Complex sentence: Microsoft had begun to phase out specific references to the Windows Phone brand in its advertising in mid- 2014, but critics have still considered the operating system to be an iteration and continuation of Windows Phone due to its lineage and similar overall functionality.
Split into simpler sentences: Microsoft had begun to phase out specific references to the Windows Phone brand in its advertising in mid- 2014. However, critics have still considered the operating system to be an iteration and continuation of Windows Phone due to its lineage and similar overall functionality.