Build 2015 app available in the Windows Phone Store

Microsoft has released an official Build 2015 app for Windows Phone for the users attending the Build 2015 conference next week. The app lists all the sessions, showcase, conference information, maps to help you find your way at the venue and much more. You can even manage your schedule and modify the list of sessions/speakers you want to listen to.

The conference is set to commence on April 29th and will continue until May 1st. The company is expected to reveal a number of interesting things, including updates about Windows 10, HoloLens, IoT, and lots more.

Here's the complete list of features Build 2015 has to offer:

My Schedule: Access and modify the list of sessions, speakers, and exhibitors that you have added as favorites in the app or on the conference website Schedule Builder

Schedule Builder: View and search the full conference session list. Select a session to favorite it, view details, submit session evaluations, and take notes.

Showcase: Find the Microsoft groups and partners you want to meet.

Conference Info: Find important event information and read about key event highlights to enhance your on-site experience.

Maps: Find your way around the venue.

Social & News: Follow and join the conversation through our social channels

Head over to the Windows Phone Store to grab the Build 2015 app, and make sure you don't miss anything on the big day. We'll be live in San Francisco to bring you everything from the event.

Lumia Beamer app picks up another update

Microsoft has pushed out another small update to the Lumia Beamer app which brings it up to version 1.1.2.0.

The last update in December 2014 changed the destination URL to Lumiabeamer.com but unfortunately on this occasion the changelog has not been updated, so it is not know what is new, but presumably it is the usual bug fixes and performance improvements.

The app allows users to stream their device screen to the web for display in any compatible browser, which may even include other smartphones. Unfortunately this powerful feature I think is often forgotten, so its nice to see Microsoft continue to maintain it.

Download the app here from Windows Phone Store.

Windows Phone 8.1 Update 2 for Lumia 930 seems simple, easy

LONDON: Microsoft announced GDR2 for the Lumia 830 and 735, and there is an easy way to get it for the flagship Windows Phone 8.1 handset, the Lumia 930.

Simply download and sign up for the Windows Insider program on phone, set it to Fast Track, and then check for updates in settings.

In short order Windows Phone 8.1 Update 2 will download to handset, enabling things like Bluetooth keyboard support, the ability to pin settings, a data toggle, grouped and searchable settings and more.

From what users understand the images being downloaded were already customized for Mobile Operators, who were not bothering to roll them out. In testing on my Lumia 930 handset felt a lot faster, and so far it has been bug free, so it seems a relatively good idea, without all the baggage and limitations of the alpha software that is still Windows 10 Mobile Technical Preview.

It seems not getting Windows 10 Mobile TP on the 930 was a blessing in disguise in the end.

Microsoft to Launch Next Flagship Lumia Smartphone Alongside Windows 10

As we come closer to Microsoft Windows 10 launch this summer, a new report now states that the Redmond-based tech firm will unveil its flagship Lumia smartphone alongside the OS launch. To specify, Microsoft has thus far only revealed a 'summer' release date for Windows 10.

The news comes from Ajey Mehta, Managing Director, Microsoft Mobile Devices, who added that the market won't see a Lumia flagship device launched for roughly the next two quarters. Microsoft will be launching high-end mobile devices only when Windows 10 hits the market. "We believe we have to offer the best possible experience to the consumers. Once we are ready with Windows 10 and our devices, that is the right time to launch," he said while speaking to Indian Express. "People are looking for signature experiences and it is very important for us to offer those signature experiences."

Mehta however, did not give any details on when the company plans to launch the Windows 10 OS or the flagship device he talked about. Mehta says that users in future would be sticking with one large screen instead of carrying around multiple screens. "We are selling the experience. We are selling the services too. It is a whole consumer offer... and the Windows Phone operating system has its own advantages," Mehta said.

"We clearly focussed our strategy on the affordable Lumia and launched nine devices in the sub-Rs 20,000 segment," Mehta added, while stating that the company's focus was on budget smartphones last year.

Also according to Mehta, the Lumia 535 surpassed the success of its predecessors, the Lumia 510 and Lumia 520, and has proven to be the most popular Lumia until date. The smartphone was launched at Rs. 9,199.

Tech Support one click away in Windows 10

You are here: Home > Windows > Tech Support one click away in Windows 10

By Martin Brinkmann on April 23, 2015 in Windows - Last Update: April 23, 2015 8

All current versions of Windows don't excel when it comes to providing users with assistance when it comes to troubleshoot issues on the system.

The help is nearly useless and while some automated troubleshooting tools are integrated in newer versions of Windows, it is more often than not the case that more assistance is required to resolve an issue.

Microsoft maintains an official support website for customers and non-customers.

This ranges from chat and phone support to Microsoft's Answers community, a large web forum bringing users and Microsoft employees and MVPs together.

Quality of responses ranges from tips that are dead on to copy and paste responses that don't help out at all.

Starting with Windows 10 Build 10049, tech support options have become available directly in Windows 10.

Instead of having to visit Microsoft's Support website or Answers community, Windows 10 users get those options now directly in form of an application.

You open the application for now from them start menu by searching for Contact Support. It is unclear if options will be integrated into troubleshooting tools as well to inform users about those options but it would make sense if Microsoft would do so.

Three support options are displayed when you start the application that narrow down the support request.

My device is for Windows, software and device related issues.

Microsoft account & billing for account related help.

Microsoft online services for the company's cloud based offerings such as OneDrive or Office365.

My Device

Four support options are provided on the my device page of which the first, ask the community, is the only one that is redirecting you to another website (the Microsoft Answers Community web forum.

Chat online with a Microsoft Answer Tech opens a chat interface right in the app highlighting the wait time and language support.

The last two options submits a request to Microsoft to call you back either immediately or on schedule. The wait time for the immediate option is displayed in the app window so that you know the approximate wait time.

Microsoft account & billing

This option redirects you to the Microsoft Account website.

Microsoft online services

Offers the same option as My Device. Open a chat with a support agent, schedule call backs or get redirected to the Microsoft Answers Community to get support there.

Closing Words

The support options are not entirely new but integration into the operating system itself makes lot of sense considering that users experience issues most of the time while using the system.

It depends a lot on the visibility of the application though. It may not help much if users don't know about the app or cannot locate it on the system.

Integration in the operating system's troubleshooting tools would make sense as it would improve the apps' visibility significantly.

Now You: Have you used Microsoft's chat or phone support before? How was it?

Summary Article Name Tech Support one click away in Windows 10 Author Martin Brinkmann Description Recent builds of Microsoft's Windows 10 operating system ship with a Contact Support app to chat or talk to Microsoft Support. Related Articles

Computer Repair Toolkit For Tech Support

Windows Right-Click Extender

No DVD Playback Support in Windows 8's Windows Media Player

Please share this article

About Martin Brinkmann Martin Brinkmann is a journalist from Germany who founded Ghacks Technology News Back in 2005. He is passionate about all things tech and knows the Internet and computers like the back of his hand. You can follow Martin on Facebook, Twitter or Google+ View all posts by Martin Brinkmann → Create publicly available web page archives with Archive.is Windows 10 builds stop booting when they expire Support Us

This site is funded by readers like you. Support our community on Patreon. Even $1 helps!

Subscribe / Connect

  Ghacks Technology Newsletter   Ghacks Daily Newsletter

Popular

Latest

Ghacks is dying and needs your help February 27, 2015

5 Windows Programs that I cannot live without April 4, 2015

2 Months later: Ghacks is still dying, but there is hope April 18, 2015

Scan and fix Office issues with the Microsoft Office Configuration Analyzer Tool April 23, 2015

First look at Opera's Sidebar Extensions implementation April 23, 2015

Windows 10 builds stop booting when they expire April 23, 2015

Advertisement Random Software Reviews

No Mouse available? Control your computer with your smartphone

Topics AppleDevelopmentFacebookGamesGhacksHardwareInternet ExplorerLinuxMicrosoftMobile ComputingMusic And VideoNetworksOperaSecurityTutorials

T-Mobile Lumia 640 shows up on Microsoft Store, “coming soon” for $89

You are here: Home > T-Mobile Lumia 640 shows up on Microsoft Store, "coming soon" for $89

April 23, 2015

Cam Bunton

1 Comment

Ever since MWC at the beginning of March we've known T-Mobile is going to carry the Microsoft Lumia 640. The latest well-priced mid-range Windows Phone could be a big seller, but so far, we've not known any pricing details for the budget device. That's despite the fact that it showed up on T-Mobile's online store a couple of weeks back. Thankfully, Microsoft has come to our rescue. Sort of.

One of Windows Central's readers got in touch with the site to let them know that the device has made its way to the Microsoft Store. And that it has a price. If you follow this link to the store page you'll see the device as "coming soon" for $89. And that's the contract-free retail price. Considering the specs, and the initial hands-on experience I had last month, that seems an absolute bargain.

Specs include:

5-inch, 1280x720p LCD display

8MP camera with LED flash and 1080p video

Quad-core, Snapdragon 400 processor – 1.2GHz

8GB storage

1GB RAM

LTE bands 1, 2, 4, 5,7, 12 and 17

Runs Windows Phone 8.1 at launch, upgradeable to Windows 10 for phones

2,500mAh battery – "Up to 26.5 talk time"

Alongside the 640 XL – which won't be coming to T-Mobile (as far as we know) – the 640 makes part of a pretty awesome pair of great-performing , affordable Windows Phone smartphones. And if it sells anything like some of the other budget T-Mobile Windows Phones, it should be very popular.

Source: Microsoft Via: Windows Central

Tags: lumia, Lumia 640, microsoft, Upcoming phones, Windows Phone

About Cam Bunton Cam Bunton, Managing Editor. A film school graduate from the University of Cumbria, UK, Cam's past life was in mobile phone retail. His passion for cell phones got him in to that industry, and then in to this one. A family man with three kids, he somehow manages to balance his work duties with family life and a runaway Twitter addiction. Follow him on twitter: @PhoneDog_Cam View all posts by Cam Bunton →

besweeet

Here's to hoping it'll last longer than the Lumia 925 did.

Business Savings Save on Business Phone Costs

Cut Business Phone Cost Up To 70%

Unlimited local & long distance, free setup Details All of your business needs addressed in one affordable phone solution Details Unlimited local & long distance, no contracts Details Home Phone Savings Home Phone Service Savings Only $9.99/mo. + tax for quality you can count on Details Two months free, no contracts Details Second line free, free phones and hardware Details xda:devcon Proud Media Partner for xda:devcon popular topics

Android

Data

Featured

News/Articles

Rate plans

Rumors

Site announcements

Software updates

T-mobile Promotions

Tablet

Tips and Tricks

Upcoming Phones

Upcoming Services

Windows Phone

Next High-End Windows Phone Device Possibly Spotted

It has been quite a while since a proper high-end Windows Phone smartphone was released. Microsoft has said time and again that one is coming later this year but so far it has offered no information about this device. The company has instead been pursuing a strategy of pushing low-end and mid-range devices but the community has been pressing it to launch a proper flagship as well. It appears that one has been spotted.

A device codenamed RM-1085 has been spotted in data from AdDuplex and it's believed that this might possibly be the high-end device that Microsoft has been referring to.

Not much is known about the RM-1085 right now but it appears to have a 5.7 inch full HD display and runs on Windows 10, the new OS that's going to go live later this year.

Windows 10 for Phones is currently in beta stage and Microsoft has frequently been rolling out new builds for people who are testing the new software before it is publicly released.

Since that's due to happen later this summer the possibility exists that Microsoft might launch this device around the same time, nothing is known for sure right now though, it's mere speculation.

Microsoft's BUILD conference is also around the corner, perhaps the company might talk about its hardware plans at the event.