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BBC Sport app finally comes to Windows Phone
While the BBC Sport iOS and Android apps have been available for over a year and a half, Windows Phone users have needed to the Beeb's mobile website instead. The fact that Microsoft's mobile OS has struggled to gain market share is likely to blame, but the BBC saw over 800,000 Windows Phone users come to its website last month, so it's decided to extend the love to Lumia owners too. Just like on more popular smartphones, the new Windows Phone app is native but it uses a webview to deliver BBC Sport content. It means that users will get all of the information listed on the desktop website, but also enjoy Windows Phone-specific features like live tiles, native sharing and a native menu. Unfortunately, push updates aren't available at launch, but the BBC says it'll monitor app usage and user feedback to decide whether to add features like goal alerts in the future.
Lumia phone leaks with a 1020-like camera hump
For a while, rumors were circulating that Microsoft was working on McLaren -- a successor to the Lumia 1020 with a giant camera and "3D touch" gestures. It was supposedly cancelled, but a listing for a prototype on Chinese auction site Taobao suggests that the device (or something like it) was close to completion. Known only by its internal RM-1052 name, the Windows Phone has a 1020-like camera hump and similar styling cues, but it's made mostly of aluminum. There's only a hint of plastic at the bottom that's presumably meant to improve wireless reception. The mystery phone appears to have superior performance, too, since a software shot points to a 1080p screen instead of the older phone's 720p panel.
Nokia wants other companies to pay for its iconic brand
Nokia may have sold its smartphone line to Microsoft, but it held on to one of the crown jewels: its brand. The Finnish company has the world's 98th most valuable name at around $3.2 billion and plans to profit by licensing it to other companies, along with its technology and patent portfolios. In a presentation (PDF) Nokia Technologies President Ramzi Haidamus said that the company is free to lend its name to any non-phone products, as long as "the brand is relevant." There was no mention of the companies it may work with, but Haidamus said that the product would need to look like it was made by Nokia.
With Movie Creator, Microsoft wants to help produce better highlight reel videos
HTC's done it. So has Sony. It's available on iOS. Even BlackBerry's got one. Apps that let you take your favorite clips and images and merge them together into a fun highlight reel aren't uncommon these days, but that's not stopping Microsoft from coming out with one of its own -- and one that it feels is even better than the competition. Called Movie Creator, the premise is exactly the same as what everyone else has, but Microsoft promises its version will come with more customization, an easier user experience, less time required to create a video and no price tag. It'll be available as a free beta starting today for all WP8.1 Lumia devices, the Lumia 2520 and Surface tablets, which means that Microsoft will even offer the feature on lower-end devices like the Lumia 530.
Microsoft relinquishes the Nokia name for its low-cost Lumia 535
We were well aware it was coming, but today Microsoft finally says goodbye to Nokia branding for its Windows Phones. The first handset to omit the Nokia name is the new Microsoft Lumia 535, an entry-level device with two standout features: A 5-inch display and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera. Microsoft says it's been designed as an alternative to the smaller Lumia 530, and will be targeted primarily at markets like Russia, India, China and other parts of Asia. It will also see a launch in Europe (including the UK) sometime in the future, but currently, we're told there are no plans to release the phone stateside.
How would you change Nokia's Lumia 925?
Like the kid who got picked on in school, Nokia's Lumia 920 took some time out, got a chemical peel and returned a few months later as the Lumia 925. In fact, by ditching the bright colors and bulky frame, the 925 presented itself as a mature, refined device that separated itself from previous Lumias. When we reviewed it, we found that the better looks weren't necessarily a perfect trade off against the 920's bigger storage and wireless charging. Still, we're sure that plenty of you leapt into the Windows Phone ocean with this device, so why not share with us how you found it? Head on over to the forum and spill your guts words.
Microsoft will unveil its first Nokia-less Lumia on November 11th
Thanks to Chinese regulators, we've already got a pretty good idea of what Microsoft's first Lumia will look like, but now the company is ready to start showing it off. Microsoft says it will reveal the low-budget handset on November 11th, likely confirming the 5-inch qHD display, 1.2GHz processor, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of storage and 3G-only connectivity we've seen approved in Asia. While the handset retains Nokia's familiar design, it will be the first to sport Microsoft's logo, which'll be located beneath the earpiece on the front and in a vertical stripe running down the back.
Nokia Lumia 735 review: more than just a selfie phone
Last year's Lumia 720 was an awkward middle child. It was more powerful than its 620 cousin, but not so much so that you'd consider it over the 820 unless you just had to have the first budget Lumia with LTE. If you're going to pay a lot more, why not get a lot more? Flash forward to 2014, and the Lumia 735 follow-up (along with the dual-SIM 730) appears to have more of a reason for being -- namely, catering to a selfie-loving public. With a 5-megapixel front-facing camera, more powerful internals and a €219 ($279) price, the 735 promises great self-portraits without decimating your bank account. But is it necessarily your best choice for those "I was there" photos? And more importantly, is it worth buying over both other Windows Phones and the other devices in its price class? You're about to find out.
Microsoft is finally dropping the 'Nokia' from Lumia
Over a year after the acquisition was first announced, Microsoft is officially replacing the Nokia Lumia brand. In a blog post today, the software giant revealed its upcoming smartphones will now be known as Microsoft Lumia. The new Microsoft branding will appear on future phones from the company, with a plain black version of the company's four-squared logo also set to make an appearance.
A Nokia Lumia 1020 powers this automated 3D-printed telescope
There are many, many people who've always wanted a powerful space telescope in their backyards but can't exactly afford one. For avid makers and DIY enthusiasts, at least, that's not such an absurd dream anymore -- not when someone has designed an automated 3D-printed telescope that's powered by a commercially available phone: the Nokia Lumia 1020. The device is called Ultrascope, and it stands one meter tall when assembled, with a base that measures 65 centimeters wide. It was created by Open Space Agency founder James Parr, who promised to upload the current design and future iterations to his organization's website once the ongoing beta testing's done.
Microsoft turns Cortana into a Klingon-speaking Starfleet officer
To celebrate the launch of the Lumia 830 in the UK and all of the Trek-flavored nerdiness going down at Destination Star Trek in London, Microsoft has taught given its virtual assistant a crash course in the ways of Qo'nos -- by which we mean Cortana can now speak a little Klingon. All you'll have to do is ask, though the first thing the xenolinguists among you will probably notice that her and vocabulary and pronunciation are just awful. SlashGear also adds that Cortana responds when you refer to her as "Number One" -- Commander Riker can't be too pleased about that one -- as well as when you tell her to beam you up or "set phasers to stun". The smarts enabling Cortana's new behavior haven't started making the rounds yet outside of the UK yet, but a Microsoft spokesperson confirmed to us those Starfleet commands will work in the US in the coming weeks. In the mean time, there are still other ways to get a feel for Redmond's Trekkie credentials: remember, that Bing's Translator can kinda-sorta tackle textual Klingon too.
Microsoft will reportedly omit Nokia branding on future devices
We've been wondering how Microsoft would coordinate Nokia and Lumia branding after purchasing the Finnish phone maker's handset business earlier this year. Well, according to an internal document obtained by GeekOnGadgets, we'll see changes take place soon. For starters, Nokia will be dropped from upcoming gadgets, but the Lumia moniker will remain. The report states that the Lumia 830 and 730 will be the last two handsets to feature Nokia's livery. What's more, it seems Windows Phone stands to be trimmed down to just Windows, bringing the mobile and desktop operating systems under the same designation. The decision to omit "Phone" isn't too much of a surprise though, as the recent HTC One (M8) for Windows already did just that.
Nokia's new wireless charger glows for missed calls or a low battery
Nokia is keen on Qi wireless chargers, and its latest model doesn't just sit there like a lump when not juicing your phone. Instead, the Wireless Charging Plate (DT-903) is a glowing lump, thanks to lights and Bluetooth connectivity. You can pair it to your phone when it's off the charger, and it'll glow for missed calls and texts, or a low battery below 30 percent. The lights are tinted to match the green, orange or white color options, and will pulse in different patterns depending on the notification. Of course, it also charges your phone or tablet wirelessly, provided it's a Qi-enabled Lumia model with Windows Phone 8.1.1 and Bluetooth 4.0. If you can tick all those boxes and have $59 to spare, it should arrive next month.
Boot content to any TV wirelessly with Screen Sharing for Lumia
In addition to a pair of smartphones, Microsoft announced a new screen-sharing tool for Lumia devices at the company's Berlin press event today. Screen Sharing for Lumia is compatible with any television or other display with an HDMI port. The compact $79/€79 box, which is powered by micro-USB and supports 1080p output, lets you mirror your Windows Phone's screen. It ships with an NFC "coaster" that lets you pair your handset without walking over to the box itself. The device will work with Lumias that support screen projection, along with WiFi Miracast products. It's expected to ship later this month.
Microsoft's Lumia 830 offers PureView imaging at a lower cost
Microsoft Devices, formerly known as Nokia's phone division, is no slouch when it comes to its device lineup. Lately, it's been focused on refining the top and bottom of its Lumia Windows Phone lineup, but the phone maker came to IFA in Berlin with a couple of devices to freshen up the middle of the pack. The company's strategy: Bring the PureView brand, which has typically been associated with Nokia's premium phones, to a more affordable price point on the Lumia 830. In fact, Microsoft bills the 830 as "the affordable flagship." The device looks a lot like the Lumia 930 because it comes with the aluminum frame and subtly curved polycarbonate back. While it uses the PureView name, the rear camera's 10MP resolution isn't quite as good number-wise as the 930 or 1020, but it's understandable given the lower price point. Still, the device will come with plenty of extra software enhancements to improve the experience.
Latest Windows Phone update coming to Lumia phones with better imaging
Microsoft's latest update to Windows Phone, known as Update 1, is already starting to show up on devices like the HTC One (M8) for Windows, but we still haven't seen how Microsoft Devices (Nokia's former phone division) will take it and dress it up for its Lumia lineup. Now, it's ready: The update will be known as Lumia Denim and will follow the company's Cyan refresh. In addition to the standard suite of features that come with Update 1 (such as folders), it comes with improvements to Lumia Camera and Cortana.
Microsoft teases new camera-focused Windows Phones on September 4th
You won't have to wait long if you're hoping for a new round of Windows Phones with powerful cameras. Microsoft has just sent out a save-the-date notice that asks the media if it's ready for "more face time" at a Berlin event on September 4th, just ahead of the IFA technology show. There's a Lumia 1020-style camera module not-so-subtly woven into the text, too. While there are no dead giveaways in the teaser, it's not hard to figure out the references. Our hunch is that "face time" is an allusion to "Superman" (aka the Lumia 730), the selfie-oriented Windows Phone that leaked just a few days ago. The module is slightly more cryptic, but it might be hinting at the aluminum-clad, 13-megapixel "Tesla" (Lumia 830) that reportedly surfaced last month. We're headed to IFA, so you should expect to hear much, much more about any new Lumias within a few weeks.
How would you change Nokia's Lumia 520?
Like Samsung, Nokia's smartphone strategy has always been focused around choice. Sometimes this results in products that are so very similar that it's impossible to tell the difference. That's not an issue with Nokia's Lumia 520, the ultra-budget device that was totally swallowed in the shadow of the 620. Sharif Sakr swaddled the phone in derision, criticizing its poor performance, bad camera, unevenly-lit display and poor build quality. For many of you, we imagine you wound up getting this handset for price reasons alone, so the question that we have to ask is simple: what did you like, what did you hate, and what would you have changed? You can shoot the breeze in our forum, or why not write a review of the phone yourself?
Microsoft's new, selfie-friendly Windows Phone gets caught on camera
Rumors have swirled of Microsoft making a new Windows Phone that's all about selfies, and it now looks like that portrait-oriented device is about to become a reality. WPCentral has scored photos of a prototype for the mid-range "Superman" (rumored to be named the Lumia 730) that would reportedly pack a 5-megapixel camera up front. That's on par with what you'll find on some Android phones, but it's a big step up from the modest 1.3MP cam on the Lumia 720 this will likely replace. There's no definitive evidence of the sensor, though, and it's tough to verify additional claims of a 4.7-inch screen -- don't be surprised if the specs are different if and when Superman shows up.
Microsoft's first post-Nokia phone is the budget Lumia 530
With Nokia's range of Android-powered smartphones all but dead, Microsoft is pushing its newly-acquired Lumia line harder than ever. Today, it's introduced the lowest-priced Windows Phone to date, the Lumia 530, delivering middle-of-the-road specs for €85 ($114). For that, you'll get a 4-inch FWVGA (854 x 480) display, quad-core 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor, 512MB of RAM and 4GB of internal memory (with support for 128GB microSD storage). There's also a 5-megapixel camera on the rear (no selfie camera here folks), which is controlled by Microsoft's latest Windows Phone 8.1 software. That, of course, offers access to Cortana (if you're in the US), the new WordFlow swipe keyboard and a multitude of other custom Microsoft- and Nokia-crafted apps. Like its older siblings, the Lumia 530 will also come in both single and dual SIM (3G) variants and offer interchangeable back covers, which will be available in the traditional orange, green, white and dark grey colors. Microsoft's latest Lumia will go on a global tour in the near future, starting with an initial rollout in "select markets" from next month.
