Nokia Lumia Icon Now Supports Insider Preview Builds Of Windows 10 Mobile

Microsoft’s Gabriel Aul announced recently that the company will be bringing support for Windows 10 Mobile Insider Preview builds to the Nokia Lumia Icon. If you own a Nokia Lumia Icon, you will be glad to know that you can now try out Windows 10 Mobile Insider Preview on your device using the Windows Insider app (link below). You will only be able to get builds from the development branch which means you will need to install the Redstone builds and can not install the Threshold 2 builds which are slightly more stable compared to the Redstone builds.

To get Windows 10 Mobile on your Lumia Icon, simply sign up for the Windows Insider program (link below), download the Windows Insider app (link below) on your Nokia Lumia Icon, enroll into the Insider Fast or Slow Ring, after your phone reboots check for updates to download Windows 10 Mobile.

Be sure to let us know what you think of Windows 10 Mobile Insider Preview build by leaving your comments below in the comment section. 


Source: Windows Insider Program, Windows Insider app

Windows 10 Mobile Arrives For Handsets Running Windows Phone 8.1

Microsoft has begun rolling out Windows 10 Mobile to smartphones running Windows Phone 8.1.

Microsoft first expected to release the platform in November or December of last year, but pushed the update to the first quarter. The new operating system is available to the Lumia 430, 435, 532, 535, 540, 635, 640, 640 XL, 730/735, 830, 930, 1320, HTC One (M8) for Windows, 1520, and Icon.

Owners of these phones must first download the Upgrade Advisor app from the Windows Store and accept the terms and conditions of the upgrade. Once this step is taken the phone is prepared for Windows 10 and Microsoft will deliver it as an over the air update.


Source: Windows

Microsoft Officially Cancels Project Astoria

Microsoft has revealed it has officially canceled plans to offer developers bridge tools to port Android apps to Windows 10 Mobile known as "Project Astoria".

"We received a lot of feedback that having two Bridge technologies to bring code from mobile operating systems to Windows was unnecessary, and the choice between them could be confusing. We have carefully considered this feedback and decided that we would focus our efforts on the Windows Bridge for iOS and make it the single Bridge option for bringing mobile code to all Windows 10 devices, including Xbox and PCs. For those developers who spent time investigating the Android Bridge, we strongly encourage you to take a look at the iOS Bridge and Xamarin as great solutions."

Earlier this week, Microsoft announced its plans to acquire Xamarin a company that has created tools for making mobile apps for iOS, Android, and Windows that can share common code making for a be quick release for all three platforms.


Source: Windows Developer blog

Microsoft Purchases Third Party Keyboard Maker SwiftKey For $250 Million

The Financial Times is reporting that Microsoft has purchased third party keyboard maker SwiftKey for $250 million. 

Microsoft recently ported their Windows Phone keyboard to iOS. If Microsoft will continue to support SwiftKey is unknown. We hope to find out more details when the deal is officially announced.

Source: The Financial Times

Microsoft Reveals Windows 10 Details

Microsoft today offered an early first look at its forthcoming Windows 10 operating system, which will run on PCs, tablets, and phones. Microsoft said it is taking a new, more user-centric approach with Windows 10. It is incorporating the feedback it received about Windows 8/8.1 and is making sure to add user requested features, such as the old Start menu. The company now views Windows more as a service and it will provide continual updates. 

Microsoft said Windows 10 will be a free upgrade during its first year of availability, for example, to all devices running Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows Phone 8.1. Windows 10 for PCs and tablets will gain features from Windows Phone, including the Action Center and Cortana, Microsoft's voice activated personal assistant. Windows devices with screens 8 inches and larger will include the "desktop experience." Smaller devices will have an altered experience more suited for phones. A rough build of the phone centric version of Windows 10 features a revised settings menu that has new graphics. 

Windows 10 also allows users to move the keyboard around on the screen if they so wish. The entire Windows 10 platform will include Skype more firmly entrenched across apps. Furthermore, full versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint that closely match the desktop variants will be included in Windows Phone 10. 

All Windows 10 devices will have a new Outlook client, which has been revised with the Word engine. Other major app rewrites include the calendar, photo gallery, and Internet Explorer, which is based on Project Spartan, a complete overhaul of the browser. Lastly, the entire platform will more broadly support Xbox gaming, including PC to Xbox play. Microsoft said the first preview of Windows 10 for phones will be available to "insiders" beginning in February.

Source: Microsoft News

Nokia’s Normandy Android Phone Rumored For This Month

Nokia could finally show off those Android-based “Normandy” smartphones we’ve been seeing surface lately. The company will debut its rumored fork of Android later this month at Mobile World Congress, according to The Wall Street Journal. The event kicks off in two weeks in Barcelona, Spain, and runs through February 27th.

Nokia, whose devices and services division was acquired by Microsoft, Nokia had been working on Android phones ahead of the acquisition, WSJ says. Nokia has been the primary handset maker for Windows Phone OS-based smartphones since dropping its own Symbian OS years ago. 

Microsoft Names Satya Nadella As New CEO

Microsoft Corp. today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Satya Nadella as Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors effective immediately. Nadella previously held the position of Executive Vice President of Microsoft’s Cloud and Enterprise group. 

Source: Microsoft

Google Now Available For Desktop Chrome Beta

Google’s Chrome team today announced the availability of Google Now for Chrome Beta users for desktops. Google Now is a helpful app that brings important information you care about right to your attention without you having to ask for it. 

To take full advantage of Google Now simply make sure you are using the Chrome Beta app for Windows, Mac, or Chromebook. This feature is now auto enabled, just click on the bell icon on your desktop or numbered box on a Chromebook there you will see all of your Google Now cards.

You can download the Chrome Beta app for desktops here.

Microsoft Courting Google's Sundar Pichai As Next CEO

+Sundar Pichai is Google’s senior vice president of +Chrome , Apps, and Android. When it comes to desktop and mobile software Pichai ha really shown what he can do. Sundar also played a role in the development of +Google Drive, +Gmail, and +Google Maps.

In the past few years, Sundar has done some really amazing things for Google, not to mention Android. We’d be very surprising if Sundar  decided to part ways with Google, however this isn’t the first time we’ve head rumors of Sundar calling it quits at Google. When Pichai was offered an exec position at +Twitter, rumor is Google paid him $50 million to stick around.

Stay posted for more information as details surface. Drop us your comments below, what is your take on a possible Sundar departure from Google?

Microsoft Reportedly Working On Windows 9 OS

Microsoft is currently planning to use the Windows 9 branding and vision as a way to move away from some of the criticisms of the Windows 8 operating system. It’s not clear what type of changes will be made to Windows 9 with Metro 2.0, inside the new OS will reportedly include a major focus on improving Microsoft’s new app world and tiles. Previous rumors have suggested Microsoft is planning to separate out its Windows 8 style apps to allow them to float and run in separate windows on the traditional desktop. 

Microsoft will reportedly use three major milestone development points for Windows 9, but it’s not clear how many of them will be released to the public during the development period. The software maker is currently in the final planning stages for Windows 9 and work is expected to begin after the Build 2014 developer conference in April. It sounds like Microsoft will use Build 2014 as a launch point for its vision of Windows 9, detailing some of the planned changes in an attempt to generate excitement around the company’s future plans.

Beats Music Launches Jan. 21 For $10 Per Month

Beats Music today announced the pending launch of an online and mobile streaming music service. Beats Music will be available to Android, iOS, and Windows Phone devices for $9.99 per month. The subscription fee grants users unlimited access to 20 million tracks, including streaming and downloads for offline playback. Beats Music will offer dozens of curated music stations, as well as allow consumers to create their own. The service will offer a Just for You function which offers a personalized selection of albums and playlists based on user tastes.

Right Now, which is a continuous playlist made from the user's location, preferences, surroundings, and mood.

 Highlights, which is made from current and culturally aware playlists; and Find It, a search function that pulls out playlists and songs. 

According to Beats, it is paying all artists the same royalties for their music. The service runs on the platform built by MOG, which was bought by Beats Audio in 2012. Single lines can test the service for free for one month, after which the monthly subscription kicks in. Beats Music also announced a collaboration with AT&T. 

Beats Music for AT&T customers will cost $15 per month and targets families or other groups that use Mobile Share plans. Beats Music for AT&T gives up to five people unlimited streaming and song downloads per month. AT&T is offering families a free 90-day trial, but there is no free version of Beats Music it's all or nothing. Potential customers do not need to have Beats headphones in order to subscribe to Beats Music. Beats Music will become available January 21.

Source: Beats Music

Google Sues Rockstar, Threatens Android And Nexus

Apple led company Rockstar is a group of tech companies seeking to protect a portfolio of patents that it jointly purchased last year from defunct Canadian tech giant Nortel. On Tuesday, Google announced that it is taking Rockstar to court in an attempt to stop litigation which it says has "placed a cloud on Google’s Android platform," in particular, on Google's Nexus range of devices.

Google is trying to save many companies that use the open source Android OS, such as Asus, HTC, Huawei, Pantech, Samsung, LG and ZTE, from having to waste precious financial resources and time, defending themselves in courtrooms. The companies that make up Rockstar include Android rivals such as Apple, BlackBerry and Microsoft. In 2012, Rockstar spent $4.5 billion ($2.5 billion came from Apple) to buy a number of patents owned by Nortel.

Rockstar has no operations and employs Canadian engineers whose sole job is to scour the operations of other companies, looking for something that might infringe on its IP portfolio. Google's filing claims that the patent troll has focused on 100 companies and Rockstar's CEO claims that Facebook, LinkedIn and almost every major tech company is infringing on the patents that it has purchased from Nortel.

Google does not relish the idea of having to spend time and money defending itself and its customers. It is asking the court to rule that the " Nexus 5, Nexus 7, or Nexus 10 devices sold by Google, directly or indirectly " do not infringe on the seven patents owned by Rockstar and MobileStar. The latter is a shell company that apparently was created to help Rockstar win in court.

The patents owned by Rockstar deal with basic smartphone functions such as "mobile hotspot functionality," and "Messaging and Notification." Still, Rockstar has not been successful trying to license the patents it purchased and now the consortium faces the prospects of losing the $4.5 billion investment made by its members.

Early this year, a court ruled that Cisco could not sue to prevent its router customers from litigation. Google could find the courts unwilling to allow it to protect its customers from the patent troll.

Rockstar is getting desperate. Apple isn't happy with having to write off a multi-billion dollar investment. It is this desperation that has Google concerned about the depths that its rivals will go to in order to see some sort of return on the purchase of the Nortel patents. 


Source: Scribd
About Rockstar

Microsoft's Steve Ballmer Gives Farewell Speech

Ballmer hinted in the memo for his abrupt leaving announcement, and in subsequent interviews, that the timing for his exit wasn't his choice. Asked if it was a sudden decision in an interview with ZDNet, Ballmer said: "I would say for me, yeah, I've thought about it for a long time, but the timing became more clear to me over the course of the last few months."

Picking (I've Had) The Time of My Life as his sign-off song, Ballmer choked back the tears to tell the equally emotional audience, "Microsoft is like a fourth child for me. Children leave the home, but I guess in this case I'm leaving the home."

His emotional reaction and speech again suggest that Ballmer's Microsoft exit isn't of his own volition, although this isn't the first time Ballmer has had emotional outpourings on stage.

Microsoft Acquires Nokia For $7.2B

Microsoft announced yesterday that it has reached an agreement to acquire the Devices and Services division of Nokia for approx. $7.2 billion. Microsoft will also gain the Lumia and Asha brands, as well as Nokia's patent licensing agreement with Qualcomm. Nokia will continue to exist as a separate company, focusing on networks via its NSN division, mapping via its HERE division, and and Advanced Technologies division. Nokia will retain its brand and patents, but license them to Microsoft. Microsoft has recently moved to refocus itself on devices and services. This move advances that goal for the mobile division and Windows Phone. Nokia CEO Stephen Elop will move to Microsoft. Nokia has worked closely with Microsoft on Windows Phone devices since 2011, when the company ditched its troubled Symbian platform. Competing mobile OS makers Apple and BlackBerry have always made their own hardware. Google purchased Motorola in 2012 to shore up its Android strategy. The Microsoft-Nokia deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2014 an is subject to shareholders and regulatory approval.


Source: Nokia

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer To Retire Within 12 Months

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer plans to retire some time in the next 12 months, said the company. Microsoft's board has formed a special committee to begin a search for a successor to Ballmer, who has led the company since January 2000. Once a successor is chosen, Ballmer will step down. "There is never a perfect time for this type of transition, but now is the right time," said Ballmer. "We have embarked on a new strategy with a new organization and we have an amazing Senior Leadership Team. My original thoughts on timing would have had my retirement happen in the middle of our company’s transformation to a devices and services company. We need a CEO who will be here longer term for this new direction." Microsoft's business has changed radically during Ballmer's tenure, as computing has moved away from traditional desktop and laptops to more mobile devices, such as tablets and smartphones.


Source: Microsoft

Samsung ATIV Neo S Hits Sprint August 16

Sprint today announced that the Samsung ATIV Neo S smartphone will be available for purchase beginning Friday, August 16. The Neo S, which runs Windows Phone 8, will cost $149.99 after $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year contract. The Neo S has a 4.8-inch 720p HD display, a 1.4GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor with 1GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, and support for microSD cards up to 64GB. It supports Sprint's LTE 4G network and worldwide GSM/HSPA networks for roaming. The device also includes GPS, NFC, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. The Neo S has an 8-megapixel main camera and 2-megapixel user-facing camera. The Samsung ATIV Neo S has a removable 2,000mAh battery. It will be sold via all Sprint channels, including retail, online, and via telephone.



Source: Sprint

Windows 8.1 said To Launch On October 18th

Microsoft continues to finalize its Windows 8.1 update, but the company revealed today that it plans to make it available on October 18th. The free update will be listed in the Windows Store for existing Windows 8 users at 7AM ET on October 17th, with boxed copies, new hardware, and a full retail release on October 18th. The final copy of Windows 8, known as Release to Manufacturing (RTM), is expected to be made available to PC makers and partners in the coming weeks. Sources familiar with Microsoft's plans previously revealed that Microsoft plans to update and patch Windows 8.1 in the weeks leading up to the October release.

Samsung Hosting Galaxy And ATIV Brand Focused Event On June 20

Samsung today announced that it's got a "Premiere 2013" event planned for June 20, less than a week after Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference wraps up. The gathering, which is taking place in London and will kick off at 19:00 BST (1:00 p.m. EST), will be focused on Samsung's Galaxy and ATIV brands.

Source: Samsung

Meet The Asus Transformer AiO Part Android, Part Windows 8

Asus launched on Thursday the latest device in its Transformer line, and it certainly lives up to the name.

The Transformer AiO P1801 is part tablet, part PC, with the ability to switch from Windows 8 and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean with the click of a button. The versatility factor gets better too. The tablet can sit on a PC station, equipped with a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, and serve as a desktop computer. But when you're ready to use it far from the confines of a desk, the tablet can be removed. Both the tablet and PC station comes with its own processor.

The bundled set is $1299 and will be available for purchase starting April 12.

However, there are a few things to keep in mind. The 18.4-inch tablet which boasts a Nvidia Tegra 3 quad-core processor isn't exactly light in the hands. It's big, and heavy too: 5.28 pounds. This isn't the type of device you'd throw into your bag and go, but it does offer flexibility of setting up shop in another room. That's how Asus is billing the concept. It also comes with a stand for easy leaning.

Other Transformer AiO P1801 tablet specs include a LED backlit display (1920 x 1080) with 10-point touch, meaning you can use all your fingers at once on the screen 2GB DDR3-1600 memory, 32 GB of storage, microSD card reader, built-in microphone, a mini USB 2.0 port and a 33W input charging port. ASUS says the battery should run for about five hours, playing 5 hours of HD video and 15 hours playing music.

Meanwhile, the PC station runs an Intel Core i5-3350P quad core processor, with 8GB DDR-1600 memory, built-in speakers and a slew of features including an optical drive, SD card reader and an HDMI port. It weighs in at about 9 pounds.

To go between Android and Windows 8, which is also touchscreen-friendly, a button on the side of the device will switch the operating system.

The concept in theory is a smart one, allowing users the option of customizing how they want to use the device, but in practice, we're not quite sure how well this would work.

Microsoft Debuts Revised SkyDrive Website And Android App Coming Soon

Microsoft just recently gave it's web-based email offering a sweeping overhaul, and it's now also done the same for its cloud-based storage service. As detailed in a typically extensive blog post, the company has today launched an all new as SkyDrive.com (rolling out over the next 24 hours), one that now defaults to a tile-based layout and boasts new features like instant search and a contextual toolbar. As the company notes, it's also designed with tablets in mind, in addition to desktop web browser. What's more, Microsoft has also rolled out updated SkyDrive apps for Windows and OS X, which promise faster uploads and other performance improvements, and it says it'll finally have an Android app in "just a few weeks." Hit the source link below for a look at it and all the other changes.

Source: Inside Skydrive