Windows 10 Mobile is a virtually dead platform. True, Microsoft is still developing it, but there are so few active users, that it is totally irrelevant. It isn't a bad mobile operating system, but a lack of apps makes it a non-starter for many. Ultimately, there is no compelling reason to choose a device running it over, say, an iPhone 7.

Today, what looks to be the best Windows 10 Mobile smartphone ever -- the HP Elite x3 -- becomes available for purchase. It is only being sold directly from Microsoft in its retail locations or its online store. The big question, however, is who the heck will buy such an expensive phone without access to many popular apps? I mean, $800 is a significant chunk of change, am I right?

"Announced at Mobile World Congress, the HP Elite x3 is HP's premium new mobile device powered by Windows 10. It's lightweight, sports Gorilla Glass 4, is water resistant and is equipped with a battery that packs a major punch. With great built-in features like Cortana, Continuum, and Microsoft Edge, the HP Elite x3 also features a camera sensor and fingerprint reader that allow you to login securely to the device with Windows Hello", says Mollie Ruiz-Hopper, Editor-in-Chief, Windows Blog.

The HP Elite x3 Windows 10 Mobile smartphone looks great from a specifications perspective, as listed below.

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 (2.15 GHz, 4 cores)

Memory: RAM: 4GB LPDDR4 SDRAM

Internal storage: 64GB eMMC

Display: 5.96-inch diagonal WQHD (2560 x 1440) AMOLED multitouch display with Corning Gorilla Glass 4 and anti-reflective coating

Graphics: Qualcomm Adreno 530 GPU (integrated in Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor)

Audio: 2 Stereo speakers (one with earpiece); 3 integrated omni-directional noise cancelling microphones; 1 external microphone (from headset jack); Snapdragon Audio+ support; Audio by B&O PLAY

Wireless: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2x2) Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 LE combo (Miracast supported); NFC; WWAN: 2G/3G/4G, LTE-A

Expansion: microSD (expandable up to 2 TB; share same slot with 2nd SIM.)

Ports and connectors: 3.5 mm, and USB 3.0 Type-C connector

Camera: 16MP FHD rear-facing camera and 8MP FHD front facing camera and Iris camera

As you can see in the above video, it is very beautifully designed. Unfortunately, the deficient operating system simply cannot meet the needs of many consumers -- app availability is essential. Enterprise users -- the apparent focus of this device -- will likely struggle to see why their employer selected it over iPhone or even Android. Quite frankly, if it ran Google's mobile operating system, it might make one popular device.

Yes, the phone can do Continuum (using phone as a desktop), but that is still a very weak feature. Why? Well, it still cannot display two apps on the screen side by side. This makes it a very poor solution for business users. A traditional workstation running Windows 10 would be much more satisfying (and better for productivity).

If you want to purchase the HP Elite x3 Windows 10 Mobile smartphone, you can get it here. If you do buy it, tell me why in the comments below.