Windows Phone 8: everything you need to know
Today at its Windows Phone Summit, Microsoft showed off its vision for the future of its mobile platform with a glimpse of IE 10, a shared core with Windows 8, NFC technologies, and more. Check here for everything you need to know on the new OS that's set to ship "this holiday."
Microsoft releases Skype Preview for Windows Phone 8
A preview version of the new Skype app for Windows Phone 8 is now available to download. First announced last month, the app is a more complete incarnation of the VoIP client than Windows Phone 7 users had before; features include the ability to run in the background, incoming calls that match the style of regular phone conversations, and lock screen notifications.
It's not out for everyone yet and we're currently unable to find it in the Windows Store by searching (update: it's now...
Microsoft
Windows Phone 8 launches in the US with AT&T's HTC Windows Phone 8X, Nokia Lumia 920
Today marks the arrival of Windows Phone 8 in the United States with AT&T's launch of the HTC Windows Phone 8X and Nokia's Lumia 920 and Lumia 820. The Lumia 920 is available in red, black, yellow, white, and cyan, and can be picked up for $99.99 with a two-year commitment or $449.99 off-contract. Those looking to get a HTC Windows Phone 8X in California Blue can do so for $199.99 on-contract for the 16GB version and $99.99 for 8GB — the latter of which is available in Limelight Yellow as...
Verizon taking pre-orders for HTC 8X and Nokia Lumia 822, shipping November 13th (update)
Verizon Wireless will start accepting pre-orders for the HTC Windows Phone 8X and Nokia Lumia 822 tomorrow, November 9th at 1AM ET. Unfortunately the carrier isn't revealing specific release dates for either handset, maintaining the vague "by Thanksgiving" timeframe Steve Ballmer shared during Microsoft's Windows Phone 8 presser. As expected, the 16GB 8X will retail for $199 — it seems Verizon has no intention of carrying the 8GB model (which AT&T will offer for $99) in its lineup. Blue,...
Lumia 920 and 820 priced on AT&T, pre-orders begin 7th November
AT&T has unveiled its final pricing and launch dates for its range of Windows Phone 8 devices. Nokia's Lumia 920 will be made available on AT&T for $99.99 on November 9th, with pre-orders starting on November 7th. Nokia's Lumia 820 will also launch on AT&T on November 9th for $49.99, with pre-orders on November 7th.
AT&T also confirmed its HTC Windows Phone 8X pricing. The handset will launch at $199.99 for a 16GB version and $99.99 for an 8GB version, both will be available before...
Microsoft currently testing its own smartphone, says WSJ
Microsoft surprised the world earlier this year when it moved into producing its own computer hardware with the Surface, but the company's plans may not stop there. According to the Wall Street Journal's sources, Microsoft is currently testing a smartphone with Asian suppliers, although it's unclear whether or not the device will enter mass production. The phone reportedly has a screen size somewhere between four and five inches.
The Verge previously heard that while Microsoft was...
Microsoft admits it 'ran out of time' on Windows Phone 8 notification center
One of the interesting omissions from Microsoft's recently launched Windows Phone 8 operating system is the lack of a notification center. Android and iOS both include a system to collect the various alerts triggered by applications, but Microsoft is lacking that crucial element. During a session on notifications at Build today, Microsoft's Thomas Fennel strongly hinted that the company is considering a notification center for Windows Phone.
"Because we ran out of time," admitted Fennel,...
Microsoft launches new Windows Phone 8 syncing app for Mac
Hot on the heels of the new Windows Phone companion app for Windows 8 and RT, Microsoft has overhauled its syncing app for Mac users. Version 3.0 has been renamed simply to "Windows Phone" with a new icon that reflects the Windows Phone 8 Start screen; unsurprisingly the headline feature is compatibility with Microsoft's latest mobile OS.
The interface also now allows for drag-and-drop file transfer between your phone and the desktop, there's updated iPhoto and Aperture support, and the app...
Verizon's HTC 8X will include wireless charging support
Verizon may have missed out on Nokia's Lumia 920 handset to AT&T, but the carrier will offer wireless charging in HTC's Windows Phone 8X this fall. Sources with knowledge of Verizon's Windows Phone plans have revealed that the carrier will offer the support as a variant that will likely be exclusive in the US. We're told that the Verizon 8X will not be any thicker due to the wireless charging addition, and that it will be built straight into the handset.
We understand that Verizon will...
Gameloft bringing 12 Xbox-enabled titles to Windows Phone 8 including 'Modern Combat 4'
Gameloft, one of the biggest mobile game publishers for iOS and Android, has announced 12 titles for Windows Phone 8. The games are mostly available on other platforms already, but notably include Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour — the latest in Gameloft's series of Call of Duty-a-like first-person shooters, and likely its highest-profile title for the year. No details on price or release date were made available, however.
The full list of titles is below:
- Ice Age Village
- N.O.V.A. 3: Near...
Samsung Ativ S hands-on photos and video
Samsung's Ativ S may have been the first officially announced Windows Phone 8 device, but the company has remained tight-lipped about its latest handset since its debut back in August. With a 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED display and a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, it's not lacking the specs necessary for Microsoft's new mobile operating system.
We got a chance to take a closer look at the Ativ S during Microsoft's Windows Phone 8 event in San Francisco today. It's super light weight, but the...
Windows Phone 8 review
By Dieter Bohn and Chris Ziegler
“This is Windows Phone. No, for real this time.” That’s what I thought when I started hearing about Windows Phone 8 a few months ago. Just like Windows Phone 7, it represents yet another clean break for Microsoft’s mobile ambitions — but unlike 7, now it’s got the hardware to match.
The truth is a little more complicated: this clean break isn’t as nearly as obvious as Windows Phone 7’s split from Windows Mobile was back in 2010. A quick...
First Windows Phone 8 devices launching in Europe this weekend, HTC 8X and others arriving in US next month
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has just confirmed that the first round of Windows Phone 8 devices, including the Nokia Lumia 920 and Samsung Ativ S, will be available this weekend in Europe and will continue to rollout throughout the world in November. Of the company's domestic carrier partners, Verizon will be offering the HTC 8X for $199 and the Nokia Lumia 822 for $99 with a two-year service contract, with release planned by Thanksgiving. T-Mobile, on the other hand, will be offering the HTC...
Microsoft confirms Pandora for Windows Phone 8, giving users a year of ad-free service
Along with new and updated Twitter, Facebook, and Skype apps, Microsoft announced that popular music streaming service Pandora would be available on Windows Phone 8. While the app will not be available at launch, Microsoft says it is expected to release in early 2013. When it finally hits the now 120,000 app-strong Windows Phone Store, however, Microsoft will be offering Windows Phone 8 users a complimentary one-year subscription of ad-free music.
Microsoft releases Windows Phone 8 syncing app for Windows 8 and RT
With less than 24 hours to go until Microsoft takes the covers off Windows Phone 8 once and for all, the company has released a companion app in the Windows Store that'll work in tandem with the new devices. The Windows Phone app works on both Windows 8 and RT devices like the recently-released Surface and replaces much of the functionality found in the Zune desktop client; it'll let you copy music, photos, and other media to and from each device, among other features.
Details of the Windows...
Microsoft executive blames cybercrime for delayed mobile strategy
With over 100 million iPads sold, the one thing everyone can agree on about Surface is that Microsoft has a lot of ground to make up in the tablet and mobile market. That's not entirely the company's fault, however, argues one executive in an interview with the Spiegel. According to Craig Mundie, Microsoft's chief research and strategy officer, the company's huge volume in desktop computing made it "basically the only target" for hackers and cybercriminals, and the time spent fighting these...
Best Buy prices AT&T Lumia 920 at $149 and HTC 8X at $99, both available to pre-order (update)
Best Buy has started to accept pre-orders on Nokia's Lumia 920 and HTC's Windows Phone 8X today. We revealed earlier this month that the US retailer would start accepting pre-orders today, but the company has also unveiled pricing for both handsets. Nokia's Lumia 920 is priced at $149.99, with what appears to be an 8GB version of HTC's Windows Phone 8X set at $99.99.
Both handsets are available to pre-order immediately for AT&T, with no sign of a Verizon offering. Best Buy doesn't reveal...
Nokia 'Atlas' leaked, appears to be a Lumia 820 variant for Verizon
Verizon appears to be readying a Windows Phone 8 announcement of its own. A leaked image from the Evleaks Twitter account shows off a Nokia Lumia phone for Verizon, described as the "Atlas." The image appears to match a leaked 4.3-inch display from earlier this year, with curved corners and a space for a front-facing camera and earpiece. We understand that Verizon is preparing to carry a Lumia 820 variant codenamed Atlas, and that an announcement could be made within days.
T-Mobile recently...
Windows Phone 8 pre-orders to begin on October 21st
Microsoft's first Windows Phone 8 devices will be available for pre-order in the US on October 21st. Sources familiar with AT&T and Microsoft's plans have revealed to The Verge that the carrier will start taking pre-orders for its range of Windows Phone 8 handsets on October 21st — including the HTC 8X and Nokia's Lumia 920.
Pre-orders for Samsung's Ativ Smart PC and the Asus Vivo Tab RT will also commence on October 21st in preparation for a launch on October 26th. We understand that the...
Windows Phone 8 launch event to be held in San Francisco on October 29th
Update: Be sure to follow along with our liveblog of the event, starting at 10AM PT / 1PM ET!
Read the liveblog here!
Microsoft has started sending invites to members of the press for a Windows Phone 8 event in San Francisco on October 29th. The event was previously rumored, but Microsoft is making it official now by promising some additional details for Windows Phone 8 on the day. We already know HTC and Nokia both plan to introduce Windows Phone 8 devices in early November, but...
Windows Phone 8: what's the big secret?
Even though Windows Phone 8 is lined up for a launch event at the end of this month, many members of Microsoft’s developer community still don't have access to vital tools needed to bring their apps up to speed with the latest features and capabilities. A Software Development Kit (SDK) for the new platform has been released to a limited number of developers under a non-disclosure agreement, but the software giant is taking a secretive approach to Windows Phone 8 in general. What's the big...
HTC, Nokia, and the Live Tiles that bind
HTC made a bit of a splash today when it and Microsoft announced the new Windows Phone 8X and Windows Phone 8S smartphones. The 8X and 8S represent a new focus on Windows Phone for HTC — at least for today — and rekindle the relationship Microsoft and HTC have had for the better part of 15 years.
In fact, Microsoft's influence on these new devices is so strong, it literally named them for HTC. Putting "Windows Phone" right in the name of the smartphones sends a clear message to...
Nokia slams HTC's Windows Phone 8 announcement, calls it a 'tactical re-branding'
HTC has just unveiled two new Windows Phone 8 devices today (the 8X and 8S), making them the signature phones for Microsoft. We asked Nokia about today's announcements and the company's head of marketing, Chris Weber, has responded to HTC's move by claiming the announcement is "good news for the Windows Phone ecosystem." However, Weber says that "while others may choose to tactically re-brand their products," Nokia is building its Lumia franchise exclusively around Windows Phone.
Nokia isn't...
HTC rekindles its old Microsoft romance and bets on Windows Phone 8
High Tech Computer (HTC) has grown up with Microsoft, from the old HTC-built iPAQ's running on Microsoft's Pocket PC operating system, to the Orange SPV — Microsoft's first Windows smartphone. The Taiwanese company has always been a loyal aid to the software giant, but lately that close relationship has started to feel a little dated. HTC's investment in Android and its Sense user interface has taken precedent over its initial work with Windows Mobile, and the company's Windows Phone...
Windows Phone 8S by HTC announced with 4-inch display for November release
The second of HTC's newly announced Windows Phone 8 devices sees the company target the mid-range with the Windows Phone 8S. In a somewhat similar look and feel to Sony's Xperia P device, HTC has created a device which looks like it's been partially dipped into a vat of paint.. Featuring a 4.0-inch WVGA display, the 8S includes a 1GHz dual-core S4 processor, 512MB of RAM, and 4GB of storage.
Beats Audio now on Windows Phone
Like the 8X, HTC has opted to include Beats Audio on its...
Windows Phone 8X by HTC has a 4.3-inch display and Beats, launches early November
HTC is unveiling its flagship Windows Phone 8 handset today, the Windows Phone 8X. The branding might sound Microsoft-like, but there's a good reason for that — the two companies have joined forces on a marketing campaign that will make HTC the face of Windows Phone 8. HTC's 8X device is a fresh approach to a Windows Phone device from the company, one that was designed from scratch according to HTC's Graham Wheeler. "The designers actually took inspiration from the Start Screen and actually...
Microsoft finishes Windows Phone 8, ready for manufacturers
We'd heard that Microsoft was working around the clock to finish Windows Phone 8, and it appears that hard work has paid off: ZDNet and WPCentral are reporting that Redmond finished up the new operating system today. The news comes just hours after LiveSino posted images, said to be from a Windows Phone 8 team member, that featured individuals autographing a sign that indicated the software had reached the RTM — release to manufacturing — stage.
Now that Microsoft has turned the final...
Windows Phone 8 SDK Preview sign-up page now live
Microsoft promised that sign-ups for a Windows Phone 8 SDK Preview Program would open today, and the company has followed through. Although the near-final kit will be available to current Windows Phone developers, Microsoft says access to the program is limited. A full Windows Phone 8 SDK will be made available publicly later this year once the company unveils Windows Phone 8, but the Preview Program will provide early access to developers.
Windows Phone developers can head over to...
As Nokia waits, Microsoft fights to keep Windows Phone 8 on schedule
It's all hands on deck at Microsoft right now: with a variety of high-visibility phone launches from partners scheduled before the end of the year, the company has not yet finished the Windows Phone 8 software, The Verge has learned.
Microsoft and Nokia's Lumia 920 announcement last week may have been a preemptive strike against Apple's iPhone 5, but both companies are now working overtime to ensure Windows Phone 8 launches on schedule. We're told by multiple sources that Microsoft had...
Verizon will offer 'multiple Windows Phones' in Q4
To say that Verizon hasn't been Windows Phone's most fervent supporter would be an understatement — the company only offers a single Windows Phone device, the ancient HTC Trophy. However, CNET cites Tami Erwin, Verizon's Chief Marketing Officer, as saying that's about to change. According to Erwin, Verizon will offer 'multiple Windows Phones' next quarter, which happens to coincide with the expected retail launch of Windows Phone 8.
While she wouldn't detail the company's exact plans, Erwin...
Nokia starts over, again: stunning new phones, no release date in sight
Ever heard of a paper launch? Well, today you witnessed one in full flight. Nokia and Microsoft, two former mobile giants seeking to rekindle smartphone buyers' passions, came out with the Lumia 920 and Lumia 820 Windows Phone 8 devices. They are beautiful to look at, sumptuous to touch ... and entirely unavailable to buy. Their entire release schedule, such as it is, is obfuscated into the mists of "the fourth quarter of this year." In other words, you'll be able to buy a Lumia Windows Phone...
Windows Phone 8 SDK Preview opens up on September 12th
As a sign that Microsoft's next-gen mobile OS is almost ready, the company says developers can apply to be part of its Windows Phone 8 SDK Preview from next week. Any developer that has already published apps will be able to apply, but Microsoft's Todd Brix notes that "program access will be limited." The final SDK will be released to coincide with the unveiling of Windows Phone 8, which we expect to drop on October 29th, but Microsoft wants to make sure developers get their apps get ready in...
Skype for Windows Phone 8 spotted in Lumia video, includes new interface
Microsoft kept most of its upcoming Windows Phone 8 features under wraps today during a joint Nokia press conference, but Nokia appears to have accidentally revealed Skype's new Windows Phone 8 interface in a promotional video. The Skype app on Windows Phone 8, which will integrate into the People and Phone Hubs, looks like it will include hovering buttons over its video calling interface along with the normal chat messaging options.
There's also a Bluetooth icon, hinting that Windows Phone 8...
Nokia Lumia 820 hands-on preview (pictures and video)
Nokia's just announced its latest run of Windows Phone handsets, including the new Lumia 820. We've had a chance to spend some time with the device, and while it's not quite as impressive as the new Lumia 920, it's a nice upgrade from the last-generation 800.
The Lumia 820 feels much more like a normal smartphone than the 920, with rounded edges that don't feel quite as severe in your hand. The 4.3-inch display is every bit as attractive as its larger cousin's, but since the phone is a...
Nokia Lumia 920 hands-on preview, pictures, and video
Nokia's new top-of-the-line phone has been unveiled. The company announced the Windows Phone 8-powered Lumia 920 this morning at an event in New York City, and we've had a chance to play with the new device ahead of its release. In large part, the 920 feels like everything the Lumia 900 could have been without the shackles of the Windows Phone 7 requirements: it has a gorgeous 4.5-inch display, a fast dual-core processor, and a number of improvements in the software and hardware across the...
Nokia announces Lumia 820 with 4.3-inch display, Windows Phone 8, and exchangable covers
As expected, Nokia has just announced the Lumia 820, a mid-range Windows Phone 8 smartphone. The 820 is powered by the same 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 and 1GB of RAM as the flagship Lumia 920, but will arrive with a smaller 4.3-inch WVGA OLED display, only 8GB of internal storage, and an eight-megapixel rear camera. The 8GB internal storage can be expanded via Windows Phone 8's extended microSD functionality.
Both the Lumia 820 and the flagship 920 include Syanptics technology called...
Microsoft reveals new features in Windows Phone 8: screenshots, updated camera app
Microsoft provided us with a good look at Windows Phone 8 earlier this year, but today the company is showing off some new features coming to the platform during Nokia's big Lumia 920 announcement. One of the new features is the ability to capture screenshots, something us device reviewers have been wanting in the Windows Phone platform for some time. It had been rumored earlier this year that screenshot capabilities were coming with Windows Phone 8, but this is the first official mention of...
Nokia Lumia 920 announced with Windows Phone 8, 4.5-inch display, wireless charging, and 'PureView' camera
Nokia has officially unveiled its new flagship smartphone, the Lumia 920. As expected, Nokia's new Lumia has received a bump in specs over the previous iteration, with a 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 dual core processor, a slightly larger 4.5-inch curved glass display with a 768 x 1280 resolution, a 2,000mAh battery, and the new Windows Phone 8 operating system. Nokia is calling its new display the "PureMotion HD+," and says that it's the "best smartphone display innovation" the company has...
Nokia set to unveil 'Arrow' and 'Phi' Windows Phone 8 handsets with AT&T as main carrier
Nokia is planning to unveil two new Windows Phone 8 devices at a joint event with Microsoft on September 5th. Sources familiar with the two companies' plans have revealed that Nokia is working on an "Arrow" Windows Phone 8 device that is set to be announced alongside a "Phi" handset. Both the devices are said to be part of Nokia's Lumia range, with the Arrow and Phi codenames serving as temporary monikers.
AT&T will stock Nokia's Phi handset initially as an exclusive hero device, expected to...
Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 will support the Unity game engine
Windows Phone 7 never really got off the ground as a gaming platform, but its successor got an early boost today in the shape of Unity support. According to Edge, Unity Technologies CEO David Helgason announced that his company's widely-used game creation tool will be coming to both Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8. Helgason previously said that Unity didn't support Windows Phone 7 due to its "relatively closed" nature, but expressed hope that Windows 8 would prove easier to work with.
Unity...
Nokia sales chief warns Samsung to 'take note' of next generation Lumia
Now that Nokia has revealed when its big Windows Phone 8 launch event will be, it's time for the company to start building up the hype and it's doing it by taking aim at its biggest competitor: Samsung. Chris Weber, formerly Nokia's US president and currently a part of its leadership team as executive VP of sales and marketing, has taken to Twitter to boldly call Samsung out:
Nokia and Microsoft holding Windows Phone 8 press event on September 5th
We've been waiting to find out when Nokia would unveil its first lineup of Windows Phone 8 devices, and it looks like we'll be getting all the details on September 5th at 9:30AM in New York City. We just received an invite (pictured above) to Nokia and Microsoft's joint press event, and it's pretty obvious from the image and multiple live tile sizes that we'll be hearing about Windows Phone 8. There's no telling what exactly we'll see (perhaps the new 4.3-inch Lumia that broke cover today?),...
Mobile
Only Windows Phone 8 will support in-app purchasing
Microsoft has revealed that its plans to support in-app purchasing on Windows Phone will be limited to its upcoming version 8 release. In MSDN documentation, the software maker advises developers that you can only add in-app products to Windows Phone 8 apps. The revelation isn't surprising as Microsoft plans to manage in-app purchases via its new Wallet Hub in Windows Phone 8. The confirmation of a lack of in-app purchasing for the Windows Phone 7.8 update appears to suggest that existing...
Microsoft's secret weapon in mobile gaming: DirectX on Windows Phone 8
Not many people remember this, but the original Xbox got its name from Microsoft's plans to deliver a "DirectX Box" to the home console market. Feeling the need to counteract the growing influence of consoles at the turn of the century, Microsoft sought to bring DirectX — its proprietary collection of programming interfaces (APIs) used to build games for Windows — to the living room. While its first attempt was rightly derided as a chopped-down desktop PC dressed up in home entertainment...
HTC's Windows Phone 8 roadmap: 'Zenith' flagship, 'Accord' midrange, and 'Rio' entry-level models
After yesterday's official look at Windows Phone 8 from Microsoft, we've received some details from a knowledgeable source on exactly what HTC — arguably the most important Windows Phone 8 licensee right now outside of Nokia — has planned to kick off the platform.
Starting at the bottom of the range, there's "Rio," featuring a 4-inch WVGA display, 14.4Mbps HSPA, and a 5-megapixel camera with 720p video capture. There's only 512MB on board, but the processor isn't bad — expect a Qualcomm...
The Windows Phone 7.8 Start Screen on a Nokia Lumia 900, an early look in photos and video
The dark news amongst all the good here at the Windows Phone Summit was that existing Windows Phone devices wouldn't be updated to Windows Phone 8. Instead, they will receive certain features from the new OS, most importantly the new Start screen experience. Microsoft calls the updated Start Screen on Windows Phone 8 the "marquee feature" and, as you are probably aware, it's coming to existing devices with Windows Phone 7.8. We got a chance to sit down with Microsoft's Greg Sullivan to take a...
Mobile
Windows Phone Summit video now available online
During this morning's Windows Phone Summit presentation, Microsoft provided a sneak peek at Windows Phone 8, the Windows Phone 7.8 update, and an assortment of other items. We've taken a look at the different announcements throughout the day, but if you'd like to watch the presentation for yourself, Microsoft has you covered: the company has posted streaming video of the event. Head over to Microsoft's site to see Joe Belfiore and company in action.
Thanks, Nathaniel!
'Draw Something' and 'Words With Friends' coming to Windows Phone (update)
Two of Zynga's most popular games, Draw Something and Word With Friends, are coming to Windows Phone devices soon. The games are Zynga's first on the platform. Both are multiplayer turn-based re-imaginings of classic games: Draw Something is basically a remote multiplayer version of the drawing game Pictionary, whereas Words With Friends borrows heavily from the word game Scrabble.
Draw Something was developed by OMGPOP (before it was bought by Zynga), and quickly became one of the most...
Apps & Software
100,000 apps now available in the Windows Phone Marketplace
Microsoft's Windows Phone Marketplace has now hit 100,000 applications. After reaching 50,000 apps in late December, the Marketplace has doubled in size in six months to reach a new milestone for Microsoft's mobile operating system. The software giant revealed the news during its Windows Phone Summit today in San Francisco.
Questions still remain on the availability of big name Windows Phone apps and quality over quantity, but Microsoft is clearly attracting more and more developers to its...
Apps & Software
Microsoft shows off new apps for Windows Phone 8: NOVA 3, Audible, Camera Extras and more
At an event today revealing Windows Phone 8, Microsoft also showed off some new apps for the platform. In addition to the NFC-connected Wallet app and the announcement that Nokia's mapping data will power Windows Phone 8, Microsoft's execs also demoed games like Gameloft's Nova 3 and Asphalt 7, plus Fairway Solitaire. During their demos, games were incredibly detailed and powerful, and Microsoft says the ports only took a couple of weeks. There's also a new app for audiobook service Audible,...
Microsoft
Nokia, Samsung, HTC, and Huawei will have first Windows Phone 8 devices
Microsoft just announced four special hardware partners for Windows Phone 8 — Nokia, Huawei, Samsung, and HTC will have Windows Phone 8 devices running on "next generation silicon" from Qualcomm. There weren't any details on exactly what this silicon would be, but we're guessing it'll be a dual-core processor. Microsoft and its partners are ready for a global push, as well: the company announced that it'll launch in more than 180 countries in 50 languages, more than Apple announced last...
Microsoft
Windows Phone 8 lets you have 'conversations with apps'
Microsoft is hoping to do Siri one better by letting developers integrate speech response and recognition directly into apps for Windows Phone 8. APIs will be available for building in standard speech controls, which can then be run from the main search function. In a demo of Audible, which Microsoft partnered with for the voice features, the app was able to recognize a search for "Game of Thrones," then pause it or skip to the next chapter based on voice prompts. It worked pretty well,...
Apps & Software
Microsoft: no upgrades to Windows Phone 8, but some features will come in Windows Phone 7.8
It’s official, Microsoft is not offering Windows Phone 8 to existing handsets. We exclusively revealed Microsoft’s plans back in April, and the reaction generated Windows Phone discussions far and wide. Speaking to The Verge ahead of the Windows Phone 8 sneak peek today, Microsoft’s Greg Sullivan revealed the reasons behind the company’s choice not to offer a direct upgrade from Windows Phone 7.x to Windows Phone 8.
Describing some of the latest hardware changes in Windows Phone 8, t...
Microsoft
Windows Phone 8 in detail: new Start Screen, multi-core support, VoIP integration, and NFC
Microsoft is lifting the curtain to provide a preview of some of the software and hardware changes for its Windows Phone 8 operating system today. NFC, dual- and quad-core support are all set, and Microsoft has shifted over to the NT kernel for Windows Phone 8 to make it even easier for developers to code for its mobile and desktop ecosystems. There's a new Wallet hub, deeper integration of Skype, and an updated Start Screen interface with support for small tiles. Despite the improvements and...
Microsoft
Microsoft announces new Windows Phone 8 Start Screen with customizable live tile sizes
At its WIndows Phone 8 developer preview, Microsoft just announced a new start screen feature — users can customize the size of every single start screen tile. There are three sizes available: standard medium, small, and a large "double wide" tile that stretches across the entire start screen. Microsoft has also removed the right-hand "rail" that held the link to the full app list — you can really add a lot more information to your screen with this new design. When you're in...
Apps & Software
Microsoft selects Nokia technology to power maps in Windows Phone 8
Microsoft has selected Nokia's technology to power maps on Windows Phone 8, the company said today at its Windows Phone Summit keynote. The service will use NAVTEQ data, and offer offline map support, map control for developers, and turn-by-turn directions. A move that will bring the tech behind Nokia Drive to any Windows Phone 8 device partner. Microsoft's decision to use Nokia technology to power its maps service is not a total surprise: it already uses Nokia data to provide enhanced...
Apps & Software
Windows Phone 8 adds DirectX, native development, easier app porting
At its Windows Phone summit, Microsoft set the tone by talking a lot about "shared core" — it's practically a new mantra. Here's one way we'll see that in action: a native game development platform based on DirectX. A "common platform" for Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8, which is to say there's a shared kernel across the platforms. Shared hardware drivers and the "hardware-based security" of Windows.
More simply put, developers should be able to quickly port their games to Windows Phones...
Microsoft
Microsoft adds NFC to Windows Phone 8 with Wallet Hub, Tap + Send
Microsoft has announced that Windows Phone 8 will officially support NFC, as has been rumored for quite some time. The announcement isn't limited to hardware support — Microsoft has introduced an all-new Wallet Hub for Windows Phone, which will be the sole home for all purchases on the devices: contactless payments, deals, loyalty cards, in-app purchases, and credit and debit cards.
"Every Windows Phone will include the wallet hub."
Microsoft went through a fairly detailed walkthrough of...
Microsoft
Windows Phone 8 will support removable microSD storage
Microsoft has just announced microSD support for its new mobile operating system, Windows Phone 8. The news means that owners of future Windows Phones will be able to extend their device's storage using the cards. The feature has been missing from Windows Phone until now, as although the Windows Phone 7 OS supported SD storage, it did not support the removal of microSD cards while powered on.
The slide shown at the Windows Phone Summit also detailed that "installing apps" is supported,...
Microsoft
Windows Phone 8 announced by Microsoft: new Start screen, shared core with Windows 8, release this fall
Microsoft just revealed Windows Phone 8 will be released this fall as the next version of its mobile phone operating system. Further details are coming at the Windows Phone 8 Platform Preview, which is underway right now. The biggest change is under the hood: the OS now has a "shared core" with Windows 8.
There's other news as well: Windows Phone 8 will support dual-core CPUs on day one (and quad-cores in the future), and will also offer three screen resolutions, maxing out at 1280 x 768....
