Nokia Lumia 822
Verizon Pushing Windows Phone 8.1 to Lumia 928, 822
Verizon Wireless today made Windows Phone 8.1 with the Denim update available to the Lumia 928 and Lumia 822. Windows Phone 8.1 adds Cortana, adjustable home screen columns, and other features. The update is free. Microsoft said WP8.1 for the Lumia Icon is on deck for early 2015.
Nokia Expands Chat App from Symbian to Windows Phone
Nokia recently made a beta version of its Nokia Chat application available to Lumia Windows Phones. The beta application, which Nokia already offers to its S40, Symbian, and Asha platforms, lets Nokia Lumia device owners conduct instant messaging conversations with one another. It also hooks into Yahoo Messenger and lets users easily share their location. The app includes support for Live Tiles, push notifications, lock screen notifications, and voice commands. Nokia Chat Beta is free to download from the Windows Phone Store.
Verizon Confirms Portico Update Hitting Lumia 822
Verizon Wireless today said that owners of the Nokia Lumia 822 can expect a software update to appear in the days to come. The update, which is codenamed "Portico" by Microsoft, brings a handful of performance improvements to the Lumia 822. The update adds the ability to edit forwarded MMS messages, the ability to ignore calls with an SMS, and support for more microSD card manufacturers. Portico also improves the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth performance of the Lumia 822. The update can be downloaded and installed over the air in a process that Verizon says will take about 15 to 25 minutes to complete.
Nokia Adds More Features to Paid Version of Nokia Music
Nokia today announced Nokia Music+, a more feature-rich version of its free Nokia Music service. Nokia Music, which is available on Lumia Windows Phones, has its own store through which tracks and albums can be purchased. It also offers streamed radio stations and personalized recommendations. Nokia Music+ goes beyond these features for those willing to pay a monthly fee for it. Nokia Music+ gives listeners unlimited skips, unlimited downloads to their phone, higher quality music streaming, access to song lyrics, and a desktop client that allows subscribers to stream music to their PC. The service will first be available in European markets in the coming weeks for €3.99 per month. Nokia Music is available in the U.S. on devices such as the Lumia 920 and Lumia 820, but Nokia has not explicitly said if Nokia Music+ will be made available in the U.S.
Nokia Puts the Final Nail in Symbian's Coffin
Nokia today confirmed that it will produce no more devices using its old Symbian smartphone platform. Buried in its fourth quarter results, Nokia said, "During our transition to Windows Phone through 2012, we continued to ship devices based on Symbian. The Nokia 808 PureView, a device which showcases our imaging capabilities and which came to market in mid-2012, was the last Symbian device from Nokia." Nokia has already sold off most of the business units related to Symbian. The company first announced its intent to switch from Symbian to Windows Phone in February 2011. It released its first Windows Phone Lumia smartphones in late 2011. Its most recent models include the Lumia 920 and Lumia 820/822. Nokia sold 4.4 million Lumia devices during the fourth quarter of 2012, 700,000 of which were sold in North America. Nokia still sold 2.2 million Symbian devices. The company recorded a profit for the first time in six quarters.
Nokia's Drive+ Beta Offered to All Windows Phones
Microsoft today announced that a beta version of Nokia's Drive+ navigation application is being made available to all Windows Phone 8 devices in the U.S., the U.K., and Canada. The app had previously only been available to Nokia's Lumia-branded Windows Phones. The application features turn-by-turn voice-guided navigation, offline maps, speed limit warnings, and day and night modes. The app includes a feedback mechanism so users of the beta service can provide feedback to Microsoft and Nokia. Nokia Drive+ Beta is a free download from the Windows Phone Store.
Nokia Makes It Easier to Share Cinemagraphs
Nokia today announced an update to its Cinemagraph lens in order to improve sharing options on social networks. Since some social networks, such as Facebook, don't support animated GIFs directly, the updated Cinemagraph lens allows users to post their GIF to Nokia's servers. They can then provide a link to the GIF in a social media post, email, or other message. When message recipients or others click on the link, they'll be taken to Nokia's servers, which will display the animated picture in their browser. The update is free for Nokia's Lumia Windows Phone devices.
Verizon's Windows Phone 8 Devices Hit Stores November 15
Verizon Wireless today reveled that the HTC Windows Phone 8X and the Nokia Lumia 822 will be available in stores beginning November 15. Previously, Verizon had only committed to making them available before Thanksgiving. According to Verizon, the red 8X and the grey 822 will only be available online. All other colors will be sold at Verizon retail stores.
Verizon Opening Windows Phone 8 Preorders November 9
Verizon Wireless today announced that the HTC 8X and Nokia Lumia 822 will be available for preorder beginning November 9. The HTC 8X will cost $199.99 and will be available in blue, red, or black. The Nokia Lumia 822 will cost $99.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate and will be available in white, gray, or black. Both devices require new contracts. As for availability, Verizon is only committing to making them available by Thanksgiving. The Samsung Odyssey, teased by Microsoft last month, will be available before the end of the year. Verizon didn't share more details about the Odyssey.
Verizon to Sell Nokia Lumia 822 for $99
Verizon Wireless today announced that it will soon offer the Nokia Lumia 822 smartphone. The 822 is a customized version of the Lumia 820, which was announced earlier this year. The external design has been altered a bit to make the device unique. It has a less rectangular look and replaces the sharp corners of the Lumia 820 with rounded edges. It supports Verizon's CDMA 3G and LTE 4G networks. Other features of the Lumia 822 include an 8-megapixel camera, 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor, 4.3-inch Super AMOLED display, and NFC. The Lumia 822 runs Windows Phone 8 and will be available later this month for $99.99 with a new contract.
