Archive for the ‘Windows Phone 7’ Category

Technical specifications: Nokia Lumia 710

Saturday, December 10th, 2011

The Lumia 710 was launched in Singapore on 7 December 2011 and will hit the shelves in a few weeks at a RRP of S$505 (excl GST and no contract).

Nokia Lumia 710 on Microsoft Windows Phone 7. Click on image to see full data sheet.

Nokia Lumia 710 on Microsoft Windows Phone 7. Click on image to see full data sheet.

Nokia Lumia 710

Nokia Lumia 710

The Nokia Lumia 710 can be personalized with exchangeable back covers and is designed for instant social & image sharing, and promises a great browsing experience with IE9.

It is available in black and white with black, white, cyan, fuchsia and yellow back covers.

With the same 1.4 GHz processor, hardware acceleration and graphics processor as the Nokia Lumia 800, the Nokia Lumia 710 promises to deliver high performance at an affordable price.

The main technical specifications of the Nokia Lumia 710 are summarized below.

Networks WCDMA 900/1900/2100, GSM/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900
Speed HSDPA cat 10: 14.4 Mbps, HSUPA cat 6: 5.76 Mbps
Display 3.7″ WVGA (800×480) TFT capacitive touch ClearBlackTM display with pinch zoom
Operating System Windows Phone 7.5 – Mango
Memory 512MB RAM, 8GB storage
Camera 5Mpix auto-focus, LED flash, Video capturing MPEG-4 720p @ 30 fps
Size/Weight 119mm x 62.4mm x 12.5mm (LxWxT) / 81.1cc / 125.5g
Connectivity WLAN 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1, A-GPS, micro-USB connector and charging, 3.5mm AHJ connector
Processor 1.4 Ghz Single Core MSM8255 (WCDMA)
Audio MP3 player, Audio jack: 3.5mm, Supported codecs incl.: mp3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, wma
Battery 1300 mAh
Talk time (GSM/WCDMA) up to 6.9 h/7.6h
Standby time (GSM/WCDMA) up to 400h
Music playback up to 38 hours

 

Nokia’s amazing “Prepare to be amazed” launch

Thursday, December 8th, 2011

For its launch of the Lumia 800 and Lumia 710, Nokia has made it clear that it is not just launching these two handsets.

Niklas Savander, Executive Vice President, Markets, Nokia Corporation flew in from Finland to expound the virtues of the Lumia product line in Singapore.

Niklas Savander, Executive Vice President, Markets, Nokia Corporation flew in from Finland to expound the virtues of the Lumia product line in Singapore.

Instead, it is launching a holistic mobile experience for the smartphone user – from the hardware performance to the software user interface, right down to the ecosystem of applications for users and development tools and environment for developers.

Tracey Fellows, Area Vice President, Microsoft Asia Pacific

Tracey Fellows, Area Vice President, Microsoft Asia Pacific

The launch event was a testimony to this holistic approach.

There were customized sessions to woo different segments of that ecosystem.

The first session of the day was a “fireside chat” where Nokia and Microsoft executives briefed developers how they are developing and building the ecosystem.

Nokia is working with global and local developers to create new, innovative and differentiated apps and content for all Nokia devices.

Emphasis has been placed on supporting local developers transition to develop for the Windows Phone platform.

Ask Andrej Sonkin about how excited he is with the Lumia. He is the Head of Smart Devices for Nokia Southeast Asia Pacific.

Ask Andrej Sonkin about how excited he is with the Lumia. He is the Head of Smart Devices for Nokia Southeast Asia Pacific.

It is also partnering with local institutions to actively develop applications.

This was followed by the keynote conference when the actual products were launched, and guests and media had a chance to hands-on the handsets and accessories.

Key executives from both Nokia and Microsoft were on hand for interviews to go into details with their plans for the Singapore market and their local focus, as well as the product specifications for the Nokia Lumia range of products.

The launch event was wrapped up with a bum-boat ride to Clark Quay for a party at Read Bridge.

New smartphones: Nokia Lumia 800 and 710

Wednesday, December 7th, 2011

The first Nokia smartphones based on Windows Phone debut in Singapore. Lumia 800 (S$775 excl GST) will be available in Singapore this Saturday on 10 Decmeber 2011. Lumia 710 (S$505 excl GST) will arrive shortly.

Nokia Lumia 800, Windows Phone 7, S$775 before GST

Nokia Lumia 800, Windows Phone 7, S$775 before GST

Nokia Lumia 710, Windows Phone 7, S$505 before GST

Nokia Lumia 710, Windows Phone 7, S$505 before GST

Nokia kicks off Christmas vigil with a new beginning – the Nokia Lumia 800 promises consumers the best integrated social experience and fast Internet browsing, bringing content to life for the consumer.
Nokia Lumia 800 comes in vivid colours

Nokia Lumia 800 comes in vivid colours

Judging from my hands-on with the sleek looking gadget so far, it has every chance of fulfilling that promise.

From the few Windows Phone 7 smartphones available thus far, the Lumia 800 seems to deliver the best Windows Phone experience on the market.

The Lumia 800 comes with in vivid colours and is housed in a sleek, polycarbonate body with a 3.7 inch AMOLED ClearBlack curved display.

Containing Carl Zeiss optics, it offers users  an instant-share camera experience and HD video playback, and the best social and Internet performance, with one-touch access to social networks.

Here are the main tech specs for the Nokia Lumia 800.

Nokia Lumia 710 comes with interchangeable covers

Nokia Lumia 710 comes with interchangeable covers

For those looking for a more fun and personal device, the Lumia 710 comes with colorful changeable covers and is more affordable.

Here are the main tech specs for the Nokia Lumia 710.

Both models include signature Nokia experiences optimised for Windows Phone, including Nokia Drive, Nokia Maps and Nokia Music.

Nokia has also introduced the on-ear Nokia Purity HD Stereo Headset and the in-ear Nokia Purity Stereo Headset by Monster, intended to shoe-in a range of premium audio accessories to complement the Nokia Lumia range of smartphones.

Quick summary of IT company results

Wednesday, October 19th, 2011

It’s been a busy few days of earnings results from IT bigwigs. Here’s a quick sum-up of the state of the IT industry:

Brisk days of results from Apple, Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, RIM BlackBerry, Amazon, and IBMYahoo! did well with profits beating estimates – could it be because expectations were low?

Conversely, Apple didn’t do so good, missing analysts’ predictions for the first time in at least six years – but that’s probably because expectations were so high!

Google’s doing real well with sales and profit beating estimates – from search advertising growth as usual.

Microsoft is patting itself on its back – for not having bought Yahoo! back in 2008. And taking a swipe at Google’s Android – Steve Balmer says you need to be a computer scientist to use an Android smart phone, unlike Windows Phone 7.

RIM’s still trying to find its way forward by taking a step backward – trying to bridge new QNX with “old” BlackBerry OS 7 – hope that works out.

Amazon is being sued for screwing up the career of an actress by revealing her real age against her will in IMDb.

On the corporate IT front, industry bell weather IBM missed analysts’ estimates on slowing revenue growth at its software, hardware and services businesses.

New smartphone: Samsung Omnia W

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

Samsung’s first Mango-based smartphone features a vivid Super AMOLED display as well as People Hub – which provides enriched content and social communication experience.

The Omnia W will be available in Singapore by the end of the year for S$498 (incl 7% GST), without line contract.

Samsung Omnia W, based on Windows Phone 7.5 Mango.

Samsung Omnia W, based on Windows Phone 7.5 Mango.

Based on the latest release of Microsoft’s Windows Phone, code-named Mango, the phone sports a 3.7” Super AMOLED display, a 1.4 GHz processor and 14.4 Mbps HASPA connectivity.

The design thrust of the Omnia W is to put people at the centre of everything, with emphasis placed on social networking and sharing. Internet Explorer 9 and Bing are integrated into the entire experience.

Windows Phone 7.5

Mango’s unique and intuitive user interface lays out applications in mosaic ‘Live Tiles’ which flow and move in response to users’ touch on the screen. Six specialized Microsoft applications provide an engaging content and communication experience.

Samsung Electronics Co LtdWindows Phone People Hub is integrated with built-in social networking services like Windows Live, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, for users to stay connected with their social community constantly.

Office Hub provides enhanced productivity on-the-go and includes access to Windows Live Sky Drive, which provides 25GB of free storage and allows documents and media files to be easily stored and accessed. Users can also create and edit documents through mobile versions of Microsoft Office Excel, Word and PowerPoint, as well as utilize One Note, a note-taking platform that allows easy sharing and storage of voice memos, images and text-based notes.

Stylish, slim metal finish for the Samsung Omnia W

Stylish, slim metal finish for the Samsung Omnia W

Seamless access to entertainment is enhanced by the integration of a Picture Hub, Music & Video Hub – powered by Microsoft Zune – and Game Hub, which provides the latest in social gaming experiences through Xbox live, for friends to chat with each other while gaming. Windows Phone Marketplace provides access to over 30,000 apps to meet customer needs across entertainment or productivity.

Samsung differentiation

The overall Windows Phone experience is significantly enhanced with the inclusion of Samsung-exclusive productivity apps. This includes Samsung AllShare, which provides seamless content transfer between the smartphone and other DLNA-enabled devices such as HDTV’s, monitors and digital cameras.

The Samsung Omnia W tries to put people and social networking at the centre of its experience.

The Samsung Omnia W tries to put people and social networking at the centre of its experience.

Video Call is an easy-to-use app which allows ultra-fast vivid 3G video conversations with friends and family. Additionally, Mini Diary enables users to capture their experiences in multimedia formats and create their own personalized digital journal while on the go. An upgraded Samsung eBook client is also available from Samsung Zone.

Users can stay up-to-date with the latest news and events with Now 2.0 app, which provides up-to-the minute current affairs, stock market and weather information. RSS Time allows RSS feeds for newspapers, magazines and blogs to be downloaded onto the device and read in an easily digestible format, while eye-catching articles can be instantly shared via email or Facebook.

The device features enhanced social network integration, with Twitter and LinkedIn weaved throughout the Omnia W in addition to Facebook, for photos and videos to be instantly shared across a variety of social networking sites hassle-free.

Detailed specifications of the Omnia W are tabulated below:

(more…)

Microsoft to demonstrate Windows 8 operating system

Tuesday, September 13th, 2011

The new operating system will run on tablets, desktop and laptop computers via a touch screen, mouse or keyboard. It will also be backward compatible to existing Windows software.

Windows 8 represents Microsoft’s hope of wrestling market share for tablet computers from Apple iPads and Android tablets.

Microsoft will unveil the next iteration of their Windows operating system software today at a developers conference in Anaheim, California. A preview of the design was first released in June this year.

This will be the first time that a Windows operating system is capable of running on chip technology from ARM. Microsoft aims to make Windows 8 capable of running smaller, thinner tablet computers with battery life that can rival that of the market leader – Apple’s iPad.

Out of 60 million media tablets expected to be shipped 2011, 74 percent will be Apple’s iPads, according to an August forecast by IHS. The global market is forecasted to rise to 275.3 million units in 2015, with Apple expected to account for 43.6 percent of the market.

Windows 8 design

The user interface for Windows 8 resembles Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 smartphone operating system – it uses digital tiles instead of icons to help users navigate between programs. The tiles are on the computer’s home screen can display updated information from inside applications, so that users can see the info at a glance without having to fire up those apps.

HTC and Acer switch fortunes as smartphones and tablets outmode netbooks and PCs

Thursday, March 31st, 2011
HTC is now valued at 22.2 times reported earnings, compared with 10.6 for Acer. Only in February last year, HTC had a PE ratio of 11 times, while Acer was at 22.

Taipei-based HTC is the world’s largest maker of handsets using operating systems from Google and Microsoft. Acer is the world’s second-largest manufacturer of personal computers.

HTC makes Android and Windows Mobile smartphonesThe wheel of fortune for the two companies seems to have turned as sales of smartphones and tablet computers grew at the expense of notebooks and personal computers.

Prior to the explosive growth, set off by Apple, of the smartphone and tablet sector, Acer had snatched the lead from Asus for a similarly explosive growth in the netbook sector.

From HTC’s low in February last year, it has rallied some 264 percent, while Acer has fallen by 36 percent. According to Kevin Chang from Citigroup, Acer is the biggest seller of consumer notebooks in the developed world.

Acer won the pole position for the netbook market from AsusIn a report dated March 28, Chang wrote that “Consumers are not buying notebooks because they have already spent money on new tablet PCs or on upgrading their handsets from feature phones to smartphones.” He adds that Acer could become “a much smaller company in the next few years,” if tablet PC sales grow to exceed those for notebooks.

Not surprisingly, Chang has a “sell” rating on Acer’s stock and a “buy” recommendation on HTC.

A March 24 report from the Goldman Sachs Group estimates that HTC’s market worth may reach $100 billion in the next three to five years from $30 billion now, as the company ships a possible 200 million smartphones and 30 million tablet computers a year.

HTC’s value has quadrupled since reaching a low of $7.4 billion in February last year, while Acer’s market capitalization has declined to $5.6 billion from a peak of $9.4 billion reached in January 2010.

Apple WWDC 2011 sold out almost immediately

Tuesday, March 29th, 2011
As expected, tickets for the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) this year were sold out even faster than last year’s 8 days. Tickets, priced at US$1,599, were sold out almost immediately when sales commenced.
Apple WWDC 2011 tickets sold out
Slated to be held from June 6 – 10 at San Francisco’s Moscone West, there is much speculation on whether the iPhone 5 will be launched during the conference. There is also chatter on whether the iOS5 and new Mac OS Lion will be released during the conference. 

At any rate, the rapid sell-out of the tickets indicate that the popularity of the Apple ecosystem is showing no signs of losing its momentum, even in the face of competition from Android-based devices and the resurgence of devices based on Windows Phone 7, HP’s webOS and RIM’s BlackBerry Playbook.