Microsoft has moved the Office 365 from preview to retail phase. A new business model where Microsoft will provide the software on both subscription and one time buy mode. Continue reading »
Operator group VimpelCom inked an alliance with Microsoft and Nokia to add operator billing support to the Windows Phone Store for subscribers, in a move it said will “deliver a new, enhanced digital entertainment experience for VimpelCom customers across its markets”. The companies will also add a “VimpelCom Shelf” to the store, which will feature up to 200 selected apps, tailored to support local content and services.
Vimpelcom, the Russaian operator group has signed a deal with Microsoft and Nokia to add operator billing support to the Windows Phone Store for subscribers.
The much rumored Windows Phone Blue got another evidence that it is a real thing, and not a conjuration of the blogosphere.
The on-the-go companion for your urban travels – Nokia transport is equivalent to thousands of maps and schedules in your pocket. This application makes travelling fun and you will no more be lost in unknown places. From departure time to next station, to walking directions and guidance until you reach the destination. The Nokia Transport is definitely the smart way to get around.
A few weeks back we heard Nokia release its V2 version of the app today V2.1 beta version has been launched. The Transport version 2.1 enhances discoverability and access for more personalized experience.
What’s new in this version?
- Pin multiple favorite locations to your phone’s start screen: You can now pin multiple destinations to your start screen making it easier than ever to quickly figure out your route.
- View upcoming station names and stopping times while in transit *
- Find nearby stations, departure times and even types of transit lines available around your location*
- Improved search:
- Remember your last search query
-Change your search without leaving the journey view - Improved performance
- Faster display of upcoming journeys
- Faster journey request - Integration with Bing search Local Scout (where available). It is now easy to launch Nokia Transport from Bing search result
*available in timetable routing cities only
This app comes as a big improvement to the already successful Nokia Maps.
Microsoft has taken a leap towards the expansion of business with opening business in the war-torn country. This is a win-win situation for both, Microsoft and Iraq. Baghdad – based Legends Land (Beqaa Al-Estora) has been chosen as the official “first” local distributor in Iraq.
Microsoft’s Business Development manager for emerging markets, Rajai S. El-Khadem described the Iraqi market a “promising and aggressive” and congratulated the partnership.
He said
As of today, Microsoft will be officially and locally represented in Iraq to provide Microsoft licenses, support and services for our clients and resellers.
Legend Lands chief exec Ahmed Izzedien said customers will include government, public and private sector along with the consumers; and it will provide services & support through resellers. He addressed the need in updating the software used by the Government… and to move it in parallel with the economic development like in oil sector.
The excited El-Khadem asked the Iraqi government to pass law that would protect intellectual property rights and clamp down on the use of unlicensed software. Microsoft seems convinced of the move and the appointment of the local body for the expansion of its grip in the new county Iraq.
Salaam Microsoft…!!
May 012012
LG, not surprising to us, has decided to shut it’s doors for Windows Phone platform. The reason behind this is a less than respectable number of Windows Phone (and Windows Mobile) devices sold. The company, though, has sold a handsome number of Android powered devices, and hence has decided to focus more on Android, with Windows Phone being a research platform only.
The blogosphere is buzzing with reports that Steve Ballmer (The guy in the fist pic), will be visiting Korea sometime in the third week of may to remind LG of it’s pact and negotiate.
In 2009, at the GSMA MWC, LG and Microsoft had made a pact wherein LG would bring 26 Windows Phones to market in 2012 alone.
And it kept a small part of it’s promise by introducing several Windows Mobile handsets.
And Making a pomp about their dedication to the Windows Platform
But LG is known as an organization with a hedging strategy. They license every OS which attracts their attention. But at the same time, they are pretty quick to kill any OS that they can not milk.
Hence, as we mentioned in the beginning of the article, we are not surprised…!!!
Well, until the news is confirmed, let us tell you the rumor that Apollo is being tested on Lumia 800. We have been listening that the Lumia 610 was testing Apollo. We are not entirely convinced until of both the news; but to be informed of any updates on the topic is interesting.
The test revealed some noticeable improvements including speed / touch responsiveness, folders, refurbished Internet Explorer and gravity sensing. With this revelation, the debate over the 1 or 1.5 Windows Phone being able to receive the “Apollo” update has again heated up.
The acclaimed test version of “Apollo” also claims VPN support- which is reported to be disabled on the final build. Better management of the data with the inclusion of the folders is an added functionality.
Let’s hope all that is claimed in the rumor turns true…!!
Every phone has its pros and cons; while purchasing the Windows Phone handset can be risky as well…!!
The reason is not that you could miss out on the newer update or version of the phone, but something else. The subsidized, on-contract phones can earn you a subsidized upgrade every two years. This would mean two years of software support. However, if we believe the rumors then the current handsets will be useless for update in about six months, if they cannot run Windows8.
Before you buy the Nokia Windows phone, be careful to know the your carrier and Microsoft’s plan…!!!
Official release of the Microsoft Tango finalized at the beginning of June. Although Tango ROMs have already been floating around for some time now, Microsoft has pushed the dates ahead so that more operators could finish testing. Basically, Microsoft is planning a universal roll-out, much like the Mango.
Tango will be released over an extending time-frame in various regions like the Mango update which took almost two months to reach nearly 90% of devices. A bigger welcome is planned for Tango, since it brings with it 500 new features.
Let’s see if carriers can take an advantage of the extended time for the Tango update!!
Apr 182012
All Windows Phone devices would get an upgrade to the “next major version” of the operating system. The rumor was short lived. The truth is that the upgrade from Mango to Apollo is a “NO” “NO”.
No upgrade from Mango phones to Windows Phone Apollo; does not bode well for the Nokia Lumia 900 users. The news matches the report from Mary Jo Foley wherein the reason for the politically correct verbiage was used by Microsoft.
It read:
We have stated publicly that all apps in our Marketplace today will run on the next version of Windows Phone. Beyond that, we have nothing to share about future releases.
This means a big F-U to all the people who bought costly devices with their hard earned money and were looking forward to Apollo update on their devices, at least the high end devices.
Makes me think of the times when commitments were an area which was always spot free. Good ol’ days…!!
The news of few Lumia handsets shipped with the unblocked Qualcomm bootloader is doing the rounds. The lucky few owners will be able to flash custom interop unlocked ROMs to let them install almost any software.
XDA developers have found one unlocked Qualcomm ROM for Nokia Lumia 710 handset. This makes the phone vulnerable to be downgraded to unblocked bootloader using the Nokia’s official Nokia Connection Suite. The signature is specific to Nokia Lumia 710. However, the same will not work for Nokia Lumia 800 handsets.
More at http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=24880231&postcount=24
Apr 172012
Tired of the time consuming applications download on your Windows Phone??
Microsoft’s mobile computing research center is working on a project keenly to rescue you from the trouble. Starting from the context-based application launch solution to the managing the background apps.
Now is the time when the phones get brainy. The system in the phones will predict which apps to be launched based on the cumulative data already stored earlier. The system works by analyzing variety of app usage context.
The system is called FALCON- Fast App Launching with Context, and is a part of the Microsoft Research project known as “Context Data OS” or ConDOS.
Apart from the rigorous data analysis, the research team is using the “learning algorithm” for better learning of WHEN and WHICH apps to load. The results of the analysis are commendable; however the wait cannot be ascertained.
Let’s hope and keep our fingers’ crossed for the hardworking Microsoft team for a speedy delivery of the relief. The below video is for your eyes only
Nokia 710 Tango OS update is doing the rounds on the Nokia Care Suite servers. China experiences the Windows Phone 7.5 Consumer Release (CR) 3 with the ROM 1600.3029.8773.12111.
Windows Phone OS 8773, the “gold” version of Tango supports smaller changes like 256 MB devices and MMS enhancements. With Mango CR1 (8107) or Mango CR2 (8112) OS already updated in many of the phones, the new CR3 stands a little chance. AT&T is expected to rollout CR3 (8773+) for future devices to keep up the pace with other OS in the market.
Lumia 710 users can now update the new ROM from the Nokia server and receive the notifications from Zune desktop within few days. A safe bet for China to update their Lumia 710 using Nokia Care Suit. With the language pack on board not known, the risk to download the OS is entirely yours.
Microsoft has admitted to the grievances of the developers when it comes to app approval and publishing process. While the App hub has become “less responsive”, the certification turn around time has increased by one business day.
According to Todd Brix at the Windows Team Blog addresses the issue:
…In short, growing pains. In three months the number of apps in Marketplace has grown by 60 percent, to nearly 80,000. During that period we’ve also nearly doubled the number of customer stores around the world, so there are now 54 markets to sell your apps. The addition of so many new markets and apps so quickly has slowed our backend systems.
While customers and developers are knocking on Redmond’s doors, it is busy playing fancy elsewhere. This is how the problem will be fixed for short term
…we’ll be taking short-term measures to shore up the current service and relieve some of the strain on app certification and publishing. Some of these changes started rolling out about 10 days ago and include:
- Adding more server capacity to better handle the increased load.
- Streamlining our processes to accelerate the rate at which apps can be ingested, certified, and published.
However, no hopes should be placed on the solutions as the results would not be very visible before late summer this year.
Motorola is one of the few companies in spotlight over its licensing of patents related to standards on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms. Microsoft has lodged a complaint against Motorola related to worldwide licensing.
Microsoft has won the dispute on licensing of certain patents related to video technology with Motorola. According to David Howard; Deputy General Counsel of Microsoft, Motorola had promised to make patents available to Microsoft and other companies on fair and reasonable terms.
Until the court’s ruling on Motorola’s keeping up the promise, the sale of products by Microsoft cannot be questioned by Motorola.
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