Windows Phone

Windows Phone is a mobile operating system developed by Microsoft for smartphones. It was released in 2010 with the hope of competing with iOS and Android, but quickly became the punchline of many tech jokes.

The operating system was known for its unique tile-based interface, which some users praised for its simplicity and others mocked for its lack of customization options. If you ever owned a Windows Phone, you know the joy of scrolling through a sea of just a few colorful tiles, wondering where you put that one app you downloaded last week.

Microsoft’s attempt to create a competitive app store for Windows Phone also fell short. While iOS and Android users had access to a vast selection of apps, Windows Phone users were left with a paltry selection of knockoff apps and poorly developed games.

But perhaps the most infamous feature of Windows Phone was the virtual assistant, Cortana. While Siri was making dry jokes and Alexa was ordering toilet paper for customers, Cortana was stumbling over basic commands and struggling to understand accents.

In 2017, Microsoft officially announced that it was discontinuing support for Windows Phone, effectively burying it in the tech graveyard. But don’t worry, Windows Phone enthusiasts (all five of you), you can always use your old device as a paperweight or a time capsule of failed technology.