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SmartThings brings its home automation app to Windows Phone
Samsung promised an open platform when it purchased SmartThings, a startup that aims to make every household more intelligent with its products. So, despite the automation service already being present on iOS and Android, the most popular mobile operating systems, SmartThings is opening its doors to a fresh audience: Windows Phone 8. The SmartThings app is great for people looking to upgrade their home but that were, perhaps, hesitant to do so because of the ecosystem's lack of support for Windows Phone handsets. Most home automations platforms have some sort of integration with iOS or Android from the get-go, leaving Windows Phone users out of options. As such, this is a great move by the Samsung-owned SmartThings. Once you download the app, you'll be able to control SmartThings devices with ease -- and if you haven't invested yet, maybe now it's the time to start thinking about creating your own Smart Home.
Nokia Lumia 735 review: more than just a selfie phone
Last year's Lumia 720 was an awkward middle child. It was more powerful than its 620 cousin, but not so much so that you'd consider it over the 820 unless you just had to have the first budget Lumia with LTE. If you're going to pay a lot more, why not get a lot more? Flash forward to 2014, and the Lumia 735 follow-up (along with the dual-SIM 730) appears to have more of a reason for being -- namely, catering to a selfie-loving public. With a 5-megapixel front-facing camera, more powerful internals and a €219 ($279) price, the 735 promises great self-portraits without decimating your bank account. But is it necessarily your best choice for those "I was there" photos? And more importantly, is it worth buying over both other Windows Phones and the other devices in its price class? You're about to find out.
PhotoMath uses your phone's camera to solve equations
Need a little help getting through your next big math exam? MicroBlink has an app that could help you study more effectively -- perhaps too effectively. Its newly unveiled PhotoMath for iOS and Windows Phone (Android is due in early 2015) uses your smartphone's camera to scan math equations and not only solve them, but show the steps involved. Officially, it's meant to save you time flipping through a textbook to check answers when you're doing homework or cramming for a test. However, there's a concern that this could trivialize learning -- just because it shows you how to solve a problem doesn't mean that the knowledge will actually sink in. And if teachers don't confiscate smartphones at the door, unscrupulous students could cheat when no one is looking. The chances of that happening aren't very high at this stage, but apps like this suggest that schools might have to be vigilant in the future.
Skype for Windows Phone lets you share drawings with friends
Ever wanted to convey more in a Skype chat than simple text and photos can manage, such as directions to your home? If you're using Windows Phone, you now have a better way to express yourself. Microsoft has posted a new version of Skype for Windows Phone that, much like Google Hangouts, lets you send simple drawings to friends. You can start with a blank canvas if you're an artistic type, but you can also doodle on photos and annotate Bing maps. There are a few meaningful under-the-hood upgrades, too, including HD display support and the option to sign in with your phone's Microsoft account. The Skype team hasn't said when its Android and iOS apps will get sketching, but it wouldn't be surprising to see them receive matching updates in the near future.
Blocks' modular smartwatch will talk to your iPhone
Blocks first unveiled its modular smartwatch with a plan to use Android Wear, much as Project Ara smartphone will use a special version of Android. However, there has been a change of plans -- and it's good news if you're not of the Google persuasion. The team now says that it's using a version of the open source Tizen platform that should support Android, iOS and Windows Phone, so you probably won't have to give up a favorite device just to try this out. The Blocks team also has access to Intel's newest processors thanks to a prize from a recent design challenge, and modules will have removable covers that let you change both the style and functionality of your wristwear. This is still an incredibly ambitious project that may not pan out as planned, but it's evident that the pieces are quickly falling into place.
Google finds that teens use voice search more than grownups
Want to do what all the cool kids do? Talk to your smartphone, apparently. Google has commissioned a study showing that American teens are considerably more likely to use voice search on their devices than adults. About 55 percent of the 18-and-under crowd uses Cortana, Google Voice Search or Siri more than once a day, while 41 percent of grownups do the same. That number climbs to an even higher 75 percent for teens glued to their phones 11-plus hours a day. Younger users aren't worried about social stigmas, either -- they're far more likely to use voice commands when friends are around (57 percent versus 24 percent). About 45 percent of adults, meanwhile, are self-conscious about their geekiness when they speak to their devices.
Skype Qik lets you swap short video messages with your friends
Skype may be one of the better-known options for video messaging, but it doesn't hold a candle to a services like Snapchat if you just want simple, back-and-forth discussions. The Skype team isn't taking this competition lying down, though -- it just rolled out Skype Qik, its own take on rapid-fire video delivery. The mobile-only app is focused solely on swapping short clips (up to 42 seconds; yes, it's a nod to Hitchhiker's Guide) as part of conversations with your phone contacts. In theory, it's just what you need to coordinate a night out or catch up with pals who are rarely available at the same time. All messages vanish after two weeks to help protect your privacy, and you can pre-record "Qik Fliks" to use when you're either too busy or just want to reply with your favorite internet meme.
Turn your text messages into comic strips with this app
Regardless of which platform you're on, sending text messages is pretty boring. The folks behind comiXchat think they have the solution to that, however, with an app that turns your short-form correspondences into comic strips. More than just throwing avatars onto a static background, though, the app promises real-time changes to character position, facial expression and camera angles among other things, based on implied emotion, tone and attitude. And if any of that goes horribly wrong, you can share the comics either per-pane or the entire conversation via your social media network of choice. For it to work, you need to rope your friends into downloading it too. Ad-supported, free versions are available on Android, iOS and Windows Phone and if you'd like a preview of what it all looks like in action, there's a dubstep-accompanied video just below.
Microsoft turns Cortana into a Klingon-speaking Starfleet officer
To celebrate the launch of the Lumia 830 in the UK and all of the Trek-flavored nerdiness going down at Destination Star Trek in London, Microsoft has taught given its virtual assistant a crash course in the ways of Qo'nos -- by which we mean Cortana can now speak a little Klingon. All you'll have to do is ask, though the first thing the xenolinguists among you will probably notice that her and vocabulary and pronunciation are just awful. SlashGear also adds that Cortana responds when you refer to her as "Number One" -- Commander Riker can't be too pleased about that one -- as well as when you tell her to beam you up or "set phasers to stun". The smarts enabling Cortana's new behavior haven't started making the rounds yet outside of the UK yet, but a Microsoft spokesperson confirmed to us those Starfleet commands will work in the US in the coming weeks. In the mean time, there are still other ways to get a feel for Redmond's Trekkie credentials: remember, that Bing's Translator can kinda-sorta tackle textual Klingon too.
Flipboard finally arrives for Windows Phone
Have you been frustrated that your Nokia handset hasn't had the same Flipboard access as your Windows PC and tablet? Well, you're in luck. The popular reading app has finally made its way to Microsoft's mobile OS. Outfitting Windows Phone 8.1 devices with at least 1GB of RAM, the software has been retooled specifically for smartphones with easy access to Cover Stories' highlights, search and sharing options. It'll come preloaded on the Lumia 830 that's set to arrive soon, and compatibility for phones with less memory is in the works as well. If your device meets the current requirements though, you can get to downloading right now.
Microsoft's Sway lets you share ideas on the web without any design skills
Sharing ideas on the web is tricky. You probably want something more persuasive than a social network update, but it's usually overkill to design a whole web page just to get your point across. Microsoft may have reached a happy balance between the two with Sway, a new part of the Office portfolio that lets you publish content in a slick, web-native format without knowing a thing about code or design. All you do is write and pull in content, whether it comes from your device or internet sources like Facebook, OneDrive and YouTube; Sway automatically organizes it all into polished web layouts that adapt to any screen size. You can switch layouts to fine-tune your work and update projects over time. Think of this as a Medium-like authoring tool that handles much more than just articles -- it's possible to publish daily photo diaries, non-linear presentations and other pieces that would typically require a dedicated web editor or a specialized app.
MSN's simpler, mobile-savvy homepage is rolling out to everyone
Well, that was quick -- after just a few weeks in preview mode, the revamped MSN homepage is rolling out to everyone. You should see Microsoft's simple, desktop-like web portal in your browser sometime within the next three days. If you're using Windows devices, you'll also see updated Bing and MSN apps that draw on the site's many services; the Food & Drink app will keep track of your recipes, for instance. Windows Phone users get a few perks on their lock screens in the process. The Health and Fitness app will show pedometer stats if you're using a Lumia 630, 635 or 1520, while Weather will show your local forecast. You'll still have to wait for MSN apps on Android and iOS, but all the other pieces of Microsoft's grand vision are otherwise in place.
Spotify goes live in Canada
Canadians: you no longer have to jump through hoops (or hope for an early invitation) to check out Spotify. The streaming music service has finally launched in Canada, complete with an extensive collection of domestically-made tunes. As elsewhere, you can play songs for free if you're willing to put up with ads, and shelling out $10 CAD per month for Premium lets you stream without commercials. The service is definitely late to the party -- it's years behind Rdio, and even Google Play Music arrived a few months ago. Still, it's hard to object to having one more way to listen to Grimes or Leonard Cohen.
Cortana makes sure you don't miss nearby concerts
Microsoft's virtual assistant comes in handy for lots of things -- especially reminders. Now, thanks to a hand from SeatGeek's ticket engine, Cortana will alert you when bands you listen to on the regular have a tour stop close by. As you might expect, in addition to date and venue info, the add-on will also provide you with ticket prices and a handy link to purchase. A Concert Watch option is rolling out to the Music section of Cortana's Notebook, and toggling the option on will keep you informed about performances in your area. Google Now does something similar for the Android faithful, displaying concert dates based on artists from your search queries. If you're unable to see the new feature, sit tight: it appears to be on its way to handsets.
Images emerge showing Microsoft's Windows-only mobile branding
The image above shows the backside of British manufacturer My Go's upcoming handset, the GoFone -- no, the company likely didn't forget adding "Phone" at the bottom of the Windows logo. Thing is, according to an internal document leaked to the internet recently, Microsoft's dropping the "Windows Phone" branding (and even the "Nokia" brand) in favor of just "Windows." This image, taken from GoFone's unlisted page (it even says "For internal use only") spotted by Neowin, hints that the earlier reports were true. Unlike the HTC One (M8) for Windows, which just omits "Phone" from its full name but still displays the platform's logo on the back panel, this one completely leaves out the branding. Microsoft's reportedly looking to unify Windows and Windows Phone under one name, because it plans to merge Windows Phone and RT into one platform. Redmond hasn't confirmed any of these yet, but we'll let you know if and when the company officially speaks up.
Skype on Windows Phone now lets you share where you are
Out on the town with your Lumia and eager to hook up with friends? It shouldn't be too hard to socialize after today. Skype has upgraded its Windows Phone app with a location sharing feature that lets you send your position to whoever you're chatting with, making it a bit easier to meet at the pub. The update is potentially important if your pals are overly talkative, too, since you can switch off notifications for individual conversations. Map sharing certainly isn't a new concept in the smartphone world, but it's hard to knock something that could liven up an otherwise dull weekend.
Microsoft will reportedly omit Nokia branding on future devices
We've been wondering how Microsoft would coordinate Nokia and Lumia branding after purchasing the Finnish phone maker's handset business earlier this year. Well, according to an internal document obtained by GeekOnGadgets, we'll see changes take place soon. For starters, Nokia will be dropped from upcoming gadgets, but the Lumia moniker will remain. The report states that the Lumia 830 and 730 will be the last two handsets to feature Nokia's livery. What's more, it seems Windows Phone stands to be trimmed down to just Windows, bringing the mobile and desktop operating systems under the same designation. The decision to omit "Phone" isn't too much of a surprise though, as the recent HTC One (M8) for Windows already did just that.
Microsoft's mid-tier Lumia 830 is coming to AT&T
Right now, AT&T doesn't offer much diversity in Windows Phones. You're either choosing between the tiny and thrifty Lumia 635 or a decked-out behemoth like the Lumia 1520. Thankfully, the network has heard the calls for a mid-tier option -- it just announced that it's carrying the Lumia 830 sometime later this year. While you'll have to wait a while for launch details, it's reasonable to expect pricing that slots neatly between the 635 and 1520. No, it's not the straight-up 1020 sequel that many are clamoring for, but it's hard to disagree with a wider choice of Microsoft-powered devices in the US.
Windows Phone's Cortana assistant now predicts NFL football games
Windows Phone's Cortana assistant raised some eyebrows during the World Cup, when it accurately predicted all but one of the knockout matches (that Germany-Brazil upset caught nearly everyone off-guard). Microsoft was clearly happy with that result, as it's now applying those oracle-like abilities to NFL football games. Ask Cortana (or Bing on the web) who's likely to win an upcoming match and you'll quickly get a favorite. You sadly won't be told why that team will emerge victorious, although the Bing crew notes that the decision is based on a combination of stats, previous match-ups, and subtler criteria like stadium conditions. It'll be a long while before we know whether Cortana is as good at predicting American football as it is the international kind, but you can at least get her prognostications right away.
HTC's One M8 for Windows is coming to T-Mobile, too
The HTC One M8 and Windows Phone 8.1 are two great tastes that (mostly) taste great together, and you'll soon have a way to pick one up that doesn't require inking a deal with Verizon or AT&T. T-Mobile revealed earlier today that it'll offer the One M8 for Windows too, though like AT&T before it, the Uncarrier isn't quite ready to divulge those juicy pricing and availability details just yet. It may seem like Sprint subscribers may be getting the short end of the stick, but that might not be the case for much longer -- some of the new leakers on the block firmly assert that Marcelo Claure's crew will get their chance down the road too. While y'all wait for those all-important details to drop, check out our full review to see if HTC's newest Windows Phone is actually worth the wait (spoiler alert: very likely yes).
