Search results for: “windows phone”

Microsoft Is Officially Ending Support For Windows Phone, Asks Users To Switch To Android Or iOS

Windows 10 mobile is an operating system that was developed by Microsoft and was released in the year 2015. It is a successor to the Windows Phone 8.1 and was derived from Windows 10 to work on devices that have a screen size under 9-inch. Windows 10 mobile entered the market with Lumia brand smartphones in 2015.

Although Windows 10 powered smartphones had up to date specifications, Microsoft was unable to create a seamless ecosystem like Android or iOS. Later in October 2017, Microsoft revealed the development of Windows 10 mobile has been ceased due to low market share and lack of third-party development for the platform.

Microsoft has announced that the company will soon stop releasing security updates for the platform. Smartphones running on Windows 10 Mobile version 1709 will receive updates until December 10. While the devices running on version 1703 will only last through June 11.

Microsoft has recommended Windows 10 Mobile users to manually create a backup of their data with the help of built-in tool before termination of support. This announcement does not necessarily impact all the 3rd applications on Windows 10 Mobile. As these applications would continue to function until their developers provide support for them.

Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft has advertised Cortana users from Windows 10 Mobile to continue using the voice assistant application on Android and iOS applications.

Also Read: Samsung Galaxy M10 And M20 Price Leak, Starts At Rs 7,990

All in all, Windows 10 Mobile was a well designed operating system which was also intuitive. Sadly it was unable to survive in the market that is dominated by Android and iOS devices. To back up data on Windows 10 Mobile, users can follow these instructions:

Settings > Update & Security > Backup > More Options > Back up now

January 21, 2019
Windows Phone is Officially Dead

A minute of silence as Microsoft pulls the plug on Windows Phone 8.1, for those of you who have been paying attention, the inevitable has happened. Effective today, Microsoft is ceasing support for Windows Phone 8.1. Though phones running the platform will not be bricked, but the company will not be pushing any future updates for Windows Phone 8.1. The Windows Phone operating system was Microsoft’s biggest efforts in countering Android and iOS. However, as 99.6% of the smartphones run Android or iOS Microsoft failed to capture the market with Windows Phone and it never truly got off the ground.

While a few good phones were launched in the early days by HTC and then by Microsoft in partnership with Nokia aka the Lumia handsets, but they failed to gain popularity unlike their competitors. Though Microsoft continues to support Windows 10 Mobile, it’s unclear how long and to what extent that support will be available.

Rumor has it that Microsoft has branched out its Windows Mobile development into a “feature2” division that will only maintain Windows 10 Mobile until 2018, while any support for Windows Phone 8.1 has been officially terminated. Over the past year , it has becoming quite clear that company is shifting back it’s focus from smartphones to PCs. Microsoft’s new mobile strategy now seems to involve creating apps and integrating iOS and Android with Windows.

July 12, 2017
HP to Reportedly Unveil a Windows Phone at MWC 2016

Latest reports suggest the company best known in India for making laptops has now plans of getting back into the mobile manufacturing space.

HP which has tried its hand in the market before and now it is being tipped to launch a phone based on the Windows platform. Originally dubbed as the “Falcon”, it is now expected to be called the Elite X3.

According to sources ,the Elite X3 it will be powered by Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 820 SoC, and will come equipped with a 5.8-inch Quad HD display. Sadly, the report says that it will come only with 1 GB of RAM. As far as the rest of the specs go,the phone will have 64 GB of inbuilt storage and the camera setup will be an impressive 20 MP shooter on the back and a 12 MP one on the front.

Probably the most interesting part of the rumour is that it pegs the device for a launch at MWC 2016, which if it indeed is true, would be a great thing for the Windows platform which is seeing its presence in the market diminish with each passing day.

February 15, 2016
Microsoft Working on a Snapdragon 820-Powered Windows Phone

Microsoft might have a new device in the works that going to rock Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 820 chipset. Geekbench database revealed that Microsoft is working on a faster, more powerful device than the recent Lumia 950 and 950 XL smartphones. Before moving on, it must be known that the listing cannot be confirmed and must be taken with a pinch of salt.

According to the Geekbench listing, the unnamed Microsoft phablet will sport a 6-inch display (2560×1440 pixels). Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chipset will be powering the device along with a 2.2GHz quad-core Kyro CPU and an Adreno 530 GPU. The GFXBench also lists internal specs such 20MP primary camera, a 12MP selfie shooter, and 64 GB of internal storage.

The listing does seem a little off as well, mentioning RAM at 1.5 GB only, though it is likely to be twice as much given the specs of the device. Furthermore, the chances of the device being a new Lumia phone is high, since Microsoft is the only manufacturer currently developing high-end Windows 10-powered devices.

These are just speculations as of now. We’ll know more in the coming months on whether Microsoft is in fact working on a 6-inch Windows 10 phablet powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chipset.

Source

January 13, 2016
Windows Phone Users Can Finally Make Calls Via WhatsApp

Windows Phones users were left behind in the race to get WhatsApp’s most coveted feature. They were disappointed when WhatsApp introduced the voice-calling feature for Android and iOS users in April. Today, they can celebrate as the popular messaging app has enabled voice-calling for devices supporting Windows 8 and above.

WhatsApp first introduced the voice-calling feature in March for Android users. In April, the feature was rolled out in an update for iOS users.

Voice-calling will be made available in the version 2.12.60. The feature allows WhatsApp users to call each other for free using the Internet. Users have noticed that the interface is similar to the one used by Android for making regular calls. WhatsApp previously allowed users to make regular calls from the app itself, which has since been replaced by its own call-making feature.

Although smartphone users were thrilled to be able to make VOIP calls through their favourite messaging app, they soon realised it wasn’t that big a deal. The feature is still not popular in India due to slow internet connectivity.

June 25, 2015
WhatsApp To Bring Voice Calling To Windows Phone

Android users of WhatsApp are elated to find the voice calling feature of the messaging app has finally come to their devices. At its recent developers conference, it was announced that the voice calling feature might be available for the iOS ecosystem soon. This lead many Windows Phone users to ask whether they’ll be getting the feature soon. Well looks like the Facebook owned messaging giant now has good news for its Windows users.

WhatsApp has confirmed that the voice calling feature is in its developmental stage. This was revealed when one Windows user inquired about the arrival of the feature on their devices.

There is no timeframe mentioned as of yet for the arrival of the voice calling feature on Windows phones. WhatsApp’s founder had stated during the developers conference that voice calling would be available on its iOS app in a few weeks. So as of now it isn’t sure which of the two will get the feature first, but considering the massive user base of Apple, our bet is on iOS devices.

April 6, 2015
Microsoft Plans to Upgrade All Windows Phone 8 Devices to Windows 10

There is no place for silly mistakes in the tech industry and Microsoft has realised that. After dropping the Nokia brand completely, the company has a lot of work to do in terms of brand image as all its key smartphone components are at stake. Windows Phone OS is one of them.

The company, responding to a customer’s query on Twitter, has made it clear that it “plans to upgrade all Windows Phone 8 devices to Windows 10 in the future.” This also includes the Windows 8 devices launched under the name of Nokia. The next big Windows OS, Windows 10, is still in the early development stage, hence, Microsoft is tight-lipped about the arrival of the new OS.

@Kalars07 We plan to upgrade all Windows Phone 8 devices to Windows 10 in the future :)

— Lumia (@lumia) November 13, 2014

However, it is a sign of relief to the Nokia Lumia owners who felt backstabbed when the company completely dropped the Nokia branding. Earlier in 2012, Windows lovers were disappointed when Microsoft decided that the existing devices wouldn’t make the jump to Windows Phone 8.

The new operating system was unveiled at San Francisco for Business customers. Microsoft has already released a technical preview version for selected users. It is expected to unveil new consumer features early next year. Windows 10 is expected to reach the market by mid-2015. Considering Microsoft nails its flagship operating system in every alternate release, we have a lot of hopes with this one.

November 14, 2014
OnePlus Reportedly in Talks with Microsoft to Make a Windows Phone

We have seen lot of Windows handset launched this year, and it look like one more manufacturer is interested in launching a device on the platform. OnePlus, a Chinese company has made waves this year with its zero-margin OnePlus One, a high-end 5.5-inch smartphone running on the Android-derived CyanogenMod OS, which sells for half the price of competing phones.

Now, the company is looking to branch out into other areas and operating systems. Speaking with the Indian Economic Times, director of OnePlus Global Carl Pei revealed, “We have had discussions with Microsoft over a Windows Phone smartphone. We are still looking into it.”

At this stage, it is not known whether the manufacturer is looking to offer the OnePlus One with Windows Phone much like HTC has done with the One M8 for Windows or whether an entirely new handset is in the works.

As the report also notes, OnePlus is planning a successor to the OnePlus One. The OnePlus Two was officially confirmed as being in the works late last month. The OnePlus Two will arrive in the second or third quarter of 2015.

October 15, 2014
5 Reasons Why You Should Consider Buying a Windows Phone

The Windows Phone is making a comeback. This time the operating system has found a home in one of the most appreciated smartphones in the business. The new HTC One M8 with Windows has given a fresh new breath of life to the Windows Phone 8.1 and given users a chance to experience the operating system on a brilliantly designed phone. The success of this phone will definitely encourage other manufacturers to bring out Windows variants in their flagship space.

So we dug deep, scoured through and looked into the Windows Phone 8.1 operating system. With this new Windows Phone 8.1 update the OS is catching up to the giants. We check out how a Windows phone can score over the champions of the smartphone game, Android and iOS.

With the HTC One M8 running Windows Phone 8.1, the OS is back in view

5. Its Customizability

Windows phone 8 didn’t have many customizability features but much has changed since. The Windows phones of course don’t have as many customizability features as Android but it surely has more than the iOS. The ‘Start background’ lets you personalize the homepage. The homegrown apps on the Windows Phone 8.1 are ready to take on the world and the OS is as competitive as others.

4. Cortana

Cortana has some nice quirky attitude.

This one will definitely be a plus for Microsoft. The digital assistant inspired by the widely acclaimed character from Halo is a lot of fun. Cortana is anthropomorphic which means that you can have a conversation with her and because of this, she wins over the robotic Google Now responses. Cortana is capable of doing what Google Now does but with a quirky attitude that you would love. Cortana’s Notebook is a feature worth mentioning. The user customizable Notebook is used by Cortana to find the best results for you.

3. The Action Centre

Action Center

The only thing missing from the main screen of a Windows phone was a notification menu. It’s here, Microsoft has brought the ‘Action Center’ in Windows Phone 8.1 which makes the OS fully functional now. The Action Center can be accessed by swiping down the screen from top, just like in Android.

2. Integrated Skype

Skype’s Video calling prowess is globally known. On a Windows system, Skype is the default video dialing client on the Windows Phone 8.1. The app is also integrated with Cortana so you can ask Cortana to video call someone from your contacts.

1. Faster Software Updates

Microsoft has said that the cycle of the updates delivery will be sped up to one new update every 6-8 months. The OS upgrade will take place every in one or two years. By speeding up the updates process, the company can generate trust in its consumers of a quality product.

Overall, Windows Phone 8.1 update was one of the most advantageous updates over its predecessors. With Microsoft getting into the mobile game and taking its mobile operating system seriously, it will be interesting to see how the market treats it. With the promise of frequent updates, Windows Phone can surely attract enthusiasts first who are bored of the usual iOS and Android fare. There is a need for a third alternative in the OS market and Windows seems like a good option as it is backed by one of the biggest tech giants. The more attention given to the OS, more the developers will be interested in creating apps for the system.

Now that the update to the Windows Phone 8.1 is days away, we hope to see it grow and give us viable alternatives in the market.

August 27, 2014
The Windows Phone Everyone Wanted : HTC One M8 for Windows Out

Talk about an unfortunate day for companies who wanted to keep their products a surprise till the release date. After Samsung had a major boo boo with the AnTuTu specs leaks, its HTC’s time to face some leak music. The worst part of the HTC leak is that it was done not through some leakster sitting in his bedroom but by telecom giant Verizon.

The HTC One M8 for Windows was officially supposed to release at a function later today in New York but its just too hard for some folks to wait that long. It seems like one of the posters for the One M8 which was supposed to be put up after the release, went up at one Verizon store, where the internet got hold of it.

The Poster that spoilt everything

The poster has a huge photo of the One M8 exteriors along with the Windows 8.1 tiles view on the UI. It uses the tagline “built to inspire envy” has one important line that blows up the entire surprise that HTC had in store for its fans. The bottom half of the poster says available in Android and Windows.

What was really a good move on the part of HTC is not bring the phone under the name HTC One W8 as was previously speculated. Keeping the name common keeps the focus on the features of the phone instead of the user interface used to access those features.

On the specifications front, there aren’t going to be a lot many changes in the two variants. The HTC One M8 for Windows Phone version will hold the dual camera setup with a 4-UltraPixel rear camera with a depth-sensing camera, apart from a 5-megapixel front-facing camera. It’s processing might is expected to come from a 2.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor coupled with 2GB of RAM. It is expected to retain the 2600mAh battery along with its a 5-inch full-HD display.

It seems like with this release HTC wants to compete on both the two prominent, non iOS operating systems. It is also beneficial for Windows to have the support of a recognized, premium product running their OS, thereby making their OS more visible. For the consumers, it gives a real alternative for folks who want a Windows device from a prominent brand. This release seems like a win-win for all.

August 19, 2014
Activity Tracker Fitbit Now Available For Windows Phone Users

Fitbit is one of the major players in the activity tracker market, with an estimated 67 percent of all trackers in the US shipping with the Fitbit brand last year. It’s also grabbed more than one million app downloads on Google Play alone, though it remains tight-lipped about the specifics of its App Store figures.

Fitbit is finally expanding its mobile scope beyond that of Android and iOS by launching a version for Windows Phone. The app is near-identical to its iOS and Android counterparts. Simply pair your smartphone over Bluetooth with a Fitbit device like the Flex or the One, and your data will sync automatically.

You can then use the app to monitor progress on your fitness goals by checking in on the steps you’ve taken and the calories you’ve burned. You can also log how much food and water you’ve had today. The Fitbit app is currently only compatible with Windows Phone 8.1 but the OS upgrade will be rolling out to all Lumia devices shortly.

This is a notable move by Fitbit as it has a potential to gain many new users on a platform that’s largely been ignored by the big-brand trackers. Fitbit is among the first to bring such a fully-featured native app to Windows Phone. Some previous third-party attempts have been decent, though they ultimately lacked key features such as real-time Bluetooth syncing, something the official app from Fitbit offers.

Fitbit is staking for the monopoly in the market. Hence, the still nascent market of Windows Phones is targetted by the company which was thought to have only 3% of the market in USA. Recently, the Windows Apps market has seen a lot of new apps rolling out. In just the last few weeks, both Adobe Photoshop Express and on-demand car service Uber have made their debuts as native apps. That doesn’t exactly signal the end of lack of app on the Windows platform. Although it does give Windows Phone enthusiasts some hope that the apps they wish for would soon arrive in their devices.

You can grab the app for your Windows Phone 8.1 device from the Windows Phone store, it’s free and available worldwide in English, with additional languages to come later this year.

July 30, 2014
Exclusive : Micromax to launch a 6 inch Windows Phone Soon!

In our recent interview with Shubhodip Pal, CMO of Micromax, we learnt that the company is not making Windows Phone handsets as a one off, and we will see a Windows Phone flagship with a 6 inch display in the coming weeks.

[quote text_size=”small” author=”Shubhodip Pal” author_title=”CMO, Micromax”]

Put it on Record! We will have a 6 inch Windows Phone in the coming months and will many more phones that you will hear about soon.

[/quote]

The company is ready to show a new product that will run on high end chipsets like Snapdragon 800 will have impressive camera sensors and displays and will also have impressive battery life, said Shubhodip in conversation with iGyaan.

We have heard rumours of a Rs. 25000 phone which houses all the aforesaid specifications, including a 2500 mAh battery along with a 16 MP + 8MP camera combination and 2 GB of RAM, all of which would make it a beast on the Windows Phone device sheet.

Micromax plans to have this device out to the consumer as early as August, with a new lineup of products that are said to compete with the “Flagships of the world”, i.e. HTC One M8 and Galaxy S5 by the end of this year. But Shubhodip claims that, it will only happen once they have delivered their “Promise” on service issues starting next month.

Watch the full #LetsTalkShop to get the details.

June 22, 2014
Micromax to launch New Windows Phone based Canvas on 16th June
After our exclusive story on Micromax’s lineup of Windows Phone devices headed towards you, Micromax has today confirmed a launch for the same on the 16th of June. The even will be held in New Delhi and the flagship Canvas running Windows Phone is said to be scheduled for launch.

As previous information points out the new Canvas Windows phone will have :
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chipset.
- 2 GB RAM.
- 16 GB storage.
- 5 inch display (AMOLED rumored)
- 1920 x 1080p Resolution
- 16GB Storage
- microSD Expandability
- 13 MP main camera (Possible 4K video)
- 5 MP front camera (with Selfie Mode)
- 2500 mAh Battery
- Unibody Design
INVITE

The company has new heads that are set to launch the new products, and a new invite more or less confirms the news. The phone is expected to be priced at Rs. 25000 with an included flip-case and freebies for the initial set of buyers

[poll id=”2″]
June 14, 2014
Exclusive : 7 Micromax Windows Phone Devices in the Coming Months

Recently Micromax was in the news for rumors around a Windows Phone device, well turns out they are not only true but there is more to the game. Sources close to iGyaan and top brass at Micromax confirm that not only is the company working on launching windows phone handsets, they will launch handsets ranging from Rs. 7000 and up to Rs. 25000 effective.

These 7 to 8 handsets will be launched within the next few months, and Microsoft is said to be pushing for the quick release and promotion of the handsets. There is long term tie up between Micromax and Microsoft, and the redmond based computing giant is interested in cross promoting the products for which Micromax has been well funded by Microsoft.

Sources also tell us that both companies have invested in design and most of the Micromax Windows Phones will be seen with a unibody design, with a lot of help provided by designers and engineers from Nokia. As of today, apart from Nokia no other manufacturer is manufacturing Windows Phone handsets as a global product. Micromax Windows Phones will be sold in India and overseas in existing Micromax markets.

Micromax has been eyeing the Windows Phone market since the beginning of the operating system, and the first positive step was the announcement of the Indian manufacturer as a partner at the Microsoft Build conference earlier this year.

New Micromax CEO Vineet Taneja will host the first round of launches of Micromax Windows Phone devices in the coming week, which might see more than one Windows Phone device from Micromax being launched. The flagship phone from the Indian manufacturer is said to have a 5 inch 1920 x 1080p display, 2GB RAM, a 13 MP + 5 MP camera combination, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chipset and is said to be priced at Rs. 25000 for a 16GB storage and expandability via micro SD.

Micromax’s flagship is expected to have a metal unibody design with Dual Sim capabilities and micro SD card expansion via sim tray style slots, as seen in the HTC One M8. The design of the phone is also said to mimic the HTC lineage with round edges and unibody structure.

We won’t know what will actually unfold until the new CEO announces the handsets, however it looks like the budget game might get really interesting going forward.

[poll id=”2″]

June 12, 2014
Microsoft to Kinect Up the Next Windows Phone

The Verge has reported that Microsoft is in the process of inducting Kinect features in its next Windows phone, code named “Mclaren”. The Mclaren was introduced to the world through phone tripsters EVLeaks.

The phone will be a successor to the Lumia 1020 and will boast propriety technology like 3D touch and Real Motion. These features will assist in interaction with the phone without actually touching the display.

Kinect is now integral to the Xbox experience

Kinect was reveled at the 2010 E3 conference. Kinect made sense on a large screen system like the Xbox. Its features which made technology invisible was appreciated by people. The question that everyone seems to be asking is whether a phone version of Kinect will actually have some benefits or will be just another gimmicky add-on.

Some of the reported features include the ability to answer a phone call by just bringing it to your ears or cutting a call when the phone is dropped back in the pocket. The phone can also be put on a table to start an speakerphone conversation. These features have to be utility based or else they will end up as the Air Gestures in the Samsung phones.

The phone will also be fitted with pressure sensing instruments on the sides to detect changes in grip. They want to make external buttons completely obsolete. One of the way this can be used is gripping the phone can power on the device. Even the Camera can be zoomed in and out just by doing the usual pinching motions near the device.

These features were originally intended to be used on the Windows 8.1 powered Nokia Goldfinger phones. This phone is now being pushed back for a later release, while the Mclaren is being given priority. This is one more way in which Microsoft is pushing the Nokia name off the edge. Some have said that Nokia’s innovations are being stripped for profitable parts in Microsoft’s research labs.

The new UI will be inspired by Zune Mixview

The phones will also have a tiny UI renovation with the Kinect induction. When pointed above a tile it will open multiple floating tiles. This is inspired by the Zune Mixview. The tech makes sense on a big screen where there was minimum learning curve, but in a small screen it will be a whole different story. Microsoft would have had to go back to the drawing board to make the technology featurable on a handheld device.

Now as these are still leaks and we’d have to wait for the device to come in our hands before we comment on the functionality of these features. This of course will be a good experiment to look forward to. Microsoft Xbox’s Kinectic abilities suit it well for a home entertainment system, but it has to take some real efforts to convince people that hovering fingers over your phone is as good as having a touch response.

June 10, 2014

More posts