Nokia release aims to shock Android and iPhone this month

This week the folks at Nokia have revealed that they're ushering in a new era for Nokia smartphone. This is the month where users can expect a set of new Nokia brand smartphones with Android inside to be released around the world. Much like we expected to launch all the way back at the dawn of Nokia X, the Android Nokia from recently-acquired Nokia / Microsoft – this is the Android you might be looking for.

Running STOCK Android, the Nokia 3, Nokia 5, and Nokia 6 are set to take the Android-loving marketplace by storm. Or at least in an ideal world they would – if they had the right marketing campaign. But of course they don't, more than likely, given the lack of attention these devices have gotten thus far.

Of course that's all conjecture – we don't know how well these devices have sold in the very few places they're out in the wild so far. Once they're released internationally, we'll have to cross our fingers that their USA-based distributors are on task and ready to roll with the full brunt of the midrange smartphone-loving userbase that's been around since Nokia ran head-first into Windows Phone.

While Apple's iPhone has remained largely similar generation-to-generation over the past several years, Nokia's been off the market. Nokia Lumia phones with Windows Phone never outsold the iPhone – nor did they outsell the Samsung Galaxy line – but users remain excited to own another. Take a peek at Reddit right now and see how pumped up the Android-loving smartphone user comments are.

Nokia Windows Phone devices were really great – or at least their hardware was. Batteries lasted an extended amount of time and cameras were decent – if not revolutionary for their time. Have a peek at our original Nokia Lumia 920 Review to see what some of the fuss was about. Then behold our original Nokia Lumia 520 Review to see what the rest of the fuss was about.

ABOVE: Nokia 3 as presented by Nokia Mobile. BELOW: Nokia 5 as presented by Nokia Mobile. Both of these devices will become available internationally later this June.

Even despite the inevitable doom of Windows Phone software, Nokia smartphones were great. Here in 2017, we have no good reason to assume they'll be anything but great again. The people behind the designs and construction of Nokia phones in 2017 have the access and the knowhow necessary to make hearty smartphones for relatively low prices.

The release of the Nokia 6 will very likely come just before the Nokia 5 and Nokia 3. Going by the schedule shared for international consumers to the smartphone sales outlet Clove, Nokia 3 and Nokia 5 will be available starting on June 30th, 2017.

Pricing for each smartphone will be revealed when the devices hit the market, or just before. If we're to go by the prices Clove has listed, the Nokia 3 will cost around $160 (converted to USD straight from GPB), the Nokia 5 will cost around $240, and the Nokia 6 will cost closer to $300.

Have a peek at the timeline below for more information on all three of the next Android devices from Nokia. This is not a Nokia X situation. Do not worry about the brand trying to use Android to make you want to use Windows Phone! It's time Android came back to stock!

[nokia]

Source: Nokia release aims to shock Android and iPhone this month

Qualcomm shows off Windows 10 on ARM prototype

Published by Steve Litchfield at 10:19 UTC, May 31st 2017

At Computex 2017, Qualcomm has been showing off their 'Windows 10 on ARM' prototype ultra-mobile PC, in a form factor that's smartphone/phablet in principle, though obviously heavily 'proto' in terms of build and thickness. All very interesting in terms of what might come into production in 2018 in the mobile space. Perhaps the new Composable shell will look like Windows 10 Mobile on 'phones' and then, when plugged into Continuum displays, it will resolve to a full Windows 10 desktop and then allow Win32 emulation etc.?

From the Qualcomm press release:

Attendees at Computex will be able to experience a Windows 10 PC prototype, for the first time powered by the flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 Mobile PC Platform. With the first-ever launch of sleek, innovative, fanless devices running Windows 10 PC devices powered by Snapdragon 835 are expected to be available from Asus, HP, and Lenovo.

In December at Microsoft's Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC), Microsoft's Terry Myerson (EVP, Windows and Devices Group) invited Qualcomm Technologies' Cristiano Amon to the keynote to announce that Windows 10 is coming to the premium-tier Snapdragon platform.

Consumers will get the Windows 10 experience they know and love. With Snapdragon, hardware makers can create Windows 10 PCs that are thin, light, fan-less, and designed to deliver long battery life. With the integrated Snapdragon X16 LTE modem, your Windows 10 device can support blazing fast Gigabit internet speeds for a virtually anytime, anywhere experience.

The device on display at Computex is running on our small development platform, but it's set up like a desktop PC. We attached a 46-inch monitor, wireless keyboard, and wireless mouse, and loaded it with familiar apps like Microsoft Office and other great apps so attendees can experience productivity and entertainment on Windows 10 powered by Snapdragon. We've also set up a Gigabit LTE network so attendees can experience the extreme speed supported by the integrated Gigabit LTE modem.

Stay tuned for more information as we launch sleek, innovative, fanless devices running Windows 10 PCs powered by the Snapdragon 835 Mobile PC Platform.

Interesting stuff. But what about when NOT 'set up like a desktop PC'? In other words, how will this fare when set up as an ultra-mobile, as a phablet, etc? I guess we just don't know yet what's involved.

The prototype/demonstrator was interesting, as usual, shown below. It clearly has a phablet like form factor, with large touchscreen and smartphone front camera, flash and sensors, though the prototype is crazily thick. I wonder how much this could be slimmed down for production use one day?

The still above is from the video embedded below, showing more of Windows 10 running on this ARM portable demonstrator:

Source / Credit: Qualcomm

Filed: Home > Flow > Qualcomm shows off Windows 10 on ARM prototype

Platforms: GeneralCategories: Link of Interest, Hardware, Industry 

Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.

Source: Qualcomm shows off Windows 10 on ARM prototype

Microsoft Corporation : (MSFT) Surface Phone to Come in 3 Different Variants

The tech company is determined to make a strong comeback in the smartphone game with the launch of its Windows 10-powered smartphone line-up

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) might have flown out of the smartphone spectrum for quite a while now, but it is determined to make a strong comeback with its next-gen Windows 10, powered smartphone line-up. Referred to as the Surface Phone, the companys next flagship smartphone would arrive in interesting variants.

While Microsoft itself is yet to confirm the existence of such a Surface-branded device, the company CEO Satya Nadella has hinted at the arrival of a possible game-changing Windows 10, powered smartphone device in the market. Mr. Nadella has confirmed the tech giant would continue to make its contribution towards the smartphone world, despite its recent struggles with the Windows Phone platform. Also, the CEO himself has stated the companys next flagship smartphone might not look like what todays leading flagship devices prevail in the smartphone industry.

According to speculations surrounding the Surface Phone, the smartphone would arrive on the market in three different variants, including an entry-level consumer model, a mid-range business model, and a high-end enthusiast model. Such rumors have also hinted the entry-level variant of the Surface Phone would arrive in the market for around $699, while the high-end variant of the smartphone device could go for as much as $1,100.

All variants of the Surface Phone are expected to be powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processing chipset. Also, the Windows makers next flagship smartphone will be powered by the latest Windows 10 operating system which should provide a more all-round performance for the smartphone device as compared to its Windows Phone platform.

Reports have speculated Microsoft will not launch its next flagship smartphone until the first quarter of 2018.

(c) 2017 Khaleej Times. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info)., source Middle East & North African Newspapers

Source: Microsoft Corporation : (MSFT) Surface Phone to Come in 3 Different Variants

Microsoft Originally Wanted Lumia 950 XL to Be a Samsung Galaxy Note Killer

Lumia 950 and 950 XL were unveiled by Microsoft in October 2015 with much fanfare as the company's latest and greatest mobile phones, but despite the original hype, the two devices quickly lost their excitement factor, mostly due to bugs and lack of interest in the platform from Microsoft's part.

An unreleased video that was published by WindowsCentral shows that both the Lumia 950 and 950 XL were originally supposed to be two major hits for the mobile business, helping Microsoft increase the share of Windows Phone and appeal to many more buyers.

Probably the most interesting, though not surprising, feature of Lumia 950 and 950 XL revealed in this video is support for pen. As we heard so many times before, Microsoft wanted to bring stylus support on its Lumia phones a long time ago, and it looks like the Lumia 950 XL was one of the first to get it.

This means that the 950 XL was supposed to be a Samsung Galaxy Note killer, though last year's Samsung flagship phablet more or less killed itself.

Support for the Surface Pen

By the looks of things, the 950 XL was developed to be compatible with the Surface Pen, and this is not at all surprising, especially because at some point Panos Panay, the man in charge with the Surface series, was said to be working closely with the mobile unit on several projects. It's possible that Surface Pen support could still go live on Microsoft phones at some point if the Surface Phone ever sees daylight.

Another feature that never made it to the market is the Smart Cover, which is a more advanced cover for flagship Lumias that allowed users to see Glance at any given moment.

And last but not least, the video also shows what seem to be Active Sides, a feature that we've seen before on the never-released Lumia McLaren. Sensors embedded in the sides of the phone allowed it to detect the hand of the owner, thus making sure it doesn't lock or auto-rotate based on the position of the palm.

Without a doubt, Lumia 950 and 950 XL were both supposed to be much more exciting products and this video does nothing more than to show that Microsoft missed an excellent opportunity to grow in mobile.

As for the reasons all these features were canceled, nothing is certain at this point, but everyone seems to be blaming CEO Satya Nadella's increased focus on cloud for the dropping interest in phones.

Source: Microsoft Originally Wanted Lumia 950 XL to Be a Samsung Galaxy Note Killer

The Network got photos of the prototype smartphone Nokia RX-100 with a mechanical QWERTY keyboard and Windows Phone OS

The Network got photos of the prototype smartphone Nokia RX-100 with a mechanical QWERTY keyboard and Windows Phone OS

Sometimes in a Network there are pictures of devices that never make it to market. They are not always of interest, but the Nokia RX-100 is really interesting. It allows you to see what other Windows Phone-based devices, according to the company, could be interested buyers.

Source: The Network got photos of the prototype smartphone Nokia RX-100 with a mechanical QWERTY keyboard and Windows Phone OS

Windows 10 Mobile still has a bright future? Microsoft’s new strategy to step into mobile business

Microsoft has been always neglecting the Windows Phone operating system and we have assumed that the company has already given up on the mobile operating system. However, the reality is completely different. Microsoft still has some plans to step into the mobile business. The successor of Windows 10 Mobile could be Windows on ARM and it is something Microsoft always wanted it to be real.

Thurrott.com's Brad Sams has revealed that Windows on ARM could be the successor of Windows 10 Mobile. Microsoft is trying to step into mobile business with a new interesting device (Surface Phone?) that would do a Phone's job and PC's as well.

We all know that Microsoft is working with Qualcomm to bring Windows on ARM. It will apparently run on laptops, but it seems Microsoft and Qualcomm are also working on small-form tablets running Windows on ARM.

"Imagine, if you have a 5-inch device and Microsoft will call it a tablet powered by ARM (Snapdragon 835) and it will have LTE connectivity support. It's a phone that is also a PC. So what you can do is you connect your device to data connection by download the apps published in Windows Store by Verizon." – Brad Sams.

Furthermore, T-Mobile has recently announced a new service called 'DIGITS'. It lets you use your phone number on any compatible internet-connected smartwatch, tablet, or computer. You don't need to buy numbers for different devices, you can get access to the number on upto 5 devices.

If Microsoft join hands with T-Mobile, the DIGITS service will let a user access their phone call, messages on PC without touching the phone by just downloading the app from Windows Store.

"You can buy anything running Windows on ARM and it is your phone, it your Windows Phone again. Microsoft don't have to build a Lumia and just say it a tablet."

Microsoft is also working on revamping the interface of Windows 10 on small form-factor devices.

As reported by us earlier, Microsoft is now actively marketing the Windows 10 Mobile to their business customers. Even though we are not seeing any sign of Windows Phone hardware launch by Microsoft for customers right now but it is pretty clear that Microsoft is not giving up on the Windows 10 Mobile as a business perspective.

Source: Windows 10 Mobile still has a bright future? Microsoft's new strategy to step into mobile business

Leaked Images Show Cancelled Nokia RX-100 Phone With A Physical Keyboard Running Windows Phone 8

Share4 Tweet +1 Share Pin

Shares 4

Back in 2012, there were rumors Nokia was working on a new smartphone with a physical QWERTY keyboard and a design similar to the E-series. It would run Windows Phone and it was expected to be unveiled at MWC 2012. Sadly, the phone never saw the light of day.

Today we get to see live images of a prototype leaked by @kev6n on Baidu. The model is unknown but the type is RX-100 and its running a developer preview of Windows Phone 8.

The screen is an AMOLED display and seems to be around 3-inches and there is 2GB of RAM on board. A system info page also shows the Nokia RX-100 is powered by a Qualcomm MSM8968 chip and the main camera sensor is a Toshiba Lada TCM8615MD.

READ MORE: Nokia Revive Series: The Return of The Legends, Starting With The Re-imagined Nokia N97

Design wise, the Nokia RX-100 doesn't look attractive. The bezels are huge just like the old Nokia feature phones. There are capacitive buttons below the display and the keyboard holds 39 keys. An image of the back shows that the RX-100 is a prototype device made in Finland. You can also clearly see the words "NOT FOR SALE" written on it.

(Source, via)

Always be the first to know. Follow us:

Source: Leaked Images Show Cancelled Nokia RX-100 Phone With A Physical Keyboard Running Windows Phone 8

Windows 10 Mobile news recap: Leaks show what the Lumia 950 could have been, MyTube redesigned and more

Welcome back to our weekly Windows 10 Mobile news recap series, where we go over the top stories of the past week in the world of Microsoft's mobile operating system. Let's get started.

Leaks show what the Lumia 950 could have been

The Lumia 950 wasn't the savior that Microsoft wanted when they released their last Lumia devices to us. While nobody's convinced that it would have made much of a difference, a leaked internal concept video for the Lumia 950 has shown off what the device could have been, had Microsoft delayed it a little bit longer. Apparently, the device was planned to have support for a Surface Pen- like peripheral, that would sync up across devices through core apps like OneNote.

MyTube given a complete overhaul

MyTube, a popular third party app for watching YouTube videos on Windows 10 and Windows 10 Mobile, has been given a complete overhaul. The app has not only gotten significant UI changes to give it a more sleek, modern feel, but it also got added to the Xbox One family of apps. The change is a big help to people who have been looking for a better way to watch YouTube videos on console, and the fact that the player has been redesigned to play ads on videos means that content creators won't be stripped of revenue.

New, more modern and simpler UI

Launching on Xbox for the first time

Switch to and from background audio with zero pause

myTube to myTube casting: Cast from myTube on your phone to myTube on your PC or Xbox

Videos watched in myTube will now appear in your YouTube history

You can now select subtitle language

Channel search integrated into channel page

Option to use YouTube's official web player in order to support YouTubers financially

Main tile will now show subscriptions

Line gets some updates

If you're a Line user, then the latest update to the app on Windows 10 Mobile should be helpful. The app came with some basic bug fixes and tweaks to get rid of a few lingering issues, but primarily came with some changes that made the app run faster across the board. The timeline pane especially now feels a lot smoother, and should give you an altogether nice experience as opposed to previous versions.

Marriott hotel app is being dropped from the store

If you're a frequent customer at the Marriott, then you may be upset to hear that the hotel is pulling its app from the Windows Store. Marriott recently sent out a message to its users, stating "The Marriott app for Windows will soon retire. Your Marriott Rewards account history and existing reservations will remain the same. Thank you for being a loyal member." Marriott hasn't said much beyond that, and the app is still available on the Windows Store for download if you'd like to get it on your phone.

Thanks for joining us. If you want all of the news as it happens, keep an eye on our Windows 10 Mobile tag.

Further reading: Microsoft, Windows 10 Mobile
Source: Windows 10 Mobile news recap: Leaks show what the Lumia 950 could have been, MyTube redesigned and more

Telegram Messenger updated for Windows Phone with new features

Telegram Team today released a new update for its Telegram Messenger app for Windows Phone and Windows 10 Mobile. The app has been bumped to new version 2.2.0.0.

With the latest update the developers have introduced new features in the Telegram Public version that have already been tested in the Beta version of the application.

The latest update brings a new "Payments" option to the application in the Settings section. The team has also introduced the "Photo Picker" along with the "In App Camera" option in the Chat Settings section.

Image Courtesy: WindowsLatest.com

Users will now be able to use the In app camera to take the photos or video before sending them to their friends or families. The team has also introduced the Payments section bringing Shipping Info and Payment Info for any In app purchases done.

The Telegram team has been constantly working on its app to add new features to compete with the likes of WhatsApp, Messenger etc.

The latest update to the Telegram app is currently live and users can get it by clicking the below Store link.

Download Telegram Messenger for Windows Phone

Source: Telegram Messenger updated for Windows Phone with new features

Leaked video reveals Microsoft’s original vision for Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL

Microsoft's mobile efforts concerning Windows 10 are in a questionable state right now. With no new devices, no new OS features and meh attitude from the employees, Windows Phone seems dead now. The Lumia 950/XL, the last Lumia flagships were major disasters. With an unimpressive design, buggy OS and almost no marketing, the phones failed to make a mark.

While they devices garnered some attention for their Continuum feature, the abysmal Windows Store and lack of other OEM devices, made Windows 10 Mobile dead on arrival. Today not may be the greatest for Windows Phone fans and users alike, but a new video, showing Microsoft's original aspirations for the phone OS shows that they once really cared for the platform.

A new report from Windows Central showing the planned features for the Lumia 950 & 950XL has now surfaced, and we can't help but feel sad seeing the last Lumia flagships in their full glory. With pen support, advanced glance screen features, device gestures support and a smart cover accessory, the Lumia 950s really look sexy.

The above video, which has been obtained from internal Microsoft sources show how the Lumia 950 & 950XL should have been. Most of the features shown above were actually working in the prototype models and would have made it to the hands of users if Microsoft had not give up at the last moment.

The pen support is the most interesting. With an active stylus, the Lumias would have been directly competing with the Samsung Galaxy Note series of phablets. Interestingly, the report also claims that the pen was none other than the Surface Pen which has received much appreciation from users and critics alike.

The Surface Pen would have been a huge success

The gesture features would have been a carry over from the cancelled Lumia McLaren and would include some 3D touch support too. The video also show some slight changes to the design of the Lumias but they are not much noticeable.

After seeing this video, as a fan I can't say that I am happy with Microsoft. These features would have been real successful had Microsoft really cared about it's own products instead of getting in bed with it's direct competitors, Android and iOS. While all may change with the arrival of the mythical Surface Phone, we can't help but feel worried about it's future. Will Microsoft really make a mark with the phone or just dump all the visons altogether and launch another Lumia 950/XL, just to make the fans and well wishers of the platform angry? Only time will tell and all we can do is sit and wait(sigh).

Source: Leaked video reveals Microsoft's original vision for Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL

Canceled Lumia Windows Phone Device with Physical Keyboard surfaced online

Microsoft and Nokia were working on many Windows Phone devices but the company had to cancel them. Microsoft and Nokia seemed to be working on yet another interesting device running on Windows Phone operating system.

Today, images of a new prototype Lumia branded device running on Windows Phone surfaced online. The canceled Windows Phone device features a new design and it does not seem to be the successor of any existing Lumia phone.

The leaked Nokia Windows Phone device features a Physical Keyboard. Surprisingly, it runs on Windows Phone 7. The smartphone has touch screen display and Physical Keyboard as well.

Image Courtesy: Baidu.com

Image Courtesy: Baidu.com

Image Courtesy: Baidu.com

Image Courtesy: Baidu.com

Image Courtesy: Baidu.com

Image Courtesy: Baidu.com

Image Courtesy: Baidu.com

Image Courtesy: Baidu.com

Image Courtesy: Baidu.com

Image Courtesy: Baidu.com

The Windows Phone device is leaked in its full glory, however the exact specifications of the phone hasn't been leaked yet. The device name is Nokia RX-100 and it has been canceled by the company.

The Nokia RX-100 could have been a competitor of Blackberry phones if Microsoft had launched the device. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Source: Canceled Lumia Windows Phone Device with Physical Keyboard surfaced online

Windows 10 Mobile isn't dead; it's just quietly fading from existence

I don't speak much about Windows Phone (Windows 10 Mobile) these days. There isn't much left to say about it. The last article I wrote regarding Windows 10 Mobile basically stated yes, some people may have use for what Windows 10 Mobile has become: a "simple" smartphone with a few apps, an adequate camera, and a few decent features. However, it's hard to claim that Windows 10 Mobile became what it is today on purpose, as it's painfully obvious it is how it is due to neglect rather than strategic planning.

I have considered Windows Phone a sinking ship for quite some time now, but had always hoped that things would turn around. As time goes on, the long-suspected "Windows Phone is dead" rhetoric only solidifies, even if not officially stated. After all, it has been 18 months since the reveal of Microsoft's last flagship duo, the Lumia 950 and 950 XL. In fact, Microsoft seems to be putting more effort into selling other manufacturer's flagships than their own, as evidenced by the Samsung Galaxy S8 Microsoft Edition, which is little more than an in-store experience that helps users install Microsoft apps on a popular flagship running on Android.

Between the mysterious support for other operating systems and the dwindling support from third party apps on Windows 10 Mobile, it would seem that Microsoft's smartphone venture really is finished – at least in regards to personal use. Recent news suggests that Microsoft may direct their mobile products towards business users, which we all know worked out really well for BlackBerry/RIM.

It's possible that Microsoft could have more success with enterprise users than BlackBerry did, but I'm not convinced that "business phones" have a solid place in the world anymore, particularly if it's coming from Microsoft. Even business users have a need for a reliable GPS system, banking apps, flight bookings, ordering food/supplies, and a whole host of apps that might be considered "personal use" that Windows 10 Mobile does not currently have access to, and it's more hassle than it's worth to constantly switch between two phones. What would truly be convenient is a solid profile system available on mobile where one could switch between a work profile and a personal profile. I'm still surprised that this is not a widespread concept already.

Regardless of where Windows 10 Mobile is going, I think it's safe to say that Windows 10 Mobile in its current state is finished, even if unspoken. Despite the fact that some of the lower end models are quite affordable, Android is on the up and up with their own affordable smartphones and have a lot more to offer. I could no longer in good conscience recommend that somebody unfamiliar with the state of Windows 10 Mobile go into it. There's just too much going against it, now without the comfort of Microsoft's promises, to feel that it even has a glimmer of hope anymore. It's too bad. I was really hoping to have a viable third platform in the industry, and Windows Phone/10 Mobile had a good structure to eventually become just that. While that's still a possibility sometime in the future, I don't think Windows 10 Mobile will end up being that third platform.

Source: Windows 10 Mobile isn't dead; it's just quietly fading from existence

WhatsApp Beta for Windows Phone updated with new features

WhatsApp team today released a new update for its Beta app for Windows Phone and Windows 10 Mobile. The update bumps the app to new version 2.17.168.0. The update comes with some new features along with the usual bug fixes and improvements.

The team has updated the Beta app for Windows Phone with new features. Below is the changelog:

New Location icon.

New 'Delete' or 'Delete chat' settings.

Sharing multiple contacts.

Instant access to the latest messages (PIN Chats)

The new update also added the ability to make payments using a wallet, credit cards, debit cards and bank accounts.

Other improvements.

The team is currently working on bringing the "Revoke" Message option which is currently under internal testing and should be available remotely probably via a server update on all platforms.

The latest Beta Update is currently live and you can get it by clicking the below Windows Store link.

Download WhatsApp Beta for Windows Phone

Source: WhatsApp Beta for Windows Phone updated with new features

Get your Free Micro SIM

Once you join giffgaff you'll get: A choice of great value goodybags

Get 2GB data for only £10 a month. Plus 500 UK minutes and unlimited texts.More info on prices

Pay as you go credit that goes further

Prefer to pay as you go? Our rates are just 15p/minute and 5p/text.

Free calls & texts to giffgaff numbers

Keep in touch with your friends for free with unlimited calls & texts to giffgaff numbers.

Rewards for recommending us

Get your friends on board and we will reward you with free credit or cash.

If you're an iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S user you will need a Micro SIM in order to join giffgaff. The same applies for new Nokia phones such as the Lumia 800 and Lumia 710 and the iPad. Once you join giffgaff you'll get: A choice of great value goodybags

Get 2GB data for only £10 a month. Plus 500 UK minutes and unlimited texts.More info on prices

Pay as you go credit that goes further

Prefer to pay as you go? Our rates are just 15p/minute and 5p/text.

Free calls & texts to giffgaff numbers

Keep in touch with your friends for free with unlimited calls & texts to giffgaff numbers.

Rewards for recommending us

Get your friends on board and we will reward you with free credit or cash.

If you're an iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S user you will need a Micro SIM in order to join giffgaff. The same applies for new Nokia phones such as the Lumia 800 and Lumia 710 and the iPad.
Source: Get your Free Micro SIM

The feature-packed YouTube app is now available for Windows Phone for free

Google has no plan to bring its YouTube app to the Windows Store for Windows 10 and Windows 10 Mobile Devices. However, there are plenty of third-party YouTube apps available for Windows Phones.

myTube!, the feature-packed third-party YouTube app for Windows Phone is currently available for free. myTube! is free for a limited time. myTube! costs $0.99 but it is available at no charge during the next two days. myTube! is available on almost all Windows devices including Windows Phone 8.1, Windows 10 PCs, Tablets, Xbox and even HoloLens.

The app comes with a lot of interesting features. It lets you listen to music videos in the background while you use other apps. Furthermore, it supports 2160p playback and 60 FPS videos as well.

You can also download videos and audio to watch or listen to later. On myTube!, you can create and manage playlists of your YouTube channel. It comes with notification support, the app will notify you when your favorite channel upload videos. Plus, DLNA support is also enabled and it lets you broadcast videos to bigger screens.

Download myTube! for Windows 10.

Source: The feature-packed YouTube app is now available for Windows Phone for free

Windows 10 Mobile Can Survive Much Longer, But 2 Crucial Elements are Needed

With the emergence of the Surface Phone aka Cellular PC concept, it would appear that the demise of Windows Phones running Windows 10 Mobile is inevitable. While that could be true in the long term, there are two critical elements that could still keep Windows 10 Mobile and its associated device ecosystem ticking along for several more years.

At present, the most reliable and conservative estimates for Windows 10 Mobile install base put it at above 7 million active devices. That's not a small number. However, Microsoft itself appears to be putting the squeeze by limiting the number of devices that get new updates to Windows 10 Mobile preview builds and public releases.

When Windows 10 Creators Update came out, several devices like the Lumia 1520 were left out in the cold, with no chance to get a fully supported upgrade to the latest mobile version of Windows 10.

Microsoft might well continue this trend with the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update and beyond, effectively whittling down the Windows 10 Mobile user base that's on the most current OS version.

While hardware compatibility and other factors do play a role in deciding which devices should get upgrades, it's pretty much in Microsoft's control.

Now, back to the two crucial elements I talked about. These are devices and apps.

How New Devices Can Help Windows 10 Mobile

On the devices side, Surface Phone aka Cellular PC could (inadvertently) spark off OEM interest in Windows phones once again. Although Windows never really had a robust device ecosystem outside the Lumia line, that's slowly changing. And it's not a stretch to assume that apart from manufacturers like HP and Alcatel, others may jump on board Windows 10 Mobile once there are more devices like the Cellular PC.

One thing we need to understand at this point is that the Windows 10 on the Surface Phone concept device, currently known only as Cellular PC, is NOT the same as Windows 10 Mobile. It is the full version of Windows, just like the one you'd use on a desktop. That's Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's whole idea behind the "ultimate mobile devices" that he's been talking about for some time.

With the Cellular PC device coming out this December, according to Qualcomm CEO Steve Mollenkopf at the company's recent quarterly earnings, it should ideally send signals for OEMs to pick up. Those signals will hopefully translate as: "Keep making more Windows smartphones."

But there's another element to keep in mind: Neither Microsoft nor Qualcomm are likely to immediately release the technology used on these full-Windows-10-capable mobile devices to OEMs, but we believe it could start a wave of new devices running Windows 10 Mobile to begin with. While Microsoft keeps releasing more iterations of the device over the next few years, OEMs will be tracking them closely, waiting for the technology to be made available to them so they can upgrade their own hardware to offer the full Windows 10 experience.

In the meantime, Windows 10 Mobile could benefit from this increased level of OEM interest in Windows-based smartphones.

That's the first crucial element – devices.

The second one is apps, and this is possibly even more critical than the movement on the devices side.

How UWP Apps Can Help Windows 10 Mobile

Microsoft's focus on developing a large bank of apps built on the Universal Windows Platform, or UWP, is now picking up momentum. At the 2016 Build conference last year, Microsoft announced this:

"There are 669,000 apps for phones, desktops, and tablets in the Windows Store. Hundreds more are added every day."

Now, more a year later, even at a very conservative estimate of 100 new apps per day (Microsoft said "hundreds"), that number should be well past 750,000 apps on Windows Store that can run on smartphones, tablets and PCs. Unfortunately, Microsoft did not provide any numbers at Build 2017 for UWP apps, but that conservative estimate looks about right.

App Store and Play Store are now approaching 2 million apps each, but it's not a fair comparison. Nevertheless, it serves to show us how quickly Microsoft is moving on this front.

More apps naturally mean more opportunities to serve Windows 10 Mobile as well, and this is where the point about sustainability comes in. With more than a quarter of a million apps on Windows Store, there's ample opportunity for developers to start earning revenues from it. As developer interest increases, the number of apps will keep growing, and this will further spur OEMs to consider making devices that run Windows, even if its only Windows 10 Mobile at this point.

We believe that this tipping point is about to be reached, because it will only make sense for Microsoft to release a Surface Phone aka Cellular PC device if these two criteria are met:

1 – The device should be able to run Win32 apps

2 – The device should be able to access a large pool of popular mobile apps as well

That's what Microsoft is waiting for before releasing its new device. And that's what is going to benefit Windows 10 Mobile as well.

Windows 10 Mobile device users need to be patient. The apps are lining up in favor of their devices, and it looks like more new device choices could be on the horizon as well.

If these two factors align, Windows 10 Mobile could be sustained for several more years before Microsoft is able to kill it off completely by refusing to push any more updates.

In the meantime, we encourage Windows 10 Mobile users to sign up for the Windows Insider Program, get on the latest build (currently Build 15215 for Windows 10 Mobile) and keep updating to new builds as they arrive.

Worst case scenario: your device might not be eligible for the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update when it comes later this year. But, at least, when the Cellular PC comes at the end of the year, you'll be able to purchase the new device and continue with the Windows experience, with the added benefit of being able to access Win32 applications.

Simultaneously, you'll also have access to the latest preview build of Windows 10 Mobile on your older Lumia smartphone.

What Windows 10 Mobile device users need to do is keep staying on the latest update, if only to send a message to Microsoft that Windows 10 Mobile is not ready to die an unnatural death the way the company wants. It's a long shot, but this "mobile OS activism" will hopefully send the right message to Microsoft, and convince them to keep the ecosystem alive for as long as they can.

That said, Windows 10 Mobile will eventually have to die out if and when more smartphones with full Windows 10 capabilities come to market. At that point, there will be no justifiable reason to stick with Windows 10 Mobile, and Microsoft will certainly not want two parallel experiences for Windows phone users.

Hopefully, by then, makers of Windows 10 Mobile devices, such as HP and Alcatel, will have access to the technology that Microsoft and Qualcomm are bringing to the Surface Phone aka Cellular PC. That means even more device choices for Windows mobile devices.

Eventually, every Windows smartphone will organically move to the full Windows 10 experience, where users can enjoy both desktop apps and mobile apps.

That's going to happen at some point in the future, but what we DON'T want is for Microsoft to prematurely kill off Windows 10 Mobile before that time arrives.

We want the W10M ecosystem to die of natural causes, old age and obsolescence, not by artificial means!

Thanks for visiting! Would you do us a favor? If you think it's worth a few seconds, please like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. It would mean a lot to us. Thank you.

Source: Windows 10 Mobile Can Survive Much Longer, But 2 Crucial Elements are Needed

5 things Windows 10 Mobile converts will hate about iPhone

The current state of Windows 10 Mobile is disheartening, and it is forcing a lot of users to switch to competing platforms like Apple's iOS.

We recently covered the top 5 things Windows 10 Mobile users would love about Apple's OS, but the other side of the fence isn't all colorful and happy.

iOS has its quirks and design choices which may be huge deal-breakers for some users. Some things take getting used to and some are simply hard to get comfortable with.

5 things Windows 10 Mobile converts will love about iPhone

1. Apple

While it's possible to install third party services from Microsoft or other companies like Google, it doesn't replace the built-in apps Apple offers. This is just one of the many things that are part of Apple's "walled garden." If you buy an iPhone, you're pretty much forced to have something to do with Apple. You need n Apple ID in order to make sure the device works as expected, some apps do not have a Microsoft competitor, like Safari, or there are settings which Apple doesn't allow you to change.

Apple is extremely restrictive in their methods of maintaining their system. Some users tend to complain that Windows 10 Mobile is restrictive, as it doesn't offer a way to change the default apps without hacking the registry, but iOS is on a whole different level, in a negative way. You won't be able to fully integrate Microsoft services into iOS as you can with Windows 10 Mobile and Android, and since Microsoft's ecosystem is one one of the main reasons some people choose Windows, this may be a deal-breaker for you.

Using an iPhone in the Microsoft ecosystem

2. The design

The Apple Human Interface is a very controversial subject in the Windows world. Some people hate it, and some love it. However, many seem to consider iOS to be ugly or too bright, and there is a big possibility that you're one of those people. iOS doesn't include a dark theme either, which Windows phone fans have learned to love.

A dark theme is something that has been requested for a very long time but there are no indicators of anything like this making it's way soon, so don't hold your breath.

3. The lack of Universal Windows Apps

As a Windows 10 Mobile user, odds are you use Windows 10 on your PC. Being able to run the exact same apps on your PC and your phone is an awesome thing. This is not something you'll be able to do with the iPhone.

Obviously, the iPhone cannot run Windows Store apps, and even though many apps you'll find on the App Store may be for the same service as those you use on your PC, the UI and the experience are vastly different. Buttons are placed in completely different parts of the app, labels are either different or gone completely and the design itself doesn't feel consistent with the desktop apps. You won't be able to leverage session handoffs via Project Rome, enjoy synchronized login details between UWP apps on your PC and phone, and fewer apps will be integrated with Cortana.

The only apps that are actually consistent with the desktop variants are Microsoft's Office apps for iOS. Other than that, you'll need a slight learning curve and getting used to every app you download.

4. iTunes

This issue may get less annoying after iTunes hits the Windows Store, but iTunes is a very unpleasant piece of software on Windows, and the macOS variant isn't much better. If you get an iPhone, you will need this program to manage your device with your PC.

iTunes is slow, buggy, and every time you connect your iPhone to your computer, it installs a separate app called "Apple Software Update" which installs other Apple programs on your computer without you asking for it.

iTunes has received a lot of hate through the years, and that's definitely not surprising. There is no storage alternative you can access from the Windows File Explorer or MacOS Finder to move your files to the phone. iTunes also takes up a lot of storage as it tries to sync and backup your iPhone everytime it's connected, no matter if you want it or not. These things can mostly be disabled, but it takes time and effort to do so, especially iTunes' unintuitive UI.

5. The headphone jack.

The latest "and greatest" iPhone doesn't include a headphone jack. This may sound ridiculous, but it's true. While Apple is known for removing essential ports from their devices, this takes the prize. If you get the latest iPhone, you'll have to deal with adapters and dongles, no matter if you want it or not.

You'd be surprised how many times this removal can affect you. Imagine going out with a friend to the park; you have a speaker with you which is driven by an AUX cable. Their phone dies, but you have yours with you, so you want to put on some music, but you can't because you forgot the Lighting Port to AUX adapter at home. The same goes for things like "passing around the AUX cable in the car".

This, unfortunately, doesn't include only headphones and AUX cables. There are many accessories out there that depend on the headphone jack, and they become useless if you use the newest iPhone.

The iPhone is a good device, but it has its quirks. Some of these may be huge deal-breakers for some and staying with Windows 10 Mobile or going with Android may be a much better and a much more satisfying option.

Did you switch to iOS from Windows 10 Mobile? What do you miss? Let us know in the comments.

Related stories
Source: 5 things Windows 10 Mobile converts will hate about iPhone

5 things Windows 10 Mobile converts will hate about iPhone

The current state of Windows 10 Mobile is disheartening, and it is forcing a lot of users to switch to competing platforms like Apple's iOS.

We recently covered the top 5 things Windows 10 Mobile users would love about Apple's OS, but the other side of the fence isn't all colorful and happy.

iOS has its quirks and design choices which may be huge deal-breakers for some users. Some things take getting used to and some are simply hard to get comfortable with.

5 things Windows 10 Mobile converts will love about iPhone

1. Apple

While it's possible to install third party services from Microsoft or other companies like Google, it doesn't replace the built-in apps Apple offers. This is just one of the many things that are part of Apple's "walled garden." If you buy an iPhone, you're pretty much forced to have something to do with Apple. You need n Apple ID in order to make sure the device works as expected, some apps do not have a Microsoft competitor, like Safari, or there are settings which Apple doesn't allow you to change.

Apple is extremely restrictive in their methods of maintaining their system. Some users tend to complain that Windows 10 Mobile is restrictive, as it doesn't offer a way to change the default apps without hacking the registry, but iOS is on a whole different level, in a negative way. You won't be able to fully integrate Microsoft services into iOS as you can with Windows 10 Mobile and Android, and since Microsoft's ecosystem is one one of the main reasons some people choose Windows, this may be a deal-breaker for you.

Using an iPhone in the Microsoft ecosystem

2. The design

The Apple Human Interface is a very controversial subject in the Windows world. Some people hate it, and some love it. However, many seem to consider iOS to be ugly or too bright, and there is a big possibility that you're one of those people. iOS doesn't include a dark theme either, which Windows phone fans have learned to love.

A dark theme is something that has been requested for a very long time but there are no indicators of anything like this making it's way soon, so don't hold your breath.

3. The lack of Universal Windows Apps

As a Windows 10 Mobile user, odds are you use Windows 10 on your PC. Being able to run the exact same apps on your PC and your phone is an awesome thing. This is not something you'll be able to do with the iPhone.

Obviously, the iPhone cannot run Windows Store apps, and even though many apps you'll find on the App Store may be for the same service as those you use on your PC, the UI and the experience are vastly different. Buttons are placed in completely different parts of the app, labels are either different or gone completely and the design itself doesn't feel consistent with the desktop apps. You won't be able to leverage session handoffs via Project Rome, enjoy synchronized login details between UWP apps on your PC and phone, and fewer apps will be integrated with Cortana.

The only apps that are actually consistent with the desktop variants are Microsoft's Office apps for iOS. Other than that, you'll need a slight learning curve and getting used to every app you download.

4. iTunes

This issue may get less annoying after iTunes hits the Windows Store, but iTunes is a very unpleasant piece of software on Windows, and the macOS variant isn't much better. If you get an iPhone, you will need this program to manage your device with your PC.

iTunes is slow, buggy, and every time you connect your iPhone to your computer, it installs a separate app called "Apple Software Update" which installs other Apple programs on your computer without you asking for it.

iTunes has received a lot of hate through the years, and that's definitely not surprising. There is no storage alternative you can access from the Windows File Explorer or MacOS Finder to move your files to the phone. iTunes also takes up a lot of storage as it tries to sync and backup your iPhone everytime it's connected, no matter if you want it or not. These things can mostly be disabled, but it takes time and effort to do so, especially iTunes' unintuitive UI.

5. The headphone jack.

The latest "and greatest" iPhone doesn't include a headphone jack. This may sound ridiculous, but it's true. While Apple is known for removing essential ports from their devices, this takes the prize. If you get the latest iPhone, you'll have to deal with adapters and dongles, no matter if you want it or not.

You'd be surprised how many times this removal can affect you. Imagine going out with a friend to the park; you have a speaker with you which is driven by an AUX cable. Their phone dies, but you have yours with you, so you want to put on some music, but you can't because you forgot the Lighting Port to AUX adapter at home. The same goes for things like "passing around the AUX cable in the car".

This, unfortunately, doesn't include only headphones and AUX cables. There are many accessories out there that depend on the headphone jack, and they become useless if you use the newest iPhone.

The iPhone is a good device, but it has its quirks. Some of these may be huge deal-breakers for some and staying with Windows 10 Mobile or going with Android may be a much better and a much more satisfying option.

Did you switch to iOS from Windows 10 Mobile? What do you miss? Let us know in the comments.

Related stories
Source: 5 things Windows 10 Mobile converts will hate about iPhone