My Nokia Blog

Video & Screenshots: GDR3 Running on Lumia 920; What’s New
One year of Free Netflix with a purchase of a Nokia Lumia 1020
MS emphasises 6 inch screens for WP in latest update 3 (claims to advance WP at a ‘rapid’ pace – Rapid? Ha!)
I’m Updating My Lumia 920 to GDR3! (Updating)
Microsoft Announces GDR3 for WP8, Brings 1080p Support, Rotation lock , More Processors and Much More (Available to Developers Today!)
Nokia India: 1 year insurance free with a purchase of the Nokia Asha 501
Possible spec sheet for the Nokia Lumia 1520 – improved OIS/panorama, approx 160g
Lumiappaday: Nokia CInemagraph, Foursquare and more

Video & Screenshots: GDR3 Running on Lumia 920; What’s New

Posted: 14 Oct 2013 01:04 PM PDT

A couple hours ago, as part of their enthusiasts program Microsoft made it possible for people to get their hands on the latest software version without the wait. Making GDR3 or Update 3 for WP8 available to anyone who wanted it; here’s a quick video walkthrough, and some screenshots of the changes:

http://youtu.be/YdRurD1VlVM

As noted in the video, the new tile size is NOT available for sub 1080p screens (yet), no idea if that will change with time.

The update carries all we expected from GDR3, so here are a couple screenshots of the changes:

wp_ss_20131014_0008

One year of Free Netflix with a purchase of a Nokia Lumia 1020

Posted: 14 Oct 2013 09:49 AM PDT

MNB IMG_1038Sophie Lumia 1020

That’s quite a nice offer. First it was a year’s insurance free with the 501 in India, now it’s a nice Netflix subscription with a 1020.

Not bad. Not bad at all. What makes me sad is that this will probably be the focus of some retailers as opposed to the insane camera which some don’t even mention.

Well this is for Vodafone UK (they had a promo for Spotify/Sky Sports services too right? Starring Lumia).

Nokia is apparently footing most of the bill – seems to be paying off in the UK as it’s at double digits again now.

Source: TheVerge

MS emphasises 6 inch screens for WP in latest update 3 (claims to advance WP at a ‘rapid’ pace – Rapid? Ha!)

Posted: 14 Oct 2013 09:01 AM PDT

Screen Shot 2013-10-14 at 16.45.58

Microsoft’s just unveiled the list of features for GDR3, now known as Update 3. Now, Nokia’s additional “BSS” updates could still add more but that’s not what I’m focusing on for this post.

Whilst the 1520 has been rumoured to have a 6″ display, some postulate that due to the rumoured dimensions and proportion of bezel, it might “only” have a 5.7″ display.

Only. That’s still huge.

In the MS post, you’ll note that they keep reiterating 6″ screen.

So the new update paves the way for future Windows Phone devices with 5- and 6-inch touch screens. The larger, 1080p HD displays on these devices will make Windows Phone even more personal—for example by sporting jumbo-sized Start screens with room for six Live Tiles across instead of four.

A bigger Start screen means the ability to pin even more of the people, info, and apps that matter to you. Built-in apps and Hubs like email, Photos, People, and Music and Videos will also be carefully scaled to take full advantage of the additional real estate on 6-inch screens.

Kudos for the whole bypasing the carriers thing. What bugs me is how proud they are of how busy they’ve been and what they’ve managed. Really? Well, all hope is on 8.1 (and no more waiting for 8.2 or whatever. If 8.1 doesn’t impress, well, they’re just going to make their job nigh on impossible).

On the whole, a nice set of changes that will really solifidy the WP experience. BUT what WP needs is not simply to catch up but to leap frog. Copy in your own way what seems to be necessary from other platforms. iOS and Android have no problems stealing things from WP.

So when will all this be coming to your phone? As I mentioned earlier, the rollout initially kicks off in the coming weeks and will continue over several months.

It’s nice to finally hear some news. The silence they’ve kept due to the whole shut up and ship thing has been somewhat unnerving and annoying, especially when higher and higher expectations grew despite knowing MS would not be able to deliver. The amount of update should really be proportional to time. Something ‘midrange’ like this should have appeared sooner.

We're seeing things really start to accelerate. We believe this is because we continue to advance the platform at a rapid pace.

In what dictionary in the world is rapid synonymous with frozen treacle? As rapid perhaps as a snail covered in salt?

Our hardware partners, meanwhile, have been taking advantage of this innovation by releasing amazing new Windows Phone devices throughout the year.

What other hardware partners have released an interesting WP in 2013 except Nokia? Which is no longer a hardware partner…

Credit where credit is due, and no credit is due for the other WP manufacturers regarding “amazing”. Nokia, yes. HTC/Samsung, erm. No (their Droid devices, yes, interesting. WP versions, erm, what WP versions)

I’m not holding my breath to wait for this update, given the time it took to get GDR2 on my 920. I know, I know, I’m rather jaded about MS/WP now but can you blame me? When they start showing promise and potential again I’ll be more hopeful.

I’m Updating My Lumia 920 to GDR3! (Updating)

Posted: 14 Oct 2013 08:41 AM PDT

Microsoft’s new Preview for Developers app just went live, this allows users to gain early access to updates, such as the just announced GDR3/ Update 3 for WP8. To get the app, provided you have a developer’s account or a dev unlocked device, just download it from the store at the link below:

http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/app/preview-for-developers/178ac8a1-6519-4a0b-960c-038393741e96

Once the app is installed, run it, agree to the terms and conditions and hit next, then search for updates on your phone:

wp_ss_20131014_0001

(Post will update as I progress)

Update downloaded and ready to install! wp_ss_20131014_0005

Spinning gears… (this might take a while)
Update! Success GDR3 has made it onto my 920, uploading a video demo now

Microsoft Announces GDR3 for WP8, Brings 1080p Support, Rotation lock , More Processors and Much More (Available to Developers Today!)

Posted: 14 Oct 2013 05:39 AM PDT

Microsoft has just publicly announced GDR3 or the 3rd major update for Windows Phone 8. We’ve heard multiple rumors about the new version, and that it would launch on board the Lumia 1520 phablet first, sow hat’s new?

Basically everything that was rumored, starting with hardware support for 1080p screens and quad core processors and snapdragon 800 support! Software wise there is rotation lock, quick end for app, custom ringtones (for texts), better bluetooth support, driving mode and more.

1080p support
Quad core and snapdragon 800 support
rotation lock
driving mode (limits notifications when connected to your car via bluetooth)
ending apps
Accessibility features (Screen reader)
Internet sharing via bluetooth pairing
Improved ringtone selection and customization
WiFi access while setting up/restoring device
Improved Bluetooth (4.0?)

Check the details at the official blog below:

http://blogs.windows.com/windows_phone/b/windowsphone/archive/2013/10/14/announcing-our-third-windows-phone-8-update-plus-a-new-developer-preview-program.aspx

~~There also is a developer program that allows access to this update for developers, starting today! (still figuring out the how)~~

I for one have my 920 ons tanby waiting to get this update on it, who’s with me?

Thanks for the tip Alvester

Nokia India: 1 year insurance free with a purchase of the Nokia Asha 501

Posted: 14 Oct 2013 12:17 AM PDT

Screen Shot 2013-10-14 at 08.15.30 A cute little promo from Nokia India just to let you know that during Diwali, a purchase of the Nokia Asha 501 comes with a year’s worth of free insurance.

Possible spec sheet for the Nokia Lumia 1520 – improved OIS/panorama, approx 160g

Posted: 14 Oct 2013 12:13 AM PDT

Screen Shot 2013-10-14 at 08.02.42

Not quite sure where these additional camera details have come from (the other specs seem to be rumour round up - e.g. wireless charging for global), reddit doesn’t seem to question it.

An interesting notion that the camera won’t be taking full 20mp shots like the 808 nor 1020 takes full 41mp due to the X sensor that doesn’t just ‘crop’ when switching between 16:9 and 4:3.

Improved OIS would be interesting to see what Nokia’s engineers have done over the 925/1020. Improved pano would be great as anything would frankly be better than the current implementation. The Nokia Camera app has been said to be the merger of Smart Cam and Pro Cam, a wish by some reviewers on the 1020 camera experience.

The MicroSD card was one of the first nice rumours we heard about the 1520 as well as the 1080p 6″ screen powered by a quadcore snapdragon 800 CPU and 3400mAh battery.

Hopefully, Nokia will present the 1520 amazingly like the 1020. Although the specsheet was completely revealed prior to launch, Nokia’s keynote was the most captivating that they’ve ever made and would be one to remember across the industry.