Microsoft unveils third Windows Phone 8 update with large display support

Microsoft has finally announced the much-anticipated third update for Windows Phone 8. The company also mentions that the new update will be rolled out in the coming weeks and will be counting for some months depending on the carrier and phone models. However, the company has not detailed anything about region-specific rollouts of the latest third Windows Phone update.

The new update, previously thoughts to be called the Windows Phone GDR3 update, brings some of the most awaited features to the Windows Phone platform that includes support for bigger display (5-inch and 6-inch displays) that will now house six Live Tiles instead of four, as found in previous version; support for higher resolution (full-HD or 1080p) displays, which paves the way for yet to be released Windows Phone devices (like rumoured Nokia Lumia 1520); support for more powerful processors, like the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor, and improvements in Internet sharing, which now adds a pairing feature for a Windows Phone 8 device and Windows 8.1 PC or tablet over Bluetooth for sharing cellular data via W-Fi hotspot.

The third Windows Phone 8 update also adds more ‘Mobile Accessibility’ features for Windows Phone 8 devices, including a suite of apps like screen reader, meant for the convenience of blind and visually impaired users, allowing them to manage calls, contacts, texts, emails and also hear notification like calendar, alarm, events and low-battery warnings.

The latest update for the Windows Phone 8 platform brings a new Driving Mode feature that will limit notifications for calls, texts and emails on the phone’s lock screen while driving. This feature can also be set for automatic replies to contacts for calls and texts while driving.

There are some minor changes added to the third WP8 update that include custom ringtones for messages, emails, voicemails, reminders and contacts; new rotation lock option to keep the device’s screen in place while using it; new storage management feature that will allow users to free up space on the phone and manage temporary files; app switcher to close background apps; enhancements in connection quality for Bluetooth-attached accessories and finally a user will be prompted to set Wi-Fi during phone startup process.

Darren Laybourn, Corporate Vice President, Windows Phone further adds in a blog post, "When we sat down to plan our latest official update to Windows Phone 8, we had three main engineering goals in mind - enable incredible new Windows Phone devices, enhance the platform with new capabilities for current users and partners and improve overall quality." 

Windows Phone gains in Europe, iOS up in US: Survey

Windows-based smartphones are making significant inroads in Europe, while Apple’s iPhone is strengthening its position in the United States, a survey showed Monday.

Data from Kantar World panel ComTech for three month ending in August Showed Windows Phone, the mobile platform from Microsoft, has posted its highest ever sales share of 9.2 percent in the five major Europe markets.

Windows had a 12 percent share in Britain, 10.8 percent in France, 9.5 percent in Italy, 8.8 percent in Germany and 2.2 percent in Spain, the survey found.

“Windows Phone’s latest wave of growth is being driven by Nokia’s expansion into the low and mid range market with the Lumia 520 and Lumia 620 handsets,” said Kantar analyst Dominic Sunnebo.

“These models are hitting the sweet spot with 16 to 24 years-olds and 35 to 49 years-olds, two key groups that look for a balance of price and functionality in their smartphone,” he said.

Android, the Google platform used by Samsung and several other manufacturers, remains the top operating system across Europe with a 70 percent market share but it is being threatened by higher growth from Windows and Apple’s iOS, the survey found.

“After years of increasing market share, Android has now reached a point where significant growth in developed markets is becoming harder to find, “Sunnebo said.

“Android’s growth has been spearheaded by Samsung, but the manufacturer is now seeing its share of sales across the major European economic dip year as a sustained comeback from Sony, Nokia and LG begins to broaden the competitive landscape.

In the United States, Android has also seen its market share drop to 55.8 percent from 60.7 percent a year earlier, while Apple’s share was up more than five percentage points at 39.3 percent. Windows rose to 3.0 percent from 2.6 percent.

Kantar said it expects Apple’s share “to spike in the coming months with the release of the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5C,” unveiled on September 20.

Apple and Android are roughly even in Japan with 48.6 percent for iOS and 47.4 percent for Android. But the agreement with Japan’s largest carrier, NTT DoCoMo, for the first time makes it likely that Apple will pull ahead of Android in this market, according to Kantar.

Apple also made strong gains in Britain, France and Spain, the survey found.

Blackberry’s woes have deepened, with the Canadian firm accounting for just 2.4 percent of sales across the five European markets and 1.8 percent in the United States, Kantar said. 

Microsoft Surface sales figures paint a sorry picture

Microsoft Corp's Surface tablets have yet to make any profit as sputtering sales have been eclipsed by advertising costs and an accounting charge, according to the software company's annual report.

The two tablet models, introduced in October and February to challenge Apple Inc's popular iPad, have so far brought in revenue of $853 million, Microsoft revealed for the first time in its annual report filed with regulators on Tuesday.

That is less than the $900 million charge Microsoft announced earlier this month to write down the value of unsold Surface RT - the first model - still on its hands.

On top of that, Microsoft said its sales and marketing expenses increased $1.4 billion, or 10 percent, because of the huge advertising campaigns for Windows 8 and Surface. It also identified Surface (Review I Pictures) as one of the reasons its overall production costs rose.

The Surface is Microsoft's first foray into making its own computers after years of focusing on software, but its first attempts have not won over consumers. By comparison, Apple sold almost $24 billion worth of iPads over the last three quarters.

Nokia confirms 41MP sensor for device announced on July 11 event

At this moment it doesn’t matter what kind of hardware Nokia brings to the table on Windows Phone, It’s all eyes on Microsoft to keep improving the OS and bring us some much sought-after features and UI changes.

Nokia has pretty much confirmed the 41MP sensor on incoming EOS Lumia phone without totally spoiling all the fun from the Zoom Reinvented Nokia event in July 11 when we all expect to see and hear about Nokia EOS.

This confirmation of the sensor size comes from additional teaser published on Nokia Conversations that includes the picture above and text below.

Earlier this month, we invited media to join us in New York on July 11th. We are happy to offer Conversations readers the opportunity to watch the latest news unfold over a live webcast, right here on the blog.

There’s a long list of reasons why you should be interested, including …

1.     You can watch it at home and you’re in charge of the refreshments… Beer maybe?

2.     You can watch it in bed, in your most comfortable PJs.

3.     You’ll be able to convince your grandchildren that you were there.

4.     You’re looking for originality.

5.     You’ll be able to stream it on your Lumia.

6.     You want to join the conversation.

7.     …

- Nokia Conversations

We can go on, but this blog is called Conversations for a reason. Help us fill out the list by adding a comment below. Why will you zoom in on July 11th?

The webcast begins at 11am EDT. Join us here on Conversations.

There’s some speculation about the final design of EOS between the aluminium and Lumia 920 like design. I firmly believe the aluminium design has nothing to do with EOS and at worst is not even related to final product or Nokia in general.

Specifications for EOS are generally accepted to be something along the lines of this:

·         41 MP camera with Xenon flash

·         Nokia Pro Camera  software

·         32 GB internal

·         OLED Screen 1280 x 768

·         WP8 V 8.0.10322.71 (OS version on the profotype)

·         FM radio

·         Flip to silence

·         Takes a 35 MP picture and a 5 MP picture at the same time one to save one to share

·         No SD card

·         About 1 mm thinner than Lumia 920 with a big camera hump

·         No visible OS changes

One big mystery still surrounding EOS is the system on chip and how Nokia has been able marry the hardware with the 41MP sensor that is not even close to been supported by any of the system on chips available for Windows Phone at the moment.

Will Nokia have some kind of custom solution as on 808 PureView or will we see a major surprise with EOS having Snapdragon 800 inside? I’m inclined to believe we will see custom solution, but your guess is as good as mine.