Is Windows 10 The Next Android For Smartphones?

Windows 10 came and it conquered – from desktops to smartphones, the OS became an overnight star. Even though it is a hit, Microsoft phones, Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL did not make expected sales. There can be two possible reasons for this: one, the price tag and second, the history of Lumia phones.

Elaborating further, we can say that none of the above reasons are stand-alone. If Lumia phones would have been a hit since the beginning, people wouldn't have thought twice to pay the amount Microsoft was asking for. But paying $549 and $649 for phones that do not have a good sales history or were not even the first choice of customers was like a shot in the dark. Having said that, Windows 10 is an independent product. It is safe to say that Lumia phones' and their future is dependent on this operating system.

Understanding the popularity of Lumia phones, Microsoft has now taken a smart step. Just like the company rigorously promoted the software for desktop and its free upgrade, it has now started pushing this operating system to other phones. Along with Lumia 650, 550, 950 and 950 XL, the Insider Preview Build, this time, was released on non-Lumia phones as well. These are none other than Xiaomi Mi4 and Alcatel Onetouch Fierce XL. Surprisingly, these are not Windows phones. Both of these devices were powered by Android. Other well-known devices like OnePlus 2 and the upcoming OnePlus 3 may also adopt Windows 10. A report published by ibtimes said, "A Chinese media house IT Home, citing sources, has claimed that Microsoft officials are in talks with local smartphone makers Xiaomi and OnePlus to bring Windows 10 Mobile ROM to respective flagship phones — Mi 5, OnePlus 2 and the soon-to-be-released OnePlus 3."

Right now what is important for Microsoft is to increase the number of Windows 10 phones. What Microsoft has today that Android doesn't is Windows 10 desktops and the Display Dock which turns your mobile into a computer. With desktops, people are no longer required to give Lumia a try. They already know the capacities and capabilities of Windows 10. It is now about deciding to buy a Windows 10 phone, not Microsoft Lumia. Also, if two devices are allowing you to quickly merge your data and carry it wherever you go, why would anyone not want it? If Android doesn't make any drastic changes to retain Android users, then it will soon become the next BB10 and Windows 10, might just be the next Android.

Also Read: Windows 10 Ads: The Reason Behind Free Windows 10 Download?

Tags:Microsoftwindows 10Windows 10 Alcatel Onetouch Fierce XLWindows 10 Mi5Windows 10 mobileWindows 10 OnePlus 2Windows 10 OnePlus 3

Source: Is Windows 10 The Next Android For Smartphones?

Developers earn more on Windows Phone than Android or iOS

Windows Phone is nowhere near as popular as Android or iOS, having a market share of just over one percent, but it appears to be far more lucrative for developers than either of the two major platforms. In fact, developers who publish apps in Windows Store can expect to earn twice as much compared to those who create Android titles.

On average, a Windows Phone developer earns $11,400 per month, which equates to $136,800 per year. In contrast, an iOS developer has to make do with $8,100 per month, or $97,200 per year, while an Android developer makes $4,900 per month, or $58,800 per year.

The figures certainly make Windows Phone look much more appealing than developers lead us to believe. The smartphone operating system does not always get the same treatment as Android and iOS when it comes to new app releases, or the same level of support for existing titles. In fact, there is quite a large gap between it and Android and iOS, and it seems like it will never truly go away until the platform gains more ground in the consumer market.

Particularly interesting is that nearly half -- 49 percent, to be exact -- of Windows Phone developers take home at least $10,000 per month, or $120,000 per year. This means that there is no small group of developers that earn most of the revenue generated on the platform, which indicates that the average developer has a good chance at earning a decent living from Windows Phone app development.

Europe is actually the region where Windows Phone development is most popular, with 34 percent of developers on the old continent writing apps for the platform, compared to half as many in US and APAC. And, 28 percent of developers are considering an increase in their Windows Phone development efforts as opposed to 16 percent who expect the opposite.

The figures come from an InMobi survey, which polled over 1,000 developers. Over half of them are based in the APAC (Asia-Pacific) region, so the findings may not accurately reflect the state of affairs in US or Europe. Nearly half of developers -- 47 percent -- are working alone.

Are These Figures too Good to be True?

I have talked to a few Windows Phone developers over the years, including some high-profile ones that are responsible for very popular titles like Nextgen Reader. While revenue questions have not always received a straight answer, it is implied that earnings are generally not as high as on Android or iOS.

Of course, the developers that I have talked to likely do not represent the entire Windows Phone developer scene, but I also have serious doubts over whether InMobi's findings are accurate. After all, if revenue is this high, there would be more developers interested in the platform. Also, InMobi is an ad network, so its findings may be skewed towards its own developer customers.

Another problem is that, unlike with Android and iOS, there are few other surveys or reports that include Windows Phone into the mix, and none that is recent. Google and Apple also frequently share updates on developer revenue, while Microsoft prefers to keep such things private.

Nonetheless, even if revenue from Windows Phone apps turns out to be less in reality, a more accurate figure would still make the platform look good in the eyes of developers. Not to mention that competition on the platform is nowhere near as heated as on Android and iOS.

Image Credit: nopporn / Shutterstock

Source: Developers earn more on Windows Phone than Android or iOS

Microsoft stops working on 'Windows Bridge for Android'

As such, Microsoft now plans to concentrate its efforts on the Windows Bridge for iOS.

Earlier this month we showed how Project Islandwood could be used to easily port the endless runner Canabait game from iOS to Windows 10. Microsoft hoped to solve that by building an Android emulator into Windows 10, but the recent acquisition of mobile app maker Xamarin has the company reconsidering their strategy.

Project Astoria was announced at last year's Microsoft Build, the company's developer event, but since then there has been little to no news about it. Now Microsoft has finally closed the book on the Windows Bridge for Android toolkit. To add insult to injury, Microsoft has suggested to Android developers that they should "look at the iOS Bridge" as another solution.

Microsoft announced at its Build developer conference a year ago that Android would be an app type for the Windows Store, and to help developers deliver such apps Microsoft came out with Windows Bridge for Android, also known as Project Astoria, in a limited developer preview.

Mobile apps are becoming increasingly important for businesses, and developer tools to make powerful software across platforms is vital to the modern app ecosystem.

Microsoft has highlighted mainly on the cross-platform functionality of Xamarin in its mobile app and services. The tool is open source and is available on GitHub, and has been active since August. The main motto of Microsoft company is to create the users of Windows as well as Microsoft Office for those who are using iphones, ipads, and androids phones, as Cloud -based customers so that they can use it every where.

Additionally, Xamarin has helped Microsoft in the cross-platform development of mobile applications.

Moreover, as part of CEO Satya Nadella's vision, Microsoft is gaining a stronghold on iOS and Android ecosystems. This essentially means that the Xamarin will enable developers to resuse even more code across the platforms, saving them time and effort.

Reader comments on the Windows blog were split between those who welcomed Microsoft's move and those who questioned the reason for Astoria's end.

Source: Microsoft stops working on 'Windows Bridge for Android'

WhatsApp to end BlackBerry, Nokia and Windows Phone 7.1 support

WhatsApp has confirmed that it will stop supporting BlackBerry's software later this year, further signalling the demise of the once dominant mobile OS. Older Nokia and Windows Phone devices will also cease to be supported.

WhatsApp for BlackBerry OS, including the newest BB10 release, will be discontinued by the end of 2016. The announcement is unlikely to come as a huge surprise considering BlackBerry's measly share of the global smartphone market. However, it won't affect the BlackBerry Priv smartphone, which runs Google's Android 6.0 Marshmallow software.

WhatsApp will also end support for Nokia's Symbian S40 and S60 operating systems, Android versions 2.1 and 2.2 and Windows Phone 7.1. These operating systems "don't offer the kind of capabilities we need to expand our app's features in the future", according to WhatsApp.

"This was a tough decision for us to make, but the right one in order to give people better ways to keep in touch with friends, family and loved ones using WhatsApp," the company added.

WhatsApp reflected on happier times for BlackBerry, saying that BlackBerry and Nokia had once commanded 70 percent of mobile devices when the messaging app launched in 2007. This figure has now shrunk to less than one percent, and WhatsApp noted that Apple, Google and Microsoft now account for 99.5 percent of smartphones sold globally, justifying the decision.

WhatsApp suggested "upgrading to a newer Android, iPhone or Windows Phone" to continue using the service.

The news may be disappointing for BlackBerry, but the firm will not be overly concerned as it is slowly moving away from BB10 OS in favour of Android for newer phones, although it will still provide platform updates.

BlackBerry will also focus more on its software services, such as around security, based on the acquisitions of Good Technology and Watchdox and recently announced deal for UK firm Encription.

Source: WhatsApp to end BlackBerry, Nokia and Windows Phone 7.1 support

Free Windows 10 Coming To Non-Lumia Phones

Free Windows 10 is a gift from Microsoft to current Windows 7 and 8 users. Not only does it benefit PC users, it has also breathed new life into Microsoft's mobile business. With Windows 10 phones, Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL, the company saw a rising demand for the smartphones.

Looking at the popularity of free windows 10 for mobile, the company is now focusing on not restricting it to Lumia devices. Recently, windows 10 insider build preview was made available for Xiaomi Mi4 and Alcatel Onetouch Fierce XL along with Lumia 650, 550, Lumia 950 and 950 XL. Here are the phones that are next in line to get free Windows 10 update.

According to a report published by ibtimes, "A Chinese media house IT Home, citing sources, has claimed that Microsoft officials are in talks with local smartphone makers Xiaomi and OnePlus to bring Windows 10 Mobile ROM to respective flagship phones — Mi 5, OnePlus 2 and the soon-to-be-released OnePlus 3."

At Mobile World Congress, we saw how Microsoft is trying to give the world a whole new lot of Windows 10 devices, Huawei MateBook, Leno Yoga 510, Yoga 710, HP Elite X3, VAIO Phone Biz, Alacatel Fierce XL and Trinity Nuans NEO. With all of these new launches, it is clear that Windows 10 is the OS that is going to be here for years to come. And not just OnePlus 2, OnePlus 3 and Mi 5 are not the only devices to be launched as Windows 10 phones, it's going to be a big list.

Do not be shocked if all of the well-known brands adopt Windows 10 for popular phones just like BlackBerry did for Priv. Is Windows 10 going to be the next Android? Who knows? This latest operating system from Microsoft has a bright future for sure.

Also Read: Windows 10 Mobile Build: New Version Includes Alcatel Onetouch Fierce XL

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Tags:Mi 5MicrosoftOnePlus 2OnePlus 3Windows 10 mobileWindows 10 phones

Source: Free Windows 10 Coming To Non-Lumia Phones

Microsoft Band 2 on sale for just $175 from Microsoft Store and Best Buy

Microsoft is cutting the price of its Microsoft Band 2 fitness wearable for the next month or so. Both the Microsoft Store site as well as Best Buy are listing it for just $174.99 — that's $75 price cut.

This is the lowest price we have seen yet for a new version of the Band 2, and it won't last forever. The Microsoft Store site says this sale will end on March 26, and it's likely that will be the same for the Best Buy listing as well. So, if you want in on the deal, act soon.

Thanks to hapless_hiker for the tip! Anyone picking one up?

See at Microsoft Store

See at Best Buy

Source: Microsoft Band 2 on sale for just $175 from Microsoft Store and Best Buy

WhatsApp dumps support to BlackBerry OS, older phone models

WhatsApp says it will not support older mobile phone models including those devices running BlackBerry OS, starting 2017.

So if you are an ardent WhatsApp user and also happen to own a BlackBerry device, then it's time to either change the device or simply depend on what BlackBerry claims is their most secure BBM messenger.

Besides dropping support for BB's OS, the app will also stop working on Nokia S40 and Symbian S60, Android 2.1 and 2.2, as well as Windows Phone 7.1 devices by the end of the year.

Announcing the decision on its blog, WhatsApp said the services are being discontinued as these devices "don't offer the kind of capabilities we need to expand our app's features in the future."

WhatsApp is even advising its users to either upgrade to an Android, iPhone or latest Windows phone rather than stick on to the old BlackBerry OS. BlackBerry's latest flagship device the Priv uses a forked Android version instead of the Blackberry 10 OS.

"This was a tough decision for us to make, but the right one in order to give people better ways to keep in touch with friends, family, and loved ones using WhatsApp. If you use one of these affected mobile devices, we recommend upgrading to a newer Android, iPhone, or Windows Phone before the end of 2016 to continue using WhatsApp," the blog post said.

"When we started WhatsApp in 2009, people's use of mobile devices looked very different from today. The Apple App Store was only a few months old. About 70 per cent of smartphones sold at the time had operating systems offered by BlackBerry and Nokia," it said, adding that the roles have reversed today with smartphones running on Android, iOS and Microsoft OS accounting for 99.5 per cent of sales today.

Meanwhile, BlackBerry last week announced the five best messaging apps on Priv and BBM obviously leads the list, followed by Google Hangouts and WhatsApp Messenger in third position.

Source: WhatsApp dumps support to BlackBerry OS, older phone models

HP Elite X3 - Powerful Enough To Replace Your PC

The Elite x3 uses Windows 10's Continuum feature to allow users to bridge their work across any devices that are running Windows 10.

However, the release of the Lumia 650 is expected to be followed by more Microsoft made mobile phones such as the Lumia 750 and the Lumia 850, which are expected to help get more and more users convert to the Windows 10 OS.

Where is the Surface Phone?

Further, both the top-end Lumia phones have been picked up in the past for their plastic build while others relied on metallic construction for their flagship handsets.

With its new Elite x3 smartphone, HP is taking a fresh approach to the world of mobile enterprise computing by pairing the powerful device with an optional notebooklike mobile dock that includes a display and keyboard, but no motherboard, processor or storage. This was echoed by several other industry analysts who were around to see the phablet being unveiled and they pointed towards the features of the device as being close to that of a computer. Some reports have claimed that Microsoft is getting ready to launch the Surface Phone sometime halfway through 2016.

For example, the PowerPoint version of Windows 10 Mobile has a new feature that allows users to pin files to Start. That might not be the case with the Surface Phone if it inherits the superb build quality that the Surface lineup has already come to be acclaimed for. It's a powerful Windows flagship smartphone that would be a worthy upgrade coming from a previous Windows smartphone. It is expected that Microsoft could be going back to Intel besides Qualcomm for the Surface phone. The company is said to be using an Atom processor that was released in 2015.

The new build also contains one new feature - the addition of Visual Voicemail for dual-SIM devices, such as the dual-SIM Lumia 950 XL. The Surface Phone could come in two variants - one with the Intel Atom X3 processor and one with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor.

Additionally, the phablet has a large 5.96-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 pixels and a density of 492 pixels per inch. Based on some recent reports, the update should be finalized in the next two months.

The Elite x3 runs Microsoft Windows 10 and is also equipped with a 16-megapixel full HD rear-facing camera, an 8MP full HD front-facing camera, and 4G LTE, WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity.

Microsoft is a name rarely known for their hardware ventures and the company has been tapping into the hardware markets quite frequently off late. Peruse this eWEEK slide show for more information.

Hillary Clinton wins South Carolina Democratic primaryEighty-four percent of Democratic primary voters said reducing gun violence is more important than protecting gun owners' rights. But Powell, 58, who works in the food industry, said it's time to make history again, and she's supporting Hillary Clinton .

Source: HP Elite X3 - Powerful Enough To Replace Your PC

WhatsApp to end support for Windows Phone 7.1 by end of 2016

WhatsApp, the popular cross-platform messaging service, has decided to cut support for a number of OS platforms. That includes Windows Phone 7.1 by the end of 2016.

WhatsApp will also end support for Nokia S40, Nokia Symbian S60, Android 2.1, Android 2.2 and all versions of BlackBerry by the end of the year. On the WhatApp blog it was making this decision so it could "focus our efforts on the mobile platforms the vast majority of people use." it added:

"While these mobile devices have been an important part of our story, they don't offer the kind of capabilities we need to expand our app's features in the future. This was a tough decision for us to make, but the right one in order to give people better ways to keep in touch with friends, family, and loved ones using WhatsApp. If you use one of these affected mobile devices, we recommend upgrading to a newer Android, iPhone, or Windows Phone before the end of 2016 to continue using WhatsApp."

Source: WhatsApp to end support for Windows Phone 7.1 by end of 2016

Windows 10 Mobile update schedule for Lumia 640, 735, 830, 930: Will it come next week?

Microsoft Lumia users must be running out of patience waiting for the much-delayed Windows 10 Mobile update. The software was supposed to be rolled out in December, and the list of devices that would initially receive it was announced, but nothing has happened till now.

So when will the new software be rolled out to devices like Lumia 640, Lumia 735, Lumia 830, Lumia 930 and others? Microsoft hasn't announced the software update schedule for its devices, but it could happen as early as next week if Microsoft Lumia Mexico's Facebook post is anything to go by.

Microsoft Lumia Mexico has claimed on its Facebook page (via WMPowerUser) the Windows 10 Mobile update will be seeded to some devices Monday, Feb. 29. However, it didn't reveal the phones that would receive it. 

[Read: Microsoft Lumia 535 gets Windows 10 update]

Interestingly, Lumia device owners won't take unverified reports lightly now, especially after several claims of the software being released to some Lumia devices turned out to be false. It was reported that the Lumia 535 and Lumia 640 had received the update in Latin America and Poland, respectively, but the silence that followed is a clear hint that it didn't happen.

[Read: Windows 10 Mobile update rolled out to Microsoft Lumia 640]

Microsoft had earlier confirmed it would roll out the Windows 10 Mobile update initially to Lumia 430, Lumia 532, Lumia 535, Lumia 540, Lumia 640, Lumia 640 XL, Lumia 735, Lumia 830 and Lumia 930 before reaching out to Windows 8.0-based phones.

Source: Windows 10 Mobile update schedule for Lumia 640, 735, 830, 930: Will it come next week?

Microsoft is ditching Android app ports for Windows Phone

What's This?

Image: Christina Ascani/Mashable

By Kellen Beck2016-02-27 00:43:52 UTC

Mobile app developers who wanted to easily port their apps from Android or iOS to Windows 10 devices were in luck when Microsoft announced it created tools to help with that transition last year. But now Microsoft is going back and dropping the Android bridge, focusing on just iOS.

In a blog post, Microsoft announced that while it has been updating the Windows Bridge for iOS, it is dropping the Windows Bridge for Android project with an interesting explanation.

"We received a lot of feedback that having two Bridge technologies to bring code from mobile operating systems to Windows was unnecessary, and the choice between them could be confusing," wrote Kevin Gallo, director of Windows' developer platform. "We have carefully considered this feedback and decided that we would focus our efforts on the Windows Bridge for iOS and make it the single Bridge option for bringing mobile code to all Windows 10 devices, including Xbox and PCs."

The two projects for iOS and Android were very different in how they bridged apps from those platforms to Windows and were obviously platform specific. While many app developers create apps for both iOS and Android, there are Android-only developers that are now missing out on the Windows Store market unless they want to rewrite their app.

The solution for this is the acquisition of Xamarin, which is an app development company. Xamarin allows developers to use a homogenized C# language which easily moves between all three platforms. This is more of a forward-looking move, as it won't help developers who already have their apps on iOS or Android.

There is some speculation from Extreme Tech that the Android bridging was canceled because being able to seamlessly port any app would cancel out the need for developers to create Windows-optimized apps.

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.

Topics: Android, Apps and Software, Dev & Design, Mobile, Tech, Windows
Source: Microsoft is ditching Android app ports for Windows Phone

Galaxy S7 to include Android 6.0.1 emoji with Samsung tweaks

When Samsung introduced the Galaxy S7, it touted all of the device's new features, including its improved camera and water-resistant body. Today another notable Galaxy S7 feature that Samsung didn't touch on has been revealed.

Emojipedia has detailed all of the new emoji that'll come with the Android 6.0.1-powered Galaxy S7. There are several popular emoji included, like the middle finger, taco, and burrito, as well as several new faces. Samsung made notable tweaks to some of its new emoji, including altering the "Face With Rolling Eyes" emoji to look less annoyed than other versions. A comparison is below.

While there are a lot of new emoji coming to the Galaxy S7 and other Samsung phones that'll get Android 6.0.1, there are still some on other platforms that are missing from Samsung's update. Those include skin tone modifiers and country flags.

Google added new emoji to Android with the update to Android 6.0.1, so it makes sense that Samsung phones that get that update would see the new emoji, too. Still, it's interesting to get a preview of the emoji ahead of the GS7 launch and to see how Samsung tweaked some of the characters. To see more Samsung-ified emoji, hit up the link below.

Source: Galaxy S7 to include Android 6.0.1 emoji with Samsung tweaks

Microsoft Burned the Bridge for Porting Android Apps

Posted By Jane Danes on Feb 26, 2016 |

Microsoft Burned the Bridge for Porting Android Apps

To make it easier for mobile app developers in porting their programs over to Windows 10, Microsoft built a series of bridges. They're toolkits used to do the dirty work for various developers. The company had one porting Android apps known as Project Astoria. But the company burned that bridge.

But Microsoft is building a bridge for porting iOS apps to Windows 10 and another for Internet apps. This year, the company is also building a bridge for Win32. These plans aren't affected by the recent announcement of Microsoft. However, the iOS bridge may seem likely to go down, too.

According to Microsoft:

We received a lot of feedback that having two Bridge technologies to bring code from mobile operating systems to Windows was unnecessary, and the choice between them could be confusing. We have carefully considered this feedback and decided that we would focus our efforts on the Windows Bridge for iOS and make it the single Bridge option for bringing mobile code to all Windows 10 devices, including Xbox and PCs.

It added that:

For those developers who spent time investigating the Android Bridge, we strongly encourage you to take a look at the iOS Bridge and Xamarin as great solutions.

This news came after the company made a deal with Xamarin, a cross-platform mobile development software. This software vendor is a separate strategy to Microsoft's bridge. However, the goal is almost the same and that is to make mobile apps from other platforms be available to Windows 10.

If you're a developer, instead of waiting for Astoria, you should now look into its open source iOS migration tool. The main goal behind bridges is to bring current code to Windows. By investing on the iOS Bridge, the company can make its goal straightforward.

Microsoft has lost its battle in the mobile OS market. Five years ago, Windows Phone has started as a promising alternative to a more expensive iOS or Android. But it has failed to position itself as the true mobile ecosystem. In the recent quarter, the company has only sold 4.5 million devices compared to its 10.5 million sales last year. This only indicates a massive drop. Compared with iOS and Android phones, Microsoft and Nokia have only sold 110 million smartphones.

With Lumia sales declining and Microsoft's not planning to produce more handsets, it's pretty clear now  that the end of Windows Phone is near. Although there are rumours suggesting that the company is developing a Surface Phone. But, in order for it to be successful, it has to make it to the market first. With the lack of hardware, sales and market share, it may be time for Windows to call its Windows Phone as dead.

While it's not ready yet to say that its smartphones are dead, Microsoft ensures that its own apps will be available on every platform. It's trying to assist third-party developers in making their apps be available on Microsoft, too. For Microsoft, it needs its Windows products to work no matter what kind of device their users are using.

Image Source: Microsoft

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Source: Microsoft Burned the Bridge for Porting Android Apps

Microsoft's Xamarin Acquisition Could Boost Windows Phone Sales

By acquiring Xamarin, Microsoft hopes to lure enterprise app developers to Windows phones.

Since it began developing Windows 10, Microsoft has dedicated itself to creating applications that provide a uniform Windows experience across smartphone, tablet, and desktop devices. Yesterday, the Redmond, Washington-based company took this mission a step further.

By agreeing to acquire mobile app development company Xamarin Inc., Microsoft intends to help its developers build universal apps that run on all major mobile and desktop operating systems (OSes). In combination with Microsoft's existing suite of app development tools, Visual Studio, Xamarin will provide developers with a single solution to develop, test, and deliver mobile apps across all OSes, Microsoft said in a statement.

Perhaps more importantly for Microsoft, Xamarin's expertise would help it expand the number of apps available for Windows phones. As of July 2015, there were only 340,000 apps available on the Windows Phone Store compared with 1.6 million Android apps and 1.5 million iOS apps, according to data compiled by research firm Statista. Windows phones have only 1.1 percent of the global smartphone market share. 

For businesses, this marriage would provide an app bridge between the three major OSes that could help to propel Microsoft forward in the arms race for app and hardware enterprise adoption.

"As mobility makes a gradual move to the enterprise, enterprises continue to look for ways to develop front-end applications more efficiently," said Al Hilwa, Program Director of Software Development Research at IDC, in an email. "In particular, they are looking to leverage existing developer skills they have built up over the years in Java and .NET programming models and repurpose them for modern mobile development. Xamarin hits exactly this spot and effectively makes Microsoft a serious player in cross-platform software development."

Last week, Microsoft unveiled the Lumia 650, a metal smartphone with a removable battery and expandable storage. At the time of the release, Microsoft said, in a statement, the Lumia 650 would "bring first class to business class" by providing "the perfect balance between work and personal needs."

Xamarin has more than 15,000 customers in 120 countries, including Coca-Cola and JetBlue. More than 1.3 million developers have used its technology to create mobile apps.

Microsoft was in the final stages of negotiations to acquire Xamarin back in 2014, according to a CRN report. However, the deal was not finalized at the time.

Right now it is unclear what Microsoft will pay for Xamarin. Microsoft declined to provide additional comment on this story. However, The Wall Street Journal reports that the acquisition is expected to close at around $400-500 million, according to sources close to the deal. Microsoft is expected to retain all 350 of Xamarin's employees, and Xamarin will retain its branding after the deal closes. 

Source: Microsoft's Xamarin Acquisition Could Boost Windows Phone Sales

Make Windows 10 Mobile Automatically Back Up to OneDrive

If you're a Windows Phone owner, you should have your phone set to automatically backup the phone's data to OneDrive. Having everything manually backed up to a central location ensures that you can access it from anywhere on OneDrive. Also, it makes it easier to switch to a new device.

You can have Windows Mobile 10 automatically back up texts, photos, app content and device settings like the smart screen layout, passwords, and accounts.

Enable Automatic Windows 10 Mobile Backup

On your phone go to Settings > Update & Security > Backup. From there, flip the switches on to backup app data and your system settings.

If you want to do a manual backup, tap More options at the bottom of the list and then tap Back up now.

To make sure your text messages are backed up to OneDrive, go to Settings > System > Messaging and turn on the History & Sync options.

To make sure your photos and videos are backed up, open OneDrive and then tap the menu icon and head to Settings > Camera upload and turn it on.

Don't have a Windows Phone? You can still automatically your device's camera roll to OneDrive. For more on that, read our article: Auto Back Up Photos to OneDrive from Any Mobile Device.

If you haven't made the jump to Windows 10 Mobile yet, check out our article on how to create a Windows Phone 8.1 manual backup.

About Brian Burgess Based in MN, Brian Burgess is Editor in Chief at groovyPost. He also has contributed to other notable tech sites InformationWeek and How-To Geek. Follow him on Twitter @mysticgeek or email at [email protected]
Source: Make Windows 10 Mobile Automatically Back Up to OneDrive

Verizon updates its Lumia 735 with Advanced Calling toggle

If you own a Lumia 735 from Verizon Wireless, you might have a surprise waiting for you. The carrier is rolling out an update to the Windows Phone device which adds the ability for the owner to activate the phone's Advanced Calling directly on the device.

Verizon's Software Update page for the Lumia 735 shows that the new software version number for the phone will be 02171.00002.15194.03084. Other than that, there's no other information on this update. If you do notice anything else added with this update, please let us know in the comments.

Source: Verizon Wireless

Source: Verizon updates its Lumia 735 with Advanced Calling toggle

Microsoft's Xamarin Acquisition Could Boost Windows Phone Sales

By acquiring Xamarin, Microsoft hopes to lure enterprise app developers to Windows phones.

Since it began developing Windows 10, Microsoft has dedicated itself to creating applications that provide a uniform Windows experience across smartphone, tablet, and desktop devices. Yesterday, the Redmond, Washington-based company took this mission a step further.

By agreeing to acquire mobile app development company Xamarin Inc., Microsoft intends to help its developers build universal apps that run on all major mobile and desktop operating systems (OSes). In combination with Microsoft's existing suite of app development tools, Visual Studio, Xamarin will provide developers with a single solution to develop, test, and deliver mobile apps across all OSes, Microsoft said in a statement.

Perhaps more importantly for Microsoft, Xamarin's expertise would help it expand the number of apps available for Windows phones. As of July 2015, there were only 340,000 apps available on the Windows Phone Store compared with 1.6 million Android apps and 1.5 million iOS apps, according to data compiled by research firm Statista. Windows phones have only 1.1 percent of the global smartphone market share. 

For businesses, this marriage would provide an app bridge between the three major OSes that could help to propel Microsoft forward in the arms race for app and hardware enterprise adoption.

"As mobility makes a gradual move to the enterprise, enterprises continue to look for ways to develop front-end applications more efficiently," said Al Hilwa, Program Director of Software Development Research at IDC, in an email. "In particular, they are looking to leverage existing developer skills they have built up over the years in Java and .NET programming models and repurpose them for modern mobile development. Xamarin hits exactly this spot and effectively makes Microsoft a serious player in cross-platform software development."

Last week, Microsoft unveiled the Lumia 650, a metal smartphone with a removable battery and expandable storage. At the time of the release, Microsoft said, in a statement, the Lumia 650 would "bring first class to business class" by providing "the perfect balance between work and personal needs."

Xamarin has more than 15,000 customers in 120 countries, including Coca-Cola and JetBlue. More than 1.3 million developers have used its technology to create mobile apps.

Microsoft was in the final stages of negotiations to acquire Xamarin back in 2014, according to a CRN report. However, the deal was not finalized at the time.

Right now it is unclear what Microsoft will pay for Xamarin. Microsoft declined to provide additional comment on this story. However, The Wall Street Journal reports that the acquisition is expected to close at around $400-500 million, according to sources close to the deal. Microsoft is expected to retain all 350 of Xamarin's employees, and Xamarin will retain its branding after the deal closes. 

Source: Microsoft's Xamarin Acquisition Could Boost Windows Phone Sales

Microsoft Lumia 650 With 5-Inch Display, Windows 10 Mobile Launched

Special Weather Statement Issued In Advance Of Midweek StormRain overnight before 3 a.m., then rain and snow between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m., then snow after 4 a.m. Winds are expected from the northwest at 20 miles per hour with gusts up to 30 miles per hour .

Czech health officials announce country's first Zika casesThe Iowa Department of Public Health announced the state's first lab-confirmed case of travel-associated Zika virus February 19. NY - U.S. health officials are investigating more than a dozen possible Zika infections that may have been spread through sex.

Now convey love, haha, wow on Facebook postsFacebook also considered the top emojis and stickers now being used on the network to guide which reactions it should offer. In a post on his page, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg talked about introducing reactions to a worldwide audience.

Latest in Perry case: Ruling: Veto can't be curbed by courtsThe law used to indict Perry's veto threat was struck down as "unconstitutionally overbroad in violation of the First Amendment". Buzbee calls it a "shame that it took that long to get something as weak and misguided as this to be dismissed".

Rubio says Trump 'underperformed' in NevadaThere were reports that some volunteers were wearing candidate-themed clothing, but the party said that wasn't prohibited. First-in-the-nation Iowa has 30 delegates, number two New Hampshire has 23, SC has 50 and Nevada has 30 to award.

Watchdog says Perry cleared on 'gift' from courtThe appeals court sided with the Governor's legal team in all of the arguments made against the indictments. He was indicted before leaving office and has rebuked the charges as a partisan attack.

Signed Lionel Messi shirt makes Afghan child's dreams come trueMessi's father, Jorge, subsequently said his son was aware of the picture and "wants to do something". Messi has also said he would like to meet the little boy.

Tourist pot complaints up at Colorado emergency roomsThe Liberals have committed to legalizing recreational marijuana but have said little about their plans for medical cannabis. This suggests that local residents have become better educated when it comes to using marijuana, said study co-author Dr.

Van Gaal calls for 'horny' UnitedWhile his team got back to winning ways against Shrewsbury on Monday night, Van Gaal and his players came in for scrutiny following the result in Denmark.

Donald Trump Easily Wins Nevada CaucusesThe two senators have clashed fiercely in recent days as they try to establish themselves as Trump's strongest challengers. To date, Trump has proved largely immune to traditional political attacks, something he reveled in on Wednesday.

Samsung Galaxy S7, LG G5 not supporting Android M's Adoptable storage featureThere's no doubting that Samsung has pulled another beauty from the bag with its Galaxy S7 and S7 edge. Adoptable Storage can unite the phone memory and the one from microSD card in a single partition.

Colorado ends skid vs ninth-ranked ArizonaAround the 12 minute mark, Gordon was charged with his second foul, one that should have been given to Josh Fortune. For the game, the Buffs shot 41.5 percent from the field (27 of 65) and 33.3 percent from beyond the arc (5 of 15).

Jose Bautista Demands a Five-Year/$150 Million ContractIt seems like peculiar timing for the Blue Jays to be involved in a rumor involving the acquisition of another right fielder. Bautista is in the final year of a 6-year, $78 million contract. "To me, it's not a cloud", said Atkins. "We can't.

Israeli officer killed by friendly fire in alleged West Bank attackIsraeli leaders have said the Palestinian attacks are fueled by incitement by Palestinian leaders and social media. An armed civilian and soldiers at the scene then opened fire, apparently wounding the victim.

China Warns THAAD Deployment Could Destroy South Korea Ties 'in an Instant'The statements come ahead of joint U.S.-South Korea military exercises to be held in March. South Korea's defense ministry said it expects official talks on THAAD to begin next week.

Source: Microsoft Lumia 650 With 5-Inch Display, Windows 10 Mobile Launched

Microsoft Surface phone release date rumors suggest its early arrival, Lumia to become history: Update

Microsoft Surface phone release date rumors suggest its early arrival, Lumia to become history: Update

Microsoft Surface phone release date rumors suggest its early arrival, Lumia to become history: Update

Microsoft hasn't made any formal announcement in this regard, but the tech world is agog with rumors that the Redmond based tech giant is all set to launch a new line of smartphone, disbanding Lumia line of handsets.

Rumors in the tech world are essentially not without basis. Most of the time rumors turn out to be hundred percent true. The recently launched Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge were launched merely two days ago. But if you are a regular tech blog reader, you were well aware of all the specs with which the top Android handsets were launched with one or two exceptions.

The same usually happens in the case of iconic smartphones from Apple, iPhones. For months we tend to discuss rumors one after the other, many of which are actually circulated in the media by tech giant and its associates. And the finished product when it arrives has really no surprise quotient.

So, while Microsoft may be yet to speak a word about the new line of the handset, the tech world is precisely very sure about the impending launch of the Surface smartphones. Several reports have claimed that Microsoft has been trying its best to release a high quality smartphone, which can challenge Apple iPhone and several Android-run smartphones.

There is no denying the fact that all these rumors cannot be without basis. Last year, Microsoft's Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Chris Capossela had said that the company is working on a new smartphone. Chris had claimed at that time that the new smartphone from Microsoft would be a "breakthrough". Chris also confirmed that this device will not feature the Lumia branding. Some reports have claimed that Microsoft is getting ready to launch the Surface Phone sometime halfway through 2016. Some rumours hinted that the device may release in June or July.

Not much is clear about the specifications. But the handset will come with top of the line specs. When it comes to the specifications, it looks that the Surface Phone will be a powerful device, based on the kind of specs that Windows 10 mobile (or just Windows Phone) needs. The most recent Windows Phone flagships – the Lumia 950 XL and the Lumia 950 have advanced specs. It is expected that Microsoft could be going back to Intel besides Qualcomm for the Surface phone. It is learned that the company would use an Atom processor that was released in 2015. The Surface Phone could come in two variants – one with the Intel Atom X3 processor and one with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor.

Source: Microsoft Surface phone release date rumors suggest its early arrival, Lumia to become history: Update

Another week, another Windows 10 build, and more bug fixes

Here is everything that's new and fixed in the Windows 10 Mobile Redstone 14267.1004.

The Windows 10 PC build is now the sixth new testing build in as many weeks and this release cadence is proving to be habitual instead of just a hopeful pattern of weekly releases/ Let me tell you Windows Insiders love getting these regular updates.

The Elite x3 is a powerful Windows 10 smartphone and the specs show.

"If you have Kaspersky Anti-Virus, Internet Security, or the Kaspersky Total Security Suite installed on your PC there is a known driver bug that prevents these programs from working as expected in builds from the Development Branch", Aul explained, emphasizing that this is the kind of bug that has to be expected in an early build that's only available to insiders opting for the fastest release.

The HP Envy x3, revealed this week at the annual Mobile World Congress convention in Barcelona on Monday, could provide a promising new use case for Microsoft's Continuum technology and perhaps create a new niche for Windows 10 mobile among business users. The company's flagship devices, Lumia 950 and 950 XL come with Windows 10 out-of-the-box.

Neither build has any new features; however, there are a number of important fixes.

Surface phone, a product of Microsoft is also supposed to be a business-orientated device.

The phone features dual front speakers powered by Bang & Olufsen; there's also an Iris Scanner and a Fingerprint scanner.

Also, the Elite x3 supports several encryption standards, such as FIPS 140-2 cryptography, SecureBoot, 128-bit key Unified Image Encryption, Anti roll back, fTPM 2.0 security, Enterprise grade VPN, 256-bit Full Disk Encryption and the Windows 10 128 Key Bitlocker. Organizations will be able to use Citrix XenApp or Microsoft Azure RemoteApp to provide virtual app experiences on the Elite x3 clients, the company said.

The display on the Microsoft Lumia 950 is 5.2-inches of Quad HD AMOLED at 2560 x 1440 with 564ppi. If you're not already part of the Windows Insider Program, you can sign up here. The fact that a player like HP is making a push with a new twist could at least help move the dial in the other direction, even if it only finds niche uses. "This is for large businesses and organizations, not consumers", wrote Patrick Moorhead, president of Moor Insights & Technology, who is over at MWC in Barcelona. HP is spot-on that mobile-compute power is skyrocketing, enabling PC-like capabilities. It's got the latest Snapdragon 820 processor as well, so it's in no way, slow.

There were a lot of talk about how little app the Windows store has to offer which is true but the fact is that most of the apps that you will need are there.

Source: Another week, another Windows 10 build, and more bug fixes

HP Launches Windows 10 Phablet at Mobile World Congress

HP Launches Windows 10 Phablet at Mobile World Congress

HP is readying a new Windows 10-based combination of a phablet, laptop and desktop PC for business users, planned for release this summer. The HP Envy x3, revealed this week at the annual Mobile World Congress convention in Barcelona on Monday, could provide a promising new use case for Microsoft's Continuum technology and perhaps create a new niche for Windows 10 mobile among business users.

It includes a new six-inch Windows 10 mobile phone with a WQHD (2560 x 1440) AMOLED multi-touch display  that will include built-in native support for Salesforce.com's Salesforce1 CRM offering and will come with HP software that supports virtualized application environments.

The new HP Envy x3 aims to bridge the functions of a phablet and a pc using Continuum, the technology introduced in Windows 10 and Windows 10 mobile that allows users to connect large displays, keyboards and mice and run both Universal Windows Platform apps from the Microsoft Store and traditional Win32 and .NET applications. "HP's new Elite x3 is an innovative new Windows 10 mobile device," wrote Terry Myerson, executive VP of Microsoft's Windows and devices group. "With a unique new docking station, the Elite x3 brings Continuum to life in new ways, seamlessly transitioning between a phone, notebook or desktop.".

The new HP Envy x3 phone, powered with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 processor enabled for access to mobile LTE-based networks, also utilizes Microsoft's Windows Hello biometric authentication technology. It's equipped with 4GBs of RAM, a Cat 6 LTE modem and 2×2 AC Wi-Fi. The phone's storage capacity is 64GB eMMC 5.1, with support for up to 2TBs using an optional SD card.

Among other new mobile Windows 10 devices at MWC, Myerson showcased were the new Vaio Phone Biz, the Alcatel OneTouch, the Trinity Nuans NEO and the Huawei Matebook. Microsoft also announced its largest Lumia phone to date, the 5-inch, $200 Lumia 650.

This week's show also demonstrated that HP is developing more than just a phone that can plug into standard desktop peripherals using Continuum alone. The Envy x3 will include HP Workspace, a software update for Windows 10 that will give users access to catalogs of x86-based apps bundled as a virtualized solution.

According to HP, HP Workspace is a client side app that supports a group of back-end services that give IT administrators the ability to manage a catalog of virtualized legacy apps for end users based on their Active Directory profiles. Organizations will be able to use Citrix XenApp or Microsoft Azure RemoteApp to provide virtual app experiences on the Elite x3 clients, the company said. It will also support monitoring and reporting.

The optional Desk Dock will include two USB-A and a USB-C connector ports, Ethernet port and DisplayPort to let users connect external monitors. Another option is the HP Mobile Extender, which HP said gives the experience of a laptop with a near-zero bezel 12.5-inch diagonal HD display, weighing in at about 2.2 lbs. The Mobile Extender won't store any data and users must authenticate from the Elite x3.

HP hasn't disclosed pricing or a release date for the Elite x3, but it's an interesting sign for Windows Phone fans that have seen Microsoft's mobile market share continue to decline. The fact that a player like HP is making a push with a new twist could at least help move the dial in the other direction, even if it only finds niche uses.

Don't expect to find this device at Best Buy or your local AT&T dealer. "This is for large businesses and organizations, not consumers," wrote Patrick Moorhead, president of Moor Insights & Technology, who is over at MWC in Barcelona. "HP, with its Elite x3, is attacking smartphone modularity and extensibility in the enterprise. HP is spot-on that mobile-compute power is skyrocketing, enabling PC-like capabilities. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 is an absolute beast of a performer, too. The reason I add the '-like' is that the x3 can't perform all PC use cases well, and if that's your bar, [you're] missing the point. The x3 isn't intended to replace your full PC experience just as the iPad Pro isn't intended to replace the Mac experience."

If you're a fan of Windows Phone, are you encouraged by the launch of this new device, and the hope that others will follow suit?

Posted by Jeffrey Schwartz on 02/24/2016 at 2:00 PM

Source: HP Launches Windows 10 Phablet at Mobile World Congress

Microsoft Announces New 650 Smartphone, As Life After Lumia Brings Huge Growth In Revenues For Nokia

The new Lumia 650 smartphone has been unveiled with a price point of around $199 in the U.S. and between £150 and £160 in the UK.

The Lumia 650 is aimed at the business market and runs the latest Microsoft Office apps straight out of the box, allowing users to streamline workflows and maximize mobile productivity with their Windows-based user IT environments. The projects can be created and edited on-the-go and then synchronized to the cloud through OneDrive.

The phone supports the growing roster of Universal Windows Applications, "code-once" software that works across a variety of Windows 10 devices, from tablets and PCs to smartphones.

The Lumia 650 has also been designed with business security in mind, protecting company and personal data with features such as device encryption and device wipe.

Although not in the premium price bracket, the Lumia 650 features hardware and design that are often found in high-end devices like Samsung's popular Galaxy smartphones and the iPhone. It boasts a five-inch Gorilla Glass 3 OLED screen, and an exposed metal chassis — a polished, diamond cut anodized aluminum frame.

[Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images]

The smartphone also has a removable battery, expandable storage, a profile of 6.9mm, weighs 122 grams, a 5-megapixel front camera, and an 8-megapixel rear camera. It runs a Qual-com snapdragon Quad-core 1.3 GHz Processor, has 1GB RAM, 16GB storage, and LTE support. The Lumia will be available in two finishes — black and white.

The Lumia 650 is the second Lumia smartphone released without Nokia branding, after the Finnish company that originally developed the Lumia range sold the mobile phones division to Microsoft for $7.2 billion.

Nokia now consists of two business operations that focus on mapping and network infrastructure — Nokia Networks and Nokia Technologies.

[Photo by Patrik Stollarz/Getty Images]

The former is a multinational data networking company and one of the world's largest telecoms equipment manufacturers. With a presence in 120 countries, Nokia Networks is driving a convergence of diverse technologies, such as Cloud services, Analytics, Fastmile, and VoLTE, to optimize network performance.

The latter develops and licenses innovations and the Nokia brand. Nokia Technologies consists of an advanced development team working in areas such as imaging, sensing, wireless connectivity, power management, and advanced materials.

Last week, Nokia posted its quarterly earnings data — revenue of $3.61 billion for the quarter, which is up 2.8 percent on a year-over-year basis.

Net sales for Nokia increased 3 percent on a reported basis, driven by a staggering 170 percent growth in Nokia Technologies' revenues. While the Networks segment operating margins came in at 14.6 percent, the best performance since Nokia Siemens Networks was established.

Nokia CEO Rajeev Suri said that the company expects growth this year in markets such as North America, India, the Middle East, and Africa, but demand in China is expected to diminish.

But during Q4, Nokia saw 17 percent y-o-y growth in its revenues from China, and the company believes that any drop in demand can be offset by Nokia's merger with Alcatel-Lucent.

The merger is in its final stages, as Nokia recently announced that it holds 91 percent of Alcatel-Lucent's shares following the second round of its EUR 15.6 billion all-stock offer.

The deal is proceeding faster than expected, and Nokia is proactively stirring up the leadership structure of Alcatel Shanghai Bell, putting in a new management team and board of directors.

Alcatel-Lucent reported 13 percent growth in its Q4 revenues with promising results from Asia and North America, which indicates that it is in a good shape and can help Nokia in China as well as the U.S.

[Image via YouTube]

Source: Microsoft Announces New 650 Smartphone, As Life After Lumia Brings Huge Growth In Revenues For Nokia

Official Tumblr app leaves Windows Phone

If you're not young nor a well-to-do hipster nor very eager to delve into your personal feelings, cute animal photos, thought experiment escalations to the nth degree and GIFs of attractive men taking showers while being captioned saying something they're not actually saying … you're probably not on Tumblr.

That said, for the few who fall in the Venn Diagram between "those on Tumblr" and "those on Windows Phone," the news that Tumblr has withdrawn its Window Phone app from the Windows Store is not good. One of the social media platform's support team members responded to Sabri Yuga enquiry on Windows Phone updates.

Third-party apps as well as the mobile site are still available for users to peruse. Hopefully we don't see a Snapchat-Rudy Huyn-Microsoft fight for blood situation develop here.

Via: MSPoweruser

Source: Official Tumblr app leaves Windows Phone

AT&T Lumia 950 updated to Windows 10 Mobile build 10586.107

Windows 10 Mobile build 10586.107 now appears to be rolling out to the AT&T Lumia 950 for non-Insiders. The build initially saw a public release last week for unlocked non-Insider phones that shipped with Windows 10 Mobile, but those with an AT&T-branded Lumia 950 were left out in the cold.

We've been able to confirm the update is rolling out to one of our own AT&T Lumia 950s that isn't enrolled in the Windows Insider program.Be sure to let us know in the comments below if you've received the update to build 10586.107 on your AT&T-branded Lumia 950.

Unfortunately, there is no accompanying firmware that is coming along with this update and instead only for the OS.

Thanks to @beowshawitz on Twitter for the tip!

Source: AT&T Lumia 950 updated to Windows 10 Mobile build 10586.107

Microsoft Surface Phone Rumour Roundup: Specs, Price, Launch and more

Microsoft Surface Phone rumours continue to heat up, even as the company's smartphone future looks dark. The Surface Phone, said to be arriving later this year, will be Microsoft's first ever smartphone. It will feature the Surface branding and complete the Surface brand of ultra portable and powerful devices.

Microsoft has long been rumoured to launch a Windows Phone device featuring the Surface branding. This rumour has been doing the rounds since the company's Surface line of tablets and convertibles became successful. With the Nokia Lumia brand now fading away, it is the right time for Microsoft to pitch in with the all-important Surface line of smartphones running on the Windows 10 mobile platform.

Where is the Surface Phone?

In the works. Microsoft has been hard at work trying to release a high quality smartphone, according to numerous rumours about the company's 2016 plans.

After reading through dozens of reports, the one thing that can be concluded is that the Surface Phone is real. Just last year, Microsoft's Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Chris Capossela revealed that the company is working on a new smartphone.

According to Chris, this mobile device would be a "breakthrough". The only other instances where Microsoft has been tipped to launch a "breakthrough" device is the Surface Phone. Furthermore, Chris also confirmed that this device will not feature the Lumia branding. It's as good a proof of the Surface Phone that you could get 4 months prior to the launch of the smartphone.

When will the Surface Phone be launched?

Some highly reputable sources have revealed that Microsoft will launch the Surface Phone sometime halfway through 2016. Other rumours have hinted at a June or July 2016 launch. With Chris Capossela all but confirming the presence of the Surface Phone, it remains to be seen just how long Microsoft will take to complete working on the device.

The Surface Phone rumours have easily existed for almost an year now. While companies tend to take a little longer while launching something new, Microsoft's continued delays in delivering the Surface Phone should ring alarm bells for Windows Phone fans.

Specifications

When it comes to the specifications, the Surface Phone looks to be a fairly powerful smartphone, based on the kind of specs that Windows 10 mobile (or just Windows Phone) needs. The most recent Windows Phone flagships – the Lumia 950 XL and the Lumia 950 come with most of the top line specs that we have come to see on Android flagships.

However, for the Surface Phone, Microsoft could be going back to Intel in addition to Qualcomm. The company is said to be using an Atom processor that was released in 2015. The Surface Phone could come in two variants – one with the Intel Atom X3 processor and one with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor.

In other areas, we are expecting to see a 5.5 inch Super AMOLED display with a QHD resolution. In terms of memory, 4 GB RAM and 64 GB internal storage are being speculated as the base model.

Microsoft will also be utilizing the PureView technology it acquired from Nokia. The Surface Phone will come with a 21 MP PureView camera featuring Carl Zeiss lens. The front camera will be an 8 MP one, featuring a wide-angle Carl Zeiss lens again.

Design

The Surface Phone will feature the trademark Surface design – an aluminium and magnesium alloy casing to make the phone sturdy. It will feature the same design language as that of the Surface Pro and Surface Book.

Windows 10 mobile

The Surface Phone will come with the release version of Windows 10 mobile. Microsoft is currently testing this new version of Windows 10 for mobile phones. Based on some recent reports, the update should be finalized in the next two months. At that point, Microsoft will begin the final testing of the Surface Phone with Windows 10 mobile. This fits in with the June 2016 launch rumours.

While Microsoft is taking a bit too long to launch the Surface Phone, all rumours point to a very powerful smartphone. We'll be keeping an eye out for more information.

Source: Microsoft Surface Phone Rumour Roundup: Specs, Price, Launch and more

Microsoft giving away a Display dock and Office 365 description to Lumia 950/950XL owners in India

Yes, you read it right - free stuff is awaiting any current of future owner of Microsoft's pair of flagship phones in India. The first deal is for a one-year subscription to Office 365 Personal. The suite will allow you to use the latest Office apps on the device, as well as PCs and tablets, along with cloud storage and syncing. Normally, it would cost you about INR 3,299, so it's a fairly good deal. You can get it from the Lumia Offers app, just tap on the "1-year Office 365" deal.

The other offer is actually even more tantalizing. If you are planning on getting a Lumia 950 or Lumia 950XL, you can skip on purchasing the dock as well. Just go over to Amazon India, for instance, get the phone and then, once you have it in your possession, head on over to http://getdock.in and insert your IMEI for verification. Then the Display Dock and an HDMI cable should come within the next seven working day. We are not exactly sure if the offer will apply to all units already in the wild, but, you can always try for yourself and share your results in the comments.

Source

Source: Microsoft giving away a Display dock and Office 365 description to Lumia 950/950XL owners in India

Windows 10 Mobile OTA Update: First Set Of Smartphones To Receive Upgrade Revealed

At a time when Microsoft is expected to release the Windows 10 Mobile OTA update at the end of this month, A set of smartphones that will be upgraded to Windows 10 Mobile have been revealed.

The Lumia 950, Lumia 950 XL, Lumia 550 and the all new Lumia 650 are the only smartphones that come with Windows 10 Mobile preloaded. Other Lumia devices are either running on Windows Phone 8.1 or preview version of Windows 10 Mobile. The Redmond giant is expected to release the Windows 10 Mobile upgrade by Feb. 29.

Except for some unsupported Lumia devices, all the other smartphones that are running on Windows Phone 8.1 and Lumia Denim are eligible to receive the Windows 10 Mobile upgrade. When Microsoft will begin the roll out the upgrade, all the devices won't be able to receive the upgrade at the same time.

According to Mobi Picker, the first set of smartphones that will be receiving the upgrade include: Lumia 930, Lumia 830, Lumia 735, Lumia 640, Lumia 640 XL, Lumia 634 with 1 GB of RAM, Lumia 540, Lumia 535, Lumia 532, Lumia 435 and Lumia 430.

The Redmond giant had announced at the middle of last year that it would be releasing Windows 10 Mobile upgrade for eligible devices by December 2015. However, the company could not keep its promise and it again announced that the update would arrive early next year. The update did not arrive in January and its arrival was further delayed until February.

Even though an employee from Microsoft Mexico has mentioned on Facebook that the software upgrade would be available by Feb. 29, there has been no official confirmation on it from Microsoft. It is the same source that had revealed the details of the Lumia 950 and 950 XL smartphones two weeks before their release.

Source: Windows 10 Mobile OTA Update: First Set Of Smartphones To Receive Upgrade Revealed

Samsung Galaxy S7 Hands On!

The Samsung Galaxy S7 has been unveiled and we go hands on with the Samsung Galaxy S7, the successor to the Galaxy S6. Featuring a slight redesign, IP68 Waterproofing, and the return of the MicroSD Card slot, the Samsung Galaxy S7 is looking like a serious player. 

Source: Samsung Galaxy S7 Hands On!

MWC16 - Evidence that the Windows Phone Hibernation Continues

For an ecosystem that is supposedly dead on the vine it seems new Windows 10 Mobile based devices are getting some air time over in Barcelona, Spain at Mobile World Congress 2016 (MWC16).

Now, I don't agree with the whole Windows Phone is Dead line of thinking because in my opinion it is hibernating and dormant right now and I said as much earlier this month.

Dormant and hibernating ecosystems need slow feeding to last through the lean months and the Windows Phone 1%, or whatever the percentage is at these days, is getting that trickle of nourishment in the form of brand new Windows 10 Mobile handsets being unveiled over at MWC16.

Our former protagonist here on the SuperSite, Paul Thurrott, made a great correlation to this over on Petri earlier today talking about the OEMs, Windows phone mobile devices and Microsoft's absence from the mobile focused event:

"They no longer see Windows phones as phones. Instead, these devices are simply highly portable and ever-connected mini-PCs that can connect to legacy back-end systems and be transformed into highly-managed PC-like devices when docked with a screen, keyboard and mouse. Oh, and they can be used like a phone when needed too."

This goes right along with the current trends in the computing industry as well – you know – the Post PC Era everyone talks about.

People are doing more and more on smaller devices such as mobile devices (phones) and small form factor tablets (really small PCs basically) in the 7 to 10-inch device range. This is exactly why we are seeing more OEMs coming out with the convertible/2 in 1 style hardware as well.

The one device announced so far at MWC16 that really feeds the ecosystem is the new HP Elite x3.

If you give someone the ability to be productive by allowing them to connect a mobile keyboard and maybe even a mouse to this style of hardware, then it gives many users exactly what they want.

Simplicity, convenience and real portability.

I know not everything announced at MWC16 is coming to the United States but there is an entire world out there that are looking for cost effective ways to do their computing and many of these mid to low end devices will fill those gaps.

One trend I am also noticing in these new product announcements is the offer of cellular connectivity that enhances the usability of these small form factor devices when a user is not in range of a Wi-Fi hotspot. Include this on a device that can now double not only as a solid productivity device but also as a phone and you have the best of both worlds.

Now, for me and I am sure many of you, using a 7 to 10-inch device as a phone is not the most ergonomic of usage scenarios but hey pair a Bluetooth headset with that device and you are on your way.

You can see all of the Windows 10 related devices that have been announced at MWC16 so far by visiting a new blog post from Microsoft's Terry Myerson on the Windows Experience Blog.

Source: MWC16 - Evidence that the Windows Phone Hibernation Continues

Microsoft’s Lumia 650 looks and feels way better than the Lumia 950

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Microsoft's Lumia 950 was bland, uninspired, plasticky, and looked like any other low-end Lumia that Microsoft has been churning out over the past year. The problem was that it wasn't low-end Lumia, and for its $650 price tag we expected a lot more. Microsoft might not be putting a lot of design effort into its flagship Windows 10 phones, but it's certainly paying some attention to its latest budget Lumia.

Announced last week, the latest Lumia 650 is designed for businesses and priced at just $199. I got a chance to get a closer look at the Lumia 650 at Mobile World Congress today, and for the price point I'm impressed. It looks and feels so much better than the Lumia 950 that it's stunning that Microsoft didn't pick this design for its premium handsets. It still has the familiar Lumia design, but the aluminum frame makes it feel far less plasticky and more comfortable to hold.

It's also really lightweight at just 122 grams, and a good size thanks to its 5-inch AMOLED display. Unfortunately, it's still a mid-range device, so it has Qualcomm's underpowered Snapdragon 212 processor inside and just 1GB of RAM. These low specs mean Microsoft's special Continuum feature (to turn the phone into a PC) isn't present, so it's just the regular features of Windows 10 Mobile for the most part.

If Microsoft could cram flagship features and specifications into a device as lightweight as this then it might give Windows 10 Mobile a better chance. Good Windows phone hardware won't help address the lack of apps on the platform and ecosystem issues, but at least the hardware wouldn't be a let down for those eager to use Windows 10 Mobile.

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Source: Microsoft's Lumia 650 looks and feels way better than the Lumia 950

MWC 2016: HP Elite x3 Designed To Function Like A Windows 10 PC

(Photo : REUTERS/Stephen Lam) The HP Elite x3 is the company's own Windows 10 smartphone designed for Continuum.

During the Mobile World Congress, HP unveiled a new high-end smartphone, the Elite x3, which runs on Windows 10.

The new HP smartphone comes with a 6-inch quad-HD (2560x1440) display, a 2.1GHz Snapdragon 820 processor, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage, which is expandable up to 2TB with a microSD card.

The Elite x3 has a 16-megapixel rear-facing camera and an 8-megapixel front-facing camera. Both cameras come with iris recognition.

Just beneath the rear-facing camera is a fingerprint scanner. The prototype shown at MWC 2016 didn't feature the fingerprint scanner, but the company said it will be available by the time the smartphone hits stores.

The phone boasts an efficient 4,150mAh battery, which can also be charged wirelessly.

What's so special about the HP Elite x3 is that it is designed specifically for Windows 10's Continuum. This lets users plug it into a display or a laptop to provide a full PC experience. 

Continuum on Windows 10 mobile has been introduced in Microsoft's Lumia 950 XL, but the HP Elite x3 takes it a lot further in terms of power.

Since the main focus of the device is to bring the full desktop or laptop PC experience, HP will also be selling two accessories that will help users take advantage of Window 10 mobile's Continuum.

First is the Desk Dock where users will be able to dock their Elite x3 and hook it up to an external display, keyboard and mouse. The Desk Dock comes with two USB ports, a single USB Type-C port, Ethernet and DisplayPort.

The second accessory is what HP calls the Mobile Extender, which at first glance can easily be mistaken for a laptop.

It's basically just a 1080p 12.5-inch screen, keyboard and trackpad packaged into a single device with its own 48Wh battery.

It will only work when a user connects their Elite x3 to it via its USB Type-C port or wirelessly.

HP is targeting enterprise and corporate consumers, but one of the disadvantages of Windows 10 mobile and Continuum is the fact that desktop apps cannot be utilized in the Elite x3.

As pointed out by The Verge, HP is currently building software that would allow users to run apps from the cloud and this would require an IT department to setup.

HP has not revealed when the Elite x3, Desk Dock and the Mobile Extender will be released, nor has it revealed their prices.

HP hinted that it might start selling the device sometime during the summer season.

The company will mostly be selling the HP Elite x3 directly to enterprise customers, and perhaps the device might soon even make its way to Microsoft's online store.

Source: MWC 2016: HP Elite x3 Designed To Function Like A Windows 10 PC

Windows Mobile Weekly Digest: The Lumia 650 arrives, Candy Crush goes fishing, and we launch our new app

There's a lot going on in the world of Windows Phone. So much, in fact, that it is sometimes tough to catch every important story.

Device rumors come and go. New apps join the Windows Phone Store, and your favorite app can get a big update with a new look or new features.

Therefore, every week we will compile a list of the Windows Phone news that you just shouldn't miss. Welcome to the "Windows Mobile Weekly Digest."

1. Windows Mobile

Well, the Microsoft Lumia 650 is finally official, and even though it is an entry-level Windows 10 phone, its specs make it a more than capable. We picked up a Microsoft Lumia 650 of our own and found that despite the low price point, there's a lot to like about it.

Meanwhile, rumor had it that Alcatel OneTouch is working on a "superphone." The Windows 10 Mobile device will reportedly be called the Idol Pro 4 and will allegedly have a full HD display, along with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor and Continuum support.

Speaking of Continuum, NexDock has launched an Indiegogo campaign for a laptop-like dock for Continuum-ready phones, stick computers, and the like. The dock features a 14-inch LCD and keyboard in a clamshell configuration that will retail for about $120.

The Windows Device Recovery Tool was updated to support more third-party phones. Version 3.1.6 now lets you recover your AlcatelOne FierceXL, BLU Win HD W510U, BLU Win HD LTE X150Q, and MCJ Madosma Q501 to previous versions of Windows.

A Facebook post by Microsoft Mexico may have revealed the official rollout date of Windows 10 Mobile. The post says' "the update to Windows 10 will be available as from 29 February," but does not say whether that is just a regional decision or an across-the-board release.

Until then, Windows 10 Mobile build 10586.107 was release for Lumia 950, 950 XL and 550 on Wednesday. The next day, non-Lumia phones got the update, too.

According to AdDuplex's latest numbers, Windows 10 Mobile only owns 5 percent of the Windows smartphone ecosystem. What looks like a steep drop from the month before is actually due to a correction by AdDuplex, who incorrectly tallied the numbers last month.

Though many have already pronounced Windows Mobile dead, we took a deeper look at Microsoft's Windows 10 Mobile strategy for 2016, which is still very much alive.

Other notable items: 2. Apps

Hulu unveiled their new Universal app for Windows 10 this week, showing off a new interface, support for their ad-free and SHOWTIME add-ons, and improved streaming video quality.

Following the recent release of its PC counterpart, the makers of Todoist have developed a new preview for Windows 10 Mobile. Both versions are still in the early stages, so expect some bumps along the way.

The PBS Video app, which landed in the Windows Store for PC a few weeks ago, is now available for Windows 10 Mobile as well.

Twitter client Tweet It! for Windows Mobile was updated with improved language support and went on sale for $2.99. Earlier in the week, Tweet It! for Windows 10 for PC got a significant patch as well, with Tweet Marker syncing and Pocket integration.

The Microsoft Health app joined its companion wearables, the Band and Band 2, in getting an update this week. Most notably, the app added a Live Tile that displays your Band's battery status, your number of steps, and calories burned.

Last, but certainly not least, we bring you the all new Windows Central app-preview for Windows 10!. Built from the ground up for Windows 10, the new app works on your PC and phone, complete with Continuum support.

And even though our editor and developer have worked tirelessly to bring you everything you could want in a Windows Central app, it isn't quite 100%, so bear with it. Be sure to chime in with your feedback on the new Windows Central UserVoice page and let us know what you think.

Other notable items: 3. Games

Candy Crush Soda Saga picked up 20 new levels this week, bringing the total number to 705. This latest episode has you helping out Percy the Penguin in the Candy Fishin' Hole.

King also released their puzzle game Papa Pear Saga on Windows 10 PC and Mobile. Solve your way through hundreds of levels, with new ones added every two weeks. You can sync your games between devices and compete for a spot on the leaderboards.

Both Minecraft Pocket and Windows 10 Editions added new features for Redstone users. The new pack, which sells for $1.99, includes building enhancements, new skins, and some diabolical witches.

Other notable items:

Be sure to weigh in on this week's news in the comments section. See you next week!

Source: Windows Mobile Weekly Digest: The Lumia 650 arrives, Candy Crush goes fishing, and we launch our new app