Call it nostalgia, but I do hope for a Microsoft mobile resurgence

While it seems like forever ago, I remember thinking that Microsoft was well on its way to becoming a dominant player in every technology sector. I thought Windows Phone was fresh and vibrant enough that people would flock to it instead of the boring and stagnant iOS and Android. This would lead to developers finally realizing the potential of the Windows Store, and the very best applications rushing to get their apps to the masses first.

But that was two years ago.

I was all aboard the Microsoft train; I went all in. My several years old Windows laptop still worked for all of my needs, my Xbox One was still my favorite gaming system, and my fresh new(ish) Lumia Icon was just a magnificent device to use. For the full experience, I even purchased a Band 2 and an HP Slate tablet for all of my mobile needs. Not only was I just fully invested in the ecosystem, but I was fully happy with how the ecosystem worked.

Maybe I was one of the few, but I genuinely enjoyed the use of Skype for messaging needs. It was a beautiful interface on the Icon, synced perfectly with my PC and tablet, and passed through to my band (where typing was actually quite smooth). For all of my needs, Windows on every device was perfect, and the apps I did not have were simply available through a browser.

Unfortunately, that was a different time. Do I still long for a Windows comeback? You bet I do. Having just finished Satya's book Hit Refresh, I am even more longing than ever. But, it will be a long road for them to win back customers like myself who have simply moved on to other services. At this point, Google Assistant is so essential to my daily routine that I am not sure that my love of Cortana would be enough. Between my Pixel 2, Google Home, WearOS watch, rooted Kindle, and CloudReady laptop, my usage has completely shifted, and I am sure there are more just like me.

While I do certainly long for a Microsoft resurgence that can fit my needs, I remain cautiously optimistic. Maybe Andromeda can be that device that shows off their desire to return, or maybe it will just be a niche device that nobody cares about. Who knows. All I know is I do miss that sight of tiles coming alive on the screen and that Master Chief feeling every time I said her name.