18 October 2012

My Nokia Blog

My Nokia Blog

iBTimes says more megapixels is better when comparing Nokia Lumia 920 to Padfone 2. LOL.

Posted: 17 Oct 2012 06:22 PM PDT

 

I know the article I’m responding to is more link bait designed to troll responses,  but I’ve seen far too many posts by this author that makes me think that she is either: a) just not too clued up about what she talks about or b) that she is, unfortunately, an idiot.

I wrote and deleted a long response to the whole article as my attempt felt a little futile.

Let me focus on one part of which someone who writes for the “TECHNOLOGY” column on IBTimes should know. Even my non techy friends are aware of this: Megapixels don’t mean quality. More does not mean better. How you use them or make sure each one looks great is what matters. The actual photo at the end of the day matters. The ability to take great shots a lot of the time in various different condition matters. The ability to produce great video with great sound matters.

Pixels aren’t everything. Even though Nokia has the highest megapixel rating phone (808) and it is the best camera phone (808) it’s not simply because it has more pixels! It is what Nokia is doing to make sure those pixels come out great and that the final pictures look awesome. PureView version 1 does it with large sensors, great Carl Zeiss optics and oversampling. PureView version 2 also gets some Zeiss love but approaches improving image quality differently by using ‘floating lenses’ for optical image stabilisation.

The first doubters said about the 808 was that the MP count was ridiculous. What was the point? It was useless! Pixels aren’t everything, they said. And they’re right. Not the way other people had been focused on pixels anyway.

Well, they all ate their words when the 808 started eating their dedicated point and shoots – even several of the top models and even giving the DSLRs a run for their money. I can’t say the 920 will do the same to turn disbelievers, but I wouldn’t count out the 920 so haphazardly either as it is also actually attempts to deliver great images/video and not simply a marketing stunt.

In Kirstin’s attempt at gaining favour for the newly released Padfone 2 from ASUS, I was absolutely flabbergasted to read the following:

Camera - Nokia Lumia 920′s 8MP rear camera does not stand a chance with Asus PadFone 2 13MP shooter.

au.ibtimes.com/articles/395066/20121017/nokia-lumia-920-vs-asus-padfone-2

Sorry, Miss Kristin, but Ulol kaba? Seriously, ask yourself: are you an idiot?

What is this crap you spout? We can’t say for certain whether the Nokia Lumia 920 will take great pictures unless we’ve seen production/consumer grade samples from reviews. Do you have one, Kristin? What about from the PadFone? From the early samples we’ve seen, the Nokia Lumia 920 PureView with floating optical image stabilisation seems to offer something new and different in the mobile imaging scene – something that, well, according to tests from places like Engadget, seems to be besting the current grade of smartphones at least in the areas of low light and image stabilisation. How then can you say the 920 does not stand a chance?

As for the rest of the crap that was your article, way to go ‘comparing’. Let’s ignore features from one phone eh? That’s the way comparisons go. And of course, bigger numbers is better.

Other point:

  • If you’re going to talk about a unique point in the Padfone tablet feature, then you’ll have to talk about Super Sensitive Screen, Wireless Charging, Optical Image stabilisation.
  • Dual Core on WP8 vs QuadCore on Android.

It’s all fine and dandy if this was a random comment from a random publication. But IBTimes TECHNOLOGY section? Really? You disappoint.

Videos: Leaked At&t Lumia 920 Training Videos + 920 Exclusive to At&t for 6 Months

Posted: 17 Oct 2012 01:43 PM PDT

What we have  here are a series of leaked At&t training ads, made to introduce the sales representatives to the Lumia 920 (and tell them which features to sell the customer on).  The videos showcase City Lens, Wireless Charging, NFC sending, Pureview, CBD PureMotion HD Display and more. One new piece of information gained from the videos is that the 920 is apparently exclusive to At&t for 6 months after launch.

VIA

Video: New Features in WP8 (Sneak-Peak on Lumia 920)

Posted: 17 Oct 2012 12:00 PM PDT

It seems we somehow missed this post, but last week WPCentral published an article dissecting one of the Lumia 920 demos; where several of the new upcoming features of WP8 were showcased. Of course these are still bits and pieces that we’ve been able to piece together, but rest assured all will be revealed on October 29th. First up in the image above you see a prompt that appears when the device is placed on a Nokia accessory, such as the charging stand or the fatboy pillow; we’ve heard that specific apps can be programmed to launch once the phone lands on its dock (presumably clock, screensaver, calendar etc..)- see image below.

Next up besides the new app/window that shows you the accessory you’re pairing to (which interestingly seems to be able to differentiate between accessories; meaning you should be able to customize a different action for each accessory); we have the new multitasking view, which although is identical to the current one in WP7.5 reportedly support 8 Windowed apps (instead of the current 5)- however there is no official word about whether or not WP8 will handle “multi-tasking” any differently.

Also we can see the “select multiple” option in the gallery; which is a huge relief for many who have faced the horror of wanting to delete more than one picture (god forbid).

Original video demo (french): http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Cj-1bHcuFvg

Check out the full article, including several other minor changes over at WPC

 

Lumia 820 & 920 Coming to Russia on Nov. 6th?

Posted: 17 Oct 2012 11:40 AM PDT

I don’t speak much Russian (I know exactly two words thanks to Red Alert 3 and the likes of it); but the above image posted by Nokia apparently is an invite to an event to be held in Russia on Nov. 6th. If only one of the two new Lumias is to be announced then I’d personally place my money on the 920 seeing how the invite shows a camera and a bat (infamously nocturnal creatures = Night-time photography). Hopefully we’ll have a clearer picture of the pricings and availability date before then; but November ain’t far off now (interestingly enough there still seems to be a fair bit of buzz regarding the new Lumia line-up even though they were announced over a month ago- hopefully that’s a good omen).

In case you’re interested in pre-ordering a white, Yellow or black 920 in Russia MTC (Russian carrier?) seems to ahve them up for pre-order along with free delivery, but no expected arrival date:

http://www.shop.mts.ru/phones/nokia/lumia_920_mts_yellow.html

VIA

Nokia Lumia 920 UK listings at Phones4U, Expansys and Vodafone

Posted: 17 Oct 2012 10:53 AM PDT

I haven’t been keeping an eye on UK availabilities for the 920 simply because Nokia has not officially mentioned any dates. But it appears that a few of the retailers are gearing up. These might have been here for a while but I’ve only just noticed.

First up, Phones4U. I searched Carphone Warehouse but it has no results. Strange as the French counterpart already has it on pre-order and claimed it took the top spot.

Anyway, Phones4U have a full page spread informing all about the Innovative Nokia Lumia 920. Colours in black and white here. I’m sure I’m going for the yellow but that black is so sleek!

http://www.phones4u.co.uk/nokia/lumia-920/

Next up, Expansys. Amir tweeted me a link to Expansys Ireland – the UK one has a listing too. No prices yet. The yellow one seems to be here.

http://www.expansys.com/nokia-lumia-920-yellow-236669/

Finally, Muerte tipped this earlier this afternoon. I’m not aware of this retailer but it claims to have the 920 on Vodafone (I thought it was exclusive to EverythingEverywhere – T-Mobile and Orange) – hopefully it was just a colour exclusivity.

It suggests quite a decent price of about £37 with a free handset. Unlimited minutes, text and 1GB internet (hopefully with tethering). What’s surprising is the unlocked price of £469.99. Not bad if that turns out to be right.

http://www.digital-phone.co.uk/product/nokia-lumia-920-yellow.aspx

Cheers all for the tip!

Nokia Lumia 920 on contract at Telenor, Sweden.

Posted: 17 Oct 2012 05:53 AM PDT

I’m really not enjoying how the Nokia Lumia 920 is appearing in drips and drabs rather than solid dates of release. What’s going on Nokia?

http://www.telenor.se/privat/mobil-telefoni/mobilutbud/nokia-lumia-920.html

Anyway, it appears Telenor Sweden has the Lumia 920 on contract for 339SEK/month. That’s about 50USD or 30GBP. Quite decent if you ask me.

Jens who tipped this in said:

“As you can see it is priced lower than IPhone 5 and Galaxy s3. Even the IPhone 4S is more expensive on the same contract.”

Cheers Jens for the tip!

Videos: S40 Apps RDA testing and updating apps for Full Asha Touch

Posted: 16 Oct 2012 10:13 PM PDT

Here are a couple of videos from NokiaDevForum, the first showing how to test your Java apps via Remote Device Access.

With Remote Device Access (RDA) you can test your Java apps on a wide range of real Series 40 phones from the comfort of your office, without having to buy a single phone. Make sure you have a Nokia Developer account, then simply sign into the RDA service, pick a phone, and install your app to be testing on one of 10 different Series 40 phone models.
In this video you will see how to connect to a phone, interact with it through the RDA client, install your software and use the features of the RDA client, including adjusting the display quality to optimise performance, accessing the phone’s file system, and taking screenshots among others.
To use the service, please visit http://www.developer.nokia.com/RDA or follow the RDA service on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/nokia_rda.

 

The second one shows how to translate S40 touch and type to full touch.

Do you have a custom Series 40 UI design that you want to take to the full-touch UI? Or are you creating a new custom design for the succesful Nokia Asha family of Series 40 phones?

Mikko Kaipio, Senior UX Designer, shows you what to consider in your custom app design when taking it from non-touch or touch and type phones to full-touch phones. His advice is equally useful if you are starting with a new app’s design. In case your app is based on LCDUI, also check this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7FsZ7zEW6M

Try out the aMaze featured in this video:https://projects.developer.nokia.com/amaze

More information about Series 40 UX resources can be found here:http://bit.ly/Qx757l

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Apologies the write up of tips and new Nokia vids is getting rather late. My schedule is super hectic. The only way I’m getting to write up stuff is to wake up extra early :/. If I miss something, feel free to bug me.

Nokia Lumia 920 tops PhoneHouse, France’s top 50 list – (pre-order available, wallpapered everywhere)

Posted: 16 Oct 2012 10:08 PM PDT

I wasn’t aware there were pre-orders of any sort for the 920 in France. Perhaps this is based solely on interest. The Nokia Lumia 920 is at the top of a chart of 50 devices for PhoneHouse.fr, part of the retail chain, Carphone Warehouse, the largest retailer of phones in the whole of Europe.

http://www.phonehouse.fr/top_50_ventes.php

This will have more significance if it had anything to do with sales and that the sales was a continued repeat performance over a few months. As of now, it’s just interesting. I still remember the 800 having the same story last year in France so I’m holding my breath even though the 920 is a much more competitive and genuinely interesting device.

Oh wait, I found a secondary tip from last week that says PhoneHouse France is indeed taking pre-orders.

http://www.phonehouse.fr/nokia/lumia-920-noir/NOLUMIA920BLACK (via WMPU)

 

I don’t know if this is somehow suggesting pre-orders of the 920 are some how exceeding sales of the new iPhone. I’m sure that’s not the case. Also, it’s out of contract (free wireless charger).

Also note that PhoneHouse’s background has the Nokia Lumia 920 and fatboy wireless charger plastered everywhere.

Cheers Pökö and rishabh  for the tip.
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