Microsoft's lack of mobile market share is starting to catch up with its app catalog. Last night, we reported that MyFitnessPal was dropping support and now we have confirmation that Amtrak – the National Railroad Passenger Corporation – is discontinuing their app for Windows phone starting today. In related news, Amtrak actually had an app for Windows Phone.
The information was made available on internal documentation for employees as guidance on the status of the app.
The memorandum states:
Due to low levels of use by customers, Amtrak has decided to shutdown the Windows Phone version of the mobile app. Launched in December 2013, the app was well received by customers but the Windows Phone platform itself has not gained traction and is used by less than 1% of Amtrak customers.The app will be removed from the Microsoft Marketplace on Saturday, August 13, 2016 and server support disabled on Sunday, August 14, 2016. Customers using Windows Phones who attempt to use the app to check train status, search for available tickets or login to their accounts will receive a message informing them that support has ended and to visit Amtak.com (accessible through the browser on the phone). All functionality available through the app is available through the mobile version of Amtrak.com.The iPhone and Android versions of the mobile app will of course continue to be supported.
The memo is to serve as guidance for customers inquiring about the app once support is removed.
Amtrak has not updated the app for Windows phone since early 2015 and lacked any advances for Windows 10 Mobile. Nonetheless, it did work quite well and offered the basics including support for eTickets.
There is no sugar coating this loss as Amtrak – for better or worse – is a big customer for Microsoft to lose, but you cannot fault them too much either. Less than 1% is exactly what it sounds like to a business that has to watch where it spends its money.
While an argument could be made that Amtrak could benefit from a Windows 10 Universal app for PC, tablets, and phone, the company evidently is not convinced.
