Nokia announced discounts on its latest Lumia 925 and Lumia 625 buyback offers

By Vijay @ 06:02pm

Nokia has extended the buyback scheme it had started with the Lumia 520 and Lumia 620, and has now included the Lumia 925 and Lumia 625. The company claims to now offer up to Rs 10,000 discount on the Lumia 925 and up to Rs 7,000 discount on the Lumia 625 when customers trade in their old smartphones. Under the scheme, the Lumia 925 is available for Rs 28,529 and the Lumia 625 for Rs 14,919. In reality however, the discounts are much lower.

The said discounts are exaggerated and are given on the phone’s MRP, which is much more than the MOP of these phones. Nokia mentions the MRP of the Lumia 925 to be Rs 38,529 while in India the phone was actually launched at an MOP of Rs 33,499. Similarly, the Lumia 625 was launched at Rs 19,999 and is already available for about Rs 16,000 at popular online retail stores. So the effective discount for exchanging an old smartphone against a new Lumia 925 or Lumia 625 phone would be Rs 5,000 and Rs 2,000 respectively instead of Rs 10,000 and Rs 7,000 as highlighted by the company.

Nokia Lumia 720 and 520 getting GDR2 & Amber update in India Now

By Vijay @ 09:19pm

Nokia Lumia 720 and 520 are getting notifications that the Amber update is now available. The Nokia support site also confirms that Amber has been approved is rolling out in India.

Nokia’s firmware update enables new features like flip to silence, Glance Screen and camera improvements. When coupled with Microsoft’s GDR2 operating system update, users will also receive such features as Data Sense, FM Radio, default-camera selection, Lumia Color Profile, and Call/SMS filtering.

If you haven’t seen an update notification on your phone already, you can go to Settings > Phone Update > Check For Updates to see if you can get it.

Nokia had previously planned to bring Amber to all of its devices by the end of September, which is drawing near. So far they have made steady progress, but with one week left, they are cutting it close.

Source: Nokia; Thanks to everyone who tipped us!

Microsoft to acquire Nokia’s devices & services business, license Nokia’s patents and mapping services

By Vijay @ 11:21am

Microsoft Corporation and Nokia Corporation today announced that the Boards of Directors for both companies have decided to enter into a transaction whereby Microsoft will purchase substantially all of Nokia’s Devices & Services business, license Nokia’s patents, and license and use Nokia’s mapping services.

Under the terms of the agreement, Microsoft will pay EUR 3.79 billion to purchase substantially all of Nokia’s Devices & Services business, and EUR 1.65 billion to license Nokia’s patents, for a total transaction price of EUR 5.44 billion in cash. Microsoft will draw upon its overseas cash resources to fund the transaction. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2014, subject to approval by Nokia’s shareholders, regulatory approvals and other closing conditions.

Building on the partnership with Nokia announced in February 2011 and the increasing success of Nokia’s Lumia smartphones, Microsoft aims to accelerate the growth of its share and profit in mobile devices through faster innovation, increased synergies, and unified branding and marketing. For Nokia, this transaction is expected to be significantly accretive to earnings, strengthen its financial position, and provide a solid basis for future investment in its continuing businesses.

“It’s a bold step into the future – a win-win for employees, shareholders and consumers of both companies. Bringing these great teams together will accelerate Microsoft’s share and profits in phones, and strengthen the overall opportunities for both Microsoft and our partners across our entire family of devices and services,” said Steve Ballmer, Microsoft chief executive officer. “In addition to their innovation and strength in phones at all price points, Nokia brings proven capability and talent in critical areas such as hardware design and engineering, supply chain and manufacturing management, and hardware sales, marketing and distribution.”

“We are excited and honored to be bringing Nokia’s incredible people, technologies and assets into our Microsoft family. Given our long partnership with Nokia and the many key Nokia leaders that are joining Microsoft, we anticipate a smooth transition and great execution,” Ballmer said. “With ongoing share growth and the synergies across marketing, branding and advertising, we expect this acquisition to be accretive to our adjusted earnings per share starting in FY15, and we see significant long-term revenue and profit opportunities for our shareholders.”

“For Nokia, this is an important moment of reinvention and from a position of financial strength, we can build our next chapter,” said Risto Siilasmaa, Chairman of the Nokia Board of Directors and, following today’s announcement, Nokia Interim CEO. “After a thorough assessment of how to maximize shareholder value, including consideration of a variety of alternatives, we believe this transaction is the best path forward for Nokia and its shareholders. Additionally, the deal offers future opportunities for many Nokia employees as part of a company with the strategy, financial resources and determination to succeed in the mobile space.”

“Building on our successful partnership, we can now bring together the best of Microsoft’s software engineering with the best of Nokia’s product engineering, award-winning design, and global sales, marketing and manufacturing,” said Stephen Elop, who following today’s announcement is stepping aside as Nokia President and CEO to become Nokia Executive Vice President of Devices & Services. “With this combination of talented people, we have the opportunity to accelerate the current momentum and cutting-edge innovation of both our smart devices and mobile phone products.”

Nokia has outlined its expected focus upon the closing of the transaction in a separate press release published today.

Source: Microsoft

Temple Run: Oz now available for Windows Phone 8, but only 1gb ram

By Vijay @ 09:44pm

Temple Run: Oz from Imangi Studios and Disney/Pixar is now available for Windows Phone 8. The game was released for Android, iPhone and iPad in March. The Temple Run: Oz based on the Temple Run 2 and inspired by Oz the Great and Powerful movie that released earlier this year. This game would let you Play as Oz outrun the shrieking flying baboons as you turn, jump and slide your way across the land. You can also explore different environments and complete weekly challenges.

The Temple Run: Brave from the Temple Run franchise was released for Windows Phone 8 back in January, 6 months after it released for Android and iOS devices. This one took less than 5 months.

Features of Temple Run: Oz

• Stunning environments inspired by the film – explore them all.
• Fly in a hot air balloon – earn even more coins.
• Explore different locations in Oz – follow sign posts!
• The environment changes as you run – test your reflexes.

Download Temple Run: Oz for Windows Phone 8 devices from the Windows Phone Store at $0.99 / Rs. 55

First images of Nokia’s upcoming phablet leaks named Lumia 1520

By Vijay @ 09:20am

Nokia’s upcoming phablet device, with an expected release at the yet unannounced September event has been making the news lately as the Lumia 1520 and it is expected to have a quad core processor and a 1080p screen. WPC have gotten their hands on some alleged images of the device that look very real to us, the device is placed next to a Lumia 1020.

The device is rumored to be 6″ and ultra thin with a 20Mp camera; what we can see here is that the bezel is indeed quite small matching up to the previous screen leeks we saw a month or so ago.

Note the accessory which resembles an ipad smart cove, that can double as a stand for the device, I want! hopefully this is real, because my pockets have begun to itch!

*Note: the device above bears a striking resemblance to another alleged leak we saw a while back

Source

Satya Nadella, born INDIAN, is in running for Microsoft top job…CEO???

By Vijay @ 02:59pm

Satya Nadella born Indian, currently heading Microsoft’s Cloud and Enterprise group, is listed among likely successors to the information technology giant’s CEO Steve Ballmer, who is set to retire within a year.

As executive vice president, Nadella “runs a group that continues to churn out growth and profits”, noted Seattle Times in a story on the start of a guessing game among Microsoft watchers since Ballmer’s impending departure was announced.

“There is no single clear successor to a lightning rod of a leader who remains one of the most identifiable CEOs in the country,” it said.

“What’s more, the next CEO may well have a far different job than the one Ballmer is vacating”, the Times said as “Once the dominant force in technology, Microsoft now finds itself chasing companies in key businesses such as Google in Web search and Apple in mobile devices.”

Nadella, 44, as head of Microsoft’s $19 billion Server and Tools Business, is credited with the transformation of the business and technology from client-server software to cloud infrastructure and services.

Before joining Microsoft in 1992, he initially worked as the senior vice president of R&D for the Online Services Division and vice president of the Microsoft Business Division, Nadella worked with Sun Microsystems as a member of the technology staff.

Listing Nadella among potential Ballmer successors, the Wall Street journal noted he “ran the Server and Tools business successfully from 2011 to this year and took over running the company’s important cloud-computing efforts in last month’s management reshuffle”.

“Indeed, in reassigning a number of top executives, that reorganization seems a tailor-made bake-off for the top job,” it said.

Nadella also figures on the New York Times’ list of current Microsoft executives who could be contenders besides Tony Bates, former director of Skype and now executive vice president of business development and strategy.

Speculation by analysts and executives about external candidates included Sheryl Sandberg, chief operating officer of Facebook; Reed Hastings, chief executive of Netflix and a former director at Microsoft; Scott Forstall, who ran iOS at Apple until last year and John Legere, chief executive of T-Mobile, it said.

Nadella holds a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago, and a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering from the Manipal Institute of Technology. He is also an alumnus of the Hyderabad Public School, Begumpet.

So, Wish him all the Best…

 

Nokia releases new ad shows Lumia Amber software update.

By Vijay @ 10:49pm

Nokia has released a short film to show off some of the new features included in the Amber update which is currently rolling out. Bundled with Windows Phone 8 GDR2 from Microsoft, Nokia has been able to add numerous enhancements and improvements to features and functionality boasted by Lumia hardware.

We’ve gone into some detail as to what’s available in both updates. Should you require reminding, Windows Phone 10327 (GDR2) is a minor OS update that brings FM radio, some enhancements to Xbox Music, WAV file playback for voicemail, fixed Other storage, and other minor bug fixes in addition to enabling the new hardware found in the Lumia 1020.

Nokia’s bundled Amber update (highlighted in the above video), which is what is causing the delays for release, allows the new Glance screen, flip to silence, Lumia Color Profile and an improved camera experience, making the combo of an update quite interesting for consumers. So who’s getting the Amber update? See below:

It’s worth noting the Lumia 625, Lumia 925 and Lumia 1020 are not listed because GDR2 and Amber are both pre-loaded. If you’re yet to receive the update, head on over to Settings > Phone Update and hit “Check for updates” to see if you’re next in line. Nokia has stated they expect to have the update rolled out successfully by the end of September so don’t freak out if you’ve not yet got the notification.

Source: YouTube

Pre-orders for Nokia Lumia 625 sell out on India’s Snapdeals

By  Vijay @ 08:28am

Nokia has had a big winner with both the entry-level Nokia Lumia 520. Now, it looks like the Nokia Lumia 625 might be following the same footsteps  The handset sporting the largest screen of any Lumia flavored Windows Phone, the Nokia Lumia 625 was being made available for pre-orders in India from online retailer Snapdeals and has already sold out. Snapdeals was asking for a down payment of Rs.1000/- with the remaining amount due upon the release of the phone in the last week of August.

Despite the large 4.7 inch screen, the rest of the specs are decidedly low to mid-range. The display’s resolution of 480 x 800 results in a rather low pixel density of 201 ppi. Under the hood is a dual-core 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 with only 512MB of RAM. There is 8GB of native storage inside along with a 64GB capacity microSD slot. A 5MP camera on back captures video in 1080 x 1920 at 30fps and there is a VGA front-facing shooter. The 2000mAh battery keeps the lights on. You can get comparison here along with its previous models 520, 620 & 720.

India’s Snapdeals has sold out the Nokia Lumia 625 while accepting pre-orders for the device

source: Snapdeals via WMPoweruser

Amber update is rolling out across all Windows Phone 8 Lumia smartphones

By Vijay @ 03:05pm

Nokia has started rolling out its much-awaited Amber software update to all its Windows Phone 8 Lumia smartphones, which will now come with new and improved camera features and other apps.

The Amber update is Nokia’s initiative to build up on Microsoft’s latest update GDR2 to the Windows Phone 8 software, which brought a new FM radio player and improvements to Xbox music and the Internet Explorer browser. The Amber update will be available first for the Lumia 920 and Lumia 820 in select countries as well as the Lumia 521, Lumia 810, and Lumia 928 in the US, and will be reaching out to all devices including Lumia 520, Lumia 620, Lumia 720, Lumia 820 or Lumia 920 by the end of September.

Features-wise, as expected this update brings improved image processing with better noise reduction, color reproduction, exposure control, autofocus, refined low light performance, and a number of other camera improvements depending on the phone model and its camera capabilities.

An interesting part would be the availability of Nokia’s Smart Camera app across the Lumia portfolio, which was restricted to the Nokia Lumia 925 only. After updating their phones to Amber, users will be able to download the app from the Windows market place. In addition to that, the update will also bring Nokia’s newly launched Pro Camera app for better video particularly for the Lumia 920, Lumia 925, and Lumia 928, starting from today.

Apart from camera related tweaks, the Amber update will also come with Nokia Glance Screen to set a clock on the device’s screen when the phone is inactive. This will also come with battery-level and an indicator for silent mode. This feature will be available in the ‘display and touch’ section in Settings menu, and will be available for all WP8 Lumia devices except the Nokia Lumia 520 and Lumia 625.

Along with this, the new update will allow users to make use of the flip to silence for an incoming call and double-tap to wake and easy unlock features, which are pretty popular on smartphones by other brands as well.

Official YouTube app for Windows Phone is back and now available for both 7.x & 8 devices.

By Vijay @ 01:12pm

Today, Google had released a new version 3.2.0.0 of youtube app which is now live on the Store for Windows Phone 7.x and Windows Phone 8 devices.

The new app looks a lot like the app that was pulled and even includes an upload feature for posting videos directly to the service. That should reassure customers who believe the app would be stripped of functionality (one feature that seems to be missing is downloading of videos).

According to the app description, the features include:

• Pin any video, playlist, channel, and search queries to Live Tiles
• Manage your YouTube profile with your unique My YouTube page
• Manage your playlists, uploads, and video lists
• Find channels, videos, and playlists with the quick access search bar
• Share videos to your social networks, e-mail, and text messages
• Let your kids watch safe videos in Kid’s Corner and keep their own profile

The app is now available for older devices too, which is a great win for legacy users who have felt left out lately from Microsoft’s releases.

You can download the now official YouTube app for Windows Phone here in the Store.