Category: Windows Phone

Nokia Lumia 710 Now on T-Mobile Website – Not Available Yet

December 29, 2011 Windows Phone No Comments

US carrier T-Mobile has now put up on their website the Lumia 710 from Nokia.  The new Windows Phone was the subject of some outstanding deals this holiday season, going for $49.99 with a 2 year contract and really aims to be the low cost offering from Nokia in their Windows Phone lineup.

T-Mobile Website Screenshot

T-Mobile Website Screenshot

As you can see from the screenshot of the T-Mobile site I captured this morning, the Lumia 710 is being made available in Black and White models but there is no pricing information, only that it is “coming soon”.  Hopefully it will be that same low price as during the holidays for T-Mobile users who want a Lumia 710 or for those who are thinking of moving to T-Mobile.

 

Leaked Windows Phone Roadmap Shows Future Strategy from Microsoft

December 28, 2011 Windows Phone No Comments

WMPoweruser has got their hands on the proposed roadmap of Windows Phone and it looks pretty interesting.  The roadmap image starts with the original Windows Phone GA (General Availability) and goes through 2012 with the release of the codenamed product Apollo.

Leaked Windows Phone Roadmap

Leaked Windows Phone Roadmap (Courtesy of WMPowerUser)

Mid 2012 we can expect Tango which seems to be focusing on bringing Windows Phone to the masses with lower cost products from manufactures.  This is a good move in my book.  I’ve talked to a lot of friends and family about Windows Phone and they like it…. but can’t get past the $199 for a new phone.  If they can get the price point down to $49.99 or the like (as T-Mobile has done this holiday season with the HTC Radar and Lumia 710) then they will get it into the hands of the masses.

The next big update is slated for late next year and is codenamed Apollo.  This update appears to be really driving for mass adoption and to increase the overall sales volume of the platform and to point out competitive differentiators.  They also appear to be focusing on more advanced hardware (perhaps dual core processors?) and the needs of businesses (perhaps better encryption support?).

As with any roadmap it is subject to change and shifting but the information obtained by WMPowerUser seems to fit with other rumors that have been floating about over the past few weeks.  Taken at face value, it is clear that Microsoft plans to make a significant push on Windows Phone next year.  Couple that with the push Nokia is having on the platform with their Lumia lineup and that 6.2% marketshare by the end of next year isn’t a pipe dream.  It could really happen.

Source:  WMPowerUser

 

Digitimes Expects Windows Phone to Take 6.2% of The Market in 2012

December 27, 2011 Windows Phone No Comments

Digitimes has posted what they expect for the smartphone market in 2012 and they see Windows Phone taking a sizably bigger chunk of the market than it did in 2011.

While the market is still dominated by Android-based devices, Windows Phone is expected to take 6.2% of the smartphone market in the coming year.  Given that Windows Phone currently sits at about 1.5% of the market, that is a monumental leap forward – 242% increase to be exact.  Is it possible?  Absolutely.

2012 is going to the year that sees Nokia bring their full Windows Phone line to market.  Remember that Nokia is still the #1 selling brand of phone in the world.  They know how to sell devices and it is evident in their marketing plans for the Lumia 710 and 800 that they mean business with their new Windows Phones.  In January we should see the first Nokia Windows Phones here in the US which I personally expect to see a huge amount of marketing around it both from Nokia themselves and the carriers.

With the push that Nokia is making it is well within the possibility that Windows Phone could end 2012 with over 6% marketshare.

Read the full post over at Digitimes then tell me what you think?  Do you think 6.2% for 2012 is possible?  Ludicrous?  Selling it short?  Comment here or send me a Tweet.

Nokia Lumia 710 at T-Mobile for $49.99 beginning January 11th

December 15, 2011 Windows Phone No Comments

If there is any doubt that both Microsoft and Nokia about seeing success for Windows Phone, this should put those doubts at ease.  Beginning January 11, 2012 the Nokia Lumia 710 will be available for an incredible $49.99 from T-Mobile.  For those who have forgotten about the Lumia 710 in the midst of all of the hype around the Lumia 800, this is the mid-range phone that Nokia is offering in their Windows Phone line up.  But don’t let that fool you. Here are the key specifications.

  • 1.4GHz Qualcomm MSM8255 processor
  • Adreno 205 GPU
  • 512MB of RAM
  • 3.7” WVGA 480×800 display
  • 8GB of internal storage, with microSD card slot that supports up to 24GB in total
  • 5MP rear-facing camera
  • Windows Phone 7.5
  • 3G HSPA+ connectivity
  • Dimensions: 119 x 62.4 x 12.5mm
  • Weight: 126g
  • 1300mAh battery that supports 7.6 hours 3G talk time, 400 hours maximum 3G standby time

How this will work from T-Mobile is the Lumia 710 will be $99.99 with a $50 mail in rebate.  You’ll be required to have a qualifying data plan per the norm.

If you are T-Mobile or looking for a new carrier, come January 11th you can get a great deal on a great phone, the Lumia 710, from them.

 

Nokia Lumia 710 Now Shipping Globally

December 9, 2011 Windows Phone No Comments

It is official – Nokia has begun shipping on their second Windows Phone, the Lumia 710.  It is expected that the Lumia 710 will hit the US early next year with T-Mobile.

Here is the Press Release for the event from Nokia

Espoo, Finland – Nokia today announced the Nokia Lumia 710 will hit shelves, less than one month after the Nokia Lumia 800 started turning heads.

The Nokia Lumia 710 will start selling today in Taiwan alongside the Nokia Lumia 800. The Nokia Lumia 710 will then reach stores in Singapore, Hong Kong, India and Russia in the next seven days and continue its global roll-out over the coming weeks.

Estimated retail price is 270 EUR, excluding taxes and subsidies and availability will be via operator partners, retailers and open channels depending on local situation.

The colourful, affordable Nokia Lumia 710 was designed to make the Nokia Lumia experience accessible to more people around the world and at launch was widely praised as the best Windows Phone experience at is price point.  It combines the powerful social and Internet experience of Windows Phone with the ability to take pictures in almost any conditions and share with friends in seconds, as well as access to thousands of the most popular apps, including exclusive Nokia services.

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Impressive Macro Shots From Samsung Focus

December 8, 2011 Windows Phone No Comments

In the set of first generation Windows Phones, the Samsung Focus is generally accepted as having the best all around camera.  The 5MP camera with a built-in LED flash does a pretty good job, especially in daylight shots.  With Mango there were some added features given to the camera to improve contracts and saturation which has help a bit as well.

The impressive feature about the Samsung Focus that I see is often overlooked is the macro mode.  It is one of the few cameras on smartphones – let alone Windows Phone – that has a macro.  Even better though, it’s actually really good.  The photos in the post are unedited in any way and are as they were when I got them off of my Focus.

This first shot I took of my agenda and pen.

Focus Macro Image of Agenda and Pen

Focus Macro Image of Agenda and Pen

As you look at the photo up close you can see the etched serial number of my pen around the band and nice detail in the ink on the paper.  It is clear – pardon the pun – that the edges of the photos are a little soft so you will want to keep that in mind as you take macro shots with your Focus.  For this photo I was about 6″ away from the paper.

My second shot is a small model of the St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague, Czech Republic.

St. Vitus Cathedral Model Macro Shot

St. Vitus Cathedral Model Macro Shot

On this one you can see the fine ink details outlining the windows and doors and can even see where dust has collected on the base!  Details of the roof are also impressive.  Again, I was about 6″ from the model for this shot.

If you are a Samsung Focus owner and haven’t check out the macro mode you need to try it out for yourself.  If you are looking for this type of functionality on your next Windows Phone, the new Samsung Focus S has it as well as the HTC Titan.  The Titan is widely considered to have the best camera of the 2nd generation Windows Phones which is 8MP.
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Nokia Lumia 800 Available from NCIX in Canada with AT&T 3G Bands

December 8, 2011 Windows Phone No Comments

If the thought of having to wait until 2012 for a Nokia Windows Phone has your skin crawling, the folks at NCIX have you covered.  Who are NCIX you ask?  They are a retailer up in Canada and they have Nokia Lumia 800’s in stock.  Even better, the units they have have the AT&T 3G bands!  From their description:

Nokia Lumia 800 Unlocked 3G Windows Phone 3.7IN Amoled Touchscreen 8.0MP Camera 16GB – Black 
GSM: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz ; HSPA/WCDMA: 850/900/1900/2100 MHz 

The site is also clear that all sales are final and no exchanges can be made (unless it is defective of course).

The price is $689.99 (CAN) which as of this morning exchanges to $683.89 (US).  That price is good on their website only so for those of you who live along the Canadian border and wanted to just hop over to buy one, no can do.

For more information check out the NCIX Nokia Lumia 800 page

Singaporeans Line Up 8 Hours Early to Get The Nokia Lumia 800

December 7, 2011 Windows Phone No Comments

The Nokia Blog has posted a short article covering the release of the Nokia Lumia 800 Windows Phone in Singapore.  The article, which has some photos with it, points out that people waited up to 8 hours in line to get the new phone on its launch day today.  Granted, the first 100 also got an Xbox for their troubles but still, this is great to see!

Nokia Lumia 800 Line in Singapore (Courtesy of The Nokia Blog

It is clear that the Lumia 800 has drawn a lot of interest and focus on Windows Phone and it is also clear that Nokia has a much deeper relationship with Redmond than other Windows Phone manufactures.  Hopefully we will see similar scenes here in the US when the first Nokia devices start arriving in earnest in January 2012.

Source:  The Nokia Blog

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