Microsoft is finally dropping the Nokia and Windows Phone branding for all its smartphones. And as we move forward, all Windows Phone devices from Nokia will now be carrying the Microsoft Lumia branding. Earlier, there were rumors that Microsoft, having acquired Nokia's phone division, was now looking to kill the Nokia and Windows Phone brand, but we weren't entirely sure what the replacement was.
A few days back, Skype introduced some revamped features for its desktop client, with a distinct focus on improving the user's instant messaging experience. So while Skype is busy improving the users' experience on both, the mobile and desktop version of its app, let us introduce you to Skype Qik. Taking a distinctly different route than Skype, Skype Qik is built for asynchronous video messaging, where you create and share video messages with online and offline users. The app gives you a slight peek into what Skype may have looked like had it started out as an app for the mobile.
Modern smartphones are great and all, but even with the trend of ever increasing screen sizes making it possible for manufactures to squeeze larger batteries into them, today's flagship handsets just don't last long enough between charges. There are exceptions to the rule, granted, but as a whole it's likely you're going to be charging that new phone of yours by the end of the day, especially if you know you won't be able to charge it the next.
Logitech is one of Apple's official accessory partners, and invests a great amount of its developmental man-power in creating some exciting new products. But aside from dreaming up some wondrous gadgets for devices bearing the Apple logo, it also caters to the wider market in general, allowing those on Android and Windows Phone to reap the benefits of its creations. In the latest, it has unleashed a quirky new keyboard capable of docking a smartphone and tablet at the same time, and with a very agreeable price tag to boot, it's the perfect all-in-one solution for traditional typists.
For some reason, the tech world spends more time parodying voice assistants than actually using them, and just like when Siri and Google Now first arrived, we got a little excited about Microsoft's Cortana earlier on this year at BUILD. Certainly, the software giant is every enthusiastic about the software, which is based on the virtual voice of the character from Halo, and with the HTC One M8 confirmed as releasing on Windows Phone, Microsoft has taken the opportunity to take a swipe at Apple and Siri once more.
When it comes to apps - even the big ones - it's fair to say that Microsoft's Windows Phone platform often gets left behind. It took an age for Instagram, for instance, to make its way over to the WP Store, and even when apps do finally manifest themselves, updates can be few and far between. Spotify is another prime example, and although an official app has been around for a while now, the ability to shuffle songs for free with ads has not. Now, though WP users can listen for free thanks to a new update, and if you don't mind the occasional advertisement, it's a great way to enjoy free music.
The concept of personal assistants has been around for a long, long time, and they indeed make one’s job a lot easier by sharing a hefty amount of your workload, maintaining schedules, prioritizing stuff, keeping track of projects and whatnot. With advancements in technology, a lot of that responsibility has shifted to our smartphones, further supported by the fact that not everyone can afford (or is entitled to) a personal assistant. Apple took the concept to the virtual world with its implementation of Siri, followed closely by Google Now and now, Microsoft’s Cortana for Windows Phone, with the latter being the highlight these days.
Just yesterday, Samsung took a clever jab at not just one of its competitors, but three of them at the same time, by unveiling a video on its YouTube channel showing the Korean flagship, the Samsung Galaxy S5, taking the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and nominating Apple iPhone 5s, the HTC One M8 and the Nokia Lumia 930 to do the same. It appears that two of the nominees - namely, HTC One M8 and Lumia 930 - have taken up the challenge and took a dip in ice cold water.
As mobile device owners, we've all been stuck in that annoying situation by which our need to play games, send emails and use apps outweighs the device's battery capacity. We write checks that our overworked smartphones and tablets simply cannot cash, and as a result, the peripheral market makes a pretty penny from developing new, convenient ways to boost the retention. From simple charging cases to full-on battery packs, there are plenty of solutions available, but while many forgo appearance in favor of practicality, this neat new wrist-worn charger serves as an inconspicuous accessory when not in use.
The higher echelons of the Android market were once completely dominated by Samsung, and after several marked failures, Taiwanese outfit HTC stopped being 'quietly' brilliant and actually delivered a device worthy of some fanfare. The HTC One M7 last year has since been followed up with the One M8, and with a slick design and great features, is a worthy competitor to the Samsung Galaxy S5. With Android fans having been catered to, HTC has decided to broaden its horizons, releasing a Windows Phone 8.1 edition exclusively to Verizon. Specs, pricing, and other such details can be seen below.