lumia

Who has the 'real' Windows Phone? HTC makes its case

With its Windows Phone 8X and 8S smartphones, has HTC actually replaced Nokia as the darling of Microsoft?

Ever since Microsoft veteran Stephen Elop took the reins at Nokia and struck a transformational deal with his former company to fully back Windows Phone, it was assumed that the fallen Finnish mobile devices giant would be first among equals when it came to the upstart mobile operating system.

Elop assumed the role when he said a year ago that Nokia's Lumia handsets were "the first real Windows Phone," a not-so-subtle jab against earlier efforts, and a comment Microsoft … Read more

HTC co-opts Microsoft's Windows Phone name for 8X, 8S

HTC pulled the curtain back on its Windows Phone 8X and 8S smartphones, the latest takes on Microsoft's upcoming mobile platform.

It's shaping up to be an aggressive launch for Windows Phone 8, which already has the backing of Samsung, Nokia, and now HTC. The phones are expected to debut in November, following closely behind the launch of the desktop and tablet operating system Windows 8.

It's an illustration of Microsoft's confidence in HTC that the Windows Phone name will actually be used as the name of its devices, perhaps dampening Nokia's claim to being the "real" Windows Phone devices. … Read more

The 404 1,132: Where we're waiting in line for the iPhone Whatever (podcast)

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- Apple lines are party time...for a night or two.

- Everpurse fashionably charges smartphones.

- Google Maps shows how we spent our summer vacations.

- Missouri University correlates social-media success to self-esteem.

Bathroom break video: Remote-control rat pranks New Yorkers.… Read more

Now Nokia joins the anti-iPhone 5 party

Now the playground is full of name-callers.

First there was Samsung's muscle-baring, fact-sharing anti-iPhone 5 ad, which ran yesterday. You know, the one that said the Galaxy S3 is full of features and the iPhone 5, well, isn't.

And now Nokia is stiffening its fins in order to declare that its fine Lumia is happily better than Apple's long-faced newcomer.

Just as news of Samsung's ad came through on the hottest of wires, Nokia took to its Twitter account to declare: "Lumia 920: Wireless charging, amazing camera, screen you can use with gloves on and … Read more

Nokia says it took 'appropriate action' for fake-pic debacle

Nokia said it exercised "poor judgment" in faking video and stills supposedly shot by the recently unveiled Lumia 920 and that it has taken "appropriate action" to deal with the situation.

A Nokia representative, however, declined to specify what "appropriate action" actually meant.

"Today, we concluded the internal investigation, and our findings confirm that poor judgment was exercised in the use of the materials," the company said in an e-mailed statement. "As a result, we have taken appropriate action."

The Wall Street Journal first reported on Nokia's conclusion of … Read more

Which phone should you buy?

This story, originally published September 14, 2012, updates often to reflect the arrival of new phones.

"Which phone should I buy?" This is the single most common question readers like you ask us phone reviewers every day. With the launch of a new BlackBerry Z10 smartphone and upcoming BlackBerry Q10 joining the Apple iPhone 5, a legion of excellent Android handsets, and the rise of Microsoft's Windows phones, the choices are more numerous than ever before.

On the bright side, options are a good thing -- if you're armed with the knowledge necessary to make smart shopping decisions. Sit tight as we lay out what you need to find the right mobile platform and model for you.… Read more

iPhone 5 opens the door for Nokia, Samsung

News flash: The iPhone 5 is not the end-all and be-all of the smartphone universe, a fact that should thrill Nokia and Samsung alike.

Here's what it is: a strong improvement to the iPhone 4S that offers up a larger screen, 4G LTE speeds, and a terrific camera. The iPhone 5 carries on the goodness that Apple excels at, like iTunes entertainment and cloud storage.

But however good the iPhone 5 is, it lacks the knockout, gasp-inducing feature that Apple followers have come to expect: perhaps double the battery life of any other phone on the market, or an … Read more

Nokia could launch entry-level Windows Phone 7.5 handsets, says report

Nokia may offer entry-level Windows Phone 7.5 devices by year's end, according to DigiTimes.

Citing the usual "industry sources," DigiTimes said the new phones would be aimed at consumers in emerging markets, who are considered more price-sensitive.

The hardware requirements for Windows Phone 8 are stricter than those for its predecessor, demanding a dual-core processor and support for near-field communication (NFC). Those features would be difficult to add to more entry-level and mid-level phones, according to the sources, prompting the need for less pricey Windows Phone 7.5 devices.

A Nokia spokesman told CNET that the … Read more

Nokia City Lens app for Windows Phone 7 zooms in on local shops

Owners of virtually all Nokia Lumia phones will be able to discover local businesses via the company's new City Lens augmented reality.

Shown off by Nokia last week, City Lens overlays nearby businesses on the screen when you point your phone in their direction. Tapping a specific business reveals full details, including contact information, reviews, walking distance, and directions.

Though demoed for the upcoming Windows Phone 8 Lumia 920, the new app is actually available as of yesterday for the current Lumia 900, 800, and 710 Windows Phone 7 handsets. Owners of any of those phones can download City … Read more

Viber hits 100 million users, partners with Nokia on WP7

VoIP provider Viber has hit a new milestone.

The company announced today that it now has 100 million worldwide users taking advantage of its free phone calls, texting, and photo-messaging services. It's not clear if those users are actively using the service or have just signed up. Still, the company claims to handle over 2 billion minutes of calls and 6 billion messages every month. An average of 10 million calls are placed each day.

Viber has established itself as a true competitor to Skype, the popular VoIP service now owned by Microsoft. Viber works across iOS, Android, and … Read more