Archive for the ‘Operating Systems’ Category

New Windows Phone 8 smartphones: Nokia Lumia 920 and Nokia Lumia 820

Thursday, September 6th, 2012

Nokia has unveiled its new flagship smartphone – the Windows Phone 8 Nokia Lumia 920.

Together with the mid-range Nokia Lumia 820, these are its first Windows Phone 8 smartphones to be unveiled. Both will start shipping later this year.

Update (27 November, 2012):

The Lumia 920 (S$899) and Lumia 820 (S$699) will be available in Singapore shelves on 8 December 2012.

Nokia Lumia 920 and Nokia Lumia 820 - the new Microsoft Windows Phone 8 smartphones.

Nokia Lumia 920 and Nokia Lumia 820 – the new Microsoft Windows Phone 8 smartphones.

Both phones will be available in pentaband LTE and HSPA+ variants and are expected to start shipping in select markets later in the year.

Nokia will announce pricing and specific roll-out dates country by country when sales are due to begin.

The Nokia flagship Lumia 920 comes in yellow, red, grey, white or black

The Nokia flagship Lumia 920 comes in yellow, red, grey, white or black

The Nokia Lumia 920 incorporates the latest Nokia PureView imaging innovation.

It uses advanced floating lens technology that claims to take in “five times more light than competing smartphones without using flash, making it possible to capture clear, bright pictures and video indoors and at night”.

The mid-range Nokia Lumia 820 comes in red, yellow, grey, cyan, purple, white and black.

The mid-range Nokia Lumia 820 comes in red, yellow, grey, cyan, purple, white and black.

The touch-screen is able to differentiate between a bare finger and a glove one. You can still use the screen while wearing a ski glove.

Yellow Nokia Lumia 920 flagship smartphone running Microsoft Windows Phone 8 operating system.

Yellow Nokia Lumia 920 smartphone.

And it sports the same curved screen design I like in the Lumia 800.

The Nokia Lumia 820 comes with an exchangeable shell design that allows a range of colors, and enables wireless charging.

Beneath the shell is room to insert a microSD memory card.

Although both will feature a new faster 1.5GHz Dual Core Snapdragon S4 processor, the latest phones from Samsung, LG and Huawei will have Quad core processors, as will the iPhone 5 probably.

Nokia location suite

The Nokia Lumia 920 also comes with Nokia City Lens, the latest addition to the Nokia location suite.

The red and yellow Nokia Lumia 820.

The red and yellow Nokia Lumia 820.

By pointing the camera at a city street, City Lens overlays information about restaurants, shops, hotels and more on the surfaces of buildings, for the most intuitive way to explore surroundings.

Nokia City Lens is the start of a new augmented reality experience that also enhances Nokia Maps, making it possible to move between maps view and augmented reality view to help people check their direction and surroundings.

Nokia Drive and Nokia Transport have also been enhanced.

The Nokia Lumia 920 also comes with a large 2000mAh battery and features built-in wireless charging.

Wireless charging partners

Nokia Lumia 820 covers.

Nokia Lumia 820 covers.

Nokia also announced a range of wireless charging accessories and partnerships.

The Fatboy Recharge Pillow provides a fun way to recharge, while JBL introduced the JBL PowerUP, a wireless charging docking station with high quality audio in retro styling.

Deals with Virgin Atlantic to put wireless charging stations in the London Heathrow Clubhouse lounge and Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf to put charging plates on tables in some of their cafés, were the first of many deals Nokia intends to sign to take wireless charging outside the home and office.

Below are the key technical specifications for the Nokia Lumia 920 and Nokia Lumia 820, as well as their respective detailed datasheets.

Nokia Lumia 920 Nokia Lumia 820
Display 4.5 inch Nokia PureMotion HD+ WXGA IPS LCD

Super Sensitive touch

ClearBlack technology with high brightness mode and Sunlight Readability Enhancements

4.3 inch ClearBlack OLED WVGA 800×480

SuperSensitive touch

ClearBlack technology with high brightness mode and Sunlight Readability Enhancements

Battery 2000mAh with integrated Qi wireless charging 1650mAh with support for Qi wireless charging
Processor 1.5GHz Dual Core Snapdragon S4 1.5GHz Dual Core Snapdragon S4
Main camera 8.7MP with Nokia PureView advanced optical imaging stabilization and Carl Zeiss optics

Full 1080p HD video capture at 30fps

8MP Auto Focus with Carl Zeiss opticsDual LED flash

Full HD 1080p video capture at 30fps

Front facing camera 1.2MP with 720p HD video VGA
Memory 1GB RAM32GB mass memory with 7GB free SkyDrive storage 1GB RAM8GB mass memory with microSD memory card support and 7GB free SkyDrive storage

Datasheet for Nokia Lumia 920

Datasheet for Nokia Lumia 820

Nokia launches its first Windows Phone 8 smartphones

Wednesday, September 5th, 2012

Nokia has unveiled its first hardware running the new mobile operating system from Microsoft.

The Finnish phone maker launched two Windows Phone 8 smartphones – Lumia 920 and Lumia 820 – in a joint media event between Nokia and Microsoft in New York today.

Steve Ballmer (CEO Microsoft) and Stephen Elop (CEO Nokia) brandishing the new Windows Phone 8 Lumia 920 and Lumia 820 smartphones.

Steve Ballmer (CEO Microsoft) and Stephen Elop (CEO Nokia) brandishing the new Windows Phone 8 Lumia 920 and Lumia 820 smartphones at Manhattan today.

The one-and-a-half hour session just ended five minutes ago.

The joint media event saw the unveiling of the Lumia 920 (with PureView) and Lumia 820, with NFC, more powerful processors (1.5GHz Dual Core Snapdragon S4), better displays and new  augmented reality apps (City Lens) for its location suite and enhancements to existing apps (Nokia Drive, Maps and Transport).

Check back at this space for more updates on new features of the two new smartphones.

Nokia and Microsoft media event in New York

Wednesday, September 5th, 2012

Nokia and Microsoft are hosting a media event in New York today – probably to launch one or more smartphones running on the Windows Phone 8 operating system.

Nokia and Microsoft joint media event: 9:30am (ET), 10pm (Singapore Time).

Nokia and Microsoft joint media event: 9:30am (ET), 10pm (Singapore Time).

The joint conference from Nokia and Microsoft will take place at 9.30am (ET) today. That’s 10pm tonight in Singapore.

You can tune in here to follow the live webcast.

RIM unveils details of BlackBerry US$10k Developer Commitment initiative

Wednesday, September 5th, 2012

RIM has announced the details to two initiatives to attract developers to the BlackBerry 10 platform: the US$10k Developer Commitment initiative and Built for BlackBerry initiatives.

RIM BlackBerry 10 US$10K Developer Commitment.

RIM BlackBerry 10 US$10K Developer Commitment.

First announced during BlackBerry 10 Jam Singapore, the US$10,000 Developer Commitment initiative is offered to developers that meet the following criteria.

US$10K Developer Commitment

Developers must certify their apps through the Built for BlackBerry program and submit them prior to the launch of BlackBerry 10.

RIM Built for BlackBerry developer initiative.

RIM Built for BlackBerry developer initiative.

Over the period of 12 months from launch of BlackBerry 10, if the app earns at least US$1,000 on its own but less than US$10,000, RIM will pay the developer the difference between the revenue earned and US$10,000.

Developers are only eligible to receive this one time. In the event where the app earns less than US$1,000 or more than US$10,000, the app is not qualified to be part of the program.

Built for BlackBerry

The Built for BlackBerry program will be initiated this September and allow developers to submit their BlackBerry 10 apps for third-party review.

From productivity apps to lifestyle apps to games, developers will be able to submit their BlackBerry 10 WebWorks or BlackBerry 10 Native app to the Built for BlackBerry program, and when cleared through the review, will receive the “Built for BlackBerry” quality status.

The “Built for BlackBerry” designation will convey to customers the added level of evaluation an app has gone through and that it meets RIM’s high standards for quality and performance.Developers will be able to display this title on their website, on the BlackBerry App World storefront, and anywhere else they market their apps.It is a means for professional developers to differentiate their apps on BlackBerry App World.

The program will be free for now.

Top 3 SingTel Grid Girls for Singapore Formula 1

Sunday, September 2nd, 2012

In the finale to SingTel’s series of roadshows leading up to the Singapore Grand Prix, SingTel has unveiled the Singapore Grand Prix trophy, the top three SingTel Grid Girls, Singapore’s fastest electric go-kart racer, and the champions of the F1 in Schools programme.

SingTel Grid Girls finalists waiting with bated breath for the results of the competition.

SingTel Grid Girls finalists waiting with bated breath for the results of the competition.

Fifth time title sponsor of the Formula 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix had teamed up with race promoter, Singapore GP to organise the “F1 for Everyone” roadshows across Singapore.

Unveiling of the new FORMULA 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix trophy.

Unveiling of the new FORMULA 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix trophy. This photo courtesy of SingTel.

The weekend finale at Big Splash saw the unveiling of a new FORMULA 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix trophy.

Arrian North and Esther Leong at the roadshow.

Arrian North and Esther Leong at the roadshow.

The new trophy was crafted by local designer Nathan Yong.

It  resembles the interlocking branches and leaves of the laurel wreath, traditionally worn as a symbol of victory at sporting events in ancient Greece.

The circular shape of the trophy also represents Speed, Connection and Unity, symbolising the coming together of top international drivers in the Formula 1 races around the world.

The event was officiated by Mr S Iswaran, Minister in Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Home Affairs & Trade and Industry.

Ashvin Sandhu and Rebecca Ly Dia Dore at the roadshow.

Ashvin Sandhu and Rebecca Ly Dia Dore, two of the top 8 finalists at the roadshow.

The highlight of the event was the unveiling of the top three 2012 SingTel Grid Girls.

Top Grid Girl in 2012 is 21-year-old Ashvin Sandhu.

Top Grid Girl in 2012 is 21-year-old Ashvin Sandhu.

This is the first time that the top three SingTel Grid Girls have been selected based purely on public SMS and online voting.

1st Runner-up Emily Chia.

1st Runner-up Emily Chia

The top three girls, who were crowned at the event, will get to hold the Singapore, Formula One and Singapore GP flags at the Singapore Grand Prix this year.

The Top Grid Girl this year is 21-year old Ashvin Sandhu, an avid F1 fan who has watched almost every race over the past few years.

In second place is 21-year old Emily Chia, a lover of fast cars.

In third place is 23-year old Esther Leong who thrives on the adrenaline of the race and extreme sports.

In order to reach out to everyone in Singapore, including families, youths and people with special needs, SingTel invited students from APSN Tanglin School to experience the electric go-karts at the first roadshow in the series.

Emily Chia, one of top 8 finalists of the SingTel Grid Girl competition.

Emily Chia, looking like a doll … Barbie?

F1 excitement was also brought to the schools.

2nd Runner-up Esther Leong

2nd Runner-up Esther Leong

Displaying finesse on the circuit, students from the “F1 in Schools” programme tried their hand at Singapore’s first ever electric go-kart experience in a bid to clock the fastest race time.

The “F1 in Schools” is an international competition where school children aged nine to 19 design, manufacture and race their miniature cars.

In another thrilling speed race but on a much smaller track, students put their self-made gas-powered miniature F1 cars to the test in an exciting time-based competition.

In addition, the public enjoyed their version of the “mini” race, setting off gas-powered miniature F1 cars in a bid to achieve the fastest possible reaction timings within 0.18 of a second to win attractive prizes.

If eyes could smile ...

If eyes could smile …

To encourage more people to embrace the F1 experience both on and off the track, SingTel and Singapore GP have launched two new applications, for iPhone and Android users, to be available on the App Store and Google Play.

If eyes could talk ...

If eyes could talk …

The SingTel application is a social app that acts as a guide to inform F1 fans of the exciting activities taking place this race season.

In addition, app users can share their favorite F1 moments, activities and photos with their friends.

The Singapore GP app is meant for serious F1 fans, and has the latest news on the 2012 FORMULA 1 SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX.

It will keep users up to speed with the current driver and team standings, allowing them to take part in Singapore GP contests as well as purchase tickets to the night race.

COMEX 2012 promotions: Asus

Thursday, August 30th, 2012

Asus will be at COMEX 2012 at Suntec Singapore at Level 4, Booths 8220 & 8310.

Click to view or download Asus promotions during COMEX 2012.

Click to view or download Asus promotions during COMEX 2012.

Check out Asus’ range of notebooks, Ultrabooks, netbooks, tablets. They are pioneers in the consumer computers arena with their EE PC netbooks, Transformer tablets, and PadFones.

Check out their COMEX 2012 discounts and freebies here.

COMEX 2012 promotions: Lenovo

Thursday, August 30th, 2012

Lenovo will be at COMEX 2012 at Suntec Singapore at Hall 401, Booth 8358.

Click to view or download Lenovo promotions during COMEX 2012.

Click to view or download Lenovo promotions during COMEX 2012.

Check out Lenovo’s complete range of computers, ranging from desktops, all-in-ones, notebooks, ultrabooks to ThinkPad accessories.

View or download Lenovo’s COMEX 2012 promotions flyers here.

COMEX 2012 promotions: HP

Thursday, August 30th, 2012

HP will be at COMEX 2012 at Suntec Singapore at Level 4, Hall 401, Booths 8108, 8150, 8245, 8428.

Check out promotions and offers from HP during COMEX 2012.

Check out promotions and offers from HP during COMEX 2012.

Check out HP’s COMEX 2012 discounts and freebies for computers, printers, media, and accessories.

HP在COMEX 2012售卖着多样产品,包括电脑,打印机,电脑零件,以及打印机所用的纸张与墨。在展览期间都享有折扣。HP的产品可在四楼8108,8150, 8245,以及8428号展览亭购买。” – 科技点心(微薄)

Computers (Booths 8150 & 8245) include desktops, all-in-ones, notebooks, and ultrabooks.

Printers (Booth 8150) include HP’s LaserJet laser printers, Officejet all-in-one (AIO) laser printers, as well as Deskjet and Photosmart inkjet AIO printers.

Media include a full range of printer papers and inks.

Accessories (Booths 8108, 8245 & 8428) include keyboards, mice, speakers, headphones, webcams, laptop bags, and hard drives.

COMEX 2012 promotions: Fujitsu

Wednesday, August 29th, 2012

Fujitsu will be at COMEX 2012 at Suntec Singapore at Hall 401, Booth 8241.

Click to view or download Fujitsu promotions during COMEX 2012.

Click to view or download Fujitsu promotions during COMEX 2012.

Check out Fujitsu’s Lifebook notebooks, Ultrabooks, tablets and accessories; as well as their trade-in offers and freebies for purchases during COMEX 2012.

COMEX 2012 promotions: HTC

Wednesday, August 29th, 2012

HTC will be at COMEX 2012 at Suntec Singapore in Hall 601 at Booth 6458.

Click to view or download HTC promotion flyers for COMEX 2012.

Click to view or download HTC promotion flyers for COMEX 2012.

HTC is giving away free gifts ranging from HTC Media Link HD (worth $128) & Jabra EasyGo (worth $88) for the purchase of an HTC One S Deluxe; to a free Jabra BT-2046 Bluetooth earpiece (worth $58) for the purchase of an HTC One V or HTC Desire V.

Looks like rather good deals to be had here. Check out the detailed giveaways here.