One of the highlights of Docomo’s roll-out of their 2013 “Spring Collection” was the Xperia Z Smartphone and Tablet pair. President and CEO, Kaoru Kato kicked off his product descriptions with these products and they were the centerpiece of the company’s product roll-out.
Designed to interact together as a pair in a seamless way, data, photos, etc. can be passed between each other easily and smoothly. Both are run on Android 4.1 and 100 Mbps Xi LTE, with a 1.5 GHz …
Kantar’s numbers for the final quarter of last year are in, and things are still looking peachy for Apple in the US smartphone market. According to the research firm, Cupertino scored 51.2-percent of smartphone sales in the states for the quarter, which drew to a close two days before Christmas. The second and third place entrants are the same as well, with Android at 44.4-percent and Microsoft’s mobile version of Windows at 2.6-percent sales. On the carrier side, AT&T scored exactly a third of smartphone sales, with Verizon close before at 32-percent, according to to Kantar’s numbers. Sprint, meanwhile, is in third with less than half of that number at 14.8-percent. More results can be found in the source link.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Apple, Microsoft, Google, Verizon, Sprint, AT&T
Source: Kantar
There is an original feature of Windows Phone 7, that while it was thought to be a pretty decent idea at that point in time, it is not that viable in this day and age. We are referring to the restriction found in Windows Phone 7, where over-the-air downloads were limited to just 20MB in an effort to help users limit their data usage. Well, with more and more people taking up unlimited data plans these days, not to mention 20MB not being able to carry a whole lot of information, but it seems that the folks over at Microsoft has decided to lift up this ceiling to 50MB – which would make it on par with iOS-powered devices downloading from iTunes.
No idea on what caused the situation to change, but we are quite sure that end users would have nothing much to complain. After all, a 20MB cap made plenty of sense when 3G networks were the norm, but if one were to take into context the LTE networks that exist at the moment, it would not make much sense.
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Motorola X Phone To See July Release?, Samsung Galaxy S4 Skips MWC, Sees US Launch In March Instead, 
New Windows Phone users will be left out in the cold after January 30th asnewly connected Google accounts will no longer work through Exchange ActiveSync. Something we’ve known since last December, which caught Microsoft by “surprise”. But fret not, Microsoft is scrambling to push out an update that will support Google’s CardDAV and CalDAV system. More »
Those of you who have been waiting for the long-rumored Windows Phone 7.8 update to arrive have been given a reason to smile, as its roll out has seemingly confirmed for later this month. Windows Phone Colombia spilled the beans in a post to its Facebook page, saying that phones running Windows Phone 7.5 should be getting the update to 7.8 starting on January 31. That’s a little more than a week away, so hopefully what we’re hearing from Windows Phone Colombia is accurate.
However, the roll out may be set to begin on January 31, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be getting it then. The Facebook post says the roll out will continue throughout Q1 2013, so it could be days or possibly even weeks before it arrives on your handset. Keep in mind too that Microsoft hasn’t made a formal announcement yet, so the date we’re hearing from Windows Phone Colombia may be off.
Still, as WPCentral points out, a number of carriers around the world have suggest an end-of-January release for the Windows Phone 7.8 update. We’ve seen devices running the new version of the OS as well, so if it isn’t finished just yet, it’s at least very close. Microsoft previously gave the update a release window of Q1 2013, and considering all of the other evidence, January 31 could possibly be the date the Windows Phone 7.5 users of the world get updated to Windows Phone 7.8.
Windows Phone 7.8 is said to come with a number of new features, including Bluetooth file transfer, a new lock screen, and resizable live titles. It obviously won’t be as big as Windows Phone 8 – Microsoft’s latest mobile operating system – but it should do something to please Windows Phone users who are stuck on 7.5. Stay tuned, as we’ll have more information for you once it’s available.
[via GSMArena]
Windows Phone 7.8 update landing on January 31 is written by Eric Abent & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
With the launch of Windows Phone 8, which included newer smartphones with upgraded hardware, it is not surprising that more smartphone buyers are willing to adopt Microsoft’s platform versus before where Windows Phone still featured seemingly outdated hardware compared to its iOS and Android competitors, and taking a look at Statcounter’s recent charts, it would certainly seem that way. According to Statcounter, it seems that Microsoft’s Windows Phone platform has managed to snag about 20% of the mobile market share in Finland and according to the graph, it looks like it is definitely on the rise. Interestingly Statcounter has also noticed very small drops in iOS and Android’s share and assuming their stats are right, Nokia’s share of the market is almost as close although it should be noted that Nokia’s market share consists of Windows Phone, Symbian, MeeGo and S40. Either way at the rate this is going, is it possible that Windows Phone could overtake iOS and Android in market share, at least as far as Finland is concerned?
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: WeChat Service Arrives On BlackBerry Platform, Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini NFC Edition Coming Your Way, 
We knew that Huawei’s 4-inch Ascend W1 will be hitting the UK at some point this quarter, but the company is once again launching a new device in its home country first. Currently available in black at the official online store, this dual-core, WCDMA 900/2100-flavored W1 is priced at ¥1,599 or about $260, making it the cheapest Windows Phone 8 device you can get in China — probably something that will help address Huawei’s smartphone penetration problem. Better yet, placing an order now will knock ¥100 (about $16) off the order but only while stocks last, so interested buyers better start calling their pals in China soon, especially before they shut down for Chinese New Year early next month!
The title of cheapest WP8 device in China was previously held by Nokia’s ¥1,999 (about $320) Lumia 620, though in the US it is available for just $249. Given the bigger screen and battery, the W1 might be a better buy, but we shall reserve our final judgement until we get to play with it properly. Meanwhile, somewhere in Redmond, Steve Ballmer is closely observing with a massive grin.
Source: Vmall
Nokia has released the 3D printing files for its Lumia 820 interchangeable casings, allowing owners to create their own custom shells for the Windows Phone. The free 3D-printing Development Kit (or 3DK, as Nokia is calling it) comes with not only the raw files for 3D printers, but guidance on what materials could be used, tips on what to look out for in creating a unique case, and more.
The project – the first of its kind from a mainstream phone manufacturer – is reminiscent of Nokia’s Xpress-on interchangeable casings from many years ago, when the Finnish firm offered dumbphone-owners the chance to switch out their handset’s shells by simply snapping them on and off. In fact, the principle dates back to the Nokia 5110, released in 1998 (and as the 5120 in the US).
Obviously, you’ll need a 3D printer – or at least access to one – in order to use the 3DK files in the first place. Still, there are numerous online 3D printing services available which, for a fee, will do a one-off custom print run from your designs.
The mechanical drawings of the 3D shell parts for the Lumia 820 are available here, while the back shell printing parts are here (and in separated form here). If you’re not up with 3D printing, meanwhile, Nokia also offers various off-the-shelf casings, including ruggedized versions and some with wireless charging support.
Whether Nokia will also release a similar 3DK for the still-to-be-shipped Lumia 620, which also supports interchangeable shells, remains to be seen. Update: Nokia has more on the 820 3DK here.
Nokia releases 3D case printing files for Lumia 820 is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
This afternoon it’s been tipped that the 24th of January will be home to the official release of the Samsung ATIV Odyssey, complete with Verizon 4G LTE and Windows Phone 8. This machine will be working with a setup that appears extremely similar to the Samsung Focus 2, an AT&T device working with Windows Phone 7 as released back in May of 2012, but as we well know from our own hands-on with this device from CES 2013, this machine is up to speed with some mid-to-high-end specifications (for a Windows Phone 8 smartphone, that is.)
This device works with a 4-inch display with WVGA resolution being run by a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 dual-core processor clocked in at 1.5GHz. Interestingly you’ll find this device’s display underwhelming compared to its 720p-toting Windows Phone 8 brethren, this also coming up as odd due to the S4 processor built to handle much, much more powerful machines. You’ll get 1GB of ram along with a 1.2 megapixel camera on the front and a 5 megapixel camera on the back.
The back of this device is removable just like the Samsung Focus 1 and 2, a 2100 mAh battery keeping you running all day long and being removable so you can switch up if you have the need. This machine also has a microSD card slot that’ll hold up to 64GB of space on a card, this slot able to be accessed with the battery cover fully attached. The back-facing camera also has a single LED flash so you’ll be blasting in the dark all night long.
Be sure to have a look at our hands on with this device to see more up close and personal views of its machinery. We’ll be seeing this device popping up as a direct competitor to both the Nokia Lumia 822 and the Windows Phone 8X by HTC. Have a peek at our reviews of both devices to make your decision right here and now!
[via @evleaks]
Verizon Samsung ATIV Odyssey shipping tipped: January 24th is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Nokia will make 300 staff redundant and outsource elements of its IT organization, the Finnish company has revealed, as it continues to make cost-cutting measures across the business. Describing the change – which will also see Nokia transfer up to 820 existing employees to external tech consultancies – as “to align IT function with its business focus,” Nokia expects the biggest job losses or changes to be in Finland.
Nonetheless, there will be impact from the “global” change around the world. Those losing jobs will be offered a place in Nokia’s Bridge program, which has already seen numerous start-ups form as ex-Nokians use their technical skills to explore niche projects.
As for the job transfers, up to 820 staff will be shifted – along with their job roles – to HCL Technologies and TATA Consultancy Services. “Nokia believes these changes will increase operational efficiency and reduce operating costs,” the company said today in a statement, “creating an IT organization appropriate for Nokia’s current size and scope.”
Still, the end is in sight for the upheaval at the firm. Nokia says that these are “the last anticipated reductions” from the June 2012 strategy plan, its broad-sweeping attempt to save cash and realign its business in a new, challenger role.
Those changes look to be hitting the spot, too, or at least contributing to a turnaround of sorts. Earlier this month, Nokia revealed it was expecting better-than-predicted performance in Q4 2012, with stronger phone sales and a swifter move toward more efficient operations.
Nokia cuts IT team as cost-cutting process ends is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
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