PayPal has decided to shut down operations on three platforms, namely, Windows Phone, BlackBerry and Amazon apps, according to an Engadget report dated May 26, 2016,
Android and iOS users will have to upgrade to the latest version of the app. These changes will be made effective from 30th of June, this year.
Microsoft’s recent exit from the hardware part of the smartphone seems to have sent wrong signals to OEMs. Several other companies like GoPro and HERE Maps have dropped making software and hardware for them.
What’s the reason?
As far as Amazon and BlackBerry are concerned, there seems to be no particular reason for PayPal to quit those platforms (except perhaps the massive decline in the user base of BlackBerry).
However all these three different groups of users will be able to continue enjoying the web service through the browsers, and BlackBerry users can continue sending and receiving money through chat.
The company has justified its decision by saying that they want to focus on “platforms that matter”. The new 6.0 version is only supported on Android 4.0.3 or above and iOS 8.0 or above.
The company hasn’t said anything about the few who don’t meet the criteria. Providing more security and improving experience seems to be the chant in Elon Musk’s backyard; even if it comes at the cost of a few customers.
Shutting down the BlackBerry division may not cost them much, but the other two platforms might take away a big chunk.
It has been slim-pickings for BlackBerry and Microsoft in the smartphones, but it seems like BlackBerry is ready to put up a fight as they plan to release two phones in April next year. Microsoft’s fate, on the other hand, seems more unstable.
