Droid Razr Maxx vs Nokia Lumia 900: Smartphone Shootout

Motorola's Droid Razr Maxx goes on sale today on Verizon, but should you grab the new smartphone or wait a few more weeks for the Nokia Lumia 900? It depends if you are an AT&T or Verizon customer or if you're contract is already up from your current carrier. That's because the Droid Razr Maxx is only on Verizon, and the Nokia Lumia 900 will only be on AT&T. Nokia may eventually bring their new line of Microsoft powered smartphones to other carriers, but so far there are only whispers to that effect. AT&T may only get to be the exclusive provider for the Lumia 900 for 45 days, but that is only a rumor for now. Furthermore, a March 18 launch for AT&T's Lumia 900 has not been confirmed, but has been reported enough by multiple sources to at least be likely.


To recap, the Droid Razr Maxx is an updated version of the Droid Razr that came out in November. It's the same phone, but with a huge battery Motorola says can last up to 21 hours of talk time. It has a 4.3-inch qHD display with 960x540p resolution, 16 gigabytes of internal storage, 1080p video capture, expandable memory card slot and Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) operating system. There is no update time frame for when it will get the Android 4.0 update, but it most likely happen in the next two months. It's $300 on contract, and the Droid Razr now comes in 16 and 32 GB offerings for $200 and $280, respectively.

Nokia: Just 600,000 phones sold in North America

Nokia may have roughly doubled Windows Phone sales quarter-on-quarter, but the company is still struggling to make an impact on the North American market, shipping just 600,000 handsets in the country. According to Nokia’s Q2 2012 financials [pdf link], the US and Canada were by far the least interested in the company’s wares, with Asia-Pacific leading the volumes of devices and services sales (with 28.6m units).

Symbian continues to slide, meanwhile, blamed for much of Nokia’s issues. Symbian’s difficulties in penetrating the North American market to begin with meant it was the only region not particularly impacted by the OS’ decline. “All regions showed a significant year-on-year decline in the second quarter 2012 except for North America,” Nokia reported, “where the sharp decline in sales of Symbian devices was more than offset by sales of our Lumia devices.”

Meanwhile, year-on-year average smartphone selling price increased, thanks to Windows Phones being generally more expensive than their Symbian counterparts. ASP was €186 ($229) in Q2.

Will Windows Phone 8 Arrive on September 7?

We now know that Microsoft’s Windows 8 platform for desktops and tablets will be shipping starting on October 26, but what about the mobileWindows Phone 8 OS? According to a teaser that Nokia is posting outside of its Helsinki, Finland store, ‘something amazing’ will be coming on September 7, 2012. The company’s retail store is currently closed for renovations currently.

An image posted on My Nokia Blog shows a Nokia store with a banner outside teasing the arrival of something amazing along with the date.

It’s unclear what that something amazing is. According to a report on Phone Arena, Nokia’s annual Nokia World conference is slated to kick off this year on September 5. However, given that the close proximity of the conference’s start date to the amazing release date two days later, it may be unlikely that Windows Phone 8 devices would be available for sale two days after the conference kicks off. However, it is still a possibility that Windows Phone 8 could arrive by then.

Review: Nokia's Lumia 900 already feels outdated

Nokia's Lumia 900 was supposed to reboot the Finnish company's fortunes and provide a showcase for Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 operating system. Just three months after its launch, though, the most-hyped Windows Phone is starting to look obsolete. Rob Pegoraro revisits the phone he tested in April. 

Remember when Nokia's TV ads for its Lumia 900 mocked other smartphone vendors for treating their users as beta testers? Those ads look a little cruel after Microsoft revealed that no current WP7 device will get an update to its upcoming Windows Phone 8, which has new features like turn-by-turn navigation and Internet calling.

Instead, the 900 -- originally priced at $100 but recently slashed to $50, and available exclusively on AT&T's network in the United States -- won't advance past a "Windows Phone 7.5 refresh" patch and a later WP 7.8 update adding WP8's more customizable start screen.

But the current software itself doesn't feel old, aside from its embarrassing reliance on desktop programs to sync files and install even minor updates. This operating system's basic innovation -- making the start screen a stack of easily rearranged, interactive tiles that present notifications from your apps -- remains an intelligent, fast way to stay on top of your life.

The hope that the Lumia would reboot the entire Windows Phone market hasn't panned out, though. WP7's 1.3% share of the smartphone installed base remains smaller than that of the unlovable Windows Mobile software it replaced, according to Nielsen's figures.

There are small signs of progress: From the first quarter of 2012 to May, NPD Group data shows WP7's share of each month's smartphone sales doubling from 2% to 4%. "The Lumia 900 far and away has been driving the increase," said analyst Ross Rubin. 

source form:money.cnn.com

Windows Phone 8: What Windows Phone 7 Users Need to Know

When Windows Phone 8 debuts this fall it will feature a slick new camera app, Internet Explorer 10, near-field communication, Nokia Maps, Direct X support for advanced gaming and multi core processor support. That's the good news. The bad news is current Windows Phone 7 users will be left out in the cold for most of these features, including recent buyers of Nokia's Lumia 900 handset.

But don't lose heart Windows Phone fans, because Microsoft is still throwing you a bone and delivering a few Windows Phone 8-like changes for you. Following the release of Windows Phone 8this fall, Windows Phone 7 users will receive an update called Windows Phone 7.8 that includes the new Windows Phone 8 start screen.

If you're a current Windows Phone fan with no immediate plans to upgrade to a new handset when Windows Phone 8 comes out later in 2012, here's what you need to know about Windows Phone 7.8.

Windows Phone 7.5 Mango review - the good, the bad and the ugly

It has been more than a month since I switched to using the Lumia 800 as my main smartphone. Coming from using Android exclusively for six months, there are obvious drawbacks with Windows Phone 7.5, but these are few and does not stop me from enjoying the OS. Unlike pre-Mango WP7, WP7.5 does not make me want to hurl the phone with frustration for one, and after getting over the initial teething period - I now love it.

Windows Phone 7 was designed with consumers, not geeks, in mind hence the lack of certain features we geeks take for granted. Nothing wrong with that, but if Microsoft wants to win the smartphone OS war, they need to also pander to the geeks. After all geeks rule the earth, or so that is the common saying here. Part of the problem with Windows Phone 7 is still the lack of apps, but that is changing. Everyday I keep seeing new quality apps get added. It even hosts the best Foursquare mobile client on *any* platform.

Yes I have issues with it. I have a feature list request that can fill a novel if I weren't so damn lazy. But for most parts, it just works. It lets me get on with my life and spend less time poking through the settings to figure things out. Do not get me wrong, iOS is now so mature I am actually beginning to like it (gasp!) and Android will always be in my heart as a geek tool - but, to me at least, nothing beats the simplicity of Windows Phone.

10 Windows Phone 7 Tips and Tricks

Do you have a Windows Phone 7 device? Want some tips and tricks? Well read on I have gathered 10 of the best and most useful.
1. Call when your hands are tied

Don’t have time to dial a number? just tap and hold the start button. This will activate Voice Controls on Windows Phone 7. Then just announce who you want to call, as in “Call Robert Mobile”. You can also do other things via voice activation like, “Find Coffee in Johannesburg”, “Open Music” or “Start Application”
2. Copy & paste

This was one of the criticised flaws of the first Windows Phone 7 launch. No Copy & paste. but now you can copy just about any kind of text on your phone and paste it anywhere you can type.
Tap a word.
Drag the arrows at each end of the highlighted text to include the first and last words you want to copy.
Tap Copy.
Open the file, app, or message where you want to paste the text.
Tap where you want to paste the text.

Windows Phone 7 & Bluetooth: What Works & What Doesn't (Netflix & audio from recorded video)

I tested Windows Phone 7′s Bluetooth with a couple of devices for the past few days. Here’s what I’ve found so far.

1. Apple Wireless Keyboard
Windows Phone 7 does not support Bluetooth keyboard profiles. This is a shame since I’ve found using a Bluetooth keyboard with my iPhone 4 to be very helpful when working on a long email messages and taking notes. It would be great to be able to use a Bluetooth keyboard with Microsoft Word mobile which ships on Windows Phone 7 devices.

2. Jabra CRUISER (car speakerphone)
Hands-free voice dialing (both call by number and call by name) work. A single tap on the CRUSIER answers an incoming call as expected.

3. Motorola S305 stereo headset with microphone
Audio-only content, such as music, can be played over a Bluetooth connection. However, audio from video content such as Netflix or video recorded by the phone is not transmitted over Bluetooth. This was unexpected and quite disappointing since I had planned to test the HD7′s battery life with watching a Netflix streaming video and listening with a Bluetooth headset.

source from:socialtimes.com

Windows Phone 7.8 vs Windows Phone 8 feature set leaked

WP7Forum.ru are pretty reliable when it comes to Windows Phone leaks.

They have received the above table listing the features of Windows Phone 7.8 vs Windows Phone 8.

The table reveals that IE10 will not be coming to Windows Phone 7.8, but does suggests a Datasmart app will be made available, allowing users to monitor their data usage, and also a RCS-e app, which allows carriers to plug in new data services for their phones.

The table also reveals a new, not previously rumored, Windows Phone 8 feature – the ability to recognize TV programs also.

Would our readers like a few more features to be added to the Windows Phone 7.8 list, or are you satisfied? Let us know below.

Source: wp7forum

Experience Windows Phone 7 On Your Android Or iOS Phone

Fact is, if you have an android or iOS phone, you can also test and see for yourself the Windows Phone 7 (WP7)environment almost everyone is curious about. Use your android/iOS phone now and redirect to this link:aka.ms/wpdemo for a working demo.

It was just a week ago when Windows posted it on their official website and the intelligent move allows everyone with android and iOS phone to have a touch experience with the WP7 environment without requiring to install anything or go to a mobile store to see an actual exhibit- How I wish all mobile phones with varying units have this kind of working demo- It will be a great experience and at the same time practical!

The demo which is actually built in HTML5 is pre-contained with user information like messages, contacts, calendar memo, Emails and so on. You can browse them with all the tapping, scrolling, swiping and flipping experience until you get to the end of the page demo and eventually reach the option if you want to start the demo all over again.

Windows Phone 8 Features: 8 Things you need to know

In the continuing quest to topple Apple and Google’s stranglehold on the smartphone market, Microsoft gave us an insight into the Windows Phone 7 successor Windows Phone 8 at the same developer summit that saw the official unveiling of the Microsoft Surface tablet.

Clearly inspired by the tablet and PC optimized Windows 8 operating system, Microsoft have yet to reveal a release date for when we can expect to see Windows Phone 8 smartphones, but we did get a taste of what we can expect. Here’s eight things we know about Windows Phone 8 so far.

Metro Interface
The ‘Metro’ interface makes a return, so you can expect another slick-looking tiled dashboard, like you’d expect to see in the new Xbox 360 dashboard. Windows Phone 8 will bring far more customization and colour to the interface, letting you decide what tiles you want, and where you want them.

Cross Compatibility
Microsoft has been talking up bringing mobile and PC devices closer together, so Windows Phone 8 will share its core principles and build with Windows 8, which means the OS can be scaled to various uses. This sort of compatibility looks like it’ll be key, if Apple’s Mountain Lion and iOS6 presentations were anything to go by.

Windows 8 Tip: Syncing A Windows Phone Or Zune Device

With both Windows and Windows Phone changing fairly dramatically with this year’s major updates, some users are concerned or confused about how they’ll accomplish common tasks. Key among these is PC-to-device sync: Microsoft will deliver a new sync client and new PC-free functionality with Windows Phone 8 this year, but many are wondering how they can sync their existing Windows Phone 7.x and Zune devices.

The confusion is understandable. Back in February, an internal Microsoft video describing many Windows Phone 8 features leaked, resulting in my tell-all article Windows Phone 8 Preview. In that video, Microsoft’s Joe Belfiore said that the software giant would be replacing the Zune PC software, which is currently used to sync music, podcasts, videos, photos, and/or apps and games between your PC and a Windows Phone or Zune device. This has led, naturally, to questions about whether this new sync client was part of Windows 8, whether it was available already, and whether it would be made available for users of older, non-Windows Phone 8 devices.

So let’s examine what he really said first.

What if RIM Supported Windows Phone 8?

Research In Motion’s new BlackBerry 10 operating system has been delayed to, at the earliest, early 2013. That could prove to be a deathblow to the storied but struggling smartphone maker. RIM is going to miss out on the important holiday season with BlackBerry 10, and that could prove to be the weight that finally breaks the company’s back. In its dire straits, RIM has reportedly started to consider alternatives to BlackBerry 10 and its current strategy. Does that mean aligning itself with Microsoft and its Windows Phone platform? And how would such a move remake the smartphone landscape? 

On June 29th, Reuters reported that RIM had been approached by Microsoft to use its Windows Phone platform on BlackBerry hardware. RIM, being a proud company that thinks it can pull itself out of its tailspin, declined. At least for now.

Microsoft Windows Phone 8: Should You Make the Switch?

On Monday Microsoft announced the Microsoft Surface, its latest foray into the tablet hardware market. Now the software giant has unveiled Windows Phone 8, the new version of its smartphone operating system. The new OS looks impressive on several levels:

It borrows much of its code base from Windows 8. The result is an integrated ecosystem wherein developers can easily create apps and drivers that can be used on phones, tablets, and desktops.

WP8, which will support multi-core chipsets, a range of screen resolutions and removable MicroSD, also includes better support for native near-field communication (NFC) between phones, laptops, tablets, and PCs, meaning we could soon see more usable applications for NFC and a real mobile wallet.
WP8 will get Internet Explorer 10, complete with malware blocking, from Windows 8. IE10 provides significantly faster JavaScript performance and full HTML5 support.

Attractive Computer Design Pictures From China citizen About Windows 8

Microsoft's windows 8 contributes a lot to the operating system. Before this, we only have a tablet choice in our mind that it is Apple's iPad, of course you can say there are also Android tablets, But I am not that interested in it, for it's not convinent as iPad when you are using it. iPad are more compatiable with softwares when compared with Android tablets. We know Microsoft are well known as its computer technology.


After Microsoft established Win8 CP version, many manufacturers home and abroad develop all kinds of win8 tablets. Even Microsoft itself established its own Surface Win8 Surface. But the appearance and price are not so appealing.


Before long, we see the self-designed Nokia tablets by the users, which they do this according to appearances of Lumia800 and Lumia900. To be frank, I want to own iPad 3G/4G for two below $635, but this is not realastic for the Nokia who is short of money. So, We just open our mind to design some Win8 tablets pictures for Microsoft and the OEM manufacturer


The designed pictures below are win8 tablets idea appearance from the net citizen, let's check theese.

Pic 1

Windows Phone 7 Series is the New iPhone Killer

Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer unveiled the next generation of Windows phones called the Windows Phone 7 Series in his keynote address at the Mobile World Congress 2010. These phones are going to feature Zune like UI with full Xbox LIVE integration for rich end-user experience.

 

With Windows Phone 7 Series, Microsoft has taken a fresh approach by writing the OS from scratch. The OS in question is now called as Windows Phone OS 7.0 instead of WindowsMobile 7. Unfortunately though, the devices which ships with Windows Phone OS 7 wont be available anytime before Christmas 2010. But when they hit the retail shelves, the comparison of these devices with Apple’s mighty iPhone will be inevitable. Here is how the two mobile operating systems stand against each other.