Saturday, December 31, 2016

North Branch Land Trust raises money to extend trail

The North Branch Land Trust is working to build a trail, such as this one, that will serve as an extension to the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor.

Submitted photo

According to Paul Lumia, executive director of the North Branch Land Trust, the organization has protected over 17,000 acres in Northeastern Pennsylvania

Submitted photo

The North Branch Land Trust is working to build a trail, such as this one, that will serve as an extension to the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor.

Submitted photo

According to Paul Lumia, executive director of the North Branch Land Trust, the organization has protected over 17,000 acres in Northeastern Pennsylvania

Submitted photo

A Back Mountain-based land protection group is branching out from its usual wheelhouse of land protection and working on something a bit different for them — trail creation.

The North Branch Land Trust recently kicked off its annual appeal in hopes of raising funds to aid the completion of a trail extending from the Seven Tubs Nature Area in Plains Township to Northampton Street in Wilkes-Barre.

"We're not really trail-builders. … We're more of a land conservation organization," said Paul Lumia, executive director of the North Branch Land Trust.

According to Lumia, the North Branch Land Trust has been working in Northeastern Pennsylvania since 1993 to preserve land in the watershed of the north branch of the Susquehanna River.

The Land Trust began in 1993 when a group of individuals in the Back Mountain grew concerned about over development in the area and sought to preserve land for future generations.

"Since 1993, we've conserved a little over 17,000 acres in eight Northeastern Pennsylvania counties," said Lumia.

But if, as Lumia pointed out, the North Branch Land Trust is not typically in the practice of building trails, what makes this project different?

According to Lumia, the attraction to the trail project comes from it being a part of a larger project.

The roughly 6-mile planned trail will be an extension of the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, a trail which currently extends from outside Philadelphia to Mountain Top.

"The trail is a big project for us," said Lumia. "It's a great asset for our community, and we felt we could help in getting it done."

The Land Trust's annual appeal will serve to cover administrative costs, with Lumia expecting it to bring in between $20,000 and $30,000. The rest of the costs will be covered by a grant from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, bringing in $495,000 for the project.

"We're working with the landowner to acquire the surrounding acreage that includes the trail," Lumia said. "We have a deal on the table to acquire the land, and that deal will be closing soon."

As for when exactly the project will be done, Lumia says that it's "complicated."

"It'll take about a year to finish," Lumia said.

"We're working with various municipalities to get approvals. Working with Laurel Run, Plains Township and Wilkes-Barre Township," he said. "Once we get approvals, we'll put out bids for contractors."

For more information on the North Branch Land Trust and this upcoming trail project, visit the group's website, www.nblt.org.

Reach Patrick Kernan at 570-991-6119

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Source: North Branch Land Trust raises money to extend trail

WhatsApp will stop running on MILLIONS of mobile phones next year – but is your phone affected?

WHATSAPP WIPEOUT

If your mobile or operating system is on this list it's time to upgrade before the app stops working in 2017

WHATSAPP will no longer support older phones by the New Year, forcing millions of people to upgrade their handset if they want to continue using it.

The popular messaging app has over a billion users, but will stop working on certain mobiles because of changes in technology.

Certain users will be forced to upgrade their phones if they want to continue using WhatsApp

Alamy

Certain users will be forced to upgrade their phones if they want to continue using WhatsApp

A WhatsApp spokesperson told The Mirror: "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."

The app will stop running "at the end of 2016" on a variety of models, including iPhones, Android phones, Windows phones, Nokias and Blackberrys.

Check and see if you'll be affected here.

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'APPY DAYS ARE 'ERE WhatsApp rolls out video calls to ONE BILLION users around the world

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Will WhatsApp still work on iPhones?

Whatsapp will soon stop working on the iPhone 3GS – the second ever model released in 2009.

The update will also affect devices running older operating system iOS 6.

Any iPhone 4, 4S or 5 or iPad that hasn't been updated to iOS 10 will be affected.

To check what version of iOS you have, go to Settings, General then Software Update, which will show you what your phone is running at the moment and whether you can update it.

Will WhatsApp still work on Android phones?

Phones or tablets running Android 2.1 or 2.2 won't be supported by 2017.

You can check what version you have in the Settings menu.

Some Samsung Android phones will be affected by the changes

Getty Images

Some Samsung Android phones will be affected by the changes Will WhatsApp still work on Windows phones?

No – Whatsapp will stop supporting Windows phones altogether.

Will WhatsApp still work on BlackBerry phones?

Yes – it was originally planned to be dropped but WhatsApp will still support BlackBerry until June 30, 2017.

Will WhatsApp still work on Nokia phones?

Yes – it was originally planned to be dropped but WhatsApp will still support Nokia S40 and Symbian S60 until June 30, 2017.

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368


Source: WhatsApp will stop running on MILLIONS of mobile phones next year – but is your phone affected?

Friday, December 30, 2016

Microsoft Stops Selling Lumia Smartphones in the US

With the year's end in just a day, 2016 is not the only thing we're saying goodbye to. Microsoft's Lumia smartphones are also disappearing, in the United States at least. The company has stopped selling all of its own handsets on the Microsoft Store. Customers can no longer buy Windows Phone 8.1 and Windows 10 Mobile devices through Microsoft.

Stock is still around from retailers, but we suspect this will run out soon. The removal of all Lumia devices suggests this is for good, they simply won't be coming back. Of course, Microsoft has been shedding smartphone inventory since it announced earlier in the year it would cease making mobile hardware.

Since then we have seen the UK store run out of all Windows 10 Mobile devices. In that instance, a few Windows Phone 8.1 devices remained.

lumia-650-stock-microsoft-store-edit-winbuzzer

Microsoft has actually been systematic and efficient in ridding itself of Lumia. The company all but removed Windows smartphones from its US online store. Once a prominent product, the devices were reduced to a drop down menu on the website.

We reported earlier in the week that Microsoft has sold out of the unlocked Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL. The company had reduced the prices of those devices heading into Christmas, and it worked. There are still thirteen devices listed on the store, the Lumia 950 handsets among them.

However, it is telling that Microsoft has removed the "add to cart" button. The company typically leaves this button when a product is temporarily out of stock. That leaves just a few devices on the Microsoft Store

Remaining Handsets

Acer Liquid M330 unlocked – An entry level smartphone that is currently available for $79.99, down from its typical $99 price.

BLU Win HD LTE unlocked – This mid-rage handset is available for $149 and is still running Windows Phone 8.1.

BLU Win JR LTE unlocked – Another entry level device, this costs $99.

HP Elite x3 Bundle unlocked – A lot of Microsoft's Windows 10 Mobile aspirations now rest on the HP Elite x3. It is the only smartphone on the platform that can truly compete with the best devices on the market. The Microsoft Store has two bundles, both coming with the Desk Dock. These bundles range from $799 to $1,298.


Source: Microsoft Stops Selling Lumia Smartphones in the US

Samsung Smart Switch App now supports Windows 10 Mobile

The Windows 10 Mobile devices now have been more than a year old and there might be users who would be thinking of planning to buy a new handset. Some of the people might be thinking of switching the platforms from Windows to Android or iOS due to less options available for Microsoft's mobile OS.

Samsung, for users who are planning to switch from Windows to Android is making it easier for such users to switch from Windows 10 Mobile to Samsung Android Device. The company has added support for Windows Phone 8.1 to its Smart Switch App in September and now has updated the app to support Windows 10 Mobile.

The app's description on its Google Play store listing explains:

What can be transferred?

  • Contacts, calendar(Device content only), messages, photos, music (DRM free content only, Not supported for iCloud), videos (DRM free content only), call logs, memos, alarms, Wi-Fi, wallpapers, documents, app data (Galaxy devices only), home layouts (Galaxy devices only)
  • You can send app data and home layouts by upgrading your Galaxy device to M OS (Galaxy S6 or higher).
  • The description confirms that the compatibility of the Smart Switch app is limited to switching to devices running Android 6.0 Marshmallow ("M OS") and the app has also been updated now to support Android 7.0 Nougat ("N OS", as described in the update's release notes).

    If any of our users are feeling or willing to move from Windows 10 Mobile to Android then you can download the Smart Switch App from the below link to transfer all your Windows Phone content to the new Android Devices. Do let us know your thoughts about the app in the comments below.

    Download Smart Switch Mobile App


    Source: Samsung Smart Switch App now supports Windows 10 Mobile

    Thursday, December 29, 2016

    The Verge 2016 tech report card: Microsoft

    Microsoft used the past year to put some of its failures behind it, and paint a clearer picture of its future. That future looks a lot like artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and universal apps everywhere, and the software giant has been laying strong foundations towards it in 2016.

    While HoloLens was announced in 2015, Microsoft started shipping the head-mounted display to developers earlier this year. Microsoft is pushing its idea of mixed reality with devices like the HoloLens, but the company also revealed recently that it will support virtual reality headsets in Windows 10 in early 2017.

    Part of that push will arrive in a new Windows 10 update, but for the past year Microsoft has focused on tweaking Windows 10 with its Anniversary Update. It added features like Windows Ink, Microsoft Edge extensions, a new dark theme, and even bash Linux command line. The bash addition is Microsoft's latest step to try and tempt developers to build Windows apps, alongside acquiring Xamarin earlier this year.

    Microsoft has been struggling to attract developers to its new Windows apps platform, and the company has historically struggled with smartphones. While last year saw the write down of the company's Nokia phone business acquisition, Microsoft truly reset its mobile plans in 2016. The software maker gutted its smartphone business, and only released a single Lumia device, the Lumia 650. It's safe to say Lumia is over and done with, and Microsoft has spent most of the year focused on Windows 10 for PCs rather than mobile.

    Lumia 650 hands-on photosLumia 650 hands-on photos

    Microsoft also spent a lot of 2016 discussing its artificial intelligence plans. Bots debuted at its Build developer conference, and after a rocky start with Tay they're now starting to show up regularly in Skype and elsewhere. Bots are the public face of AI, but Microsoft is doing a lot of work behind the scenes to inject intelligence into all of its software and services. Microsoft even acquired LinkedIn this year to further its social network gap and boost its AI and CRM efforts.

    Alongside software, services, and the cloud, Microsoft also had a couple of big hardware announcements during 2016. The Xbox One S arrived first as a well-designed Xbox console, alongside Xbox Play Anywhere to play your Xbox One games on Windows 10 PCs. While Microsoft didn't refresh its Surface Pro or Surface Book devices this year, the company did surprise with the Surface Studio and a focus on creatives. That's got a lot of people talking about whether Apple has the right focus with its Macs recently, and it has set Microsoft up for a lot of attention to Surface in 2017.

    As we look towards 2017, Microsoft still has a lot to prove with its universal apps and its attempt to bring Windows to ARM chips once again. Both of these have been attempted before with little success, and Microsoft will need to convince developers next year. The company hasn't totally given up on mobile, and next year could see the unveiling of a potential "Surface Phone." The real focus will be on Microsoft's AR and VR plans, and whether it can convince third parties to produce headsets that bring its mixed reality dream firmly into reality.

    Verge 2016 Report Card: Microsoft Gold Stars:
  • Surface Studio surprise
  • Continuous improvements to Windows 10
  • Xbox One S design
  • Needs Improvement:
  • Universal apps need to get better
  • Windows Mobile
  • Surface Studio review
    Source: The Verge 2016 tech report card: Microsoft

    Xenon and zoom re-enter the smartphone world, courtesy of Hasselblad

    Published by Steve Litchfield at 9:12 UTC, December 29th 2016

    I've periodically returned to the classic Nokia 808 PureView and Lumia 1020, highlighting the lossless 2.5x zoom and 'proper' Xenon flash, though there's been precious little to compare these with that's camera centric from the wider smartphone world in the last five years. Yet along comes something new, the Hasselblad camera mod on the Moto Z, a late 2016 Android smartphone. Along with the 808, 1020 and also ageing Samsung Galaxy K Zoom, I couldn't resist a quick photo comparison. No, not of results (that comes soon!), this time of the hardware itself...

    Why am I making a fuss over both zoom and Xenon flash? Because they dramatically enhance the range of subjects and scenarios for taking photos. After all, every standalone camera, every DSLR, all have both zoom and Xenon too - so it's puzzling that phone manufacturers have steered quite so far clear away from these technologies. I realise that there's a slight increase in bulk and power requirements, but I'd have still expected that there be a few more camera-centric smartphone offerings. Than four. Over five years. (I don't count units like the Panasonic CM-1 or the Kodak Ektra because they had neither zoom nor Xenon.)

  • Why zoom? As in 'lossless' zoom, implemented on the Nokia 808 PureView (running Symbian) and Nokia Lumia 1020 (running Windows Phone 8.1), and optical zoom, implemented here on the Samsung Galaxy K Zoom and Motorola Moto Z 'Hasselblad' (snap-on) mod. Because you can get optically closer to your subject, providing more detail and more intimate framing.  
  • Why Xenon? Because shots of pets and human beings in low light can come out perfectly sharp, 'frozen' in motion. I realise that this isn't always to everyone's taste, since the flood or pure white light can also affect the atmosphere (e.g. at a party), but sometimes when you're grabbing a moment at an evening event then only Xenon will do.
  • Step one then - comparing the physical propositions. (Step two will be to take these camera phones out into the world and see how they perform relative to each other, and this will take a day or two.) The Hasselblad solution is by far the bulkiest, but this is natural because there's not only the bulk of a telescopic 10x zoom mechanism, there's also the added bulk from having separate phone and camera portions (the 'mod' pulls off and you can swap it for extra battery or a large stereo speaker etc.) 

    Plan form factors aren't that different, apart from the oldest, the Nokia 808, with its relatively tiny 4" screen (by today's standards!), though all phones are presented here camera-side first:

    Camera phones compared, Hasselblad mod

    Aside from the 'DSLR-like' 'grip' on the Moto Z plus Hasselblad, the phone form factors don't seem too dissimilar at first glance. However, start to introduce a plan perspective and the difference in thicknesses is immediately apparent:

    Camera phones compared, Hasselblad mod

    And you thought the Nokia 808 was chunky back in 2012...

    In fairness, the detachable nature of the Hasselblad Moto Z Mod means that you're not holding the full form factor all the time. You'd typically carry the Mod in your pocket (it comes with a case) and clip it on when the time came to take some adventurous photos. Of course, if you're going to carry something in a pocket then why not a small standalone camera in the first place? You do get the immediate sharing via the Moto Z smartphone this way round, but the solution does seem a little overkill. 

    The all-in-one Galaxy K Zoom seems svelte and elegant by comparison, while the Lumia 1020 is positively the looker in this group, offering a vastly slimmer profile with almost no compromises beyond that 2.5x limit on (lossless) zoom. 

    And - gulp - this is all with the cameras not activated. Boot the Camera apps up and the electronics swing into action. The Nokia 808 and Lumia 1020 mechanical shutters power up and you can see the lenses, the Hasselblad Mod and the Galaxy K Zoom power up their telescopic lens systems, etc. And, to emphasise the difference further, I've set the latter two to their 10x zoom positions:

    Camera phones compared, Hasselblad mod

    I'll return to how effective the combination of optical zoom and OIS is (in all cases bar the Nokia 808) in the next feature, pitching results head to head across a nuber of use cases.

    Shooting the hardware comparison above from a slightly different angle, the Nokia 808 and 1020 look more comparable in terms of size, but it's all in the use of perspective - in the hand, the Lumia 1020 still feels 'right' to me. In every regard, even with a grippy shall case on - this may indeed be that I'm simply so used to the 1020 after three years of use, or it may be that the bulky newcomers are just that - too bulky for mainstream use.

    Camera phones compared, Hasselblad mod

    The Galaxy K Zoom is so close to being useable day to day, I owned one for several months when it came out in 2014, two years after the Nokia 808 (2012) and a year after the Lumia 1020 (2013). The K Zoom always felt too big, heavy and thick in the pocket and I never found a belt holster large enough to take it. Plus, in hindsight, its specifications were Nokia-esque in their shortsightedness, with far too little internal storage - the K Zoom is stuck on an Android OS version from its launch year, sadly, abandoned by Samsung.

    I seem to be in the possession now of a litany of camera-centric phones which have been abandoned by their manufacturer. I'm thinking also of the Symbian-powered Samsung G810, which also featured optical zoom and Xenon flash, back in 2008, even the Nokia N93 and N82, even earlier. Manufacturers persist in toying with camera-centric phones and never putting all their weight behind them in terms of design and then marketing. The obvious conclusion is that the mass market, the bulk of sales, are to people who simply don't need (or know how to use) a high end camera in their phones. For them, a 'good' camera is good enough.

    Which is a shame from my point of view and I'm sure I'll find a few sympathisers here. Anyway, I'll have a use case photo shoot out between the four contenders here very shortly. Anyone think I should also throw the Lumia 950 into the mix, as a mass market top end data point? Comments?

    Filed: Home > Features > Xenon and zoom re-enter the smartphone world, courtesy of Hasselblad

    Platforms: General, Symbian^3, General, Windows Phone 8Categories: Comment 

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    Source: Xenon and zoom re-enter the smartphone world, courtesy of Hasselblad

    Wednesday, December 28, 2016

    The New Official Lumia Support App for Windows Phone Is Available for Download

    #WindowsPhone #Lumia – The New Official Lumia Support App for Windows Phone Is Available for Download : Called B2X-SMARTAPP, this new application is aimed at Lumia devices running either Windows Phone 8.1 or Windows 10 Mobile and can help owners identify hardware or software issues with their devices.

    "SMARTAPP for Lumia is a smart way to check the hardware and software of your Microsoft Lumia smartphone. SMARTAPP for Lumia is compatible with Windows 10 Mobile and Windows Phone 8.1 and helps to identify the potential source of an issue and provides first steps to resolve it. SMARTAPP for Lumia will also help you get in touch with B2X customer care for further assistance," the app description reads.

    Built-in features

    There are several features offered to Lumia owners, including easy-to-use tools to diagnose Lumia hardware and software, such as battery and OS updates. In case you can't figure out what's wrong with your phone, the app can connect you to a B2X support agent that can provide further assistance.

    Additionally, you can also request a callback from a support agent or find the nearest service point should you need to get the device into a service center to have it repaired.

    There are also some other extra features, including a tool that helps you track the repair status if you need to send in the phone for repairs. And last but not least, you can also check the Lumia warranty status to find out if you're eligible for free repairs.

    The application is obviously free of charge and is not universal, but it works on both Windows Phone and Windows 10 Mobile, which means the majority of users out there can install it on their devices. Source: softpedia


    Source: The New Official Lumia Support App for Windows Phone Is Available for Download

    HMD to release four new Nokia Android phones this coming 2017

    Nokia has been given a new lease in life, thanks to HMD Global. The company is now the rightful owner of the former top phone maker and it's set to make new records in the mobile industry. It's something Microsoft failed to do with the Nokia Windows Phone. Hopefully, the Nokia Android-powered devices will make it big since it's what the Android community has been waiting for since news of Nokia being sold off was heard.

    Now we've got more good news about the brand. Four new Nokia phones will be released by HMD in 2017 beginning in the second quarter. The first one will be announced and shown off at the upcoming Mobile World Congress in February. The Finnish company has been busy on design and production. It is also believed to have begun talks with suppliers like LG Display, Innolux, and Century Technology (CTC) to make four more phones that will be introduced the rest of the year.

    The Nokia phones are also said to have displays starting from 5.0 to 5.7-inches with either Full HD or WQHD resolution. We're assuming the Nokia D1C will be announced in Barcelona at the MWC 2017 probably in two variants: the more expensive 5.5-inch 3GB RAM Full HD display and the affordable 5-inch 2GB RAM Full HD model.

    VIA: Digitimes


    Source: HMD to release four new Nokia Android phones this coming 2017

    Tuesday, December 27, 2016

    2016 Year-End Recap: Microsoft in June (Dona Sarkar, Project Scorpio, LinkedIn acquisition, and more)

    Microsoft had a great year over-all. Let us take you back to what happened every month in 2016. We've already gave you the highlights for the past months. If you have not read them yet, check them out!

    January

    February

    March

    April

    May

    Here were the highlights in June.

    Microsoft

    Dona Sarkar replaced Gabe Aul as the head of the Windows Insider Program.

    Microsoft acquired LinkedIn for USD26.2 billion.

    Windows 10

    Windows 10 was running on over 350 million devices.

    Windows 10 devices

    AT&T Lumia 640 updated to Windows 10 Mobile.

    AT&T Lumia 1520 updated to Windows 10 Mobile.

    Xbox "Project Scorpio" announced.

    Xbox One S announced.

    Apps and Games

    Facebook Messenger for Windows 10 Mobile

    Viber Windows 10 UWP app was released to Windows Store.

    iOS ported Messenger (BETA) app for Windows 10 Mobile was released to Windows Store.

    GroupMe Windows 10 UWP app was released to Windows Store for PC.

    Amazon app was pulled from the Windows Store.

    Microsoft Authenticator (BETA) was released to Windows 10 Mobile.

    Expedia Windows 10 UWP app was released to Windows Store.

    Evernote Web Clipper Edge extension was released.

    Kiloo dropped support for Subway Surfers Windows phone version, will focus Windows 10 Mobile.

    Win32 apps WordPad, Fax and Scan, XPS Viewer, and Character Map released to Windows Store with the help of Project Centennial.


    Source: 2016 Year-End Recap: Microsoft in June (Dona Sarkar, Project Scorpio, LinkedIn acquisition, and more)

    Microsoft patents the Star Trek Holodeck... version 0.01

    Published by Steve Litchfield at 10:48 UTC, December 27th 2016

    File this under a holiday season link of interest and a glimpse of the future, but Microsoft's patent for merging projected surroundings with interactive elements from within the Windows 10 HoloLens seems noteworthy, if only because for the first time you can see how a real world Star Trek-like 'HoloDeck' could one day become a reality. This may only be step one along a decade-long path, but extrapolate the early experiments here and you can see how a fully working HoloDeck in the real world might be possible. Heck, add in a rolling road underneath the feet and you could go for a walk in the virtual woods. Or along the surface of an alien world?

    MSPU has a good write up, including:

    The HoloLens field of view issue has been preoccupying Microsoft for some time, and they have been exploring a number of solutions, which tend to show up in their patent filings.

    As Microsoft writes:

    This discussion relates to complementary augmented reality. An augmented reality experience can include both real world and computer-generated content. For example, head-mounted displays (HMDs) (e.g., HMD devices), such as optically see-through (OST) augmented reality glasses (e.g., OST displays), are capable of overlaying computer-generated spatially-registered content onto a real world scene. However, current optical designs and weight considerations can limit a field of view (FOV) of HMD devices to around a 40 degree angle, for example. In contrast, an overall human vision FOV can be close to a 180 degree angle in the real world. In some cases, the relatively limited FOV of current HMD devices can detract from a user's sense of immersion in the augmented reality experience. The user's sense of immersion can contribute to how realistic the augmented reality experience seems to the user. In the disclosed implementations complementary augmented reality concepts can be implemen ted to improve a sense of immersion of a user in an augmented reality scenario. Increasing the user's sense of immersion can improve the overall enjoyment and success of the augmented reality experience.

    The latest patent, filed in June 2015 and published on the 22nd December 2016, is for COMPLEMENTARY AUGMENTED REALITY, postulates using a number of projectors to project images on the environment around you.

    CAR conceptCrucially the images would be pre-distorted to complement your expected field of view from your HoloLens headset and would also take account of the depth map of the environment to intelligently change the images produced.

    What seems incredibly clunky and unrealistic today might, in ten years, become photo realistic and robust enough to be confused with reality - think about the progress in smartphones from 2006 to 2016, for example. QVGA screens to QuadHD, 100 pixels per inch to getting for 1000. Where might this 'Converged Augmented Reality' (CAR) be in ten years' time? I doubt we'd then have a HoloDeck in every home, but I'd bet that we have HoloDeck experiences in museums and tourist attractions at the very least, plus consumer solutions for the well off who want to experiment in their own garages and offices.

    So yes, step one of a hundred, but we're getting there. Now where's Commander Data and his Sherlock Holmes deerstalker?

    Source / Credit: MSPU

    Filed: Home > Flow > Microsoft patents the Star Trek Holodeck... version 0.01

    Platforms: GeneralCategories: Link of Interest 

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    Source: Microsoft patents the Star Trek Holodeck... version 0.01

    Monday, December 26, 2016

    The New Official Lumia Support App for Windows Phone Is Available for Download

    Called B2X-SMARTAPP, this new application is aimed at Lumia devices running either Windows Phone 8.1 or Windows 10 Mobile and can help owners identify hardware or software issues with their devices.

    "SMARTAPP for Lumia is a smart way to check the hardware and software of your Microsoft Lumia smartphone. SMARTAPP for Lumia is compatible with Windows 10 Mobile and Windows Phone 8.1 and helps to identify the potential source of an issue and provides first steps to resolve it. SMARTAPP for Lumia will also help you get in touch with B2X customer care for further assistance," the app description reads.

    Built-in features

    There are several features offered to Lumia owners, including easy-to-use tools to diagnose Lumia hardware and software, such as battery and OS updates. In case you can't figure out what's wrong with your phone, the app can connect you to a B2X support agent that can provide further assistance.

    Additionally, you can also request a callback from a support agent or find the nearest service point should you need to get the device into a service center to have it repaired.

    There are also some other extra features, including a tool that helps you track the repair status if you need to send in the phone for repairs. And last but not least, you can also check the Lumia warranty status to find out if you're eligible for free repairs.

    The application is obviously free of charge and is not universal, but it works on both Windows Phone and Windows 10 Mobile, which means the majority of users out there can install it on their devices. Source: softpedia


    Source: The New Official Lumia Support App for Windows Phone Is Available for Download

    APPY CHRISTMAS – Best apps of 2016 that you must install on your iPhone and Android device

    Best App 2016GETTY

    BEST APPS: The top applications for your smartphone

    Super Mario RunApple • FREE (£7.99 full game)

    Yes, the famous plumber is now available on your iPhone.

    Super Mario Run is the first Nintendo game to venture on to smartphones and the endless runner looks set to become one of the biggest apps ever.

    Play alone or take on other gamers across the world in this classic coin collecting caper.

    If you're an Android user, Super Mario Run should be available next year and be warned of downlaoding this fake version on your phone.

    ...................................................

    DeliverooApple • Android - FREE

    You probably won't be feeling peckish after your Christmas lunch but if the dinner turned into a disaster don't panic.

    You can now get your favourite restaurant food delivered straight to your door.

    Book your takeaway through the app then sit back and wait for your tasty treat to arrive.

    Over 1,000 restaurants are on offer and if, you own an iPhone, you can even pay with your fingerprint via Apple Pay.

    PH

    PH

    ZEEKApple • Android – FREE

    If you received a gift card for M&S this Christmas but were desperate for some tech from Curry's don't panic.

    ZEEK is a new app that allows you to sell unwanted gift cards.

    Simply download the app, set a price for the gift card and wait for someone to take it off your hands.

    You can also buy discounted gift cards via the app with some selling for 10% off their original value.

    ...................................................

    Colour SwitchApple • Android - FREE

    If you got some time to waste then have a go on Colour Switch.

    This incredibly addictive game is simple to play but almost impossible to master.

    To win you must tap the ball carefully through coloured obstacles and if you think this is simple wait until you give it a try.

    Colour Switch has also just launched a Christmas update which gives the app some extra festive fun.

    WhatsAppAndroid • Apple - FREE

    The world's biggest messaging app got even bigger in 2016 with more users and better features than ever before.

    WhatsApp now allows its army of fans to make video calls and soon you'll even be able to delete and change messages after they've been sent.

    If you're one of the few to join the WhatsApp revolution it's available now for Android, Apple and Windows phones.

    ...................................................

    Pokemon GoAndroid • Apple - FREE

    It's the hit of 2016 and if you haven't played Pokemon Go yet, what are you waiting for?

    Get out on the road and track down all of those pesky Pokemon.

    Once you've caught them all train them up and head into battle.

    PH

    Slow Shutter CamApple - FREE

    Slow Shutter Cam brings new life into your smartphone camera by letting you capture a variety of amazing slow shutter speed effects that you only thought you could get with a DSLR.

    Slow Shutter allows you to snap shots and get stunning motion blur and light trail effects and it also helps take pictures when the light is low.

    ...................................................

    Hot Wheels Race OffAndroid • Apple - FREE

    The classic Hot Wheels cars are now available on your smartphone in an awesome new racing game.

    Race your car around 40 incredible tracks and earn points to power up your vehicle.

    You can even challenge your friends in competitive multi-player mode.

    Pokemon GO: Gen 2 Baby Pokemon LIVE: See them here Tuesday, 13th December 2016

    The Pokemon GO Gen 2 baby Pokemon are now live in the game. Take a look at some of the new Pokemon found by users around the world already.

    1 / 13

    Best Apps 2016PH

    Best Apps 2016

    MSQRDApple • Android - FREE

    Add some fun to festive pictures with the MSQRD app.

    Record video selfie animations, change the way you look by adding beards and facepaint, then send it to friends via your favorite messengers and social networks.

    ...................................................

    UBERApple - Android - Windows • FREE

    Want a cheap way of getting around?

    Uber have revolutionised travelling by taxi and made it a lot more affordable.

    When you need a lift simply hit the hail button and tell Uber where you want to be collected.

    You'll then receive the name and picture of your driver and a map showing how far away they are.

    Once your journey's done your bill is instantly sent to your phone and price debited from your account.

    No tips, no cash and no fuss.

    Related articles
    Source: APPY CHRISTMAS – Best apps of 2016 that you must install on your iPhone and Android device

    Sunday, December 25, 2016

    Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) Surface Phone Delayed For Good Reason

    Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is doing a splendid job keeping its plan for the Surface Phone under wraps. The firm's silence however is serving the "intended" purpose of causing the media to engage in a frenzied race to uncover the hottest scoop about the device. Last week, the tech media was agog with rumors that Microsoft would unveil its much-awaited Surface Phone at the upcoming MWC 2017.

    Of course, the firm has promised to "do great things" MWC 2017; hence, tech bloggers had valid reasons to speculate about the debut of the Surface Phone.  The firm even went as far as launching a web page through which people at MWC can arrange meetings on the sidelines of the mobile congress. However, we have reasons to strongly believe that the Surface Phone won't make its debut at the World Mobile Congress next year.

    Don't expect Microsoft's Surface Phone at MWC 2017

    Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) came late to the mobile party and its Windows Mobile OS sits at a distant third behind Apple's iOS and Google's Android. Developers have more incentive to build iOS and Android apps because those platforms have a large user base. Microsoft however lacks a huge user base for its Windows Mobile OS; hence, it can't afford an ill-timed launch. The firm has to solve the chicken-egg riddle before it launches its Surface Phone; otherwise, the device will end up going the way of the Lumia.

    Nonetheless, Microsoft will be present at MWC 2017 and HP Elite X3 will ably represent the firm's smartphone line. Microsoft execs have already developed a canned response for avoid making statements about the Surface Phone. Any question to get them to confirm or deny the Surface Phone almost always gets a response pointing to HP Elite X3.  We have reasons to believe that Microsoft will be promoting the HP Elite X3 at MWC 2017 instead for debuting the Surface Phone.

    HP Elite X3 runs on Windows 10 smartphone but I'm not sure whether I should classify it as a consumer-focused device or an enterprise-focused device. As expected, the device lacks most of the popular third-party iOS and Android apps. However, what it lacks in apps, it makes up for in Enterprise functions with an inbuilt PIM suite. The device also runs Outlook 365 and Microsoft Cloud.

    Microsoft Surface Phone (MSFT)

    What is the fate of the Surface Phone?

    It is obvious that Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is delaying the launch of the Surface Phone –and with good reason. It appears that the firm wants to use HP Elite X3 as a guinea pig to test the smartphone waters before it launches the Surface Phone on its own brand.

    If the HP Elite X3 succeeds, Microsoft will be able to pinpoint the reason for its success and make sure it nails that point at a higher level in the Surface Phone. In contrast, if HP Elite X3 fails, the firm would be able to know what went wrong and avoid making the same mistake with the Surface Phone.

    Nonetheless, you can expect to see the Surface Phone in the second half of 2017. The Surface Phone might carve a niche in the Smartphone market if it is able to run desktop apps. The problem however is that the Redstone 3 update that will outfit Windows 10 will the powers to run desktop apps won't be out until mid 2017. Hence, the Surface Phone is not likely to make its debut at MWC 2017.


    Source: Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) Surface Phone Delayed For Good Reason

    Microsoft Surface Phone release date, news: Highly anticipated device might not appear in Mobile World Congress next year

    Aside from the people's typical anticipation for the next iPhone and Samsung Galaxy mobile devices, there are a good amount of spectators also anticipating the arrival of the Microsoft Surface Phone. Unfortunately, reports say that the much-awaited phone will not show up in the Mobile World Congress 2017.

    Every year, the MWC has been a great venue for technology firms to unveil flagships or announce future plans for their famous product lineups. This fact is what makes the Microsoft Surface Phone hopefuls expect that the MWC event on Feb. 27 to March 2 will host the announcement of the Surface phone.

    According to reports, however, the HP Elite X3 or the upcoming Windows phone is what will make up for the absence of the Microsoft Surface Phone. There is also enough amount of hype for the mentioned device since this will be released as a consumer-focused variant this time. It can be recalled that this is not the first time that HP and Microsoft collaborated to produce a Windows-run phone.

    However, in the first partnership, they came up with an enterprise-grade mobile device. According to unconfirmed reports, the HP Elite X3 is most likely to sport the Windows 10 platform paired with 4 GB random access memory and 64 GB internal memory.

    It is rumored to be powered with Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 and an Adreno 530 graphics processing unit. Despite the fact that Microsoft has been mostly quiet on their plans about the Surface Phone, there have been several indications that the Redmond, Washington-based company is working on it.

    Just last month, it was reported that Microsoft is testing several prototypes for the Surface Phone and they all run with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 835, according to anonymous sources. Added to these rumors is a statement from Microsoft chief executive officer Satya Nadella saying that they are taking their time and want to make sure that they will produce "the ultimate mobile device." Source: ecumenicalnews


    Source: Microsoft Surface Phone release date, news: Highly anticipated device might not appear in Mobile World Congress next year

    Saturday, December 24, 2016

    Unofficial CyanogenMod 13.0 for Lumia 52X

    ');}else if(xda_ad_choice=="sortable"){document.write('\x3Cscript src="//tags-cdn.deployads.com/a/xda-developers.com.js" async >\x3C/script>');document.write('');(deployads=window.deployads||[]).push({});}}

    Code:

    #include <std_disclaimer.h> /* * Your warranty is now void. * * I am not responsible for bricked devices, dead SD cards, * thermonuclear war, or you getting fired because the alarm app failed. Please * do some research if you have any concerns about features included in this ROM * before flashing it! YOU are choosing to make these modifications, and if * you point the finger at me for messing up your device, I will laugh at you. */ Unofficial CyanogenMod 13 builds for Lumia 520, 521, 525 and 526NO OTHER DEVICES ARE SUPPORTEDSupport is planned for other Snapdragon S4 based Lumias, but not anything else.

    To install and use this ROM, you must first install LittleKernel bootloader on your phone. Be sure to carefully follow all of the instructions or you may/will brick your device.

    NOTE: This thread is still being filled with content, please be patient as we are still making/uploading changes.

    Temporary download links:Google Drive

    XDA:DevDB InformationAndroid4Lumia, ROM for the Windows Phone 8 General

    Contributorsfeherneoh, SJR (Sam), banmeifyouwant, kholk, m11kkaa, PecanCM, thinhx2 Source Code: https://github.com/Android4Lumia

    ROM OS Version: 6.0.x MarshmallowROM Kernel: Linux 3.4.xROM Firmware Required: WPInternals Bootloader Unlock, LK bootloaderBased On: CyanogenMod

    Version InformationStatus: Beta

    Created 2016-12-24Last Updated 2016-12-24


    Source: Unofficial CyanogenMod 13.0 for Lumia 52X

    Alcatel IDOL 4S with Windows 10 Mobile: The VR Experience

    #AlcatelIDOL4S #Windows10 – Alcatel IDOL 4S with Windows 10 Mobile: The VR Experience : ​Alcatel IDOL 4S is one brilliant Windows phone that comes with gorgeous looks and top-notch hardware, but it's also the very first smartphone powered by Windows 10 Mobile that launches with a VR headset.

    Microsoft announced at its late October hardware event that it would work with partners on making VR an essential feature of its operating system, and now Alcatel becomes the first to embrace it.

    Basically, the Alcatel IDOL 4S is supposed to provide you the experience that others already had, including here Samsung buyers who have their own headsets for VR. But for Windows 10 Mobile, this is clearly an important step forward, albeit it remains to be seen how many manufacturers will actually invest in VR on Windows.

    The first glance

    At first, the VR headset that Alcatel includes in the $470 IDOL 4S package features a premium look, and it's clear that the company spent a considerable amount of time to avoid making it look cheap.

    The headset feels very comfortable to wear, and it's not causing any discomfort, as we experienced with others, including here Samsung's Gear VR. It all takes just a few adjustments, and you're ready to use it.

    Alcatel IDOL 4S VR headset

    Alcatel IDOL 4S VR headset

    Everything's pretty easy to set up and you don't need to be a rocket scientist to figure out how you're supposed to use the VR capabilities of the IDOL 4S. Simply slip in the phone into the headset, adjust the straps, put the headset on, and you're done.

    Microsoft and Alcatel worked together on improving the headset, and you can easily tell that, because the typical low-end feeling that you'd normally expect from a Chinese manufacturer does not exist.

    On the other hand, the VR experience itself is based on content developed by Alcatel, which is available in its own store, and the company promises to continue adding more in the coming months. Unfortunately, nothing new has been added since the launch of the phone until December.


    Source: Alcatel IDOL 4S with Windows 10 Mobile: The VR Experience

    Friday, December 23, 2016

    To save Windows 10 Mobile Microsoft claims Surface ‘category creation’ is the key

    Shortly after Microsoft announced the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL, I wrote an article asking 'Does Microsoft want to reboot the concept of a phone?'. I affirmed that while Microsoft 'owns' the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL those phone did not represent what Microsoft was actually doing in hardware – referencing Surface Pro, Surface Book, and HoloLens as counter-examples to those lackluster devices.Specifically, I called out category creation as their modus operandi when it comes to their first-party hardware:

    Microsoft is not about creating hardware for the sake of creating another thing. They only create hardware after consideration of where the market is going to be, not where it is now…Microsoft tried to kickoff modern PC development with the Surface.

    That was the whole point. What would such a program look like for phone if they wanted to re-invent that category? That was from October 2015. I bring this up only to drive the point home that Microsoft's intent here is as clear as day.

    Just this week, Microsoft's Chief Marketing Officer Chris Capossela reiterated the same point when he guested on TWiT's Windows Weekly with Paul Thurrott and Mary Jo Foley (head to the 21minute mark):

    One question I get…what about our own first-party hardware, our own phones?…For us when we want to do first-party hardware when we want to Studio or Book or Pro the number one goal we have is to essentially try to create a new category of device that hasn't been done before that frankly can expand the total adjustable market for the Windows ecosystem…In all those cases we are looking to create a brand new category that our OEM partners can then follow behind us and do in massive volume, and that hopefully expands the number of devices that people want because we create something new…

    Capossela goes on bringing up 2017 for great things from Panos and his team as well something reported before: When we think about any new hardware whether it's phone, whether it's tablet, desktop, you name it, HoloLens, we want to do something that hasn't been done before, we want to create a brand-new category…2017 is coming, and we'll have great new things in 2017…Panos and team are working super hard.


    Source: To save Windows 10 Mobile Microsoft claims Surface 'category creation' is the key

    Mossberg: My tech report card for 2016

    Welcome to Mossberg, a weekly commentary and reviews column on The Verge and Recode by veteran tech journalist Walt Mossberg, executive editor at The Verge and editor at large of Recode.

    For lots of people, the year 2016 can't end soon enough. Whether it's the bitter, divisive presidential election; the misery in Syria; the horrible terrorist attacks in various cities; or the deaths of beloved figures, it's been a lousy year.

    It's also been a mixed year for the major tech companies, with a few big strides and many other missed chances. Their leaders sure didn't look happy at the year's end, gathered at Trump Tower last week with a soon-to-be president most of them opposed.

    At the start of the year, I wrote a column saying what I thought each of the digital giants should do to improve its products this year. Here's how I think they fared, and how I missed some big issues that arose or ripened during the year.

    I wrote a column saying what I thought each of the digital giants should do to improve its products this year. Here's how I think they fared. Google

    It was a big year for Google. The company became a vertically integrated hardware maker with the Pixel phone, along with the Google Home intelligent speaker and the Google Wi-Fi router system. This was something I called for in the start-of-the-year column, as well as in an entire earlier column from 2015. What I didn't get into was the fact that this move, while it has other virtues, was closely tied to the company's decision to stake its future on artificial intelligence and machine learning, for which the phone and speaker are vessels.

    It's too early to know if this move into hardware is paying off. I certainly doubt the Pixel will outsell the iPhone for the 2016 holiday quarter, despite lavish TV advertising. And the Google Assistant AI service is still rough around the edges.

    Google didn't implement my call to make Android apps function out of the box on every Chromebook this year. But I'll take partial credit. That project was indeed announced in 2016, but is proceeding slowly and in many cases requires running a developer's edition of the Chrome OS.

    A hot issue I failed to mention back in January, with which Google is still wrestling, is the problem of excising fake news and hate speech from top-ranking search results. The company has taken a few steps, but has much further to go to preserve the credibility of its search results.

    Apple

    Though Apple is primarily a hardware company, in January I urged it to focus on improving its core software: The Apple-made mail, calendar, music, photos and other apps on its devices. And in fact the company did some of this. Examples include a new user interface for Apple Music, easier app access on the Apple Watch, lots of new features in iMessage and improvements in Apple Maps, and in the default keyboard's predictive typing. And Apple's commitment to privacy and security remains steadfast and admirable.

    But the all-important Mail app, on both iOS and macOS, is still poor at handling the overwhelmingly popular Gmail service, and the iOS calendar is still clumsy; iTunes and Photos still need work.

    Most importantly, and unforeseen by me back then, Apple managed to disappoint in 2016 with a series of hardware products that, while very good, weren't up to the company's high historical standards, in my view. In most cases, I attribute this to an overemphasis on design at the expense of function. This isn't solely an Apple problem, but it's most clearly evident there.

    The iPhone 7, while boasting better specs, axed the longstanding, perfectly fine headphone jack, making a dongle necessary to charge the phone while using earbuds. The MacBook Pro was made thinner and lighter, and given a narrow function screen atop the keyboard called the Touch Bar. But, in the process, it became a tweener with less battery life. And the new, wireless AirPod earbuds, while impressive in many ways, can't adjust the volume or skip a track without either interrupting the music to ask Siri to do it or fumbling for your phone or Apple Watch. That's a step backward from the silent, manipulable control module on familiar old EarPods.

    Microsoft

    In January, I called for the software giant to find a way to get more modern, tablet-style apps developed for its cross-device Windows 10 operating system, especially to help its anemic phone business. But there's been little or no progress. In fact, Windows Phone continued to wither — almost out of sight. And, partly because of that, the company was forced to back off its pledge to have a billion devices running Windows 10 by 2018.

    However, the company's relatively small Surface hardware group scored a coup by enchanting designers, video editors and other creatives with a gorgeous all-in-one desktop just as Apple was disappointing some of them with the new MacBook Pro.

    Overall, Microsoft had a very good year. Beyond the small hardware unit, new CEO Satya Nadella has the company churning out good software for rival platforms — Apple's iOS and Google's Android — challenging Amazon in cloud services, and right in the thick of the coming AI battle.

    Amazon

    The company continued its pursuit of commerce and media, even delivering a package by drone in 13 minutes. But I had urged it to break out with a big new hardware push, beyond the Echo intelligent speaker. I suggested maybe even resurrecting its failed phone effort, this time backed by the Alexa AI platform that powers Echo. Instead, Amazon doubled down on the Echo, even as Google brought out Home to directly compete with it. The retailer has added thousands of new apps, or skills, to Alexa, but didn't bust out with major new hardware in 2016. And it's difficult to know how many users employ the Echo's more sophisticated functions, beyond things like listening to music and setting timers.

    Facebook

    Back in January, I urged Facebook to "rethink the News Feed in a major way, with a central focus on giving users greater control and a clearer understanding of how to exercise it." But, while the company is constantly tinkering with the News Feed, it didn't give it a significant overhaul in 2016, though there are hints of bigger moves next year.

    What I didn't foresee is that Facebook would face a crisis in tamping down fake news and hate speech, a crisis which made it clearer than ever that the social network had become a major media company with new and more complex responsibilities. As the year is ending, Facebook is scrambling to form partnerships with fact-checking organizations, and taking internal steps, to try and suppress the fake news and hate speech. But it may never again be able to behave like it's just a neutral canvas.

    One more thing …

    While it isn't one of the major platform companies, and I didn't touch on it back in January, no account of 2016 can ignore Samsung Electronics. The Korean colossus had an utterly miserable year in 2016 with the exploding Galaxy Note 7 disaster, a bungled recall and replacement, and finally a software patch that will disable remaining units. The company still hasn't explained in any detail what went wrong and its reputation has taken severe damage.

    Bottom Line

    Personal tech never sleeps, and, while 2016 was a mixed bag, all these companies and many others will have a chance to delight or disappoint next year. Will the 2017 iPhone finally be "spectacular"? Will Facebook and Google really clean out the garbage infecting their precincts? Will Microsoft try for a phone breakthrough under the Surface brand? And how will all these companies get along with the Trump administration? Stay tuned for the real news @recode.


    Source: Mossberg: My tech report card for 2016

    Thursday, December 22, 2016

    Microsoft Sells Out of Unlocked Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL in the US

    Microsoft has cleared all its stock of the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL smartphones. The Windows 10 Mobile flagships have been on a long road to extinction since the company left the mobile hardware market earlier in the year. The cleared inventory comes after Microsoft slashed the prices of the 950 and 950 XL thought its official store.

    While Microsoft has not confirmed officially, this is likely to be the last stock the company stores. Of course, customers can still get the Lumia 950 XL from the AT&T website for $298.99. Microsoft appears to be stocking the Lumia 640 XL, although it is currently unavailable. That's the same story for the Verizon Lumia 735.

    The company announced earlier in the year that it will stop making Lumia handsets. Since then, Microsoft has said the departure is temporary and that it will make a smartphone again at some point. However, in the meantime, the company is selling off all its Lumia handsets.

    lumia-950-out-microsoft-store

    In the United States, the Microsoft Store is still selling the Lumia 550 and 650. As the weeks and months pass, expect all Lumia devices to disappear from Microsoft's official channels.

    Retailers will likely have stock left beyond that, but it is clear time is running out for Windows 10 Mobile hardware from Microsoft.

    Microsoft has been selling the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL for $249 and $299 respectively. This was a huge saving for two quality handsets and represented an enticing deal for Christmas.

    Unfortunately for the company, the Lumia 950 devices never caught on with consumers. Their lack of market traction wasn't helped by a lack of deep carrier support. The failure of these handsets ultimately put the Lumia as a brand out to pasture.

    While they divided opinion, both smartphones are still a good bet if you can find them with a reduced price.

    UK and Germany

    The end of stock for Microsoft's flagships in the US mirrors recent events in the UK and Germany. Earlier in the month, we reported that all Lumia inventory has been sold in the United Kingdom. Again, this is from Microsoft's official store, with retailers still offering the devices. Back in September, the Lumia 950 sold out in Germany.


    Source: Microsoft Sells Out of Unlocked Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL in the US

    Futuristic phablet head to head: HP Elite X3 vs Xiaomi Mi Mix

      HP Elite X3 Xiaomi Mi Mix (18K Premium edition) Date first available September 2016 November 2016 Current price, availability £700 (SIM-free in the UK, inc VAT - from Clove - and including Continuum Desk Dock and various adapters and cables). Other prices and bundles available, including with the Lapdock, but starting at about £630 inc VAT and rising to over £1000! circa £900, SIM-free, from gearbuying.com, including leather case, but excluding any import taxes for your country (ouch!) In fairness, there's a cheaper variant with only 4GB of RAM, lower storage and no gold, at about £700. Again plus any import taxes. Dimensions, form factor, weight

    162 x 83 x 8mm, heavy duty plastic body and frame, 195g.

    159 x 82 x 8mm, ceramic body with heavily polished exterior and complete oleophobic coating, 165g

    Durability IP67 for liquid and dust, plus mil-spec drop and shock resistance, thanks to the use of shock-absorbing plastics rather than metal. Gorilla Glass 4  for the display. No quoted durability stats, so water-vunerable and very shock-vulnerable (all that glass and extremely brittle ceramic), plus it's the slipperiest phone I've ever held, so you definitely need a case all the time! 'Scratch-resistant glass' used on the display, but no Gorilla branding etc. Operating system, interface Windows 10 Mobile, (dismissable) virtual controls Android 6.0 and MIUI (Global 8.0) with virtual controls, dismissable as needed with a swipe, similar to how it works on WP8.1 and Windows 10 Mobile Display  5.96" AMOLED QHD (1440p) 6.4" 17:9 1080p resolution, LCD, despite the lower resolution you have to give this the win, the larger display in the smaller form factor is the USP! Connectivity LTE up to 600Mbps, all world bands, plus dual nano SIM (if microSD unused), NFC, Wi-Fi b/g/n/ac, integral wifi tethering, Bluetooth 4.2 LTE (some bands, China-centric, UK, European and USA users will have to live on 3G most of the time), NFC, Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi b/g/n/ac, integral wifi tethering, dual nanoSIM Processor, performance Snapdragon 820 chipset, 4GB RAM, in theory very fast indeed - though there are still big optimisations to come when Redstone 2 hits in the Spring (2017) - the X3 currently isn't as fast as it should be. Snapdragon 821 chipset, 6GB RAM, very fast, as Android typically is, with minimal transitions. Have to give the win here on speed, despite the use of MIUI as a 'skin'. Capacity 64GB, expandable via microSD up to 2TB 256GB, non-expandable. I can't believe such a spec doesn't win this row, but sealed is sealed, and a card-expandable architecture should always in. Imaging (stills)

    13MP (currently, ignore what you've read about 16MP) f/2.2, single LED flash, HDR shots, PDAF in theory, but waiting on a firmware update. Very decent shots in most light conditions, though ultimately limited compared to the industry leaders in the smartphone world. See here for my full Elite X3-Lumia 950 XL shootout, for example.

    8MP front camera

    16MP, f/2.0, Phase Detection auto-focus, dual LED flash, HDR available. Image quality is unremarkable in all light conditions, there's something very 'meh' about optics and sensor here. I'll post X3-Mi Mix snaps in a separate piece shortly.

    5MP front camera, a small sensor/component and unremarkable results

    Imaging (video) 4K, digitally stabilised, with 'Best photo' 8MP grabbing built-in, plus stereo audio recording in theory (though limited to mono in current firmware) 4K video capture, no stabilisation. Audio is excellent and actually in stereo though - so hard to pick an overall winner here. Music and Multimedia Decent front-facing stereo speakers, though very weak in terms of bass frequencies (surprising, given the B&O branding, it's possible that there are optimisations yet to come). 3.5mm headphone jack Decent mono speaker at the bottom of the phone, slightly higher fidelity than each of the X3's stereo affairs, but front-facing-stereo always wins in a fight(!) 3.5mm headphone jack Navigation  Windows 10 Maps is comprehensive, has a degree of live traffic awareness, plus public transport. Includes full offline maps with automatic updates.  Google Maps and navigation isn't included out of the box, but it's a trivial install from the Play Store (in this International ROM) and  truly excellent, with better offline capabilities in the last year, and with great live traffic integration and dynamic re-routing (which get it the win here). Oh and there's also HERE Maps, if the user knows to go look for it. Cortana/Voice Cortana is now mature and well integrated, and with a surprising degree of 'assistance'. Google Now and voice queries are good and on a par with Cortana overall, if not superior. See my round-up feature. However, in this case, the Google Now assistant is only 'there' if the user knows to install it and then set it as the launcher. Maybe one step too far for the average user? Battery, life  Sealed 4150mAh battery, gets through two days of use, plus standard USB Type C fast charging (up to 3A, though a 2A charger is what's supplied out of the box) and Qi wireless charging built-in. Sealed 4400mAh battery, easily gets through a day, thanks to Android 6.0's Doze feature. USB Type C charging with Quick Charge 3.0 compatibility. Flexible and capable, though (unbelievably) there's no charger supplied - just a USB cable. No wireless options, despite the ceramic build. Cloud aids Windows Photos syncs across all signed-in devices, subject to your OneDrive tariff (which is tight for new users, meaning that they'll end up paying extra), should you have thousands of images in the system. Plus Windows 10 backs all your media, application data and settings to a separate backup folder system, tariff-free on OneDrive. Again, once the user has sought it out and installed it, Google Photos syncs across all Android devices, with genuinely infinite storage (with an allowance for recompression/optimisation by Google) Biometrics  Iris recognition ('Windows Hello') works well unless you wear varifocals(!), but takes a few seconds in real world use, while the fingerprint sensor on the back is quicker and easier most of the time, to power the screen on and authenticate. Good to have a choice though. Fast fingerprint scanner on the back works well too, also powering on and authenticating at the same time. Applications and ecosystem  Windows 10 Mobile now has just about every mainstream app covered, aside from Snapchat and Tinder. Niche/boutique apps are often an issue, though... Also anything to do with Google services! Plenty of Xiaomi application replacements for the Google originals and you can't delete these, so there's quite a bit of dodging around and timesome set up time on the homescreens. However, third party apps are fully covered, from A-Z, these days. Any application of any significance in the mobile world is available for Android.  Business extras Continuum connectivity to use external displays as secondary screen, independent of the phone display (with full universal application resolution handling) - Desk Dock, Lap Dock and anything Miracast-enabled. HP Workspace commercial system for running Win32 applications when hooked up. None, though the large 6.4" screen would work particularly well with a compact Bluetooth keyboard and the Google and Microsoft office applications, grabbed from the Play Store. Upgrades and future Windows 10 Mobile will be updated through 2017, of course, as part of the global Windows 10 ecosystem. Production devices can expect updates every few months, Insiders every few weeks. The X3 is part of the Insider program if needed. Uncertain - Xiaomi update their OS variants regularly for the Chinese market, but updates to the International ROM aren't as frequent or as reliable. Plus you have to figure that there's a lack of quality control in this department. Unbelievably, the UK and USA were missing from the set-up wizard. Every other country in the entire world was present, so I ended up pretending I was in Spain!!
    Source: Futuristic phablet head to head: HP Elite X3 vs Xiaomi Mi Mix

    Wednesday, December 21, 2016

    Nokia drags Apple to court for patent infringement

    Nokia drags Apple to court for patent infringementNokia drags Apple to court for patent infringement - Image source: http://allaboutwindowsphone.com/Image source: http://allaboutwindowsphone.com/Nokia announced today it is suing Apple in German and US courts for patent infringement, claiming the US tech giant was using Nokia technology in "many" products without paying for it.

    Finnish Nokia, once the world's top mobile phone maker, said the two companies had signed a licensing agreement in 2011, and since then "Apple has declined subsequent offers made by Nokia to license other of its patented inventions which are used by many of Apple's products."

    "After several years of negotiations trying to reach agreement to cover Apple's use of these patents, we are no w taking action to defend our rights," Ilkka Rahnasto, head of Nokia's patent business, said in a statement.

    The complaints, filed in three German cities and a district court in Texas, concern 32 patents for innovations related to displays, user interface, software, antennae, chipsets and video coding. Nokia said it was preparing further legal action elsewhere.

    Nokia was the world's leading mobile phone maker from 1998 until 2011 when it bet on Microsoft's Windows mobile platform, which proved to be a flop. Analysts say the company failed to grasp the growing importance of smartphone apps compared to hardware.

    It sold its unprofitable handset unit in 2014 for some USD 7.2 billion to Microsoft, which dropped the Nokia name from its Lumia smartphone handsets.

    Meanwhile Nokia has concentrated on developing its mobile network equipment business by acquiring its French-American rival Alcatel-Lucent.

    Including its 2013 full acquisition of joint venture Nokia Siemens Networks, Nokia said the three companies united represent more than 115 billion euros of R&D investment, with a massive portfolio of tens of thousands of patents.

    The 2011 licensing deal followed years of clashes with Apple, which has also sparred with main rival Samsung over patent claims.

    At the time, Apple cut the deal to settle 46 separate complaints Nokia had lodged against it for violation of intellectual property.


    Source: Nokia drags Apple to court for patent infringement

    Volksbank drops support for its Windows Phone app

    The past few months have seen several messaging, airline booking and online payment apps march out of the Windows Phone ecosystem. Now it seems dwindling Windows Phone market share is forcing some financial institutions to leave the platform, too. Germany's Volksbank just announced in a Twitter post that it is ending support for its app on Microsoft's Store.

    Over the last couple of months, Volksbank ceased rolling out updates to its app. The lack of support over those months heralded the bank's plan to drop support for its Windows Phone app, so the latest development is not surprising.

    It does not come as a surprise, too, that Volksbank decided to depart the platform given its poor reception. NetMarketShare's latest report reveals that Windows Phone 8.1 represents only 1.03% of the mobile operating system market during November 2016.

    IDC's latest Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker also predicts the market share for Windows Phone to drop to 0.1% in 2020. According to the report, Windows Phone shipments could hit 1 million within the forecast period, provided all units are sold out in four years.

    As it is, the Volksbank app is no longer available to download from the Microsoft Store. Soon, it could be completely removed from the online store listing. Right now, users can only access their account via the official Volksbank website using their web browser. Nonetheless, the Volksbank app remains available for Android and iOS users.

    As in the case of other apps previously pulled from the Windows Phone, Volksbank does not plan to release a Windows 10 mobile app. Despite the huge improvements brought about by Windows 10 Mobile, the prospect of a Volksbank app coming to that platform looks far flung at the moment. Source: windowsreport


    Source: Volksbank drops support for its Windows Phone app

    Tuesday, December 20, 2016

    Nokia C1 with Xenon Flash & Dual Cameras Spotted in a Concept Video

    Nokia will be re-entering the Android smartphone market in 2017. Unlike the Nokia X and Nokia XL smartphones that came with a forked Android OS, the upcoming Nokia smartphones will come with full functionalities including the Google Play services. Even though these upcoming smartphones come with a Nokia branding, they will be designed and manufactured by another company called as HMD. The rumors suggested the company to launch a smartphone called Nokia D1C. It is leaked to come up with entry-level specifications, but today a new smartphone called Nokia C1 was spotted in a concept video. Unlike the Nokia D1C smartphone, the newly leaked Nokia C1 comes with flagship specifications.

    Though it comes with a metal body, the video also showed the device to come with different body textures. Before talking about this device, we can't confirm these specifications to come out real as this information is based on a concept video. From the video, we can see the display on this device to come with a higher screen-to-body ratio. It sports a dual front facing speakers and on the rear is a big camera module featuring dual rear camera sensors along with triple LED flash and Xenon flash. Even the earlier launched Nokia Lumia smartphones powered by Microsoft also used the Xenon flash. The Nokia C1 features a 5-inch display with Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) resolution.

    Under the hood, the Nokia C1 comes powered by Snapdragon 830 processor. Though Qualcomm announced only the Snapdragon 835 SoC that will be available in the first half of 2017, there is no official information about the Snapdragon 830 SoC. But leaks suggests the company to reveal the Snapdragon 830 processor only in the new year. It includes 4GB of DDR4 RAM and will be available in 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB storage options. Talking about the cameras, it is mentioned to feature a 12MP and 16MP sensors on the back and a 5MP selfie camera on the front. On the right edge, we can find the power button and shutter button; whereas the volume rocker can be found on the left edge.

    The USB Type-C port and 3.5mm audio port are placed on the bottom edge. The device is said to run on Andriod 7.1.1 Nougat OS. It will be powered by a 3,210mAh battery and might come with fast charging support. Recently, HMD also launched a couple of Nokia features phones called Nokia 150 and Nokia 150 Dual SIM. As the name suggests, the Nokia 150 Dual SIM additionally comes with dual SIM support. Both the devices are priced at $26 and lacks the internet access. They feature a 2.4-inch QVGA (320 x 240 pixels) resolution display and comes with the popular Snake Xenzia game. The devices run on Nokia Series 30+ OS which is the same as on the already launched Nokia 130 phone.

    According to the company, the both these phones are mentioned to give upto 22 hours of battery life and lasts upto a month on standby. There is a VGA camera on the rear along with a single LED flash that can also be used as a torch light. With the very little market share, the company might stand out of other devices with their quality and service.

    Related


    Source: Nokia C1 with Xenon Flash & Dual Cameras Spotted in a Concept Video

    Animated GIF Creator for Windows phone goes free as myAppFree app of the day

    The Windows phone app which has gone freenext as myAppFree app of the day is Animated GIF Creator.By this app you can Create animated GIF files from .mp4, .wmv, or .avi files. Adjust the width, height, and frame rate for each file.

    Usually the cost of app is $0.99. So grab this offer and save $0.99.

     Animated GIF Creator Features:
  • File activation for .mp4, .wmv, .mov, and .avi files.
  • Transcoder app service
  • Journalist app service
  • Adjust width, height, and framerate for each file.
  • You can download the app from the given link below.

    Developer: Michael S. Scherotter
    Source: Animated GIF Creator for Windows phone goes free as myAppFree app of the day

    Monday, December 19, 2016

    Thurrott Daily: December 19

    Thurrott Daily: December 19

    Tech tidbits from around the web.

    12/19/2016 8:22:32 PM

    Fixing a "stuck" Windows Update on Windows 7

    This probably warrants a full article, I know, but I am so over Windows 7 and its inability to find and download Windows Updates. That said, if you're having this problem, I think I have the solution (and no, it's not "just upgrade to Windows 10 already"). Thanks to a few readers who noted my complaining, check out this Reddit thread, which I'm told just works.

  • Set Windows Updates to 'Never Check For Updates' and Restart
  • Install KB3020369 & Restart
  • Install KB3125574 & Restart
  • Install KB3138612 & Restart
  • Install KB3145739 & Restart
  • Install KB3172605 & Restart
  • We have Offline Updater setup on a server here at work. At this point I run that and let it install whatever updates it finds. Restart. Repeat until Offline Updater doesn't find any more updates. This step is optional, and you can skip to step 7 if you want, but it makes things easier/faster if you do a lot of Win installs.
  • Check for updates through Windows. As of 7/21/16 when doing above steps it's finding the remaining updates VERY quickly (less than 10 minutes), and only finding a half dozen or so updates (if you did step 6).
  • *If you are using images for your installs and your image is less than ~6 months old it's probably quicker to skip step #2. CLEAN INSTALLS SHOULD ALWAYS DO STEP TWO!

    Thanks everyone. I'd love to never, ever address this topic again. 🙂

    Coming OneDrive UI is an exact copy of Dropbox

    While I understand the logic of "there's only so many ways you can design a thing," I'm not on board with a coming UI change to OneDrive, which doesn't just mimic Dropbox, but actually copies it outright. MSPowerUser covered the new UI last week:

    [Microsoft] is currently A/B testing a new OneDrive flyout design which you can see in the … screenshot that provides a cleaner experience and offers slightly more information. As you can see in the above screenshot, the OneDrive flyout now displays the recently uploaded/downloaded files on your OneDrive which can be a bit useful. Previously, the flyout would only tell you whether your OneDrive is synced or not.

    What they don't tell you is that this is a copy. Here's the screenshot they allude to:

    onedrive

    And here's what Dropbox looks like:

    dropbox

    Microsoft Lumia 950 XL [was] available for just $299 in the US

    Not to belabor the point, but I am the Belaborer in Chief: This is the price this phone should have been a year ago. Anyway, MSPowerUser reports, and I shall otherwise ignore because buying this phone would be a huge mistake. (And because it looks like they are both out of stock. Which means that, yes, the swamp has finally been drained.)

    Microsoft Store is now selling the Lumia 950 XL device for $299 (was $499.00) in the US. You can also save up to $60 by creating your own Lumia 950 XL accessory bundle. It seems like Microsoft Store has very less [sic] units of Lumia devices in stock, if you are interested, you need to order it before it goes out of stock.

    Find the deal at Microsoft Store using the below links:

    Lumia 950 XL – $299Lumia 950 – $249

    Tagged with Thurrott Daily


    Source: Thurrott Daily: December 19

    Volksbank Abandons Windows Phone as Well

    Another bank has just confirmed that it's leaving Windows phones, and although an official reason was not provided, it goes without saying that the dropping market share of Microsoft's mobile platform is behind this decision.

    Volksbank no longer plans to update its app in the Windows Phone store, and according to a report from WindowsUnited, it could soon be pulled from the store.

    The application already lacks essential features and given the fact that no updates have been released in the last months, Volksbank was already believed to be planning leaving Windows Phone. And in a tweet this morning, the bank officially confirmed that the Windows Phone app is no longer supported, so users' only option is to point their browsers to the official site and access their accounts this way.

    No plans for a Windows 10 Mobile app

    As it happens every time when a Windows Phone developer pulls an app from the store, there's a little hope that a Windows 10 Mobile version would be planned to take advantage of all the great features that the new OS brings.

    Unfortunately, this is not the case this time, and Volksbank says that it's not planning to launch a Windows 10 Mobile app, which means that this is pretty much the end of its online banking app on Windows phones.

    Of course, Volksbank will continue to focus on improving its Android and iOS apps, but this isn't a surprise at all, given the fact that most of the developers who left Windows Phone did the same thing.

    Windows Phone has already dropped below the 1 percent market share, and now IDC estimates that the platform could drop to no less than 0.1 percent share by 2020. Developers hardly find a reason to stick with Windows phones these days, also as a result of Microsoft remaining completely tight-lipped on how it sees its mobile platform improving in the future.


    Source: Volksbank Abandons Windows Phone as Well