Earlier this year CEO of Cyanogen made it clear that this partnership with Microsoft will go a long way and the first step would be bring Cortana on Android. In an Interview he said:

McMaster revealed that Cyanogen is working with Microsoft to deeply integrate Cortana into the next version of Cyanogen OS. This is key to catapulting Cyanogen into the mass market, he asserts: Cortana is currently available as an app on Android, but in order for it to make a real difference, it needs to be able to be integrated at the OS level so that its full potential can be leveraged.

Cortana is a highly intelligent voice assistant on Windows. It made it first debut on Windows phone and now it is also available on laptops and desktops in Windows 10. Cortana is already available on Android smartphones without OS integration. However, with Cyanogen Cortana would be deeply integrated with the OS and this will certainly pose a strong threat to Google’s own voice assistant Google Now.

If we analyze this partnership with Microsoft and Cyanogen it is quite clear that it is a win win situation for both parties. Cyanogen will enjoy the perks of Microsoft partnership whereas Microsoft will get access to Android market through Cortana as it will come preinstalled on some Android smartphones.

Unable to adapt with the rapidly expanding Android and iOS markets, Nokia’s flawed Operating System turned out to be the final straw. Microsoft played the reputation card well and saved some of Nokia’s dignity. Microsoft themselves are trying to gain a foothold in the smartphone arena which is almost completely made up of just Android and Apple phones. So Microsoft’s ploy is to rid itself of its association with Nokia and completely start afresh. Which is why one of their first plans of action include making the Nokia UK website redundant.

In a way, it is Nokia’s fault too. With investors and other experts advising them to integrate with the Android system or develop another operating system as worthy as their competitors, Nokia chose to rely on their loyal and reliable customer base to get them through but alas, it was all too late when the Lumia hit the market. The Nokia UK website still shows the Lumia as their latest smartphone seller but even though it did offer a small comeback for the Finnish giants, it was not enough for them to resist the offer from Microsoft.

This can be a lesson to all those working in the harsh technological and scientific circuit, adapt in time or perish. Nokia took too long to realize the repercussions of their actions and they finally even resorted to releasing an Android phone under their name, which turned out to be a bad move because by then Samsung, HTC and a whole lot of other mobile companies had advance superiorly. For now, you can log on to the Nokia UK website just for nostalgia’s sake. It is truly, the end of an era.

]]> http://54.152.129.122/index.php/2014/09/20/microsoft-moves-nokia-uk-website-microsoft-com/feed/ 0 http://54.152.129.122/index.php/2014/09/08/microsoft-lumia-830-insanely-priced-india/ http://54.152.129.122/index.php/2014/09/08/microsoft-lumia-830-insanely-priced-india/#respond Mon, 08 Sep 2014 12:53:20 +0000 http://smartphonetechie.com/?p=1754 According to IBN India Microsoft is all set to officially launch the newly announced “mini” flagship device Microsoft Lumia 830 in India. According to IBN this new Microsoft device will be available in India for $430 which equals to INR26,000. Now this is one of the most highly priced smartphones available in the market right now.

Microsoft Lumia 830 is a mid range smartphone with very decent specifications but according to Microsoft it has high end flagship specifications which creates a lot of confusion among the people. Lumia 830 is not a flagship smartphone by any means and such claims puts Microsoft marketing tactics under a question. Microsoft Lumia 830 has quadcore processor, 16GB internal storage with microSD support, 1GB RAM, 10MP pure view camera and 0.9MP front snapper. It is quite obvious from these specifications that Microsoft Lumia 830 is not at all a flagship device. However you can term it as ‘Mini’ flagship device.

With these specifications and a high price tag it looks quite difficult for it perform in the market where Moto G is already available at a much better price. Moto G has similar specifications but it has an advantage that it runs Android OS and this might mess up the whole Microsoft plans in India.

If Software giant expects to get the most out of this huge yet potential mobile market then Microsoft should use better pricing strategies otherwise company will not be able to do well in India.

Source: WPCentral

Thanks to leaked images, we have also some solid specifications for this upcoming Windows Phone. If rumours are to be believed then Lumia 830 will have 4.5 inch screen with 720p display and better outdoor readability. Microsoft will go with its 20MP PureView camera for Lumia 830. They will use the same camera sensor as the one they are using in Lumia 1520. So, we can expect it have a very good camera quality.

Finally, Microsoft has listened to its customers and the company will provide microSD card support. It will have 16GB internal storage with microSD card support. So, for all those people who love to store a lot of media files on their smartphones will get a hefty storage to play around. We have rumours that it will come with snapdragon 801 and with at least 1GB RAM. Some reports even suggested that it might come out with 2GB RAM.

At this point we are not sure about the specifications of Nokia Lumia 830. These are all just speculations and rumours. For exact specifications details we will have to wait until the official announcement.

Microsoft is giving out Nokia Lumia 630 to all those Chinese workers who are willing to quit the job. According to the report, this offer is valid for 300 workers willing to quit everyday and this offer will be applicable on the basis of first come and first serve. Well, this sounds quite disgusting especially the fact that company like Microsoft is offering such a lame offer to its employees to quit the job. One thing should be noted here that Nokia Lumia 630 only costs $130 in the local market and it is by no means a good package.

Microsoft has refused to comment on this. And as of now we do not know the exact number of people who will lose their jobs due in China. Are you willing to quit your job just for a smartphone?

Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 brings the much awaited folder feature in Windows Phone. If you still have not received your Windows Phone Cyan update you can still get Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 by signing up for Developers Preview Program. This new update brings some great feature like better message management, folder support to windows phone devices, update store and much more. With this new Windows Phone Update, Cortana is now available in more countries.

This update is specifically for the users who are into Developers Preview Program. For other users, it will take some time before this update starts rolling out officially.

If you have already received this update then share your experience with us about this.

 After Microsoft’s acquisition of Nokia, we thought the Microsoft will continue producing the Android based smartphones in small number but now its clear that we will not see any other Android based Nokia X smartphone after Nokia X2 which was recently announced.

According to the former CEO of Nokia, Stephen Elop confirmed this in an email to employees.

“We plan to drive Windows Phone volume by targeting the more affordable smartphone segments, which are the fastest growing segments of the market, with Lumia,” it read. “In addition to the portfolio already planned, we plan to deliver additional lower-cost Lumia devices by shifting select future Nokia X designs and products to Windows Phone devices.”

This will not only effect the Nokia Android phones fans but will also effect a number of Nokia employees who were working in  Nokia X department. Around 12,500 people will lose their job and each one of these will be updated within next 6 months.

]]> http://54.152.129.122/index.php/2014/07/17/microsoft-kills-nokia-x-android-based-smartphones/feed/ 0 http://54.152.129.122/index.php/2014/07/13/disable-touchscreen-windows-8-1-laptop/ http://54.152.129.122/index.php/2014/07/13/disable-touchscreen-windows-8-1-laptop/#respond Sun, 13 Jul 2014 13:39:47 +0000 http://smartphonetechie.com/?p=620 In this article we will share a very simple step by step guide to disable touch screen on your windows 8.1 laptop.

Why Disable the touch screen?

Now this is a pretty good question. Here are a couple of reasons which might answer your question.

1. Disabling the touch screen on your surface pro tablet will not be a good idea because it is the only and primary source of input. But when it comes to laptops touch screen is not your primary source of input. Most of the people use keyboard and mouse to input data on a touch screen laptop. So, it is better to disable the touch screen and get a better battery life.
2. Or may be you do not use the touch screen at all and unintentional touches to the screen annoys you.

The above mentioned reasons are valid enough to let you disable touch screen your windows 8.1 laptop.

How to Disable Touch Screen?

So, here is step by step guide which will enable you to disable touch screen on your windows 8.1 laptop.

• Right click on “This PC” (computer icon) on your desktop then go to properties. On the left hand side panel you will find device manager. Go to device manager from this panel.
• Now select Human Interface Devices from device manager.
• Now look for all the devices with words “Touch Screen“. In this below image you will find HID-compliant touch screen.

• Now right click on it. Find disable option and select it to disable the touch screen.

So, this how you can disable touch screen on your windows 8.1 laptop. If you want to enable it again then follow the same steps and select enable in the last step instead of disable.

Source: WPCentral

We know Nokia Lumia 635 is neither the best nor a high end smartphone available in the market but still who does not like it getting for free. People from 50 states of US will be able to take part in this contest. Basically, you will have to answer a very simple question “What would you buy with $635 towards the Microsoft Store?” This competition will last till 24th July and Microsoft will announce 3 winners on 4th August, 2014.

To enter in this contest follow this link. Make sure to invite maximum number of your friends as it will increase your chances of winning this contest. We wish our readers from US best of luck!

In pursuit of increasing the market shares in Japan Microsoft is planning to hold a Nokia Con event in Japan on 27th July. The basic aim behind this event is to create awareness among the people regarding Windows Phones. This event will offer people a chance to enjoy a hands on experience of Windows Phones. Nokia Con event is certainly a great idea by Microsoft and this might help the company in boosting up the market shares in Japan.

Yamane Yasuhiro, a mobile phone marketing expert will host this event and at this point we are not sure about the devices which will be displayed at the Nokia Con event. However, one thing is sure that Microsoft will display devices from low end to high end smartphone range in order to attract every type of mobile user.

If you are Windows phone fan from Japan then you should go to the event and try out the Windows Phones. And remember this is free of cost. Efforts like this will certainly help Microsoft to reach a market like Japan but it will take some time before they establish strong market shares.

Let’s see how this event goes for Microsoft and Windows Phone in Japan.