Tag Archives: Windows Phone

Sprint sits out Windows Phone 8 launch in the United States after tepid WP7 reaction

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Sprint sits out Windows Phone 8 launch in the United States after tepid WP7 reaction

Microsoft may be readying an all-out marketing blitz to get Windows Phone 8 all up in your cranium, but those loyal to Sprint won't be getting anything but perturbed. During today's Windows Phone 8 event in San Francisco, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer announced that AT&T, Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile were "all in" for Windows Phone 8. Strangely, however, America's number three carrier is evidently "all out." While Sprint was a carrier for Windows Phone 7 handsets like the HTC Arrive, the carrier was showing cold feet as far back as January of this year. Given that the Arrive was its "most returned phone," though, it's hard to cast blame.

It could very well be due to the way Sprint's 4G drama has gone done -- at the time, Microsoft likely didn't want to create WP8 devices that supported by WiMAX and LTE, and now that Sprint has foregone the former in order to grab the latter, it's all a bit too late. Of course, it comments made to PhoneScoop earlier this year by spokesperson David Owen are to be believed, Sprint may join the WP8 party early next year. Sort of seems like a familiar refrain, actually.

For more, check out our Windows Phone 8 event liveblog!

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Sprint sits out Windows Phone 8 launch in the United States after tepid WP7 reaction originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Oct 2012 14:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung ATIV Odyssey brings even more Windows Phone 8 to Verizon this December

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Samsung ATIV Odyssey brings more Windows Phone 8 to Verizon this December

Microsoft's ultimate Windows Phone 8 event mostly expanded on a familiar story, but it did leave us a surprise twist near the end. The company confirmed that Samsung will bring its own Metro-tinged experience to Verizon through the ATIV Odyssey this December. Unfortunately, that's about all we know on an official level: Microsoft even used a placeholder graphic rather than show Samsung's real-world design. However, that awfully familiar-sounding name suggests that Samsung and Verizon are directly exploiting that Odyssey codename which many associated with the ATIV S. If so, we're looking at a device that's not at all far off from a GSM equivalent, keeping the Snapdragon S4, LTE and both 8- as well as 2-megapixel cameras. Whether or not the Super AMOLED screen dips to a slightly lower 4.65-inch isn't as known. Even so, the ATIV Odyssey is at least another sign that Verizon will have much more than a token Windows Phone lineup this time around.

For more, check out our Windows Phone 8 event liveblog!

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Samsung ATIV Odyssey brings even more Windows Phone 8 to Verizon this December originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Oct 2012 14:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Windows Phone 8 review

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Windows Phone 8 review

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Two years ago, the mobile landscape was quite different than what it is today. Android flagship phones sported 1GHz single-core CPUs and were in the process of upgrading to Froyo, the iPhone 4 was the Apple phone of choice and the word "phablet" was sure to be followed by a "Gesundheit." (It still is, arguably.) This is just a brief glimpse at the world in which Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 was born. Destined to be the replacement solution for an obsolete Windows Mobile 6.x platform, WP7 did its best to disrupt the industry by offering its unique Metro user interface and slick performance across the board.

There was one growing problem, however; the mobile industry was rapidly changing, and the Windows Phone honeymoon didn't last as long as Microsoft would've liked. Today, the company enjoys less than 5 percent of the world's smartphone market share as it prepares to launch its next major revision, Windows Phone 8. The new firmware promises to resolve concerns surrounding hardware limitations and the platform's ecosystem, add a plethora of long-awaited features and integrate the OS with Windows 8. It's a hefty task for Microsoft to undertake, to say the least, but we're hoping that two revolutions around the sun were enough for the software giant to impress us with its struggling mobile platform. Did it pull it off? Take a look at what makes Windows Phone 8 tick after the break.

Continue reading Windows Phone 8 review

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Windows Phone 8 review originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Oct 2012 14:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Windows Phone 8 Rooms give every group its private space

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Windows Phone 8 Rooms give every group its private space

Microsoft is already creating a safe, fenced-off area in Windows Phone 8 through Kids Corner, but it's expanding that to include nearly everyone through Rooms. A rough parallel to Groupme, Rooms lets families, friends or companies share calendars, chats, notes and photos without letting any prying eyes get a peek. And if others aren't following the Windows Phone way, they can still view some of the content from another platform. There's no doubt that Microsoft really hopes its communal addition is a way to squeak out an extra phone sale or two from those who like to stick together.

For more, check out our Windows Phone 8 event liveblog!

Gallery: People Hub Rooms

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Windows Phone 8 Rooms give every group its private space originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Oct 2012 13:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft brings guest user account to Windows Phone 8 via Kid’s Corner

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Microsoft brings guest user account to Windows Phone 8 via Kids Corner

Ever dreamed of having more than one user account on your smartphone? Microsoft's making that a reality with Kid's Corner for Windows Phone 8. If you're not a parent, don't let the name deceive you: this particular feature is great for both the tiny tots and all of your grown-up friends, as it allows you to choose which apps, games, music and videos show up when the device is in that particular mode. It's a feature that has strangely eluded the other major platforms, and it absolutely gives WP8 an edge for those concerned about youngsters (and potentially even colleagues) getting into trouble with your phone.

For more, check out our Windows Phone 8 event liveblog!

Gallery: Windows 8 Kids Corner

Continue reading Microsoft brings guest user account to Windows Phone 8 via Kid's Corner

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Microsoft brings guest user account to Windows Phone 8 via Kid's Corner originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Oct 2012 13:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Windows Phone 8 gets Pandora Radio, Cut the Rope, Urbanspoon and more (update: full list)

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Windows Phone 8 gets Pandora Radio, Cut the Rope, Urbanspoon and more

Microsoft knows that Windows Phone 8 is only as successful as its apps. To that end, it's blowing the doors open in terms of major app support. It's not only promising a Windows Phone version of Pandora Radio for early 2013, it's offering ad-free listening for the first year. How's that for strong out-of-the-box content? On top of this, Microsoft is vowing a slew of new apps and games that had previously only been available in the Android or iOS camps, including Asphalt 7, Cut the Rope, Temple Run, Urbanspoon and Where's My Water. By the time the expansion is done, Microsoft hopes to have 46 out of the 50 most popular apps onboard, making any platform switch that much gentler. Instagram is a notable omission -- still, it's a big leap in terms of equality.

Update: If you need even more detail, Microsoft has posted a wider list of new apps as part of its official Windows Phone 8 launch post. If that's not enough, you can catch a video overview of the platform after the break.

For more, check out our Windows Phone 8 event liveblog!

Continue reading Windows Phone 8 gets Pandora Radio, Cut the Rope, Urbanspoon and more (update: full list)

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Windows Phone 8 gets Pandora Radio, Cut the Rope, Urbanspoon and more (update: full list) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Oct 2012 13:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Windows Phone 8 event liveblog!

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The Windows Phone 8 event liveblog!

This isn't the first time we've seen Windows Phone 8, but Microsoft's event will unveil any and all secrets that the company's held close ever since the new platform was introduced in June. So what does Microsoft have up its sleeves? Join us as we finally get the opportunity to see all of the latest version of Windows Phone!

October 29, 2012 1:00 PM EDT

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The Windows Phone 8 event liveblog! originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Oct 2012 12:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia Lumia 822 Gets Official For Verizon

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Nokia has just released a press release to announce the Nokia Lumia 822 for Verizon Wireless, we have seen lots of leaked photos of the handset over the last week, and it is now official.

Lumia 822(...)
Original Story Nokia Lumia 822 Gets Official For Verizon

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Nokia Lumia 822 For Verizon Leaked Again

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We have already seen a couple of leaked photos of the new Nokia Lumia 822, which is Verizon’s version of the Nokia Lumia 820, and now we have another photo of the handset courtesy of @evleaks.

The photo came along with details that the Nokia Lumia 822 will be available in three different colors, which as you can see from the photo below, include black, white and grey.

Nokia Lumia 822(...)
Original Story Nokia Lumia 822 For Verizon Leaked Again

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Microsoft’s Windows Phone 8 App Now Available

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Microsoft will be launching the latest version of their mobile OS later today, Windows Phone 8, and they have now released a Windows Phone app that will let you sync your Windows Phone 8 smartphone with your PC.

Windows Phone(...)
Original Story Microsoft’s Windows Phone 8 App Now Available

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