Microsoft Lumia 550
Microsoft: Windows 10 Mobile Users Should Switch by End of Year
Microsoft will end support for its Windows 10 Mobile smartphone OS on December 10 2019, and is encouraging people still using Windows 10 Mobile phones to switch to Android or iOS phones. Microsoft is now focusing on those platforms and offers a suite of its own apps for both platforms. After December 10th, Microsoft will no longer offer free security updates for any version of Windows Mobile, making the continued use of Windows phones a security risk. The cutoff for the Lumia 640 and 640 XL phones is sooner: June 11th. "After the end of support, automatic or manual creation of new device backups for settings and some applications will continue for 3 months, ending March 10, 2020. Some services including photo uploads and restoring a device from an existing device backup may continue to work for up to another 12 months from end of support."
Microsoft Delivers Windows 10 Build to PCs and Phones
Microsoft today is making a fresh build of Windows 10 available to both PCs and phones at the same time. Build 14267.1004 for phones is nearly identical to the build Microsoft released last week, but resolves two important bugs. For example, it fixed an issue that prevented the Lumia 550 from charging, and returned the "history" function to the People app. The build also introduces one new feature: visual voicemail for dual-SIM devices. Windows 10 Build 14267.1004 is available to Windows Insiders in the Fast Ring. Microsoft will push the build to devices in the Slow Ring later.
Lumia 550 Reaches the U.S. Unlocked
Microsoft has made the Lumia 550 available to U.S. buyers through its web store. The 550 launched in international markets last month. The 550 includes a 4.7-inch HD display, 4G LTE, 5-megapixel camera with 720p HD video capture, and 2-megapizel front camera. It uses a 1.1 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 processor and includes 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of storage. The device, available in black, is being sold unlocked. It supports the LTE networks of both AT&T and T-Mobile. The Lumia 550 costs $139.
Microsoft Lumia 550 Goes On Sale
Microsoft today said its affordable Windows 10 Mobile handset, the Lumia 550, is now available in select markets. The 550 offers a 4.7-inch HD display, 4G LTE, 5-megapixel camera with 720p HD video capture, and 2-megapizel front camera. It uses a 1.1 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 processor and includes 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of storage. Microsoft hasn't announced a U.S. version of the Lumia 550, and it's unclear if it will ever be made available here. It costs $139.
Microsoft Pushes New Windows 10 Preview
Microsoft has released another technical preview for Windows 10 Mobile, and the company said is changing its strategy for previews moving forward. Microsoft pushed build 10586 a few weeks ago, which is the same build new Windows 10 handsets are based on. Microsoft said users on the 10586 preview and the shipping version of Windows 10 should expect to see the number of updates increase over the coming weeks and into the new year as it addresses user feedback. The newest release is 10586.29, which Microsoft says is a cumulative update that tackles issues in build 10586 only. It improves application backwards compatibility for Windows Phone 8.1 devices; improves edge performance and stability; improves auto-completion with URL editing tweaks; and improves Bluetooth stability. Moreover, Microsoft is adding several new devices to the technical preview program, including the LG Lancet, Microsoft Lumia 550, Lumia 950, and Lumia 950 XL. These devices will be supported in the Windows Insider Fast and Slow Rings starting next week. Microsoft said it will release a new version of the Windows Device Recovery Tool to address detection issues with these handsets.
Hands On with the Lumia 550
The 550 is Microsoft's new affordable Windows 10 phone. It has a remarkably low price for a device with an HD screen. How "affordable" does it feel in person? Read on to find out.
Microsoft Announces Affordable Lumia 550
Microsoft today revealed a new, affordable Windows phone called the Lumia 550. For just $140, it offers a 4.7-inch HD display, 4G LTE, 5-megapixel camera, front camera, and Windows 10. It uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 processor. A version for US networks was not immediately announced. It will be available in December for $139.
