Hasta La Gadget!

Never count Microsoft out of the game, especially if it has to do with operating systems – it is their bread and butter after all, and even on the mobile platform, they do have a considerable amount of firepower never mind that right now, they are tussling it out with RIM for a tiny slice of the mobile operating system pie which is dominated by iOS and Android at the moment. The latest announcement of the Windows Phone 8 smartphone operating system happened yesterday, and it does look like the masses will be spoilt for choice if you have yet to jump aboard the smartphone bandwagon, or want to make a switch from either iOS, Android or BlackBerry OS.

We will take a look at some of the more notable features found on Windows Phone 8, starting with Live Tiles that function as the heart and soul of Windows Phone – and no other device has them at the moment. You are able to arrange the iconic Start screen just they way you want with Live Tiles, pinning your favorite people, apps, music, games, and photos amongst others. Not only that, there are three sizes of Live Tiles as well as 20 bright color options including cobalt, crimson and lime to choose from, truly personalizing your handset.

It is also the only smartphone to come with Live Apps that delivers information right to the Start screen, including the Groupon deal of the day, flight information and news headlines. This also means Facebook is capable of delivering real-time information to your lock screen with an updated wallpaper, now how about that? Windows Phone Store will also not fall short on the apps department, boasting 120,000 apps to choose from, ranging from “Angry Birds Star Wars” to “Cut the Rope Experiments,” “Disney’s Where’s My Water,” “LivingSocial,” “Temple Run,” and “Urbanspoon” amongst others. Pandora will also arrive on Windows Phone in early 2013 with one year of ad-free music, now how about that?

Kid’s Corner might be a winner for parents whose kids want to use their smartphones – it lets you share your device without having them fool around with the other settings. Sort of like a user account on your smartphone, that’s what Kid’s Corner is all about. As for being selective in your communications with certain friends, the Rooms feature lets you share and chat with one particular group instead of the entire social network, thanks to the creation of private groups of folks who also use Windows Phone 8.

Are you all stoked up for a Windows Phone 8 experience, and which device would you settle for?

Press Release
[ Windows Phone 8 debuts copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen Windows Phone 8, but Microsoft’s event will unveil any and all secrets that the company’s held close ever since the new platform was introduced in June. So what does Microsoft have up its sleeves? Join us as we finally get the opportunity to see all of the latest version of Windows Phone!

Filed under: Announcements, Mobile, Microsoft

The Windows Phone 8 event liveblog! originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Oct 2012 12:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia and HTC’s upcoming Windows Phone 8 flagships are still on the standard release path: announcement, federal approval and now, pre-order. Keeping device availability tucked firmly under its hat, Best Buy is now offering Nokia’s Lumia 920 and the HTC 8X for pre-sale, priced at $149.99 and $99.99, respectively. Early buyers have options, too: the Lumia 920 is kitted out in red, blue, yellow, black and white shells. Fashionistas with a flair for purple, however, will need to stick to HTC’s hardware. Unfortunately, you don’t get that much choice — Best Buy’s pre-orders don’t balk at the devices’ AT&T exclusivity. The retailer doesn’t say when devices are going to ship, but we imagine early adopters won’t have to wait too long.

Update: The Lumia 920 has disappeared from Best Buy’s listings, while the 8X remains. This seems to suggest that pre-order stock for Nokia’s new flagship has sold out, but given the short time it was available, let’s hope that other issues are to blame and the absence is only temporary.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

Best Buy offering pre-orders for Nokia Lumia 920 and HTC 8X for $149.99 and $99.99 under contract (Update: Lumia 920 no longer listed) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 21 Oct 2012 13:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Itching for Nokia’s latest piece of Windows Phone kit, but aren’t ready to saddle up with Ma Bell? Get comfortable: according to a leaked AT&T training video, you’ll have to wait six months for the Lumia 920’s exclusivity contract to expire. The unofficial Windows Phone 8 flagship is due out next month, though mum’s still the word on its actual ship date. The trio of videos also give AT&T employees a brief run down of Nokia City Lens, wireless charging and the handset’s NFC features. If you simply can’t wait until spring, Verizon and T-Mobile are serving up a pair of mid-range alternatives, the Lumia 820 and 822, respectively. Otherwise, head past the break to see the videos for yourself and test your patience.

Continue reading Leaked training videos peg Lumia 920 as AT&T exclusive for six months, shows off City Lens, wireless charging

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

Leaked training videos peg Lumia 920 as AT&T exclusive for six months, shows off City Lens, wireless charging originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Oct 2012 01:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Everyone knows that Nokia’s Lumia 820 and 920 are slated to arrive in November. But how soon into the month? Going by Vodafone Germany’s assertions, both of the devices will come just as some of us are nursing our Halloween candy hangovers — that is, November 1st. While neither Nokia nor Microsoft has confirmed the timing independently, it lines up with a brief mention of a similar date at retailer MediaMarkt and would follow just two days after the big Windows Phone 8 event where Nokia is likely to take center stage. Provided Vodafone isn’t just being optimistic, it gives us hope that the North American launches of the advanced Lumias won’t be far behind.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Microsoft, Nokia

Vodafone Germany expects Nokia Lumia 820 and 920 on November 1st originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Oct 2012 11:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink WPArea.de (translated), WMPoweruser  |  Vodafone Germany (Facebook)  | Email this | Comments