07 January 2013

My Nokia Blog

My Nokia Blog


Sprint Finally Joins the Windows Phone Train; Lists WP8 As “Coming Soon”

Posted: 06 Jan 2013 01:50 PM PST

With Verizon’s adoption of the Lumia 820 and the HTC 8X a couple months back that left Sprint as the only one of the large 4 carriers that didn’t have a Windows Phone device on sale. Apparently that is changing soon, seeing how Sprint have put up a page titles “Learn more About Windows Phone 8″ with the simple caption”Windows Phone 8 is Coming soon”. Curious timing of course seeing how CES has just kicked off; perhaps we’ll see a new variant of the 820 heading to Sprint? Or maybe even a yellow 920 to match their logo?

Although initial reports claimed that Nokia wouldn’t be at CES this year it appears they have a couple booths set up and are giving out Demos and freebies, so if anyone is around stop by and snap a couple pics!

 

 

Via/Source

 

First iPhone 5S/6 Mock-Up Concept Looks Like a Blatant Lumia Rip-Off

Posted: 06 Jan 2013 01:22 PM PST

iPhone-6-642x481At first when I saw this picture I thought “who on earth tried photoshopping MacOS onto one of our DreamNokia designs , turns out this is one designers concept of what the iPhone 6 should look like (stress on the fact that it’s a fan made design and probably not official). Still this design above looks WAY too much like some of our very own fan made concepts; and it sorta hurts looking at it like this; especially since if this was a real iPhone product all would hail it as the greatest design of all time.

Iphone6-004

Iphone-6-concept-2

Does this look familiar?

That would be My Dream Nokia #70: Titanium Nokia Lumia FX800 the titanium bodied beauty that I would kill for… (plus I would kill for a large whatsapp tile too)

So I think it’s safe to assume that if by some miracle the next iPhone ended up looking anything close to this, then Nokia has a VERY good case to say the least.

And if that wasn’t bad enough according to BGR the iPhone 5s/6 will come in a bunch of flashy colors; seeing how popular they’ve become now (first Nokia, then HTC, then Samsung with its poor taste in colors and now Apple?)

*note: I’m not crazy enough to say that Nokia owns the right to all colorful phones and curved designs, but it would be nice to see some more appreciation for the beauty in the Lumia/Fabula design, that is all.

iPhone 5S Release Date

 

Via

 

Video: Nokia City Lens in Action

Posted: 06 Jan 2013 01:16 PM PST

Screen Shot 2013-01-06 at 21.13.20

Quick heads up on this video from Nokia showing City Lens in action on both Nokia Lumia 920 and 820.

I wish these promos had someone narrating them to explain what is going on.

by nokia

 

 

Rumor: Additional Update In the Works for First Gen S^3 Devices (Belle Refresh Devices)

Posted: 06 Jan 2013 12:59 PM PST

N8 UpdateHere’s an interesting rumor that’s come up; after all had lost hope of getting any further updates after Belle Refresh a source claims that an additional updates is in the works. The Update which is said to carry version number 111.050.0003 (hint: Belle refresh was 111.040.1511) has no change-log nor any ETA but it certainly is interesting to hear. The source of this rumor “Smartphonepro.hu” which apparently was the same person to leak the N8 firmwares earlier said:

“Hello! First of all, Happy New Year everyone!
Successfully survived the last year. Good news on the first day of the year!
There will be a new SW for N8! RM 596_111.050.0003 The version number is not yet final! It is not yet available, there is no changelog. So patience!

Considering that the change isn’t a major jump in the version number, no is it a minute change in the final digits (final digits are usually for small typos, minor bug fixes etc.) then it’s safe to assume that this update might add a couple features or perhaps fix some of the app incompatibilities that have been plaguing some users, but I highly doubt it’s anything ground-breaking; but hell we’ll take whatever we can get :D

Source thanks for the tip Mahindar

 

Rant: How Microsoft Are Killing Themselves (and Me) With Regional Restrictions

Posted: 06 Jan 2013 09:47 AM PST

wp_ss_20130106_0001Before I start allow me to make one thing absolutely clear; I HATE regional restrictions with a passion that burns hotter than the sun. I understand that in some instances it’s a must (such as Music streaming apps due to licensing issues, i.e. Nokia Music or Video streaming such as Netflix etc.), but it still gets on my nerves A LOT!

And it seems the folks over at Redmond are dead on intent on boiling my nerves, as the regional selection of apps for the MEA and Gulf areas is beyond ridiculous (and it definitely doesn’t help that there aren’t that many apps to start with). The app selection is limited by some idiotic system that doesn’t seem to have any basis at all; and to make things even worse reviews, change-logs and screenshots aren’t shared throughout different marketplaces (example: Whatsapp on my marketplace only has 3 ratings vs. the thousands on the UK/US marketplace).

Further complicating things is the limited payment options for different marketplaces; whereas most marketplaces have the ability to use a paypal card, Visa Card and sometimes Vouchers; Gulf & MEA marketplaces only accept bank cards, and the bank card MUST match the region you’re buying from (meaning I can’t purchase apps from the UK marketplace using a Jordanian bank card.

Now according to @windowsPhoneSupport (the official support account for WP) these app restrictions and removal from regional markets is a choice done by the developer and not by Microsoft  which I personally find extremely hard to believe, what sort of app developer would choose to limit his app availability/coverage? Especially when it comes to games that require no online/regional connectivity?

The really disturbing part about this is I’m not referring to little known apps/titles; but MAJOR titles and applications (you know the ones Microsoft keeps boasting they have 48/50 from iOS and Android?); for example here’s a simple list of apps not available in multiple marketplaces (compiled by @nabkawe5):

Essential Apps (don't work on the Lumia 920 although they're not region specific in nature)

Pinspiration

PDF Reader

Twitter

Metrotube

Blueprints

rowi

Must have games (Don't work on the Lumia 920 in Saudi Arabia although they are available on other platforms )

Words With Friends

Cut The Rope

Survivalcraft

MONOPOLY

The Sims 3

Wordament

Wordfeud

Xbox SmartGlass

Doodle Jump

Fruit Ninja

Final Fantasy

Sonic CD

Contre Jour

Plants vs. Zombies

Endomondo Sports Tracker

The list goes on but it's too sad to continue it …

List VIA: http://www.nabkawe.com/wp/sad-list-of-apps-that-do-not-work-on-my-lumia-920-in-saudi-arabia/

As you can see most of these apps are completely region independent; and have no reason to be blocked in some regional marketplaces; so i don’t care who’s fault it is (be it MSFT or the developers) get your $h!t together people, this is ridiculous…

(oh BTW Angry Birds Star-wars is also unavailable).

Point is as dismal as the Windows Phone marketplace is; developers MSFT aren’t making it any better, especially in markets like the Gulf which are fresh for picking (trust me people in the Gulf love finding new trends to jump on, and have no problem switching phones on a monthly basis, so there’s some free market-share right there, if only someone would people their stuff together).

 

Nokia Care Centers Flashing First Gen Lumias With WP 7.8

Posted: 06 Jan 2013 09:04 AM PST

After the initial rollout of Windows Phone 7.8 to some devices, which then were clarified to be “developer devices” there is no sign of when Windows Phone 7.8 will be available to the masses. However if you’re itching to get your hands on the fabulous new start screen and some of the other goodies packed in you can try your luck at your local Nokia Care center, as we’re hearing reports that Care centers in Lebanon, India and some Gulf countries (Dubai mainly) are flashing Windows Phone 7.8 onto customers devices upon request.

 

*I would try my luck at my local care center, but unfortunately the first gen Lumias (as well as the WP8 ones) have never been officially on sale here; so I doubt the care center would be any help :/.

 

Via

 

Google caving in, working on a ‘fix’ to allow WP phones to access google maps

Posted: 06 Jan 2013 04:07 AM PST

 

Screen Shot 2013-01-06 at 12.06.40

At the start of the weekend, there was a flurry of news about Google actively prohibiting their services onto Windows Phones.

Whilst some sites said WP wasn’t able to use Google Maps in I.E. some others tested this, and showed that well, actually it does work as long as you switch the user agent to anything other than Windows Phone.

Though, Google does stand by the claims that maps didn’t work on WP so they sent all users to redirect.

The statement on he Next Web via engadget from Google:

“In our last test, IE mobile still did not offer a good maps experience with no ability to pan or zoom and perform basic map functionality. As a result, we chose to continue to redirect IE mobile users to Google.com where they could at least make local searches. The Firefox mobile browser did offer a somewhat better user experience and that’s why there is no redirect for those users”

Google also acknowledges recent improvements in I.E. Mobile. What recent improvements? All I recall is google maps suddenly not working.

Recent improvements to IE mobile and Google Maps now deliver a better experience and we are currently working to remove the redirect. We will continue to test Google Maps compatibility with other mobile browsers to ensure the best possible experience for users.

Cheers Arun for the heads up!

 

Video: Awesome Nokia Lumia 920 Promo from Nokia China – Making of the 920

Posted: 06 Jan 2013 03:51 AM PST

Screen Shot 2013-01-06 at 11.42.29During the announcement of the Nokia Lumia 920 in September, Nokia showed off the intricate layering of components that went inside the Nokia Lumia 920. It looked great. It’s a shame that Nokia hasn’t produced a half decent promo for the 920 since. Well, I’m quite pleased with what I’m seeing in the promo video below.

Screen Shot 2013-01-06 at 11.46.28

I can’t read Mandarin, but you can see it explains what certain features are, rather than their haphazard arty nonsense videos. Like, come on, seriously Nokia Advertising People, how are consumers meant to buy your product if they don’t know what it does?

Screen Shot 2013-01-06 at 11.46.54

It might be a tad long for a tv commercial/advert but it could totally work in 30s to 1minute clips where they shorten down to focus on just one feature. Bit of the destruction/construction sequence to show the coolness inside and then show it in action.

by vipinj·

The 920, 820 and 620 can also be seen together at the end.

Screen Shot 2013-01-06 at 11.48.58Cheers Muerte for the tip!

 

 

MNB-RG: Lumia selling well in Finland

Posted: 05 Jan 2013 05:26 PM PST

nokia_lumia_800_white_live_sg_8-580x405

We saw last week that the Lumias were selling well with Elisa. Otto has sent in his article about the progress of Nokia in Finland this year.

Finland is a very interesting market what comes to Nokia. It should be their home ground, but getting a smartphone to Top5 most sold devices list seems to be behind quite a battle.
Three largest operators released their “most sold phones” (units sold to consumers) for full year 2012.

Sonera full year 2012 most sold phones:
1. Nokia Lumia 800
2. Apple iPhone 4S
3. Samsung Galaxy XCover
4. Samsung Galaxy Gio
5. Apple iPhone 5

Elisa full year 2012 most sold phones (consumers):
1. Nokia Lumia 800
2. Apple iPhone 4S
3. Nokia C2-01 *
4. Samsung Galaxy S III
5. Samsung Galaxy S II

DNA did not give exact full year ratings, we shall see if they will. Press release had short mention saying:
iPhone 5 is clear number one for 2012 with very even competition behind it.”
In press release DNA points Samsung Galaxy Xcover, Samsung Galaxy S II, Nokia Lumia 800 and Apple iPhone 4S as examples of phones that have been in Top10 list whole year.

So it seems that Lumia 800 has been the only Nokia smartphone to top sales lists on all three operators, even above iPhone.
For those not familiar with it, Nokia smartphones do not usually sell better than iPhone, not even in Finland. Here are 2011 readings for comparison:

Sonera full year 2011 most sold phones:
1. Apple iPhone 4
2. Nokia C2 *
3. Nokia C5-00
4. Nokia E7
5. Nokia C7

Elisa full year 2011 most sold phones (consumer):
1. Apple iPhone 4
2. Nokia C2-01 *
3. ZTE Blade
4. Samsung Galaxy Gio
5. Nokia E7-00

DNA full year 2011 most sold phones:
1. Nokia C2-01 *
2. Samsung Galaxy Mini
3. Apple iPhone 4
4. Nokia 7230
5. Samsung Galaxy S II

(* Nokia C2-01 is a feature phone in sub-100€ price range)

And as everyone is looking towards the sales of Lumia 920, we know something about that too. On December most sold devices list, Lumia 920 was in Top5 on all operators. In DNA stores it was even selling more than iPhone 5. Lumia 920 also sold better than Galaxy S series on all operators, which may be due to SGS3′s longer time on market:

Sonera top5 most sold phones in December 2012:
1. Nokia Lumia 800
2. Apple iPhone 5
3. Nokia Lumia 920
4. Samsung Galaxy Gio
5. Apple iPhone 4S

Elisa top5 most sold phones in December 2012 (consumer):
1. Apple iPhone 5
2. Nokia Lumia 800
3. Nokia Lumia 920
4. Samsung Galaxy S III Mini
5. Samsung Galaxy S III

DNA top5 most sold phones in December 2012:
1. Samsung Galaxy Y
2. Nokia Lumia 920
3. Nokia Lumia 800
4. iPhone 5
5. Nokia 113

Source: press releases of
Sonera: http://uutishuone.sonera.fi/
Elisa: http://corporate.elisa.fi/elisa-oyj/tiedotteet/tiedote/
DNA: http://www.dna.fi/DNAOy/Media/Sivut/Default.aspx

 Cheers Otto!

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