Microsoft plans to manipulate buttons in Windows Phone

Last week's news about the planned "killing" of the physical back button in the next Windows Phone update caused a wave of indignation among Internet users. But as it turned out, Microsoft is not going to do that. In the Napoleonic plans of the company to create a single operating system.

According to the online edition of The Verge, which refers to sources familiar with Microsoft's plans, the return button will not disappear. The company will allow its production partners to replace the physical buttons “Back”, “Start” and “Search” with virtual counterparts that have taken root in many Android devices, for example, in Google's Nexus smartphone. Thus, in new mobile devices based on Windows Phone, the buttons will be transferred to the screen.

It is not clear how this will affect the user interface, but the virtual buttons are supposed to be placed on the black bar at the bottom of the screen. Now Microsoft is experimenting with virtual buttons to make sure that they are compatible with previously released applications, the source said.

The last major change in hardware requirements for installing Windows Phone was related to the resolution of making devices without a physical camera button, a compass, a gyroscope and a main camera. Alcatel became the first OEM manufacturer to release a WP-smartphone without a camera button. Many other companies have chosen to use this option.

It is also reported that the new requirements for Windows Phone 8.1 are used to encourage manufacturers to release low-cost WP-smartphones. This may encourage the desire to switch from Android to Windows Phone. There is also a connection with the recent attempt by Microsoft to force the Taiwanese company HTC to install Windows Phone into their Android smartphones as the second operating system. The lack of physical buttons will allow manufacturers to experiment with the Microsoft mobile platform.

Because of Microsoft’s rigorous requirements for its HTC operating system, for example, it was necessary to revise its plans for the release of a large-screen WP-smartphone. Microsoft changed its mind, with the result that the recent update of Windows Phone 8 brought support for 6-inch mobile devices.

The next update is Windows Phone 8.1. Its release is expected in early 2014.

The article is based on materials https://hi-news.ru/phone/microsoft-planiruet-manipulyacii-s-knopkami-v-windows-phone.html.