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Nokia Lumia 1020 and 625 launch in Canada
After teasing its release plans in the summer, Nokia has finally launched two of its most recent smartphones in Canada. The Lumia 1020 is now available through both Rogers and Telus for $199 on a two-year contract ($600 to $725 contract-free) in either yellow or black. Aspiring shutterbugs can also buy the camera grip in either color for $75. If the 1020 is beyond your budget, you'll be glad to hear that Telus is also offering the Lumia 625 for free on a contract, or $300 with no commitment. The releases aren't well-timed when Nokia is unveiling new devices in a matter of weeks, but Canucks who've faced a recent drought of Windows Phones should be happy.
Windows Phone crossing double digit market share in parts of Europe
Kantar's numbers have always been relatively kind to Windows Phone. Well, at least as kind as any numbers can be, we suppose. That trend continues with the recent report that Microsoft's smartphone platform has crossed the double digit mark in market share in parts of Europe. Specifically, it has hit 10.8 percent in France and 12 percent in Great Britain. Things are not quite as rosy across the rest of the continent, but Windows Phone does own a cumulative 9.2 percent of the field in the "big five European markets": Great Britain, Germany, France, Italy and Spain. Of course, that's still a distant third to iOS and Android, the latter of which owns a staggering 70.1 percent of the market, according to Kantar. BlackBerry, on the other hand, is continuing its stunning free fall, dropping to just 2.4 percent in those same five markets, just ahead of the nebulous "other." There haven't been too many other exciting changes in the smartphone and carrier landscape over the last three months. But, if you want to take a gander at some more numbers, you'll find them at the source link.
Nokia says current high-end Lumias won't get Bluetooth 4.0 support (update: they may)
We hope you don't want to use a heart rate monitor while running with your Lumia 1020 -- you'll likely be out of luck. Nokia Australia claims that Bluetooth 4.0 support won't be coming to existing high-end Lumias like the 820, 925 and 1020. There are "hardware limitations" that prevent an upgrade, the company explains. We've reached out to Nokia for clarification, but the company may have hinted at those limits when launching the Adidas miCoach app -- it mentioned that only the Lumia 520, 620 and 720 would work with Adidas' heart monitors. The restrictions will no doubt frustrate some owners, although we suspect that Nokia may improve its Bluetooth support with the next wave of Lumia hardware. Update: Nokia Germany spokesman Ben Lampe says that Bluetooth 4.0 support will come to all Windows Phone 8-based Lumias through a post-Amber update. Clearly, there are conflicting responses; we're hoping to get a definitive answer soon.
Storyteller app for Windows Phone and Windows 8 appears in leaked screenshots
@evleaks is at it again. This time the prolific leaker has blasted out two screen grabs of an app called Storyteller, which made a Live Tile-cameo in the alleged screencap of a Nokia Bandit, an oversized Windows Phone 8 device. The app appears to be a Windows 8 and WP photo album that lets users sift through images by timeline, favorites and shared, or browse them on a map. A close look at the top right of the application meant for larger devices reveals a "My tablet" menu, suggesting it boasts integration with slates. Given that @evleaks mentions Bandit, Espoo's long-rumored Sirius pad and October 22nd event date, it's a safe bet that we'll see new hardware -- and at least one new app -- this fall.
Microsoft reportedly close to unifying its app stores across Windows and Windows Phone
Microsoft is apparently far closer to bringing together its disparate stores than many thought. The company has reportedly already demoed a single app portal for both Windows and Windows Phone behind closed doors at its annual company meeting in Seattle, according to ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley. One of her sources tells her that the new unified store will likely launch alongside the next iteration of Windows, version 8.1, although other sources were less certain on this. In any case, the gossip tallies with comments by Microsoft's Terry Myerson last week, who said that he sees the unification of Microsoft's platforms and APIs as a priority.
Nokia Lumia 929 for Verizon surfaces in press image (updated)
We've already had a peek at the back of Nokia's reported Lumia 1520 spinoff for Verizon. Today, we may be looking at the front: frequent tipster @evleaks has posted what's claimed to be a press image of the Lumia 929. While the 929 render hasn't been directly linked to the earlier photo, the abundance of home screen tiles hints at an equally large phone with the 1520's Windows Phone GDR3 software. It may not be as big as the 1520 itself, though. An RM-927 phone recently reached the FCC with both Verizon LTE and dimensions only slightly larger than the Lumia 625. If it represents the 929, the carrier may be using a roughly 5-inch screen instead of the 1520's rumored 6-inch display. Whatever we're looking at, there's a chance that we'll see more of it on October 22nd. Update: "Popular demand" had persuaded @evleaks to post a press image of the phone's backside (viewable after the break), which looks identical to the leaked shot we saw earlier this month.
Microsoft cuts off Skype support for Windows Phone 7 because old things must die
There are two ways to deliver bad news: an overlong, meandering apology or the 'pull no punches' route. Microsoft, in explaining away future Skype support for Windows Phone 7, went with option number one. You see, it's not you, it's Windows Phone 8. And besides, according to Microsoft, there aren't even really that many of you left on WP7 to merit continued updates. Please understand, this is about the future; it's about integrating Skype into every (viable) Microsoft platform and product and you, forlorn WP7 user, aren't part of that picture. Chin up, though, you can still download the app from the Windows Phone Store. Now don't say Microsoft never gave you anything. Buh bye.
Nokia teases 'innovation reinvented' event on October 22nd
Well, isn't this convenient? Rumors have circulated that Nokia was delaying the Lumia 1520 launch beyond late September, and the company has just teased an "innovation reinvented" event on October 22nd. The company isn't giving many clues, although the desert skiing image is curious -- we're wondering if the press gathering may take place in a similarly exotic venue. Wherever the event takes place, you know we'll be there.
Nokia Lumia 1520 launch reportedly delayed in wake of Microsoft deal
If you believe the rumors, Nokia was supposed to launch the supersized Lumia 1520 (aka Bandit) as soon as next week. However, this unannounced Windows Phone may have hit an unofficial snag: Reuters claims that Nokia has delayed the unveiling by "several weeks" in the wake of Microsoft's plans to buy the company's device business. There's no word on an adjusted release date, although the historically accurate @evleaks has heard that the 1520 might appear in late October. Not surprisingly, Nokia isn't commenting on delays for a product that doesn't officially exist -- but don't be shocked if there's a new flagship Lumia later in the fall.
Windows Phone Store passes 9 million daily transactions; targeted ads incoming
The Windows Phone Store might not be as big as Apple's App Store or Google Play, but Redmond claims it's showing decent growth. According to WP Store General Manager Todd Brix, the platform has surpassed 9 million transactions of combined app and in-app purchases per day. That's a total of 270 million per month, or 70 million more than what was reported in June. Ballmer and Co. want those numbers to grow even more, of course, so they've streamlined payments from carriers, making sure they're eligible for payout after 30 days. While that might entice more devs to dip their toes in the platform, you'll first be seeing more ads than new apps -- the company will start issuing unique device IDs to new advertising partners. It claims the UDIDs aren't linked to particular devices and won't give out identifiable information, but if you still feel unsafe or don't want to be served targeted ads, you can always opt out.
NYT: Nokia was testing Android on Lumia phones before Microsoft deal
Microsoft officially acquired Nokia's devices group to improve the overall Windows Phone platform. The New York Times, however, hears from sources that the company may have had another incentive: Nokia had been testing Android on Lumia devices. The Finnish firm reportedly started experimenting with Android "well before" the deal, making it easier to switch platforms if the Microsoft partnership didn't last beyond 2014. Nokia's potential OS switch wasn't mentioned in the acquisition discussions this year, according to one tipster. Even so, the sources claim that Microsoft's executives knew of the project's existence -- they would have understood the consequences of losing Nokia's support. Microsoft and Nokia have so far declined to comment on the rumor, but it's clear that any Android-based Lumias are now consigned to the history books.
Samsung SGH-i187 reaches the FCC, may be a Windows Phone for AT&T
Samsung hasn't launched any Windows Phones for AT&T in the past year, but there are new hints suggesting the company may renew its support. An unannounced SGH-i187 phone has surfaced at the FCC with AT&T-compatible GSM, HSPA and LTE frequencies. While the filing doesn't reveal the OS, the i187 name last appeared in benchmarks for a Windows Phone; if the tests are authentic, we're looking at a mid-range handset with a 720p screen and a Snapdragon 400. We don't know if or when Samsung will ship the i187 to AT&T, but it could bring some diversity to a Windows Phone lineup that's increasingly Lumia-centric.
Windows Phone 8.1 rumors hint at personal assistant and notifications tile
Windows Phone's future may involve more than just a few more home screen tiles. Elaborating on rumors from the summer, ZDNet claims that the next version of Windows Phone (possibly 8.1) will focus on Cortana, a personal assistant that goes beyond the likes of Google Now or Siri. The Halo-inspired component is reportedly more of a shell than an app, and would integrate the OS with Microsoft services like Bing. Ultimately, Cortana would find its way into versions of Windows and the Xbox One's Dashboard. The assistant might not be the only major feature in 8.1. Windows-Phone.pl has posted what it says are photos of the OS running on a smartphone. They suggest that the previously leaked notification center would reside in a Live Tile, and that users could group-select tiles like they can with Windows 8.1. There's no guarantees that the images or the Cortana rumor are authentic, although they're consistent with Microsoft's publicly stated desires for both a notification center and a "service-enabled shell." We may not get any official details for a while, however -- if real, Windows Phone 8.1 might not ship until sometime in early 2014.
Nokia Lumia 625 review
Another week, another Lumia. This latest grenade thrown by Nokia in its continued assault on the smartphone market is the Lumia 625. Following up on its previous high-end devices -- the good-looking one, the one with the fancy camera -- the 625 is a soldier of lower rank. There's already an army of budget Windows Phones that fill various niches, so what's the deal? Well, despite the number on its dog tag, the 625 is far from a Lumia 620 variant: it's a completely different phone. For starters, it sports the biggest screen of any Lumia to date (for now, anyway). Actually, make that any Nokia phone ever made. But the real reason it exists has nothing to do with the display size; it's all about the 4G radio hiding away inside. Does LTE, plus a big screen and eyebrow-raising price tag, make it worth your while, though?
Nokia Lumia 1020 price drops to $199 in the US
One of the barriers to Lumia 1020 adoption in the US has been the high price; you've had to really love phone photography to justify spending $299 on-contract. That shouldn't be an issue from now on, as both AT&T and Microsoft have permanently dropped the Nokia flagship's price to $199 with a two-year agreement. If you buy from the Microsoft Store, you'll even get a free black camera grip through a limited-time offer. The new pricing might not sway every Windows Phone fan when a next-gen Lumia may lurk just around the corner, but those who've been waiting for a good bargain on the 1020 will find one at the source links.
Extra-large Nokia Lumia 1520 surfaces in press image
Want a clear look at Nokia's Lumia 1520 (aka Bandit)? You may just have it. After posting a screen capture earlier in the week, @evleaks has released what's reportedly a press image of the super-sized, 1080p Windows Phone. The render largely matches what we've seen before, including the additional Live Tiles on the home screen, but the back is new. It suggests that there will be a Lumia 925-style camera hump -- sorry, no 41-megapixel sensor here -- along with aesthetics borrowed from other members of the Lumia family. There's no guarantee that this image is real, but we won't be surprised if it accurately represents Nokia's last flagship before Microsoft takes the reins.
Skype for Windows Phone 8 now supports video messaging
Fans of Skype for Windows Phone 8 can now record more than just voicemail: Microsoft has updated the app to support video messaging. Like on other platforms, Windows Phone users can send an unlimited number of video clips to their Skype contacts for free. There aren't any other new features, but Skype members who prefer visual communication will likely want to grab the upgrade today through the Windows Phone Store.
Nokiasoft comes full circle: Microsoft's play for ultimate control will redefine the Windows ecosystem
The "soft" in Microsoft isn't what it used to be. A score ago, the company was certain the software-licensing business was the one it wanted to be in -- Apple decided to hold its cards a lot closer to the chest, and it cost the company dearly for years. Meanwhile, Microsoft made a lot of cash with Windows, and it still does. But the tide is turning. Two of the last three Windows operating systems haven't generated the kind of crazed mindshare that a company needs to remain relevant over the long haul, and at some point, one has to wonder if Microsoft will be able to inject a bit of life into its stodgy, outmoded self by grabbing the reins on the hardware side. In fact, that's exactly what Microsoft wondered, as it casually announced a plan in June of 2012 to affront scores of OEM partners with its Surface initiative. In an instant, Microsoft dove headfirst into the hardware game, and regardless of how it wanted the public to perceive the move, the truth was impossible to hide: this was Microsoft telling Acer, ASUS, Dell, Lenovo and the rest that it could no longer trust their design chops to keep its revenue on the up and up. In February of 2011, well before it transformed the Surface from a big-ass table into a slate that almost no one wants to buy (Microsoft's words, not mine), the company managed to procure a huge ally on the mobile front. The Nokia / Microsoft alliance was monumental. This was Nokia's formidable hardware being exclusively used to push Microsoft's fledgling Windows Phone OS. At once, Nokia loyalists found hope, and those praying for a coalition with Android were dismayed. Little did we know: that partnership marked the end of the original Microsoft, the end of the original Nokia and, in my estimation, a complete rerouting of the Windows roadmap. This week's acquisition simply makes it all the more official.
Ballmer promises shorter names for Nokia phones: goodbye Nokia Lumia Windows Phone 1020
What will Microsoft's thunderous multi-billion dollar purchase of Nokia's mobile phone business mean for little ol' you and me? Time will tell, of course, but in the short term Steve Ballmer is promising something concrete: shorter brand names. Speaking on a conference call today, the Microsoft CEO seized on the Nokia's latest flagship phone as an example of the need for simpler, more unified marketing: "We can probably do better for a consumer name than the "Nokia Lumia Windows Phone 1020," and yet, because of where both companies are, and the independent nature of the businesses, we haven't been able to shorten that name." Now, "Surface Phone" certainly has a ring to it (and it'd be better than Windows Phone Pro Home Edition, in any case), so let's just hope Microsoft doesn't try to over-think things.
Microsoft EVP: We bought Nokia, but we still love our other Windows Phone partners
Much like how Google bought Motorola Mobility, Microsoft's surprising acquisition of Nokia's devices and services business -- which is expected to be approved by early 2014 -- is no indication that it will cut off ties with other partners in its own little ecosystem. This is emphasized by Terry Myerson, EVP, Operating Systems, on the official Windows blog. "Acquiring Nokia's Devices group will help make the market for all Windows Phones, from Microsoft or our OEM partners," said the exec. "We collaborate with our Microsoft hardware teams in the same way we partner with our external hardware partners... We look forward to building new products together that will provide valuable business opportunity for the ecosystem and enable OEMs." In other words, Microsoft will -- surprise, surprise -- continue to license Windows Phone to other OEMs. Despite this reassurance, we highly doubt the handful of partners left are feeling totally comfortable about the situation.
