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Nokia Lumia 929 caught on video, may reach Verizon by Thanksgiving
Disappointed that the rumored Lumia 929 didn't surface at Nokia's big event this past week? Don't worry -- WPCentral forum member Falorin has posted photos and a video (after the break) revealing more details of Verizon's Windows Phone flagship. As previous leaks implied, the 929 is effectively a compact Lumia 1520; the 1080p screen resolution, 20-megapixel camera and Snapdragon 800 chip remain intact. There's no microSD slot, although there will reportedly be models with 32GB and 64GB of built-in storage. The biggest surprise is Nokia's use of a nano-SIM, which suggests that the company no longer minds using a competitor's SIM format. Those who like what they see might not have to wait long to try the new Lumia for themselves. If Falorin is accurate, Verizon hopes to release the 929 around Thanksgiving.
Microsoft confirms Windows Phone's Twitter feature is causing excess data use, says it'll be fixed
Noticing that your Windows Phone device is using more data than usual? You're not alone. As The Verge reports, Microsoft has confirmed that a recent backend change on Twitter's part has caused the built-in Twitter feature of Windows Phone to eat up data a far higher than expected rate; specifically, it's caused it to frequently re-download profile images. In an effort to fix the problem, Microsoft has made a change to sync Twitter accounts just once a day, but a fix will need to be implemented on Twitter's end to completely remedy the problem -- that, Microsoft says, will take a few more weeks. In the meantime, the only other alternative is to unlink your Twitter account from the device -- or accept the data charges.
Samsung ATIV S Neo Windows Phone coming to AT&T on November 8th for $100
AT&T's love of Samsung-made Windows Phones seemingly turned sour after it skipped last year's ATIV S. It's clear that any ill will was short-lived, however, as the carrier just unveiled its version of Samsung's ATIV S Neo. The Windows Phone 8 device is a close match for its Sprint counterpart, sharing the same 4.8-inch 720p screen, dual-core 1.4GHz processor, 8-megapixel rear camera and 1.9-megapixel front shooter. The launch price will be easier to swallow, though. AT&T plans to ship the ATIV S Neo on November 8th for $100 on contract, or $50 less than it cost at Sprint when brand new.
Nokia's Chris Weber says there's no 'silver bullet' for Windows Phone success
With Gartner claiming Microsoft nibbled up just 3.3 percent of the smartphone market in Q2 this year, Nokia still has a long way to go to regain its mobile standing. Even with the handful of impressive products unveiled at Nokia World, Chris Weber, EVP of Sales and Marketing, agrees that there's still work to be done. "I don't think there's a silver bullet," Weber said during an interview yesterday. "It's the portfolio, it's great marketing to make sure people are aware of the capabilities, and it's making sure that the apps are there."
Instagram will finally make its Windows Phone debut 'in the coming weeks'
Third-party apps like 6tag not working for you as an acceptable Windows Phone Instagram client? We've been waiting a long time for the social network to acknowledge that it's working on an app for Microsoft's mobile OS, and your patience will now be rewarded: Instagram is finally coming to Windows Phone. Elop announced that the Facebook-owned company will launch its app in "the coming weeks," followed closely by Twitter's popular video-sharing service: Vine.
Microsoft repackages websites as Windows Phone apps in bid to lure developers
What do you do when your conventional strategies for attracting mobile app developers haven't always been successful? If you're Microsoft, you build web apps. The company tells ZDNet that it has been repackaging dozens of popular websites as Windows Phone apps in an attempt to get the site owners to write native software. While clever, the approach is definitely a gamble. Microsoft notes that it doesn't own any of the content in these web apps -- and it's not clear whether the site operators are aware of Redmond's activities here. We've reached out to the company for more details and will update this post as we learn more.
Nokia Lumia 1320 press shot leaks, hints at big-screen, budget Windows Phone (update: new image)
Nokia's range of extra-large Windows Phones may not be limited to flagships like the Lumia 1520. Frequent tipster @evleaks has just posted a press image of what's reported to be the Lumia 1320, better known by its unofficial "Batman" nickname. There aren't many clues to the specs, although it's clear that the phone would take advantage of Windows Phone GDR3's support for large displays. The side trim also supports theories that this is a Lumia 625-style budget handset, not a flagship. Given that Nokia's "innovation reinvented" event is tomorrow, there's a good chance that we'll know the full story behind the 1320 within a matter of hours. Update: Just for good measure, @evleaks has also posted an image of the Lumia 1320's back. You'll find it after the break.
Nokia leaks Lumia 1520 details on Chinese online store: 20MP PureView camera, Snapdragon 800 processor
Looking for more evidence that Nokia's about to unleash an oversized Windows Phone? You've got it: the company's official Tmall store (an online marketplace in China) recently published a product page for the fabled Lumia 1520. There's no images to speak of, but the listing agrees with the handset's rumored 6-inch 1080p display and 20-megapixel PureView camera. The page also promises a Snapdragon 800 CPU and a 4,999 Yuan (about $819) price tag. That said, the page seems to just be a placeholder for now, but the phone is expected to be officially announced at Nokia World later this week. Hopefully, it'll be worth the wait.
Yes, Microsoft is working on a Remote Desktop app for Windows Phone
When Microsoft said that it would release its Remote Desktop app for Android and iOS, it left many scratching their heads -- what, no Windows Phone version? There's no need to worry, though, as the company has just promised The Next Web that it's writing a client for its own mobile platform. Redmond can't yet say when it'll release the app, although we wouldn't expect a launch in the near future. Microsoft got a head start on developing for Android and iOS by acquiring technology from HLW Software, which produced Remote Desktop equivalents until this month; there's no such luxury for Windows Phone.
Bing Sports and Weather apps for WP8 add notifications for more sports, weather
Plenty of Windows Phone owners enjoy sports beyond American traditions like baseball or football. If that describes you to a (golf) tee, you'll be glad to hear that Microsoft has updated its Bing Sports and Weather apps with you in mind. The Bing Sports app now tracks 30 more sports, including Champions League soccer, LPGA golf, NASCAR, rugby and tennis; it follows individual players and sports, too. Bing Weather, meanwhile, now displays skiing conditions for hills around the world. Neither upgrade is revolutionary, but they're enough that fans of snowy slopes and stock cars will want to visit the Windows Phone Store today.
Fresh Paint update for Windows Phone 8 lets you finish artwork on your desktop
On-the-go Fresh Paint artists no longer have to finish their masterpieces on their smartphones. An upgrade to the Windows Phone 8 app now lets creators resume painting on their desktop, saving any progress through SkyDrive. There are a few perks for small-screen devotees, too -- the update brings a new pencil format, front-facing camera support and an "Inspire Me" tool that finds images on Bing. If you regularly find yourself doodling on your Lumia, you'll want to grab the spruced-up Fresh Paint app through the Windows Phone Store.
Microsoft announces Windows Phone GDR3 update, adds 1080p and large screen support
It's autumn, which means it's time for Microsoft to come out with its latest and greatest update for Windows Phone. This year, however, the company isn't pushing anything as drastic or significant as WP8, and it even shows in the name of the refresh itself: GDR3. (GDR stands for General Distribution Release.) The update, which will begin rolling out in the coming weeks and "will continue over several months," doesn't feature any improvements to the notification experience, but it delivers on a few important enhancements that are sorely needed -- especially when it comes to hardware support. First, GDR3 will now offer Start screen support for screens between 5 and 7 inches, with resolution support now set at a maximum of 1080p (both of which lend credence to the leaks we've seen of the Lumia 1520, Nokia's upcoming 6-inch device). As an aside, we've confirmed with a Microsoft rep that this update won't be adding support for full-on tablets, though we can't rule out that possibility in a future refresh. Future Windows Phones can become much more powerful as well, now that the update adds support for Qualcomm's Snapdragon 800 quad-core SoC. On the software side, Microsoft is throwing in Driving Mode, which limits notifications on the lock screen and can be set to trigger whenever you connect a Bluetooth device. You can also close individual apps in the multitasking menu, lock your screen orientation and assign custom ringtones for text messages. Also, remember that annoyingly vague "other" category in the storage settings? GDR3 now breaks it down into more specific categories and lets you manage each one (excepting the system storage). Aside from these enhancements, Microsoft claims "hundreds" of other tweaks and fixes, many of which are under the hood. For a few more details, head below the break to look at the official blog post in its entirety.
Microsoft's Windows Phone Preview Program to give developers early access to updates (update: now live)
Microsoft wants to not only make life a little easier for Windows Phone devs but encourage more of them to come into the fold as well, and a new addition to its development program known as the Windows Phone Developer Preview may help nudge a few third parties (not to mention dedicated enthusiasts) in the right direction. The Preview program gives registered developers early access to the latest OS updates -- for right now, that means GDR3 -- before it begins rolling out to the eager public. To take advantage of the preview, you'll need either a Dev Center account, an App Studio account or a phone that's registered and unlocked to developers; you also run the risk of bricking your device if you don't do things exactly right. The program will become available tomorrow, so if you're one of the interested folks but don't meet the criteria, you'll want to make sure you get your ducks in a row today. Update: It looks like the Developer Preview is now live.
Mobile Miscellany: week of October 7th, 2013
If you didn't get enough mobile news during the week, not to worry, because we've opened the firehose for the truly hardcore. This week brought a sneak peek of HTC Sense 5.5, along with an exclusive HTC One in Vivid Blue to Carphone Warehouse and the beta release of Nokia Glance Background for Lumia smartphones. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore all that's happening in the mobile world for this week of October 7th, 2013.
iOS 7 wins mobile OS user experience shootout
Pfeiffer Consulting recently put iOS 7 through its paces, comparing it to a number of other mobile OSes to gauge which OS has a step up on the competition when it comes to the user experience. The operating systems involved in the study included iOS 7, iOS 6, Android, Windows Phone 8 and BlackBerry 10. Now seeing as how there are innumerable versions of Android out there, the study focused on Samsung's implementation of Android since it's currently the most popular Android handset maker. The study focused on four variables: cognitive load, efficiency, customization and user experience friction. Each variable was afforded equal weight. Also note that the tests were measured from the viewpoint of an average, non-technical user. When the dust settled, iOS 7 reigned supreme with a 73.25 score followed closely by iOS 6 with a score of 70. Next came Android, Blackberry 10, with Windows Phone 8 pulling up the rear. The report reads in part: What separates the Android user experience from iOS 7 is not functionality, but feature-bloat and sloppy user interface design. In terms of user experience, less IS more. But there is another issue for Android, and that is market fragmentation: The loyalty of Apple's users is such that the company can be certain that millions of users will upgrade to a new release -- and Apple's marketing is working hard to increase the desire to do so. Android, by contrast is terrifyingly fragmented, with most users only upgrading when they change device. This is a problem that will be almost impossible to overcome -- and can only get worse over time. Overall, the entire study provides an interesting read and is worth checking out in its entirety. There is also an interesting discussion regarding the study's methodology over here.
Microsoft reportedly developing cookie alternative to track activity across devices
Last month brought word of Google's AdID effort to replace the aging cookie as a way to track people's activity on the internet, and it looks like Microsoft also has an alternative of its own in the works. According to a report from Ad Age, Microsoft is working on a new system that would let it track users' activity across various Windows and Windows Phone devices. That tracking would also apparently extend to Xbox, although that is said to be "on the latter end of that roadmap," with a rollout to computers, tablets and smartphones expected first (even those plans are reportedly still in the "early stages"). While it didn't directly confirm the news, Microsoft did tell Ad Age in a statement that "we agree that going beyond the cookie is important," adding, "our priority will be to find ways to do this that respect the interests of consumers." Of course, the other priority is being able to offer more targeted ads to advertisers, with your activity on one device affecting the ads you see on another.
AT&T says Nokia Lumia 820 and 920 will get Amber update starting tomorrow
AT&T subscribers with Lumia 820 and 920 smartphones have had to wait a long time to get their Nokia Amber update, but it's at last on the way. The carrier tells customers in its Community Forums that the upgrade should reach their handsets starting tomorrow, October 10th. Much like the many preceding rollouts, AT&T's Amber release should add a slew of camera tools, double-tap to unlock and other extras that have been shipping with more recent devices. As long as you can resist the siren's call of shiny new hardware in the days ahead, you'll likely be happy with the new software.
Twitter for Windows Phone update brings lockscreen tweets, theme options and notifications from favored accounts
Twitter is looking to nab its own spot on the lockscreen of Windows Phone users. Thanks to a new update for the micro-blogging app on Microsoft-friendly handsets, tweets can get cozy on the aforementioned screen for a quick peek. However, it appears that you can't choose what shows up in that space (at least for now) or do anything with it as it selects at random. A "customize lockscreen" option is situated in the settings, but it's currently greyed out. Users can also expect to toggle on notifications when closely followed accounts post, choice of a dark or light theme and the ability to pin keyword searches to the home screen for easy access. There's also improvements to search and tweet translation has been expanded to include 13 additional languages. Version 3.0.0.0 of the app is available now for both Windows Phone 8 and 7.5 at the source link that follows, just in case your trusty handset hasn't pinged you about it's arrival just yet.
Microsoft's YouTube app for Windows Phone reverts to a web link
YouTube-loving Windows Phone fans just got some good news... sort of. Microsoft has pushed out an update to its self-developed YouTube app that restores playback. Unfortunately, it's a crude solution -- Microsoft has simply reverted its app to the web shortcut that Windows Phone users have known for years. Viewers can still track their subscriptions, but they won't get file transfers or notifications like they can through other apps and platforms. We've reached out to Microsoft for an explanation, but the regression suggests that company doesn't expect to resolve its dispute with Google any time soon.
Facebook for Windows Phone adds multi-photo uploads and unfriending
Microsoft has just updated the Facebook app for Windows Phone with a few handy features for both social and anti-social users. Photography lovers can now attach multiple images to a single post; the more bitter among us, meanwhile, can unfriend contacts and unlike content. There are also a few universal improvements, such as inline @ tagging and speed boosts for both posts and check-ins. If you want to impress friends -- or even make a few enemies -- you can grab the Facebook upgrade through the Windows Phone Store.
