Windows Phone News: WP7

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Showing posts with label WP7. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WP7. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Microsoft officially launched Windows Phone in China!



Today  March 21, 2012 is the official date of Windows Phone launch in China,first step in growing the Windows Phone ecosystem by releasing the mobile OS in mainland China.
Microsoft looks to regain some ground in the smartphone war by offering a variety of hardware running the refresh of Windows Phone 7.5 "Tango" (build 8773) in one of the largest emerging markets in the world by launching numerous devices, including the HTC Triumph (aka TITAN), the Nokia Lumia 800c and offerings from ZTE (including the Orbit/Mimosa)
The press conference was held in Beijing, where in addition to showing the terminals available has been presented to the public on Microsoft's mobile operating system, adding that, more than 2,000 apps in the Chinese marketplace.

The launch seems to be going well, we must now see in the coming months as the market will welcome China's mobile operating system from Microsoft and if you have the success that the U.S. giant hopes.

More photos and coverage of the event at WPDang





Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Drive 2.0 with Nokia with completely offline GPS navigation available in the marketplace


Nokia Drive version 2.0 finally has been released and now is available for download from WP Marketplace.Nokia Drive is an app for car navigation with offline support complete without the need for a data connection with coverage of more than 100 countries on 6 continents. 

The Nokia Drive 2.0 includes the following changes:
  • Completely offline browsing
  • Notices of speed limits
  • Advanced dashboard with more details and list of recent destinations.
The app, which is exclusive to Nokia handsets can be found at the Nokia corner of WP Marketplace

NDrive - Satellite navigator coming soon to Windows Phone


NDrive could be the first satellite navigation software with maps stored in the memory to reach 100% of the smartphone market, became available for each platform.
Already available on Android, iPhone OS and Bada, NDrive is the way! On BlackBerry through a partnership with Appeal and, according to the latest press releases, coming soon on Windows Phone, here are the words of the CEO:
"We are very excited to be able to reach all of the smartphone market with our application. In addition to Android, iPhone OS and Bada, in fact, we are bringing the BlackBerry and Windows Phone software in order to strengthen our offering in markets around the world."
Therefore expect to be able to know the plans for the temporal distribution of Windows Phone version which could be arriving in Summer 2012.



Nokia Lumia 900 passes Bluetooth certification







The arrival of the Nokia Lumia 900, which will cover the high-end market for Windows phone  is expected in the coming months.As shown in the image, the Lumia Nokia 900 has passed the steps of the Bluetooth certification and this means that the release is getting closer. 


The certification shows the same standards as the Nokia Windows Phone considering that unlikeWindows terminals Phone competitors can receive via bluetooth contacts from old Nokia terminals through the Nokia exclusive application implemented in its marketplace.


Source Bluetooth.org ; Via WMPU

Monday, March 19, 2012

Nokia Lumia 900 is available for Pre-order at Rogers Canada



While we are all speculating about the Lumia 900 launch date in US, Rogers Canada is now taking pre-orders for Nokia Lumia 900.Rogers has officially set the pre-order live for the Nokia Lumia 900 LTE. It’s looking like the 3-year contract price is set at $99.99, but you’ll need to sign up for a monthly rate plan of $45 or more. 


Those who pre-order the 900 are entered for a chance to win a private screening of The Dark Knight Rises and a special edition Dark Knight Lumia 900. Five runners up will have to catch the movie in theaters but will get a special edition Lumia 900.


“Pre-order or reserve yours today and be entered for a chance to win a private screening of The Dark Knight Rises — in theatres July 20th”.  



More info about this offer at Rogers

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Official Google + application is coming soon to Windows Phone



Good news for the Google + users, finally Google will be providing Windows Phone users with official Google + application, as a PR Spokesperson from Google Germany, Stefan Keuchel, has revealed that an official Google+ app is on the way to Windows Phone.


This is indeed surprising because Google has succesfully avoided Windows Phone platform by not releasing any official application for it’s popular products like Google Maps, Google Mail,  Google Reader while developing simultaneously for multiple platforms like Symbian, iOS and of course Android. 



Via WPCentral

Friday, March 16, 2012

Nokia FAQ confirms tethering coming to Nokia Lumia 710, 800


According to an FAQ published on Nokia Connects tethering is coming to Nokia Lumia devices "soon". The FAQ was primarily about the Lumia 900 but covered Nokia's other Windows Phone 7 devices. 

Nokia Connects say that tethering will coming to the Nokia Lumia 800 and Nokia Lumia 710 via a firmware update soon, and it will be included on the Nokia Lumia 900 and Nokia Lumia 610 from launch.
Q: When will the tethering update for the Lumia devices be pushed out?
A: It will be in coming soon for 800 and 710 via Zune update, for 610 and 900 it will be available at launch.
Q: From a design standpoint, I’ve found that not using the cover can lead to scratches on the chrome element around the camera on the Lumia 800, has that been taken into account for the 900?
A: It’s the same design on the 900 as on the 800.
Q: Is the camera on the Lumia 900 better than that on the Lumia 800?
A: The Lumia 900 incorporates camera optimisation for focus and colour balance.
Q: Does the 900 have the same audio hardware as the 800 or has it been improved? I also find the speaker volume low on the 800, is it better on the 900?
A: It’s the same speaker module on the Lumia 900 as the 800 but based on feedback from the market we have improved the audio tunings.
Q: Are the improvements to the audio tunings on the Lumia 900 to do with hardware or software?
A: It’s a combination of both
Source Nokiaconnects Via AAWP

Sonic the Hedgehog: Episode II - will soon be playable on Xbox and Windows Phone (video)



Microsoft promised a few years ago three platforms with a single interface, a dream that is probably coming to completion thanks to the work being completed, the next operating system Windows 8. A benefit will not be the only PC, tablet and notebook, but also on smartphones with Windows mobile segment that will receive the long-awaited update to the so called 'Apollo'.


Among the innovations introduced by the new release will also be able to use the same games across all three platforms, with a synchronization system that will allow you to play the Xbox since the last save and resume directly to  Windows Phone . Among the first titles that will support this exciting news we have the ever-popular Sonic come to life thanks to Sega, which is making available on Android , iPhone OS and PlayStation 3.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Stephen Elop: Nokia Lumia coming to China on March 28th


Another important move for the spread of smartphones Lumia is being made ​​by Nokia.The Windows Phone the Finnish manufacturer will make their debut in the important Chinese market from next March 28 as it was confirmed by Nokia CEO Stephen Elop.
Nokia has failed to arrive first in the Chinese market with devices based on the operating system of Redmond. For several days, in fact, HTC has already started to offer Chinese users the Titan . The delay from the Finnish, however, does not seem to be excessive, given that by the end of March Lumia also try to make a breach between the Chinese public.
Not yet been announced models that will be distributed by the two national telephone operators China Telecom and China Unicom. And 'argument holds that it will be variants of the Lumia Lumia 800 and 710. Recall that in the past weeks the rumors first referred to the CDMA version of Lumia 800 .
Yet to assess the reception that the Chinese public to reserve Nokia Lumia. In China the company has managed to expand the installed base of devices Sybmian and telephone operators engaged in the marketing of Lumia will be an important tool for "ferry" the user from the previous proposal for a new platform to Nokia.
Source 21cbh , Via Engadget

Monday, March 12, 2012

Microsoft Weather updated to version 2.0 with Mango and Live Tile support



Weather is an application developed by Microsoft for Windows Phone that lets us know the weather forecast for selected cities.

The application has recently received a new update that pushes its version 2.0 where we have implemented to support Mango and  multiple  Live Tiles. Version 2.0 application implements:
  • Instant recovery
  • Ability to add a Live Tile for each city
  • Temperature and weather icons always visible in the homescreen of the different cities involved
Microsoft Weather is a free app and can be found here at WP Marketplace

Friday, March 9, 2012

Smoked by Windows Phone continues to tour the world and arrives in Singapore



Born at CES 2012, Smoked by Windows Phone is the itinerant contest that Microsoft has put in place to advertise the goodness of its mobile operating system in terms of simplicity and speed of use.
The basic idea is to perform some daily tasks and see if there is an Android smartphone or iPhone can beat time on Windows. Transformed into a real tour, Smoked by Windows Phone continues to travel around the world and has now arrived in Singapore with a real ladder with a lot of times and places for groped the company to win the $ 100 prize for Who beats the Windows Phone OS.
In Indonesia, about 700 challenges,Windows Phone has beaten 640 smartphones running on competitor mobile os, losing just 50 matches. Expect that the initiative is also collected by the team at Microsoft Italy, which smartphone you would bring you to challenge Windows Phone?

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Windows Phone “Tango" limitations and new features officially confirmed



Microsoft revealed the next update to Windows Phone 7.5, codenamed “Tango”, during MWC this year. However, the company had been particularly silent about this update, mainly due to the fact that the update is targeted at bringing the OS to lower device requirements (such as supporting Qualcomm 7x27a processors and 256 MB of RAM) rather than bringing new features.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Google Search app for Windows Phone now available in WP Marketplace


Today Google released a new version of Google app for Windows Phone devices.


App description:
"The new Google Search app for Windows Phone. Find better results using Google from your Windows Phone. Search the web faster and easier with the latest features: Google Autocomplete, My Location, and Voice Search.
Voice Search: Search by voice and skip the typing

Google Instant and Autocomplete: Get search results faster
Search Nearby: Find places near you without typing your location"
Google app is available for download from the WP Marketplace 

An icon will alert you when your applications use the location service in the Tango update


Microsoft has recently updated its page devoted to information about Windows Phone inserting a new feature that will come with the Tango update. 

A new icon will be added in the notifications bar hidden link at the top of Windows Phone, this icon will be displayed only when an application uses the location service on Windows Phone(GPS or network).

This new icon (you can see in the picture above), will be displayed only if we enabled the "position" on the settings of Windows Phone, which allows applications to precisely know our exact location.

Microsoft informed that this feature will be included with the next update of Windows Phone (Tango) , which will first pre-installed on new devices and later as an upgrade for the "old" devices.

"After the new devices are out, we'll start the process of working with mobile operators to bring an update to current customers"

Nokia preparing to release a firmware update for Nokia Lumia 710?


It seems that Nokia is about to release a firmware update for the Nokia Lumia 710 Lumia after yesterdays release of it seems the same firmware for its bigger sibling the Nokia Lumia 800.
By accessing Navifirm, in fact, there is a new version numbered 1600.3015.8107.12070 available for download in the Nokia Care Suite for some variations and it is likely that this update will be released globally. 

The firmware has more or less the same numbers as those for Nokia Lumia 800 of which we have posted yesterday , and could bring with him the same news for the Lumia 710, namely: the best performance of the battery, camera and sound.

Homebrew: Windows Phone Device Manager upgraded to version 1.10


The well know homebrew application Windows Phone Device Manager, developed by Julien Schapman just got upgraded to version 1.10,and it is available in public beta.

Windows Phone Device Manager comes in package of two separate applications, one to be installed on a PC and on your Windows Phone (TouchXperience).

This Week’s Xbox LIVE Title DODONPACHI MAXIMUM now available in WP Marketplace


Cave, the famous Japanese software house,has just released DoDonPachi Maximum for Windows Phone.The game is this week Xbox live tile and its now live in Marketplace.

GAME OVERVIEW

Dodge and destroy your way through 15 unique stages routes that branch according to your skill. Accurate touch controls guide your ship with ease. Touch the screen with two fingers to activate the all-powerful ""Laser Bomb"" and clear the screen of enemies! Unlock new ships to beat the game with! 

Blast your way to a full achievement list. This is bullet hell in the palm of your hand!

FEATURES
- New routes and unlocks based on your shooting skill
- Xbox LIVE Leaderboards
  - Go on massive scoring runs and compete against your friends
- Xbox LIVE Achievements
  - Can you unlock them all...? 
DoDonPachi Maximum has price tag of  $4.99, with a free trial version and can be found here at WP Marketplace

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Homebrew: Dynamic Background Image for Windows Phone devices



Jaxbot of Windows Phone Hacker has added another homebrew app to his portfolio.He has created app that allows Windows Phone users ability to have Bing daily image in their lock screen or any other custom slideshow. However, this app requires full root access. So you need a custom ROM to enjoy this app.



More info about this app and download link at WindowsPhoneHacker

Monday, March 5, 2012

The Nokia Lumia 900 coming in Germany during the second week of May


A few days ago, some rumors had suggested the arrival of Lumia 900 in England on April 9, reported today as the latest rumors, the elder brother of Lumia 800 should arrive in Germany in the second week of May, precisely between 7 and 13 of the same month and will be available on German operator O2.


Meanwhile, the Finnish giant has not yet decided whether or not to launch the Nokia Lumia 610 in Germany.


Via WMPU

(Homebrew) Tile World Clock: Application to display a clock on the home screen via Live Tile



Another homebrew application comes from the guys at XDA.This application allows you to insert a tile live in the homescreen with the exact time for different time zones.

The application has been developed by "Thunder_", user of the known XDA forum, to be installed must have a device that is chevron or developer unlocked 


Tile World Clock has received several updates, and thanks to the last identified with version 2.3, we will have a live clock in tile updated every minute. 


The application features are:
  • Place a Tile with the time available for each time zone.
  • The clock is updated every minute.
  • 8 different types of watches
  • Live Tile animated
The developer says that the clock can not be changed and therefore must refer to that system. You can also change the name to enter the tile and the style of the watch. 

More information and to download link ate XDA developers.