It’s good to know most of the Symbian^3 devices will get an update allowing to have Skype access. As we do remember the earlier version of Belle launched on the Nokia N8 didn’t allow to use Skype, so the final version will finally solve the situation.

At the moment we have the following Skype functions working on Belle devices: chatting via Skype, free Skype-to-Skype calls and Skype-Out calls designed for regular phones. Still one of the most charming features of Skype, the video call is practically not available. Consequently, even if Belle is available on a handset coming originally with a front-facing camera, still you will not get a chance to use it for a video call.

A basic solution to it is the use of third-party apps like Fring to make video calls. Fring offers cheaper rates for the calls, but it there is one problem — it’s always hard to find friends on Fring as Skype is much more common among users.

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Before reading the official statements, we can tell you in short that the ClearBlack Screen is a circular polarizer in between GorillaGlass and LCD/AMOLED screen, which contributes to better readability due to the elimination of reflected light. It’s similar to sunglasses, but works better.

Here is how Nokia itself explains:

There’s both a linear polarizer and retardation layers between the surface of your phone and the display. When light hits your screen, this is what happens:

1. It hits the linear polarizer, this vertically polarizes the light. (Polarising means – roughly – aligning the wave vibration in a particular direction).
2. Then it hits the circular polarizer retardation layer. This converts the light again, making it right-circularly polarised
3. Then it hits the screen and bounces off it, switching the rotation of the light to leftist.
4. It goes back through the retardation layer. When this happens, the light becomes horizontally polarized.
5. Finally, it hits the linear polarizer, since the light is horizontally polarized at this point it can be blocked entirely by this optical solution.

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The video particularly confirms the platform will use the same kernel as the desktop/tablet version of Windows 8, plus both OSs will share the same network stacks, security and multimedia code. Besides, Windows Phone 8will feature deeper integration with Xbox, which will also share a client with desktop installs.

Seems Microsoft will refuse Zune client in favor of a dedicated companion app. But this is just an assumption and more details on it will be disclosed in coming weeks.

And lastly, we expected Skype to come pre-installed, but Paul Thurrott updated his Windows blog saying Skype won’t be installed default, so consumers can use any VoIP app.

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]]> http://www.nokiaphones.net/windows-phone-8-details-surfaced/feed/ 0 http://www.nokiaphones.net/nokia-lumia-900-available-for-pre-order/ http://www.nokiaphones.net/nokia-lumia-900-available-for-pre-order/#comments Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:33:01 +0000 Argam http://www.nokiaphones.net/?p=14005 No secret Nokia will launch its second Windows Phone in the US via AT&T, but nobody knows when exactly and at what price. We are talking about the Nokia Lumia 900, which is rumored to land on March 18 at $99.99 with a two-year contract. Things have gotten hotter as the phone is now available for pre-order.

The US will be the first country to greet Nokia’s first Windows Phone-packed LTE-enabled handset. The exclusive carrier will be AT&T, though some rumors say this exclusiveness will last for only a short period. Moreover, the same source mentioned the next carrier to offer the Lumia 900 will be T-Mobile. Most likely later on other carriers will join the marathon as well. Other than that, the Lumia 900 will be released in the UK, but the release is rumored to be scheduled for summer, so we assume other European countries will not get the phone earlier than this date.

What do we have? In a couple of months AT&T will launch the improved version of the Lumia 800 (if we can say so) at a quite affordable price. But if you want to be the first to get your hands on it, hurry to the closest Microsoft store and pre-order your own unit for $25, which will be included in the phone’s price later (when the final price tag is confirmed). You can choose the black or cyan Lumia 900 (you are required to pick your color option in advance).

We can’t say why the pre-orders are taken only by Microsoft stores and why the offer is not available online, but we believe it’s related to the uncertainty regarding the phone’s launch date and pricing.

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From time to time we hear Nokia lays off employees. Undoubtedly, regardless of the reason this is bad news as thousands of people appear unemployed. However, most likely Nokia was going down during last years because of too many workers. I mean it couldn’t cover its charges because it had to pay more than it was earning. If this is true, then Nokia Siemens Network is on the “right” path firing over 4000 employees in Germany and Finland.

Want it or not, this is official information and this number will reach 17,000 in 2013. With this move Nokia Siemens Network, which was originally created to help both Siemens and Nokia better compete on a global scale, is now reviewing its strategy and considers saving €1 billion per year. Well, we’ll see how things play out.

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The Lumia 710 runs Windows Phone Mango in conjunction with Bing and Internet Explorer 9, which means we deal with a handset having all necessary features to boast of.

The Lumia 710 is packed with a 3.7-inch ClearBlack WVGA display with a special scratch resistant cover, a 1.4GHz single-core Snapdragon Qualcomm processor, a 5 megapixel camera with autofocus and LED flash, a VGA front-facing camera, 512MB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage capabilities. Definitely the Lumia 710′s specs list is not so great as that of the Lumia 800, but the price difference covers the gap.

As to the software, it features Nokia Drive turn-by-turn navigation, free music subscription to Mix Radio, Windows Phone Office Hub and XBox live.

The Lumia lineup device will be available via the following mobile operators: Vodafone, Orange UK, T-Mobile UK and O2. As for the retail stores, we have Phones 4U and Carphone Warehouse.

The most accessible offer in the country is 15.50 GBP/monthly with a 12 months contract. But the offers are great many, so you just need to choose one most suitable for you.

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The first change will be noted with the upcoming WP smartphone, which will be introduced in November. The flip-out plastic tab covering the microUSB port will be removed. The designer stated they are planning to get rid of all movable features on the device. He even said sometime in the near future all kind of ports on the handsets might as well be removed.

So presumably future smartphones will have NFC support and wireless charging possibilities. At the moment NFC connectivity is supported only by the manufacturer’s Symbian devices, and as WP Mango doesn’t give a chance to feature it, Lumia handsets lack it. We hope to have a different situation with the release of WP Tango and Apollo.

As to wireless charging, the feature is widely used on smartphones of other manufacturers, so this might be just an experience transfer. The only problem concerns the charging of the device while in the car. Well, there is still a lot to do, but Nokia will manage, undoubtedly.

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]]> http://www.nokiaphones.net/future-lumia-handsets-to-feature-nfc-and-wireless-charging/feed/ 0 http://www.nokiaphones.net/t-mobile-nokia-lumia-710-now-free-with-a-contract/ http://www.nokiaphones.net/t-mobile-nokia-lumia-710-now-free-with-a-contract/#comments Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:10:09 +0000 Sona http://www.nokiaphones.net/?p=13949 The second Nokia Windows Phone, the Lumia 710 is finally getting more affordable. Originally available from T-Mobile at $49.99 it is now available for free. It’s noteworthy that we have this free option right a day after the price was cut to $39.99.

To get your free unit go to the closest Microsoft Store location or order one via T-Mobile official website.

Just to remind, the manufacturer stated this device would fit into the mid-range series, while it ended up as a low-cost entry level WP smartphone.

Similarly, the price of the device is dropped in other markets as well (Russia, India and even Canada). In Russia the smartphone’s price is cut by 35%, which is an enormous cut for a brand new smartphone. Now the Russian customers can get the handset for only 9890 rubles ($325).

Some experts claim the price cut is conditioned with the WP smartphone’s low sales. Still another flagship of the same lineup will be soon released, thus the interest towards the lineup needs to be kept on the top level. But on the other hand, different reports claim the phone is sold very well, so I personally think such price discounts are a strategic move to promote the Lumia series. I believe the Lumia 710 was designed to help Nokia become more popular, and not ensure some benefit.

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The second place is reserved by Samsung, which has reached 327 million (21 percent) and the third place by Cupertino-based Apple (93 million shipped units, thus 6 percent of share).

Well, this is cool for Nokia fans and disappointing for those who used to think a novice platform like Android can go ahead of Nokia. Amazingly, Nokia has lost 8 percent in comparison with 2010 (453 million shipped units), but still remains the greatest device vendor in the world. At the same time Samsung’s shipments have increased by 18 percent, but it is steeply behind. I am not talking about Apple, because it launches only one smartphone each year, and the sales volume it has, is rather good.

I don’t know how Lumia series handsets affected this data, but looking at the numbers, we understand Nokia is close to connect the next billion.

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The contest comes in the following form: you need to choose the best color option of the Lumia 710 in Nokia’s Facebook page and provide the details about yourself. The contest is open for the participants from various countries. The main requirement is that you should be of legal age in your home country.

The contest is open until February 13. After the deadline the computer will randomly choose among the contests and choose 5 lucky winners, who will get a Lumia 710 as a gift. The start of the gift distribution will start on February 14- St. Valentine’s Day. Thus it’s an additional reason of why to participate in the contest.  Just keep in mind to check the rules of the contest beforehand.

At the moment the Lumia 710 is only available via T-Mobile at the price of only $39.99 (due to the final price cut by $10). But later this year we should expect to get this device in other countries, including Canada (via Rogers) and the U.K.