Rajeev Suri named as a new Nokia CEO

Nokia has announced that Rajeev Suri will become its new President and CEO on May 1. The 46-year-old executive, a 20-year Nokia veteran, moves up to the top job from his previous role leading Nokia Solutions & Networks, formerly Nokia Siemens. In a video message Suri says "the opportunities in front of us are as great as I have ever seen."

"The coming changes in technology will be as profound as the creation of the Internet," the new CEO adds, "we are rapidly approaching a world where everybody and everything will be connected." With the recent completion of Microsoft's acquisition of Nokia's handset business, Nokia will focus on three "strong business" areas — its HERE mapping software, Networks and Technologies.

A post on Nokia's official blog lays out the company's broader strategy. Its Networks business will focus on investing in new and innovative products and services for network operators, it says. Future efforts for HERE will focus on location tech for smart cars, "cloud-based services for personal mobility," including wearables and "special purpose devices," and location-based analytics for businesses. Finally, the Technologies business will continue to license Nokia's patent portfolio, while exploring new technologies "for use in potential future products and services."

Meanwhile the Nokia brand will continue to be used on Lumia smartphones created by the Microsoft-owned Nokia Devices and Services unit "for some time," according to recent tweets by @Nokia.

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Nokia Connects promise bloggers to make 2014 “a year to remember”

Nokia Connects, Nokia’s PR arm, has been sending out handwritten and personalized postcards to bloggers today thanking them for their support through the years, and promising even more.

Our most recent outing with Nokia Connect was in Abu Dhabi at Nokia World 2013, and after missing my return flight I can certainly attest that they not only have a world-class PR team, but are great and extremely helpful people individually also.

 

Thankfully the same team and their web properties are transferring to Microsoft Mobile, so we, like them, are looking forward to a great 2014 for Nokia phones together.

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Voice Clock updated with Spanish and Italian languages support and Windows 8 ready!

Windows Phone gadget can be used part of the interior design and act as a digital clock.
This clock prints out time differently every minute the way people do. It is either ‘Two past midnight’, or ‘Two minutes past twelve’, or ‘Twelve two’.
Features:

• Eight languages supported (English, Spanish, Italian, Russian, French, German, Dutch and Swedish).
• Three types of clock view (textual, digital and analog).
• Tapping screen causes the clock to voice the current time (Internet connection required).
• Voice intervals and text color are adjustable.
• Screen gestures allow switching current language and colors quickly.
• Automatically voice time on selected interval (15 minutes, half an hour, every hour).
• Alarm clock can be set to the particular time and it will wake up even if application is not running.
• In digital mode, the clock uses huge font size for better vision.

Voice Clock can help you learn to spell numerals and tell time in foreign languages.

Download it here from Windows Phone Store.

Download it here from Windows Store.

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Podcast Lounge updated with transparent Live Tiles, more

Podcast Lounge is one of the best Podcast apps on Windows phone,  largely due to the continuing development by the developer.

The app has just had another update , to version 2.1.1, which is mainly a Service Release designed to fix bugs.

For Windows Phone 8.1 users however the update holds one sweet surprise – the Live Tiles for the app, which may need to be re-pinned, are now transparent, which should help them fit in a bit better.

The update addresses:

• Fixed exception bug where the status line being empty caused a null reference exception (EpisodeStatusPanelStr)
• Added some additional helper text within the playlist editor interface to confirm that the limit routine is “and” not “or”
• IsoStorageSpace check was returning Kb instead of Mb
• Centralised the IsoSettings function so we can trap exceptions due to out-of-memory errors
• Addressed bug where advanced player controls wouldn’t appear if the image hadn’t loaded
• Fixed bug wtih EpisodeDetails indexoutofrange bug
• Fixed issue with minutes sometimes being presented as >60 in episodes view (Windows Weekly)
• Added function to present today/yesterday text in place of dates
• Added updated flurry analytics module
• Video player slide gesture still enabled in landscape mode
• Added IconicTiles with transparency for WP8 and WP8.1 for downloads, playlists and main programme tile + store icons (test)
• Added download counter to tile
• Adressed 8.1 exception (Coding4Fun Popup exception)
• The cut-over code dealing with duplicate titles now considers tokens, not just downloads

The app otherwise supports scrubbing audio and video podcasts, remembers your playback position, is fully integrated with the music and video hub and backs up to OneDrive.

Podcast lounge can be found in the Windows Phone Store here.

via: wmpoweruser

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Changing of the guard: Nokia sign comes down, Microsoft's goes up

Today is the day Microsoft’s deal with Nokia for the sale of the handset division closes.

Tomorrow, Microsoft and Nokia will shake hands and formally head in separate direction; Nokia will walk away with a plump wallet and Microsoft will walk away with 32,000 employees and become the largest vendor of Windows Phones in the world. Wanting to waste no time in making the transition official, Nokia is currently in the process of having it's branding removed and it will be replaced by Microsoft.

Harri Kiljander, Director of F-Secure Loki, has captures these amazing pictures of the change being physically manifested, with the Nokia sign being removed from what looks to be Nokia House in Finland, and being replaced by Microsoft’s sign. Of course Nokia’s banner saying “on the move” only makes the picture more iconic. You can see the truck ready to remove the Nokia logo in the image above, and the "ft" of the Microsoft logo in the image. This transition has been in the works for a long time, so both companies had plenty of time to prepare for this moment but not many expected the sign changing to happen so quickly seeing as it's not always easy to pull down these massive signs.

But with Microsoft, who has cash to spare and the ability to move quickly, the changing of the guard for them is likely a highly symbolic gesture to put this massive acquisition behind them. We expect Microsoft will likely trumpet the completion of the acquisition tomorrow with some sort of celebration, or at minimum, an official announcement from both companies that the process is done.

Via: wmpoweruser

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Tutorial: Install unlimited cracked apps on Windows Phone 8.1

If you are currently using Windows Phone 8.1 then we have some super news for you. WPHub blogged a method through which the users with Windows Phone 8.1 can install unlimited patched apps on their devices. Normal limitations are 2 Xap for SDK unlock and chinese tool givies you 10 Xap, But now you can deploy N number of app and games on your dev unlocked device without any limitation. (Obviously you need space to deploy them). Before heading to the steps make sure you have a device with SD Card support and Windows Phone 8.1 Dev Preview installed. Of Course, you will need a developer unlocked device. You can see the steps to unlock your device Here.
After unlocking follow these steps to install unlimited cracked files on your device.

1. Install any cracked apps
2. Now move all cracked apps to SD card using Storage Sense.
3. Remove and Re Insert SD card and Restart Phone.
4. All the Dev apps should be moved to card now.
5. Again, install more cracked apps.
6. Move all cracked apps to SD Card.
7. Remove and Re Insert SD Card and Restart Phone.
8. Repeat the process for all your apps.

So, this was the process to install unlimited cracked apps on your device. You can download cracked files from WPHub. Do note that, WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE DONE IN YOUR DEVICE. DOING THIS MAY VOID YOUR WARRANTY. DO IT AT YOUR OWN RISK.

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Microsoft Releases Remote Desktop Preview App For Windows Phone 8.1 Devices

Microsoft today released a preview version of Remote Desktop app for Windows Phone 8.1 devices. With the Microsoft Remote Desktop app, you can connect to a remote PC and get your work done wherever you are.

Features:

- Rich multi-touch experience with remote desktop protocol (RDP) and RemoteFX supporting Windows gestures
- Secure connection to your data and applications with breakthrough Network Level Authentication (NLA) technology
- Simple management of all remote connections from the connection center
- High quality video and sound streaming with improved compression and bandwidth usage.

Download it here from Windows Phone Store for free.

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Tutorial: How to Downgrade to WP8 from WP8.1 Dev Preview

After exact a week of release of Windows Phone 8.1, many users are complaining about bugs and problems they faced in the Dev Preview. I think it is obvious to face those because the OS is still in Beta. Many of our readers are interested in downgrading from Windows Phone 8.1 Dev Preview to the older Windows Phone 8. We have a quick tutorial for downgrading to Windows Phone 8. Before heading to the tutorial, here are some additional information for it. Be sure to read it carefully. It will only work with Nokia Lumia devices. Owners of other maufacturers must alter their device third-party applications. WE WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE OR DATA LOSS. PERFORM IT AT YOUR OWN RISK.

To revert to the Windows Phone 8.1 to Windows Phone 8.0 on the Nokia Lumia, you should do the following:

• Download the app for Retail NSU from Here
• Connect your phone with an unlocked screen NSU running on your PC.
• Wait check firmware.
• Wait until the download is complete, it can last a long time.
• Wait for the installation.
• Finish.

So this was the quick tutorial on how to downgrade back to Windows Phone 8. For any help you can either comment below or follow me on Twitter (@anmol_112).

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Nokia's handset division to be renamed as Microsoft Mobile Oy

With the closure of $7.2 Billion deal Microsoft/Nokia deal nearing, Microsoft has been sending out communications to both customers and suppliers. In an leaked email to suppliers Microsoft revealed that on the purchase of Nokia’s handset division the division will become a Finland-based wholly-owned subsidiary of Microsoft called Microsoft Mobile Oy. (Oy in Finland is the same as Ltd.)

Microsoft still expects the deal to close before the end of April (expected on 25th April), and are moving the official address of the business from Nokia HQ on Keilalahdentie in Espoo around 1 km to 7 Keilaranta in Espoo.

Microsoft confirmed to suppliers that current terms and conditions that they have with Nokia’s Devices and Services business will not change and that business should continue as usual.

See the letter after the break.

Dear Supplier,

On September 3, 2013, Nokia Corporation announced its intention to sell substantially all of its Devices and Services Business to Microsoft Corporation. We anticipate the transaction to close during April 2014.

Under the terms of the sale, Microsoft will assume all rights, benefits and obligations of the Nokia Devices and Services business, including Nokia’s agreements with suppliers, customers and partners which pertain to the Devices and Services business. Therefore, the purpose of this letter is to update you that the current terms and conditions that you have with the Devices and Services business will not change.

Please note that upon the close of the transaction between Microsoft and Nokia, the name of Nokia Corporation/Nokia Oyj will change to Microsoft Mobile Oy. Microsoft Mobile Oy is the legal entity name that should be used for VAT IDs and for the issuance of invoices.

NEW BUSINESS INVOICE DETAILS:

New name and registered address replacing Nokia Oyj/Nokia Corporation is:

Microsoft Mobile Oy

Keilaranta 7

02150 ESPOO

Finland

New Bank Accounts: Please note that Microsoft Mobile Oy is going to have new bank accounts, for further information please contact us via AP Portal:https://ap.nokia.com/APPortalExt/Login.aspx (registration required).

There is NO change in the invoice sending method, please continue to send the invoices via electronic channels as before.

For further information on changes (legal address/send to address) after the close of the transaction between Microsoft and the Nokia Devices and Services business, please check our Invoice Address Search tool (IAS):https://ap.nokia.com/APPortalExt/AddressSearch.aspx (No registration required), or contact us via AP Portal:https://ap.nokia.com/APPortalExt/Login.aspx (Registration required).

Please note that the only changes in the Purchase Order (PO) layout after the close of the transaction will be to remove the Nokia Logo and change the legal address, whereas the PO numbering format and sequence will not change.

Continuation of business with Nokia

In addition to becoming a supplier for Microsoft Mobile Oy, we appreciate that you might also remain a supplier to the continuing businesses of Nokia (i.e., NSN, HERE or Advanced Technologies) after the close of the transaction between Microsoft and Nokia Devices and Services. Nokia will communicate separately any changes in invoicing methods and addresses before the close of this transaction.

Best regards,

Nokia Devices and Services Financial Services Purchase to Pay Team 

Source: NPU

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Microsoft will supposedly update Windows Phone 8.1 Preview

Some Windows Phone users who are trying to install the Windows Phone 8.1 Developer preview are running into error 80188309, which complains:

The update was downloaded but couldn’t be opened.

Microsoft has acknowledged the issue on their support forums and have promised to push out a fix, but did not say when this would happen, with a moderator on their support forums saying:

Hello Everyone,
Here is the Friday update on how things are moving forward. Without further delay, here is the news for today:

• A little clarification on the update notification. The notification has stopped for all devices that have not yet taken the first update, however those that have taken the first update and are waiting for the second update to the current 8.1 build will continue to occur. At this point, I would recommend ignoring the update notification and wait for further updates from us.
• The update itself is not going to be available today, or likely early next week. We will continue to work on getting you this update but it will not be as fast as you would like. I know a lot of you would like a better timeline on when it will be available, and at this time I cannot commit to a date. I will however, commit to updating you next Thursday April 24th, 2014 with any additional news. If I have any news or details before then, I will of course update you at that time.

We appreciate you being eager to participate in the Windows Phone Developer Preview Program, and look forward to getting it to you as soon as possible.

[Update:  This is for all devices experiencing the 80188309, not just the Huawei devices.]

Thank you,
Eli A.

Has anyone of you facing this?

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Tutorial: How to project your Windows Phone 8.1 screen to your PC

Earlier Microsoft officially announced that Project My Screen will not be initially available in Windows Phone 8.1 Dev Preview. Microsoft addressed that Project my screen requires a special software component. The component is now available on Microsoft Servers for download. You can download the installer right here.
The program seems easy to use. Simply make sure you have all your drivers sorted, install the program on your computer, and run it while your Windows Phone 8.1 device is plugged in.
We have been playing with it for a while and below is the quick tutorial on how to set it up. Head below for the quick tutorial on it.

• After downloading and installing, Start the Project My Screen app on your PC, click <ESC> to leave the default fullscreen mode.
• Connect your Windows Phone 8.1 device to your PC using a data-transfer quality USB cable.
• A prompt should appear asking you whether or not you want to share your screen.

That's it. But if in Preview version you can't get it to work, hit below on the steps to remove the old drivers and retry the steps. To get rid of them, head over to your machine’s device manager (my preferred way of getting there on Windows 8.1 is to secondary-mouse-click on the Start button and select ‘Device Manager’ from the pop-up menu).

Once in the Windows Device Manager, you’ll want to remove + uninstall the drivers related to your device. When removing these drivers, it’s important that you get them all – not only the actual device itself, but the related USB device drivers.

To do this, do the following steps, keeping the device plugged in:

• Right-click on each driver you want to delete and select ‘uninstall’
• A dialog will pop up asking you to confirm uninstallation. If you also have the option to delete/remove the drivers, select that
• Once they’ve all been uninstalled, unplug and replug in your phone back in and Windows should take care of the driver magic
• You should also now get the screen projection prompt.

Enjoy showing your beautiful screen.

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Finnish goalkeeper Lassi Hurskainen teams up with Nokia for some impressive trick shots

Are you prepared to see something fairly awesome? This latest advertisement from Nokia sees the company team up with Finnish goalkeeper Lassi Hurskainen. The end result is a spectacular montage of some trick shots knocking smartphones out the hands of their owners. These unlucky targets are subsequently reimbursed with a shiny new Lumia 630.

It's certainly a unique way to switch consumers from competitor platforms to Windows Phone. Enjoy the footage.

Source: Youtube, Via: WPCentral

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Nokia stops sales of Lumia 2520 tablet over electric shock fears

Nokia issued an advisory for customers in the US and parts of Europe warning them of electric shock from a battery charger meant for its Lumia tablet 2520 due to a defect by its vendor.

During an internal quality control process, Nokia identified a potential product quality issue that may lead to a safety concern with certain AC-300 chargers, manufactured by a third-party supplier.

"Under certain conditions, the plastic cover of the charger's exchangeable plug could come loose and separate. If loose and separated, certain internal components pose a hazard of an electric shock if touched while the plug remains in a live socket," Nokia said in a statement.

Lumia 2520 is the first tablet from stable of Nokia which was unveiled in October for $499 before taxes. It is not yet launched in India.

AC-300 chargers are exclusively used with Nokia's Window based Lumia 2520 tablet.

Nokia issued advisory for customers in Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Russia, Switzerland and UK , strongly advising them to suspend use of the charger until further notice.

The company also warned consumers to suspend use of Lumia 2520 travel charger accessory purchased in Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Russia, Switzerland, UK and the US.

"In total, approximately 30,000 chargers are impacted by this advisory. This includes approximately 600 travel charger accessories sold in the US," the statement said.

The company has temoprarily delayed sales of the Lumia 2520 tablet and the travel charger accessories, including the AC-300 chargers in Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Russia, Switzerland and UK. It has suspended sales of the travel charger accessory in US.

"While there have been no confirmed consumer incidents related to this potential quality issue, product quality and safety are top priorities at Nokia. We apologise to the owners of the Lumia 2520, and we are working with urgency to minimise the inconvenience," Nokia's Executive Vice President for Smart Devices Jo Harlow said.

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First File Manager for WP8.1 heads to the Store

Bonga Software has released the first File Manager for Windows Phone 8.1.
The app allows users to browse the shared libraries on Windows Phone, including the pictures and music folders.
The app is not unfortunately very good or useful yet, but does allow users to create folders, and copy, delete or rename files.
Give it a try by downloading it from free from the Windows Phone Store here.

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Video: Cortana vs Google Now vs Siri

As the Dev Preview of Windows Phone 8.1 is here, everyone are asking a common question, Can Cortana beat Siri and Google Now in One-on-One battle? We have a video from Daniel Rubino from WPCentral showing the battle between Microsoft‘s new digital personal assistent Cortana and Apple’s Siri and Android’s Google Now. Head below and see who wins the battle.

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Subway Surfers receives another monthly Update

One of the most popular endless runner, Subway Surfers got another update and heads to ancient city of Rome for another 4 weeks of fun. Players can now run through the subways of Rome, and access a new local racer, Roberto. There are also weekly egg hunts with unique rewards, plus a new unlockable costume for Zoe and a new Kick-off board to earn. To top things off, there’s a fresh series of Spray Can Awards for rising to particularly tricky challenges.
Subway Surfers has had a wide range of new locales added to their roster recently, with new racers to go along with each release, and it’s great to get one more. For those that aren’t familiar, Subway Surfers has players running from the law as some troublesome kid. Swipe left, right, up and down to avoid obstacles and collect coins along the way, but things get pretty tricky the longer you go.
Unfortunately, no 512 MB support again. I just checked it on my Lumia 520. For users with 1 GB RAM, head to the Windows Phone Store and give it a try. See you in Rome. ;)

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Skype and FB Pages Manager receive updates for Windows Phone

This week is going busy for Windows Phone users as Microsoft released Windows Phone 8.1 Dev Preview. The developers are busy updating their apps to suit the new OS which will be released around June for all the Windows Phone 8 devices. Today we are looking forward at Skype and FB Pages Manager for Windows Phone. Head below for the change log along with the download links.

Skype:

Skype has received some love since the Windows Phone 8.1 Preview for Developers was released. Microsoft unveiled some handy new features to come and today we noticed an update available for the Windows Phone client. Unfortunately, it's not a major release and we're looking at only general improvements and bug fixing, but it's a bump in versions nonetheless.

The store listing now shows version 2.16.0.274 and it is just a minor update.

You can download Skype from the Windows Phone Store.

FB Pages Manager:

FB Pages Manager one of the fully featured Facebook Pages Manager app on Windows Phone that you can use to manage all your Facebook pages. The app has been bumped to v1.8 with some major redesign and new features. Head below for the official change log of the app.

New in this version:

• Ability to save pictures to your phone 
• Share your page
• Mark messages/notifications as read 
• Improved notifications experience
• New design
• Danish, Hindi, Dutch, Russian, Slovak and Thai support
• Comment images
• Performance boost
• New App branding (tiles, splashscreen) 
• New Core components
• Bunch of minor bugs fixed
• Notifications now are cleared correctly
• No more duplicate notifications
• Performance and crash bugs fixed

You can get it from the Windows Phone Store Here

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Smart Contact Lens by Google With Built-In Micro Camera

 Earlier this year Google unveiled one of its latest moonshots, an Internet-connected contact lens designed to track glucose levels for people suffering from diabetes. It looks like the search giant may have grander plans for its smart contact lens though, based on a new patent revealing plans to include a built-in micro camera in its design.

The news comes via a Patent Bolt report that details Google’s plans for the smart contact lens. Not only would each lens be able to track the world around you, but you’d actually be able to control each camera through a system of “unique blinking patterns.” That may sound completely insane, but considering some of the other stuff Google is working on it may not be too far out of reach.

Google notes than an extremely thin camera could be included without adding to the thickness of the lens, keeping it in line with traditional contacts. The camera would automatically follow the wearer’s line of sight without obstructing his or her view. The smart contact lens could even analyze and detect faces, objects, patterns and colors.

 The device could also be extremely helpful for blind people. For example, the built-in camera could track when it’s safe to cross the street and then relay that information to a connected Android smartphone that would read the message out-loud.

For the most part Google’s smart contacts can do the same thing as Google Glass, though we’re still not seeing some of the more futuristic features like facial recognition just yet. The main advantage would be to replace the highly visible Google Glass design with a nearly invisible contact lens. The switch may prove difficult for anyone not used to wearing contacts, but for people who already do it could be an easy upgrade.

Source Patent Bolt

via- Technobuffalo

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Tutorial: How to enable Cortana outside US

I am pretty sure that almost all of you have updated your device on WP8.1 Dev Preview. The new OS brings plenty of new features including the personal digital assistance called 'Cortana'. Unfortunately, Cortana will only be available in US for now. If you are living outside US then you can't get Cortana. But how does one manage to interact with Cortana when it's only available within the US, at least for the time being? After a few simple steps to alter your region and language settings, it's possible to get Cortana working outside the states. Read on past the break for all the details.

1. Change region to US:                                                                                                To change region, Head to Settinngs>Region and  ensure "country/region" is set to the United States and "regional format" matches phone language (This will require Reboot).
2. Change Language to English(United States):                           To achieve this, head into Settings > Language and add the language as a new entry on the list by hitting the add button. Ensure English (United States) is active prior to continuing. The phone may require a reboot.

Everything should be set up and ready to go. If you cannot see Cortana listed as an app on the app list, give the phone a final reboot. You should then be able to load up the Cortana app, which will run you through the initial setup wizard. However, if you alter the region and/or language settings from here on out, you will loose Cortana.

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A No. of Device Codenames leaked

This week is going to be very busy on Windows Phone as we start the day with plenty of codenames from popular leaker @evleaks. A total of 8 codenames were leaked by him. In addition, WPCentral tossed in a few Microsoft codenames to make it all even more interesting. You can find the list below.

Nokia Codenames:

• Ara
• Leo
• Moonraker
• Onyx
• Peridot
• Superman
• Tesla
• Vantage

WPCentral also managed to obtain some more codenames that you can expect to see in the coming months from Microsoft. Some are accessories, but most are unknown at this stage. Check that list too below.

June 5th

• Microsoft Hughes
• Microsoft Adcock
• Microsoft Capers

July 22

• Microsoft Galway
• Microsoft Dublin

We're also still waiting to see what comes of 'Goldfinger', though out last info on that phone was not until Q1 2015. What are you wanting to see come out of Nokia and Microsoft post-acquisition?

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Preview for Developers: All your questions answered

Last week Microsoft announced the highly anticipated Windows Phone 8.1 in San Francisco. Microsoft also announced that the Preview for Developers Program will go live for 8.1 "sometime in April" (Maybe on 14th April). That program will allow you to install the 8.1 update early on any Windows Phone 8 device. Every. Single. One. We got a handful of questions regarding 'Preview for Developers' program like What is this program? How can you prepare for it before it arrives? If you have these type of questions in your mind then head past below for all the FAQ.

What is 'Preview for Developers' program?

Back in June last year, Microsoft launched a program for Developers and Windows Phone enthusiast. It was released during the Windows Phone 8.0 announcement and many people here on this site were tantalized by the prospect of getting updates earlier and faster than carriers.

As the name suggests, this program is available for Developers so that they can get early access to the new update for their apps but anyone with a Windows Phone 8 device can participate in it.

What will be the fee of this program?

Here, we have a great news for you. This program will cost you extremely low (Better move to $0). Anyone can access this program without paying even a single penny.

Will it run on my ...?

Yes, it will run on any device from Lumia 520 to Lumia 1520 and of course from other manufacturers too like Samsung and HTC.  You can use Preview for developers on all of the WP8 devices and get all the same features, even Cortana. Cortana is only available in the US? Change your region or just use the default Bing search like now.

Will this void Warranty of my device?

It depends. It’s actually up to your carrier or the manufacturer who made your phone. To be honest, we don’t have much to go on here because we have had no reports come in to serve as a test case. As far as we know, no one’s phone has been damaged enough to warrant this action. Even still, you do have the Microsoft support forums should any problems arise. Likewise, Nokia is pretty darn good for service.

Keep in mind, once the “official” update goes out, your phone will look the same as someone who just waited for the update, meaning it will be impossible to tell it from any off-the-shelf phone with 8.1 installed. All phones are equal, post official update.

Will this erase data from my device?

No, this will not erase anything from your device. It will work just like a normal OTA update and will only refresh the OS. Your apps, games, contacts, photos and even settings should remain the same. This will not wipe your phone.

What will happen when WP8.1 officially rolls out?

Basically, nothing. Nothing in the good sense. Your phone will get the same update, but unless the OS is different, the only thing that will be updated is your firmware. After the update, you’ll be on the same page as everyone else.

When will we get WP8.1 Developers Preview?

Microsoft has not announced a specific date, just a timeframe of April. All we can say: pay attention to our site as we’ll be the first to tell you when it is live.

Once it’s live, you head into your device Settings > Phone Update > Check for updates. The OS update will begin downloading immediately, and the program will walk you through the process (note: it’s the same process as every other Windows Phone over-the-air update).

You’ll want to have a battery with at least 50% charge and have access to Wi-Fi, as OS updates can be large – too large for some carriers. Also, you should have at least 1 GB of storage space available, as that update has to be downloaded and unpacked somewhere!

How to signup for the program?

So after learning everything about the update, you all may have a question, how to signup for early access of WP8.1? Here goes the answer in brief steps.

If you are a developer then skip these steps and just download the app(link below). For normal users follow the steps.

1. Sign sign up for Microsoft’s App Studio: appstudio.windowsphone.com (Cost $0).
2. Now Download Preview for Developers app here in the Windows Phone Store.
3. Run the app
4. Sign in with the same Microsoft ID you registered with App Studio 
5. Check the box that says ‘Enable Preview for Developers’. (Likewise, you can always uncheck that box and unregister that device).

Hope this quick guide helps. Prepare now so you’ll be ready whenever Microsoft throws the switch!

If you have any more queries then comment them below. We will answer them too.

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Nokia 'Monarch' could turn out to be the Lumia 635 for T-Mobile

The rumored Nokia 'Monarch' smartphone is back in the news, with serial leaker @evleaks back with more apparent details on the unannounced device. Previously the same source had claimed that the Monarch was bound for T-Mobile in the U.S., and today's message indicates that we're not looking at a flagship class phone.

So, if all this pans out to be correct we're looking at another lower cost Lumia headed the way of T-Mobile. That's not a bad thing, not at all, as the Lumia 521 proved. But we're sure there's more than a few of you out there itching for another high-end device with a Magenta flavor. At least with the 635 we'd be getting 4G LTE in a lower cost package.

It's all still rumor until either T-Mobile or Nokia makes it official, but given the track record of the source it's not at all inconceivable that it's true.

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Reddit AMA talks about Windows Phone 8.2, teases Windows Phone 9

Microsoft is done wrapping up the development of the Windows Phone 8.1 update and according to a Microsoft employee it has already commenced work on the next major update. The Microsoft employee shared insights on Reddit website about the possible improvements and features in the next major Windows Phone update. The Microsoft Employee deleted his Reddit account but WMPUser managed to pick up the snippets of his posts.
As per the details shared, Microsoft will ramp up the Windows Phone update cycle where in interim updates will arrive every six to eight months while a major update will arrive in a year or two. The next update from Microsoft might be titled as Windows Phone 8.2 or Windows Phone 9.
The update reportedly will bring the Do Not Disturb mode to its SMS feature. However, the user can assign and share a password only for the contacts in inner circle. With that password typed in the text, the contacts in the inner circle can send messages that will bypass the Do Not Disturb mode. Also, Microsoft will let users choose a third-party SMS app in the next update.
Microsoft will yet again compete with Google on the search front because an "interesting plan" is in pipeline. Other features expected in future update include support for video services for calling apart from Skype. Facebook will release better and more native mobile application for Windows Phone platform and the existing placement of Facebook from Messaging Hub will be removed.
One of the most anticipated feature in the Windows Phone platform - File Manager might make an appearance in the next major update. Also, simple region change would enable any user to enjoy Microsoft's new personal digital assistant - Cortana.
While Windows Phone 8.1 update is expected to roll out in coming month or two, the next update can be only expected by year end.

Source: WMPowerUser, Via: TheMobileindian

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Nokia signals impending closure of Chennai plant with Voluntary Retirement Scheme offer to workers

Nokia is still caught up in a tax dispute in India, but the company has begun offering a voluntary retirement package to workers at a factory which was seized by a local tax office last year. The plant at Chennai has around 6,600 full-time employees, all of which are eligible for the retirement package. Nokia had originally planned to transfer the plant to Microsoft as part of the deal going ahead, but the situation has been complicated by Indian officials challenging Nokia.
In an article in the the HinduBusinessLine Nokia has announced a Voluntary Retirement Scheme for its workers which, according to Nokia, will allow them to leave and find alternate employment on a firm financial footing.

They write:

Nokia India recently indicated that manpower reduction would be likely at the plant due to uncertainty over continuing operations. The Income Tax Department had frozen the company’s assets last year over a tax dispute. The issue needs to be resolved soon to enable Nokia to transfer the same assets to Microsoft as part of a $7.4-billion global deal. Nokia said it regularly reviews its manufacturing strategy to optimise and ensure the smooth and timely delivery of its products. This process considers many factors, including the predictability and stability of the regulatory environment in host countries. “Following such a review, we launched a VRS. Nokia is offering a clear financial option for interested factory employees. We feel this package offers staff the chance to seek new opportunities outside the company based on a firm financial footing,” the company said.

The Trade Union at the facility are apposing the news, but of course if Indian tax authorities make the location non-viable there is not much anyone can do.

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Windows Phone 8.1 Update Coming Early Next Week

While everyone of us are eagerly waiting for Windows Phone 8.1 update, Joe Belfiore today confirmed the timing of the release. Windows Phone 8.1 developer preview is not coming this week and he has provided us hint that it is coming early next week.

Yowza, you're going nuts 4 #WP8.1 dev preview. Everyone relax thru weekend, check in early next week. Enjoy Win8.1 update, write apps!
— joebelfiore (@joebelfiore) April 10, 2014

Source: @joebelfiore
Via:- MNB

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Nokia Lumia 930 vs Nokia Lumia 920 (Features Comparision)

With many Nokia Lumia 920 two year contracts running out around the same time as the Nokia Lumia 930 becomes available, I suspect many if our 920-owning readers will be upgrading to that handset.
Below find a comparison of the specs of the two devices, which reveals that the new handset is thinner, lighter, and only slightly wider, and somewhat taller.
Two years is of course an eternity in technology times, and the 930 offers a much denser 1080P screen and super-fast quadcore processor which puts the 920 to shame.
See the full specs comparison after the break.
 

	Nokia Lumia 930	Nokia Lumia 920
Size	137x71x9.8 mm	130x70x10.7
Weight	167g	185g
Screen size	5 inch	4.5 inch
Screen Res	1080P	720P
Screen glass	Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3	Corning® Gorilla® Glass
PPI	441	332
Glance Screen	No	Yes
Processor	Quad-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon™ 800 at 2.2 ghz	Dual-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon™ S4 at 1.5 ghz
RAM	2 GB	1 GB
Storage	32GB	32GB
microSD	No	No
Battery	2420 mAh, fixed	2000 mAh
Battery Life	18 days standby, 9 h WIFI browsing	19 days, 9 h WIFI browsing
Wireless charging	Yes, Qi	Yes, Qi
Camera – Rear	20 megapixel with OIS, f2/4	8.7 megapixel with OIS
Camera –Front	1.2 megapixel wide-angle, f/2.4	1.2 megapixel wide-angle, f/2.4
Flash	Dual LED	Dual LED
Miracast	Yes	No
Audio	4 Rich Recording Microphones with Dolby® Digital Plus	3 Rich Recording Microphones
Colours	Green, Orange, White and Black	Yellow, Red, White, Grey, Black

Will our 920-owning readers be upgrading? Sound off below.

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Official Flipkart app lands on Windows Phone

It always feel special when official apps release on Windows Phone. This time its India's biggest e-commerce website who launched their official app on Windows Phone Store. As promised by Flipkart, today the official app is now live on the Windows Phone store.
The app features a very nice user interface and easy navigation through different departments to find products. You can search for products, categories, or brands and quickly narrow down search results using Sort and Filter functions.
Once you choose the product you like, you can view product images up close with the zoom feature and read reviews that other users have written about the particular product. You can pay by Cash on Delivery, credit or debit cards, netbanking and Flipkart Wallet or Flipkart gift vouchers. Once you’ve placed the order, you can track its status from within the app.

Download the Flipkart app for free for Windows Phone 8 devices from the Windows Phone Store.

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Backward and Forward Gestures in IE11 on WP8.1

The new IE11 browser in Windows Phone 8.1 has inherited some nice features from the desktop app.

Like the desktop browser you can now use gestures to move to the next and previous page.

Hopefully the browser will also support Flip Ahead, which allows readers to use the forward gesture to move to the next article, even if that page has not been loaded yet.  Readers using a touch-screened enabled PC and IE11 can try Flip Ahead on WMPoweruser.com, where we have implemented it some time ago.

wmpoweruser.com 

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When and where to watch BUILD 2014

We are now getting closer to the Build 2014 where Microsoft will announce Windows Phone 8.1. If you want to keep an eye on the action directly, Microsoft will be live streaming the event on Channel 9 here.
It is starting in San Francisco – 8:30 AM (PDT), April 2, 2014, and of course at different times all around the world.
See the time in your time zone after the break.

• United States of America

1. Alaska – 7:30 AM (AKDT) | April 2, 2014
2. Hawaii – 5:30 AM (HST) | April 2, 2014
3. Central America – 10:30 AM (CDT) | April 2, 2014
4. Mountain Time – 9:30 AM (MDT) | April 2, 2014
5. Eastern Time – 11:30 AM (EDT) | April 2, 2014

• Brazil

1. Amazon Time – 11:30 AM (AMT) | April 2, 2014
   
2. Brasilia Time – 12:30 AM (BRT) | April 2, 2014
   
3. Fernando de Noronha – 1:30 PM (FNT) | April 2, 2014
   

• British Isles (United Kingdom, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, The Channel Islands)
  4:30 PM (GMT) | April 2, 2014
  
• Europe
  5:30 PM (CEST) | April 2, 2014
  
• South Africa
  5:30 PM (SAST) | April 2, 2014
  
• Russia
  

1. Kaliningrad – 6:30 PM (FET) | April 2, 2014
   
2. Moscow – 7:30 PM (MSK) | April 2, 2014
   
3. Yekaterinburg – 9:30 PM (YEKT) | April 2, 2014
   
4. Omsk – 10:30 PM (OMST) | April 2, 2014
   
5. Krasnoyarsk – 11:30 PM (KRAT) | April 2, 2014
   
6. Irkutsk – 12:20 AM (IRKT) | April 3, 2014
   
7. Yakutsk – 1:30 AM (YAKT) | April 3, 2014
   
8. Vladivostok – 2:30 AM (VLAD) | April 3, 2014
   
9. Magadan – 3:30 AM (MAGT) | April 3, 2014
   

• India
  9:00 PM (IST) | April 2, 2014
  
• Pakistan
  8:30 PM (PKT) | April 2, 2014
  
• China
  11:30 (CT) | April 2, 2014
  
• Malaysia, Singapore
  11:30 PM (MYT) | April 2, 2014
  
• Indonesia
  10:30 PM (WIT) | April 2, 2014
  
• Australia
  

1. Australian Central Time – 1:00 AM (CST) | April 3, 2014
   
2. Australian Eastern Time – 1:30 AM (EST) | April 3, 2014
   
3. Australian Western Time – 11:30 PM (WST) | April 2, 2014
   

If your time is not included visit this page and include your region.

 Via: wmpoweruser

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Good News For Xbox One Users

Microsoft has already seen some mild success with its Xbox One console since the next-gen system launched late last year. The popular streaming service Twitch recently released an app for the system, announcing official support just in time for the launch of Titanfall. Turns out, many of you enjoy streaming your gaming time with others.

According to a post over on Xbox Wire, players are enjoying an average of 5 hours per day exploring apps, playing games or watching some TV. Nearly 23 million minutes have been broadcast from Twitch on the Xbox One since March 11th. The service has seen a sudden spike in use with an additional 30 percent of all unique broadcasting from Xbox One during the launch day of the app.

"We have always considered enabling live streaming directly from consoles to be a key step in unlocking the ability for all gamers to share their experiences," commented Emmett Shear, Founder and CEO of Twitch. "Yet we never imagined the popularity would spread as fast as it has. Microsoft has really helped drive this expansion, and the great system architecture of Xbox One has allowed us to build a really great broadcasting experience with a robust feature set. We’re all very excited about working with Microsoft to continue rolling out new features on the platform."

Have you enjoyed streaming your games via Twitch on your Xbox One?

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Windows Phone smartwatch, are you serious?

Some will argue that the one device missing from the Windows Phone ecosystem is a smartwatch. There are plenty alternatives out there but nothing that lends itself to the Modern UI of the Windows family.

Windows Phone Central member taymur has started this discussion in the WPCentral Forums suggesting we may see an announcement of a smartwatch from Nokia sooner than later. His hunch is based on the upcoming press conference from Nokia and the presser’s announcement graphics. The event tagged as “More” has a rotating set of symbols for the ‘O’ in More that includes a clock face.

We still expect to see the Nokia Lumia 630 and Lumia 930 announced at the press event, but our sources say no smartwatch will be on the table for Wednesday's event. Instead, look for something more towards September after Windows Phone 8.1 gets its first update. But what does the future hold for a Windows Phone smartwatch?

 We do think a Windows Phone or Windows-based smartwatch is being researched by Microsoft and Nokia, but it's probably several months away from getting off the drawing table. The press event’s graphic could be a suggestion that Nokia is considering some app announcements, such as Fitbit or even Pebble. We know that such official apps are in the works as we speak, and Nokia may be finally revealing those come Wednesday. 

While it would be nice to see a Windows Phone smartwatch later this year, does the Windows Phone eco-system need a smartwatch to be more successful? Personally, I wouldn’t mind a companion watch that would alert me of incoming calls, pending appointments and new emails.

Gather your thoughts and head on over to this WPCentral forums discussion and share your thoughts on the possibility of a Nokia or maybe even a Microsoft smartwatch becoming available. Want to follow more 

about smartwatches and the latest gossip on this growing new area of tech? Make sure you visit our sister site dedicated to the cause: Smartwatch Fans.

via:  wpcentral.com

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