Windows Phone software

What to expect from Nokia's next Windows phone

On September 5, Microsoft and Nokia will introduce the world to the its first Windows Phone 8 devices. The form of that signature handset remains a mystery for now, but I'll venture a guess that from the outside, the next iteration of Nokia's flagship phone will look very similar to the Nokia Lumia 900 device we know now.

Why do I say such a thing? There are a few reasons. First, the form factor would be more easily produced than creating a new design in a relatively short period. After all, the Lumia 900's look already exists … Read more

Microsoft overhauls Windows Phone Dev Center, adds PayPal support

Microsoft has completely overhauled its Windows Phone Dev Center and added some extra ways for developers to get paid.

The company today announced the changes in a blog post, saying that the site, which allows developers to do everything from submit applications to download software development kits, was completely rebuilt "from the ground up." The design itself comes with a healthy amount of white space and a streamlined, basic feel. According to Microsoft, the redesign aims "at providing faster access to common tasks."

For developers, however, the key additions come by way of availability and payments. … Read more

Nokia Maps wheels and deals with Groupon Now

Roughly six months ago, Nokia announced a partnership with Groupon that would incorporate deals into its Nokia Maps apps for Nokia Lumia phones. Today, Nokia released a new version of Nokia Maps (2.5) that surfaces Groupon Now deals.

Groupon Now is the segment of Groupon's collective couponing company that advertises local, extremely limited-time offers. The integration with Nokia Maps uses GPS coordinates to surface nearby Groupon Now deals and help navigate you to them via car, foot, or public transport, in a single app. Nokia says you can also redeem the coupons using Nokia Maps.

In addition to … Read more

Samsung leaks Windows Phone 8 devices in Apple court documents

Samsung is planning to get in on the Windows Phone 8 launch later this year, according to a new report.

The Verge is reporting today that it discovered two Windows Phone 8-based Samsung devices in court documents filed in Samsung's case with Apple. Code-named Odyssey and Marco, the devices are slated for a fourth-quarter launch, according to The Verge. It's believed that Microsoft will launch Windows Phone 8 in the fourth quarter, as well.

In terms of the specs, the devices appear to be somewhat powerful, boasting dual-core Qualcomm processors and support for LTE, according to The Verge. … Read more

Nokia to make carriers partners on Windows Phone, report says

Nokia is considering trying something new to jumpstart its declining mobile business, according to a new report.

The mobile company is currently in talks with European carriers to sign an exclusive partnership for its upcoming Windows Phone 8-based device, the Financial Times is reporting today, citing sources. The deals could see Nokia's devices offered on fewer networks, and give carriers a piece of the revenue its handsets generate. The idea, according to the Financial Times, is for carriers to receive financial incentives to actively promote Nokia products.

If Nokia is indeed following such a strategy, it would mark a … Read more

Windows Phone to snag 4 percent of smartphone share in '12

Windows Phone is starting to gain some ground, but don't expect it to be an Android threat anytime soon.

New data released today by research firm Strategy Analytics indicates that Windows Phone will secure 4 percent of the U.S. smartphone market this year, up from the 3 percent it nabbed in 2011. The research firm says Microsoft's operating system will be running on 5 million smartphones sold in 2012, compared with 3.5 million last year.

"Nokia, HTC and Samsung have some of the biggest Microsoft smartphone portfolios at present and they will be three main … Read more

AT&T slashes Nokia Lumia 900 price by half

It was only a matter of time that AT&T drop the price of the Nokia Lumia 900 in a move that's great for consumers and perhaps not so good for Nokia.

Starting today, the Lumia 900 costs just $49.99 with a new two-year service agreement, down from its already-inexpensive $99.99 price tag when the smartphone first debuted in April.

The Lumia 900 has a terrific 4.3-inch screen, LTE speeds, and an 8-megapixel camera. It also runs Windows Phone 7.5, and like all other existing Windows phones, will not be upgradeable to Windows Phone 8 OS … Read more

Harsh: Windows Mobile still more popular than Windows Phone

The headline out of the latest smartphone market share numbers from Nielsen is that Android now operates 51 percent of smartphones in the U.S., but the punchline is that Windows Mobile still holds twice as much market share as its far more attractive successor, Windows Phone.

Ouch. That's the statistical equivalent of American consumers giving Steve Ballmer an atomic wedgie.

Windows Mobile, which used the Windows CE "Pocket PC" kernel, basically sought to jam the Windows desktop into a phone and never gained too much traction or acclaim. Yet somehow, following in the grand tradition of … Read more

The near future of smartphones (Smartphones Unlocked)

High-flying skydive stunts! Steering-wheel voice commands! Predictive search that knows your life! That was June for us, one big sneak peek of the mobile platform future, a flurry of OS features and software specs that Apple, Google, Microsoft, and RIM lobbed at us from San Francisco area events all in the same month. It was so busy around here, we CNETers dubbed the month "Junesanity."

The specs that emerged from these four events are a peek at the near future of mobile phones. In addition, the flashy presentations were designed to win developers and consumers to each company'… Read more

Rumor Has It: iPad Mini launching in October? (video)

June was cruel to the iPad, which saw its tablet competition grow fearsome.

Microsoft showed off its Surface tablet, which is aimed squarely at stealing iPad lovers away with the lure of its keyboard case (though without pricing, launch date, or any real details, it's hard to know if the iPad has anything to fear). Not to be left behind, Google took the wraps off its much-rumored and ballyhooed 7-inch Nexus Tablet. All that excitement was enough to wake the dead; in this case, it reanimated the iPad Mini rumor, which had been laid to rest.

Not anymore! Analysts … Read more