Hasta La Gadget!

We did get a glimpse of the Nokia “Normandy” just yesterday, but it seemed that there is more than meets the eye. After all, the leaked image yesterday featured the alleged device that lay on a wooden table, but this time around, here is the Android-powered smartphone that will actually depict the Android app launcher’s user interface for the very same device itself. Of course, there are many questions that can be raised, including the legitimacy of such a screenshot considering how it could very well be nothing but a placeholder. After all, the alleged leaked user interface does look rather primitive, and would not gain that much traction in this day and age, don’t you think so?

(more…)

Nokia Normandy User Interface Spotted original content from Ubergizmo.

We have been hearing the rumors that Nokia could be working on an Android phone of its own, which at the moment has been given the codename “Normandy”. We’ve seen alleged leaks of the handset and even of its user interface, and now thanks to a post on Sina Weibo, a photo of the handset in real life was caught on camera. While there’s no way of confirming if the device pictured is the same handset we’re talking about, that’s what’s being speculated at the moment. Interestingly enough the handset also sports a protective case which is used by companies at times to help hide its full design, but given that we’ve seen the handset leaked in the past, there’s really nothing left to the imagination.

We have to wonder with all these leaks, are they merely just for show, kind of like showing what Nokia has managed to put together so far? Or could it be that Nokia might announce an Android phone for sale? It would seem highly unlike it is the latter especially in the face of being acquired by Microsoft, although a cryptic message from famed leaker @evleaks in the past has us believing otherwise. The Nokia Normandy is expected to run a forked version of Android, which is basically Android at its core, albeit modified extensively, similar to what Amazon did with their Kindle Fire range of Android tablets. What do you guys think? What are our chances of seeing an Android Nokia phone hitting the market?

Nokia Normandy Gets Pictured (Again) original content from Ubergizmo.

So the other day we reported that the 32GB version of the Nokia Lumia 1520 would be made available on AT&T’s network on the 10th of January, and sure enough it has. If you thought maybe a default storage of 16GB was too little for your tastes, you can now head on over to AT&T’s website where you will be able to order the handset, which at the moment is priced at $249.99 on a new two-year contract. This is compared to the 16GB version of the Lumia 1520 which at the moment is still priced at $199.99 on contract.

It should be noted that the Lumia 1520 does come with expandable memory but we guess there are those who store a lot of movies and music on their phones and find that the default storage and microSD might not be enough. Users will be able to expand via microSD for an additional 64GB, meaning that if you were to get your hands on the 32GB version of the Lumia 1520, you should have a maximum storage of 96GB! That’s a lot of movies and music you will be able to keep on your device. Interestingly enough AT&T’s website lists the device as unavailable at the moment and might require the customer to go into a store to purchase.

This seems to contradict earlier rumors that suggested the phone will be only available online. Perhaps AT&T has yet to make it available, but the listing suggests that you should be able to purchase very soon.

32GB Lumia 1520 Appears On AT&T’s Website original content from Ubergizmo.

A couple of weeks ago, Nokia had won an injunction against HTC over in Germany, one of the several wins that the Finnish company has had over the Taiwanese company to date. However it seems that Nokia has attempted to file yet another lawsuit against HTC in Germany, this time over a different patent that describes a “method and apparatus for updating the software of a mobile terminal using the air interface.” Given Nokia’s wins so far, we expected that the company would have no problems with this particular lawsuit and we guess Nokia didn’t either, so it was to their surprise and disappointment when the ruling judge decided to dismiss Nokia’s allegations against HTC.

According to a statement released by Nokia, “Nokia respectfully disagrees with the judgment of the Regional Court in Munich, Germany, which today ruled that HTC products do not infringe Nokia’s patent EP 0 804 046. Nokia is considering an appeal of this decision. However, this does not change the fact that the same court found in December 2013 that two other Nokia patents were infringed by HTC products, enabling Nokia to enforce injunctions against the import and sale of all infringing HTC products in Germany, as well as to obtain damages for past infringement.” It is unclear what Nokia plans to do from here out, perhaps attempt to file the lawsuit in a different country, perhaps? However at least for now, HTC can rest easy knowing they don’t have to face Nokia in the courts for a while.

German Court Dismisses Nokia’s Lawsuit Against HTC original content from Ubergizmo.

It won’t be long until Microsoft successfully acquires Nokia. The deal is well on its way and for the most part, it has been successful, save for some hurdles they’re facing in China, in which the country might take advantage of the deal to help lower patent licensing fees on behalf of Chinese companies. Well whatever the case is, we’re sure many are wondering what will happen to the Nokia brand when Microsoft has taken over.

Will Microsoft keep doing what Nokia is doing, or will Microsoft revamp Nokia’s strategy completely? As it turns out the latter is most likely, thanks to an interview with Fierce Wireless where Nokia’s Jo Harlow hinted at plans for the company in the future post-Microsoft acquisition.

For starters, it seems that Microsoft will only put out one flagship device that will be shared across all carriers, versus Nokia’s current strategy where they have multiple devices for different carriers. This is not a bad move on Nokia’s part, but it can be incredibly frustrating for customers who might want a particular phone, but don’t want to have to sign with that particular carrier just to get it. Harlow states that the reason behind this move is to grow with individual carriers, which makes sense, but admits that there will be a time when such a strategy will no longer be the efficient thing to do.

Harlow also stated that Nokia/Microsoft will continue to roll out low-end devices like the Lumia 520, and will push the Lumia lineup to even lower price points. Given the surprising success of the Lumia 520, it certainly sounds like a good move by either company.

Nokia To Introduce One Flagship Device Across All Carriers In The Future original content from Ubergizmo.