Microsoft Windows 10 Mobile

By Michael Muchmore

To say Microsoft's mobile operating system has struggled in recent years is an understatement. Android and iOS basically own the market. But the leading desktop OS vendor isn't giving in on the quest to disrupt the duopoly that currently dominates the smartphone landscape. A big part of its strategy ties in with its still-dominant position on the desktop. Though Windows 10 Mobile is not identical to Windows 10 on the desktop, it shares a great many features and capabilities with its big brother, and ties in tightly with other Microsoft services such as Office 365, Skype, OneDrive, and Xbox One. The OS also boasts standout capabilities like the Cortana intelligent voice assistant, Continuum, which lets you use your phone as a full-size PC, and Windows Hello, which lets you log in with your face. Can all this cool tech spur wider use of the third phone OS? Only time will tell.

How to Upgrade to Windows 10 Its recent release of Windows 10 Mobile for earlier-generation Windows Phone devices is further evidence that Microsoft isn't giving up on the mobile operating system market. At this writing, only a handful of the most recent Lumia models ran Windows 10 Mobile. Unfortunately, notable phones such as the Lumia Icon and the 41-megapixel-camera-toting Lumia 1020 aren't yet on the list.

Before upgrading, you should first head to Microsoft's How to Upgrade to Windows 10 Mobile page to see whether your phone is supported. To start the upgrade process, you first install the Windows 10 Upgrade Advisor app from the app store. This prepares the device for the upgrade, which is then installed as a standard phone OS update. If your phone isn't among those for which Windows 10 has been released, with some other models you can still enjoy the benefits of the new OS via the Windows Insider Program, though doing so installs the OS as prerelease software, meaning it may not be as stable and speedy as released software. I've been running it on a Lumia 1020 without issues, however.

There's one important caveat is for businesses that have deployed Windows Phones: Certain enterprise features such as Data Protection Under Lock and MDM capability to prevent saving and sharing Office documents won't work after the upgrade, so consult your IT staff before upgrading an eligible phone. And definitely don't use the Preview program for beta Insider builds, since beta isn't for mission-critical work.

Interface Like Android, Windows 10 Mobile lets third-party apps (such as weather apps) take over the lock screen image. You can also choose quick-status icons to appear on the lock screen, such as your numbers of emails and messages. You can also select one app to show detailed status—the Calendar is a typical choice. You can swipe down from the top to see your notifications and quick-access tiles, such as airplane mode, Wi-Fi, rotation lock, and more. Notifications on the lock screen can set to private, per app, so that, for example, a Facebook message's text doesn't appear on it.

Passing the lock screen, you get to the tile-based interface, which is more finger-friendly than the smaller icons in other mobile OSes. You can adjust the opacity of the tiles so that your beautiful background image shines through. The upgrade also brings new tile layouts and background options. You can now group tiles by dragging one on top of another, just as on iOS and most Android phones.

Swipe left from the home screen, and you reveal all app tiles, which is mighty convenient if you're using the phone with one hand. You can also tap on an alphabet letter to display the whole alphabet, letting you easily get to all apps that start with a certain letter. If that's not enough, there's now a one-handed mode that slides the interface down, especially useful on big phones such as the 5.7-inch Lumia 950 XL or the earlier Lumia 1520. Another welcome update is that the full app list shows your most recently installed apps on top.

Windows Hello A clever party trick on Windows 10 Mobile is its ability to log you in with your face, using Windows Hello. It's also handy if you're wearing gloves or have your hands full. The Lumia phones that support it actually scan your iris, so they can't be tricked by someone holding a picture of your face up to the phone, since it uses infrared illumination and detection. As with Apple's Touch ID fingerprint scanning, the biometric data never leaves the phone and ties in with Passport, Microsoft's public-key authentication system, which enables logins to third-party services. On the desktop, Hello can work with fingerprint scanners or specific 3D camera setups such as Intel's Real Sense.

Other New PerksWindows Phone 8.1 users already have Cortana, but the update brings a few desirable new features, some of which are merely catch up with Android and iOS. One such is that the microphone icon, which lets you enter text using your voice, appears in every text box you see on the phone. Previously, it only worked in a few apps like email and text messaging.

Speaking of the keyboard, the Windows 10 Mobile keyboard is unmatched in my experience: Not only is the shape writing, in which you trace a finger around the keyboard to spell a word, much better than that of any iPhone add-in keyboard (and equal to the also excellent stock Android keyboard's), but it's the only default keyboard with a cursor-direction button (reminiscent of the ThinkPad's pointing stick).

Settings are much clearer, as the long list in Windows Phone 8.1 has been replaced by grouped, streamlined, and searchable choices. The All Apps page also gets a search box, and your most recently installed apps appear at the top of the list. When you search for an app in this view, you get a Search Store option if the search doesn't turn up anything in your collection.

Universal Apps Nowhere is Microsoft's strategy of one OS to rule them all more apparent than in its Universal Windows App platform. The idea is that developers can build apps that run on Microsoft's far more successful desktop/laptop OS that also run on tablets, smartphones, the Xbox, and even the HoloLens. Of course, it's not the exact same code running on each device—just as iOS on an iPad differs from iOS on an iPhone. But about 80 percent of the coding in a Universal is common to all platforms.

Universal Apps may blaze a path towards more app availability, and we've already seen big titles like Dropbox, Facebook, Instagram, Netflix, Pandora, Twitter, and Uber. The biggest holdout seems to be Snapchat, so teens wanting to hide their messaging from parents may prefer another phone OS. Another, possibly more concerning issue is that many Windows Phone apps suffer from less functionality than their iOS and Android counterparts. For example, the Words With Friends app doesn't include a dictionary or word strength features.

Included Apps You do, however, get powerful new included apps with Windows 10 Mobile. The Photos app can automatically create albums, and offers a Living Photos feature that's awfully similar to iOS's Live Photos. The Windows Phone camera app also lets photo buffs choose manual settings like shutter speed and f-stop, something not available to iPhone users.

The new Edge Web browser is fast and (mostly) standards-compatible, and its interface is an improvement: I prefer its tab handling to that of other mobile operating systems. A really helpful tool in Edge (and one shared by iOS's Safari, but not by Android's Chrome) is reading mode. This strips out distracting ads and auto-play video, which may be even more helpful on mobile than on the desktop.

Edge also has a Reading List feature for saving articles for later perusal, and managers for favorites, history, and downloads. You can find other browsers in the Windows Store, including Opera Mini, Maxthon, and UC Browser, though unfortunately there's no Firefox for Windows Mobile.

The new Outlook Mobile mail app is a big improvement over that in Windows Phone 8.1: You can swipe left and right to archive and flag messages (or change what these actions do to taste), and the app now supports multiple mail accounts from any mail provider, including Gmail and Yahoo as well as Outlook.com or your Exchange or private mail server. Switching among accounts is simple whether you're reading or sending. Unfortunately, you don't get the iPhone's version of Outlook Mobile's Focused inbox, which I like.

Maps in Windows 10 Mobile include turn-by-turn spoken directions for driving, public transport, or walking (alas, no bike routing). As with Siri or Google Now, you can ask Cortana to get you directions to a destination, and Maps will get you going. You can download maps for offline navigation, and (thankfully) turn off the warning beeps should you exceed the speed limit. An upcoming update now in the prerelease version of Windows 10 Mobile will move the controls to the bottom for easier one-handed use. The maps also have a super-cool 3D cities view, letting you fly around major metropolises like an action hero.

Music and video are also provided by Microsoft apps—Groove and Movies & TV. Both offer fully stocked repositories of both top hits and old favorites. With Groove, you get unlimited access to any music you want to play, not only on the phone, but on Windows 10 PCs, iOS and Android devices, and Xbox. Movies & TV works similar to iTunes, through which you rent or buy titles individually.

Mobile versions of Microsoft Office apps—Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote—come free with Windows 10 Mobile, and your documents for all these sync with OneDrive. The interfaces are surprisingly functional, given the small screen size. They even include Office 2016's real-time collaboration and its Smart Lookup feature, which accesses Web knowledge on selected text without taking you out of the app.

Store Windows 10 Mobile's app store has been spruced up since the last version, and more closely resembles the store on Windows 10 for desktops. Featured and top apps are clearly accessible, and a left-side hamburger menu now shunts you to Apps, Games, Music, Movies & TV, My Library, Updates, or Payment methods. That's right, you can now purchase music and video in the store as well as apps, just as you can in Google Play, iTunes, and on Windows 10 on the desktop. Though Windows 10 gets dissed for a dearth of apps, it offers a ton of games, including both casual and mobile versions of major Xbox titles.

Cortana Cortana combines the personality of Siri with the predictive functionality of Google Now. You invoke her in one of three ways: Tapping her tile, holding down the search magnifying glass button that's always preset at the bottom right of the screen, or (new for Windows 10) you can turn on listening for you to say "Hey Cortana!" Each evening when I'm about to leave for work, Cortana lets me know how long my commute home will take. In the morning, she shows me sports scores, news, and weather for the day. I can ask her to tell me a joke, and she comes up with something from a deep repository, some funnier that others.

Unlike Apple Siri and Google Now, however, you tell Cortana exactly how much personal information you want to share with her, using the Notebook. This includes 15 sections for your interest info, such as food you like, sports, health, travel, special days, and places. Filling in the last with your work and home addresses is what enables her to predict your commute.

In addition to fielding spoken questions, Cortana shows your Daily Glance. This includes news, sports results, weather, and any meetings on your schedule.

Cortana does other things you'd expect of an assistant, too. Say, "Remind me to buy aspirin when I'm at a pharmacy," and the notification pops up when you walk into a Rite Aid or other similar store. As with Siri, you can dictate and send text messages and emails with Cortana. Tell Cortana to take a note, and she'll open OneNote and enter whatever you say. You can then read that note on your PC in OneNote 2016, on your iPad in OneNote Mobile, on the Web, and anywhere else you have the app installed.

Reminders in Cortana can be based on Time, Place, or Person. The first is self-explanatory, the second is like the aspirin reminder noted above, and the third pops up a notification if a specified contact calls or texts you. In this release, Cortana loses the ability to search local things like apps and emails, but app searching in the all apps page is simple. I expect Microsoft will add those capabilities back, since they're available on Windows 10 on the desktop.

Continuum For me, Continuum is Windows 10 Mobile's most remarkable feature. It brings to life the dream of using a smartphone to power a desktop scenario. Sure, other phone OSes can mirror their screen to a big TV via Apple TV or MiraCast (which Windows Mobile also supports), but this OS actually reformats the interface elements to work on the larger screen with mouse and keyboard. This goes much farther towards using smartphones for all computing than Android N, which merely offers dual windowing (and which makes little sense on a phone, in my opinion). Hardware vendors such as HP, Sony, and others have even started offering Windows 10 Mobile devices designed specifically to power laptops and desktops.

Continuum can work wirelessly using MiraCast (for the full experience, a device should support Windows MiraCast extensions) or with a wired hub, such as the $99 Microsoft Display Dock. I tested Continuum with both the latter and also wirelessly to a Roku 2 box connected to an HDTV. So if you're at a hotel with a smart TV, Windows 10 Mobile lets you treat yourself to a big screen for viewing that spreadsheet.

One of the coolest things about Continuum is that while you're using it to power a monitor-and-keyboard system, you can still use the phone as a phone. Also cool is that the phone's screen can turn into your trackpad for the bigger system. You can also connect Bluetooth mice and keyboards to the phone. The Universal apps are part of what enables Continuum: When on a phone, a universal app looks and behaves like a phone, on a bigger screen like a PC app.

Notifications still appear on the phone, rather than the big screen, since it's likely others can view the big screen. But you can open the Action Center on the big screen, where you'll see them. One disappointment: The apps run full-screen only, though you can switch among them via the taskbar, or even via multiple desktops! Think about that! The phone itself doesn't (and shouldn't) have multiple desktops, but when projecting to a Continuum screen, multiple desktops are available.

Ecosystem Tie-ins Though Microsoft has been aggressively making its mobile apps available on Android and iOS, there are still some advantages only Windows Phones get. OneDrive functions like a combination of iCloud and Google Drive. Like the former, it can back up your phone, apps, data, and settings. Like the latter, it serves as cloud storage for documents and enables real-time collaboration. You can open your OneDrive content on any platform, including iOS, Android, and the Web. OneDrive's photo prowess seems underappreciated, offering object recognition, maps for geotagged photos, and EXIF camera data.

The Xbox app is a Windows 10 exclusive (though Xbox SmartGlass is on the other OSes). Here you can keep up with your gamer buddies through an activity feed, achievements, friends list, alerts, and messages, as well as watch Game DVR clips and connect to an Xbox One. Later, the app will include live TV streaming, according to Microsoft.

Skype is also baked into Windows 10 Mobile, and it's integrated into the same messaging app you use for SMS—just like Apple's iMessage has long lived in the same place as text messages. Skype Video is now a separate app (that's right, just like the iPhone's FaceTime)

Perhaps of less universal importance, Windows phones get preferential treatment with the Microsoft Band 2. Though iPhones and Androids can connect to them to show notifications and sync health-monitoring data, if you use a Windows Phone with your Microsoft Band 2, you can talk to Cortana on your wrist, just like Maxwell Smart, James Bond, or Dick Tracy! (Or like an Apple Watch, which costs twice what a Band 2 does.) Even if you don't have a Band 2, you can use the Microsoft Health app to track steps (just like you can with iPhone and most Androids.)

Platform AdvantagesWindows Phone shares a platform advantage with iOS over Android: Like Apple, Microsoft has more control over delivering updates to phones. At this writing, according to Google, only 2.3 percent of Android phones run the current version, Marshmallow. With a U.S. share of 52 percent (comScore), that means that there are actually more Windows Phones in use than phones running the current Android version (5.4 million vs. 2.4 million)! If you use an iPhone or Windows phone, you're much more likely to be running the current OS version than with Android.

Another platform advantage is security. Noted security expert Eugene Kaspersky (of Editors' Choice Kaspersky Internet Security fame) has said that Windows Phone is "much better operating system than the rest (iOS, OS X and Android)" in terms of security, with far fewer vulnerabilities.

A Third Smartphone Option If you don't need to have the same kind of smartphone as everyone else, and can live without some of the hottest new apps, Windows 10 Mobile has a lot of appeal. It delivers some unique features, including Cortana, Continuum, Windows Hello, and tight integration with other Microsoft services such as Office 365 and Skype. Apple's iOS 9 wins PCMag's mobile operating system Editors' Choice, however, because it offers the most and latest apps, as well as the most polished interface.

Source: Microsoft Windows 10 Mobile

Even Microsoft’s own presenters have given up on Windows Phone

Sitting through all the keynotes at Microsoft's Build, there's one giant gaping hole in the coverage: Windows Phone was barely mentioned. In fact, it seems like the keynote speakers were actively avoiding the platform in most of the sessions, showing that Microsoft has basically thrown in the towel altogether.

We don't care if it's Android or iOS, we have you covered.

— Presenter at Microsoft Build

In one presentation about how Visual Studio development, for example, the presenter received some enormous applause about the announcement that Xamarin was going free, and then went on to talk about how fantastically exciting it is that the platform covered all the platforms!

"We don't care if it's Android or iOS, we have you covered," the presenter said, and continued onto the rest of his presentation. Spot any platforms missing from that two-bulletpoint-list? Spoiler alert: He didn't mention BlackBerry, Symbian OS, Tizen, Sailfish, Palm OS … or Windows Phone.

Showing off a key partnership with BMW at Build 2016… Hey wait a minute, that's not a Windows Phone.

It wasn't just in this particular keynote, either; throughout all of Build, there's been a whole fat lot of nothing about Windows Phone. Surface? For sure. Xbox? Yeah, why not. Windows 10? Hells yes. IoT? Now you're talking my language. Windows Phone? I'll let this GIF do the talking.

A Starbucks and Outlook demo. Finally! A Windows 10 device! Oh, wait, no. iOS again.

At the conference, BMW did all their demos on iOS devices. Starbucks did the same. And so did many others… In fact, unless I briefly fell asleep (which is entirely possible), there may not have been a single Windows 10 mobile phone device on stage at any time during the Build keynotes.

Not only did Microsoft's presenters not care about Windows Phone, I didn't spot a single Microsoft staffer with a Windows Phone either. That, I've got to say, has to be a proper kick in the teeth for people who bought Lumia devices after they took Microsoft at its word when it said it was doubling down last year. Although, come to think of it, they did try and turn your Windows Phone into a computer, so maybe that was a sign of things to come.

Maybe they've finally come to their senses and taken a leaf out of Amazon's book: Leave mobile to iOS and Android, and focus on the parts where you can really add value. In Microsoft's case, they're doing some genuinely incredible things with the Azure cloud, bots, the elegant Microsoft Ink interface, and the Cognitive Services announced earlier at Build.

See ya, Windows Phone. We barely knew you.

Source: Even Microsoft's own presenters have given up on Windows Phone

Microsoft's Windows 10 reaches 270 million users, no mobile numbers

Build 2016 has now started and so people will be looking at how to watch coverage of the event.

The company announced the Anniversary Update at the MS Build 2016 keynote on March 30th, where the company also showed developers attending the conference how they can bring the new Ink features to their apps with just two lines of code. The new Windows 10 OS version, also called "Windows 10 Zhuangongban" or "Specially-provided Edition", was designed specifically for China's government agencies and state-owned enterprises.

Cortana is coming to the Xbox One in an update this summer - she's the Microsoft-developed AI software that gets its name from the "Halo" video game character.

"This list includes a limited set of Windows Phone 8.1 devices and does not include some devices that are now running Windows 10 Mobile in the Windows 10 Mobile Insider program".

HoloLens - Since HoloLens development kits are starting to ship today, consumers can expect to hear a lot about it at the Build. There are higher chances we might see real HoloLens apps and games. The numbers are also 145 percent better than Windows 7.

The augmented reality headset will be front and center in Build 2016, with attendees to be allowed to demo the device during the conference.

A key idea of the update is the next step in Microsoft's journey to integrate all Windows 10 devices - including Xbox and Windows Phone - on the Universal Windows Platform (UWP).

Microsoft's main problem is that the range of apps that work on Windows mobile devices lags behind those on Android and iOS, making them less attractive to buyers.

On the app front, Myerson said the company is getting increased support from developers, including Facebook which bringing Instagram and Messenger to Windows 10 as well as its advertising network.

Developers will be able to integrate Cortana into their apps, so you can perform actions with voice commands and other automated functions. "However, there is an issue where the "reboot" UX doesn't appear in the Settings app after downloading a new language or keyboard".

Asia stocks rise after Wall Street gains, dollar sagsBank of America was down 2.5%, while Wells Fargo, JPMorgan and Citigroup declined about 1.5 percent. The dollar index edged off early lows on Wednesday, though it remained down 0.2 percent.

Source: Microsoft's Windows 10 reaches 270 million users, no mobile numbers

Universal Facebook, Instagram and Messenger apps coming to Windows 10

Windows users continue to complain of unauthorized installations of Windows 10 to their systems while Microsoft changed the operating system from optional to recommended.

Skype Bug: The users of Windows 10 Mobile devices, and Lumia 950 and 950 XL in particular had been facing this problem where a large number of their Skype contacts would randomly lose their profile pictures.

We remind you that Microsoft's Build 2016 event will be held in San Francisco, CA, during March 30 - April 1, 2016.

The Centennial toolkit is not live yet, but is inching its way into being ready for use as part of the Microsoft Developer Preview program. Users can scroll through messages within the Tile and send a reply message, instead of tapping on a tile to reply to an email. The report follows recent speculation about users getting the option to run Bash shell on Windows 10. Apparently is appears to a mix of both worlds - Tiles of Windows and Widgets of Android.

Cortana apparently has very little content for people residing beyond US. The headset is aimed at developers to help them with making their applications for HoloLens and has a price tag of $3,000.

Microsoft says the Windows 10 Anniversary Update will also bring Universal Windows apps to the Xbox One, as well as support for Cortana.

However, even with regular additions to Microsoft's update history website, it's possible for some of the smaller features in Windows 10 to slip through the cracks.

There's also support for Ink in Bing Maps, which allows you to draw a route from point A to point B and add stopovers.

Microsoft is trying to make it easy for anyone who wants to develop apps and games.

Now, as we approach the one-year anniversary of Microsoft Windows 10's July 2015 release, Myerson officially announced the Microsoft Windows 10 Anniversary edition, a free update coming this summer that will bring a slew of new features.

Besides that the company may also announce a few content that will support this new cross-platform gaming.

Source: Universal Facebook, Instagram and Messenger apps coming to Windows 10

Windows Phone's no-show at Build drives home Microsoft's mobile neglect

If Windows Phone isn't dying, Microsoft sure has a funny way of keeping it on life support.

From super-smart conversational bots to the birth of HoloLens, Microsoft had plenty of surprises in store at its annual Build event keynote on Wednesday. But the most shocking aspect of the keynote was how much attention Windows 10 Mobile received in the spotlight: zilch, nada, nothing. No roadmaps, no upcoming features, no future plans.

The cold shoulder shouldn't be a surprise, although it must leave diehard Windows Phone enthusiasts wheezing in pain at a time when even diehard Windows Phone enthusiasts are fleeing for greener pastures. Holiday sales for Lumia devices last year only amounted to half as much as the meager year prior—the latest Gartner data shows Windows Phone with a mere one percent share of the market worldwide.

But ignore the numbers; what's really killing Windows Phones fans is the neglect, and Microsoft just handed them another heaping helping of it. After Microsoft absorbed Nokia, enthusiasts were forced to wait an eternity for the Lumia 950 and 950XL to arrive as flagship Windows Phones. Windows 10 Mobile's recent rollout to older Windows Phone 8 handsets was long delayed and suffered from some glaring omissions, despite earlier promises that every Lumia would be eligible for an upgrade—and Windows 10 apps won't run on Windows Phone 8 handsets. Heck, earlier this week Microsoft even announced the shutdown of the beloved @LumiaVoices Twitter account.

Martin Abegglen

Microsoft's Lumia 800.

Meanwhile, high-profile Microsoft apps and services like Office debuted on Android and iOS long before Windows Phone. In the months since, Microsoft's devoted resources to porting cherished Windows Phone features like Cortana and the Word Flow keyboard to competing mobile platforms, ruthlessly eliminating many of the platform's key advantages. Props to Microsoft for getting its services out to as many people as possible rather than steadfastly tying them to Windows—as was the norm in the Steve Ballmer era—but man, that burns the few remaining Windows Phone enthusiasts.

The few new features revealed for the Windows 10 Anniversary Update at Build were all shown on PCs, not phones. And Windows 10 Mobile's lone remaining killer feature—Continuum, which turns a phone into an ad hoc Windows 10 PC when connected to a mouse, keyboard, and monitor—is inextricably tied to the new Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps.

Microsoft Continuum is tied to Universal Windows Apps.

Microsoft's trying its damnedest to coax developers into crafting UWP apps, but the Windows Store is still in a pretty sad state, four years after its debut in Windows 8. The company's locked into sort of a chicken-or-egg problem; one of the key selling points of UWP is that developers will only have to code an app once to have it run on any Windows 10-powered device. But if nobody's using Windows Phones, what's the appeal of creating a UWP app over a traditional desktop or web app for developers, when Microsoft takes a cut of Windows Store proceeds? The promise of eventual Xbox One compatibility may appeal to game developers, but it's hard to imagine productivity apps blowing up on a game console. And while the HoloLens Developer Edition started shipping today, it's still years away from being a mainstream success, if it ever becomes a mainstream success.

Chew on this: Even Steve Ballmer—the former Microsoft CEO behind the Windows Store, and the one willing to spend nearly $8 billion for Nokia—now says universal Windows apps "won't work," and wants Microsoft to focus on emulating Android apps, instead.

Maybe Microsoft's catching its breath after a difficult Windows 10 Mobile rollout. Maybe it's keeping Windows Phones on life support, leaving the mobile OS mostly dormant while the underlying tech has time to bake in Windows 10 PCs—like it could be doing with Windows RT. Maybe Satya Nadella simply isn't as enamored with the hardware business as Steve Ballmer was, and is content to let partners like HP and Acer take the lead. But one thing's for certain: Even the staunchest Windows Phone fans are giving up hope, and Microsoft just left them hanging.

Source: Windows Phone's no-show at Build drives home Microsoft's mobile neglect

Microsoft March madness is over: Disappointments and successes, just like the basketball tourney

We've reached the end of March and thus the end of my March madness month with Microsoft experience. I hung in there as long as I could, but made a few changes along the way and dropped one of the devices from daily usage.

Computers

The easiest part, of course, was using a Windows computer all month long. I returned the Dell XPS 12 2-in-1 eval unit because I wasn't using it as I continued with the Surface Pro 4. The Dell Latitude 6430 served as my work computer and continues its daily role in my engineering office.

The Surface Pro 4 functioned as my primary home and travel computer, but let me down enough that I almost went back to my curved display Surface Pro 3. The Pro 4 continues to fail to work with a couple of the latest Type Covers and won't even work with them after a reset. Thankfully, I have an older Type Cover that works when I undock it and my Bluetooth keyboard while its docked.

Speaking of docking the Surface Pro 4, I just returned the new Surface Dock after experiencing display and connection failures on a daily basis. Thanks to the recommendation of a reader, I learned you can use the older Surface Dock accessory without the plastic adapter, that you cannot find anywhere to purchase. The Surface Pro 4 fits in just fine and with it I have not had display connection issues.Phone

I started out with the Microsoft Lumia 950 XL and then bought a Display Dock after some readers requested I try out Continuum on the go. Both the Lumia 950 XL and Display Dock were returned in mid-March because I found the Lumia 830 to be a better piece of hardware and Continuum just had limited appeal as a technology demo.

The Lumia 830 turned out to be a real champ and thanks to Windows 10 universal apps and some supportive developers I was able to enjoy the USAA, American Express, Garmin Connect, and other daily apps. The apps are not all as functional and capable as what we see on iOS and Android, but if you wanted to go with Windows 10 Mobile I don't think you are giving up as much as you were in 2015.

Wearable

The Microsoft Band 2 was worn for three weeks and for several runs, but trying to wear it for daily activity, run tracking, and sleep tracking ended up requiring irregular charging times so I gave up on it last week. It's fine as a data gathering device, but I'm finding a wearable that can go for multiple days is the one I tend to use more than any other.

I'm now using an evaluation Garmin Fenix 3 HR and about ready to use the money spent on the Lumia 950 XL to buy one of these instead.

Summary and plans for the future

To summarize my month-long experiment, I ended up returning the Lumia 950 XL, Display Dock, and new Surface Dock while the Microsoft Band 2 is back in my wearable desk drawer. The Lumia 830 will join the Band 2 while I move on to the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge and iPhone 6s Plus for my phone needs.

I plan to keep using the Surface Pro 4, but if I can't figure out the problem with the Type Covers then I may just go back to my Surface Pro 3 and return the Microsoft loaner.

You can definitely survive, and thrive, with an all Microsoft mobile strategy and with the continued release of Windows 10 universal apps for mobile the app gap is closing quickly.

Source: Microsoft March madness is over: Disappointments and successes, just like the basketball tourney

Windows 10 updates, Windows Phone devices, Surface Book: What to expect from Build 2016

GETTY

Microsoft will kickstart Build 2016 tomorrow night

Microsoft will open its annual developer conference, Build 2016, tomorrow in San Francisco. The keynote presentation kickstarts at 16:30 BST / 11:30AM ET / 8:30AM PT. 

Last year Microsoft used its Build keynote to announce a swathe of major updates, including its plan to convert iOS and Android apps for Windows 10.

The Redmond technology firm also unveiled the redesigned Start Menu, which debuted in Windows 10 some three months later.

Details about the HoloLens and Office 365 were also confirmed.

As always, Express.co.uk will bring you the latest news as it breaks from the Build 2016 conference.

In the meantime, here is what you can expect to see on-stage during the Microsoft keynote presentation.

EXPRESS NEWSPAPERS

Windows 10 is expected to feature heavily in the developer conferenceWindows 10

Microsoft has gradually updated, tweaked and improved its next-generation operating system throughout the last year.

But there a slew of new features in the pipeline. Microsoft is currently planning two blockbuster updates for Windows 10, codenamed RedStone.

Microsoft has already teased that it will unveil "two highly-requested surprises" for Windows 10.

"Live Tiles are evolving with two highly-requested surprises that you won't want to miss," the brief description of the Live Tiles session teases.

Outside of the visual changes, Microsoft is expected to announce some changes for Cortana.

MICROSOFT

Live Tiles could be coming to the Start Menu in Windows 10, the firm has teased

Microsoft could allow Cortana to follow users as they navigate around the operating system, surfacing useful information based on what users are viewing on-screen.

The nifty context-aware functionality sounds closer to Now On Tap in Android Marshmallow than the infamously annoying Clippy character bundled with Windows 97 to 2003.

Microsoft is also believed to be planning a number of updates to the Notification Centre, also known as Action Centre.

Related articles

Future versions of this pane are expected to include widgets, offering users quick glanceable snapshots of data, synced across your Windows 10 devices.

According to technology blog WinBeta, Microsoft is also planning to migrate more controls and settings from the outdated Control Panel to the new, unified Settings app.

The confusing split between the Control Panel and the new Settings app is a problem highlighted in the Express.co.uk review.

Windows 10 Apps

Microsoft has already revealed it has a new Skype app in the works, that will debut in the coming weeks.

Build 2016 would be a good time to debut the new universal app, which will work across tablets, desktop computers and smartphones.

Microsoft has had some trouble attracting developers to its new operating system and unified app store.

However, Instagram and Facebook are both expected to launch Windows 10 apps in the coming weeks, so hopefully there will be more high-profile additions announced at Microsoft Build 2016.

MICROSOFT

Voice assistant Cortana is expected to play a larger role in the next Windows 10 updateWindows Phone

It's not clear what Microsoft has planned for its Windows Phone platform.

After unveiling its flagship Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL devices last year, Microsoft has scaled back its smartphone hardware releases.

In the meantime, sales of all Lumia-branded devices have 57 percent in the recent quarter.

But rumours of a redesigned, all-aluminium Surface Phone continue to circulate.

Microsoft is believed to have green-lit plans for an Intel-powered Surface Phone, which will showcase the next blockbuster update to its Windows 10 operating system.

Sources have suggested the Surface team behind Microsoft's critically-praised devices are believed to be now the sole department working on the Microsoft smartphone, which could go on-sale by mid-2016.

Microsoft HoloLens

HoloLens developments kits are being shipped to developers this week, so expect to hear a lot about the augmented-reality headset at this years' Build.

Microsoft will likely take the opportunity to show off some cutting-edge new demos on-stage.

Surface Book 2 or another surprise?

Microsoft shocked everyone when they held a live HoloLens demo at Build 2015.

Here's hoping the Redmond technology firm can surprise us all with another shock announcement.

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Source: Windows 10 updates, Windows Phone devices, Surface Book: What to expect from Build 2016

Lumia Voices Set To Call It Quits

If you are not a Lumia user, then chances are pretty high that you would not have heard of Lumia Voices before. Lumia Voices happens to be a Microsoft Lumia community, and unfortunately for those who are rocking to it, it looks as though it is time to search for greener pastures as Lumia Voices is set to shut down its operations from the 12th of April onward. Hey, isn't that the same date when the HTC 10 will be unveiled to the masses online?

Well, all good things must come to an end, and with Lumia Voices, which was formerly known as Lumia Connects, and prior to that, Nokia Connects, ready to call it a day, those who were regulars with it will most probably miss all that goes on within.

Lumia Voices claim that it is not that much of a deal, as the folks over at Microsoft are currently looking to consolidate the various bits and pieces of the Lumia PR, and despite the fact that Lumia Voices will no longer be around when the 12th of April arrives, majority of the people who were part of the program will continue working under Microsoft.

Filed in Cellphones. Read more about lumia and Microsoft.

Source: Lumia Voices Set To Call It Quits

Windows Insiders Call Dibs on Microsoft's Universal Skype App

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Source: Windows Insiders Call Dibs on Microsoft's Universal Skype App

Microsoft Lumia 950 XL Review: The Windows 10 Mobile Flagship

Forget almost everything you've read about the Microsoft Lumia 950 XL up to this point. We know that's a bold statement, but bear with us here. Save for the phone's specifications, if there's one thing we've learned evaluating the 950 XL over the last few weeks it's that virtually everything from the OS to the camera app has been changed or updated very recently, and it has affected battery life, responsiveness, and browsing, among many other things. Information published about the Lumia 950 XL that's any more than a couple of weeks old is simply outdated.

It seems that Microsoft was tweaking a large number of elements and features in preparation for Windows 10 Mobile's "official" release on a wide range of devices. Sure, Windows 10 came pre-installed on the Lumia 950 series, but there have been major changes over the phones' relatively short lifespan.

In any case, we've been using the Lumia 950 XL as our daily driver for a few weeks now, in place of a L umia 1520, which had already been updated to Windows 10. We think we've gotten a very good feel for the phone and how it compares to previous-gen devices, and have our thoughts detailed on the pages ahead -- along with a slew of benchmarks, of course. If you're one of the select few contemplating a move to Windows 10 Mobile read on to find out if the Lumia 950 XL is right for you...

Software release: Windows 10CPU name: Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 Number of cores: Octal coreClock rate: 2000 MHzMass memory: 32 GBRAM: 3 GB Expandable memory card type: MicroSD User data storage: In device, OneDrive cloud storage, App and data storage on memory cardGSM: 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 1900 MHzGSM max data speed DL: EGPRS 236.8 kbpsGSM max data speed UL: EGPRS 118.4 kbpsWCDMA network: Band 1 (2100 MHz), Band 2 (1900 MHz), Band 4 (1700/2100 MHz), Band 5 (850 MHz), Band 8 (900 MHz)WCDMA max data speed DL: 42.2 Mbps (Cat 24)WCDMA max data speed UL: 5.76 Mbps (Cat 6)LTE FDD network: Band 1 (2100 MHz), Band 2 (1900 MHz), Band 3 (1800 MHz), Band 4 (1700/2100 MHz), Band 5 (850MHz), Band 7 (2600 MHz), Band 8 (900MHz), Band 12 (700 MHz), Band 13 (700MHz), Band 20 (800MHz), Band 28 (700 MHz)LTE max data speed DL: 450 Mbps (Cat 9)LTE max data speed UL: 50 Mbps (Cat 6)Height: 151.9 mmWidth: 78.4 mmThickness: 8.1 mmWeight: 165 gDisplay size: 5.7 ''Display resolution: WQHD (2560 x 1440 )Display colours: TrueColor (24-bit/16M)Display technology: AMOLED, ClearBlackPixel density: 518 ppiDisplay features: Easy to clean, Orientation sensor, Wide viewing angle, Lumia Color profile, High brightness mode, Corning Gorilla Glass 4, Automatic brightness control, Sunlight readability enhancementsTouch screen technology: Capacitive multipoint-touch Replaceable battery: YesBattery capacity: 3340 mAhBattery voltage: 3.85 VCharging: Built-in wireless charging, Fast chargingWireless charging standard: Qi, PMAMaximum standby time: 12 daysMaximum talk time (3G): 19 hMaximum music playback time: 75 hMaximum Wi-Fi network browsing time: 11 hMaximum video playback time: 11 hDesign details: Exchangeable back coverOther user interface features: Glance screen, Tactile feedback, Voice commands, Voice dictation in edit fields User Input: TouchOperating keys: Volume keys, Camera key, Power/Lock keySensors: Ambient light sensor, Accelerometer, Proximity sensor, Barometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer, SensorCoreSIM card type: Nano SIM x 2AV connectors: 3.5 mm stereo headset connector, DisplayPort over USB-CCharging connectors: USB-CSystem connectors: USB-CUSB: USB 3.1, USB Dual Role Port (Gen1)Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.1Bluetooth profiles: Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) 1.2, Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP) 1.3, Generic Attribute Profile (GATT), Hands-free profile (HFP) 1.6, Human Interface Device Profile (HID), Object Push profile (OPP) 1.1, Personal Area Network Profile (PAN) 1.0, Phone Book Access Profile (PBAP) 1.1, HID over GATT profile (HOGP) 1.0, Message Access Profile (MAP) 1.1NFC: Pairing, Secure NFC for payment, Sharing, TaggingWi-Fi: WLAN IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, MIMO, Wi-Fi callWi-Fi hotspot: Up to 8 Wi-Fi-enabled devicesOther wireless connectivity: Screen projection

Price: $475 ( single SIM) - $625 (Dual SIM)  unlocked

If you're a regular HotHardware reader, you're no doubt familiar with the Microsoft Lumia 950 XL and its smaller cousin, the Lumia 950 (reviewed here). For those of you that may not be familiar with Microsoft's latest smartphones, the video above offers a good summary of their main features and design. We'll have many more details on the pages ahead, though.

The Lumia 950 XL's spec table is quite telling. This phone is packing some of the latest hardware available, including a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 SoC clocked at up to 2GHz, 3GB of RAM, USB 3.1, a QHD AMOLED display, and a bevy of sensors. The particular device we'll be showing you here also has a dual-SIM setup, which could come in handy if you're a frequent traveler. With dual-SIMs, you're able to select which SIM to use on a per-call or per-text basis, presumably to prevent roaming or other charges carries are known for tacking on when outside of your designated service area.

Before we dig into the Lumia 950 XL, here's a look at what comes bundled with the phone. We're testing the dual-SIM variant here, but the bundle is similar for the single-SIM version. Included in the box -- along with the phone, of course -- is a basic lit pack, a USB-A to USB-C charge / sync cable, and a USB-C charger, with hard-wired cable. Unlike many other smartphones that include a a wall-wart with a USB port for charging, the charger included with the 950 XL is all one piece.

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Source: Microsoft Lumia 950 XL Review: The Windows 10 Mobile Flagship

Microsoft can win without Windows Phone

Later this week, Microsoft may debut a new lineup of Windows 10 smartphones, dubbed the Surface Phone by the Internet rumor mill, to replace the all-but-dead Windows Phone-based Lumia devices it bought from Nokia in hopes of overcoming the deep dominance of iPhones and Android smartphones. Or it may not.

The truth is, it doesn't matter if Microsoft revitalizes its mobile platform -- because it doesn't need its own mobile platform.

Microsoft has stopped trying to beat iOS and Android on their terms. Instead, the company has largely accepted that smartphones run iOS or Android, so it has made its software work on those platforms. The strategy used to be "Windows everywhere"; now it is "Microsoft everywhere."

That sea change means Microsoft doesn't need people to use smartphones running Windows 10 for Mobile, the new name for Windows Phone. (It has been in no rush to get those users, of course: The first, poor-selling Windows 10 smartphones came out in December, and Windows 10 Mobile became available only in mid-March for some older Windows Phones, much later than originally promised.)

Microsoft apps and services increasingly don't care if you use Windows

Whether you use an iPhone, Android smartphone, or Windows smartphone -- or tablet -- you can run Office, Skype, Outlook, and more, and be powered and managed by Azure, Exchange, Intune, System Center, and Office 365. Microsoft gets your business regardless -- and keeps competitors at bay.

I remember when Apple's iWork suite dominated iOS productivity, becoming the only viable choice on iPads and iPhones, which had come to dominate the enterprise mobile market. That opened the possibility, especially in the face of rising Mac sales and declining Windows PC sales, that Office could be sidelined or at least diminished. But a year ago, Microsoft delivered a very good Office suite for iOS, then followed up for Android and OS X -- vaporizing the iWork threat and cementing Office's status as the universal business suite. Mobile Office has only improved since.

Microsoft is now doing that for Outlook, whose mobile clients have been much less capable than Apple's and Samsung's native clients. Mobile Outlook is improving regularly, and I expect before the year is out it will be as capable across the board as it is now on Windows.

Its Office 365 collaboration suite is the Achilles' heel in Microsoft's shift from Windows-centric to Microsoft-centric; it remains mostly useless outside Windows PCs. I suspect that will change, too, but not for a few years. Still, I believe it will happen.

The evolution of the tablet favors Microsoft as well

An IDC survey earlier this month created a brief buzz because it showed Microsoft dominating the detachable-tablet market. When you think "tablet," you think "iPad," so the survey suggested Microsoft's Surface Books would displace the iPad, which dominates business use, and Android tablets, which dominate causal entertainment use.

The detachable-tablet market, however, is a sliver of the actual tablet market, a sliver I would have called, until recently, one made up specifically to let Microsoft win in an emerging-hardware category. After all, a Surface Book is simply a laptop with a detachable keyboard. It runs Windows, which is why many people like it -- especially IT admins who distrust Apple and Google. Its so-called tablet mode is a poor experience and seems designed to make sure you stick with the full Windows instead. A Surface Book is not a truly different type of device, unlike an iPad or Android tablet.

Apple and Google have legitimized the detachable-tablet market by joining it, with the iPad Pro and Pixel C, respectively. Both leave me underwhelmed because the more you try to make an iPad-style tablet be a laptop, the more you want an actual laptop. If an iPad evolves to be a computer with a detachable keyboard and wireless pointing device, it has no strong reason to exist alongside a MacBook Air.

Plus, you've always been able to use a Bluetooth keyboard with an iPad or Android tablet, so what's the real value of a detachable keyboard on those devices? In the case of the iPad Pro, Apple seems to think it's actually the Apple Pencil ... maybe. Google seems to have no real differentiation for the Pixel C. For Microsoft, the Surface Book's differentiation is running full Windows and being a laptop.

Microsoft has never offered a version of Windows Phone for tablets; on its devices, you get full Windows with that anemic tablet mode -- or nothing. Maybe that was prescient; maybe the iPad-style device was merely a transitional device for more-portable computing. If so, Windows Phone -- er, Windows 10 for Mobile -- definitely doesn't matter for tablets. Regular Windows does.

If a place remains for iPad-style tablets distinct from laptops with detachable keyboards, then what's going on in the smartphone world still applies: It doesn't matter what operating system they run because they also run Microsoft's apps and services. 

With or without Windows Phone -- both on smartphones and tablets -- Microsoft wins, even if iOS and Android continue to win, too.

Source: Microsoft can win without Windows Phone

Like Windows 10 Mobile, Will Microsoft Surface Pro 5 Remain Just A Headline?

Who doesn't know about Microsoft's infamous delays? Ask Lumia owners who have been waiting since last year for Windows 10 to roll out for their devices. After waiting for months, the operating system did release, but not on all the promised compatible devices. It looks like Microsoft Surface Pro 5 is all set to join the Windows 10 mobile league.

Earlier, the rumors were that Microsoft Surface Pro 5 will be announced in October. But now, the reports suggest that this youngest of Surface siblings will not see the daylight until 2017. Luckily, this news is not coming from Microsoft. But that is even scarier, isn't it? That means the company may postpone the release even further as the team has not committed anything yet.

The reason for the Microsoft Surface Pro 5 delay is said to be Surface Phone. According to BitBag, "At present, Microsoft is concentrating on Surface Phone. We can expect Surface Pro 5 only after the entry of Surface Phone. Windows 10 Redstone 2, the new operating system is also not ready. So, it is directly affecting the launch date of Surface Pro 5." If we believe another report from News Every Day, "according to the new patent, Surface Pro 5 will feature rechargeable stylus pen, with an addition of a charging dock."

As Microsoft Surface Pro 5 is said to be working on bringing enhanced operating system, rechargeable pen and charging dock, we should give the company time to deliver what they are aiming at. But like Windows 10 mobile release, it shouldn't happen that after the release we realize there was much ado about nothing. All we can do now is wait for the official announcement or at least till Surface Phone is released. Maybe then we will get a clear idea about what exactly happening at the Microsoft Surface Pro 5 front.

Also Read: Surface Pro 3, Surface Pro 4, Surface Book Bundles On Sale; Get Discounted Prices!

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Tags:Surface Pro 5Surface Pro 5 postponedSurface Pro 5 release date

Source: Like Windows 10 Mobile, Will Microsoft Surface Pro 5 Remain Just A Headline?

What to expect from Microsoft’s Build 2016 conference

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Microsoft is back in San Francisco this week for Build 2016. It's an annual tradition that sees the company lay out its software plans for the rest of the year.

While last year's Build saw Microsoft unveil its grand plans for Android and iOS apps on Windows 10, we're not expecting huge news this year. Microsoft shipped Windows 10 last July, and at Build this year it's going to be focused on attracting developers to that platform with updates it has planned. HoloLens is also starting to ship to developers, so we're going to hear a lot more about Microsoft's plans for its augmented reality headset.

Build 2016 starts Wednesday at 11:30AM ET / 8:30AM PT. We'll be in San Francisco covering the event, and you'll be able to follow along with our live blog for up-to-the-second reports. For now, you can catch up on exactly what to expect below.

Windows 10

Windows 10 has been steadily updated with improvements and fixes since its debut in July, but Microsoft has a lot more planned for the future. While current test versions of Windows 10 haven't included many new features, we're hoping to hear about a few new additions at Build. Microsoft has teased "two highly-requested surprises" for its Windows 10 Live Tiles, and many are hoping that this will include interactive Live Tiles that make it easier to respond and interact with notifications within apps.

Outside of UI changes, Microsoft is also focusing heavily on the future of Cortana. We're hoping to hear more about changes to Cortana in Windows 10, and how the digital assistant will get a lot more powerful across Windows, iOS, and Android.

Elsewhere, Microsoft has already revealed a new Skype app for Windows 10 that will debut shortly, so Build feels like the ideal event to give us an update on other Windows 10 apps that are coming soon. Instagram and Facebook are both expected shortly, and we're hoping to hear about other high-profile additions. Microsoft has re-engineered its new Windows Apps so they're no longer fullscreen and they work across PCs, tablets, phones, and even the Xbox One gaming console, but we're still waiting for developers to really show interest in the platform.

Windows Phone

Windows Phone has had a tough year. While Microsoft launched its Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL devices late last year, sales numbers of all Lumias plummeted 57 percent in the recent quarter. Microsoft isn't planning to produce a large amount of handsets anymore, so those sales figures will decline even further.

It's not clear what Microsoft is planning for its mobile future, but Build would be a good time for the company to explain its plans for the rest of the year. Microsoft appears to be focused on cross-platform and app opportunities on iOS and Android, but the ability for its universal apps to run across PC and phone is one of its key selling points for Windows 10. Without a strong mobile footprint, questions remain over the entire Windows 10 universal app strategy. Developers will be keen to hear more about Microsoft's mobile efforts, so we're hoping to hear a lot more this week.

Xbox apps

Microsoft has been teasing Windows 10 apps on Xbox for what feels like years. It's finally ready to talk about new apps and a store for Xbox at Build this week. We're expecting to hear a lot about how developers will be able to create games and apps that work across Windows 10 on PCs and the Xbox One. It's a key part of Microsoft's universal app strategy, and the company has been slowly crafting just how it handles apps and the complicated process of approvals for the upcoming app store.

Microsoft is planning to bring Windows 10 apps to the Xbox One in the summer, so we should get some idea this week of what apps and games will debut in the coming months. Microsoft is also opening up Xbox Live to allow Xbox One owners to play against PC or PS4 players. While the company could wait until E3 to provide more details, we're hoping we might hear about some additional titles that will support this new cross-network play.

HoloLens

HoloLens development kits are shipping out to developers this week, so expect to hear a lot about HoloLens at Build. Microsoft's annual developer conference is a good opportunity to show off more impressive demos, but it's getting closer to a shipping product so it's likely we'll start seeing real HoloLens apps and games.

Microsoft let developers get a taste of HoloLens last year with a hands-on experience, and it's likely the company will have a similar setup this time. While we've seen what the headset is capable of, it's time to see what developers can do with it.

Office and the cloud

Microsoft's Build 2016 keynote will be full of cloud talk. Expect to hear more about advancements in Azure, and how developers can take advantage of Microsoft's cloud platform for their apps. Developers will be keen to hear about how tools and cloud services are being improved, and it's likely that Microsoft will spend a large amount of time discussing the merits of its Azure platform.

On the Office side, Microsoft has acquired Sunrise and Wunderlist over the past year. The software giant has promised that Sunrise will start appearing as the calendar interface in Outlook mobile, and we're waiting to see what the plan is for Wunderlist. Microsoft also recently acquired SwiftKey and Ray Ozzie's Talko messaging app. While all of these acquisitions have been interesting additions to Microsoft's cross-platform app strategy, we're still waiting to hear if Microsoft plans to make them interact with each other in meaningful ways. The majority of these apps fall into the Office side of Microsoft, so could the Office team have something new and exciting to show at Build this year?

A surprise?

Everyone likes surprises. Microsoft's last big surprise was the unveiling of HoloLens at the Windows 10 event last year. Build could be a little quieter this year, but some Microsoft employees have been teasing big new Windows 10 features. Microsoft's Rich Turner, a senior PM on Windows, tweeted (and then deleted) that new Windows 10 features are going to make people "freak out" when they see them. Fellow Microsoft employee Scott Hanselman tweeted (and then deleted) that the features would "change everything." We'll have to wait until Wednesday to see if these appear in the Build keynote or not.

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Source: What to expect from Microsoft's Build 2016 conference

Microsoft Windows 10 Mobile OS Update Released For Older Lumia Phones

Its live tiles are a huge departure from standard icons and now Redmond-based software major is working on to make it even more effective.

Microsoft has released the digital version of the Microsoft Lumia with Windows 10 Mobile user manual, which can be downloaded from the company's official website.

It's not clear if the new surprises to which Microsoft refers, with regards to the evolution of Live Tiles in its Build session notes, are at all related to those earlier efforts - but there's not long to wait until we get to find out for sure.

Microsoft has been a company which has been coming out with some of the best updates and upgrades when it comes to the world of technology and the company has been coming out with a large number of updates for the users time and again.

Microsoft will introduce interactive Live Tiles at the upcoming BUILD conference, significantly changing how you interact with the tiles in Windows 10. Instead of tapping on a tile to reply to an email, you'd be able to scroll through your messages from within the Tile and reply inline.

Windows 10 Mobile will run desktop applications, so Office with its Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote can be installed on any Lumia device running on this new OS.

The session's description hints at improvements that will provide the adaptive toasts features added to Windows 10 with "greatly increased flexibility." a powerful API that enables a new class of apps to plug into the Notification pipeline and provide innovative experiences for users.

Microsoft's Build 2016 developer conference in San Francisco is just a few days away.

Source: Microsoft Windows 10 Mobile OS Update Released For Older Lumia Phones

Twitter launches app for Windows 10 smartphones officially

Many smartphone owners with Lumia devices rocking Windows Phone 8.1, will be able to update from today and enjoy some of the new-gen software's universal features. If the update isn't available right away, you'll see the following screen from Upgrade Advisor, and you'll get a notification when it is ready.

However, there are now only a very limited number of mobile devices that the Windows 10 Twitter app will work on. Unfortunately, not all Windows 8.1 devices will be getting the new update soon.

How to upgrade to Windows 10 Mobile?

The list of devices which qualify for this upgrade are Lumia 1520, 930, 830, 640, 640 XL, 638,636 and 535. In addition, Microsoft has also noted that the list of devices scheduled for the upgrade will not include certain phones that are now a part of the Windows Insider program. The Windows Maps app contains many HERE elements since Microsoft has developed it using the HERE Platform and with assets they received from HERE in 2014.

Microsoft, however, said it wouldn't be rolling out Windows 10 Mobile to all of the Windows phone devices. After receiving a lot of flak for supplying an unfinished operating system on the flagship Lumia 950 and 950XL, it kept delaying pushing the update to other Windows Phone 8.1 smartphones.

While substantially smaller than the 3 GB file required to install Windows 10 on a PC or tablet, Microsoft said the mobile update file is still about 1.4 GB.

According to Neowin, WindowsBlogItalia does have a history when it comes to breaking news related to Microsoft, so at this point, the rumored March 17 release of the new OS for many Lumia devices can not be entirely ruled out. There were rumors that devices with 512MB RAM would be excluded from the list of devices compatible with the update.

Extensions will be available in the Windows Store once the feature ships later this year to all Windows 10 users.

Click the Done button and then go to Settings Phone Update and grab the update. The app will let you know if an upgrade is available for the device.

Source: Twitter launches app for Windows 10 smartphones officially

Microsoft Windows 10 Mobile OS update comes to older Lumia phones

Washington: Microsoft is one company which is known for releasing some of the best updates and upgrades when it comes to the world of technology and the company has developed a habit of releasing a large number of updates for the users time and again.

It would not be wrong to say that Microsoft has change the world of software technology, and with the Windows 10 Mobile OS the Redmond-based firm is taking all of this one step further.

When Microsoft first released the Windows 10 Mobile OS last year, it was available only for the users of the Lumia 950 and 950 XL, Lumia 650 and Lumia 550. However, with the new update, the much awaited update has rolled out for a lot of the older devices too.

Microsoft has finally rolled out this update for the users of the older Lumia phones too. The Windows 10 Mobile OS Update is now available for the users of Lumia 1520, 930, 640, 640XL, 730, 735, 830, 532, 535, 540, 635 1GB, 636 1GB, 638 1GB, 430, 435, BLU Win HD w510u, BLU Win HD LTE x150q, and the MCJ Madosma Q501 devices.

"This list includes a limited set of Windows Phone 8.1 devices and does not include some devices that are currently running Windows 10 Mobile in the Windows 10 Mobile Insider program. As Windows 10 delivers significant new innovations, many older devices are not able to successfully upgrade without an impact on the customer experience. Our goal is to only offer the Windows 10 upgrade to devices that we are confident can continue to deliver a good customer experience," the Redmond-based company said.

Source: Microsoft Windows 10 Mobile OS update comes to older Lumia phones

OLO Kickstarter campaign promises world’s first mobile 3D Printer

3D printing is the wave of the future, and soon, you'll be able to do it right from your smartphone, whether it's an iPhone, Windows phone, or Android phone.

OLO 3D has launched a Kickstarter campaign for a super affordable 3D printer for your smartphone starting at $99, and within just a week, the campaign has gone viral and user response for the idea has excelled at an incredible rate. Out of the $80,000 goal, the campaign has already raised well over $1,100,000 as of this writing.

So how does it work?

OLO 3D printer for iPhone

The Kickstarter campaign explains that the OLO 3D printer will be the first commercial 3D printer with ease of use in mind. Starting at $99, you can get your hands on an OLO 3D printer, although you'll only get a beginner's resin kit. To get more resins for the 3D printer, you'll have to shell out a little bit more dough.

The device works by using the light emitted by your smartphone's display. The light activates the photopolymeric resins layer-by-layer; as a result, what you get are 3D objects that reflecting on a specific design. Each 3D object you make is estimated to cost you around 94¢ worth of resin, which isn't a whole lot, so you should get long service life with each bottle of resin.

A special app, which will be made available for iOS devices, Windows phones, and Android phones, will need to be used to print objects. The app will include a database of objects, and you can pick from the database depending on what you would like to print.

Don't worry about scope; creative individuals out there will be able to use 3D scanning tools to add custom designs to the app for printing, so you aren't limited to what the app gives you. The app's built-in social networking capabilities allow you to download and share 3D designs with other OLO users so you can download others' ideas or share your own on demand.

The design for OLO has been getting worked on for over two years, and the initial unveiling of OLO was in the Fall of last year, but this is the first time OLO is hitting a campaign to become a real thing for everyone to use.

How it's used

The OLO 3D printer works with smartphones with displays of up to 5.8 inches, and will work with anything smaller than 5.8 inches, including the iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 6s, or iPhone SE.

After setting up the design you want to print from the OLO app on your device, all you do is place your smartphone under the glass on the base of the OLO 3D printer unit, then pour your resin into the OLO 3D printer and put the top on, and the OLO does the rest within a period of time.

Here's a cool animated GIF showing the OLO in action:

Obviously, the uses are going to be limited because you're limited to objected created out of the polymer, so you won't get to make yourself anything super complex like printing metal objects, or things of other materials. On the other hand, you can still make some pretty interesting 3D figures or parts depending on how creative you can get with designing things.

The campaigners also clarify that OLO can print both hard and flexible objects, as well as fusible or translucent objects, depending on what type of resin you're using. Moreover, OLO can even print multiple 3D objects at once. With that being said, there are limitless opportunities to make all kinds of things with OLO, so long as you can think up the idea to do it.

Practicality

The OLO team has worked hard to make the 3D printer itself affordable, as well as the various resins, which are "competitively" priced with comparable 3D printing technologies on the market. Regardless, this is probably one of the most advanced mobile solutions to date, and while we can't particularly guarantee it's the "first" mobile 3D printer ever created, it's still one of the coolest.

You can make all kinds of things with a 3D printer, such as 3D models, parts for arts and crafts, stamps for your business or personal use, and more. Although the scope may seem limited because there are limited materials to print with, it all comes down to how skilled you are going to be at creating those objects. Honestly, the possibilities are endless, as they say.

The affordability of the OLO is the 3D printer's main selling point. The unit itself can be had for under $100 and the resins are going to be cheap as well.

The OLO runs off of four AA batteries that will last about 100 printing cycles, so there aren't going to be any issues powering the device. On the other hand, it would be nicer if it used some kind of rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery instead, but you can always get a set of rechargeable AA batteries rather than buying the disposable ones that will add up in price over time.

Wrapping up

You can check out the OLO and see what it's all about via the Kickstarter campaign page. As we can see from the current amount of backers, the OLO is a project that's going to explode in popularity very soon; these entrepreneurs are definitely on to something!

Will you be backing OLO so you can print 3D print objects with your iPhone? Share in the comments!

Source: OLO Kickstarter campaign promises world's first mobile 3D Printer

Microsoft Lumia 950: Freeze, Overheating and Crashing Just Some Of The Problems

News By Mario Caballero | March 27, 2016

As much as we like what Microsoft had to offer on the Lumia 950, the smartphone is not problem free either as some users have stepped out to report some of the issues they have been having with the Lumia 950.

One of the common problems we hear about the Microsoft Lumia 950 is that it tends to heat up pretty quickly but of course, this issue is not unique to the Lumia 950 alone as some of the new devices like the Galaxy S7 was also reported to have heating issues.

Others reported that the Microsoft Lumia 950 has the tendency to crash. There were also reports on the smartphone freezing at times. Of course, these are all pretty common issues and at the rate at which Microsoft is releasing their updates, these problems will most like be fixed soon.

Have you had any other issue with the Microsoft Lumia 950?

Source: Microsoft Lumia 950: Freeze, Overheating and Crashing Just Some Of The Problems

Windows 10 Mobile update: Is Microsoft screwing some of its users out of it, or is it making the right call?

If you're a Windows 10 Mobile fan, you may have received a bit of a shock last week when Microsoft announced the first wave of devices that would be officially getting their Windows 10 Mobile update. Actually, that wasn't the shocking part. The shocking part was that there wasn't going to be a second wave. That's right Microsoft fans, what you see is what you get. There were some notable exceptions left off this list, including the Lumia 1020, the Lumia 920, and the Lumia 930. Interestingly enough, the Lumia Icon, which is basically the Lumia 930 in a bright red Verizon candy shell is still "being considered." But then Microsoft did say no second wave, so maybe for wave 1.5? Anyway.

Bottom line, due to performance issues and user feedback, it was decided that many older devices that technically meet the specifications would not be getting the latest and greatest Windows operating system. Whiskey to the Tango to the Foxtrot?

History repeats itself

So, Microsoft is doing it again. The great beta test in the sky is coming back to bite us in the keysters one more time. Anyone out there running Windows Phone 7.8 and wondering why they can't just have 8? This is a similar situation. Yes, the jump from Windows 7 to Windows 8 had some hardware complications, but that didn't change the fact that if you were holding a Lumia 900, you were going to be on the wrong side of that divide.

Microsoft is building a reputation of essentially screwing its own customers out of upgrades. We're wandering into "fool me once" territory here. You can put iOS 9 onto an iPad 2. If a phone is technically capable of running the software and the user has a choice of whether or not to update the software, then where is the harm? Even if a user experiences some performance issues, isn't that to be expected on older hardware? Any user going into that upgrade should be well aware of the risks, considering they'll know they're holding older hardware.

And yet…

On the other hand, this is understandable. Microsoft should not be expected to deliver a product that will run badly on your phone. Remember, this is not a beta product. This is an official release. You'd be going all in with an operating system that had a higher percentage of performance issues on your phone. This is arguably your most important piece of technology in your life. You don't want it getting bogged down, laggy, or otherwise suboptimal if you're going to be using it on the daily.

Also, consider that it's not just Pocketnow readers who will be potentially installing this upgrade. It'll also be Joe consumer who went out and bought a phone with a great camera and really digs it to this day. This consumer isn't going to know that an operating system behaved badly in a beta. Heck, they're probably only vaguely aware of what a "beta test" is. All they know is their 1020 takes great stills at Bobby's soccer games. If Microsoft decides to release this upgrade to Joe, he's going to install it, and he probably won't even read the Terms of Service (because, really, who does?). So now Microsoft has broken Joe's phone through no fault of his own – except perhaps not reading the Terms of Service.

Nothing wrong with old

Because at the end of the day, you should buy and use a phone based on what it does today, not based on what it might do tomorrow. If Microsoft isn't upgrading your Windows Phone, you're welcome to be a little miffed about that fact, but honestly, it makes sense when you really stop and think about it. Especially in the context of Joe, just some poor schlep who bought a great phone three years ago, and now can't even get Angry Birds to run because it's laggy as hell now.

But that's just how I see it. The true nature of the debate is what happens down below. Is Microsoft screwing over its fans with this move? Or it Microsoft hedging its bets by not releasing a potential disaster to the average citizen? There are compelling arguments on both sides, and I might've even missed some, so sound off below and let's see if we can figure this out.

Source: Windows 10 Mobile update: Is Microsoft screwing some of its users out of it, or is it making the right call?