Nokia announces the Lumia 930, a 5-inch phone with a 20-megapixel PureView camera
Other features include four high-performance digital microphones, directional stereo recording on-board and a 2.2GHz Snapdragon 800 processor. Of course, it also runs the latest Windows Phone 8.1 firmware which promises plenty of new goodies like a notification center (finally!) and Cortana, Windows’ answer to Siri and Google Now. It also has something called “SensorCore” which apparently is hooked up to Bing Health and Fitness Elop said that the Lumia 930 will launch first in Europe starting in June and will be available in Asia and other markets at a later date. It should be on more than a 100 operators for around $599 each. Unfortunately, US dates have not been announced, but fingers crossed we’ll see it come our way in the future.
Source: Nokia Lumia 930
Microsoft to update all WP8 Nokia Lumia devices with Windows Phone 8.1
Just before announcing “the next generation” of Nokia handsets, EVP of devices Stephen Elop dropped some update news for the freshly outed Windows Phone 8.1. Microsoft will be updating all Lumia devices that are running Windows Phone 8 to the next version. This means that many folks already sporting one of those WP8 smartphones can expect Cortana and all her vices in the days to come.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Microsoft
Nokia announces the budget Lumia 630 and 635 with Windows Phone 8.1
Nokia’s had a rough time with its high-end Windows Phones over the years, but it’s excelled with its cheaper handsets that cater to emerging markets and anyone interested in a budget smartphone. Announced today at Build, the Lumia 630 and 635 focus on expanding the latter category. The new devices come with Windows Phone 8.1 onboard, and while the 635 includes speedy LTE data, the 3G-only 630 will also come in a dual-SIM variant. They’ll be available in five colors with changeable shells, and even offer features like fitness tracking with an integrated low-power chip called SensorCore. They’ll arrive in May as the first Lumia devices with Windows 8.1, running on quad-core 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400 processors. As one would expect, these will ship in Asia first before spreading out worldwide, with a US release planned for July. Off-contract, the Lumia 630 will cost $159 / $169 for the single or dual-SIM versions, while the 635 will be $189. We should know more about these and get hands-on experience in a few hours when Nokia holds its own press conference, so check back then for more details.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Microsoft, Nokia
Source: Nokia Conversations, Nokia
Nokia Lumia 930 picture leak hints at a Lumia Icon for the rest of the world
There have been rumblings about Nokia unveiling a Lumia 930 in the near future, but its actual design has remained elusive. However, frequent tipster @evleaks claims to have a press image of the new smartphone… and if the picture is accurate, it’s effectively a Lumia Icon for everyone who isn’t a Verizon customer. Not that we’d be complaining too much if that’s the case, mind you. An Icon-like design would give the 930 top-tier features that include a 5-inch 1080p display, a 20-megapixel camera and a quick Snapdragon 800 processor. There aren’t any clues as to what’s under the hood just by looking at the picture, but we suspect we’ll be hearing a lot more about the device at Nokia’s Lumia-focused event this evening.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Nokia
Source: @evleaks (Twitter)
Nokia Lumia 630 spotted in the wild running Windows Phone 8.1
If you’ve wanted to know what Nokia’s entry-level Lumia 630 looks like in real life, today is your lucky day. Both a Coolxap video (below) and a handful of photos from @Umit have shown off the smartphone in all its Windows Phone 8.1-based glory, including the on-screen navigation, Action Center and the updated camera interface. Previous rumors have suggested that the 630 will be relatively powerful for a low-end device with a 4.5-inch (albeit 800 x 480) display, a quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor and 1GB of RAM. Don’t get too attached to the way the phone looks in these images, though. The 630 in the still pictures is likely using a protective case or prototype shell, and we wouldn’t count on the video reflecting the final design, either. With that said, the new media may represent our best clue yet as to what Nokia might reveal at its event next week.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Nokia
Source: Youku, Coolxap (translated), Nowhereelse.fr (translated)
Nokia promises ‘more Lumia’ at April 2nd event
Windows Phone fans have more to look forward to this April than just the formal unveiling of Windows Phone 8.1 — Nokia has sent out invitations for an April 2nd event in San Francisco that should deliver “more Lumia.” The notice doesn’t give any real hints as to what will be at the presentation. However, the event takes place on the first day of Microsoft’s Build developer conference. Don’t be shocked if Nokia unveils devices that need Windows Phone 8.1 to run, such as the rumored Lumia 630 (Moneypenny) and Lumia 930 (Martini). No matter what shows up, we’ll be there to give you the full scoop.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Microsoft, Nokia
Asian regulators push Microsoft’s Nokia purchase back until April
Despite receiving all of the necessary confirmations in the US and Europe, Microsoft will need to wait a little longer than expected to finalize its $7.45 billion acquisition of Nokia. Originally expected to close in the first quarter of 2014, both companies today issued a progress report on the deal, explaining that while things were moving well in Asia, it may take until April for regulators there to give it the green light. While the necessary reviews are being conducted, Microsoft is wasting no time advertising its future smartphone union, stating that it will “accelerate our mobile-first, cloud-first imperatives.” That, of course, means getting more Windows Phone handsets in customers’ hands, something new Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella believes it can do a lot quicker once Nokia becomes part of the family.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Microsoft, Nokia
Source: Nokia Press, Microsoft Press
Leak reveals the Nokia Lumia 630’s colorful backside
There have been leaks showing the front of the Nokia Lumia 630 (aka Moneypenny), but a complete view of the Windows Phone 8.1 hardware has been elusive… until now. Frequent tipster @evleaks has posted an apparent press shot revealing the back of the bright-hued device, and it suggests that the 630 will represent a sharp break from the designs of the Lumia 620 and 625. There’s no camera key or flash, for a start — mobile photography fans may want to give this phone a pass. We also see hints of a flatter, more X-like body. There aren’t any fresh clues as to when the 630 might launch, although we’re not expecting to see it until sometime after the official unveiling of Windows Phone 8.1, which may take place in April.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Nokia
Source: @evleaks (Twitter)
Video shows off Microsoft’s Cortana virtual assistant in action
“Hi there. I’m Cortana. I can help make life a bit easier for you.” These are the first words of Microsoft’s still unannounced virtual assistant codenamed “Cortana,” according to a new video leaked by UnleashThePhones.com. If it’s true, this is the best look we’ve had of the rumored Windows Phone 8.1 service so far. The video begins by showing Cortana as a dedicated Live Tile, and then takes us through the setup process. You’ll be prompted to login with your Microsoft Account, which is required to enjoy all of the service’s features; according to the permissions page, Cortana will have access to sources like your location data, voice input, contacts, calendar, search history, emails and texts, browser history and more.
After you’re logged in, it’s time for you two to get better acquainted. To help along the process, Cortana asks a series of four questions about yourself, which the service then uses to personalize some of its suggestions and recommendations. The video also displays a new feature called quiet hours, which lets Cortana take care of your texts and calls for you while you’re sleeping. We’re expecting an official announcement and more details at next month’s Build conference, but in the meantime you can find the full video below.
Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Microsoft, Nokia
Via: WMPowerUser
Source: UnleashthePhones.com
Weathered old HTC HD2 dresses up like a Nokia X
You may remember the HTC HD2 from posts such as “will it play Tekken 3?” and “wait, it runs Windows RT now?” Despite the handset’s age, a stalwart community keeps it relevant by getting anything and everything to run on the developer favorite. It’s only fitting, then, that the HD2 be one of the first to don Nokia’s heavily skinned version of Android, other than the unreleased X family, of course. That’s right: An XDA Developers forum member by the name of gilbert32 has apparently succeeded in porting some form of the Nokia X Android build onto a rather beat-up-looking HD2. We say succeeded, but while it looks the part and plays a booting sound when fired up, “everything else” is admittedly non-functional. Then again, if the goal was to show the HD2 still has legs after all this time, then mission accomplished, sir.
Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile, HTC, Nokia
Via: GSMArena
Source: XDA Developers
AIVAnet 