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Nokia pits Lumia 928 against Galaxy S III again, challenges Samsung to audio recording contest
Ready for round two? Nokia is: it's put the Galaxy S III and its own Lumia 928 back in the ring, challenging Samsung's handset to an audio recording duel. The company's latest video tasks both phones with capturing a musical performance in a New York subway. Naturally, Nokia uses the clip to promote the Lumia's strengths, flipping back and forth between the 928's clear, undistorted audio, and the much noisier recording captured on the Galaxy S III. A graphic overlay jumps and dips with the volume, peaking into the red distortion threshold whenever the view switches to the Samsung phone's perspective. "Nokia Lumia retains audio quality under high volume recording with no distortion," it reads, and indeed the Lumia's footage does sound clearer by comparison, if a bit muted. What Nokia's handset lacks in volume, however, it makes up in balance -- not only is the audio free of distortion, it also lacks the echo picked up by the Galaxy S III. Even so, the test should be taken with a grain of salt -- the proctor has an interest in the Lumia coming out on top, and the GSIII isn't Samsung's latest, exactly. Smartphone audiophiles with a discerning ear can find the full video after the break. [Thanks, Emmett]
Nokia pits the Lumia 928 against the iPhone 5 and Galaxy S III in low-light video shootout
Now that the Lumia 928's mere existence is official, Nokia's posted a video comparing its footage-shooting chops against the iPhone 5 and Galaxy S III in low-light conditions. The folks in Espoo also revealed that the handset will be toting an 8.7-megapixel camera, matching the Lumia 920. Naturally, the film showcases just what PureView tech, paired with a Carl Zeiss lens and proprietary OIS can do. After letting the 928's footage do the talking for roughly 50 seconds, Elop and Co. turn to side-by-side comparison shots, pointing out better color saturation, sharper image focus and less noise. Head past the break to catch the shootout in its entirety, and get a sense of deja vu.
Nokia Lumia 928 officially confirmed: PureView, OIS and Carl Zeiss camera goodies
So, print is the new digital. At least when it comes to Verizon's imminent -- and now surely fully acknowledged -- Lumia 928. The billboard spotted over the weekend enthused about the camera, but told us little else. This magazine spread spotted in Vanity Fair, however has a few more details. As hinted at, we can expect PureView goodness (though we're guessing a-la 920, rather than the 808), plus a Carl Zeiss lens and Nokia's proprietary OIS. As for the rest of the phone, well, that's still largely under wraps, we'll just have to wait until the next print run -- or not. Update: The Nokia link in the advert is now live, at least enough to show an official image. [Thanks Eric]
Nokia Lumia 928 billboard can't wait for official announcement to trumpet low-light camera performance
It's not uncommon for an as yet announced phone to pop up on Twitter, or via an insider leak. But a physical billboard? That takes some doing. If this image -- spotted out in the wild -- is to be believed, Nokia's Lumia 928 is as real as the day is long. The Verizon handset shown certainly fits the images we've already seen, and the low-light boast will stoke the coals of any Xenon or PureView rumors for sure. However, this spot is hardly Times Square, so until we see something a little more concrete, Lumia fans on Big Red will have to keep the faith with that 822.
Nokia Lumia 520 review: does Nokia need another budget Windows Phone?
Oh, for an easy life. Sometimes it'd be nice to just read a phone's spec sheet, compare prices and make a decision. In a number of ways, the Nokia Lumia 520 looks like just the type of handset where this ought to be possible: it has the same reliable internals and happy design language that have already proven their worth in the Lumia 620, but it makes a couple of sacrifices for the sake of its £115 pay-as-you-go price tag in the UK -- which undercuts the higher model by a good £30-£50 depending on where you shop. It's even cheaper in the US, where a $150 Lumia 521 variant (not the one reviewed here) is scheduled for general availability on T-Mobile starting tomorrow. These sacrifices seem straightforward enough, and they include things that many smartphone users may barely notice, such as the absence of a front-facing camera, camera flash module and NFC. The problem is that the specs are never the full story. Like any phone, the Lumia 520 comes with a few surprises. Read on and we'll try to root them out.
The Daily Roundup for 04.25.2013
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.
Nokia hosting Lumia event on May 14th, invites us to 'see what's next'
The next couple months are gearing up to be pretty busy, and Nokia's joining the fun with a press event on May 14th. The Finnish company is putting out a rather hefty teaser to get us intrigued, stating that the Nokia Lumia story continues, and we'll get to "see what's next." The timing of this new device is rather curious, given the fact that the flagship Lumia phones typically get shown off later in the fall. Is this the rumored 41MP PureView Windows Phone we've been hoping for ever since the 808 came out? Perhaps we'll see the Lumia 928 that we hear is supposed to hit Verizon in May (though London would be an odd and unlikely locale for a US-only handset unveiling). Could it simply be a lower-end device along the lines of the 520 or 620? We doubt that as well, but either way, we'll be there to get the scoop as Mr. Elop (we'd expect) shows off the latest Windows Phone coming out of Espoo.
Nokia Malaysia video teases April 25th announcement, loses us in the process
Flickering hospital lights. A man going ballistic in a padded cell. A hooded ghoul. These are the images Nokia Malaysia wants to put into our heads in the run-up to a mysterious Lumia-related launch coming on April 25th. That date has also been linked to Verizon's launch of the Lumia 928, but we're not sure how that might be relevant. Alternatively, it could be a countdown to the Malaysian launch of the Lumia 720 or Lumia 520. The thing is, we're intimately familiar with both those handsets and neither can be described as even remotely spooky. Unless it's another Batman Edition? Update: The video on Nokia's official YouTube channel has been pulled. We've added a different embed in the hope of preserving this curious piece of marketing for future generations. [Thanks, Piaget]
The Daily Roundup for 04.18.2013
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.
The FT: Nokia planning 'phablet' for 2013, 41-megapixel Lumia too
Between the Lumia Tablet and a Windows Phone device with proper PureView technology, the list of mythical Nokia devices is pretty short. The Financial Times, however, thinks that the company might be wading into the middle ground with a 5- or 6-inch device that'll rival the Galaxy Note. The paper's coterie of sources also reiterated the rumor that we'd see a Lumia flagship with the 41-megapixel sensor we'd seen on the 808, as well as a skinnier Lumia 920 arriving through the year. We'd love to believe it, but the story's appearance just before the company's first-quarter financial results makes us wonder if this isn't a distraction.'
Nokia outs firmware for Lumia 620, 820 and 920 for better touch, camera action
Owners of Nokia's Lumia 620, 820 and 920 are getting some firmware joy as the Swedish Finnish firm just released a new update for the Windows Phone 8 handsets. It'll bring improved auto screen brightness / touch screen functionality, camera fixes, enhanced Bluetooth headset functionality and numerous performance and stability enhancements, according to Nokia. You can expect to see it rollout "over the coming weeks," but may able to force the issue by selecting "phone update" from the settings. Check the source for more. Update: Nokia's Scandinavian Nordic but it sure ain't Swedish. Thanks to all who pointed it out.
IRL: Moshi's Digits gloves and the Nokia Lumia 620 on Telus
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. Spring may have sprung two weeks ago, but believe us, it's still winter somewhere. (Ed note: I'm typing this from underneath an NVIDIA Snuggie -- Dana.) In fact, Darren's had a reason to test out some touchscreen-friendly gloves, even in his southerly state of North Carolina. Up north, our own Jon Fingas has been playing with the Lumia 620 on Canada's Telus network. No complaints from him about the 40-degree temps, though.
The Daily Roundup for 04.02.2013
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.
Nokia Lumia 720 swings by the FCC in high style
Take a good look: this may be the closest most Americans get to the Nokia Lumia 720 without going through an importer. The fashion-focused Windows Phone has passed through the FCC's approval and, as expected, doesn't include the LTE that most US carriers would demand. The agency does throw a few bones, though. The smartphone's full manual is on display, and there's support for HSPA+ on AT&T's frequencies for those who just have to get this slenderest of Lumias running on a local network. We'll keep an eye out for a version with US-native LTE should Nokia ever have a change of heart, but those who can't afford to wait can have a gander at the source link instead.
Nokia and Burton intro a snowboarding app to prep and record epic runs (video)
We can't say that there's a huge cross-section of the market that both owns a Lumia phone and likes snowboarding enough to want an app dedicated to the sport, but Nokia will at least have that audience sewn up through an exclusive team-up with Burton. Their newly publicized Windows Phone 8-only release lets hill carvers prepare for every stage of their trip, from shopping for gear and getting the local slope forecast through to that all-important motivational music playlist. Those who can't brave the descent can still create a sequenced photo from video taken at the sidelines, or stream Burton's Open Events from the safety of home. Anyone as likely to do a frontside 180 as carry a Lumia 620 can hit the source link or video below to get a peek -- preferably before the grass peeks out from the hillside.
Nokia Lumia 928 possibly seen in Verizon's system, spoils few surprises
We know that Verizon is adding at least one more Nokia Lumia to its stable in the near future. However, there's been little in tangible evidence to suggest just what's coming to the carrier's Windows Phone line. A purported leak to Phone Arena from Verizon's internal product listings could help fill in that picture. It mentions a Lumia 928, and not much else -- but Nokia's naming customs immediately suggest that this will be Big Red's rumored variant of the Lumia 920, which is currently limited to AT&T in the US. The device isn't necessarily connected to the RM-860 we saw at the FCC, although it does support murmurs that Verizon wants at least some kind of improvement over the strictly middling Lumia 822. If the 928 is real, we're mostly left wondering whether or not it will come quickly enough to remain relevant.
Visualized: Nokia's product smorgasbord at MWC 2013
What you see in the shot above (and the gallery below) is a display containing almost every Lumia handset and accessory currently manufactured by Nokia -- all arranged buffet-style for your viewing pleasure. These photos, captured during a special event at MWC 2013, include the Lumia 920, 820, 720, 620 and 520, PlayUp speaker, Purity HD stereo headset and Luna Bluetooth headset (among others). %Gallery-180172%
The Engadget Interview: Nokia head of design Marko Ahtisaari at MWC 2013
Hot on the heels of our interview with Stephen Elop, we sat down with Marko Ahtisaari -- head of design at Nokia -- to chat about the Lumia 720 and Lumia 520 Windows Phones along with the basic Lumia 301 and 105 models. The four handsets, which were introduced today at Mobile World Congress, share the same design language -- in fact, this marks the first time the company's extending its signature Lumia look and feel to devices costing as little as €15 ($20). We discussed the evolution of Nokia's current aesthetic from the Nokia N9 (and the Lumia 800) to the present day. Mr. Ahtisaari touched upon the engineering challenges involved in building affordable smartphones like the €139 ($184) Lumia 520. We talked about the Lumia 720's thin and light unibody shell and the Lumia 620's double-shot color scheme, then asked how the Asha design language fits into the current lineup. Curious about the answer? Watch our video interview after the break.
The Engadget Interview: Nokia CEO Stephen Elop at MWC 2013
Nokia just launched the stylish Lumia 720 and Lumia 520 Windows Phones plus a pair of affordable candy bar handsets (Nokia 301 and 105) here at MWC 2013. We spent a few brief minutes with CEO Stephen Elop to discuss the announcement -- talking about the common design language and the incredible price points for these devices (€15 / $20 for the Nokia 105 and €139 / $184 for the Lumia 520). We also quizzed Mr. Elop about the Lumia 920's ongoing camera woes and what's being done to address them, then chatted about the company's recent focus on entry-level smartphones like the delightful Lumia 620 and what it means in terms of strategy. Hit the break to watch our video interview.
Nokia Lumia 720 preview: a slim and 'trendy' Windows Phone 8 handset for the social networking set (update: video)
It's what the 920 should've been -- the Lumia 720, that is. And that's likely what other press will claim, as well. From the moment Nokia laid the slim, 4.3-inch device in our hands, it was apparent the company has a different user in its sights: the hyper-social and style-obsessed. With a profile of 9mm, the Lumia 720 is now the thinnest Windows Phone 8 device in the Finnish company's lineup. And it's also the "trendiest," as Nokia will no doubt remind you in its eventual marketing. So, you can forget about dazzling specs -- the 720's demo supposedly isn't concerned with bleeding-edge tech. In fact, some of what you'll find in the 720 can also be found in its lowest-end cousin, the 520; like that dual-core 1GHz Snapdragon processor and 800 x 480 Sensitive Touch display. The question then is: what makes this Lumia sleek enough for the fashion crowd (and their tiny purses and skinny jeans)? At its base, the 720 is all about color(s) and camera, just not in the way the Lumia 920 was. For starters, the slight-looking 720 will come in five different shades (matte: cyan, yellow, black and red; glossy: white) and includes a 1.3-megapixel front facer with wide-angle lens and a new 6.7-megapixel rear camera module with f/1.9 lens (developed with Carl Zeiss labs) for low-light performance. There's also a new digital lens Nokia's pre-installed, dubbed Glam Me, to give selfies (aka personal portrait shots) an extra bit of sheen -- something Nokia tells us its Asian users are clamoring for. Apparently, this new filter adds the ability to whiten teeth, widen eyes, soften skin and even overlay a rainy-day window or magazine-like layouts to shots.
