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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.
Microsoft and Samsung settle their fight over Android royalties
It looks like Microsoft and Samsung aren't eager to drag out their dispute over Android patent royalties. The two tech giants have reached an agreement that ends Microsoft's lawsuit over interest payments and otherwise smooths things over. The circumstances surrounding the deal are "confidential," so it's unclear who made the most concessions. However, it's more likely that Microsoft came out on top. Unless the Windows developer was willing to walk away empty-handed (which is doubtful given its aggressive licensing strategy), Samsung probably had to cough up more money than it originally planned.
Microsoft's OneDrive gets better at showing and sharing your photos
Microsoft has long wanted you to use OneDrive to store your photos, but actually viewing those photos isn't ideal -- you're ultimately using a file browser that just happens to have some photo-related features. That's going to change in the next couple of weeks, though. The folks in Redmond are rolling out a photography-focused update to OneDrive that gives your image library some TLC. You can organize photos into albums with edge-to-edge photo collages and larger single-picture views. It should be much easier to find and share your snapshots, as well. OneDrive now draws on Bing image recognition to give your pics basic tags (like "beach" or "dog"), and PCs running Windows 7 or 8 can automatically sync photos from devices as soon as you plug them in. Only web and iOS users will see the new photo tricks right away, but they'll reach Android and Windows Phone in the days ahead.
Microsoft finally shows off Windows 10 for phones and small tablets
Right, so, we already know that Microsoft is making sure just about everyone -- from desktop owners to Windows Phone 8.1 aficionados -- get a Windows 10 upgrade for free within the first year, and we've gotten a look at how Windows 10 has evolved since we last saw it. Now it's time for the mobile nitty-gritty we were hoping for, as Microsoft's Joe Belfiore demoed a version of Windows 10 for phones and tablets smaller than eight inches.
What to expect from Microsoft's next Windows 10 event
After taking big swings with Windows 8 and 8.1 -- how big a miss they were is open to interpretation -- Microsoft's trying to redefine how we work with computers once more. We're going to get a much closer look at Windows 10 at 9AM PT/12PM ET tomorrow (which we'll be liveblogging, naturally), and all the usual suspects will be on hand to wax poetic about Windows' next steps: There's CEO Satya Nadella, of course, along with Windows chief Terry Myerson, mobile impresario Joe Belfiore and Xbox czar Phil Spencer. Let's take a moment to look at what we know -- and what we expect -- Microsoft will show off in Redmond very soon.
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.
WatchESPN sports streaming arrives on Windows Phone
Did you buy that big-screen Lumia phone with dreams of watching live sports while away from home? Today's your lucky day. WatchESPN has finally reached Windows Phone, giving you a way to view all the big ESPN channels and catch up through on-demand clips. You'll still have to show that you subscribe to a supporting TV service to get access. If you're part of that select group, though, you no longer have to worry about missing out on a big game just because you prefer Microsoft's mobile platform.
Snapchat alternatives (and their users) vanish from Windows Phone
Snapchat warned that it was clamping down on third-party apps to prevent sketchier examples from compromising your security, and it appears to be making good on its word -- much to the chagrin of Windows Phone users, who haven't had an official Snapchat option so far. Windows Central notes that 6snap and other titles that replicated the disappearing message service have abruptly vanished from the Windows Phone Store. Moreover, some users say that Snapchat is following through on warnings that it would permanently lock the accounts of those who kept using unofficial software. If you're in that boat, you now have to start fresh if you want to chat with friends.
Microsoft app lets you take calls on your Lumia just by picking it up
We love the idea of orientation gestures (used by Samsung, HTC and Moto phones and apps like Tasker), but they aren't natively supported on iOS, Android or Windows Phone yet. Microsoft seems ready to buck that trend with the launch of a Gestures Beta app for WP8 Lumia phones. As shown below, it'll let you answer a call by raising the phone to your ear, listen on speakerphone by setting it on a table and mute the mic with a face-down flip. Microsoft planned to launch a similar feature for WP8.1 called "3D Touch" with other features like a grip sensor, possibly alongside the now-defunct McLaren phone. There's no sign that'll come anytime soon, but at least there's now an app -- just bear in mind that it's still in beta, and functionality is "limited" for the Lumia 530, 630 and 635.
Rdio's Windows Phone music app gets a much-needed overhaul
Rdio has had a Windows Phone app for some time, but a sophisticated app that keeps up with its Android and iOS counterparts? That's another story. Thankfully, the streaming music service has posted a major update that takes better advantage of both Windows Phone 8.1 and Rdio's own upgrades. You now have access to Cortana's voice commands and proper Live Tile support. You'll also see Rdio's recent emphasis on curation in full effect -- there's a home section full of music "stories," a station browser and a trending section that combines both charts and Heavy Rotation plays. This may not get you to ditch Spotify, but you won't have to sit on the sidelines as your friends get all the latest music-discovery features.
Microsoft everywhere: MSN apps head to iOS and Android, company buys app service
Microsoft's got a weird history when it comes to strategy: popular software like Office has always been best on Microsoft's own operating system, Windows. In recent years, that's begun to shift -- Office is now everywhere, including Apple and Google's tablets, and the company's apparently taking a similar approach with other parts of its app library. The MSN suite of apps (News, Sports, Health & Fitness, Food & Drink and Money) is now available on iOS and Android; MSN Weather is out on Android, with an IOS release in the coming weeks. The mobile apps are just getting revamped after a relaunch of the MSN website earlier this year. Moreover, those apps are probably pretty okay on Microsoft's competitor's platforms: Redmond just acquired mobile app testing company HockeyApp. Wait, before you write off that name forever as incredibly silly (it is, you're right), know that it's just the moniker for a company that offers crash analytics and a test environment for mobile apps (from iOS to Android and even Microsoft's mobile Windows platform). Yes, it is a pretty unexciting sounding acquisition, but what it means for the big picture is more important: if, say, Google were to buy the platform, Microsoft could lose a strategic part of the mobile puzzle. And Microsoft isn't in a position to lose any ground when it comes to mobile -- the company's beyond a distant third place spot when it comes to mainstream adoption.
With Cortana on Windows 10, Microsoft's bringing its virtual assistant full circle
After watching early footage of Microsoft's virtual assistant Cortana in Windows 10 (below), its impending takeover of the Microsoft Borg seems inevitable. There's a lot riding on Cortana, after all. After being released in the U.S. earlier this year, it's now slowly rolling out across the globe. While an obvious response to Apple's Siri, Microsoft's devotion to Cortana is also a reminder of just how important these virtual assistants are becoming. It's as if Siri, Google Now, and Cortana will end up personifying the operating system wars.
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.
Joystiq Giveaway: 3 HTC One (M8) Windows Phones with Xbox cases
Here we are folks: The Gauntlet. Once it was Black Friday. Then there was Cyber Monday. Once Taco Tuesday got involved, though, we knew it was something more. Every day between now and New Year's Day involves some kind of insane sale, so we're just going to call it The Gauntlet for short. With all those great sales going on, you know what would make them better? Getting stuff for free. So forget the stampedes at Gimbels (that's still a place, right?) and cozy up with Joystiq. We're giving away 3 HTC One (M8) Windows Phones. Not only that, we're giving away snazzy Xbox Green Dot View cases with the phones and they're awesome. The cases let you take calls, receive email notifications, schedule reminders, and more without even opening it. Pretty sweet. Both together are valued at $650. Not too shabby. How do you enter? Just use the Rafflecopter widget below between November 28 and December 5. Winners will be selected at random and contacted via email. Full rules and details after the break. 3 HTC One (M8) Windows Phones with Xbox cases giveaway [Images: HTC/Microsoft]
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's low-cost Lumia 735 is coming to Verizon, FCC docs suggest
Windows Phone fans on Verizon haven't had many cost-conscious options; you've usually had to spring for premium devices like the Lumia Icon or One M8 for Windows. Thankfully, that high-priced status quo might not last much longer. A variant of Microsoft's budget-minded Lumia 735 has passed through the FCC's regulatory gauntlet carrying Verizon-friendly cellular frequencies (including LTE data), supporting some earlier rumors. There don't appear to be any special tricks in store, although the smartphone would pack GSM and HSPA+ for your international trips. Don't hold your breath waiting to get a 735, though. While the filing potentially lets Verizon ship the handset before the end of the year, Windows Central claims that it isn't on the slate for 2014. You may not see this lower-end Lumia for a few months, if it arrives at all.
iDrive promises unlimited cloud-based phone backups for $5 per year
You probably know to keep backups of your smartphone's data in the cloud, but backing up everything can be an expensive proposition in an era when 128GB phones are a practical reality. That won't be quite as much of a sore point now that iDrive's new Unlimited Mobile Backup option is here. As the name implies, the subscription service lets you back up your Android, iOS and Windows Phone devices without fretting about storage limits. Everyone can at least safeguard calendars, contacts and media (including Facebook and Instagram photos); if you're on Android, you can also preserve call logs, text messages and whole apps.
BBM now lets you set a Snapchat-style time limit for messages
BlackBerry isn't shy about borrowing features to keep BBM relevant in the messaging world; it added stickers to challenge WhatsApp, and now it's taking a page from Snapchat's book. The latest version of BBM introduces a timed messaging feature that lets you determine when messages and photos expire, so you don't have to worry that spies (or just nosy friends) will see what you said. To top it off, you can also retract messages outright -- you won't have to worry about accidentally sexting your boss so long as you delete the evidence in time. The privacy-minded upgrade probably won't get you to switch to BBM by itself, but it may be worth a look if you've wanted a slightly more sophisticated take on disappearing chat services.
Samsung worries that its Microsoft royalty payments amount to collusion
Samsung was quick to cite the acquisition of Nokia as a reason for holding out on Microsoft's royalty payments, but there weren't many details. Just what had it spooked? Thanks to some new court filings, we now have a clearer sense of its motivations. Simply put, the Korean tech giant is worried about "charges of collusion" now that Microsoft is a direct competitor in the smartphone business. The patent deal requires that Samsung not only make Windows Phones, but hand over sensitive business details -- both big problems when Microsoft could use them to gain a competitive edge. Samsung already stopped handing over those trade secrets over jitters that American antitrust regulators would step in.
