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Windows 10 Technical Preview arrives on phones
Been jonesing to see what Windows 10 looks like on smaller screens? You now have your chance. Microsoft has just released a Technical Preview of the new OS for smartphones. This extra-early version won't include the next-gen Spartan browser and still has a lot of unfinished elements, but it'll give you a good sneak peek at Action Center upgrades, across-the-board voice dictation support and the better photo browser. Future test builds will also bring the much-improved Calendar and Mail apps, unified messaging and phone versions of universal Office apps.
Some new Windows Phones won't let you change your web search provider
If you're picking up a shiny new Lumia 630 or 930 in the near future, you may be in for an unwelcome surprise. The Verge has discovered that at least some unlocked versions of either Windows Phone won't let you switch Internet Explorer's default search provider to Google; it's either Bing or nothing. Some European models of the same phones do let you change the provider, though, so this clearly isn't a platform-wide policy. We've asked Microsoft if it can share more about what's going on, and we'll let you know if it has more to add. The move likely won't cause that much consternation given that many Windows Phone users are inclined to use Bing, but it's bad news if you like to use Google services on Microsoft platforms.
Nokia Lumia 630 review: An affordable phone you can live without
The Nokia we used to know is no longer. In late April, the handset maker was finally folded into Microsoft's Devices and Services business after more than six months of courtship. Nokia wasn't ready to be assimilated without once last hurrah, however: It announced a trio of new devices at its new owner's developer conference, Build. The Finnish company had always tried to cater to every demographic, so it was fitting that its last in-house handsets were the top-end Lumia 930 (a global version of the Icon) and the entry-level Lumia 630/635. The 630 and 635, 3G and 4G variants of the same device, are joining an already-crowded lineup of affordable Lumias. They're distinguished somewhat by launching with Windows Phone 8.1, the latest version of Microsoft's mobile OS, but in the coming months, other WP8 handsets will catch up. That's if curiosity hasn't already driven you to update manually using the developer-account loophole. The 635 is yet to be released, but for now we have the almost identical Lumia 630. Other than offering the newest software, then, is the 630 Nokia's best budget device? A worthy sendoff for the company? A save-the-best-'til-last-type deal? Spoiler's in the headline.
Here's what you missed at Microsoft's 2014 Build conference
We came, we saw, we barked orders into a phone. Though Microsoft's annual developer conference is technically called "Build Windows," we actually spent far more time at this year's event playing with handsets -- almost no PCs, come to think of it. Indeed, the star of the show was a husky-voiced lady (fembot?) named Cortana, Microsoft's new Siri-like personal assistant. Of course, Cortana wouldn't exist outside of the next version of Windows Phone (that'd be v. 8.1.), which we also got a glimpse of this week. In case you missed our three-hour liveblog -- or were too busy following our Amazon Fire TV coverage -- we've got a neat recap below. We promise we've left out all the boring bits about developer tools. Mostly, anyway.
Nokia Lumia 630 and 635 bring Windows Phone 8.1 to budget seekers (hands-on)
Nokia may not be an official part of Microsoft yet -- that should finally happen later this month, if you ask either company -- but that doesn't stop the phone maker from cranking out more devices at the software giant's developer conference. This morning at Build, Stephen Elop announced three new Lumia devices, although two of them are about as close to twins as you can possibly get: the Lumia 630, which is a 3G device that comes in single- and dual-SIM flavors, and the 635, which adds LTE. Both are sub-$200 smartphones aimed squarely at both emerging markets and anyone else who just wants a Windows Phone 8.1 device without spending a lot of money in the process.
Nokia announces the budget Lumia 630 and 635 with Windows Phone 8.1
Nokia's had a rough time with its high-end Windows Phones over the years, but it's excelled with its cheaper handsets that cater to emerging markets and anyone interested in a budget smartphone. Announced today at Build, the Lumia 630 and 635 focus on expanding the latter category. The new devices come with Windows Phone 8.1 onboard, and while the 635 includes speedy LTE data, the 3G-only 630 will also come in a dual-SIM variant. They'll be available in five colors with changeable shells, and even offer features like fitness tracking with an integrated low-power chip called SensorCore. They'll arrive in May as the first Lumia devices with Windows 8.1, running on quad-core 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400 processors. As one would expect, these will ship in Asia first before spreading out worldwide, with a US release planned for July and T-Mobile / MetroPCS already announced as a carrier. Off-contract, the Lumia 630 will cost $159 / $169 for the single- or dual-SIM versions, while the 635 will be $189. We should know more about these and get hands-on experience in a few hours when Nokia holds its own press conference, so check back then for more details.
Nokia Lumia 630 spotted in the wild running Windows Phone 8.1
If you've wanted to know what Nokia's entry-level Lumia 630 looks like in real life, today is your lucky day. Both a Coolxap video (below) and a handful of photos from @Umit have shown off the smartphone in all its Windows Phone 8.1-based glory, including the on-screen navigation, Action Center and the updated camera interface. Previous rumors have suggested that the 630 will be relatively powerful for a low-end device with a 4.5-inch (albeit 800 x 480) display, a quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor and 1GB of RAM. Don't get too attached to the way the phone looks in these images, though. The 630 in the still pictures is likely using a protective case or prototype shell, and we wouldn't count on the video reflecting the final design, either. With that said, the new media may represent our best clue yet as to what Nokia might reveal at its event next week.
Nokia promises 'more Lumia' at April 2nd event
Windows Phone fans have more to look forward to this April than just the formal unveiling of Windows Phone 8.1 -- Nokia has sent out invitations for an April 2nd event in San Francisco that should deliver "more Lumia." The notice doesn't give any real hints as to what will be at the presentation. However, the event takes place on the first day of Microsoft's Build developer conference. Don't be shocked if Nokia unveils devices that need Windows Phone 8.1 to run, such as the rumored Lumia 630 (Moneypenny) and Lumia 930 (Martini). No matter what shows up, we'll be there to give you the full scoop.
Leak reveals the Nokia Lumia 630's colorful backside
There have been leaks showing the front of the Nokia Lumia 630 (aka Moneypenny), but a complete view of the Windows Phone 8.1 hardware has been elusive... until now. Frequent tipster @evleaks has posted an apparent press shot revealing the back of the bright-hued device, and it suggests that the 630 will represent a sharp break from the designs of the Lumia 620 and 625. There's no camera key or flash, for a start -- mobile photography fans may want to give this phone a pass. We also see hints of a flatter, more X-like body. There aren't any fresh clues as to when the 630 might launch, although we're not expecting to see it until sometime after the official unveiling of Windows Phone 8.1, which may take place in April.
Leak hints at Nokia-made Windows Phone with dual SIMs
Rumors surfaced just days ago of Nokia-built Windows Phone 8.1 devices for the developing world, and you may already be looking at one of them today... or rather, its home screen. Frequent tipster @evleaks has posted what's reportedly a screenshot from the Moneypenny, the all-touch device from those earlier rumors. In addition to showing on-screen navigation keys, the image supports claims that the Moneypenny is the first dual-SIM Windows Phone -- an important gesture toward markets like China and India, where multi-line support is a big selling point. There aren't many other clues in picture, although the "6:30" in the corner may allude to a Lumia 630 name. Whatever Nokia might call the handset, we wouldn't expect it anytime soon; assuming the Moneypenny exists in the first place, we likely won't hear anything official about it until Microsoft reveals Windows Phone 8.1.
