09 August 2013

My Nokia Blog

My Nokia Blog


Nokia Lumia 1020 coming in Red!?

Posted: 08 Aug 2013 02:48 PM PDT

Screen Shot 2013-08-08 at 22.43.31

 

Found on a Polish site, stock for a Red Nokia Lumia 1020 was noted.

If you wanna see what it might look like there was already the leaked Nokia EOS in Red from a while back.

Screen Shot 2013-08-08 at 22.44.32

I wonder if Ali will stick as a new recruit of #TeamYellow or if he’ll rejoin #TeamRed.

Now when should we expect Cyan to rear its pretty Nokia classic colour head?

Source: Windows-Phone.pl

Via: WPC

Cheers M.Adeeb.H for the tip

WP8 GDR3 is in testing says Tom Warren

Posted: 08 Aug 2013 11:58 AM PDT

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Tom Warren says that WP8 GDR3 (General Distribution Release 3), a bigger update than the recently released (but not yet everywhere – I certainly don’t have it, hurray me) GDR2 is in testing. The reddit thread says it’s been in testing from employees at MS for many weeks.

Windows Phone 8 GDR3 update is in testing, let’s see what it brings :)

The much anticipated 6″ Nokia Quadcore Phablet should have GDR3, taking advantage of all cores plus 1080p screen. This is to be announced Q4.

The biggest update to WP is expected to come in the shape of Blue in 2014, something to further bridge the gap between WP8 and W8

I hope we get some surprises by what we see in GDR3 instead of having to wait again for Blue. Then I can stop whinging about MS doing jack shizzle for WP.

So, other than apps, what are the things WP is missing again? (I have a list in my head)

Via: Reddit

Call and SMS filter for Nokia Lumia with GDR2 Amber update

Posted: 08 Aug 2013 11:44 AM PDT

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There’s more surprises for Nokia Lumia users in the GDR2 update thanks to Nokia. It comes by way of update to Extras + Info to which you then get the option to filter/block SMS and Calls. I distinctly remember a couple of readers saying this was really important to them so it’s nice to see it’s there (not something I use myself but maybe I just didn’t know what I was missing).

Video demo below. Rubino says he doesn’t know what ‘withheld’ number means. It just means when no number pops up. In the UK, you can hide your number by putting ’141′ before a call. You also get an option to have a live tile which will jump straight into this settings. I want to be able to pin other things within my settings. Why can’t I do that already eh? Rubino also says that this is a huge feature that a lot have been asking for so, there you go.

Source: WPC

Via: Reddit

Nokia Solutions and Networks, NSN, reports Q2 profit of 136 million euros, 2.8B euro net sales.

Posted: 08 Aug 2013 07:09 AM PDT

NSN

The Times of India reports NSN have posted a profit of 136M euros. This is NSN’s fourth consecutive quarter of strong profitability. There was a time when NSN was the one needing help and cash from the parent companies but now with the restructuring is on a steadier path which is delivering profit.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/tech-news/hardware/Nokia-Solutions-reports-Q2-profit-of-136-million-euros/articleshow/21708012.cms

 

Press Release from NSN:

Q2 2013 Net Sales of EUR 2.8 billion and Operating Margin Before Specific Items** of 12.2%

  • Second quarter 2013 net sales of EUR 2 758 million declined 14.7% year-on-year, but increased 1.5% sequentially. Excluding businesses divested and the exiting of certain customer contracts and countries, net sales were down approximately 11% year-on-year on a constant currency basis, but were up approximately 4% sequentially on a constant currency basis.
  • Gross margin before specific items** was 38.4% in the second quarter 2013, an improvement of 12.2 percentage points from the second quarter 2012 and an increase of 4.6 percentage points from the first quarter 2013. The year-on-year improvement was primarily due to higher gross margin in both Mobile Broadband and Global Services and non-recurring IPR income of EUR 17 million, as well as a slightly higher proportion of Mobile Broadband within the total sales mix. On a sequential basis, the increase in NSN gross margin before specific items** in the second quarter 2013 was due to significantly higher gross margin in Global Services as well as non-recurring IPR income of EUR 17 million, partially offset by lower gross margin in Mobile Broadband.
  • Operating expenses before specific items** in the second quarter 2013 were EUR 722 million, down from EUR 820 million in the second quarter 2012 and approximately flat compared to EUR 717 million in the first quarter 2013. On a year-on-year basis, operating expenses before specific items** were lower primarily due to reduced investments in business activities that are not consistent with the focused strategy and structural cost savings from NSN's transformation and restructuring program, partially offset by higher investments in areas that are consistent with our focused strategy, most notably LTE.
  • In the second quarter 2013, NSN delivered operating margin before specific items** of 12.2%, driven by strong execution of NSN's focused strategy. Operating margin before specific items** was 0.9% in the second quarter 2012 and 7.4% in the first quarter 2013.
  • As a result of the increased savings in the first half of 2013, and an accelerated pace of execution, we have, as already announced recently, increased the target for a reduction in annualized operating expenses and production overheads, excluding specific items, to more than EUR 1.5 billion by the end of 2013, compared to the end of 2011.
  • Free cash flow was EUR 5 million in the second quarter 2013, compared to EUR 121 million in the second quarter 2012 and EUR 239 million in the first quarter 2013. In the second quarter 2013, NSN's free cash flow was affected negatively by net working capital-related outflows of EUR 239 million which included approximately EUR 190 million of restructuring-related outflows.
  • On July 1, 2013, Nokia Corporation and Siemens AG announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which Nokia acquires Siemens’ entire 50% stake in NSN. As announced on August 7, 2013, the transaction has been completed. In accordance with this transaction, the Siemens name is being phased out from Nokia Siemens Networks’ company name and branding. The new name and brand is Nokia Solutions and Networks, referred to as NSN, which will be used also for financial reporting purposes. Nokia Solutions and Networks is wholly owned by Nokia and will continue to be consolidated by Nokia.

Rajeev Suri, Chief Executive Officer of NSN:

"Our fourth consecutive quarter of strong profitability is testament to excellent performance in both our Mobile Broadband and Global Services segments. As a result of our focused strategy and strong financial position, we believe NSN is very well positioned to build on its leadership position in LTE as our customers build the next generation of mobile broadband networks."

___

BTW, lol at jiipee who linked to this in reference to the new logo “http://jonyiveredesignsthings.tumblr.com/

AnandTech: Nokia Lumia 521: Quality Smartphone on an Extreme Budget

Posted: 08 Aug 2013 06:54 AM PDT

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Whilst the likes of the 1020 amaze the media and the crowd, let’s not forget the stars of the show are these quality affordable smartphones.

In this long and indepth review by Vivek Gowri for AnandTech, we see precisely why the likes of the Lumia 52x is so popular and a big hit in countries like India.

This is about providing a credible modern smartphone experience at the lowest of budgets, and in that sense, the Lumia 521 more than delivers, with a modern microarchitecture, generally decent specs, and a very solid no-frills design. Nokia is one of the world's most respected handset manufacturers, a truly elite hardware design center. The Lumia 521 is one of their most compelling handsets in recent memory, and it's difficult to give it more praise than that.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/7177/nokia-lumia-521/

Just as with the 620, the 520 offers so much in a very affordable package. WP helps keep the user experience fluid without needing high end specs, and Nokia delivers on the hardware and design.

There’s more on the way with the 625, the largest screen (4.7″) so far of the announced Nokia smartphones yet still in the 6xx entry level category.

Cheers Alvester for the tip!

AAWP: Nokia Lumia 1020 video tests – “he best phone in the world for video capture – by some margin”

Posted: 08 Aug 2013 06:43 AM PDT

MNB IMG_1037Sophie Lumia 1020

One more test with Steve Litchfield, this time for AAWP, testing the video of the Nokia Lumia 1020 on its own.

I haven’t played around with the 1020 long enough, I’m interested in how that manual focus in video works (and if it is manual, can you ‘pull focus’)

http://allaboutwindowsphone.com/reviews/item/18083_Nokia_Lumia_1020_camera-video_.php

This is going to sound somewhat gushing, but the combination of large sensor/optics, OIS, PureView zoom and stereo HAAC audio, plus an incredibly visible display in all light conditions (thanks mainly to Nokia’s CBD technology), allied with a very sleek form factor that isn’t compromised at all by its camera/camcorder functionality, makes the Nokia Lumia 1020 the best phone in the world for video capture – by some margin*, in my opinion.

Whilst Steve writes for AAWP, he’s of course a massive Symbian fan too, so his praises for the 1020 aren’t unfounded. Everyone seems to be singing from the same song sheet regarding the photos and videos of the 1020. I can’t wait to get one!

Cheers Alvester for the tip

#ThrowbackThursday – My first Nokia was a _____

Posted: 08 Aug 2013 06:35 AM PDT

throwback thursday

This was just shared by Nokia’s Facebook page. It’s a topic that crops up here every now and again but I’m always surprised by the answer, some by how early their Nokia phones were, and others, how extremely recent.

One way or another, it’s a question that unites a Nokia community because it’s something you guys all have in common. There was that very special first Nokia.

In terms of devices I used as my permanent phones:

First ever Nokia:

  • 3310

First colour screen Nokia:

  • 7210

First inbuilt camera phone Nokia

  • 7610

First smartphone Nokia

  • 7610

First touch screen Nokia

  • N800

If you have pictures of your collection, feel free to share with us. We might collect pictures later for a future post.

Reminder: Nokia Have Been Using “Double Tap to Wake” Since 2008

Posted: 08 Aug 2013 04:14 AM PDT

67708a12a76322167861aeaf25669282Earlier we posted about LG copying Nokia’s “Double tap to wake” feature that we all came to know and love in the N9 when it was announced in 2011; but that’s not even Nokia’s first to use it. The beautiful Ellen  was kind enough to remind us that Nokia have been implementing this idea in there phones ever since 2008 and the Nokia 6600 Fold:

The 6600 used to use Double tap to bring up the lockscreen clock to save you the effort of having to flip open the phone to check the time; check out the video of it in action below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KA3DMCs984o

Unfortunately I can’t find a patent regarding this concept (anyone know if it is patented?); but once again we see other companies copying what Nokia have been doing for years (5 years), perhaps in another 5 years we’ll see a puremotion screen? But this just goes to prove that no matter how innovative Nokia are being they can NEVER stop, they need to keep pumping out new ideas and taking risk; don’t get comfortable, and of course Microsoft have to do their share on the hard baked software end of it.

 Michael: Otto also mentioned this a while back (about 3 months), in fact we were going to use it as part of our upcoming Trivia segment. In the post Ali mentions above, Otto also reminded us that the 6600 Fold is just one of the devices that had this technology. There was also the 6600 Slide, and the 3600 Slide.

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77.6% shipment increase in WP since last year

Posted: 08 Aug 2013 04:02 AM PDT


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Reports from IDC show that Windows Phone’s shipments have increased 77.6% since last year. TheVerge notes that whilst WP’s lead over BlackBerry isn’t huge, WP and BB are clearly going in “different directions”, with WP on the incline.

Android continues to dominate. iOS is second, actually contracting in marketshare.

Screen Shot 2013-08-08 at 11.55.56

Really slow progress from WP but progress nonetheless. 8.7M sales in Q2 2013 (‘growing’ approx 3.7% marketshare), of which 7.4M were Nokia leaving 1.3m for HTC and Sammy (and whoever else )

Source:  IDC

Via: 1 |  2  |  3

Cheers all for the tip!

Nokia N9′s double tap to wake swiped by LG G2 as ‘knock knock’

Posted: 07 Aug 2013 11:39 PM PDT

 

Firefox demoed on the Nokia N9(6)

I wasn’t sure I was going to bother highlighting this when I saw demo vids yesterday but since everyone writing about it has forgotten where this original innovation has come from, let’s point it out.

Nokia N9, it did that whole buttonless face thing which meant that instead of using the unlock button you could double tap to wake it up. Could Nokia patent such a gesture? Apparently not. Swipe UI is patented but I don’t know if that’s strictly part of it.

Along with Nokia N9′s, Nokia’s Lumia series with the Amber update have that feature (along with always on screen…when will Android steal that).

Here’s what GSMArena said:

As customary for Android flagships, the LG G2 offers several proprietary features to differentiate. You can double tap on the screen to wake it up

http://www.gsmarena.com/the_lg_g2_is_finally_official_with_a_52inch_screen_snapdragon_800-news-6536.php

IBTimes

To power up the LG G2 when it is laying on its back, the company has incorporated Knock Knock, a double-tap gesture that powers the phone up from sleep, and can turn the screen back off again

http://www.ibtimes.com/lg-g2-hands-specs-features-revealed-price-release-date-pending-1376429

I think it might have actually been reader, ‘incognito’ that suggested the whole ‘knock knock’ thing with the N9 before as a funny joke and then the N9 would respond accordingly with some wallpaper or what have you (I forget the conversation).

Infra-red ports of old Nokias seem to be the hottest thing on the block too :/.

Interestingly, a bit like how the N9 did button free face, the LG does the whole button free sides with buttons at the back where the camera is situated. I kinda like the slim bezel at the sides. The camera also has OIS, first introduced in the 920.

Come on MS! Hurry up with WP! Go steal features if you must! Bring the basics we ask for. Just hurry up and bring something to the table!

Cheers Nuki for the tip

 

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