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Verizon confirms ongoing talks with Nokia for potential tie-up, declines to kiss and tell
Remember that image sent recently by an anonymous tipster showing two versions of the Nokia Lumia 822 nestled comfortably within Verizon's device management system? Turns out there is something cooking between the Finnish phone maker and Big Red after all. The Wall Street Journal reports that Verizon has confirmed plans involving a Nokia Corp. tie-up, with sources familiar with the deal saying that the companies have been in talks since the spring. Just exactly what it is they're working on, however, still remains a mystery. Apparently, Verizon and Nokia are playing their cards close to the vest and refusing to disclose specific details about a potential deal. Still, the betting money is on some sort of tie-up involving Nokia's Lumia line. The Windows 8 handsets have seen a deluge of news this month, mostly involving the new 920 and 820 models. Whatever Nokia's got planned, several analysts also said the company needs to act fast. With Samsung's popular Galaxy S III already out and Apple's new iPhone expected to launch soon, Nokia's new phones are expected to see some tough competition.
European carrier sources: Nokia to start selling the Lumia 920 in November (update: coming to AT&T on November 2nd)
While we heard practically everything else about Nokia's new Windows Phone 8 flagship, there were still two very important details still missing -- its price and release date. Now, according to Reuters' "telecom operator" sources, a spokesperson from an unnamed eastern European carrier said that sales of the PureView-packing Lumia 920 will start in the second half of November, with larger countries landing the device earlier in the same month. Another source from a Nordic operator then followed suit, stating that they expected the phone to arrive in stores around mid to late November. We've reached out to our contacts, and will update if we hear anything more -- especially if it involves a price tag. Update: It's being reported that the Lumia 920 will arrive in the US on AT&T's network November 2nd.
Nokia Lumia 822 and 5-inch HTC device found in Verizon systems
The Nokia Lumia 820 is fresh on everyone's minds, and rumors of a 5-inch Android device from HTC are floating around, so why not add a couple more pieces of kindling to the fire? We've been handed images of Verizon's device management system (DMD, for short) showing off a couple new devices: the Nokia Lumia 822 (in Gray and White) and the HTC 6435, which we've seen leaked as the potential Galaxy Note competitor. While this doesn't guarantee a surefire launch in any way, phones typically pop up in the DMD a few weeks prior to launch -- and it's good news for two groups of people: Windows Phone fans anxiously awaiting something fresh on the LTE carrier, and phablet fans looking for a device not called the Intuition. [Thanks, Anonymous!]
Nokia and Motorola event roundup
Boy, what a day. September 5th has been one for the books, as five new devices from Nokia and Motorola were exposed to the public eye. We were happy to bring you extensive coverage of everything that happened today, but if you're just getting home from work you may not have had the opportunity to keep up with the goings-on. To help you navigate the feeds a little easier, we've compiled all of the essential news in one place. So kick off your shoes, grab a bite to eat and meet us below the break to get caught up on the latest smartphones!
Verizon: we will have multiple Windows Phone 8 handsets
Looks like WP8 is going to get a lot more love from Verizon Wireless than WP7 ever did. Big Red's Chief Marketing Officer Tami Erwin informed CNET that several Windows Phone 8 devices will make their way to the network before the end of Q4 2012. That means that the HTC Trophy will no longer be the sole Microsoft-powered mobile, and according to VZW COO Marni Walden, there might even be a Nokia handset or two on Verizon's network in the future -- no word whether the either of the new Lumias will make the cut. As for the hardware slated to show up in the next few months, Verizon's neither telling who's making them just yet nor when they will officially debut. But, it's good to know that folks will have the option of using Microsoft's new super-speedy OS on Verizon's lightning quick LTE network this year.
Windows Phone 8 introduces new Lens apps: Bing Vision, Photosynth and CNN iReport launching from the camera button
The first new Windows Phone 8 feature to appear alongside Nokia's Lumia 920 launch is the camera-augmenting Lens apps. Offering both in-house and third-party programs, (and no more zoom bar -- pinch-to-zoom!), these will all launch immediately from the camera button. On stage, Joe Belfiore detailed a handful of the apps, encompassing Bing Vision (camera-based search), Photosynth, Blink, FXSuite, PhotoStrip and CNN iReport. FXSuite offers up a preview of your viewfinder in all your favorite token visual effects, which can capture an image, and then send you back to the single Lens app, or back to the Lens menu. As to be expected, all your photographic skills can be instantly transferred across to your SkyDrive-powered cloud camera roll -- something that could be especially useful with the Blink app, which captures a burst of photos in one touch. %Gallery-164370%
Nokia Lumia 920 official: Dual-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 CPU, 8MP PureView camera, Windows Phone 8 (video)
It was only this past spring that Nokia crashed onto the US smartphone scene to stake its claim and make inroads into consumers' minds and hearts. Now, just five months later, the Finnish company's poised to overtake the buzz of its fledgling, former Windows Phone flagship, with what many consider to be a true high-end contender: the Lumia 920. As one of the first Windows Phone 8 devices to be officially announced, this device augments Espoo's line with a larger, curved 4.5-inch PureMotion HD+ display, dual-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 CPU, 2,000mAh battery, NFC, integrated wireless charging and an 8-megapixel rear PureView camera capable of 1080p video. The display packs WXGA (1,280 x 768) resolution, is 25 percent brighter than the next best panel on the market and it's the fastest LCD that Nokia has ever shipped on a smartphone. What's more, the screen also boasts what Nokia calls "Super Sensitive Touch," which promises to let you use it even when wearing gloves or mitts. As you can tell from its humpless back, this PureView is not that of the 41-megapixel variety -- it's merely all about the branding, as the moniker will now ring synonymous with "high-end cameras." Despite that fall from 808 grace, Nokia's Head of Imaging Damian Dinning has assured detractors the magic is in what's done with the optics and pixels and not sheer gargantuan sampling size. To wit, the 920 employs a "floating lens," which, in layman's terms, translates into hardware image stabilization and also packs impressive low-light capabilities -- an area the company's seems squarely focused upon. In a true return to form, the 920 also hearkens back to the Lumia that started it all, opting for the "sinuous tapering" that debuted on the 800 with glass edges that blend gently into the polycarbonate hull. Unfortunately, not all of that design language has made the transition, given its chassis now appears glossier and more polished, distancing itself from that premium matte finish. Still, as looks go, the handset's keeping to its 900 origins, appearing nigh indistinct from its predecessor save for that attention-grabbing mellow yellow hue.And as a bonus, Nokia's imbued the device with integrated wireless charging, based on the Qi standard, which corroborates those leaks we saw just last week. The Lumia 920 will arrive in pentaband LTE and HSPA+ variants and both are expected to ship "in selected markets" later this year. %Gallery-164319% %Gallery-164359%
HTC announces upcoming press event on September 19th
Not wanting Nokia, Motorola, Amazon or Apple to hog all of the attention this month, HTC just sent out invites to the press for an event on September 19th. The invite doesn't offer up too many clues as to what will be revealed at this particular time, but we have a feeling the company may offer its competition to whatever products Nokia will unveil tomorrow (hint: not Android). Regardless of what it may be, we'll be there to give you the full scoop. We'll post more details as they flow in.
Nokia's unsafe cyclist promises 'things are about to change' in confusing new teaser (video)
We know that Nokia's got something big planned for September 5th, and we're reasonably sure that it's going to be the company's new Windows Phone 8 flagship. To whet our appetites, it's released a 21-second teaser featuring a helmet-free cyclist smiling at the camera and not spending enough time watching where she's going. We can't find any clues in the footage (after the break), except that it's using the same font that we saw in the run up to the Pureview launch. Who knows, maybe we can get our hopes up for a Lumia device rocking that 41-megapixel sensor.
Video out enabled on Windows Phone 7, just not for you
The video out feature in Windows Phone 7 is reserved for select Microsoft employees, and now one enterprising member of the XDA Developers forum. With certain files ripped from an LG Panther 7003 ROM, the help of someone on the inside and many months of work, forum member marsrogers succeeded in pushing video from his Samsung Focus to a companion PC app. Don't get too excited though -- this particular trick will not be released to the masses so the MS confidant involved is not exposed. However, it's not all bad news, as marsrogers' source reports that Windows Phone 8 will have remote desktop capability straight out of the box. Sadly, for those of you carrying around current-gen WP devices, there's still no hope.
Nokia and Microsoft announce September 5th Windows Phone event
We just received an invite from Nokia and Microsoft to attend a Windows Phone-centric event on September 5th. This is the same day as Nokia World's opener, and we have a feeling this isn't a coincidence. Rumors have been rampant that the Finnish company would choose this particular week to announce its lineup of Windows Phone 8 devices, and we're hoping this is indeed the case. Granted, the invite comes with a large reference to Nokia Maps, so it's certainly possible the navigation service could be a primary focus of the event, but we're hedging our bets on new handsets. Either way, we'll be there to share the excitement with you.
Samsung spills details on Odyssey and Marco Windows Phone 8 devices
If you thought the Apple and Samsung legal tussles weren't getting interesting enough, another filing has revealed that the father of all smartphones Galaxy has at least two Windows Phone 8 devices in the pipeline. According to the filing that's been unearthed by The Verge, both are running on a dual-core 1.5Ghz Qualcomm MSM8960 chipset -- which is currently Samsung's chip of choice for LTE regions. The Odyssey looks set to be Samsung's high-end Windows Phone, with a 4.65-inch high-definition Super AMOLED display and NFC ready for Microsoft's own mobile payment plans. Meanwhile, the Marco will apparently forego the near-field delights and house a humbler 4-inch WVGA Super AMOLED screen, for a presumably gentler price. According to the legal documents, both devices are gearing up to launch in Q4 of this year -- after we've seen Windows Phone 8 in its entirety.
Juggernaut Alpha with Windows Phone 8 appears in benchmarks, shows how sharp it might be
A while back, we spotted the Juggernaut Alpha's unique and hard-to-forget moniker in a document listing a number of alleged upcoming Windows Phone 8 handsets, and now the device has managed to land itself in a purported set of early benchmarks. According to WMPoweruser, the Juggernaut Alpha results are from a Windows Phone app called WP Bench, where it clearly shows how much faster it is than its closest challenger -- nearly doubling its speeds when compared to those of the HTC Titan. Needless to say, if true, this kind of outcome is to be expected given all the improvements Microsoft announced last month, but this only gives us more to look forward to come that eventual WP8 fall release.
Financial Times: Nokia mulling revenue split with carriers for Windows Phone 8
The Financial Times has reported that Nokia is in "exploratory" talks with several European carriers to share revenue for its upcoming Windows Phone 8 handsets in exchange for dedicated support. This would be a shift from its normal modus operandi, which is to sell as many phones as it can across all carriers at once, in favor of an approach which resembles Apple's deal with AT&T for the iPhone in 2007. The Finnish company could be hoping to create the same level of excitement for its WP8 phone that Cupertino did back then -- and may also be trying to offer a more profitable carrier alternative to Apple and Samsung, who use their dominance to grab the lion's share of handset revenue. While operators like France Telecom (Orange) and Deutsche Telekom are said to be involved, all parties have declined to comment. So, take this for what it is -- just a rumor at the moment -- but based on deals it made in the US with AT&T and the Lumia 900, it wouldn't be a shocker for Nokia to at least consider it.
Rumor: Windows Phone 8 devices to launch this November?
Industry rumors usually come with a heaping helping of salt, unless they're being issued from a trusted source. In this case, it's Mary Jo Foley of ZDNet spilling some beans regarding Microsoft's release roadmap. Though we've already caught wind that Windows Phone 8 devices would be arriving sometime this fall with nearly all major carrier support, Foley's source is now pegging the RTM build of that mobile OS for September, with the finalized consumer version and accompanying hardware hitting the marketplace in November. Given that timing and an impending October 26th bow for Windows 8 also on the horizon, any plans Redmond might've had for a dual platform launch will have to be shelved. That's all she wrote for now, folks -- we'll surely find out more concrete details in the coming months. So, take this gossamer morsel for what it's worth.
Microsoft gives a tease of Office for Windows Phone 8, talks up Office 2013 integration
Microsoft may have told us a lot about Windows Phone 8 in June, but it left out much of what the Office component's update would entail. Thankfully, Partner Group program lead John Jendrezak has volunteered to let us peek under the hood, including our first real glimpse of the new Office Hub. The app's connection to Office 2013 is more than the skin deep looks you see here: Office documents will sync more seamlessly from desktop to phone, and it's implied that the reading position sync from the desktop version will extend to the mobile realm as well. Many mysteries still remain as to what's exactly different in the more pocketable version of Office. There's more about the new work suite's communion with the cloud at the source link, however, so dig in if an offline Office feels like a prison.
Autodesk Scaleform lets you use Flash to build high-end portable device games for $299 (video)
Got some great smartphone game ideas and Flash talent, but no budget and little to no programming savvy? Autodesk's Scaleform for Mobile Platforms could let you launch those ideas from a catapult, cannon or any game weapon of your choice -- all you'll need is Adobe creation tools and $299. That's the price per platform (iOS, Android or Windows 8,) giving you tools to convert your Flash assets and animations into a full blown Unity game, as well as the engine necessary for the mobile OS. That would let your creation take full advantage of the latest smartphone graphics and multi-processing capabilities, giving users smoother play and sharper looking games -- according to the company. The software is heavily based on the console and PC versions of Scaleform, optimized for the small devices and costing thousands less. So, if you think you've got the mad Flash skillz to create the next Infinity Blade, check the PR and video after the break to see how to power up.
A bevy of Nokias allegedly leak into a developer app: 'Lumia 1001' tops theoretical new lineup
There's nothing easier to photoshop than a phone display, but a Nokiapoweruser reader claims to have RDA screenshots leaking five (count 'em) different upcoming Nokia smartphones. The reputed models shown -- without any other proof -- are the Nokia 510, Nokia Belle 805 and Lumias 920, 950 and 1001. These are on top of another we already saw from the same type of source, the Nokia 910, giving us a Bizarro world view of Nokia's entire possible WP8 lineup, before the company has even issued a peep. We'd love to ruminate about potential specs and pecking order, but since we're talking about an entirely abstract slate of phones, go ahead and invent your own. [Image credit: Nokiapoweruser]
Microsoft lists 180 countries in Windows Phone 8 Marketplace, says apps can filter by screen size
Now that the dust has settled on the big Windows Phone 8 hoedown, Redmond is filling in the details of all its announcements. To wit, it just released a list of the 180 countries that will get access to its WP marketplace and developer app hub. That number is a big jump from the 63 markets and 38 app hubs of today, and with in-app purchasing coming soon, Microsoft emphasized that point -- along with the 100,000 apps in stock -- to developers. The software giant also added that the marketplace will filter apps by phone screen resolution and "other key characteristics," allowing easier targeting of users. To see if your country made the cut, check the source for the very long list.
U.S. Cellular pledges to carry Windows Phone 8 devices in the fall
U.S. Cellular has confirmed to PC Mag that it's "excited" by the prospect of carrying Windows Phone 8 handsets when they land later this year. A PR person even went as far as saying that WP8 "will be an important part of our lineup." The move leaves Sprint, Cricket and MetroPCS as the only major-league holdouts for the new platform -- or perhaps their PR departments just aren't as bubbly.
