Nokia has announced that the owners of Lumia 900, Lumia 800, Lumia 701, Lumia 610 and Lumia 510 terminals can check through the Zune desktop client if the update to Windows Phone 7.8 is available. It has begun to be offered since yesterday evening and the updates will continue over the next three weeks for unlocked mobiles and for those whose operators have approved Nokia's update.
   Windows Phone 7.8, the update which have to slightly soften the disappointed of those who bet on Windows Phone 7 but have found that they couldn't make the leap to WP 8 brings a new Home Screen with resizable Tiles, an  improved Lock Screen, more color themes for the Modern UI interface and more small improvements.
by byetech

   With the expansion of the Windows Phone App store, Microsoft has also announced a new feature for Windows Phone 8, which was actually present from the beginning but has not been used so far: the installing of applications from a memory card.
   Unlike Windows Phone 7, which has allowed to the manufacturers to provide terminals with internal storage which can be expanded with a memory card but imposing the encryption and impossibility of direct access or from other terminals, Windows Phone 8 preferred to use a more comfortable  MTP support. This option, probably caused by the disappearance of the Zune sync application, adds now the possibility to download applications and install them manually from the memory card.
   This option affects only the installation mode, without the possibility to use the memory card as a place for storing the data of the installed applications.
   Compared to Android, Microsoft has not made ​​concessions: even if the apps are stored and installed on the memory card , these require the Internet access to be checked and compared with the user's shopping list.
   Applications can be downloaded very easily now, an update of the Web Interface service is offering to the Windows Phone Store the "Download and install manually" button for downloading on a PC and installing them later.

by byetech 
picture credits: wmpoweruser.com

   Nokia has launched a new smartphone with Windows Phone 8, Lumia 620, it looks good, has good features and an attractive price.
   Nokia Lumia 620 has a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 chipset with a dual-core 1 GHz Krait processor, an Adreno 305 GPU and paired with 512 MB of RAM.
   The 3.8" screen with a resolution of 480x800 pixels comes with the ClearBlack technology, Nokia says that it will be as visible, in daylight, as Lumia 920 and Lumia 820.
   The smartphone has a 5 MP with autofocus and LED flash that can shoot videos at 720p. It will be available starting from January 2013 at a price of $250.


by byetech

   When Windows Phone 8 has been introduced , Microsoft managed to disappoint users who have purchased an terminal with Windows Phone 7 , announcing them that instead of the WP 8 upgrade they will only receive a software update to the 7.8 version.
   The company has been focused only on the new platform and completely ignored the second, who expects Windows Phone 7.8 must be satisfied with rumors and semiofficial statements.
   Officially, Microsoft has made a statement about the future of Windows Phone 7.8, announcing that it will be launched in the first half of next year.Also a Nokia representative has announced that the upgrade has reached the RTM stage.
   The 7.8 Version will bring the new Home Screen with resizable Live Tiles in Windows 8, better security for Exchange customers, an updated version of Internet Explorer 9 browser, new color themes for the interface, dynamic Lock Screen, a better management of the ringtones and other small improvements.
by byetech

   Microsoft is working on an update for Windows Phone 8. The update with the codename Apollo+ will bring some minor changes to the mobile operating system.
   The update will include several, currently missing, features, the support for VPN networks and OTA updates.
   Apollo + will eliminate some bugs such as the unstable WiFi connection on some terminals with Windows Phone 8.

    Huawei Ascend W1 is one of the entry-level smartphones with Windows Phone 8.

    Ascend W1 will have a 4 inch display with a resolution of 480x800 pixels, an 1.2GHZ dual-core Krait processor, 512MB of RAM, NFC, 5 megapixel camera with flash, a VGA front camera and a 2000 mAh battery.
   With a price that will not exceed $200, this model has all the prerequisites to register a success, at least on the Chinese market.
by byetech

   Several users of smartphones with Microsoft's new operating system, Windows Phone 8, have announced on  forums, they have encountered various problems of functionality of their devices.
   It is mainly about Nokia Lumia 920 and HTC 8X, which suddenly restart, have problems with reduced autonomy and even freezing of Nokia's Smartphone
   So far, neither Microsoft nor Nokia and HTC have commented on any problems announced.
   These informations about WP8's problemes are unexpected, given the fact that Windows Phone 7 has been praised for its stability.

   Nokia has confirmed that the company's maps service, now called HERE, will be available on the devices with iOS and Android, not only on Windows Phone.
   Nokia's new navigation platform will also have a web version which will run on Mozilla's Firefox OS.
   Meanwhile, Nokia has announced the availability of the SDK for developers who want to get involved in the HERE project for Android .
   Nokia HERE, known until now as the Nokia Maps uses cloud technology to enable better 3D rendering navigation.
   The platform will also operate in offline mode.

   Microsoft is already in the testing phase of the smartphone that will carry the company logo.
   The U.S. giant has launched a series of tests to its own smartphone with a hardware manufacturer from Asia.
   Although no further details are known, the sources say that Microsoft's smartphone will have a screen with a diagonal between four and five inches
   Launching a smartphone could only occur as a plan B,  if the devices with Windows Phone 8 made by Nokia, HTC Samsung and other big names will fail to have the expected sales.
by byetech

  Microsoft has officially presented today in San Francisco, the new mobile operating system Windows Phone 8, the main rival of Apple's iOS and Android from Google.
   Microsoft focuses on cloud and maximum connectivity between all the devices with Windows, this means maximum compatibility between Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8.
   The pictures made with Windows Phone 8 devices are automatically uploaded on Skydrive. Microsoft offers a free 7GB storage space.
   Microsoft promises through Date Sense up to 48% more navigation with the same data consumption
Xbox Music is basically a similar service to Zune, take a large part of Zune service functionality.
   In Europe these models: Nokia 920-820, HTC Windows Phone 8X and Samsung Ativ  will be available starting from the next samsung ativ will be available starting from next weekend.
by byetech

  The former Microsoft CEO thinks that users will be absolutely amazed by the new gadgets with Windows 8.
  Bill Gates claims that Microsoft's efforts in the developing  of the Windows 8 tablets, Surface, will be rewarded by the users admiration. The former Microsoft chief expresses the enthusiasm without restriction in an interview whose central topic is the Microsoft Surface tablets.
   He suggested during the interview that Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 may evolve into a single platform in the coming years.
by byetech

   Ascend W1, the new Huawei smartphone designed for Windows Phone 8, has appeared in a first series of pictures, with some unofficial specifications.
   Huawei will make its entry on the Windows Phone 8 market with an accessible smartphone , equipped with a 4-inch screen with an 800×480 resolution and an average configuration.
Huawei Ascend W1 comes with dual-core processor at 1.2 GHz, 512 MB ​​RAM, 4 GB internal storage,  a 5MP camera with a LED flash and a VGA front camera.
   Inside the case, available in several color versions, it's a 2000 mAh battery. The phone will be available before the end of this year in China, U.S. and Europe, with an estimated selling price of about $317.
by byetech

   The French manufacturer, Alcatel, tries a mobile business strategy that seems to have worked for Nokia. Alcatel launches a cheap phone with Windows Phone 7.8.
  Though most buyers interested in the operating system made by Microsoft,  now think at Windows Phone 8,  Alcatel relies on WP 7.8, with a lower price. The new Alcatel phone is called "One Touch with WP".
  Alcatel One Touch with Windows Phone has a 4-inch IPS display with an 800x480 resolution, single-core processor, 512MB RAM, 5MP camera, 4GB internal storage and an 1500 mAh  battery.

   It seems that Microsoft is interested to make a terminal with its name on it. It would not be the first time the software giant launched a phone.Microsoft had an attempt to enter in the phone market with its  Kin One and Kin Two.
   Microsoft's decision is at least interesting and comes with many questions. Microsoft has worked very well with Nokia to launch flagship models with Windows Phone 7 and 7.5. Recently, HTC has launched two terminals that include even the OS name in their name. However, Microsoft wants a phone with a Microsoft logo on it.
   One of the advantage such a phone could bring is that the updates to the operating system would come quickly. On the other hand, there are some who say that Microsoft might not be satisfied with the current supply of terminals with Windows Phone and want to be involved more. About the smartphone from Microsoft rumors say that it has surpassed the concept stage and is already in testing.

   Nokia’s first Windows Phone 8 smartphones, the Lumia 920 and Lumia 820, will land on shelves soon with appealing new features packed inside, some of them powered by the Snapdragon S4 processors inside them.
   These chips are bound to provide users with great performance levels on their devices, and Nokia is making sure that we are aware of that.
   In a recent post on Nokia Conversations, the company is offering new details on what the processors can deliver, promising an “even more amazing” experience to its users.
   Both Lumia 920 and Lumia 820 feature Snapdragon S4 processors inside, and both of them are expected to provide users with important battery savings, courtesy of the 28nm process Qualcomm used for their development.
   Not only will people be able to enjoy longer usage times on their handsets, but they will also find them to remain cool to the touch, courtesy of thermal advancements.
   Additionally, S4 comes with a new CPU and GPU, which should provide users with a fast Windows Phone 8 experience on their new Lumia devices, optimized for multi-core performance.
   “In other words, even the most sophisticated apps and complex user interfaces will run buttery smooth. Paired with the new Adreno 225 GPU, the new Lumias also promise to bring console quality gaming and even more stunning graphics,” Nokia explains.
   The processor also comes with support for 4G LTE connectivity, thus offering far better data speeds than before, regardless of whether it comes to surfing the web, playing games or video conferencing.
   “Although previous 4G LTE implementions used to come at the expense of battery life, that’s no longer the case with Snapdragon’s integrated LTE multimode modem. By combining the modem and application processor, having Snapdragon in your phone means better battery life no matter what the connection speed is,” Nokia explains.
   The GPU inside S4 can deliver better graphics, while the security of handsets has been enhanced through Qualcomm’s Secure MSM, which offers encrypted boot, secure code signing service, and Trustzone SEE.
Snapdragon S4 also offers support for the PureView technology that powers Lumia 920’s camera, while delivering a great location services performance, courtesy of support for both GPS and GLONASS.
source(via)Softpedia

   HTC Windows Phone 8X will be released in early November, a few days after the release of Windows Phone 8, and online stores have already published the new HTC phone price without subscription.
   The new HTC Windows Phone 8X will be available in Europe on November 8, and the information is presented by Amazon.co.uk,  along with a quite high without subscription price.
   The speculations about without subscription price of HTC Windows Phone 8X have started since the launch and the UK online store Unlocked-Mobiles.com has announced a price of approximately 500 euros.Amazon UK has a higher price of 670 euro for a free subscription smarthphone.
by byetech

   Verizon already promised “multiple” Windows Phone 8 devices for this year, but no one actually expected it to add to its offering all of the already unveiled high-end smartphones running under this platform.
   However, it appears that the carrier will indeed make such a move, and that we'll soon see Nokia's Lumia 920, HTC's Windows Phone 8X and Samsung's ATIV S available on Verizon's network.
   All three smartphones are expected to hit shelves at Big Red sometime in November, but specific launch dates are not available as of now.
   Other carriers in the United States are also expected to pick these smartphones up, which suggests that Windows Phone 8 might benefit from a great start in the country.
source(via)Softpedia

Today, Taiwanese mobile phone maker HTC Corporation made official its first smartphones running under Microsoft’s Windows Phone 8 operating system.
The company has announced a new flagship handset, the Windows Phone 8X by HTC, with a 4.3-inch Super LCD II 720p HD touchscreen display, as well as with a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor.
Thus, the new handset is the most powerful smartphone that the company has unveiled with Microsoft's mobile operating system on board.
HTC also packed the new device with 1GB of RAM, along with 16GB of storage but with no MicroSD card slot to expand it, and support for NFC and Beats Audio.
The smartphone also comes with an 8-megapixel f2/0 BSI photo snapper with support for HD video recording, as well as with a front camera for making video calls.
The hardware specifications of this device also include WiFi a/b/g/n connectivity, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, built in GPS receiver, and the usual set of sensors.
The new smartphone will be released in the United States with support for 4G LTE networks, while being planned for release in Europe and other markets with HSPA+/DC-HSDPA connectivity inside.
In addition to including Beats Audio, the handset also arrives on shelves with a pair of amplifiers to offer better audio quality to its users, one for the headphone jack, and another for the phone’s speaker.
"We've been inspired by Windows Phone 8 to create new smartphones that give the platform the iconic design and personality it deserves," said Peter Chou, CEO of HTC Corporation.
"Windows Phone has clearly emerged as one of the top mobile ecosystems and is competitive against any other smartphone platform in the world."
HTC also unveiled that these devices will be pushed to shelves starting with November, and that it will reach more than 150 carriers in 50+ countries.
in the United States, the new Windows Phone 8X by HTC will be launched on the networks of AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless.
It will also arrive around the world at Orange, O2 Telefonica, MTS, Three UK, T-Mobile, and Vodafone in Europe; Chunghwa Telecom, Optus, Singapore Telecommunications Ltd (Singtel), Smartone, Telstra and Vodafone Australia in Asia-Pacific.
source(via)Softpedia

  Android and Apple devices dominate in smartphones, with 85 percent of the worldwide market combined, according to IDC. Apple should get a boost during the holiday season with a new iPhone, which the company is expected to announce on Wednesday.
  Companies making Android devices include Samsung Electronics Co., HTC Corp. and Motorola Mobility, which Google now owns. Samsung also makes phones running Bada, which is based on Linux. Nokia has traditionally relied on Symbian, but it is now banking its future on Windows.
  Here are IDC's figures for worldwide smartphone unit sales and market share in the second quarter of 2012, by operating system.
— Android (Google Inc.) — 104.8 million units, 68.1 percent share (46.9 percent a year earlier)
— iOS (Apple Inc.'s iPhone) — 26.0 million units, 16.9 percent share (18.8 percent a year earlier)
— BlackBerry (Research in Motion Ltd.) — 7.4 million units, 4.8 percent share (11.5 percent a year earlier)
— Symbian (mostly used by Nokia Corp.) — 6.8 million units, 4.4 percent share (16.9 percent a year earlier)
— Windows (Microsoft Corp.) — 5.4 million units, 3.5 percent share (2.3 percent a year earlier)
— Linux — 3.5 million units, 2.3 percent share (3.0 percent a year earlier)
— Others — 0.1 million units, 0.1 percent share (0.5 percent a year earlier)
source(via) IDC  By The Associated Press 

   In addition to the Lumia 920, Finnish mobile phone maker Nokia also unveiled a second Windows Phone 8 device during its press event in New York City today, namely the Lumia 820.
   Packing a 4.3" ClearBlack display, the new handset comes with a 1.5GHz dual-core S4 processor inside, and with 8GB of internal memory for users to take advantage of, along with a microSD slot to expand it.
   The phone packs a 5-megapixel camera on the back, with no PureView capabilities, but with features similar to those available in Lumia 920.
Lumia 820 also comes with exchangeable shells to swap colors, wireless charging, and Ultrasensitive touch, so that people could use it even with gloves on.
   As one would have expected, the new device also comes with all the applications and services that Windows Phone 8 handsets from Nokia are bound to include.
source(via)Softpedia