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Microsoft's 5.7-inch Lumia 950 XL is liquid cooled and $649
While the Surface Pro 4 may garner the bulk of the attention from today's Microsoft event, the folks in Redmond had other stuff to reveal, too. Those other announcements include a pair of smartphones, one of which is the supersized Lumia 950 XL. Thanks to a handful of leaks, we already had an idea what the handset would look like and some details of its spec sheet. The 950 XL features a larger OLED screen than its sibling, measuring 5.7 inches at 518 ppi. It also offers 32GB of storage that you can expand via microSD card up to a whopping (theoretical) 2TB. There's a 20-megapixel camera with a Zeiss lens around back with triple LED RGB natural flash, optical image stabilization and a dedicated camera button as well, continuing to leverage the photo chops from Nokia. That wordy flash description basically means people will look more natural in photos where you have to employ said feature. And, of course, all of that runs on Windows 10.
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.
Microsoft VR Kit is a more colorful Cardboard for Windows Phones
If Google Cardboard is just a little too cheap looking for your tastes, you're in luck: Microsoft is making its own foldable VR headset. And it's purple. The Microsoft VR Kit, as it's called, was announced as part of Microsoft-hosted virtual reality hackathon happening in Russia next month -- developers will presumably use the headset to prototype VR content on Lumia devices.
Lumia 550 leak hints at the future of low-cost Windows phones
Sure, you may have an idea of what high-end Windows 10 phones will be like, but what about the cheap-and-cheerful models that people are more likely to buy? You might not have to wonder any longer. Both OneTile and WMPoweruser claim to have images and details of the Lumia 550, Microsoft's first entry-level Windows 10 handset. The looks are nothing special (surprise, it's a basic phone!), but it reportedly packs a little more punch than many starter devices between its 4.7-inch 720p screen and speedy LTE data. The rumored Snapdragon 210 processor, 8GB of expandable storage, 5-megapixel rear camera and 2-megapixel front cam are par for the course, but you'd also shell out just $120 -- a bargain when Motorola's Moto E has a less impressive 960 x 540 screen and a mediocre 0.3-megapixel front shooter. As such, you may have something to look forward to at Microsoft's October 6th event if you're more interested in value for money than raw performance.
Microsoft renders for flagship Lumia phones leaked online
If you've been wanting to see the two high-end Windows phones Microsoft has been developing, then you don't have to wait until the official launch. Evleaks has posted the renders for both devices on Twitter: the larger, cyan one with a 5.7-inch screen is known as codename Cityman, while the black phone with a 5.2-inch screen is Talkman. They're expected to have Quad HD displays, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage and 5-megapixel front shooters. Cityman might be powered by an eight-core chip, while its smaller sibling might be equipped with a six-core processor.
Lumia Camera works on non-Microsoft phones, with a catch
Microsoft vowed earlier this year that Lumia Camera would become the default camera app on all Windows 10 phones, but you won't have to wait for the Windows 10 Mobile upgrade to give it a shot. The company has released a version of Lumia Camera that should run on any Windows Phone 8.1 device, not just those with Microsoft or Nokia badges. However, there's a big gotcha. As Windows Central warns, you won't get Rich Capture features like high dynamic range -- unfortunately, those are still the domain of recent Lumia handsets. You may see crashing, too, which hints that this wasn't quite ready for prime time. Even so, you're getting Windows Phone's best-known photography app on your device of choice. It could be worth putting up with a few bugs to get early access.
Windows 10 is coming to these Lumia phones first
In case you haven't heard, Windows 10 is here, and the version for phones will arrive soon. To help you prepare, Microsoft posted the initial list of Lumia handsets that'll be privy to the free upgrade later this year. The collection of mobile devices includes Lumia 430, Lumia 535, Lumia 640 XL, Lumia 735, Lumia 830, Lumia 930 and others for 10 total. This means that if you own one of group, or have been thinking about picking one up, you'll be able to grab the new software when it's released. Of course, Windows 10 Mobile will deliver those universal apps, a retooled Action Center and Microsoft's new Edge browser. For the full list of phones that will be included in the initial update, jump down past the break. Bummed because your daily driver didn't make the cut? Don't fret: this is the first set and there could be more included later.
Microsoft's supersized Lumia 640 XL comes to AT&T
Microsoft might have given the boot to device leader Stephen Elop, but it's still going full steam ahead with its Windows phone launches. AT&T has announced that it will carry the Lumia 640 XL, giving the carrier its first gigantic Windows handset (5.7 inches, to be exact) since the Lumia 1520 quietly left the roster. This isn't a high-end phone by any stretch -- the Snapdragon 400 chip, 8GB of expandable storage and 720p display were old a year ago. The 13-megapixel rear and 5-megapixel front cameras are nothing to sneeze at in the budget class, though, and the 3,000mAh battery should last a long while with this low-powered hardware. More importantly, the price is right. AT&T's version of the 640 XL will arrive on June 26th for free on a two-year contract, $12.50 per month on a 20-payment Next plan and $250 up front. If you're just interested in getting a giant screen at a tiny price, this might hit the spot.
Microsoft's new browser hits phones in latest Windows 10 preview
If you've been itchin' to take a look at the mobile version of Microsoft's new browser, now is your chance. The latest Windows 10 Technical Preview is available for phones, delivering Project Spartan and early looks at both its Reading List and Reading View features. As promised, the folks in Redmond also included Outlook Mail and Outlook Calendar apps this time around -- both of which are now the default options for the mobile version of Windows. New Phone and Messaging apps are here as well, as is retooled software for Maps, People (contacts) and an updated App Switcher. Nearly all of the additions sport the redesigned UI that Microsoft has been showing off since Windows 10 was announced back in January.
How would you change Nokia's Lumia 1320?
Nokia's Lumia 1320 was the underpowered sibling of the 1520, which had the same screen and battery but little else. If you wanted a 6-inch device but couldn't afford the premium edition, then you were stuck with this device, but was that a problem? According to our Brad Molen, it stood in no man's land, not cheap enough to really entice you, and not premium enough to justify buying this over the 1520. We imagine that some of you did splash out, however, so why not head over into our forum and tell us what life has been like with this device?
The Windows 10 preview will work on more phones soon
If you've been itching to try out a technical preview version of Windows 10 on your phone but didn't have a device on the short list, then we have good news. Microsoft just released a list of devices that it expects to support in the next "flight" and it includes additional Lumia models like the 1020, 1320, 1520, 920, Icon and so on (the list is after the break -- it does not include the Lumia 930). It will be at least a week until the next update rolls out, but there's no specific date promised, and the list of supported devices could change.
How would you change Nokia's Lumia 625?
The company formerly known as Nokia liked to release a lot of devices, to the point where its round-number naming system got a bit confusing. Instead of being a spec-bump replacement for the 620, the Nokia Lumia 625 was an entirely different device altogether. The handset came with a 4.7-inch display and LTE, but no compelling reason to own one instead of the many other units in the range. If you wanted to sum up the piece in a single word, it'd probably be: ehhhhhhhh -- not because it was bad, but because it had little reason to be there. We imagine plenty of you grabbed one, so what we'd like to know is why, and did you regret the decision? Head on over to our forum and tell us about life with the 625.
Microsoft will announce two Windows Phones tomorrow
We've known Microsoft will detail its plans for Windows 10 on mobile here at MWC, but in the lead-up to its event it's accidentally let slip that two new Windows Phones are coming as well. An empty article went live on its blog with the headline "Microsoft Lumia 640 and Lumia 640 XL: keeping you prepared for anything," and was swiftly removed, but not before The Verge spotted the mistake. From the model numbers, we can speculate that the Lumia 640 and Lumia 640 XL will be mid-range devices, one little, one large. Expect more details on the handsets tomorrow morning when we'll be live at Microsoft's press conference. Don't miss out on all the latest news, photos and liveblogs from MWC 2015. Follow along at our events page.
Your Lumia is probably getting Windows 10
Microsoft promised Windows Phone users a free upgrade to Windows 10 at its event earlier this week, but it turns out not all phones will be getting the update. Through its Lumia Conversations blog, the company clarifies "not every phone will upgrade or support all possible Windows 10 features," adding that its goal is for "the majority of the Lumia phones running Windows Phone 8 and 8.1" to be upgraded. That's at odds with what the company's Twitter account has said in the past.
Lumia Camera will be the stock camera app on Windows 10 devices
In case you haven't noticed, team Engadget has spent a lot of time today covering Windows 10, Microsoft's next-gen operating system. Over the course of the company's three-hour keynote, we heard quite a bit more about its so-called universal apps, which will run on all manner of Windows devices, whether they be desktops, tablets, phones or even 84-inch pen displays. That said, there were a couple tidbits the company left out of its presentation. For one thing, we only just learned for sure that the Lumia Camera app -- the one included in the recent "Denim" update -- will actually be the default camera app on all Windows 10 devices. That means even if you're using a Windows device made by Samsung or HTC, you'll get the same photography experience as on a proper Lumia, at least as far as software and image editing go (actual image quality is a different story).
Sprint snags its first Lumia smartphone
Believe it or not, Sprint hasn't had a Lumia-badged smartphone since Nokia (and now Microsoft) got into Windows phones -- you've had to go with HTC or Samsung and forgo a bunch of apps and services. You won't have that problem from now on, since Sprint just picked up the low-cost Lumia 635. It's been available on the carrier's prepaid Boost and Virgin Mobile labels for a little while, but the move gives you truly unlimited data without having to break the bank on either your phone or your plan. You can score a 635 for $168 up front, or $7 per month over two years.
Microsoft's camera-focused Lumia phone update rolls out in earnest
If you're a Lumia phone owner, you no longer have to get lucky (or install a preview release) just to get all of the latest Windows Phone features. Microsoft is about to start the wider rollout of Lumia Denim, a Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 upgrade that packs a lot of improvements to both imaging and Cortana voice commands. It's not saying exactly who's a candidate in this next wave, but many countries and devices will start seeing Denim later this month -- depending on how quickly the carriers finish testing, of course. Verizon already brought Denim to the US through the 822 and 928 back in December, but the broader deployment suggests that other American Lumias are due relatively soon.
Microsoft's latest Lumia phone puts Office in your pocket for $80
Ever since buying Nokia, Microsoft has made its Windows Phone ambitions clear. Instead of rapidly iterating to keep pace with the Galaxy S5s and HTC Ones of the world, it would focus on pushing the price down to compete with the low-end Android devices that make up the bulk of the smartphone market around the world. Today, it's taken another step towards making that ambition a reality with the launch of the Lumia 435, a handset that costs just €69 (roughly $80) before tax.
Microsoft's new Lumia update adds 4K recording and more to a few Windows Phones
Some Lumia owners will be able to take photos more quickly these holidays -- and they might be better, too -- now that Microsoft has begun rolling out its latest software update called Denim. We say "some," because only Lumia 830, Lumia 930, Lumia Icon and Lumia 1520 owners will be able to enjoy the new features for now, and only if they live in one of the select countries getting the update. Denim, which was announced back in September, speeds up the Lumia camera app and brings image quality-boosting features with it. The new Rich Capture mode, for instance, automatically uses HDR, Dynamic Flash and Dynamic Exposure to take pictures, while a new imaging algorithm allows it to snap crisper daylight and lowlight images.
