— Windows Phone Design (@WPdesignteam) July 19, 2013
Russian blogger Eldar Murtazin recently claimed that Microsoft was planning to review the Windows Phone 8 user interface and rebuild it from scratch, possibly ditching Metrocompletely for the next major version of Windows Phone.
It seems the Windows Phone Design Team on Twitter were not too impressed with this idea, posting:
"Scrapping everything and starting over"? Hahaha.
Of course the tweet does not mean that the Metro design guidelines are not being reviewed, or that the Windows Phone team is aware of all the changes underfoot. One simply need to look at all the conflicting messages, even from official sources, regarding the ability to upgrade handsets from Windows Phone 7 to Windows Phone 8.
However it is clear that, at least overtly, the team are not aware of a complete reboot of Windows Phone’s UI.
DigiTimes reports that the Nokia Lumia 625 will hit the Chinese market before the end of July for the somewhat reasonable price of only $320.
That will buy you a 4.7 inch WVGA display, dual-core 1.2GHz processor, LTE, VGA front-facing camera, 5MP rear camera, 512MB of RAM, and a 2,000 mAh battery.
Larger screened devices are popular and China and India, where smartphones are often the only computer a buyer will own.
The handset will be manufactured by Compal and with even wider distribution of the Nokia Lumia 520 form part of Nokia’s Q3 2013 low-end Windows Phone foundation.
The handset is slightly more expensive than the Samsung Galaxy Grand, which has similar specs but with a 8 megapixel camera and 5 inch screen.
Do our readers think $320 is the right price point for this handset? Let us know below.
If your screen looks like mine to the right, you have also been unable to install Microsoft’s hottest ever Windows Phone game.
It seems Halo: Spartan Assault installation issues are quite wide spread, prompting Joe Belfiore, head of Windows Phone, to tweet that Microsoft is working on a fix for the issue, but that it may take a day or two to clear up.
The Halo: Spartan Assault game is ground breaking for allowing users to start a game on their phone and continue it on a tablet, is in USA is currently exclusive to Verizon.
Have many of our readers run into this Installation issue? Let us know below.
WhatsApp has had another update, to version 2.10.523.0, and the reviews for the app are singing its praises, calling it “Reliable, fast, at parity with other platforms.”
Its good to see the team iterating so rapidly and correcting the residual bugs in the app.
The super pretty app “Super Contacts“, is now “Super Fast”, relatively speaking that is:) – version 1.2.1 now out addresses performance issues and other bugs when adding many contacts to a group.
Also in this release is a new virtual folder named “Favorites”. I realized based on feedback, that adding contacts to group doesn’t necessarily make them favorite contacts. So “real” favorite contacts should be added to this virtual folder, and they will be the only contacts that will be displayed in the all favorites page.
Download this app now to see why this is the most beautiful there is for grouping contacts easily and efficiently!
For those of you who are new to this app, below are some of the important features of the app.
Very beautiful home page
20+ templates for featured groups
Customizable background
Attractive live tiles
Excellent customizable dialer page
Turn on/off mini dialer on the home page
Context menus for contacts and groups allows for fewer steps to act on them.
Strengthen your spiritual connection with the ‘dua now’ app, available for free on the Windows Marketplace.
Based on the popular Hisnul Muslim book, the dua now app offers an assortment of authentic duas and adkhar. Designed to provide the user with a spiritual springboard, this app allows the user to engage in one of the most effective and powerful acts of worship: dua
Mimicking the fluidity and the simplicity of the Windows Phone user interface, dua now lays out the dua content in a very modern and clean way. The duas are presented in both English and Arabic, with an effective use of colour to differentiate between the two. Some of the features that this app has to offer include:
Duas are sorted into categories for easy access.
Search feature enables users to find a particular dua by the content or the relevant section.
Ability to pin favourite duas to start screen.
Duas can also be listed in the favorites for easy access.
Nokia has been steadily getting back into the game with the Lumia series, and is posting good numbers. In its earning call for this quarter, the Finnish manufacturer posted a total loss of $196 million, which is significantly better than last year wherein the loss was $1.31 billion. Its Devices and Services division is doing much better thanks to the strong sales of Lumia devices in emerging markets.
Now that the Windows Phone platform itself is gaining momentum, Nokia has seen fit to target the heavily contested budget segment of the market with the Lumia 520 in countries like India. Make no mistake; this device has its work cut out for it as it goes directly against the likes of local manufacturer offerings like the Xolo Q700, Micromax’s Canvas 2 Plus and Karbonn’s S5 Titanium,.
Lumia 520 details
In a market that is clearly focused on Android, Nokia has introduced a Windows Phone device that is very distinct, and comes with a lot of features that are unique to the platform. While it doesn’t make sense to match internal hardware of the Lumia 520 with the budget Android crowd as Windows Phone works well on meagre hardware, let’s go through what the 520 offers. It comes with a 4-inch screen with a resolution of 800X480, dual-core 1 GHz processor, 512 MB RAM, 8 GB ROM, 5 MP camera and a 1430 mAh battery.
What makes the Lumia 520 stand out?
Although the hardware is decidedly low, the Lumia 520 has managed to find a lot of traction in growing markets, and has now become the best-selling Windows Phone device to date. In India alone, it has 31.3% of the Windows Phone market. What makes the device stand out from so many others in the market? Let’s find out:
Lack of international manufacturers: There is a dearth of handsets in this category from international manufacturers like Nokia in the country. While Samsung does have a device in the category in the Galaxy S Duos, it is very sluggish and doesn’t hold a candle to the current batch of devices from Micromax and Karbonn. So for Nokia to have a device in this segment adds a lot of value as the Finnish manufacturer has a lot of brand recognition in India.
Colours: From the first glance, the Lumia 520 stands out. In a world filled with black or white Android handsets, the Lumia 520’s design and styling is a breath of fresh air. Also, it is available in 5 colours, making it stand out amidst a crowd of dreary devices.
Freshness of Windows Phone: We are now at a stage where Android is fairly common and ubiquitous. Therefore, a Windows Phone device is seen as something different from the norm, and has the wow factor thanks to the UI elements like Live Tiles and solid colours.
Nokia software: To say thatNokia’s services on the Windows Phone are useful would be an understatement. With its location based HERE services that use augmented reality to its streaming music services, Nokia has ensured that all of its services make the best use of the unique features of the Windows ecosystem. In fact, these services are one of the main reasons why most individuals go for a Windows based device.
Free Microsoft Office: All Windows mobile devices come with Microsoft Office installed. This is sure to be a major incentive to buy a Windows device as the Office suite is still regarded as one of the best document editing suites in the market today.
It’s not all good for Windows Phone
For all its features and great UI, the Windows Phone platform does have its drawbacks. Most of them center around the fact that Microsoft was too late in joining the mobile OS game. By the time it launched Windows Phone, iOS and Android already managed to latch on to a significant section of the market share. Let’s take a look at what’s ailing Microsoft’s offering:
Lack of content: The Windows store is sorely lacking some of the major names that we come to know on Android and iOS. Instagram is a notable absentee. Even YouTube was not officially available on the Windows store, with Google saying that it wasn’t worth the effort to make a native YouTube app.
Basic features missing: Windows Phone lacks some of the basic features that are standard on other platforms. There is still no unified notification center, no ability to create and organize folders, and the multitasking is broken. There is also no universal search.
Email is cumbersome: Email is inherently bothersome on Windows Phone devices. There is no way to attach documents directly, and considering that one of the major incentives in buying a Windows device is Microsoft Office, we’re not sure as to why Microsoft did not decide to include this feature.
For all its drawbacks, the Windows Phone 8 platform is actually quite good and offers users something new. It is on this premise that the Nokia Lumia 520 is selling so well. With the Lumia 520 priced at Rs. 8,864($170), it is understandable why buyers are choosing Nokia’s offering over budget Android devices. The Lumia 520 offers a sleek UI, a great design and a vast array of colour combinations in a segment where every other mobile looks the same. The strong sales of the Lumia 520 come down to two things: robust design and the uniqueness of Windows mobile when seen against the likes of Android.
Hopstop is a public transit information service that is currently in the process of beingpurchased by Apple.
Seemingly related to this, the company very rapidly discontinued their support of Windows Phone, after having an app in the store since Windows Phone 7.
As can be seen in the screen shot above the app no longer works, and it has also been unpublished from the Windows Phone Store.
The company continues to support their Android app, making it clear that the move is targeted at Windows Phone.
We of course have no explanation for the move, but it seems strange that immediately after the company was given access to the unlimited resources of Apple they also reduced the number of platforms they support.
Maybe Apple is starting to feel a bit threatened by Windows Phone after all…
Earlier today new details were released for the upcoming Xbox One title, Ryse: Son Of Rome. The story will center on a young Roman soldier, Marius Titus, whose family was murdered at the hands of Barbarian hoards. The game will chronicle his rise through the ranks of the Roman military and his quest to seek vengeance.
In addition to the main story line, there will be a co-op multiplayer mode included in the game, in which gamers can fight each other online in a gladiator-style combat arena.
One of the more unique aspects of the Ryse: Son of Rome launch is the Ryse digital interactive comic book. The comic, Ryse: Sword of Damocles from the looks of things will feature several possibly overlapping storylines, with readers having the ability to choose which character’s perspective they want to read and influence events from. As of now the site and the comic are in development.
On top of the major plot points and comic book details, a long list of main characters was released, with a myriad of roles ranging from politicians to generals to kings.
Ryse: Son of Rome will be released at the Q4 2013 Xbox One launch, and will not see development across any other consoles.
Crytek have also released some new screenshots from the game. Check them out below.
Konami Digital Entertainment has announced that it will be featuring Havok in Pro Evolution Soccer 2014 to power the physics, animations and cloth simulation for a more realistic take on soccer.
Asia Regional Director at Havok Arnaud Saint-Martin stated that, “Player movements and physics are key components of a lively game, so it’s a true honor for Havok to power these elements in Konami’s incredible PES 2014.
“The Pro Evolution Soccer team has been dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in a football game, and in these years, Havok has worked with this talented team to integrate Havok’s technology to help take the realism of PES even further. We think football fans will appreciate how Havok technology will blur the line between the sport and simulation, and provide a football experience that looks as real as can be.”
PES 2014 will release for PS3, Xbox 360, PC and PS Vita later this year.
Users looking to make some quick cash off of their Android device now have a new approach available to them in addition to selling their device outright. With Locket, Android users can monetize the lock screen of their device.
Created by a start-up of the same name,Locket for Android allows users to monetize their device by replacing their lock screen with the application. Locket’s screen surfaces display advertisements every time the user goes to unlock their device.
Each time that device is unlocked, the Locket service pushes another advertisement to the device and then pays the user 3 cents. If they’d simply like to bypass the advertisement because it’s something they are particularly interested in, the user can slide their finger to the right side of the unlock screen. If the ad is for something that is interesting, they can slide their finger to the left and learn more about the product. Even if a user doesn’t engage with the advertisement, they are still paid the 3 cents bounty. According to Locket’s website, users are paid the three 3 cents per unlock, three times per hour.
When users are ready to take their cash out, Locket will allow them to transfer the money they’ve earned to a PayPal account of their choice. From there, they are free to deposit it into their bank account or use it towards a PayPal gift card. Users can also donate the money to charity as a way to give back. In order to do either, users will need to amass at least $10.
In addition to their standard 3 Cents per unlock rate, users can earn a dollar for every user they invite to the service who signs up during the open Beta.
Locket is only available to Android users in the United States for now. In our time with the application, we found the advertisements to be mostly unobtrusive and tastefully executed. Locket’s website notes that it’s partnered with a few large companies like Bombfell, Domino’s Pizza and Sears.
All told, the concept isn’t that far away from what Amazon does with its Special Offers program for the Kindle eReaders and tablets. Though, as Locket will work on all Android devices, it might be able to take the idea a little further.
iPhone theft and smartphone theft remains a major problem in the U.S. and security experts are descending on San Francisco to try and hack into the iPhone 5 running iOS 7 and the Samsung Galaxy S4, at the command of the San Francisco Attorney General.
George Gascon, San Francisco AG, is pushing for a smartphone kill switch that will remotely disable stolen smartphones as a way to deter smartphone theft which accounts for 1 in 3 robberies across the U.S. according to the FCC.
With IOS 7 Apple is pushing a new Activation lock system into place that the company claims will prevent a thief from wiping an iPhone clean and selling it for a profit.
New security in iOS 7 should help curb smartphone theft.
Currently anyone can plug an iPhone into any computer and restore it to new. With iOS 7, the Phone will ask if the computer should be trustred before syncing and if Apple’s free Find My iPhone app is active the iPhone will not allow anyone to wipe it clean. Users will need to unlock the iPhone and enter their iTunes password to turn off Find My iPhone before a phone can be wiped.
This should prevent thieves from wiping a stolen iPhone, even if the user does not use a passcode to lock the device. This method will still let the owner wipe a device and resell it.
Samsung and Absolute security now offer a Lojack for Mobile solution which locks down the Samsung Galaxy S4 and helps a user find a lost or stolen device. The Samsung Galaxy S4 Lojack service is $30 a year and includes a recovery team that can work with local authorities to track down a stolen phone.
While these methods offer better security than consumers are used to in years past, the Attorney Generals in San Francisco and New York don’t feel it goes far enough. In order to test this, the team is inviting security experts to come test the new security solutions. In a joint statement the Attorney Generals said,
“Together, we are working to ensure that the industry embed persistent technology that is effective, ubiquitous and free to consumers in every smartphone introduced to the market by next year”
The Samsung Galaxy S4 Lojack service is available today. Apple promises an iOS 7 release date of fall, and it looks like it could arrive in late September. Other Android users can track a lost or stolen Android with the free Lookout Mobile app.
Switching apps on the iPhone is an easy way to quickly jump between the last several apps open on the iPhone.
This guide will show users how to switch apps on the Apple iPhone for a better user experience. Apple’s iOS is dead simple to use, though some features of the iPhone aren’t exactly obvious to first time users.
Launching apps on the iPhone is easy, just tap an icon on the home screen and it opens. But going back to the home screen every time you want to with apps is frustrating and slow. There is an easier way, however, and like almost everything else it’s incredibly simple.
To quickly switch apps in iOS you just have to open the multitasking tray by pressing the home button twice quickly. Doing so in iOS 6 will open a tray on the bottom of the iPhone with the icons of the last apps used.
The tray shows the last four apps used, and you can swipe left to see more recently used apps. To switch to any of those apps, just tap on the icon. The current app will slide to the background, replaced by the app you selected.
The multitasking tray also makes it easy to force quit apps that might be causing problems. To force quit an app, simply tap and hold an icon like you’re trying to move it in the home screen. When they start wiggling, tap the icon on the top left of the icon to quit it.
Contrary to what some people believe, force quitting apps will not save battery life. It is helpful, however, to close apps that freeze or crash. Sometimes a simple force quit will solve all the problems with an app.
In iOS 6 you can also access music controls, rotation lock and volume controls in the multitasking tray by swiping to the right.
There is another, arguably easier way to switch apps as well. In iOS 6 Siri can launch apps. Justpress and hold the home button and say “open [app name].” For example, the launch Evernote, simply say “open Evernote,” and Siri will open the note taking app for you.
Of course, one of the easiest ways to make apps easy to access is to put you most commonly used apps in the dock or in folders on the homescreen. Again, to rearrange icons just press and hold until they start shaking. Then just drag icons wherever you want them. Drag them on top of another icon to create a folder.
In iOS 7 Apple will change the appearance and some functionality of multitasking, though the basic principles will remain the same. Pressing the home button twice will always launch multitasking, no matter what that looks like.
The HTC One blends a collection of hidden features into HTC Sense 5 which unlock the full potential of the all aluminum Android smartphone.
Some of the best HTC One features are found deep in the settings menu or hidden behind button presses most users might never stumble upon. This HTC One guide will show users how to get more out of their new HTC One without buying new apps or HTC One accessories.
There are no passwords or secret codes to reveal these hidden HTC One features, but these are features that many users wouldn’t find on their own thanks to the quirks of Android and the HTC One menu system. The HTC One features aren’t as tough to find as those on the Galaxy S4, but every HTC One owner should finish this list of hidden HTC One features with at least one new trick.
Check out these essential, but hidden, HTC One features.
Users do not need to root the HTC One or install a custom ROM to access any of these hidden HTC One features, though doing so will open up access to other apps and features.
These HTC One features should work on all HTC One models, including the Verizon HTC One. The features should also work on the HTC One Android 4.2.2 update and many will likely work on the HTC One mini.
Here are 15 HTC One features the Gotta Be Mobile team uncovered while using the HTC One for the past several months.
Turn Off BlinkFeed
The HTC One comes with BlinkFeed, a full screen widget that takes over the main home screen of the HTC One to deliver updates from news and from friends. While some users will enjoy HTC BlinkFeed, others will want to turn off Blinkfeed. HTC doesn’t offer a BlinkFeed off switch with HTC Sense 5, but there is a way to hide it an make the a standard Android screen the main home page. The video below covers the directions to hide BlinkFeed.
With these instructions you can essentially turn off BlinkFeed on the HTC One to get to your apps faster. Tapping the + on that screen can also add a new panel to hold apps and widgets.
Multitask on the HTC One
Users can Multitask on the HTC One to quickly switch apps without exiting tot he home screen and looking for the app they just left. There is no multitasking button on the HTC One like there is on some Android devices, but there is a shortcut to multitask. The 30 second video below shows how to multitask on the HTC One.
To use Multitasking on the HTC One, tap the home button twice in a quick fashion and the screen will show up with your most recent running apps. Tap and hold on an app, then swipe up to kill the app.
Do More with the HTC One Camera
The HTC One comes with an Ultrapixel camera which HTC boasts delivers great low light performance, but that’s not all it does. HTC may not advertise every HTC Once camera feature in a commercial like Samsung, but it does offer a lot of new ways to take photos.
Use HTC Zoe – HTC Zoe is a mode that takes a collection of photos and videos all at once in order to capture the moment better. This is perfect for catching great photos of kids or pets which can flash the perfect smile or look for less than a second. Open the HTC One camera and tap the small camera icon on the left side of the screen. This will turn on HTC Zoe and show it at the bottom of the screen. Now just tap the shutter to take an HTC Zoe.
Burst Mode – When taking photos, the HTC One can take a series of photos in burst mode to make sure you don’t miss any of the action. Tap and hold the shutter button to use this. HTC Zoe must be turned off.
HTC One Action Shot – When you take a burst of photos, save all of the photos to turn it into an action shot that can show movement. After capturing a burst of something or someone in actiontap on the continuous shooting file and tap retouch. Next tap on Sequence Shot and pick five photos that show the motion you want, as shown in the video above.
Slow Motion Video – Take a slow motion video on the HTC One by tapping on the menu icon in the lower left of the camera app. Scroll down to video capture mode and choose Slow motion video. Now press the video shutter button to record in slow motion. Video taken in slow motion can be edited later to mix real time and slow motion for dramatic effect.
Remove Unwanted People – If you are sick of sharing your group photos with people who walk through a perfect shot use HTC Zoe and then tap on Edit, Retouch and Object removal to quickly remove unwanted objects from your photos.
Better HTC One Battery Life
There is no removable HTC One battery, so users will want to make sure they get better HTC One battery life to last through a full day. There are two built-in features to help deliver better HTC One battery life and one free app that can take things further.
The first step is to turn on the HTC One Power Saver mode. Go to Settings -> Power -> Power Saver -> On.
Quick tip to better HTC One battery life.
Users can further control this by changing settings inside the Power Saver option to control what the Power Saver mode controls. Users can also turn on Sleep mode on the Power Settings page to limit data connectivity when the HTC One is not in use for a long time.
For even better battery life users can install the Snapdragon BatteryGuru which learns how you use the HTC One and tailors battery usage to your life.
Find a Lost or Stolen HTC One
HTC doesn’t include any special software to track down a lost or stolen HTC One, but users can install a free app to secure the HTC One and help find it if something goes wrong.
Lookout Mobile is a free Android app that allows users to remotely lock a lost or stolen HTC One. The app can also help users track the specific location of the device and if the battery dies it will send out a last attempt signal flare with the location information.
On top of all of these free features the app scans apps installed on the HTC One to protect users from malware on Android apps.
Use a USB Drive with the HTC One
There is no Micro SD card to add storage to the HTC One, but users can carry movies or big files on a USB drive that can connect to the HTC One for playback. The video below shows this in action. This doesn’t work for Google Play movies or those with DRM.
Simply fill up compatible movie files on a computer and plug the USB drive in with a cheap USB OTG adapter which goes from Micro USB to full size USB and you are good to go. The HTC One does not support the Xbox 360 controller with this adapter like some Android phones.
Control the HTC One Notification LED
Does the HTC One notification LED flash too much? HTC offers a fast way to control what alerts will flash the LED. This is perfect for hiding the annoying, all-the-time blinking LED for Mail or Voice Mail.
Control the HTC One notification LED.
Open Settings -> Tap on Display, gestures & buttons and then tap on Notification flash and choose what you want the LED to flash for.
Supercharge the HTC One Keyboard
The HTC One keyboard is nice, but right out of the box there are some things that need tweaked. If you can’t type without a lot of errors, try re-calibrating the keyboard. This resets the touch points and can deliver a vastly improved typing experience.
Open any app with a keyboard and tap and hold on the settings icon to the left of the space bar. Tap on Calibration Tool and follow the steps to calibrate the keyboard.
All of these other options also take place in the keyboard settings, so stay there. You can turn on next word prediction to have the HTC One offer up what you might type next. Turn on Trace to trace out a word. and check arrow keys to ad arrow keys below the keyboard.
Control Mobile Data
If you don’t have an unlimited data plan, the HTC One can help you avoid nasty data overages thanks to a built-in data monitoring tool.
Go to Settings -> More -> Usage -> Turn on Limit mobile data usage.
From here users can set warnings and set hard limits to stop mobile data when a threshold is crossed. This only applies to this phone, so it won’t monitor a family account completely, but will help the individual user.
Use Google Now on the HTC One
Google Now is a great, and often un-noticed HTC One feature that lets users get personalized information and alerts and control the HTC One with their voice, like Siri on the iPhone.
To use Google Now on the HTC One, hold the home button. If this is the first time you are using it, sign in with your account and enable the feature.
Once it is set up, cards will show personalized info from Gmail, Google Searches and other Google Apps. Users can also say, “Google” and then a task and have Google Now do something for them.
Enable HTC One Smart Ring Mode
HTC offers several ringtone customizations on top of picking a specific ringer. These smart ring modes are handy to turn on.
Enable a smart ringer on the HTC One.
Go to Settings -> Sound -> Quiet ring on pickup and Pocket Mode to turn these on.
The Quiet ring on pickup will, as it implies, lowers the ring volume when the HTC One is picked up. if the HTC One senses it is in a pocket it will ring louder than usual so it is heard.
Make an Amazing Highlight Reel on the HTC One
After you take a lot of photos at an event, including those with HTC Zoe, you can combine them automatically into a great looking slideshow set to music.
Tap on Gallery -> make sure the upper left says Events -> Tap on an Event -> Tap on the moving photo at the top -> Tap on the option buttons in the lower right to pick style and music, then tap share. The sample above shows an HTC Zoe highlight. Users can share to HTC, Facebook, Twitter and other locations.
Use the HTC One as a Remote Control
The HTC One includes a IR port hidden in the power button that lets you control an HDTV, cable box, game system and home theater without putting the phone down. The phone comes with a huge collection of supported devices and can support multiple rooms and houses.
Tap on Apps -> TV and follow the directions on screen to add your devices. The video below shows the HTC One as a remote control.
Users can also tell the phone what shows they like and get a customized lineup of shows they might like to see that are on TV or coming up soon. Tap on a title to automatically change the channel.
Easily Switch from iPhone to HTC One
For users who are switching from the iPhone to the HTC One, HTC offers a switching tool that will help users make the switch and bring their content along. To use this iPhone to HTC One switch tool download the HTC Sync Manager.
Next connect your iPhone to the computer and make a backup that is not encrypted. After that is complete, attach the HTC One to your computer and launch the HTC Sync Manager to move files and data over to the HTC One.
There is also a handy HTC Transfer Tool for switching to the HTC One from another Android phone.
Use Google Now to Control Spotify & Music
Now that you’ve mastered how to use Google Now on the HTC One, here’s a really cool feature that lets you control Spotify, Google Play All Access, YouTube and more from Google Now. Check this out in action in the video below.
]Launch Google Now and say “Google Play Artist Name” to start playing music by a specific band or artist. Users can then pick which service to use. Google will remember andin the future launch that app and start playing the songs.
WhatsApp has had another update, to version 2.10.523.0, and the reviews for the app are singing its praises, calling it “Reliable, fast, at parity with other platforms.”
Dua Now is available for free
