31 August 2013

My Nokia Blog

My Nokia Blog

DPReview: Nokia Lumia 1020 takes better pictures than any other phone on the market! image quality is best-in-class

Posted: 30 Aug 2013 05:10 PM PDT

Screen Shot 2013-08-31 at 00.57.33

 

When the Nokia Lumia 1020 was launched, doubters said reviewers would hate on its camera. When reviewers unanimously loved the Nokia Lumia 1020 and crowned it as the best camera phone, doubters went on to specify which particular reviews to watch out for. One of which was the camera centric site, DPReview which looks on meticulously cameras they review. Well, weren’t they shocked when their first impressions of the 1020 looked super positive. But how will their full review’s perspective differ from the initial impression?

  •  breaks new ground in terms of image quality
  • The default camera app is a powerhouse that experienced photographers will welcome.
  • The Lumia 1020's image quality is best-in-class: in both bright and low light conditions, it delivers impressive performance.
  • The Nokia Lumia 1020's innovative zoom and impressive image quality set it apart from all competitors. By nearly every metric, it takes better pictures than any other phone on the market.

The full review is spread over 11 pages. Grab a cup of coffee, sit back and enjoy.

http://connect.dpreview.com/post/5234892048/nokia-lumia-1020-camera-review? via Reddit

Whilst the whole phone is fast and fluid to their expectations, Pro Cam needs improving in terms of start up speed and shot to shot time. Another complaint heard is ‘lack of HDR’ and whilst it is possible over a lens app, it should be a direct option on Lumia. And of course, not as a separate lens app but within pro cam itself. Fortunately, DPreview doesn’t seem to mind separate lenses and praises the ‘nice panorama’.

Sharpening, saturation and contrast options shouldn’t be too hard to implement in future updates to pro cam.

The Good

  • Best-in-class overall image quality
  • Zoom doesn't compromise image quality
  • Best-in-class low light performance
  • Well-designed full manual control in camera app
  • Sunlight-visible screen
  • Solid ergonomics with two-stage shutter release
  • Very good flash performance
  • Nice panorama mode
  • Very good video quality, especially in low light
  • Optional camera grip available

The Bad

  • Long shot-to-shot times
  • Slow camera app startup
  • No control over imaging parameters like sharpening, saturation or contrast
  • No HDR or true burst modes
  • Images soft in corners
  • Imaging app support limited compared to closest competition

The review score kinda looks like 808 to me :p.

Screen Shot 2013-08-31 at 00.57.13

Weekend Watch: Pollen Dance, Nokia 808 PureView

Posted: 30 Aug 2013 04:50 PM PDT

Screen Shot 2013-08-31 at 00.45.32

Here’s a nice little video showing the Nokia 808 PureView and that zooming in action.

Screen Shot 2013-08-31 at 00.48.40 Screen Shot 2013-08-31 at 00.47.42

This bee’s footwork is rather impressive :pScreen Shot 2013-08-31 at 00.49.36

Olivier Noirhomme

Weekend Read: Stunning Nokia Collages

Posted: 30 Aug 2013 04:45 PM PDT

Screen Shot 2013-08-30 at 22.58.25

NokConv has posted a collection of stunning collages taken on some Nokia phones by Nokia users. There are some really pretty results there.

I like the results of the collages; combining several pictures in one to tell a story.

http://conversations.nokia.com/2013/08/29/15-stunning-collage-photos-taken-on-a-nokia-smartphone/

Cheers Alvester for the tip!

 

Nokia Conversation: Surveys Show Removing People From Photos is One of the Most Asked for Feature in Cameras

Posted: 30 Aug 2013 10:45 AM PDT

Nokia-SmartcamNokia SmartCam brings some awesome features, one of which is the ability to remove unwanted people/subjects from a photo (something Nokia played on in their latest 925 advert). Well a recent survey asking about what features people want in their cameras/photos proved that most people want to remove an unwanted someone from their pics:

The survey of a thousand online participants found that half of 18-25 year-olds most want a feature on their camera phone that removes a moving object or person from their images over any other feature.

Of course some other manufacturers (Samsung and Sony) have their own “features” such as capturing underwater or by voice command, those didn’t match up so well with the surveyed crowd:

The survey conducted by Redshift Research, on behalf of Nokia, found that over half of young people are more interested in having a feature on their camera phone that removes a moving object or person from their images than capturing photos underwater (25%) or taking photos with sound (7%)

In case you’re interested in some more stats here’s some more data collected in the survey:

  • Double the number of people (of any age) would most like to have a feature on their camera phone that removes a moving object / person from their image (39%) than have a camera phone that takes photos with sound (19%)
  • 45% of 25-34 year-olds would most like to have a feature on their camera phone that removes a moving object / person from their image than have a camera phone that takes photos with sound (14%) or has the ability to capture photos underwater (26%)
  • 62% of people would most like to delete passers by from photos, but 9% would rather delete former partners and 3% would prefer to delete former friends
  • 64% of women would most like to remove passers by from photos they have already taken, vs. 59% of men
  • 15% of men would most like to remove photobombers from photos they have already taken, vs. 12% of women
  • 30% of 25-34 year-olds have been photobombed, vs. only 10% of 45-54 year-olds
  • 39% of women and 29% of men say they regularly have to retake a picture because of an unwanted person or object obscuring the view

Nokia Smartcam is pretty awesome, my only issue with it is the fact that it takes slightly lower quality images, and that it has to “capture” for a longer period (compared to BB10′s variant which starts capturing frames before you press the capture button, so it’s more of a “beneath the hood feature”).  Still it’s an awesome feature that doesn’t get half the recognition it deserves!

source

 

Spotted: Nokia Lumia 925 in Parachute’s latest Music Video, “Can’t Help”

Posted: 30 Aug 2013 09:42 AM PDT

Screen Shot 2013-08-30 at 17.38.39

Not yet using pro-cam, here’s a Nokia Lumia 925 taking pics in the latest music video for Parachute in the song “Can’t help”.

Screen Shot 2013-08-30 at 17.39.51 1

YouTube link (direct time)

Thanks Alvester for the tip!

Where else have you spotted some Nokias? :)

My Dream Nokia #98: E71 inspired WP8 Nokia concept

Posted: 30 Aug 2013 09:34 AM PDT

MNB Nokia E71 - WP8mdn

One of the most popular business handsets, the Nokia E71 gets a slight tweak with this concept for MDN #98, sent by Risto Hunt.

The face is all touch (no physical QWERTY), and the back now features a xenon flash.

Unlike the usual touch screen, this is somehow moulded around the ear piece and front sensors as opposed to being a rectangular screen.

It picks up super long Eseries style battery life but Wireless charging from Lumia. There’s also waterproofing.

I noticed at your webpage that you people have sent you their dream nokia phones. I have made mine too and thought why not to share.
My dream nokia would be in size and shape of Nokia E71, with metal body. It would have all todays features, i.e. Nokia 820 has. 8MP camera with ‘real’ flash would be nice. It would have scroll bar on the background (the one recently seen on some other phone), so that when you move your finter up or down, left or right, then the screen will move same direction. Between the screen and bottom detail (the one with back, windows and search touchbuttons (with backlight)) is notification light (just like the E71 has) that gloves slowly to let know that the phone is alive and blinks quickly when unanswered calls, unseen messages. Screen resolution should not be from high-end (in order to save battery). BAttery should last 2-3 days easily. Wireless charging built-in and the back cover is covered with tiny solar panels. Must have 3.5mm audio jack, not the 2.5 like current e71 has. Water proof – nokia’s nano tech as they said is in works.

NokConv: Here Auto – connecting your car to the cloud!

Posted: 30 Aug 2013 09:27 AM PDT

Screen Shot 2013-08-30 at 17.23.30

A couple of stories over at NokConv that talks about their new ventures with automobiles and Here Mapping.

Some say it might revolutionise the car industry by making cars more connected than ever. Intuitive navigation assistance that assists:

  • When you plan your journey – on here.com or on your smartphone;
  • When you drive – with embedded voice-guided turn-by-turn navigation in 95 countries, traffic re-routing and fuel prices;
  • When you approach your destination – with street level images, parking availability and indoor maps.

http://conversations.nokia.com/2013/08/30/here-auto-connect-your-car-to-the-cloud/

http://conversations.nokia.com/2013/08/30/the-intelligent-cloud-behind-here-auto/

Nokia’s also got a Here Auto companion app available for Windows Phone and Android. Nokia  Music seems to star in the Here auto car app.

Lumia 925 Advert: Dad Wins Thanks to SmartCam

Posted: 30 Aug 2013 04:36 AM PDT

802a24fc8133caf3b7fdcaed24ad5c26Here’s the latest ad in the series of Nokia Lumia 925 adverts, this time the dad trolls his annoying daughters boyfriend by deleting him from the photos with Smartcam! Pretty good use eh?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phGSl1UEi40

And this one shows the 925 throughout, so no reason for anyone to be upset right?

 

 
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30 August 2013

My Nokia Blog

My Nokia Blog

Video: Lumia Amber Update Walkthrough (On Lumia 920)

Posted: 29 Aug 2013 03:04 PM PDT

DSC03434Yesterday I posted that my Lumia 920 finally got the Lumia Amber/GDR2, so here’s a video demo showing all the changes that came with it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3e-Ml0sHT8

So what’s your favorite feature of the Amber update?

 

Video: Enjoy the view – Nokia Lumia 625

Posted: 29 Aug 2013 11:26 AM PDT

Screen Shot 2013-08-29 at 19.23.46

This promo for the Nokia Lumia 625 kinda returns to that arsty-fartsy promos though with some interesting transitions in the way it shows off the colour matching of the background and the people to the Nokia Lumia 625. It ends by showing the group together and smart cam action shot, well, in action :) .

Free Halo Expansion, Operation Hydra for Spartan Assault; Temple Run: Oz available too

Posted: 29 Aug 2013 11:04 AM PDT

Screen Shot 2013-08-29 at 18.56.58

 

 

First up, MS are giving you guys a free expansion as it were for Halo: Spartan Assault called Operation Hydra which brings 5 new missions.

And for those who still like Temple run, there’s Temple Run: Oz which is said to look very beautiful ($0.99)

http://blogs.windows.com/windows_phone/b/windowsphone/archive/2013/08/28/halo-spartan-assault-adds-5-new-missions-supports-more-windows-phones.aspx?q6268004=1

http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/app/temple-run-oz/f86e94c3-007b-4c37-8b00-127a2453cc07?ocid=twp_templerunoz_mktpl&q6263351=1&signin=true

Screen Shot 2013-08-29 at 19.03.26

Cheers all for the tips!

Nokia Planning Something Big… With Your Car

Posted: 29 Aug 2013 05:39 AM PDT

HERE_465Nokia Conversations just published a short teaser post, announcing that they will announce something tomorrow at 9AM. It apparently has something to do with cars and HERE maps

It has already been a busy news week here on Nokia Conversations and we have more exciting news to share tomorrow.

Check back at 9am GMT tomorrow to find out more…

Until then, drive safely!

http://conversations.nokia.com/2013/08/29/we-know-what-will-be-in-your-car-tomorrow/

I suspect it has something to do with HERE maps becoming a more widely accepted standard for in-car GPS, perhaps brokering a new deal with General Motors? Well we’ll find out tomorrow for sure, but what do you guys think?

DSC03397

 

Ladbrokes puts Elop on top of shortlist for Next Microsoft CEO. See who else is on the list!

Posted: 29 Aug 2013 04:38 AM PDT

Screen Shot 2013-08-29 at 12.32.41

If you’re a betting person, you may wish to gamble on the possible next CEO of Microsoft. There’s been a bit of discussion here already on that topic but it’s always interesting to see non techy people take on tech news. Here, gambling company, Ladbrokes has a shortlist of the possible successor to Ballmer, of which, surprise; Mr Elop is on top.

  1.  Stephen Elop  5/1
  2. Kevin Turner  6/1
  3. Steve Sinofsky  8/1
  4. Julie Larson-Green  8/1
  5. Qi Lu  10/1
  6. Tony Bates  10/1
  7. Kiril Tatarinov  12/1
  8. Terry Myerson  12/1
  9. Satya Nadella  14/1
  10. Paul Maritz  14/1
  11. Kevin Johnson  16/1
  12. Reed Hastings  16/1
  13. John Donahoe  20/1
  14. Dale Lee  20/1
  15. Vic Gundotra  25/1
  16. Jeff Raikes  25/1
  17. Robbie Bach  25/1
  18. Scott Forstall  33/1
  19. Marissa Meyer  33/1
  20. Sheryl Sandberg  33/1
  21. John Legere  40/1
  22. Sir Jonathan Ive  40/1
  23. Jack Dorsey  40/1
  24. Bill Gates  50/1
  25. Tim Cook   100/1

Source: ladbrokes

Via: techhive

Cheers all for the tip!

Reuters: Finnish pension fund Ilmarinen reports rise in Nokia stake

Posted: 29 Aug 2013 04:31 AM PDT

 

Reuters reports confidence in Nokia is rising in Finland. Finnish pension fund, Ilmarinen’s stake at Nokia has risen to by 11% in the second quarter to 168.2 million euros  in line with Nokia’s share price. They also said that they’ve increased its investment allocation in equities.

Cheers Muerte for the tip!

 

Video: Get it done. Fast and easy – Nokia Lumia 625 – Stress Free

Posted: 29 Aug 2013 04:25 AM PDT

Screen Shot 2013-08-29 at 12.24.28

There’s another Nokia promo for the Lumia 625. This one is about getting it done. Fast and Easy.

Set in an office block, it’s hectic, everyone’s rushing to do stuff except one guy who’s calm and relaxed.

Nokia

Nokia goes to the Gym for Lumia 625 Promo: Bigger. Better. Faster – LOL

Posted: 29 Aug 2013 04:19 AM PDT

Screen Shot 2013-08-29 at 12.14.41

Another funny promo from Nokia that genuinely did make me chuckle. The Nokia Lumia 625′s latest promo is about the bigger screen and that faster LTE connection. To emphasise this, we see a group of guys at the gym. Another, slim guy approaches them but upon picking up the 625, something happens. Check it out.

It’s cheesy yes. My mate just said it doesn’t really tell you what the phone does.

Nokia teams up with National Geographic to promote Nokia Lumia 1020′s insanely awesome camera

Posted: 29 Aug 2013 04:04 AM PDT

Screen Shot 2013-08-29 at 12.00.59

Nokia has teamed up with National Geographic to showcase some really stunning photos and videos produced by the Nokia Lumia 1020.

These were captured by award winning Nat Geo photographer, Stephen Alvarez.

"What the Nokia Lumia 1020 does astounds me – these results, from a smartphone, are stunning. I have used a lot off camera phones so when I set out on this assignment I had my doubts, my doubts are gone – nothing else compares."

http://conversations.nokia.com/2013/08/29/national-geographic-photographer-explores-american-west-with-nokia-lumia-1020/

via @nokia

AdDuplex spotting Nokia RX Tablets and Surface Pro 2?

Posted: 28 Aug 2013 10:31 PM PDT

 

Screen Shot 2013-08-29 at 06.27.31

AdDuplex notes that they’ve come across some interesting sightings in their logs in that slice of over 10,000 ‘other’ devices. Nokia most noticeably as they haven’t released a Windows tablet yet.

The sightings named (including those seen previously) include:

  • RX-107
  • RX-108
  • RX-113
  • RX-114
  • RX-115
  • RX-116

Nokia’s usual phone models by code are RM. RX usually denotes Nokia’s tablet series, such as the Maemo powered internet tablets.

Other things spotted include the Surface Pro 2 and 8.1 powered Surface.

I’m not sure how easy it is to spoof names.

Source: AdDuplex

Cheers Alvester for the tip!
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29 August 2013

My Nokia Blog

My Nokia Blog

My UK Lumia 920 Is Finally Getting Lumia Amber/GDR2, Anyone Still Out in the Cold? (Updated!)

Posted: 28 Aug 2013 03:50 PM PDT

DSC03260After months of waiting (then a few more agonizing weeks after everyone else started getting it) my UK country variant Lumia 920 has finally received the Lumia AMber/GDR2 update.

DSC03419The update is still installing as I type (currently stuck on “preparing to install 100%”) but hopefully it won’t be much longer. Then it’s on to using Nokia pro cam!

*I’ll update this bit with some more screenshots and images once the update is complete*

DSC03426 DSC03430

Almost there, now at 32% of migrating data!

Update: So my update finally finished! I love Procam <3

DSC03432DSC03434 DSC03443 DSC03451DSC03441 DSC03439 DSC03438 DSC03437DSC03436

 

So who hasn’t gotten Amber yet? Who has it? Sound off below.

And in case you’re one of the unlucky bunch waiting still check on your update status using this site:

http://www.nokia.com/global/support/software-update/wp8-software-update/

 

 

 

Infographic: App Store Comparisons WP Vs. Android Vs. iOS

Posted: 28 Aug 2013 03:23 PM PDT

e1f251f3116be8be520c2a2ca37a6443Here’s a pretty sweet inforgraphic showing a comparison of the health and activity on each of the three big app stores. Notably iOS is still in the lead with over 600K apps, with Android heating up behind them with >480K; and WP a ways behind with 156K. However on Windows Phone the average publisher has 5 apps to his name, something that may or may not be a good sign; for example Rudy Huyn developer of 6Sec, 6tag Wikipedia, 9Gag and more has about 5 in his name; on the other hand the BB 10′s stores biggest woe is the fact that 1/3rd of the market place is owned by a single developer! Which flooded the store with crap apps.

Another slightly misleading, yet interesting figure is the number of “dead applications”; at first I thought this referred to the percentage of apps with close to zero downloads, instead it’s the number of apps with less than 10 reviews and zero version updates. In this aspect WP is in the lead with 69% of the store being “dead app”, followed closely by iOS with 65%.

It truly is an interesting infographic check it out below (full size link)

http://www.stardustspm.com/infographie-m-reputation-en.jpg

Thanks everyone who sent this in.

 

LeakyLeak: First Images of Nokia’s Upcoming Lumia 1520 Phablet Surface

Posted: 28 Aug 2013 02:45 PM PDT

NL1520Nokia’s upcoming phablet device, with an expected release at the yet unannounced September event has been making the news lately. recently confirmed by @evleaks as the Lumia 1520; ans as we first reported is expected to have a quad core processor and a 1080p screen. WPC have gotten their hands on some alleged images of the device that look very real to us, the device is placed next to a Lumia 920 in comparison (or is that a 720?) Edit: as eagle eyed commenter Rushil pointed out it is actually the 1020; either way it looks absolutely monstrous.

The device is rumored to be 6″ and ultra thin with a 20Mp camera; what we can see here is that the bezel is indeed quite small matching up to the previous screen leeks we saw a month or so ago.

Note the accessory which resembles an ipad smart cove, that can double as a stand for the device, I want!

hopefully this is real, because my pockets have begun to itch! (and my wallet is cowering in fear).

6cb26641jw1e6zbpq0ysmj20hs0np756

*Note: the device above bears a striking resemblance to another alleged leak we saw a while back, only then it was called the 1030:

Nokia Phablet

Source

 

Lumiappdates: HDR Photocamera – supposedly bringing faster shots for Lumias

Posted: 28 Aug 2013 11:37 AM PDT

wp_ss_20130828_0002

HDR Photocamera just got updated which supposedly makes it faster but I’ve not noticed any difference.

In fact, the 925 with the version of HDR PhotoCamera before this (and is on Amber, 920 isn’t yet!!! grr!) is still taking slightly faster HDR sets than the updated version on the 920. When updated, I kinda felt the 925 became marginally slower (though still faster than the 920 with the updated app)

wp_ss_20130828_0001

Reminder: You Can Now Pre Order Your Lumia 925 on At&t

Posted: 28 Aug 2013 11:34 AM PDT

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Quick reminder folks, yesterday the Lumia 925 went official for At&t priced at $99 and expected to hit shelves September 13th. Well pre-orders for those of you who plan on getting one open today (meaning now!). So if you’re interested hit up the links below and get yours (get the black one).

http://www.nokia.com/us-en/phones/phone/lumia925/offers/?ct=S

Interestingly the phone is now Free on T-Mobile according to the Nokia site… Seems kinda mean to charge At&t users more right?

Sleek and Stylish Nokia 515 Announced, Sandblasted Aluminum beauty

Posted: 28 Aug 2013 08:38 AM PDT

Nokia_515_Weather_sq465

Nokia have just introduced another member to the feature phone family, the Nokia 515. The 515 comes in both dual and single sim flavors with some neat features packed into a sexy little casing. The 515 has a 5Mp camera, a 2.4″ Qvga screen, and a Micro SD card slot; clocking in at 11 Mms thick and a 101 grams.

Nokia_515_Dual_SIM_Group_465

The screen on the 515 is polarized for outdoor readability and gorilla glass 2 (no Nokia CBD as far as I can tell), and the front of the phone utilizes Nokia’s polycarbonate method seen in the Lumia range, while the back is a single piece of sandblasted aluminum (the N8 was Anodized).

Nokia_515_close-up_465Is it just me or does the back of the phone resemble the Xperia Z? Or perhaps the iPhone with that circular camera that breaks the color contrast?

The 515 will be available in Q3 at around 115 Euros

The Nokia 515 will begin shipping in the third quarter of 2013. Before any local taxes or operator subsidies, it will be priced at around EUR 115.

Source

 

Spotted: Nokia Lumia 920 and Shahruk Khan in Chennai Express

Posted: 28 Aug 2013 04:38 AM PDT

Screen Shot 2013-08-28 at 12.29.58

The Nokia Lumia 920 was spotted in Sharuk Khan’s latest movie, Chennai Express. This also stars the stunningly beautiful Deepika Padukone who’s quite familiar to the Lumia line.

Reuploaded by MUKESH KUMAR

Cheers Alvester for the tip!

Gameloft aims to release WP8 games on same dates as iOS and Android?

Posted: 27 Aug 2013 11:54 PM PDT

gameloft

An interview with a Gameloft spokesperson, Gregory Wintgens, apparently indicates that future Gameloft game releases for Windows Phone will come a lot sooner to the platform than the previous long waits we’ve seen (let’s be thankful we see them at all).

It takes time to write games, more so when you have to consider supporting various platforms.

Initially, the aim is to release WP8 games within 60 days of the iOS and Android version, recognizing WP’s place as the third ecosystem. This is the intermediate step until versions are appearing on the same date. I’m not sure if there may be a translation error here (is that the wish of the author or what the Gameloft spokesperson’s words?).

Gameloft and Microsoft have already announced that quite a few new titles will be appearing on the platform. Let’s hope we see those and new releases soon.

Source: PS

Via: WMPU

My Dream Nokia #97: sWIPe Nokia Lumia 930 S Design Concept, N9 like swipe but with the windows key?

Posted: 27 Aug 2013 11:46 PM PDT

Screen Shot 2013-08-28 at 07.41.11

Here’s an interesting concept. It uses swipe as seen in the N9′s swipe UI but not on the screen itself but on the home button which has now become a slider switch.

If it’s easy enough to swipe with feather light touch, perhaps?

Inspired by Windows Phone, the swipe of meego harmattan and the Nokia 5610, sWIPe use a slide button to bring more navigation posibilities to WP8, the new notification center and the improved multitasking screen are available with a simple slide, switch between apps is very easy too. This project is the idea of Dario Gainnash and Il Matti with the Omar Pirela collaboration in the 930 S 3D model and the graphic animation.

There’s a video below so you can see it in action.

Omar Pirela

Cheers  Alvester  for the tip!
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