Category: Microsoft

Microsoft Brings Document Scanning App ‘Office Lens’ to Android and iOS

Microsoft’s last year release ‘Office Lens’ was a big hit in the Windows app arena – and for good reason. The mobile scanning app is a handy tool that lets users take picture of a document and convert it into a editable file format. The same application has now arrived for Android and iOS smartphones, as confirmed by Microsoft.

The hardware and software firm announced through its official blog post that it has released an Android Preview of the Office Lens on Google Play Store and a full-fledged version of the app for iOS users on the Apple Store. The app is free for download on both the platforms and one can start editing their pictures once the scanning tool is installed on the device.

The uses of Office Lens are varied. As mentioned above, the tool turns a phone into a scanner and scans the picture of the required document, such as menus, receipts or business cards. The cropping feature is pre-installed within the app through which users can cut the required image and discard the rest. The desired image then converts into an editable file which can be saved it in any format of your choice, i.e. Word, PowerPoint presentation or PDF.

Meanwhile, Android users have only received a preview of the app. Users can experience the amazing features of the app only when they join Microsoft Office Lens Android Preview community on Google+. However it’s easy to get the application, but the company could have shrinked the process to one-click download, as they have done for iOS users. For now, Android users have to follow these three steps: Join Community > Become a Tester > Download ‘Office Lens Preview’ from Play Store.

Microsoft has made Office Lens a cross-platform productivity tool from a Windows-only app. The company is well aware of the reach of the Android and iOS platforms and, hence, is pushing the largely appreciated feature from the minute share of the Windows market to the colossal app communities.

April 3, 2015
Microsoft Announces the Sleeker and Lighter Surface 3

Alongside Google, Microsoft too made a few announcements. The brand unveiled the new tablet that is sleeker and lighter than the previous iteration. The device comes with a one-year free subscription to Office 365 and is available in two versions – Surface 3 and Surface 3 (4G LTE).

The Surface 3 holds a thickness of 8.7 mm and weighs a mere 1.37 pounds. Unlike its predecessors, the latest Surface version runs a full version of Windows 8.1 (64-bit), including desktop applications. It has a screen size of 10.8-inch (1920×1280 resolution) with a 3:2 aspect ratio. Powered by a quad-core Intel Atom x7 processor, the Surface 3 features a fanless design with 2GB RAM and 64GB of inbuilt storage.

Type Covers for MIcrosoft Surface 3

There is an 8MP rear camera along with a 3.5MP front shooter to capture photos. Three speakers with Dolby Audio-enhanced sound are fitted onto the tablet, and a three-position kickstand comes within the box for support. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac), Bluetooth 4.0 low energy and 4G LTE. The Surface 3 has physical connectivity options to connect to other devices like USB 3.0 port, a Mini DisplayPort, a Micro USB, and a microSD card reader.

Surface 3 Docket Station

The conventional version of Surface 3 holds a price tag of $499, while its 4G LTE version will cost you $599. Both these come with 2GB RAM and 64GB storage. If you wish to buy a higher version with 4GB RAM and 128GB storage space, then you have to dig your pockets for some extra bucks. The enhanced model is priced at $599 for 3G model and $699 for LTE version.

Surface Pens for Surface 3

Additionally, Microsoft launched two new accessories. One is the Surface 3 Type Covers featuring an improved trackpad and multi-coloured Surface Pens, and the other is the Docking Station that allows connection to external peripherals and turns the tablet into a full desktop workstation.

The tablet is up for pre-orders in 26 countries through the Microsoft store. The device will go on sale on May 5, while it will be made available in the 26 markets by May 7.

The list of countries to first get Surface 3 is: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Korea, Luxembourg, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, the U.K., and the U.S.

April 1, 2015
Microsoft Releases Project Spartan For Testing With Windows 10 Technical Preview

Microsoft is going for a major revamp with its new operating system, Windows 10. The latest OS will also come with an all new browser, known at present as “Project Spartan”. Microsoft has unveiled Spartan during the consumer preview of Windows 10 in January, and it looked competent enough to take on the likes of Chrome, Safari and others. The latest technical preview of the Windows 10 has now been released, and Microsoft is now giving developers the chance to play with the new browser.

Project Spartan comes with a brand new rendering engine. This new engine will be faster and will facilitate the new sharing features. The preview also features the most talked about feature of inking, where users can add annotations to existing pages and share them through various channels.

Cortana, Microsoft’s voice assistant, presently found in Windows Mobile will also be available in Windows 10. Cortana will lead to faster searching capabilities and can be easily conjured up when required. Cortana in Spartan will be available in the US versions of this build, and available more broadly later.

Project Spartan was unveiled at the Windows 10 consumer preview event held in January.

Project Spartan will offer a reader friendly view to spare you from the usual distractions of a regular website. The browser can collect all that you read and lets you save any web page or PDF to let you access them in a distraction-free reading space.

If you want to take Project Spartan out for a spin, you need to sign-up for the Microsoft Insiders Program and get started for free. You would need to install the Windows 10 Technical Preview, Build 10049. As Project Spartan gains more prominence, Microsoft’s premier internet browser, the Internet Explorer will be pushed into the background. With Windows 10, Microsoft is attempting to take down its competition, who have got an opportunity to advance, thanks to its own folly called Windows 8. So Microsoft has to offer several unique features in Windows 10 to maintain its dominance in the operating system market.

March 31, 2015
Microsoft Releases Two New Trailers and Reveals the Launch Date for Halo 5: Guardians

Microsoft’s Halo is one of the most popular games in the market. This year, the fifth installment will be up for grabs on October 27. The date of launch was mentioned in the two new trailers released by Microsoft during the season finale of “The Walking Dead.”

Both the trailers are shot in live action and seem like a juxtaposition of each other. It shows the scene, but the two characters are on opposite ends in both videos. According to some decrypters on the internet, it is said that a super soldier named Locke believes Master Chief, the protagonist from the previous “Halo” games, is a traitor, but the reason is unknown.

Halo 5: Guardians is developed by game makers. 343 industries who had also created the previous two offerings under the banner of Halo. It is said that the trailer indicates the possibility of controlling multiple characters in the latest version of the game.

Over the years, Microsoft has seen tremendous appreciation and demand for this game. The fifth edition will come to Xbox consoles on 27th October this year; so you know when to clear up your schedule and warm up your Xbox for unending Halo sessions.

Here are both the new trailers for Halo 5: Guardians.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHQiYPiNVEE#t=61

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rd8FWUCCZk

March 30, 2015

Microsoft Lumia 640 and the Bigger 640 XL Expected to Land in India Next Month

At the recently concluded tech carnival, Mobile World Congress, Microsoft brought to the world two affordable smartphone innovations, Dual SIM Lumia 640 and Lumia 640 XL. The handsets come preloaded with Windows 8.1 and offer free Office 365 for one year. The Lumia smartphones are now making way to the Indian land and as per reports, both the devices will hit the Indian market in early April.

As per India Today, the company is presently importing the devices from Vietnam, and a total of nine batches have made it to Mumbai. As per the import/export tracker, the Lumia 640 is priced at Rs. 4,683, while the bigger Lumia 640 XL will cost slightly higher at Rs. 6,710. However, it should be noted that these are not the final prices, and the original price could be a tad higher.

Recalling the key specifications of the handsets, the Lumia 640 sports a 5-inch HD display which is protected by Gorilla Glass 3. The company has equipped the device with 1.2GHz Qualcomm 400 quad-core processor paired with 1GB RAM and 8GB storage. It comes in four colour options – cyan, orange white and black.

The rear camera is 8MP and comes bundled with LED flash. A 1MP snapper with wide angle lens sits at the upfront. For now, the handsets will ship with Windows 8.1, but it will soon upgrade to Windows 10.

On the other hand, Lumia 640 XL is the bigger sibling of the Lumia 640. It has a 5.7-inch screen and packs the same processor as that of Lumia 640. It comes with a 13-megapixel camera with LED flash and Carl Zeiss optics, and the front has a 5MP shooter with wide angle lens. A bigger battery of 3,000mAh is fitted onto the phone which keeps the device running for a full day usage.

Both the devices come in two variants – 3G and LTE. As always, the LTE variants will cost slightly higher than the 3G version.

Have a look at their spec sheet:

SPECS	MICROSOFT LUMIA 640	MICROSOFT LUMIA 640 XL
Display	5-inch IPS (294ppi)Gorilla Glass 3	5.7-inch IPS LCD (259ppi)Gorilla Glass 3
Processor	1.2GHz Qualcomm 400 quad-core	1.2GHz Qualcomm 400 quad-core
RAM	1GB	1GB
Storage	8GB	8GB
Expandable Upto	128GB	128GB
Main Camera	8MP	13MP
Front Camera	1MP	5MP
Battery	2500mAh	3000mAh
Operating System	Windows 8.1	Windows 8.1
Price	€160 (near Rs. 11,000)	€220 (near Rs. 15,000)

In case you missed our hands-on video, do watch the clip below:

March 30, 2015

Microsoft Expected to Take on Chromebooks with Inexpensive Windows 10 Laptops

While Microsoft enjoys a supremacy in the laptop OS domain with Windows, Google is on top of the mobile operating system game with the widely accepted Android by its side. But the search engine giant has also managed a foothold in the hardware arena with its popular Chromebook series. To recoup its audience, the Windows is planning to roll out two new inexpensive products that can counter Google’s Chromebooks.

According to the online publishing portal Digitimes, the company will release two affordable notebooks in mid-2015. These laptops will be 11.6-inch in size and will run on the latest Windows 10. The price of the notebooks will range from $149 to $179 at the max and will target the education and consumer markets. Unlike bigger laptops with powerful processors and graphics, the forthcoming devices are said to perform basic tasks like internet surfing, social media usage and Microsoft office processes.

If the source is to be believed then the laptops will house Intel’s Bay Trail-T CR (BTCR) processors. The one for educational purposes will be manufactured by electronics company Elitegroup Computer Systems (ECS) while, for the consumer market, the company will collaborate with China-based 3 Nod to manufacture the laptops.

It has also been learnt that Microsoft may expand its project and release more models in larger sizes to compete with Google’s 11.6-inch, 13.3- inch, and 15.6-inch notebooks.

[poll id=”30″]

March 30, 2015
Microsoft is Breaking Up With Internet Explorer, Nice and Slow

It was once the only way to connect to the internet in most personal computers. For years, Microsoft’s Internet Explorer brought internet to the masses. Before the arrival of multiple tabs, search from address bars, and a multitude of browsers to choose from, there was the Internet Explorer (IE). Now it’s the year 2015, and we have come a long way from 1995 when IE first came into existence. The browser landscape has changed dramatically, and Microsoft has decided to slowly say farewell to the good old IE.

Microsoft launched the Internet Explorer in 1995 as an add-on package Plus! for Windows 95. After its launch, Microsoft had to face a much publicised lawsuit against the American government who alleged that by integrating the internet browser with the operating system, the company was engaging in monopolistic behaviour. It was said Microsoft’s inclusion of a web browser would be severely detrimental to other browsers of that time such as the Netscape Navigator. Microsoft used its monopoly power and eventually won the war of browsers as well as reached a settlement, in that case.

Over the years, IE has constantly lost ground to newer browsers like Firefox and Chrome.

In recent years, there have been immense developments in the field of browsers and IE has now taken a back-seat. Not just that, it has received much ridicule over the internet for not keeping up with the times. Browsers like Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome are fast eating into the IE’s market share though IE still enjoys a comfortable majority with almost 40% of the market share as its present by default in most systems.

Coming to the future of IE, Microsoft has already announced that it would be replacing IE for a whole new default browser for Windows 10 OS with what is presently known as Project Spartan. Internet Explorer will still be present on a few Windows 10 systems, for enterprise consumers who use it for its business applications. Microsoft had previously said that the new rendering engine for Spartan will also be shared with IE, but the company said that it would not be doing that any more.

Internet Explorer will be replaced with Spartan which will be the browser of the future for Microsoft.

In Windows 10, IE will be carried forward unchanged from Windows 8.1. Spartan, on the other hand, will offer unique features that would let it take on the present giants of the business. Microsoft’s voice assistant, Cortana, will also feature in this new browser to make it easier for you to find what you are looking for.

Every journey has its end, and IE is on the last leg of its journey. As the enterprises and governments who still use IE shift to newer browsers, IE will rapidly lose its share in the market. But considering the iconic stature of the browser, Microsoft needs to send it off in style. We hope Microsoft gets this message, and it hosts a legendary farewell event for the grand old Explorer.

March 25, 2015
Windows 10 Arrives for Xiaomi Mi 4 ‘Power Users’, Images Spotted Online

It was only yesterday that Microsoft made an announcement about the summer release of Windows 10 in 190 countries around the world. It was not the only news announced by the software major, and Microsoft surprised everyone with the announcement of its exclusive partnership with Chinese smartphone brand Xiaomi. The multinational firm revealed the development of a Windows-based software (ROM) for Android devices that turn the Android run handsets into Windows phone, is underway.

Today, images of Xiaomi Mi 4 devices running on Windows have surfaced online. Since, Mi 4 is designed to run on Google’s Android platform, these fresh pictures speak of the Technical Preview of Windows 10 that Microsoft was talking about. The invention of a ROM that can swap the OS to Windows on Android devices is ground-breaking. However, it is uncertain how many of us would like to leave the cosmic Android arena to join the confined world of Windows on smartphones.

The new Windows 10 ROM doesn’t offer dual-boot feature and forces itself onto the installed device. Windows 10 then becomes the default OS of the smartphone. The basic idea behind the software is to give Android users an experience of Windows 10 user interface and apps.

The testing of Windows 10 ROM is limited to a selected group of Xiaomi Mi 4 users. Microsoft picked Xiaomi since it has a vast user base which provides constant feedback on their products. Microsoft aims to use Xiaomi’s already existing user base to receive suggestions by proving the latest version of Windows on their phones.

March 19, 2015
The 6 Biggest Announcements Microsoft Made About Windows 10 Today

While smartphone brands are grabbing the spotlight with the launch of bigger and better smartphones, Microsoft is holding the attention of the audience with its latest Windows OS. Recently, the Redmond-based company publicized that it is releasing the premier operating system Windows 10 in 190 countries, and China will be the first one to receive it. The company made several other major announcements such as the introduction of Windows Hello, the Voice App and many other innovative features, which got overshadowed.

We have made an elaborate list of all the important announcements made by Microsoft today. We explain the new developments in detail below:

Software Pirates Included in Windows 10 Receivers’ List

No matter if you’re running pirated version of Windows 7 and 8, you will still be able to update to the latest legitimate version of Windows 10. The electronics manufacturer has given a nod to the users running dodgy softwares and said that the upgraded version will be sent directly. It’s still under wraps how the company will provide the latest iteration to people using pirated Windows copy.

The End of Passwords with Windows Hello

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AsoSnOmhvU

Microsoft’s new feature is a cool new tool to personalised computing. It eliminates the need for passwords and secret codes and offers unlocking devices through your personal characteristics.

Windows Hello works on biometric authentication supported by the system. This means the new tool marks your personal features such as your face, iris, fingerprints as the password and gives you instant access to your device. No need to remember complicated alphanumeric arrangements. This subtracts the possibilities of hacking as well. In all, your Windows 10 devices are entirely safe with Windows Hello.

Windows 10 is coming to 190 Countries, this summer

The announcement that spread a smile among the Windows users across the world is the early arrival of the official release of Windows 10 this summer. The rollout will start with China and 189 will soon follow. All the nations will receive the update by summer, as per the company statement.

Microsoft will offer a one-year free subscription of the upgrade, which will be available to the customers running Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1. Users can choose from 111 language options for the new operating system.

New ROM to convert Android phones to Windows

A big revelation from Microsoft was testing of a new ROM based on Windows. The company has tied up with Xiaomi and is testing the new Windows 10 with a select group of Mi 4 ‘Power users’. The new concept is original and seems to be a budding effort to overtake Android ecosystem in one go.

The new ROM doesn’t offer dual-boot solution. Once installed, Windows 10 becomes the default OS of the smartphone. It is comparable to the CyanogenMod or any other custom ROM. The Windows-based ROM is designed to get Android users to try Windows 10 native user interface and the Windows-centric apps. Through this, Microsoft hopes to encourage users switch from Android to Windows OS.

New Windows Version for IoT Devices

Internet of Things (IoT) is the major revolution that the tech world is heading towards. A new version of Windows was introduced by Microsoft that comes free with Windows 10. The new version can go with a diverse IoT devices like ATMs, ultrasonic machines, gateways, and more. The company plans to connect with more machines and is in talks to collaborate with companies like the Raspberry Pi Foundation, Intel, Qualcomm and other tech organizations.

Compactness with Windows 10

Microsoft has opted for an approach to squeeze down Windows 10. The new Windows OS compresses files to provide more storage space on the device, offering more free space for music, photos, and videos.

The condensation of system files on Windows 10 is done through compression algorithm. It restores approximately 1.5GB of storage for 32-bit and 2.6GB of storage for 64-bit Windows. The same is applicable for the Windows phone as well.

March 18, 2015
Microsoft Developing a Windows 10 ROM For Android Devices

Microsoft has announced today that it will be bringing its premier operating system, Windows 10 to 190 countries around the world this summer. The company also hinted at plans to expand its market share in the portable devices market. Microsoft’s collaboration with Xiaomi also led to many speculations in the market as to how the Chinese smartphone powerhouse would play in Microsoft’s plan to expand its mobile market share. The details aren’t out yet, but it seems Microsoft is offering a ROM that will replace Android to make Windows 10 the primary OS of a smartphone.

Microsoft has announced that under its deal with Xiaomi, a select group of Mi 4 ‘Power users’ will get a chance to test the new Windows 10. Xiaomi made clear that it is not a partnership between the two companies, and Xiaomi is just “assisting” Microsoft in its efforts.

The new ROM doesn’t offer dual-boot solution, and Windows 10 becomes the default OS of the smartphone. It is comparable to the CyanogenMod or any other custom ROM. The ROM is basically designed to get Android users to try Windows 10 native user interface and the Windows-centric apps. This, Microsoft hopes will encourage the users the to switch from Android to Windows OS.

At present, Microsoft is testing the ROM in China but it is definitely planning on expanding its reach to other countries. It has started with Xiaomi as the company has a proactive user base that constantly sends back feedback through the companies portal. Microsoft will find it easier to gather suggestions and feedbacks through Xiaomi’s already available infrastructure.

Microsoft is trying hard to find takers for its smartphone devices. According to the last IDC listing Android is a behemoth in the smartphone market which controls 82.3 percent of the global smartphone market followed by Apple’s iOS which holds 13.8 percent while Microsoft Windows Phone OS accounts for just 2.7 percent at present.

Microsoft has also talked about introducing advanced features which let users connect and work on their desktop and mobile devices seamlessly. If these features work in Microsoft’s favour, you can anticipate a rise in Microsoft’s smartphone market share because in the desktop OS space, Microsoft still rules with a comfortable majority. In fact, at present, the various Windows OS’s (Windows 7,8, 8.1) are running on over 69% of the computers while Windows XP accounts for about 19% of the global market. By offering unique interconnectivity features, Windows can attract its massive desktop user base to give its smartphone ecosystem a try.

March 18, 2015
The Wait is Over, Windows 10 Arriving in 190 Countries This Summer

Ever since Microsoft announced the latest iteration of the Windows operating system last year, users have been patiently waiting for its arrival in the market. The demos presented by the company has got the market excited for the plethora of cool features. Microsoft also corrects its blunder of removing the start menu in its last offering by bring back the menu in Windows 10. The company is now ready to bring the latest OS to its customers worldwide and will be launching it this summer in 190 countries.

Microsoft will offer a one-year free upgrade which will be available to the customers running Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1. Users can choose from 111 language options for the new operating system.

Terry Myerson of Microsoft commented on the official blog post –

We continue to make great development progress and shared today that Windows 10 will be available this summer in 190 countries and 111 languages.

Microsoft has a strategic plan to roll out Windows 10 in China. The firm stated that it would partner with leading companies like Lenovo, Tencent and Qihu 360 to deliver the new Windows OS to its customers. As said earlier, more countries will soon get the update by summer this year.

Along with announcing the launch time of Windows 10, Microsoft brought out few more interesting tools to make computing more personal. Windows Hello is one of the recent features added on Windows 10. This innovative offering eliminates the need for passwords and gives instant access to your devices through biometric authentication, i.e. analyzing your face, iris or fingerprint.

Microsoft has also put major focus on Internet of Things(IoT) devices with this new launch. This advanced Windows OS will also work with major institutional devices like ATM’s, ultrasound machines, gateways, and more. The company plans to connect with more machines and is in talks to collaborate with companies lke the Raspberry Pi Foundation, Intel, Qualcomm and other tech organizations.

One revelation that caught the eye was that Microsoft signing up with Chinese smartphone Xiaomi for the developmental of Windows 10. A select group of Xiaomi Mi 4 power users will be invited to test Windows 10 and share their feedback with the company. Seems like Microsoft is trying everything its powers to capture some of Android’s massive market share. Microsoft though would not have to convince the massive number of Windows desktop users as they would be elated to get the free upgrade and of course the Start menu that comes with it.

To know more about Windows Hello, check the video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AsoSnOmhvU

March 18, 2015
Microsoft’s Voice Assistant Cortana Coming To Android and iOS Devices Soon

Smartphone voice assistants can be described in plain simple words as ‘freaking cool’. They have come a long way and at present they can almost be seen as the baby versions of Tony Stark’s Jarvis. While Google Now is a great search and convenience tool, Microsoft’s Cortana and Apple’s Siri have anthropomorphic qualities that let them have human live conversations with the users. Microsoft has decided to take Cortana to a wider audience and will be bringing its voice assistant to iOS and Android devices.

Microsoft has said that it will be introducing Cortana on other operating systems as a standalone app. The company will also be integrating its artificial intelligence(AI) based technology called ‘Einstein’ with the voice assistant. With Einstein’s support, Cortana would be able to read and understand emails that will help it provide more convenient features to the users. It would let it offer suggestions to the user, even before they ask for it, something Google Now has been doing for a while.

Cortana is based on the artificially intelligent character of the same name from the famed video game, Halo. The personality of the voice assistant is also derived from the AI character from the game. Microsoft has been banking on Cortana’s ability to chit chat with the users. Cortana also offers usual voice assistant features like setting reminders and calendar, weather and traffic information, writing notes and messages.

Microsoft will also be bringing Cortana on Windows 10 operating system for desktops. It might actually beat Apple in this field as the Cupertino-based company didn’t bring Siri to the latest Yosemite operating system. Microsoft is contemplating the fall timeframe for the launch of the app. So if you liked Google Now but wanted a more human-like interaction, Microsoft’s Cortana is coming soon to give you company.

Speaking of voice assistants, remember that one time we got Siri to speak in Punjabi?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCB5I4Kqthk

March 14, 2015

Hands On | Microsoft Lumia 640 and Lumia 640 XL at MWC 2015

Earlier today at the MWC 2015, Microsoft stepped on to the podium to showcase two new low-price Lumia smartphones – the Lumia 640 and its big brother Lumia 640 XL.

The Lumia 640 is a standard Lumia phone and falls under sub-Rs. 10,000 category, while Lumia 640 XL is higher both in size and specs. Microsoft is trying to woo the customers with free Office 365 subscription.

Talking about Lumia 640 first, the handset touts a 5-inch IPS display with 720p resolution, which has been given a protection of Gorilla Glass 3. The phone has a glossy finish, but its polycarbonate back is hefty. Equipped with 1.2GHz Qualcomm 400 quad-core processor, the device packs 1 GB of RAM paired with 8 GB internal storage space. The memory can be expandable up to 128GB via MicroSD card.

The 8MP camera of the device at a price range of Rs. 10,000 coupled with LED Flash. The secondary shooter stands at 1MP with wide angle lens. A 2,500mAh battery powers the device. The device comes in four colour options – cyan, orange white and black.

The Lumia 640 XL is the advanced sibling of Lumia 640 and captures a 5.7-inch IPS LCD screen with 720p resolution. The phone has a matte finish, which adds to the overall appeal. The same 1.2GHz Qualcomm 400 quad-core processor powers the handset, along with 1 GB RAM. The in-built storage space too stands same at 8GB, which is expandable via MicroSD slot up to 128GB.

The bigger Lumia 640 features a 13MP primary snapper that comes bundled with LED flash and Carl Zeiss optics. Selfie lovers would prefer its front 5MP camera. A more powerful 3,000mAh battery keeps the device working through the whole day.

Meanwhile, both the models will ship with Windows 8.1, but the company promises to update them soon to the newer version, Windows 10. The Lumia 640 will debut in April and will come at a price of €140 for 3G variant and €160 for LTE version. The Lumia 640 XL, on the other hand, is priced at €190 for the 3G version and €220 for the 4G LTE model. There are also dual SIM versions available for both the phones. Each of them is available in 3G dual-SIM, and LTE single- and dual-SIM models.

Have a look at their spec sheet:

SPECS	MICROSOFT Lumia 640	MICROSOFT Lumia 640 XL
Display	5-inch IPS(294ppi)Gorilla Glass 3	5.7-inch IPS LCD(259ppi)Gorilla Glass 3
Processor	1.2GHz Qualcomm 400 quad-core	1.2GHz Qualcomm 400 quad-core
RAM	1GB	1GB
Storage	8GB	8GB
Expandable Upto	128GB	128GB
Main Camera	8MP	13MP
Front Camera	1MP	5MP
Battery	2500mAh	3000mAh
Operating System	Windows 8.1	Windows 8.1
Price (LTE)	€160 (near Rs. 11,000)	€220 (near Rs. 15,000)

Check out our hands on with the device here:

March 2, 2015

Microsoft Announces Lumia 640 and Lumia 640 XL with Free Office 365 for a Year

The Mobile World Congress 2015 witnessed a fabulous opening yesterday with a slew of devices from Samsung, HTC, Acer and Huawei, and today morning, Microsoft kicked off (early) at the smartphone carnival. The consumer electronics manufacturer just brought out two low-cost Lumia smartphones, Lumia 640 and Lumia 640 XL. Both are based on the latest Windows 10 and offer free Office 365 for one year.

Talking about the Lumia 640 first, the gadget sports a 5-inch HD display which is protected by Gorilla Glass 3. The company has equipped the device with 1.2GHz Qualcomm 400 quad-core processor paired with 1GB RAM and 8GB storage. It comes in four colour options – cyan, orange white and black.

The rear camera is 8MP and comes bundled with LED flash. A 1MP snapper with wide angle lens sits at the front side above the screen. For now, the handsets will be shipped with Windows 8.1, but it will soon be updated to Windows 10.

The other one, Lumia 640 XL, is a bigger sibling of the Lumia 640. It has a 5.7-inch screen and comes with a 13-megapixel camera with LED flash and Carl Zeiss optics. The front has a 5MP shooter with wide angle lens.

The Lumia 640, arriving next month, is priced at 139 Euro for its 3G version ($155), while the LTE variant will be priced at 159 euro ($178). The biggger Lumia 640 XL will be debuting this month itself. It comes for 189 euro ($211) for the 3G version and 219 euro ($245) for the LTE variant. There are also dual SIM versions available for both the phones. Each of them is available in 3G dual-SIM, and LTE single- and dual-SIM models. More information about the handset and other releases from Microsoft keep checking this space.

March 2, 2015
Microsoft Office 365 is Now Free for Eligible Students Worldwide

Microsoft has finally expanded the free Office 365 subscription for eligible students and teacher globally. The open service was earlier limited to the students of the US only.

The company made the announcement through its official blog post that reads –

Millions of students around the world are eligible for free Office from their school and today [Tuesday] we are announcing that we’ve made it easy for all eligible students globally to sign up themselves to get Office 365 and install free Office, Microsoft confirmed via its Office Blogs.

Students just need to have a valid e-mail address, and they can sign up for a free Office 365 subscription. The users will get access to the latest versions of MS Word, MS Excel, MS Powerpoint, OneNote, Access, and Publisher. These programs can be installed on PCs, Macs and on up to five mobile devices including iPad, Android, and Windows Tablets. Students will also gain a massive storage space of 1TB on OneDrive and Office Online to keep their files safe.

The company said that the offer can be availed only if schools do have a licensed software. The schools must license the Office in order to get benefitted from the provided service. Meanwhile, students can click here and enter the school-provided email address to access free Office. Teachers can do the same clicking here.

February 25, 2015

Category: Microsoft

SPECS

MICROSOFT LUMIA 640

MICROSOFT LUMIA 640 XL

Software Pirates Included in Windows 10 Receivers’ List

The End of Passwords with Windows Hello

Windows 10 is coming to 190 Countries, this summer

New ROM to convert Android phones to Windows

New Windows Version for IoT Devices

Compactness with Windows 10

SPECS

MICROSOFT Lumia 640

MICROSOFT Lumia 640 XL