windowsphone8
Latest
Nokia Lumia 625 review
Another week, another Lumia. This latest grenade thrown by Nokia in its continued assault on the smartphone market is the Lumia 625. Following up on its previous high-end devices -- the good-looking one, the one with the fancy camera -- the 625 is a soldier of lower rank. There's already an army of budget Windows Phones that fill various niches, so what's the deal? Well, despite the number on its dog tag, the 625 is far from a Lumia 620 variant: it's a completely different phone. For starters, it sports the biggest screen of any Lumia to date (for now, anyway). Actually, make that any Nokia phone ever made. But the real reason it exists has nothing to do with the display size; it's all about the 4G radio hiding away inside. Does LTE, plus a big screen and eyebrow-raising price tag, make it worth your while, though?
Mobile Miscellany: week of September 2nd, 2013
If you didn't get enough mobile news during the week, not to worry, because we've opened the firehose for the truly hardcore. This week brought a peek of GDR 3 for Windows Phone 8, confirmation that US Cellular's Belief Project is no more and the arrival of the Moto X on two more US carriers. These stories and more await. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore all that's happening in the mobile world for this week of September 2nd, 2013.
Nokia Lumia 1020 price drops to $199 in the US
One of the barriers to Lumia 1020 adoption in the US has been the high price; you've had to really love phone photography to justify spending $299 on-contract. That shouldn't be an issue from now on, as both AT&T and Microsoft have permanently dropped the Nokia flagship's price to $199 with a two-year agreement. If you buy from the Microsoft Store, you'll even get a free black camera grip through a limited-time offer. The new pricing might not sway every Windows Phone fan when a next-gen Lumia may lurk just around the corner, but those who've been waiting for a good bargain on the 1020 will find one at the source links.
Extra-large Nokia Lumia 1520 surfaces in press image
Want a clear look at Nokia's Lumia 1520 (aka Bandit)? You may just have it. After posting a screen capture earlier in the week, @evleaks has released what's reportedly a press image of the super-sized, 1080p Windows Phone. The render largely matches what we've seen before, including the additional Live Tiles on the home screen, but the back is new. It suggests that there will be a Lumia 925-style camera hump -- sorry, no 41-megapixel sensor here -- along with aesthetics borrowed from other members of the Lumia family. There's no guarantee that this image is real, but we won't be surprised if it accurately represents Nokia's last flagship before Microsoft takes the reins.
Skype for Windows Phone 8 now supports video messaging
Fans of Skype for Windows Phone 8 can now record more than just voicemail: Microsoft has updated the app to support video messaging. Like on other platforms, Windows Phone users can send an unlimited number of video clips to their Skype contacts for free. There aren't any other new features, but Skype members who prefer visual communication will likely want to grab the upgrade today through the Windows Phone Store.
Facebook's Windows Phone beta updated to work on WP7 too
There was a time when Windows Phone 7 users could only look on as WP8-using peers Like status updates on their newer and shinier Facebook app. Not anymore. An update to the Beta version is now ready for download, bringing to the table a user interface similar to the WP8 version that meshes well with the platform's aesthetics. Those who've been waiting for the update forever can hit the source link below -- it's available for both platforms, so WP8-toting folks can also join the party.
Nokia Lumia 1020 coming to Canada through Rogers and Telus
Canadians won't miss out on the Lumia 1020's photographic prowess for much longer. Following rumors and teases, Nokia has confirmed that its flagship Windows Phone is coming to both Rogers and Telus. There's no official word on ship dates or prices, but the company says the 1020 will be available in both black and yellow. Let's hope that it reaches Canada soon -- rumors persist of even bigger devices that could overshadow the 1020 in the near future.
Nokia's giant Lumia 1520 reportedly poses for the camera
Rumors are circulating that Nokia's first extra-large smartphone, possibly called the Lumia 1520, is near launch. If it's real, you might be looking at it -- Windows Phone Central has obtained a photo that purportedly shows the device for the first time. The snapshot presents a behemoth that makes even the Lumia 1020 look dainty. Unfortunately, there's little to corroborate claims that a quad-core processor, a 20-megapixel camera and Windows Phone 8 GDR3 lurk inside. We've also seen a previous fake that looks like this, although the new phone's bezel both matches that from a July part rumor and carries the prototype stamp common to Nokia test units. When there's talk of Nokia unveiling the 1520 in late September alongside a Windows tablet, we may learn the truth behind the photo within a few weeks.
Daily Roundup: HTC 8XT for Sprint, Windows 8.1 heads to manufacturers, Galaxy Gear, and more!
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Evernote comes to Windows Phone 8 with multi-shot camera, speech to text support
Evernote has let its Windows Phone app languish at times, but the company is making amends with a new version of its note-taking client that supports Windows Phone 8. The update primarily improves navigation and speed for modern hardware, although there are a few platform-independent additions. Users can now snap multiple photos without leaving the camera mode; the refresh also introduces photo slideshows, speech-to-text transcription and an automatic title generator. Evernote's big upgrade is available in the Windows Phone Store today, and there's promises of "lots more" coming to Microsoft's mobile platform in the near future.
Telenav Scout arrives on WP8, premium features available for $25 a year
Windows Phone 8 users partial to Telenav Scout can now leave the long line of people twiddling their thumbs waiting for their favorite apps to arrive on the OS. Previously available on iOS, Android and older Windows Phone versions, the newest Scout on the Marketplace works on all WP8 devices. It comes with all of the bells and whistles one would expect from a personalized navigation platform, including a user's current location, nearby establishments, real-time traffic flow, possible routes to take and the commute duration for each. Voice guidance (and voice command), as well as traffic and red light alerts are also available -- assuming you're willing to pay $25 per year for the privilege. If, however, you're immune to Scout's navigational charms, there's always alternative options like Drive+, MapQuest and CoPilot to help your not-so-aimless wanderings.
Gameloft and Amiga Games to release 56 titles on Windows 8, WP8 before 2014
Sure, Microsoft's battle for next-gen supremacy starts in November, but those who lean on Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 for their gaming just got a little something to look forward to. Gameloft is readying a total of 15 games that'll arrive within the next 12 months and launch simultaneously on both platforms. Before the year's up, you can expect to see Asphalt 8: Airborne, Despicable Me: Minion Rush, Dungeon Hunter 4, Six Guns, Total Conquest and UNO & Friends, with the remaining games breaking cover next year. The recently-acquired Amiga Games will churn out 50 titles of its own onto Microsoft's desktop and mobile OS before year's end, and could bump the total up to 500 afterwards. Details on which games we'll see first weren't divulged, but the outfit says they'll make use of the operating system's features such as live tiles and Snap and Share, as well as cross-platform data sharing. For a look at what's to come, head past the break for a fresh Asphalt 8 trailer.
Refresh Roundup: week of August 12th, 2013
Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!
Fresh Paint updated to support lower-tier Windows Phone 8 devices
If you're one of many Windows Phone 8 users who downloaded the Fresh Paint app when it arrived on mobile devices a few weeks ago, you might've been disappointed to find it wouldn't run on certain devices. That's because the initial release of the program was only for higher-end WP8 phones with a healthy dosage of RAM. Now, however, it has been updated to run on Windows Phone 8 handsets with just 512MB of RAM, which includes models like the HTC 8S, the Nokia Lumia 520/521, 620, 625 and 720. So if you now have a qualifying handset, feel free to hit up the Windows Phone Store link below to unleash that pent-up creativity on a digital canvas.
Nokia Amber update arriving on Lumia devices: camera improvements, Glance Screen, and plenty more (updated)
Those unofficial Amber ROMs you (briefly) considered toying with 10 days ago? History. Nokia has just announced that the honest-to-goodness, ready-for-consumption Amber code has been approved, and Lumia owners the world over will begin seeing it hit their Windows Phone 8 handset in the coming days / weeks. The software update is a fairly major one, delivering a wide range of new and improved features and apps, like Nokia Glance Screen with the standby clock and an even better imaging experience that mirrors the one found on the 1020. Users will be graced with a new FM radio player and improvements to Xbox music and the Internet Explorer browser, as well as improved image processing and the Nokia Smart Camera app (which debuted on the Lumia 925). The Glance Screen acts a bit like the glanceable extras added to the Moto X, but sadly, it won't be available on the Lumia 520 and Lumia 625, which have a smaller display memory. Longstanding Nokia loyalists will surely appreciate the addition of "Flip to silence" and "double-tap to unlock," and those who rely heavily on Here maps will find future updates easier to install. The rollout starts now first for the Lumia 920 and Lumia 820 in selected countries as well as the Lumia 521, Lumia 810, and Lumia 928 in the US, while owners of the Lumia 520, Lumia 620, Lumia 720, Lumia 820 or Lumia 920 will likely have to wait until the end of September. Update: There's one more important tidbit: if you're using a Lumia 920, 925 or 928, you also get the Nokia Pro Camera app.
Nokia Lumia 625 reaches the UK on August 28th with LTE on three networks
Brits who've wanted Nokia's budget phone ambitions writ large -- namely, the Lumia 625 -- won't have to wait much longer. The 4.7-inch Windows Phone will be available on August 28th through EE, O2, Vodafone, Carphone Warehouse and Phones4U. If you're interested, you can pick up the device for free on a £21 per month contract, or buy it outright for £179 on pay-as-you-go service; early adopters get a second colored back as a bonus. EE, O2 and Vodafone should all support the Lumia 625's LTE either immediately or the day after, so it's just a matter of choosing the 4G network you prefer.
Samsung ATIV S Neo coming to Sprint on August 16th for $150
We knew it was coming to Sprint this summer, and we knew it would run $150 (with a two-year contract and $50 rebate, of course) -- and now the carrier's given us an exact date: August 16th. (Not to say we didn't already have our suspicions...) Samsung's ATIV S Neo will become the Now Network's second Windows Phone 8 handset this Friday. The 4.8-inch smartphone packs a 1.4GHz dual-core processor, an eight-megapixel camera and NFC-based ATIV Beam sharing. More info on all of the above after the break.
Microsoft's YouTube app for Windows Phone returns, adds uploads
At Google's request, Microsoft pulled its YouTube app for Windows Phone 7.x and 8 back in May, but now it's returned. Apparently ready to display the ads Google is so insistent on, v3.2.0.0 is available for download, and also brings the ability to upload videos directly to the service. If you're not seeing it on your device yet you can grab it and get all the new details at the link below.
Refresh Roundup: week of August 5th, 2013
Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!
MLB At Bat 13 comes to Windows Phone 8
Are you worried that you won't get to follow big league baseball from your Lumia 1020 this year? Don't be: MLB At Bat 13 has just launched for Windows Phone 8. The new release covers familiar ground in a fresher-looking package, letting sports aficionados watch both free and MLB.tv Premium-only live games, pin their favorite teams to the home screen and check Live Tiles for the day's games. At Bat 13 is free to download, although you'll have to pay for a Premium account ($25 monthly or $50 yearly) if you want to watch full access to MLB.tv's game broadcasts and archived footage.
