Android and iOS users have been using their Facebook account for single click logging in to apps from a long time now, and soon Windows 8 and Windows Phone users will be able to do the same as well.
This feature on Windows Phone 8 is still in the early stages, Microsoft has announced that Foursquare, Adobe and iHeart Radio are the first to get in on this action. Just like the Facebook Login on other platforms, by using this it will be easier to share content from within the app, and to connect account information without the need to input anything again and again.
Love Angry Birds ? Good news for this game lover as Angry Birds Go! is the next big entry in the Angry Birds franchise. The game takes the “universe” of Angry Birds and applies it to cart racing.
As the teaser shows, players need power-ups to take their birds, pigs, and other Angry Birds characters past opponents on a variety of downhill stages. This game seems different than what we are used to see when it comes to Angry Birds, the teaser makes it further exciting. The graphics are said to be improved, but that can only be judged once this game will hit the market on december 11 on iOS, Android, Blackberry 10 and even Windows Phone 8 for free. Check out the teaser video:
Micxrosoft has announced the third update to the Windows Phone 8 OS – this is known as GDR3 or General Distribution Release 3.
The company stated on their blog that the update includes several key features such as a “bigger Start screen” that now houses six Live Tiles and “paves the way for future Windows Phone devices with 5- and 6-inch” with 1080p displays. In addition, GDR3 supports Qualcomm’s 8974 quad-core processor and comes with Driving Mode, screen reader (help the blind and visually impaired use their device), plus better storage management, new rotation lock, and improved internet sharing feature for making a hotspot with Windows 8.1 devices.
You’ll also find that another much-requested feature has made it: broader custom ringtone support. At long last, you’ll be able to put your own sounds to use on text messages, instant messages, emails, voicemails and reminders.
The company outlined three key objectives of the update:
Enable incredible new Windows Phone devices.
Enhance the platform with new capabilities for current users and partners.
Improve overall quality.”
Microsoft says that the GDR3 update will begin rolling out to device owners within the coming weeks and that this will continue for several months. That’s pretty vague considering there are many device users eager to get a look at what’s on offer, but Microsoft says in its press release that availability will vary depending on several factors including device model and carrier.
Nokia has promised that its Lumia Amber update will reach all Windows Phone 8 devices by the end of September.
The Finnish phone maker is rolling out the update for its Lumia 920, Lumia 820, Lumia 720, Lumia 620 and Lumia 520 as well as their variants.
Amber introduces a number of new features to the Lumia range, including new photo-editing tools and improved camera capabilities. The Nokia Smart Camera app also introduces motion sequence shooting on its high-end Lumia 920, 925 and 928 handsets.
The Amber update also has “Glance Screen,” a tool that makes your phone’s inactive state more interesting. When your handset is inactive, it will display a clock and battery information. So, you can more quickly interact with your phone without having to do anything at all. You can turn off Glance, of course, or have it switch off after a set amount of time.
Unfortunately the negative news includes that some of the most desirable features are not coming to all handsets.
In the post Nokia confirms that the ‘double tap to wake’ feature is not supported on Lumia 720, Lumia 625, Lumia 620, Lumia 521, Lumia 520.
Also Nokia confirmed the FM Radio feature will not be coming to the Lumia 620, Lumia 810 and Lumia 928 as they “do not have the FM radio chip.”
Nokia recently launched its new Nokia Here Auto in-dash navigation system.
Microsoft has detailed the upcoming ‘Amber’ update for Windows Phone 8, also known as GDR2. While the update is not as significant as some Windows Phone users are hoping for, it adds a bunch of much-needed functionality to the operating system, and should quench the public’s thirst for a few more months.
OEMs will release ‘Amber’, which adds FM radio support to handsets that support it, improves Xbox Music and stabilizes Skype, which has heretofore upset the balance of the People hub.
Users will also be able to set a favourite Lens app to open as the default camera, and use Data Sense to keep track of data usage overall, or on a per-app basis.
Here’s what’s new in Windows Phone versions 8.0.10327.77 and 8.0.10328.78:
Xbox Music. It’s now easier to select, download, and pin music. Plus, music fans will see more accurate metadata (such as song and album information) and many other performance improvements.
FM radio. Listen to FM radio right from the Music+Videos hub. (Not available for all phones.)
Data Sense. Stay on top of your phone’s data usage with Data Sense. You can set a limit based on your data plan, or just keep track of which apps use the most data. (Not all mobile operators offer Data Sense.)
Skype. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) apps like Lync and Skype now feature improved stability and performance.
Internet Explorer. Your web browsing experience is now better than ever with improved HTML 5 compatibility.
Camera. Set your favorite Lens so it opens automatically when you press the camera button. (Not available for all phones.) Other improvements. Includes many other improvements to WindowsPhone.
While a huge overhaul of Microsoft’s mobile OS isn’t expected until early 2014, this update will hopefully keep Windows Phone 8 users happy until then. Look for the update to be rolling out to devices soon.
The newly launched Nokia Lumia 1020 is the second device to come pre-loaded with Windows Phone 8 Amber, with the Lumia 925 being the first.
Facebook for Windows Phone, while maintaining a nice design, has always lagged behind its iOS and Android counterparts for features.
Microsoft is launching a new version of its Facebook app today in beta, bringing many of the most highly-requested features to Windows Phone users. Not only is the design a better compromise between the company’s existing mobile apps and the Windows Phone design guidelines, but it offers Timeline support, high-resolution images and post sharing.
Instead of showing a tiny preview, the beta Facebook app now allows pics embedded inside a post to take up all the horizontal screen estate. Basically the shots can take advantage of large high-resolution displays.
The new app supports left- and right-side sliding bars, much like Android and iOS, and they open smoothly with a swipe from either side. Any page, including specific timelines, the messaging folder or even specific brand pages, can be pinned to the home screen for easy access, and the app still supports using images from albums as lock screen art. Toast notifications are said to be more reliable as well.
“Once you’ve put the beta app through its paces, we hope you’ll pass along bug reports, feature requests, and other feedback by going to Settings>About in the app”, Microsoft says. “You can also post a Store review. Your comments and suggestions will inform future releases”.
While the beta is not quite stable, and cannot be found by searching in the Windows Store, it will go a long way to alleviating some of that cross-platform envy Windows Phone users have been feeling lately. No word on whether Chat Heads are coming to Windows Phone any time soon, but having native Facebook Messenger support from the Messages app should suffice for now. The beta will be installed alongside your current Facebook app until it comes out of beta.
Even though the official cut-off date for support will be July 2014, developers are finally starting to make their hugely popular applications onto Windows Phone 8. We recently saw the Call of Duty Elite and Nokia HERE apps make the jump to serve all of Windows Phone 8 users, and today, one of the most popular music streaming services, Pandora, is finally making the jump to Windows Phone 8.
The application was completely redesigned for the platform from the ground up with a Live Tile that shows what’s currently playing and other unique features. It will automatically filter out explicit content, for example, if you want to add the application to the Windows Phone 8 Kid’s Corner.
As you’d expect, Pandora for Windows Phone 8 offers music from hundreds of thousands of artists around the world via stations you create by entering your favorite artist, song, comedian, or genre. Already a Pandora listener? The app is fully integrated with Pandora on the web. Just log in to your account and enjoy all of your existing personalized radio stations, or create new ones right from your phone. Pandora’s blog has more to say about the newest member of its mobile family. After you download it, make sure to let us know what you think.
To give the Windows Phone app a leg up on the competition, Microsoft will be providing Pandora ad-free throughout the rest of the year.
A support document on Microsoft’s website reveals that the company will end support of both Windows Phone 7.8 and Windows Phone 8 in the second half of 2014. For Windows Phone 8 the “Mainstream Support End Date” is July 8th, then Windows Phone 7.8 ends in September 9th – both revealing an 18-month support cycle.
The document also says Windows Phone 8 is already past its “lifecycle start date”, aka the point at which Microsoft starts counting down to the end of support.
Those who enjoy death riding Microsoft’s mobile efforts, which have never achieved success commensurate with the company’s size and influence, could see the short life of Windows Phone 8 as a sign Redmond is backing away from the mobile phone, the better to concentrate on its Surface hybrid tablet devices.
A more favourable and sensible interpretation could suggest the swift demise of Windows Phone 8 is actually a sign of strong ongoing support for Windows Phone, as if Microsoft already knows the day on which it will shut down support for Phone 8 it must have either Windows Phone 8.5 or Windows Phone 9 ready to go pretty soon now.
There has been rumours that Microsoft will unveil the “next release” Windows Phone, currently codenamed “Blue,” sometime during the holiday period of this year. However, there’s no indication of what new features will be included.
Microsoft is planning to release a new version of Windows Phone for the holiday season, according to a job listing posted by the company.
In the listing, Microsoft is looking for a software development engineer which would work on Windows Phone software.
[quote]
According to the listing :
This is a great time to join as we’re completing our current release are getting ready for our next release targeting the holiday of this year and we’re chartered with keeping the momentum for Windows Phone by bringing new killer devices and delightful user experiences. There are enormous growth opportunities in this role and organization.
[/quote]
Windows Phone is considered key to Microsoft’s mobile strategy, as well as Bing’s mobile market share. However, Windows Phone has been slow to catch on with consumers, a majority of whom continue to snap up iPhones and Android devices.
“Next release” does not give us much in terms of features or any other details, but we’d expect the update to be a major one, since Windows Phone 8 was launched in October 2012, and the previous major update, Windows Phone 7.5, was released in September 2011.
According to earlier reports, the next WP release, codenamed “Windows Phone Blue,” should bring both kernel updates and user-interface improvements.
Microsoft recently released “Portico,” the first significant WP8 update, and the software maker is planning other improvements under a broad effort known as “Apollo Plus.”
Microsoft’s ever-popular panoramic app Photosynth has arrived on the company’s own Windows Phone 8 platform. The app had previously only been available for iOS devices (as well as WP7), but after being absent from Microsoft’s new mobile platform for several months after its release, Windows Phone 8 users can now capture Street View-esque panoramic images with their new Windows Phone devices.
The app was initially slated for the OS’ launch in late October, but Joe Belfiore, Windows Phone team lead, said he “asked them to ‘re-do’ their UI to be a terrific lens experience and they obliged.” In other words, the app had to be retooled to be successfully integrated into the new Lens system, a feature Microsoft has been touting as especially convenient for users.
Three main improvements include:
– Lens integration – Quickly capture and view panoramas by launching Photosynth directly from the camera. – Ability to view shared panoramas—New sharing capabilities let other Windows Phone 8 users view your panoramas on their phone, and as always you can show off your panoramas by email, Facebook and Twitter. – More camera controls – Adjust for various lighting conditions by using new exposure and white balance locking options.
One of the biggest criticisms of Windows Phone (as well as BlackBerry and other smaller phone systems) is that not as many apps are available as there are for Android and iOS. However, Microsoft has been steadily increasing the number of apps available for its newest smartphone operating system to catch up with its bigger rivals.
If you’re an avid photographer, download Photosynth for WP8 and stitch some scenes together.
Owners of Windows Phone 8 devices can now download and install a new application on their devices, namely Speedtest.net, which has been available for other mobile platforms out there for quite some time now.
The Speedtest.net web interface has been used by millions of people all over the world to test whether or not they are getting what they pay for from their ISPs. The site was originally launched to provide performance indicators of the tested network, but has grown to include a portfolio of official mobile apps as well as a reporting mechanism to see how ISPs around the world are performing, with the idea in mind that being able to name and shame companies should keep service providers honest. Windows Phone 8 users can now count themselves as part of the official experience.
The application already has millions of users, and arrives on Windows Phone 8 devices with the same features and capabilities as on other platforms.
One word of note though: judging by the comments left on the application it appears that some owners of the Lumia 920 on USA’s AT&T are having issues running the program, but the majority of people who have downloaded the application, on the other hand, say that it works as intended. They also seem to dig the new user interface.
Speedtest.net is a free app for Windows Phone 8 devices and you can find it here in the Windows Phone Store.
Microsoft’s complaint that Google is hoarding its YouTube metadata has fueled a new conspiracy theory: The search giant has pulled levers to prevent Windows Phones from accessing Google Maps. In reality, this phenomenon likely has little if anything to do with chicanery on Google’s part and everything to do with Microsoft’s reluctance to support the WebKit browser framework.
While Google Maps was never officially built for or supported by the Windows Phone platform, prior to this complaint, the service was accessible to a certain degree. Users of Windows Phone 7 and 8 both seem to be facing this issue.
Google released an explanation for the issue, saying that Google Maps rely on WebKit on mobile devices and Internet Explorer for Windows Phone does not utilise the rendering engine.
Microsoft, over the past few months, has publicly sparred with Google over its shutting down of Exchange Activesync support at the end of January. Microsoft expressed “disappointment” in the action and implored any affected users to transition to Outlook.com, its new (and excellent) mail offering. By turning off Activesync access (which applies to all platforms, not just Microsoft’s), Windows Phone users will not be able to sync Google contacts or calendars. Because Microsoft has yet to implement CalDAV and CardDAV support in its mobile OS, users will be out of luck by the end of the month.
Apple, on the other hand, will be unaffected by the change as it implemented the new calendar and contact sync standards in its latest version and has push support for mail via a native app. Android users, of course, will suffer no such issues with sync as their phones tie directly into Google’s activation servers.
While it’s currently assumed that the redirect is a bug and not the status quo going forward, we’ve yet to hear from Google on the issue.
WindowsPhoneItaly reports that Samsung has just confirmed that all its Windows Phone 7.5 handsets, including the Omnia W, would receive the hotly-anticipated Windows Phone 7.8 update.
As we’ve discovered in recent weeks, however, not all devices will be getting the 7.8 update. Last month, LG confirmed that its Optimus 7 won’t be updated, and with Dell now well and truly out of the smartphone business, it’s unlikely that the Venue Pro will be updated either.
All first- and second-generation Windows Phones were eligible for update to 7.5, so as Samsung says, this guarantees that all Windows Phone 7 handsets will qualify for the 7.8 update. However, the last part of that statement is critical; while each model will be offered the update, the responsibility for pushing the software to devices lies with Microsoft, which will need to work with carriers to test and finalise the update before it’s deployed.
Microsoft has just started the rollout of PR1.1 update for Nokia Lumia 920 and Lumia 820, but the upgrade is only available in the United States and Canada. Nokia announced the rest of the countries would get it in early February, 2013.
Anyone excited for Windows Phone 7.8, or have you already set your sights on WP8?
This is a pretty big moment for Windows Phone and Microsoft, as the first over-the-air (OTA) update is currently being delivered to the international Windows Phone 8X by HTC. Previously, updates to Windows Phone have required the device to be tethered to Zune software on a computer, but one of the new features of Windows Phone 8 allows untethered and far easier OTA updates on the device itself.
The update, currently exclusive to the HTC 8X handset, ups the device’s build number from 9905 to 10211, delivering a range of bug fixes designed to fix reported instances of Windows Phone 8 handsets spontaneously rebooting – a serious flaw that could harm Microsoft’s chances of breaking into the smartphone market, despite Google’s latest Android 4.2 Jelly Bean operating system having a few similar issues of its own.
In addition to software tweaks designed to make the handset more reliable, the HTC 8X’s update also brings support for a new setting that forces the phone’s wireless connectivity to remain active at all times – even with the handset’s screen is off. With the setting active, users may find battery life increased in areas where mobile signal is weak but Wi-Fi signal is strong, and will reduce their data usage on metered contracts.
Nokia has just launched their most affordable Windows Phone 8 device the Nokia Lumia 620. The Phone which runs Microsoft latest Mobile operating system is powered by a Qualcomm S4 1GHz dual-core CPU. Includes a 3.8-inch ClearBlack WVGA screen running at 800 x 480 resolution. FOr Optics we have a 5-megapixel rear camera and a front facing VGA one. The Phone has a fixed storage of 8 GB and no expandability upto 64GB via MicroSD.
Nokia is ready to play the 610 game with the Lumia 620 as the company will offer seven colors with exchangeable shells in gloss and matte finishes depending on color. You will also get a full host of Nokia only apps including Nokia Drive, Nokia Music and Nokia Maps. Nokia is also calling it the world’d most affordable Windows Phone 8 device yet with a price of 190 euros or Rs. 12,999 globally. We are hopeful that the company can quickly launch and make the device available in India around the same price mark
[toggle_box title=”Press Release” width=”Width of toggle box”]
Nokia introduces new Nokia Lumia 620
Nokia’s third and most affordable Windows Phone 8 smartphone offers youthful appeal
Espoo, Finland and Paris, France – Nokia today introduced the Nokia Lumia 620, the third and most affordable in its range of Windows Phone 8 smartphones. Alongside the flagship Nokia Lumia 920 and mid-range Nokia Lumia 820, the Nokia Lumia 620 offers a more fun, youthful appeal, and compact design.
The Nokia Lumia 620 uses a new dual-shot color technique to deliver a variety of striking color and texture effects. Dual-shot adds a second layer of colored, transparent or translucent polycarbonate on top of a base layer to produce secondary color blends and depth effects. With seven different exchangeable shells to choose from, people can adapt the look of their Nokia Lumia 620 to their own personal taste and style.
“We continue to execute on our strategy to reach new audiences and new markets,” said Jo Harlow, executive vice president, Nokia Smart Devices. “With its innovative design, the latest Windows Phone 8 software and signature experiences from Nokia, like Nokia lenses, Nokia Maps and Nokia Music, the Nokia Lumia 620 is a highly competitive smartphone at this price point.”
Among the features shared with the Nokia Lumia 920 and Nokia Lumia 820 are exclusive camera lenses that transform the creative power of the Nokia Lumia 620’s five megapixel main camera and VGA front-facing camera. The Cinemagraph lens adds simple animations to still photographs, while Smart Shoot creates a single, perfect shot from multiple images, even removing unwanted objects from the picture.
The Nokia Lumia 620 also provides access to the world’s best maps and location experience, including Nokia Maps, Nokia Drive, Nokia Transport and the exclusive Nokia City Lens. Nokia City Lens displays information about local surroundings overlaid onto buildings as seen through the camera viewfinder.
Making it easy to discover and enjoy new music, Nokia Music provides free streaming of ad-free tracks without registration or subscription and the ability to download playlists for listening offline.
With NFC support, the Nokia Lumia 620 can easily pair with NFC-enabled accessories like the JBL PlayUp Portable Speaker for Nokia. Open and secure NFC-connectivity makes it possible to share and receive content by tapping with compatible devices, or make secure payments using the Wallet application in Windows Phone 8.
Powered by Windows Phone 8, the Nokia Lumia 620 delivers a more personal smartphone experience. Adjustable Live Tiles update direct to the Start Screen. People Hub pulls together contact information from multiple address books and social networks into a single location, making it easy to stay in touch with friends and set up contact Groups and private Rooms for sharing. From the Me Tile people can check in to their location, post an update, set chat status, see what’s new and monitor notifications across Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. Windows Phone 8 also includes Xbox Live, Microsoft Office, 7GB of online SkyDrive storage and faster, safer surfing with Internet Explorer 10.
These features and capabilities are enabled by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon(TM) S4 Plus processors.
“People can do more of the things they love when they choose a mobile device that has a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor,” said Enrico Salvatori, senior vice president and president of Qualcomm Europe. “The Snapdragon S4 Plus processor is the heart of the Nokia Lumia 620, making it possible to multi-task, stream in HD and share content at super-fast speeds.”
The Nokia Lumia 620 will be available in a range of colors* including, lime green, orange, magenta, yellow, cyan, white and black. Estimated at USD 249, excluding taxes and subsidies, the Nokia Lumia 620 will begin selling in January 2013 in Asia, followed closely by Europe and the Middle East before expanding further.
* Availability of colored shells may vary by country.
