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Microsoft rolls out a basic phone that's big on selfies
Microsoft today introduced the Nokia 230, a successor to the Nokia 130 from last year. In similar fashion to its predecessor, this new handset is geared toward developing markets as well, featuring a straightforward interface and an affordable $55 price tag. The Nokia 230 does look different than the 130, however, with an aluminum back cover that gives it a more premium look. Spec-wise, don't expect to be blown away, since the device isn't designed to compete with the iPhones of the world. You'll find a 2.8-inch QVGA (320 x 240) display, a 2-megapixel front camera (because selfies are important) and support for up to 32GB of external storage (via microSD). There's also a dual-SIM model, appropriately named the Nokia 230 Dual SIM, for people who swap phones or networks often.
Facebook to push more video ads in developing countries
With more than half of its revenue coming from international markets, Facebook is well-aware that the next big growth area lies in developing countries. Aside from investing in Internet.org so that more of them can get online, it's also putting in serious effort in improving its product for slower 2G networks -- earlier this week, the company introduced "2G Tuesdays" so that developers can better build Facebook for countries that don't have access to fast internet speeds. And with all of those people in emerging markets logging onto Facebook, why not serve them some video ads? Today, the company announced a new tool called Slideshow that'll allow advertisers and marketers to publish lower-bandwidth video ads, so that even if you have a Nokia Asha in India, you too will be able to see a moving image ad from Coke.
Microsoft's Lumia 550 offers entry-level Windows 10 for $140
Back when Lumia phones were under Nokia's charge, the 5-series was a budget-friendly range. Nothing's changed now that Microsoft is in control, as the freshly announced Lumia 550 will attest. As you might expect, the spec-sheet likely won't start any fires, but the price might: $140. The Lumia 550 barely got any stage time at the Microsoft Windows 10 devices event (that went to the two new flagships), but we did hear it sports a quad-core processor, and LTE -- much in line with the rumors we'd heard (and pictured above).
Nokia's first Android phone reportedly breaks cover
Nokia swears up and down that it's not returning to smartphones, but don't tell that to CNMO. It claims to have leaked images of the C1, Nokia's first-ever Android smartphone and its first phone of any kind since Microsoft bought its original phone business. From all indications, it's a tiny version of the N1 tablet's design -- this is the same minimalist look, just translated to a 5-inch, 1080p display. Accordingly, you'd find budget-class hardware under the hood. The C1 supposedly packs an Atom chip and 2GB of RAM, and its only standout feature so far is its use of Android 6.0 Marshmallow. As it stands, you'll have to wait a while to try this device (if it's indeed real). Nokia's agreement with Microsoft prevents it from competing in the phone space until 2016, so this is more of a sneak peek at the company's future than a preview of an imminent product.
Microsoft prevails over an 8-year-old attempt to block its phone sales
Remember the heady days of August 2007, when the iPhone had barely reached store shelves and the Nokia N95 was all the rage? The US International Trade Commission sure does. After reviewing an 8-year-long case, the ITC has ruled that Nokia's phones (now Microsoft's) don't infringe on InterDigital patents covering 3G cellular technology. The decision eliminates the possibility of an import ban that would have prevented Microsoft from selling many of its phones in the US, including modern day Lumias. Things very nearly didn't go the company's way -- a judge had ruled in April that Microsoft was using InterDigital's patents, which would have forced the folks in Redmond to pay up.
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.
Microsoft keeps the candybar dream alive with the Nokia 222
There was a time when, if you'd told me I could buy a connected MP3 player with a camera that makes calls, for $37, I'd have suggested a little less "jazz" in your cigarettes. Today, in 2015, that's called the Nokia 222. Of course, this isn't really a media player, it's a feature phone aimed at developing markets. Despite the obvious limitations of a "2.5G" candybar running a bespoke OS (Nokia Series 30+), there are some features -- like month-long battery life -- that remind us that fancy-pants flagships can have their drawbacks.
Here's indoor mapping will help you find that bathroom
It's just as easy to get lost inside as out, but it's much harder to find indoor maps. Nokia is trying to change that with its Here Mobile SDK that will let any developer add 3D venue maps to their iOS or Android applications. It has a collection of 13,000 such maps in its list, including airports, stadiums and malls around the world. Those are available on Here for Android and Windows Phone, but Nokia also does a brisk business selling maps to third parties like Yahoo.
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.
The German car industry is buying Nokia's Here maps
Nokia is selling its Here maps service to a group of German car makers for €2.8 billion (roughly $3.07 billion). The consortium is comprised of Mercedes' owner Daimler, BMW, and Audi. As the latter is a VW subsidiary, the buyers essentially represent the entire German car industry -- or at least all the big hitters. It was previously reported that Uber was interested in purchasing the service, but the car companies clearly brought the most attractive offer to Nokia's table.
Nokia's virtual reality camera is designed for filmmakers
Nokia has just revealed a new camera for filmmakers called OZO that can capture virtual reality videos. But unlike similar devices from GoPro and Samsung unveiled in the past months, it's not a flattened circle with cameras but a spherical ball-like device with shutters all over it. It has eight shutter sensors in all to capture 360-degree videos and eight integrated microphones. What users might find advantageous is its capability to show them what it's shooting in real time through a VR headset. It can also churn out a low-resolution version of the footage it shot within just a few minutes if filmmakers want to see it again or to show it to someone else. Videos captured through similar cameras usually have to be stitched together during processing before you can see them, and that takes a lot of time.
Stephen Hawking is hosting a week-long Q&A on Reddit next week
Have a question for one of the smartest men on the planet? Mark your calendar: on Monday July 27th at 8am ET, Stephen Hawking will be taking questions from the public in his first ever Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything). If you can't make it Monday, don't worry about it, he'll be answering questions for over a week -- a first for the forum's Q&A community.
Microsoft reports a $2.1 billion loss in Q4
Microsoft's earnings for the fourth quarter are in, and they show an operating loss of $2.1 billion, despite $22.2 billion in revenue (compared to $23.3 billion last year). A lot of that is due to the previously announced write-down for Nokia (and 7,800 job cuts) that caused an $7.5 billion hit. Of course, we knew that was coming, but the other news is that revenue and operating income were slightly down from last year too. Microsoft sold 8.4 million Lumia phones in Q4 (compared to 5.8 million last year), but revenue dropped 38 percent to $748 million. As the company looks forward to Windows 10, revenue for that division dropped 22 percent, a figure that it attributed to XP's end-of-support cycle.
Audi, BMW and Daimler are poised to buy Nokia's Here mapping
What little hope Uber had of buying Nokia's Here mapping service just went out the window. A Wall Street Journal source claims that Audi, BMW and Daimler have tentatively agreed to buy Here for the equivalent of $2.7 billion. A final agreement could be ready within the "next few days," the tipster says. The German automakers won't hoard the navigation technology all to themselves, though. Instead, they'll reportedly give other vehicle brands a chance to claim their own stake and democratize the platform. While Here already has a presence in about 80 percent of the industry, this would make it a true mainstay for in-car mapping -- companies wouldn't have much incentive to license map data from the likes of Google or TomTom.
NYT: Uber loses bid for Nokia Here's maps to German automakers
It looks like Uber has been shut out of the purchase of Nokia's mapping service Here by BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz. According to the New York Times, Uber is out of the running to purchase the mapping division which it had been rumored to have bid $3 billion. Uber isn't the only company that's been sidelined by the three german automakers. According to the NYT's sources, Chinese companies Baidu and Tencent were also initially interested in the mapping technology, but have since lost interest. The automakers have long used Nokia's mapping technology in their vehicles' onboard navigation systems. Uber on the other hand, would be able to own the technology to help it better serve its passengers. While Uber may be out for now, if negotiations with the three automakers break down, the car-sharing company could be back in the running.
Microsoft plans 7,800 layoffs, $7.6 billion Nokia write-down
After cutting its workforce by around 18,000 over the past year, Microsoft is readying another round of heavy layoffs. The company will cut 7,800 jobs over "the next several months." Many of the dismissals will come from Microsoft's phone business, which joined the company's newly formed "Windows and Devices Group" in June. As part of the merger announcement, Microsoft also revealed it would say goodbye to the last two major Nokia executives still at the company, Stephen Elop and Jo Harlow, in the near future.
The 'father of SMS,' Matti Makkonen, dies at 63
It's a sad day in the cellphone world. Matti Makkonen, widely considered the "father of SMS," has died from illness at the age of 63. The Finnish creator pitched the concept of text messaging over cellular networks in 1984 and helped get the ball rolling on the technology in its earliest days. He was quick to downplay his involvement and saw SMS as a "joint effort" between many people (Friedham Hillebrand developed the 160-character format in 1985, for example), but much of the initial credit belongs to him.
Nokia CEO says the company will design and license phones again
When a deal with Microsoft allows it to do so in 2016, Nokia plans to design and license phones again. In what comes as no surprise, the company's CEO told Manager Magazin that it would look for interested parties to release the devices when the time comes. "We will look for suitable partners," said CEO Rajeev Suri in an interview. "We would simply design them and then make the brand name available to license." Nokia sold its devices and services business to Microsoft last year, but it can begin to license mobile gadgets to other companies next year. If you'll recall, it already released the familiar-looking N1 tablet in China post-acquisition. Of course, Nokia still owns its Here mapping tech, which has reportedly drawn interest from automakers and transportation companies like Uber. While the devices may carry Nokia's aesthetics, keep in mind that the Lumia, Asha and X brands all belong to Microsoft. A company would pay Nokia for the design work and rights to use the name, but those recognizable labels are off limits. [Image credit: Stilgherrian/Flickr]
Microsoft Moonraker is the Nokia smartwatch we almost got
If you were wondering what Nokia's take on a smartwatch would have been, take a look at the Microsoft Moonraker, a cancelled watch that attempted to bring in some of Windows Phone's style. Microsoft nixed it when it acquired Nokia's phone arm, The Verge reports, but now we've got an idea of what it looks like thanks to Microsoft designer Pei-Chi Hsieh, who posted it on their (now deleted) Tumblr blog. Noted leakhound (and former Engadget editor) Evan Blass first unearthed the image, which shows a multicolored smartwatch design with slightly rounded corners. From afar, it doesn't look that much different than the Apple Watch, funny enough. Sources say Microsoft dumped the Moonraker project because it was working on the ill-fated Band wearable.
The top 14 smartphones you can buy right now
It's been a while since we took time out to list our favorite smartphones, which means we've had to make more than a few updates to our buyer's guide. Big players like LG, HTC, Samsung and Motorola have unleashed a flurry of updates to their previous lines, and in most cases, the devices are better for it. The G Flex2 has restored our confidence in LG's curvacious form factor, piling on strong internals and improved specs. Samsung stepped up its game with the gorgeous Galaxy S6, while HTC built on the success of its One line to bring us the M9. Motorola added LTE to the Moto E for 2015 and partnered with Google to launch the super-sized Nexus 6. There are plenty of options for all budgets and power requirements, so cruise through the gallery or head over to our buyer's guide for help picking out your next daily driver.
