Windows Phone 8.1 screenshot leaks

Windows Phone 8.1 is said to be one of the biggest updates ever to arrive on Microsoft’s mobile platform, with a huge list of rumored features, now you are seeing what’s said to be the first and only ‘real’ Windows Phone 8.1 screenshot.

The image shows the settings for the upcoming ‘Notification Center’ in Windows Phone, a feature that is expected to mimic Android’s notification dropdown and store all your unread notifications.

You can see 4 toggles that will show in this new ‘Notification Center’ - GPS, Brightness, Wi-Fi and Flight Mode. You can also select notifications from which exact apps to appear in the new notifications hub, and you can see that there is an option to turn on and off at least email and messaging. A murky new feature inside the notifications hub is ‘banners’ that you can choose to show or not. Receiving notifications in this central hub will not disable live tile notifications. Notifications in the new version of Windows Phone will be actionable, so you could respond to them right in that 'Notification Center'.

Via
Source

Nokia's MWC conference scheduled for February 24

Nokia has pinpointed the date for its Mobile World Congress 2014 press event. You can mark your calendars for Monday, February 24 when the event will start at 8:30AM (7:30AM GMT).

Reading "Meet us under the tree," the press invite carefully keeps Nokia's cards close to its chest and doesn't reveal anything. It's possible for the company to be having a word play with "tree" standing for three smartphones.

There are rumors floating about for three new additions to the Lumia family 1520V, 1525 and 1820. 

The Lumia 1520V is rumored to be a 4.3" smartphone with a design similar to that of the Lumia 1520 (hence the name). With a 1080p resolution, 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, the Lumia 1520V is set to rival the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact and will feature a Snapdragon 800 chipset like its bigger brother, the Lumia 1520.

The mini Lumia 1520V is also said to pack a 14MP camera at the back with a 3,000mAh battery capable of wireless charging. Moreover, it's believed to debut the Windows Phone 8.1 operating system, but for now those remain unfounded rumors.

Onto the Nokia Lumia 1820, which is expected to feature the latest Snapdragon 805 chipset with 3GB of RAM and a 5.2" display of 2K resolution. The juicy configuration is going to draw power from a 3,400mAh battery. The internal storage is going to be 32GB with no microSD card to be making its way to the rumored phone just yet.

The rumor mill reckons the Lumia 1525 phablet is going to be the third phone of the family that'll make it to MWC 2014. At this point, there aren't much rumors to paint a picture for it, but it's believed to be a 6" phablet.

Lastly, there's the highly anticipated Android smartphone from Nokia codenamed Normandy. It's been leaking extensively with live photos and UI screenshots, but nobody knows if Nokia will unveil it at MWC 2014. The Mobile World Congress saw Nokia make a bang in 2012 with the 808 PureView cameraphone, so why not shock the world again in 2014 with an Android phone?

The Nokia Normandy is said to run Android 4.4.1 KitKat and pack a 854 x 540 resolution display. It's also hinted by the leaked UI screenshots to boast dual-SIM functionality.

Source

Sony Mobile to launch Windows Phones

Sony Mobile Communications has decided to launch ODM models of Windows Phone 8-based smartphones, while concentrating its R&D efforts on Android and Firefox models, according to industry sources.

Through the cooperation deal, Sony Mobile aims to sell its WP8 phone to telecom operators in the US, while Microsoft aims to tap the Japan market in order to expand the global share of WP8 phones, said the sources.

Sony Mobile and Taiwan-based ODM Compal Communications have nailed down orders for 1-2 models, with an additional 2-3 models still under discussion, noted the sources, adding that order volumes for the initial 1-2 models will reach only tens of thousands of units each.

Global sales of WP8 phones are expected to top 50 million units in 2014, accounting for 4% of total global smartphone sales in the year, the sources estimated.

Nokia will account for 90% of WP8 phone shipments in 2014, and other vendors including Sony Mobile, HTC, Samsung Electronics and Huawei will share the remaining 10%, added the sources.

Source

Microsoft's Zune Marketplace to shut down on Nov. 22

Microsoft already sent an email to owners of Zune devices in August to tell them that Microsoft Points would no longer be supported by the Zune Marketplace. Today, the company sent out yet another email, this time confirming that the remaining Zune Marketplace users won't be able to purchase or rent content from the service, or even browse movies and TV shows, as early as Nov. 22.

The email, which can also be viewed on the web, states that any previously purchased content on Zune Marketplace can still be viewed on Microsoft's Xbox Video service. Xbox Video is currently available on the Xbox 360, along with PCs that have Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1 installed. Of course, Xbox Video will also be available for the launch of the Xbox One on Nov. 22 and Microsoft will launch a web-based version on that same day. Xbox Video will also launch for Windows Phone 8 devices sometime before the end of 2013.

This latest email comes just a few days after Microsoft announced it would end Xbox Video support for Windows Phone 7 smartphones as well as the Zune PC client and all Zune devices, sometime towards the end of February 2014.

Source

Surface 2.0 specs revealed

According to the report, the Surface 2 will run Intel’s latest line of chips, a Haswell based Core i5. In addition, the RAM will receive a considerable bump, being doubled 4GB to 8GB. The battery life of the Surface Pro 2 will go from the current four to five hours to up to seven hours. Finally, while the device will look similar to the current Pro, Microsoft has ‘refined’ the kick-stand that ships with the device.

But both are predicting it won't change much from current Surface Pro pricing, meaning it could start around $799 (U.S.) if Microsoft matches the recently reduced Surface Pro price.

Surface Pro 2 is expected to come with Windows 8.1 preinstalled. Like the first-generation Surface, it will offer users the ability to run existing desktop apps, as well as new Metro-Style/Windows Store apps.

Microsoft took a 900 million dollar write-down recently, but that hasn't stopped Microsoft from dropping prices for the Surface RT and Surface Pro, along with its accessories, as of late. We learned recently that Microsoft had dropped the price of the Surface RT and Surface Pro by nearly $150. Microsoft also dropped the price of the Surface Touch Cover to $79. On top of that, Microsoft has also dropped the price of the Surface RT and black Touch Cover bundle by $50.

source via via

Windows Blue Is Now Officially Called Windows 8.1 & Free

The head of the Windows division at Microsoft officially confirmed that Windows Blue will be a free update to Windows 8 that will be available for download from the Windows Store. This should be music to the ears of many who feared that this may be a paid upgrade.

And not just that, Windows Blue is now officially known as Windows 8.1.

Tami Reller also confirmed that the update will also arrive for the company’s Windows RT platform.

There was more than a fair chance that this upgrade would indeed be free, but there were some voices that suggested Microsoft may charge additional money for existing Windows 8 customers. Nevertheless, it is nice to see this rumor quashed into oblivion.

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Microsoft confirms Windows 8.1 public preview next month

Microsoft is to release a public preview of Windows 8.1 for anyone who has Windows 8 during BUILD 2013 in June. Head of Windows Engineering at Microsoft, Julie-Larson Green confirmed this today during the Wired Business Conference.


According to previous tips and leaks, Microsoft is close to completing what's believed to be the second internal milestone build, known as the Milestone Preview, of Windows Blue. Shortly after that, Microsoft is expected to make its one-and-only Windows Blue public preview available to consumers.

Earlier this week, Microsoft officials said to expect the company to make Windows Blue available by holiday 2013. I am still continuing to hear Microsoft is on track to release to manufacturing (RTM) Windows Blue by August 2013 or so.

Larson-Green emphasized -- like her Chief Financial Officer counterpart Tami Reller -- that Microsoft plans to be "principled but not stubborn" with coming modifications to the Blue update. Neither Larson-Green nor Reller promised that Microsoft would add back the Start Button to Windows Blue, but neither of them ruled out this possibility.


"The Start Button might be helpful," Larson-Green acknowledged during her remarks at the conference, and provide users with more of a "comfort level." She did note that the team has had "meaningful discussions" about bringing back the Start Button, but users shouldn't interpret that as meaning the old Start Menu would be coming back.

She noted that the Start Button today is basically hidden. "Some would like it showing up on the screen all the time," she said.

Source: ZDNet

Microsoft Releases ‘Switch to Windows Phone’ Android App

One of the ongoing criticisms of Windows Phone 8 or specifically, the Windows Phone Store, is that it lacks apps. Aside from the gaping gap where many feel Instagram should reside, the platform is still without basic necessities like banking apps, and considering more and more mobile device owners use their gadgets to move money between accounts and whatnot, Windows Phone simply doesn’t cut the mustard for some.

Microsoft cannot pull these missing apps out of thin air, but at least, with the Switch to Windows Phone app, it can present its platform as a welcoming, accommodating, and (aside from the gaps) very capable one.

Having used Windows Phone 8 quite a bit over the past few months via the Lumia 820, I have been impressed with how it runs, the intuitive interface, and seamless customization. But as a daily runner, it’s not viable until the aforementioned issue is addressed, and as beautiful as it may be, its shortcomings make it feel like a promising work in progress at times.

But hey, those are just my opinions, and if you’re somewhat enticed by the whole Windows Phone 8 vibe, the Switch to Windows Phone app will certainly be of assistance. It provides an apps search engine which, powered by Quixey, looks to source alternatives for Windows Phone to the ones you currently use on Android. If the corresponding version of the app is available already (i.e. Facebook), then it selects that, but if not, it will instead index something similar.

The Switch to Windows Phone app is highly recommended to those users who are willing to make the jump to Windows Phone 8, otherwise you can take it for a spin, it’s free, anyways.

The App is available on the Google Play Store 

Go check it Out if you are planning to switch from Android to Windows Phone

A Prototype of Microsoft Smartwatch

A source familiar with the development of Microsoft’s Xbox has spoken with The Verge this week, noting that development of a smartwatch is indeed in the works right now. Sources note that a wrist-worn device has been in development by Microsoft for just over a year, and that this machine wont just be a companion for the gaming console.

Stacking up the tips and suggestions made throughout this month thus far, you’ll find this smartwatch to be working with a 1.5-inch touchscreen display, the possibility of gesture/motion control, and a re-use of the same connectors used for the Microsoft Surface tablets. With these connectors you’ll be able to pick your watch face up, place it down in a special tray, and let it charge all night long.


This connectivity might not make it past the prototype stage and, based on what we understand thus far, the entire watch might stay a prototype into the future as well. Have a peek at the timeline below to see additional clues, bits, and pieces leading to the final product sooner than later.

Source: slashgear

Skype Updated to v2.5 for Windows Phone 8

Microsoft has rolled out an update to its Skype app for Windows Phone 8 users. Microsoft recently added HD video support to Skype 2.4 for Windows Phone 8, and now the company has rolled out several fixes to the app and bumping the version to 2.5.

The only new feature in Skype 2.5 for Windows Phone 8 is the default enabling of Message notifications for Messenger buddies. Other than that, we see a lot of general improvements. Skype no longer crashes on startup for some users who signed in via a Microsoft Account. Contact names in Messages are no longer separated with 20% rather than space.

The Video call button is no longer disabled after accepting incoming contact request. The occasional stretching of full screen local video preview has been resolved. And finally, the update features a fix to the occasional zooming in of incoming 720p video on portrait mode.

It also seems that Skype 2.5 for Windows Phone 8 is no longer considered a preview or beta version, as the "preview" tag has been dropped.

If you already have skype installed, update it via the device update else you might want to download via the link below.
Download Skype 2.5
Enjoy.

Source

Microsoft reported working on the touched-enabled watch device

Microsoft is reportedly exploring the idea of joining what promises to be a crowded smartwatch market.

The tech titan has asked suppliers in Asia to ship components for a potential touch-enabled watch device, executives at the suppliers told The Wall Street Journal. One executive told the Journal that he had met with Microsoft's research and development team in Redmond, Wash., but it's unclear whether Microsoft will commit to producing such a device.


Microsoft has requested these components to potentially create a touch-enabled watch device, featuring a 1.5 inch display. Microsoft requested displays from component makers for that specific size. No word on exactly if Microsoft will follow through with a touch-enabled watch, but this report gives us a positive outlook on its chances.

Back in 2008, we saw the sales of Microsoft's Smart Watch disappear. Smart Watch was Microsoft's first interest in a wearable gadget, which provided news headlines, sports scores, and instant messages via a FM radio and a subscription fee.

Source:WJS
Via:WinBeta

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Nokia Releases Nokia Music for Windows 8 and RT!

Nokia has just released their music streaming service app Nokia Music for Windows 8 and Windows RT devices. The app features hundreds of hand-crafted playlists across every genre, offline mixes, and if you got a Nokia Music+ subscription, you can enjoy higher quality audio, unlimited track skips, unlimited offline mixes and lyrics.

Nokia Music is a complete playback and discovery experience for your computer. Play one of our hand-crafted Mixes from genres you’ll love. Play and queue your own music, discovery rich artist information.

If you already have a Nokia Music+ subscription on your Nokia phone, just sign in to get all the great features from your phone directly on your computer.

If you have never had the pleasure of using a Nokia phone, you are still invited to the party! Try completely free trial and have a listen. It gives you recommendations of mixes you could listen to based on your own music.

Nokia Music also creates a Mix for you, featuring songs from those artists expertly weaved with suggestions from our 20 million track catalog.

It also allows you to find new artists and get under their skin with bio’s, image galleries, what they’re tweeting and where they’re gigging.

Nokia Music is available on the Windows Store
Download Nokia Music Now and Experience Great Musics on the go.

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Internet Explorer 10 Final For Windows 7

Good news to all PC users who have been using the Release Preview version of Internet Explorer 10 on Windows 7. Microsoft has just released the final version of Internet Explorer 10 for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 and is now ready for download.

Users who would like to upgrade to Internet Explorer 10 need to remember that you must be running Windows 7 with Service Pack 1 (SP1) or Windows Server 2008 R2 with Service Pack 1. So make sure you’re running Windows 7 or Server 2008 R2 before jumping to the download page.

Internet Explorer has declined significantly in popularity, but this latest version comes with features that put it back in line against the likes of Chrome and Firefox. The release does not have all of the features are available in the Windows 8 variant of the browser but here are some of the salient new features of IE 10 that might make you want to give it another shot on Windows 7.

Do Not Track

Internet Explorer 10 has a Do Not Track feature. It is enabled by default, but you can disable it if you want from Internet Options > Advanced under the Security options.

Spell Check & Auto Correct

Internet Explorer 10 has spell check and also has auto-correct. Spell check is available for 95 languages and it’s likely to become a very formidable feature for other browsers to compete with. Spell check can be disabled from the add-on manager. You can add or change dictionaries from the right-click context menu for misspelled words, or from the add-on manager.

Better HTML 5 Support & Sandbox Technology

Most websites are increasingly using HTML 5 technology and up to version 9, IE10 has been notorious compared to other browsers when it comes to HTML5 support. Not only does the new version support HTML 5 better than all previous version, but it also features sandboxing support for HTML5 webapps.

Pointer Events

Internet Explorer 10 supports pointer events; it will allow websites to detect and respond to touch gestures. This feature is obviously more useful on Windows 8 that has shipped on several touch screen devices, but it’s a step in the right direction for the browser overall.

Download Internet Explorer 10

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Apple Releases iOS 6.1.2

Apple has released iOS 6.1.2 update to fix a bug with Microsoft Exchange Calendar that could result in an increased network activity and reduce battery life.

You can download the update below or goto settings> general>software Update on your iOS device to update

iPad 4
iPad 4 (WIFI 3,4) 6.1.2
iPad 4 (GSM 3,5) 6.1.2
iPad 4 (CDMA 3,6) 6.1.2


iPad Mini
iPad mini (WIFI iPad2,5) 6.1.2
iPad mini (GSM iPad2,6) 6.1.2
iPad mini (CDMA iPad2,7) 6.1.2

iPad 3
iPad 3 (WIFI iPad3,1) 6.1.2
iPad 3 (GSM iPad3,3) 6.1.2
iPad 3 (CDMA iPad3,2) 6.1.2

iPad 2
iPad 2 (iPad2,4) 6.1.2
iPad 2 (iPad2,1) 6.1.2
iPad 2 (GSM iPad2,2) 6.1.2
iPad 2 (CDMA iPad2,3) 6.1.2


iPhone
iPhone 5 (5.1 GSM) 6.1.2
iPhone 5 (5.2 Global)  6.1.2
iPhone 4S 6.1.2
iPhone 4 (3.1 GSM) 6.1.2
iPhone 4 (3.2 GSM) 6.1.2
iPhone 4 (3.3 CDMA) 6.1.2
iPhone 3GS 6.1.2

iPod Touch
iPod touch 5G 6.1.2
iPod touch 4G 6.1.2

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Windows Blue hits Milestone 1 as screenshot leakes online

New reports claimed that Windows Blue just recently hit milestone 1, which is believed to be half way through the OS's development cycle. Milestone 2 will be the final build before Windows Blue RTM's, which is expected to happen in August of 2013.

It also appears to be true that Windows Blue will run version 6.3 of the NT Kernel, and not 6.2 as some originally believed. This is because 6.3 will tell applications what version of Windows it's running, 6.1 is Windows 7, 6.2 is Windows 8 and 6.3 is Windows Blue.

From this latest kernel bump, it certainly looks as though Microsoft will be delivering some significant changes. The screenshots themselves do not reveal what kinds of changes we could be seeing, but TheVerge‘s report also suggests Windows Blue is designed for a new fleet of hardware types, including the increasingly popular 7 and 8-inch tablets.

Windows Blue is expected to make an appearance sometime later this year, and will begin to ease users into the annual update system.

Obviously, Microsoft refuse to talk about Windows Blue, which means most details are still scarce. Nobody knows what Blue will include as an update, or whether the update will be free.

Follow me on twitter for the latest updates.

Windows Blue Confirmed

Finally, Windows Blue looked to be confirmed by Microsoft as they post a new job opening on the Microsoft Careers Website.

According to the post, The Core Experience team in Windows Sustained Engineering (WinSE) is involved in making improvements to the start screen, application lifecycle, windowing and personalization. Windows Blue will "build on and improve" these OS components.

it stated :- "We’re looking for an excellent, experienced SDET to join the Core Experience team in Windows Sustained Engineering (WinSE). The Core Experience features are the centerpiece of the new Windows UI, representing most of what customers touch and see in the OS, including: the start screen; application lifecycle; windowing; and personalization. Windows Blue promises to build and improve upon these aspects of the OS, enhancing ease of use and the overall user experience on devices and PCs worldwide."

Blue is the codename for the next wave of Windows-related operating system and services updates from Microsoft. There will be a Blue update to Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, Windows Phone 8 and the Windows Services like Hotmail and SkyDrive and more.

On the Windows and Windows Phone fronts, Blue is expected to include new features and even new programming interfaces designed to bring the different flavors of Windows closer together, from an app model/development model perspective.

Windows Blue appears to be a wide-spread update that Windows 8 and Windows Phone will receive, there is no exact date for the upgrade as of yet, but many are speculating something to be released in mid-2013.

Source: zdnet
Via: Winbeta

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Skype Video Messages for Mac, iPhone and Android

Microsoft Launched a new Video Messages feature for Skype. The company was reported working on some new features for some months now, having previously revealed it a little early, and it debuts on iOS, Android, and Mac. Designed for online and offline messaging, Video Messages lets Skype users send up to three minutes of video to each other.

The feature works on Android and iOS by using the font facing camera, with an option to switch to the rear. You can send up to three minutes of video to users who are either online or offline and the video will be delivered in the chat part of Skype just like how a normal conversation appears.

In response to windows and windows phone compactibility issues and availability; here is what a skype spokesperson said :- "We’re pleased that there’s interest for Video Messaging to come to Skype for Windows and Skype for Windows 8, We’ll let you know when we expand the service to the platform. We tested the feature out on all available platforms and it seems to sync the video messages just as you'd expect." He added -:“We will have send capability in Windows by end of April. In the meantime, we continue to test this new feature in its early release.”

US and UK Skype users get first crack at Video Messages, with users in other countries expected to get the feature soon afterwards. Skype Video Messages is rolling out as part of Skype Premium Services, and after 20 free messages you’ll have to subscribe to the service for $4.99 a month to have continued access to the feature.

Source

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Microsoft to end Windows 7 support starting April 9th 2013

It has been two years since the release of Windows 7 Service Pack 1 and Microsoft would like to remind those who are still running on Windows 7 without Service Pack 1 that the operating system will no longer be supported starting April 9th of 2013. If you are running SP1, you are still good for a while, but not entirely.

"Windows 7 RTM (with no service pack) will no longer be supported as of April 9th, 2013, following the standard Windows support lifecycle specifying that support ends 24 months after the release of a new service pack. Rest assured that Windows 7 will continue to be fully supported for a long time, with mainstream support continuing until January 13, 2015, and extended support continuing until January 14, 2020," As Microsoft stated in a blog post

Windows 7 SP1 will continue to receive mainstream support until 01/13/2015 and extended support (paid security updates) until 01/14/2020.

Take a look at the chart below;

Source Official Windows Blog

Via Winbeta

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Skype for BlackBerry 10 Coming Soon

It has been confirmed that Skype for BlackBerry 10 will be an Android port. Skype finally revealed that BlackBerry comes again but this time, publicly and a cover version of Android. Many BlackBerry users have asked here and are so so at their beck and call.It is questionable whether a native Skype app would develop or that the Android app would porting for BlackBerry 10. That question is answered by Skype. Together with BlackBerry Skype is the collaborations to ensure that the app runs great on BlackBerry 10.

This is was confirmed from a press statement from skype - :
"You are correct That the Skype app coming to BlackBerry 10 is our very popular Skype for Android app. We are excited That BlackBerry is enabling Android apps like Skype for Android run great on BB10, and are fully supporting the Android runtime environment and tools for Android BlackBerry 10. This Allows us to leverage our existing Skype for Android Development Efforts to Quickly Have the latest version of our app (Skype for Android 3.1) ready for BlackBerry 10.

We are closely collaborating with blackberry to Ensure the app runs well and That BlackBerry 10 users will have a great Skype experience. To That end, we are working closely with blackberry to open up some of the integration points available to native apps in the OS so That They Can Also be used by the Skype application and we expect the Skype app will allow users to see notifications, to start the app from the Hub, and to see Their Skype contacts in the native phone book." - Skype

Source: ihelplounge

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Microsoft Office is coming to Linux in 2014

The Linux focused site Phoronix is reporting that Microsoft is looking at developing Office for Linux in 2014. This is based on a conversation the writer had at the Free Open Source European Meeting in Brussels, where he was told, 'Microsoft is having a "meaningful look" at a full Linux port of Office thanks to Linux showing signs of commercial viability.' - Larabel

Larabel is often right about things like this. But regardless of whether Office for Linux comes to fruition, the idea of Microsoft even thinking about it and potentially giving such a windows rivalry app free of charge may come as a surprise. When someone asked Twitter, Larabel replied that he wouldn't be surprised if there are "many doubters" but challenged them to "wait and see." He points out that Microsoft has offered "unlikely sponsorship" to Linux projects in the past, albeit on a relatively small scale, and that the rumored Office for Android may also function as a stepping stone. Still, there'll need to be a few more meetings in underground parking lots before we're totally convinced.

Linux has certainly been getting more serious support recently, with the game platform Steam now available on the Ubuntu distribution of the open source operating system. Linux is also increasing in popularity among government organizations, attracted by its cost cutting possibilities.

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