windowsphone8
Latest
Nokia Lumia 1320 press shot leaks, hints at big-screen, budget Windows Phone (update: new image)
Nokia's range of extra-large Windows Phones may not be limited to flagships like the Lumia 1520. Frequent tipster @evleaks has just posted a press image of what's reported to be the Lumia 1320, better known by its unofficial "Batman" nickname. There aren't many clues to the specs, although it's clear that the phone would take advantage of Windows Phone GDR3's support for large displays. The side trim also supports theories that this is a Lumia 625-style budget handset, not a flagship. Given that Nokia's "innovation reinvented" event is tomorrow, there's a good chance that we'll know the full story behind the 1320 within a matter of hours. Update: Just for good measure, @evleaks has also posted an image of the Lumia 1320's back. You'll find it after the break.
Maxthon heads to Windows Phone with multi-device cloud syncing in tow
If you're a Windows Phone user who yearns for a browser other than plain ol' Internet Explorer, you have one more option starting today. Maxthon, which has already released versions of its mobile browser for Android and iOS, has announced an iteration specifically made for Microsoft's mobile operating system. As with the other variants, one of Maxthon's key features is that if you sign up for a free Maxthon Passport account, you can sync bookmarks online and across devices. Other goodies include forward and backward browser navigation by swiping up and down, touch-optimized bookmarking, Quick Access live tiles and a pop-up address bar. We'll let you peruse the press release after the break for more info, or simply hit the source to download an alternative to the browser behemoth.
Bing Sports and Weather apps for WP8 add notifications for more sports, weather
Plenty of Windows Phone owners enjoy sports beyond American traditions like baseball or football. If that describes you to a (golf) tee, you'll be glad to hear that Microsoft has updated its Bing Sports and Weather apps with you in mind. The Bing Sports app now tracks 30 more sports, including Champions League soccer, LPGA golf, NASCAR, rugby and tennis; it follows individual players and sports, too. Bing Weather, meanwhile, now displays skiing conditions for hills around the world. Neither upgrade is revolutionary, but they're enough that fans of snowy slopes and stock cars will want to visit the Windows Phone Store today.
Daily Roundup: LG G Flex revealed, HTC's One Max, FIFA 14 for Xbox 360 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.
Fresh Paint update for Windows Phone 8 lets you finish artwork on your desktop
On-the-go Fresh Paint artists no longer have to finish their masterpieces on their smartphones. An upgrade to the Windows Phone 8 app now lets creators resume painting on their desktop, saving any progress through SkyDrive. There are a few perks for small-screen devotees, too -- the update brings a new pencil format, front-facing camera support and an "Inspire Me" tool that finds images on Bing. If you regularly find yourself doodling on your Lumia, you'll want to grab the spruced-up Fresh Paint app through the Windows Phone Store.
Microsoft announces Windows Phone GDR3 update, adds 1080p and large screen support
It's autumn, which means it's time for Microsoft to come out with its latest and greatest update for Windows Phone. This year, however, the company isn't pushing anything as drastic or significant as WP8, and it even shows in the name of the refresh itself: GDR3. (GDR stands for General Distribution Release.) The update, which will begin rolling out in the coming weeks and "will continue over several months," doesn't feature any improvements to the notification experience, but it delivers on a few important enhancements that are sorely needed -- especially when it comes to hardware support. First, GDR3 will now offer Start screen support for screens between 5 and 7 inches, with resolution support now set at a maximum of 1080p (both of which lend credence to the leaks we've seen of the Lumia 1520, Nokia's upcoming 6-inch device). As an aside, we've confirmed with a Microsoft rep that this update won't be adding support for full-on tablets, though we can't rule out that possibility in a future refresh. Future Windows Phones can become much more powerful as well, now that the update adds support for Qualcomm's Snapdragon 800 quad-core SoC. On the software side, Microsoft is throwing in Driving Mode, which limits notifications on the lock screen and can be set to trigger whenever you connect a Bluetooth device. You can also close individual apps in the multitasking menu, lock your screen orientation and assign custom ringtones for text messages. Also, remember that annoyingly vague "other" category in the storage settings? GDR3 now breaks it down into more specific categories and lets you manage each one (excepting the system storage). Aside from these enhancements, Microsoft claims "hundreds" of other tweaks and fixes, many of which are under the hood. For a few more details, head below the break to look at the official blog post in its entirety.
Daily Roundup: Honda and Toyota's human transporters, Valve's Steam Machine specs, Siri's voice actress 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.
Facebook for Windows Phone adds multi-photo uploads and unfriending
Microsoft has just updated the Facebook app for Windows Phone with a few handy features for both social and anti-social users. Photography lovers can now attach multiple images to a single post; the more bitter among us, meanwhile, can unfriend contacts and unlike content. There are also a few universal improvements, such as inline @ tagging and speed boosts for both posts and check-ins. If you want to impress friends -- or even make a few enemies -- you can grab the Facebook upgrade through the Windows Phone Store.
Bloomberg: Microsoft, HTC in talks to put Windows on Android phones
After buying Nokia's devices and services business, what's Microsoft's next step to growing the Windows phone market? According to Bloomberg's unnamed sources, that includes new devices from HTC, possibly goosed by loading Windows on its Android phones. The report also claims Microsoft operating systems chief Terry Myerson discussed lowering the license fee or dropping it entirely as an incentive. The paper's sources weren't clear on whether the devices might run both operating systems at once, or let users choose just one, so we'll let you imagine either scenario for the time being.
Nokia Lumia 1020 and 625 launch in Canada
After teasing its release plans in the summer, Nokia has finally launched two of its most recent smartphones in Canada. The Lumia 1020 is now available through both Rogers and Telus for $199 on a two-year contract ($600 to $725 contract-free) in either yellow or black. Aspiring shutterbugs can also buy the camera grip in either color for $75. If the 1020 is beyond your budget, you'll be glad to hear that Telus is also offering the Lumia 625 for free on a contract, or $300 with no commitment. The releases aren't well-timed when Nokia is unveiling new devices in a matter of weeks, but Canucks who've faced a recent drought of Windows Phones should be happy.
Nokia Here software to load offline map updates incrementally
When Microsoft acquired Nokia's devices and services business, it left the Here maps platform behind. However, that doesn't mean it's been abandoned. In fact, the Finnish company announced today that the mapping service will receive an update that'll allow for incremental updates to offline maps. This means that whenever there's an update to only a portion of a map, users can download just that part instead of the whole map all over again. This should hopefully lead to less data consumed and a faster upgrade overall. Nokia is rolling out the update starting today for all Windows Phone 8 devices that have the latest firmware. No word yet on whether Here will be updated for Android and iOS, but seeing as the company just signed over a huge part of their business to Microsoft, we're not surprised they're giving first dibs to the OS from Redmond.
Nokia says current high-end Lumias won't get Bluetooth 4.0 support (update: they may)
We hope you don't want to use a heart rate monitor while running with your Lumia 1020 -- you'll likely be out of luck. Nokia Australia claims that Bluetooth 4.0 support won't be coming to existing high-end Lumias like the 820, 925 and 1020. There are "hardware limitations" that prevent an upgrade, the company explains. We've reached out to Nokia for clarification, but the company may have hinted at those limits when launching the Adidas miCoach app -- it mentioned that only the Lumia 520, 620 and 720 would work with Adidas' heart monitors. The restrictions will no doubt frustrate some owners, although we suspect that Nokia may improve its Bluetooth support with the next wave of Lumia hardware. Update: Nokia Germany spokesman Ben Lampe says that Bluetooth 4.0 support will come to all Windows Phone 8-based Lumias through a post-Amber update. Clearly, there are conflicting responses; we're hoping to get a definitive answer soon.
Mobile Miscellany: week of September 23rd, 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 new LTE phone to Boost Mobile, hints of consolidation between Sprint and T-Mobile, and lastly, hints of what we might see at Nokia's upcoming 'innovation reinvented' event. 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 23rd, 2013.
Adidas bringing miCoach fitness app exclusively to Nokia's Lumia phones
Wish that your beloved sportswear brand would bring its connected fitness app to your preferred smartphone platform? If your mind instantly substituted "Adidas" for the former and "Nokia" for the latter, then boom! You're in luck. Adi Dassler's firm is bringing its miCoach fitness app as an exclusive to Nokia's Windows Phone 8 devices. The app, already available on iOS and Android, lets you control playlists, use Bluetooth SMART (where available) for heart-rate monitoring and will even offer voice coaching from LA Galaxy's Omar Gonzalez. Now all we need is to scrape together the cash for a pair of adizeros and we're good to go.
Nokia's Internships Lens uses AR to help find your next unpaid college gig
Finding a college internship that isn't soul-draining can be tough, but Nokia wants to help with that. Today, the Finnish company is announcing a joint effort with Internships.com to release Internships Lens, an app that leverages augmented reality and your social circles to point you toward the nearest gig that hopefully pays more than just school credit. It's similar to JobLens in that it displays employment info over the top of wherever your Lumia's camera is looking -- again using LiveSight tech -- and is exclusive to Nokia's line of Windows Phone 8 handsets. What's more, you can research an employer from within the app, which could calm those pre-interview jitters. If you still need a 'ship for the upcoming winter semester, maybe this could help.
Nokia Lumia 929 for Verizon surfaces in press image (updated)
We've already had a peek at the back of Nokia's reported Lumia 1520 spinoff for Verizon. Today, we may be looking at the front: frequent tipster @evleaks has posted what's claimed to be a press image of the Lumia 929. While the 929 render hasn't been directly linked to the earlier photo, the abundance of home screen tiles hints at an equally large phone with the 1520's Windows Phone GDR3 software. It may not be as big as the 1520 itself, though. An RM-927 phone recently reached the FCC with both Verizon LTE and dimensions only slightly larger than the Lumia 625. If it represents the 929, the carrier may be using a roughly 5-inch screen instead of the 1520's rumored 6-inch display. Whatever we're looking at, there's a chance that we'll see more of it on October 22nd. Update: "Popular demand" had persuaded @evleaks to post a press image of the phone's backside (viewable after the break), which looks identical to the leaked shot we saw earlier this month.
Microsoft cuts off Skype support for Windows Phone 7 because old things must die
There are two ways to deliver bad news: an overlong, meandering apology or the 'pull no punches' route. Microsoft, in explaining away future Skype support for Windows Phone 7, went with option number one. You see, it's not you, it's Windows Phone 8. And besides, according to Microsoft, there aren't even really that many of you left on WP7 to merit continued updates. Please understand, this is about the future; it's about integrating Skype into every (viable) Microsoft platform and product and you, forlorn WP7 user, aren't part of that picture. Chin up, though, you can still download the app from the Windows Phone Store. Now don't say Microsoft never gave you anything. Buh bye.
Nokia teases 'innovation reinvented' event on October 22nd
Well, isn't this convenient? Rumors have circulated that Nokia was delaying the Lumia 1520 launch beyond late September, and the company has just teased an "innovation reinvented" event on October 22nd. The company isn't giving many clues, although the desert skiing image is curious -- we're wondering if the press gathering may take place in a similarly exotic venue. Wherever the event takes place, you know we'll be there.
Nokia Lumia 1520 launch reportedly delayed in wake of Microsoft deal
If you believe the rumors, Nokia was supposed to launch the supersized Lumia 1520 (aka Bandit) as soon as next week. However, this unannounced Windows Phone may have hit an unofficial snag: Reuters claims that Nokia has delayed the unveiling by "several weeks" in the wake of Microsoft's plans to buy the company's device business. There's no word on an adjusted release date, although the historically accurate @evleaks has heard that the 1520 might appear in late October. Not surprisingly, Nokia isn't commenting on delays for a product that doesn't officially exist -- but don't be shocked if there's a new flagship Lumia later in the fall.
Samsung SGH-i187 reaches the FCC, may be a Windows Phone for AT&T
Samsung hasn't launched any Windows Phones for AT&T in the past year, but there are new hints suggesting the company may renew its support. An unannounced SGH-i187 phone has surfaced at the FCC with AT&T-compatible GSM, HSPA and LTE frequencies. While the filing doesn't reveal the OS, the i187 name last appeared in benchmarks for a Windows Phone; if the tests are authentic, we're looking at a mid-range handset with a 720p screen and a Snapdragon 400. We don't know if or when Samsung will ship the i187 to AT&T, but it could bring some diversity to a Windows Phone lineup that's increasingly Lumia-centric.
