Lumia Selfie app makes its way to the Windows Phone Store

Today, in Berlin Microsoft announced the Lumia 730 selfie focused phone and a smart app that helps users to take selfies with the new precision and accurately. The app has just made its way to the Windows Phone Store. This takes over the previous GlamMe app.
The Lumia Selfie app comes with a host of filters and image correction tools that allow you to take the perfect selfie. Also included is an auto enhancement mode that automagically enhances your photos so that they're ready to be shared on your preferred social networks.
Head on below to download the Lumia Selfie app, and let us know what you think of it.

Download Lumia Selfie for Windows Phone

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Lumia Denim will bring passive voice activation to Cortana

As hinted earlier this summer by Marcus Ash from Cortana team, passive voice activation is coming to Windows Phone to catch up with Android and iOS. Arriving later this fall with the newly announced 'Lumia Denim' firmware update, some Lumias are getting the hands-free feature named 'Hey Cortana.' Users with smartphones featuring the Snapdragon 80x chipsets, like the Lumia 930, Lumia Icon, and Lumia 1520 can all take advantage of the Cortana extension.
After a brief training session whereby the phone learns your specific voice, users will be able to call up Cortana by simply saying 'Hey, Cortana' (or any other name they bequeath to the voice-assistant). Cortana then wakes up and takes your inquiry. Such a feature allows users to use Cortana without ever touching their phone, which is perfect if you are across the room, have your hands full, are driving or other situations where it is more convenient to go hands-free.
Presumably other phones like HTC's new One M8 for Windows Phone can do the same, as that phone has the necessary hardware, but it also needs a firmware/OS update to enable the new feature. For Microsoft and their Lumia line, 'Hey Cortana' is supposed to launch with the new Lumia Denim firmware and OS update expected later this fall.

Source: WPCental

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Full feature list of Lumia Denim firmware update

Today is definitely a day for Windows Phone Fan community. We are off from Berlin where Microsoft announced a new firmware update for Windows Phone 8.1 handsets. The new firmware is named as Lumia Denim, according to the tradition of Microsoft naming firmwares as colour names. This update will bring Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 to retail phones in addition to firmware features unique to Lumia. Look forward to improvements for Lumia Camera and more.
Lumia Denim cements Microsoft's leadership in mobile imaging. As you already know, some of the features in Nokia Camera update works only in flagship devices due to hardware limitations. Look forward to the following features coming in Lumia Denim for handsets like the Lumia 930, Lumia Icon and Lumia 1520:

• Speed: Never miss a moment with Lumia Camera and its fast camera startup and capture speeds. Take numerous photos with just milliseconds beyond shots.
• High definition: Using Moment Capture, a long press of the camera button within the app automatically starts 4K-quality video recording at 24 frames per second. Each frame is of high image quality at 8.3 megapixels, allowing every single video frame to be selected and saved as a still image.
• Intuitiveness: Get the best shot every time with Rich Capture, which simplifies picture-taking with auto HDR and Dynamic Flash. With Rich Capture, people can avoid the hassle adjusting camera settings; they can shoot first and edit and select the perfect shot later.
• Quality: Capture high-quality smartphone images in low light with the latest-generation imaging algorithms.

Apart from the above Lumia exclusive features, Lumia Denim update will include the Windows Phone 8.1 update features.

Windows Phone 8.1 Update:

• Cortana – The most personal digital assistant on the market will now be available in the UK and China as a Beta. India, Canada and Australia will have access to Cortana as a public Alpha. For US residents, Cortana now includes an improved natural language, car kit integration via Bluetooth for contacts, snooze reminders and calendar improvements.
• Live folders – If you prefer to keep your apps or games organised, you can now put them into folders. Simply press, hold and drag an app over another to create a new folder on the Start screen. Each folder can be renamed by tapping on the text field above the open folder.
• Apps Corner – Create a customised Start screen, where only specific apps or games are accessible. This could be particularly useful in the workplace if you’re issuing Windows Phones to employees.
• SMS merge and forwarding – Select individual text messages to either delete them out of a messaging thread, or to copy and past them into a new message in order to forward them.
• Snooze Times – It’s now possible to customise the snooze time within the Alarm app.
• Consumer VPN – Maintain privacy and security when using data while connected to public Wi-Fi hotspots or even with your home Wi-Fi.
• Mobile Web Site improvements in IE – Connect and browse even faster with improved downloading speeds on mobile websites.
• Store Live Tile (US only) – The Store Live Tile displays featured apps and games that are the most popular in the Store, or most relevant for you.

Look forward to Lumia Denim rolling out to the Lumia 930, Lumia Icon and Lumia 1520 in Q4 2014. It'll then come to the Lumia 830 in that same time frame as an over-the-air update. Additional handsets will get Lumia Denim after partner testing and approvals.

Source: WPCentral

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Forget Debian Red, the next version of WP may be called Lumia Denim

We are almost ready to get another update for our Windows Phone devices. As the IFA event is about to start in less than an hour and WPDang reports that their sources have revealed the code name for the next version of Windows Phone 8.1 specially customized by Microsoft Mobile.

The update follows Lumia Amber, Lumia Black and Lumia Cyan, and according to their sources Windows Phone 8.1 GDR 1 will be called Lumia Denim.

The update is said to be ready to announce at IFA today, and will be rolling out to the Nokia Lumia 930/1520/Lumia Icon and also the Lumia 830 very soon after.

Other, presumably less powerful handsets will have to wait till Q4 2014 for the software, who’s exact features have yet to be revealed, but will of course include the GDR1 feature such as Folders that many of us are already using.

The rumour of course competes with a recent leaked screen shot which showed the next version of Windows Phone 8.1 will be called Lumia Debian Red.  That name is however not exactly Microsoft, so we would not be surprised to see it changed to something more true blue.

Source: WPDang

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Asphalt 8 races to Dubai in the latest update

Asphalt 8 is the game which need no introduction to anyone. Asphalt 8: Airborne is Gameloft's racing gem, available on Windows Phone. The recent Dubai update made its rounds and even hit the Windows 8 version, but Windows Phone owners were left in the dark. Today, all has been rectified as the Asphalt 8 update is now available on Windows Phone too.
As well as the new tracks in Dubai, here's what else is new in version 1.5.0.10:

• Five new vehicles, including the Mercedes-Benz Biome concept car.
• New season to test driving skills with 74 high-octane events.

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More images of Lumia 830 leaked before announcement

More images of Lumia 830 Windows Phone devices got leaked today. This latest leak reveals more information about this upcoming device. The device will be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor, 1GB RAM, 10MP PureView camera, HD screen, removable back cover and more. Microsoft will officially reveal this device along with Lumia 730/735 at IFA this week.

Are you looking forward to this device?
Check the images after a break.

Source: WPDang

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Opera Mini taking signups for Windows Phone Beta

After much await, Opera is finally working on Opera Mini browser for Windows Phone OS. A page has now gone live on its site asking for people to sign up to beta test the browser.
The page states:

We know we took a long time, but our test version is now available. Download it, try it and give us your feedback. We'll listen and make improvements to give you the best browsing experience on your Windows Phone.

However, don't get too excited as we have already sent in our email and, aside from a confirmation that we are signed up to beta test the browser, we have yet to receive an actual download link. However, if it goes live we will post up an update.
The browser’s arrival may be part of improving relationships between Opera and Microsoft, with Microsoft recently making the browser the default on its Nokia X handsets.
Opera Mini is well know for being extremely fast due to pre-rendering content on a separate server and then only sending necessary data to handsets. It has more than 250 million users.

Join the beta by submitting your email address here.

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Microsoft China teases Windows 9 as 'coming soon'

Need a clearer indication that Windows 9 is set to launch soon? In a post on micro-blogging service Weibo, Microsoft China asked, "Microsoft's latest OS Windows 9 is coming soon, do you think the start menu at the left bottom will make a come back?" The post was accompanied by a Windows 9 logo, which was quickly removed, but not before Cnbeta managed to spot it.

While the post did not provide a clear launch date, Microsoft is said to be considering announcing Windows 9 at a press event on September 30th. The date for the event may change, but a preview version of the operating system is slated to be distributed to developers and enterprise users in late September or early October. As for new features in Windows 9, Microsoft has already stated that it will be bringing back a version of the Start menu button for the desktop UI, and recent rumors suggest a host of new changes to the Modern UI.

Are you looking forward to the launch of Windows 9? Let us know in the comments.

Via: WPCentral

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China gives Microsoft twenty days to respond to antitrust inquiry

China's State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC) is demanding a "written explanation within 20 days" from Microsoft over queries about Windows and Office compatibility. Earlier this month, the Chinese government launched an antitrust investigation into Microsoft centred around the bundling of Internet Explorer and Windows Media Player with the Windows operating system.

Microsoft, after being accused of not being fully transparent when it comes to disclosure of Windows and Office sales data in the country, has stated to Reuters that it was "serious about complying with China's laws and committed to addressing SAIC's questions and concerns".

Meanwhile, the Chinese government is intent on reducing its reliance on the Redmond-based software giant, and has announced a homegrown OS, which will be launched later this year. Although not confirmed by Microsoft, Satya Nadella is believed to visit the country later this month to smoothen relations with the Chinese government.

Via: WPCentral

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Microsoft teases 'Selfie Phone' with a "Selfie"

The IFA 2014 is just days ahead now and today Microsoft took Nokia Conversations to tease a new device with the tag "#morelumia". We previously looked at invitations being fired out that hinted at a special 'selfie' Windows Phone (the Lumia 730) and this morning the company shared an image, which could have potentially been taken with said Windows Phone.
Not much else is revealed about the upcoming device, but we'll cover everything on Windows Phone and bring you all the news as it happens. If reports are to be believed, we're looking at a 5MP front-facing shooter. The Lumia 730 is set to succeed the popular Lumia 720, a mid-range Windows Phone.
Would you be interested in a selfie phone from Microsoft? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Source: Nokia Conversations; Via: WPCentral

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