling users to create interactive panoramas and spatial reconstructions from device captures. This functionality, which analyzed overlapping images to build navigable 3D environments, was discontinued in 2017 as part of broader service rationalizations, with offline export tools provided for existing models. As of 2025, Microsoft Lens supports cross-platform availability on and Android but began retirement on October 25, 2025, with removal from app stores on December 25, 2025, and scanning capabilities ending on January 25, 2026, with features migrating to the Copilot and apps.

Remote Access and Control Services

Microsoft's Remote Desktop Mobile app, first made available in 2010 as a preinstalled feature on devices, enables users to remotely access and control Windows PCs from mobile phones, leveraging touch gestures for navigation and interaction. This functionality provides a full desktop experience on smaller screens, supporting tasks such as running applications, managing files, and performing administrative duties directly from handheld devices. The app integrates with the (RDP) to deliver secure, low-latency connections, making it suitable for on-the-go productivity. Over the years, the app has evolved with key enhancements, including multi-monitor support introduced in 2014, which allows users to extend sessions across multiple displays for improved workflow efficiency. Additional features like seamless file transfer between the mobile device and remote PC, as well as audio streaming for synchronized sound, further enhance usability in professional environments. By 2025, the successor Windows App incorporates biometric authentication via Windows Hello for Business, enabling secure sign-ins using facial recognition or fingerprints during remote sessions. Related to these control capabilities, Microsoft's Motion API, released in 2012 as part of 7.5 updates, facilitates gesture-based interactions in mobile applications by combining data from accelerometers, gyroscopes, and compasses. This API powers intuitive controls, such as tilt and shake gestures, and was notably utilized in the SmartGlass app for navigating consoles from Windows Phones, allowing users to browse media and control gameplay without traditional remotes. In enterprise settings, the see extensive adoption for IT support, with millions of annual connections facilitating remote and maintenance across global workforces. Security tools, such as RDP and , ensure safe remote sessions in these deployments.

Legacy and Discontinued Services

Nokia-Specific Services

Nokia-specific services encompassed a range of applications and platforms developed exclusively for Lumia smartphones running , emphasizing enhanced functionality tied to Nokia's hardware before Microsoft's 2013 acquisition of the Devices and Services division. These offerings focused on app distribution, communication, , and , providing users with seamless integration optimized for Lumia devices' features like superior and battery life. They represented Nokia's strategy to differentiate its Windows Phone ecosystem amid competition from and Android platforms. The primary app distribution platform was the Windows Phone Store, branded under for Lumia devices and launched in 2012 alongside the first Lumia models. By June 2012, it hosted over 100,000 apps, expanding to more than 300,000 by mid-2014 as developer support grew. Following the acquisition's completion in April 2014, rebranded and unified it into the broader Windows Store to support cross-device compatibility with and emerging universal apps. In the communication domain, and Chat debuted in as beta applications exclusive to Lumia handsets, delivering synchronization and over or cellular data. supported major providers like Yahoo, , and Outlook with real-time notifications and offline access, while Nokia Chat, powered by Yahoo, enabled free text-based conversations without fees, initially limited to select markets before wider rollout. After Microsoft's takeover, these tools were absorbed into the Outlook , with accounts transitioned to infrastructure for continued email and chat functionality. Navigation was bolstered by Here Drive, introduced in October 2011 with the 7.5 "" update for the inaugural Lumia 800 and 710 devices. This app provided voice-guided, turn-by-turn directions with comprehensive offline maps downloadable for entire countries or regions, eliminating the need for constant data connectivity and conserving battery on Lumia hardware. It leveraged Nokia's mapping expertise, formerly Ovi Maps, to offer traffic rerouting and pedestrian modes tailored for mobile use. For entertainment, MixRadio emerged as a free, ad-supported , evolving from the Music app launched in 2011 at Nokia World with the first Lumia phones. Rebranded as MixRadio in 2013, it curated personalized radio stations from a library of millions of tracks, allowing offline downloads and integration with Lumia's music hardware like FM radio and speakers, exclusively on until its expansion. The service was spun off from to in late 2014 but shut down in March 2016 due to unsustainable finances in the competitive streaming market. By 2017, these Nokia-specific services were fully phased out as Microsoft discontinued Windows Phone development and support, redirecting resources to cloud and cross-platform offerings. Users were guided through data migration processes to Microsoft services, such as transferring emails and files to Outlook and , ensuring continuity for remaining Lumia owners until security updates ended in December 2019.

Beta Testing and Developer Tools

Microsoft's beta testing initiatives for mobile services built on the Nokia Beta Labs program, which originated in 2007 and provided Lumia Windows Phone users with early access to experimental apps and features under development starting in 2013, such as advanced camera software and connectivity tools distributed through the Nokia Store. Following Microsoft's acquisition of Nokia's devices division, the program was rebranded as Lumia Beta Apps in 2014, continuing to offer selective trials for updates and applications, including previews related to Windows Phone 8.1 enhancements like improved imaging and sensor integrations. This initiative emphasized user feedback to refine mobile experiences, with trials often limited to registered participants to ensure stable testing environments. In , launched the Community Hub as a centralized platform for feedback forums, closely integrated with the emerging Program to gather insights on Windows apps and mobile services. The hub facilitated discussions on beta features, bug reports, and feature requests, enabling developers and testers to contribute directly to iterations of mobile tools and updates across Windows ecosystems. This integration supported the transition from device-specific betas to broader, app-focused testing, fostering a collaborative environment for refining services like remote access utilities and communication apps. Key developer tools complemented these programs, including the Motion introduced in 2012 for accessing sensor data such as , , and compass readings on devices.) This , part of the .Devices.Sensors namespace, allowed developers to build motion-aware applications, combining multiple sensor inputs for enhanced orientation and activity tracking in mobile services. To incentivize participation, offered the TechRewards program starting from Nokia's original incentives in 2012, rewarding beta testers and developers with points redeemable for hardware and services; the program was discontinued in 2016 amid shifts in mobile strategy. By 2025, these efforts had evolved into the app, a cross-platform tool for accessing betas of Windows, , and related mobile services, supporting millions of participants in providing feedback on features like and AI integrations. The app streamlines enrollment in preview rings, submission of diagnostics, and community interaction, ensuring ongoing refinement of Microsoft's unified mobile and desktop experiences.

Deprecated Utility Services

Microsoft's deprecated utility services encompass a range of mobile applications and tools that were phased out primarily due to limited user adoption and redundancy with more comprehensive platforms like OneNote and Teams. These services, once aimed at enhancing productivity, education, and search functionalities on and other devices, reflect Microsoft's strategic shift toward integrated ecosystems. JobLens, launched in 2013 for , enabled users to search for career opportunities and upload resumes directly within the app. It featured integration with for job matching and was part of Microsoft's early efforts to build ecosystem-specific utilities. The app was retired from the Store on June 1, 2015, as Microsoft streamlined its mobile offerings amid declining platform support. Similarly, Internships Lens, introduced in September 2013 exclusively for Lumia Windows Phone devices in the U.S., utilized via HERE Maps' LiveSight technology to overlay internship listings on the device's camera view. Users could point their phone at a location to discover nearby opportunities from partners like Internships.com. The service was discontinued alongside the broader ecosystem in 2017, due to low and overlap with general job search tools. Microsoft Math, released in 2013 for , served as an equation solver providing step-by-step explanations for algebraic, trigonometric, and problems, helping users visualize solutions through graphs and tutorials. Its core functionalities were later incorporated into OneNote's Math Assistant for broader across devices. The standalone was discontinued on July 7, 2025, with users redirected to the web-based Math Solver at math.microsoft.com. Bing 411, introduced in 2008 as a free voice-activated service, allowed callers to dial 1-800-BING-411 for business listings, directions, and weather updates using Tellme-powered . It competed with traditional 411 services but saw limited uptake compared to app-based alternatives. The service was shut down on June 1, 2012, as pivoted resources toward mobile and web search integrations. In the education space, Microsoft Classroom, previewed in 2016 (building on earlier 2014 education tool initiatives), offered teachers a digital hub for creating student groups, distributing assignments, and managing class events within Office 365. It aimed to streamline classroom workflows but suffered from low adoption relative to emerging collaboration needs. The tool was discontinued on July 31, 2017, with features migrated to for Education to consolidate services. More recently, the Lists mobile apps for and Android, which supported and list creation for personal and work use, are set for retirement by mid-November 2025. This decision stems from insufficient feature differentiation from the web version and broader productivity apps, prompting users to transition to browser-based access via Teams or .

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