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Microsoft brings mobile payments to your Windows 10 phone
Windows 10 users have been left out of the tap-to-pay trend while their friends use the likes of Android Pay and Apple Pay, but they're about to catch up in style. If you're a Windows Insider in the Fast Ring and use a Lumia 650, 950 or 950 XL, you can get a new version of the Wallet app that gives you NFC payments at stores that support it. It'll seem mostly familiar if you've used current Android or iOS options -- it's just a matter of unlocking your phone and bringing it close to the shop's terminal. The app will hold your coupons, loyalty cards and passes, too.
Mini review video: Our verdict on the Lumia 950 in about a minute
#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-195515{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-195515, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-195515{width:570px;display:block;}try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-195515").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Engadget's review of Microsoft's Lumia 950 was so controversial that a few of you sent hateful Twitter DMs to our author (tsk, tsk, guys). Still, as much as we hate to disappoint our readers, we need to stand our ground on this one: While Windows 10 Mobile has promise as a platform, the 950 itself isn't exactly what we'd call flagship-grade hardware. The design lacks the charm and polish of earlier Lumia handsets, and the battery life was mediocre at best. Also, our reviewer encountered enough sluggishness and random crashes to conclude the OS still needs polish.
Microsoft's Lumia 950 is set for a November 20 launch on AT&T
The wait has been pretty agonizing (for some of you, anyway), but the first batch of Windows 10 phones is almost here. AT&T just announced that it'll be the first -- and possibly only -- carrier in the US to carry the new Lumia 950, which you'll be able order starting tomorrow ahead of a full-blown launch on November 20. Sadly, there's no word on whether AT&T will also carry the slightly bigger, slightly better Lumia 950XL; you might just have to get that thing unlocked straight from Microsoft.
UK pricing for Microsoft's Surface Pro 4, Lumia 950 phones and other goodies
It's fair to say that Microsoft's latest launch event was its most interesting for a long time. We finally learned that Hololens will be made available to developers early next year, clapped eyes on the first flagship Windows 10 phones, checked out the updated Microsoft Band and met the Surface Pro 4. Then the company surprised us all with the unveiling of its first laptop: the Surface Book. Microsoft is wasting no time in getting some of these to market, so you might be wondering how much each of them will cost. As always, we're more than happy to be your guide.
Microsoft's Surface and Lumia event: by the numbers
The dust is settling on Microsoft's Windows 10 Devices event where the company showed off all the shiny devices that it's about to start selling. But if you weren't able to sit through our excellent liveblog, then perhaps you'd like to read this breakdown of the show based on the key numbers. It's like an extended highlights reel, but with a more statistical edge. Get all the news from today's Microsoft event right here.
The Lumia 950 vs. the competition: A battle of flagships
The smaller of the new Lumias is quite the powerhouse on paper, but how does it stack up against the latest iOS and Android devices? At first glance, Microsoft's newest flagship, the Lumia 950, seems plenty powerful with its 1.8GHz hexa-core Snapdragon 808, 3GB of RAM and 5.2-inch Quad HD AMOLED display. However, we've got the face-off after the break with a side-by-side comparison between the Lumia 950, iPhone 6s and Nexus 5x so you can decide for yourself which one best suits your needs.
High-end Windows Phones make a comeback with the Lumia 950 and 950 XL
You could be forgiven for forgetting that Windows Phones were ever really a thing -- iOS and Android devices keep making headlines. After all, it's been ages since we got a high-end phone from Microsoft or one of its partners. It was... frustrating to say the least, especially if you were one of those people who fell under the spell of Microsoft's mega-marketing blitz. Now, though, we've got two new high-end Windows Phones -- the Lumia 950 and 950 XL -- ready to bring the best of Redmond's new vision of software straight into our pockets. I spent a little time here in New York City to futz around with both, and one thing seems clear: While the hardware doesn't feel like Microsoft's best, there are plenty of good ideas here.
Meet the Lumia 950, Microsoft's first Windows 10 flagship
Microsoft has announced the Lumia 950, the smartphone that will carry the burden of being the company's first Windows 10 mobile flagship. The device comes with a 5.2-inch WQHD (2,560 x 1,440) OLED display that'll also offer up constantly glanceable notifications that'll save on battery life. In addition, the unit comes with the same liquid-cooling technology that you'll find inside the Microsoft Surface Pro 3. Internals-wise, the company is promising an hexa-core Qualcomm processor and 32GB of internal storage, but the phone can actually take up to a 2TB microSD card as soon as they're available to buy.
What to expect from Microsoft's Windows 10 device event
Microsoft may be tight-lipped about what will be revealed at its October 6th device event, but that doesn't mean that everything is a mystery. In some cases, a slew of leaks have telegraphed Redmond's plans in advance. More Lumia phones, anyone? However, there are still a few questions left. What about the fabled Surface Pro 4? When does Windows 10 reach your existing phone? And will there be any wearable tech? We'll answer as many of those questions as we can so that you have a good idea of what to expect when Microsoft's execs take the stage.
Microsoft store slip reveals the Lumia 950 a week early
Microsoft has already done a not-so-stellar job of keeping its upcoming Lumia 950 and 950 XL smartphones a secret, and it just erased whatever doubt was left. The company's UK online store briefly listed both of the unannounced Windows 10 flagships, confirming some of the devices' juiciest specs. As suspected, both Lumias will have Quad HD displays, 20-megapixel cameras and 32GB of expandable storage. The biggest difference is, as you might have gathered, the display sizes: the standard 950 will have a mid-sized 5.2-inch screen, while the XL bumps that up to 5.7 inches. The pricing was conspicuously absent (not surprising given the accidental listings), but there's a real chance that you'll get the full scoop on both handsets at Microsoft's event next week.
Images of Microsoft's next flagship Lumia prototype leak out
If you've been hankering for some powerful new Lumia hardware, feast your eyes on the first images of a prototype of Microsoft's upcoming flagship phone, courtesy of a (soon to be fired) leaker on the WPXAP forums. For the past few years, Microsoft has focused more on delivering mid-range and low-end Lumia devices, the few markets where Windows Phone has managed to find a foothold. But, based on current rumors, the company is expected to launch a new Lumia 950 flagship later this year, along with a Lumia 950 XL phablet. The above image gives us our closest look yet at one of the new devices (there's some debate as to whether it's the 5.2-inch 950 or the 5.7-inch 950 XL), and, well, it looks just like a Lumia design.
A bevy of Nokias allegedly leak into a developer app: 'Lumia 1001' tops theoretical new lineup
There's nothing easier to photoshop than a phone display, but a Nokiapoweruser reader claims to have RDA screenshots leaking five (count 'em) different upcoming Nokia smartphones. The reputed models shown -- without any other proof -- are the Nokia 510, Nokia Belle 805 and Lumias 920, 950 and 1001. These are on top of another we already saw from the same type of source, the Nokia 910, giving us a Bizarro world view of Nokia's entire possible WP8 lineup, before the company has even issued a peep. We'd love to ruminate about potential specs and pecking order, but since we're talking about an entirely abstract slate of phones, go ahead and invent your own. [Image credit: Nokiapoweruser]
