Wanting to know more about Windows Phone? Like the idea of live tiles but still wanna try them out before you switch? Have an iPhone or Android device? Microsoft just released the Windows Phone 8 demo site for the aforementioned devices. All you have to do is head on over to wpdemo.com on your phone or scan the barcode that appears on your PC and you will be introduced to many of the new and great features of Windows Phone 8.
A lot of people ask me about the new Nokia flagship with Windows Phone 8. So, I highlighted and underlined all the specs and features that I believe are worth pointing out. Lumia 920 is not an ordinary smartphone. It carries a number of innovations that will be available in the future on other smartphones like the super sensitive screen that can be “touched” even with gloves or the optical image stabilization (you don’t even have this on most of the dedicated cameras…).
There are also many things that can not be described with technical terms but give you the experience of using this device like the fluidness and responsiveness of the Windows Phone software. So don’t get this as a review, it’s a copy of the device specifications from Nokia’s website.
Operating band3: GSM 850, GSM 900, GSM 1800, GSM 1900, WCDMA Band V (850), WCDMA Band VIII (900), WCDMA Band II (1900), WCDMA Band I (2100), LTE 800, LTE 900, LTE 1800, LTE 2100, LTE 2600
Do more. Wait less: Tap into faster performance. The Snapdragon™ processor CPU cores enable extra performance when you need it and puts you in charge of running the most demanding applications, including gaming, photography, as well as business and personal productivity.
Power consumption
Less charging. More doing: The Snapdragon™ processor’s unique asynchronous technology enables each core to power up and power down independently, resulting in maximizing core performance level without wasting battery power.
Technology
Beyond mobile. And beyond all expectations: Snapdragon™ S4 processor is a highly integrated, mobile-optimized system on a chip that delivers dynamic, immersive experiences and powerful, battery-friendly performance that can put new possibilities in your hands.
Features (Personal information Management): Calculator, Clock, Calendar, Phonebook, Notes, Reminders, To-do list, Phonebook with integrated social networks, OneNote, Wallet
Email solution: Hotmail, Yahoo! Mail, Outlook Mobile, Windows Live / Hotmail / Outlook.com, Gmail, Mail for Exchange, Office 365, Nokia Mail
Email protocol: SMTP, IMAP4, POP3
Email features: Viewing and editing of email attachments, Email with filtering, Always up to date, Multiple simultaneous email accounts, HTML email, Text-to-speech message reader, Email attachments, Conversational view on email
Instant messaging: Twitter, Facebook chat, LinkedIn, Windows Live Messenger
Messaging features: Integrated text messaging and chat, Instant messaging, Concatenated SMS for long messages, Multiple SMS deletion, List of recently used numbers, Audio messaging, Text-to-speech message reader, Conversational SMS for chat-style SMS, Text messaging, Common inbox for SMS and MMS messages, Unified MMS/SMS editor, Automatic resizing of images for MMS, Distribution lists for messaging, Multimedia messaging
Call management
Features (Call Management): Voice dialling, Voice Commands, Conference calling, Video calling, Call waiting, Voice mail, Call diverts, Video sharing, Integrated hands-free speaker, Call forwarding, HD audio, Call history
General Security features: Remote device locking via Internet, Application sandboxing and integr check, Secure NFC, Track and Protect via internet, Firmware update, Remote wipe of user data via Internet, Application integrity check, Device lock
Device startup security: Device passcode, Secure device start-up, PIN code, Firmware and OS integrity check
Advance security features: Lost device tracking, Anti-phishing protection
Camera Flash Type: Short pulse high power dual LED
Carl Zeiss Tessar lens: Yes
Camera resolution: 3552 x 2448 pixels
Camera Focus Type: Auto focus with two-stage capture key
Camera F number/aperture: 2.0
Camera digital zoom: 4 x
Camera focal length: 26.0 mm
Flash operating range: 3.0 m
Main camera features
Camera feature: Nokia PureView camera, Touch to Focus and capture in a single tap, Landscape orientation, Geo-tagging, Auto and Manual White Balance settings, Still image Editor, Optical Image Stabilization, Lenses applications, Sensor type: BSI, True 16:9 sensor, Pixel size 1.4 µm, Sensor size 1/3″
Camera image format: JPEG/Exif
Image capturing
Flash modes: Off, Automatic, On
Scene modes: Automatic, Night portrait, Sports, Night, Close-up, Backlight
Capture modes: Video, Still
White balance modes: Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Daylight, Automatic
Photos viewed by: Camera Roll, Timeline, Photo editor, Favorites, Album, Photos from Social networks
Music features: Music player, Media Player, Audio Streaming, Dolby Headphone
Other Features (Music and Audio): Selection by artist, album and genre, Cloud music playback, Podcasts, Cloud music offline playback, Playlists, Album graphics display, Music recommender
I’m copying from Nokia’s site some of the innovations and other facts for the Lumia 920 smartphone. Besides the new features that all Windows Phone 8 smartphones have and the custom Nokia apps for music, navigation, etc., Nokia has taken care of some extra “details”.
Pentaband LTE support – Nokia has led the way when it comes to pentaband 3G radios in its phones, so it was a natural progression to build the world’s first smartphone with pentaband LTE. This means you’ll be able to use LTE, which is capable of speeds up to ten times faster than traditional 3G networks, with more carriers, in even more places around the world.
Super sensitive touch – Maybe it’s not surprising when you consider Finland’s sub zero winters, but the Nokia Lumia 920 is also the first smartphone to have a touchscreen so sensitive, you can operate it with gloves, mittens, nails and even certain pens. This new super sensitive touch technology is the biggest leap forward for capacitive touchscreens since multi-touch gestures were introduced. It’s also worth noting that this super sensitivity doesn’t make the screen any more fragile, affect the water resistance, or increase the likelihood of coins or keys in your pocket accidentally making calls on your behalf.
Optical Image Stabilization – The Nokia Lumia 920 is the first ever smartphone globally available with Optical Image Stabilization. Thanks to a camera module pairing both sensor and lens-based optical IS, still images and HD video captured with the Lumia 920 will be steady, even if your video shooting hand isn’t.
60 FPS HD display refresh rate – The Nokia Lumia 920’s PureMotion HD+ is the latest technology advancement in smartphone displays. We’ve already talked about its sensitivity, but it’s also one of the brightest and most pixel dense displays out there. What’s more, it’s the first smartphone in the world to deliver a full 60 frames-per-second (FPS) without any blurring. This means no more lag or pixelated video and ghost images appearing as your screen moves. Thanks to an IPS type LCD display, which is given a higher voltage difference when changing states, you’ll enjoy a clean transition from frame to frame, even when operating at top speeds.
Integrated wireless charging – The Nokia Lumia 920 is the first integrated wireless charging smartphone, available worldwide, with the technology built right into the handset. Compatible with the Qi wireless standard, the Lumia 920 not only uses a wide selection of Nokia wireless charging accessories, but can be charged anywhere using Qi, such as the Virgin Atlantic lounge in London’s Heathrow airport.
Zirconium camera deco and side buttons – The camera decoration and side buttons are made from an incredibly hard substance called zirconium. Both scratch and dirt resistant, it ensures your Nokia Lumia 920 looks great for even longer.
NFC integrated into wireless charging stand – If you’re using the Lumia 920’s wireless charging stand, you can use your favourite applications while it’s powering up. Simply tap your phone with the NFC logo in the wireless charging stand and the application will start.
Higher-powered Dual-LED flash
Personal music equalizer – There are eighteen presets available, but you can also create your very own settings.
Η φράση του Ned Pyle “Finally: this post is more of a reference than my usual lighthearted fare. Do not operate heavy machinery while reading.” περιγράφει πλήρως πόσο εύπεπτο είναι το ανάγνωσμα…
Τι μπορεί να τρέξει με λιγότερα resources από τα Windows 7; Tα Windows 8 φυσικά! Και για να πειστούμε ο Sinofsky φρόντισε να ανεβάσει στο http://dev.windows.com/ την έκδοση που μοιράζουν στο Build (τυχεροί οι developers που πήραν από ένα Samsung Windows 8 tablet…). Εμείς θα μπορούμε να την κατεβάσουμε από τις 5:00 πμ ώρα Ελλάδος σήμερα.
Μα μεσοβδόμαδα; Αντε να κρατηθείς μέχρι το Σαββατοκύριακο… Καλό παιχνίδι!
Άκουγα σήμερα το πρωί τις καμπάνες και νόμιζα ότι ήταν για τη σημερινή γιορτή αλλά φαίνεται ότι βάραγαν για άλλον: ανακοινώθηκε σήμερα η εξαγορά της Motorola Mobility από τη Google! Μόνο 12,5 δισεκατομυριάκια δολλάρια με ένα premium 63% στο τελευταίο κλείσιμο. Πάνω που λέγαμε ότι η συνεργασία της Microsoft με τη Nokia και η εξαγορά της Skype ήταν ότι πιο ηχηρό είχε σκάσει στην αγορά. Ο CEO της Motorola προχτές έλεγε ότι δεν χάθηκε ο κόσμος αν η Motorola πάρει πίσω αυτά που έλεγε για τα λειτουργικά της Microsoft και ξανασυνεργαστεί μαζί της. Μάλλον ανέβαζε το τίμημα…
Περιμένουμε νέο iOS (το 5o) και συσκευές με Mango αυτό το φθινόπωρο. Περιμένουμε και πολλά tablets. Αλλά σίγουρα δεν θα δούμε Motorola με Windows Phone 7.1, 7.5 ή όπως αλλιώς θα λέγεται τελικά το Mango.
Τι άλλο θα προκύψει από τις ζυμώσεις αυτές; Η Google επέλεξε να αντιπαρατεθεί απέυθείας στην Apple αλλά δημιουργεί πρόβλημα στις σχέσεις της με τους υπόλοιπους κατασκευαστές. Ίσως να πήγε μόνο για το patent portfolio της Motorola Mobility. H HTC, η Samsung και η LG θα επενδύσουν κι άλλο στο Android ή θα προτιμήσουν άλλες λύσεις από εταιρείες που δεν έχουν άμεση εμπλοκή με hardware; Όλοι τρέχουν να τοποθετηθούν καλύτερα στα χαρακώματά τους. Και κάποιοι έχουν βραδυφλεγείς βόμβες από διάφορες πατέντες πάνω τους που κανείς δεν ξέρει πότε και που θα σκάσουν. Οι δικηγόροι κάνουν χρυσές δουλειές…
I wonder how Apple will handle EU’s requirement for micro-USB connectors. They have to show a solution till the end of 2011. The text below says: “For phones that do not have a Micro-USB interface an adapter is allowed under the Memorandum of Understanding.” Interesting. Is this the reason the iPad cannot be used as a phone? Normal chargers cannot support its power needs so a simple adapter wouldn’t be a solution.
IP/11/136 Brussels, 8 February 2011
Manufacturers deliver the common mobile phone charger
Have you ever been annoyed for not being able to borrow a friend’s or a colleague’s mobile phone charger because it wasn’t compatible with your phone? This era is coming to an end. A common charger compatible with mobile phones of all brands is the simple idea that the Commission has been pushing for many years. Thanks to the cooperation between fourteen companies and the European Commission the solution is there: onechargerforall.eu. New technical standards for data-enabled mobile phones were published on 29 December 2010. Today, Vice President Antonio Tajani receives a sample of a compatible common charger from Bridget Cosgrave, Director-General of DIGITALEUROPE, the largest Association of European digital technology industry.
“I welcome the roll out of new chargers for mobile phones based on the new EU standard. This is genuine good news for the European consumer. Now we await the arrival of the new charger and compatible mobile phones on the shelves. I urge industry to speed up their introduction in the market to enable citizens throughout the EU to enjoy the advantages of a common charger as soon as possible” said European Commission Vice President Antonio Tajani, responsible for industry and entrepreneurship.
Today marks the start of an implementation process triggered by the European Commission. The support of the Commission has enabled manufacturers to deliver this benefit to European consumers in a relatively short period of time. The EU has achieved the common charging solution using a common-sense approach that benefits everyone – without the need for any new regulation. The European Commission will work with industry so that European consumers can profit from the initiative as soon as possible.
The publication of the standards in December 2010 means that mobile phone manufacturers can now proceed with required design and testing changes for chargers ensuring compatible phones are safe and interoperable. Compatible data-enabled mobile telephones of different brands can now operate with the same common charger – a big step forward for mobile phone users. The fourteen manufacturers have agreed to introduce the new common mobile phone chargers onto the European market in the course of 2011.
The common charger is a tangible proof of how standardisation can facilitate the life of Europeans. Standardisation is one of the key elements that the Commission promotes to untap the potential of the Single Market, as put forward in the Annual Growth Survey of January 2011.
Background
Incompatibility of mobile phone chargers causes not only inconveniences for users, but is also an important environmental issue in the European Union. Mobile phone users who wish to replace their mobile phones are often required to purchase a new charger, regardless of the condition of the existing one.
Following a request from the European Commission, fourteen major mobile phone manufacturers agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to harmonise chargers for data-enabled mobile phones sold in the EU. The MoU signatory companies include Apple, Emblaze Mobile, Huawei Technologies, LGE, Motorola Mobility, NEC, Nokia, Qualcomm, Research In Motion (RIM), Samsung, Sony Ericsson, TCT Mobile (ALCATEL mobile phones), Texas Instruments and Atmel.
Following a mandate from the European Commission, the European Standardisation Bodies CEN-CENELEC and ETSI issued the harmonised standards to be adhered to by data-enabled mobile phones compatible with the new common charger as of 2011. The common charger solution is based in the Micro-USB connector technology. For phones that do not have a Micro-USB interface an adapter is allowed under the Memorandum of Understanding.
The agreement covers data-enabled mobile phones, i.e. those that can be plugged into a computer to exchange for example pictures, files and music. Data-enabled mobile phones are already predominant on the market. So called smartphones are a segment of data-enabled mobile phones.
Τι διάρκεια ζωής έχει ένα burger; Το «Ρεπορτάζ Χωρίς Σύνορα» ξεκίνησε ένα πείραμα αγοράζοντας διαφορετικά είδη χάμπουργκερ από όλες τις μεγάλες εταιρείες fast food στην Ελλάδα, τα οποία άφησε για μήνες σε θερμοκρασία δωματίου: αντίθετα με ότι θα είχε συμβεί με τις κανονικές τροφές, κανένα από τα χάμπουργκερ δεν μύρισε, ούτε παρουσίασε εμφανή σημάδια αλλοίωσης. Τρεις μήνες μετά, το κρέας, το τυρί και το ψωμί των προϊόντων διατηρούν το χρώμα και την αρχική μορφή τους.
Κάτι μου λέει ότι τη Τετάρτη θα μας σηκωθεί η τρίχα… (ΝΕΤ 2/2/11 23:00)
Henry Edward Roberts founded MITS and created Altair in 1974. Altair was based on Intel’s 8080 microprocessor and is considered to be the first personal computer for which Bill Gates and Paul Allen developed a BASIC interpreter (the famous paper tape case).
