Nokia Announces The Lumia 930, Lumia 635 and Lumia 630 Single/Dual Sim, Sporting WP 8.1

Nokia announced three Lumia smartphones based on Windows Phone 8.1 at the recently concluded Microsoft's Build 2014, the first dual-sim Windows Phone, the Nokia Lumia 630; its elder mono 4G sibling, the Nokia Lumia 635 and the new flagship, the Nokia Lumia 930.

People get closer to everything they love with Windows Phone 8.1 on Lumia

Starting this summer, Windows Phone 8.1 is set to roll out to existing Lumia Windows Phone 8 owners along with exclusive Lumia experiences as an over-the-air update called Lumia Cyan. Windows Phone 8.1 introduces more details at-a-glance through Live Tiles, one easy swipe to important notifications with Action Center, faster ways to connect and type with Word Flow and, starting in the US, a personal and proactive virtual assistant called Cortana. In addition, the Windows Phone 8.1 enterprise pack means existing Lumia Windows Phone 8 devices will become better business phones.

Accompanying the Windows Phone 8.1 over-the-air update will be new unique experiences for Lumia that further enhance Nokia's leadership in imaging. This includes enhancements to the camera roll and Creative Studio, as well as an improved Nokia Storyteller app, for sharing stories as a video slideshow on social networks.

New Lumia smartphones integrate the best of Microsoft and Lumia

The Nokia Lumia 930 is the flagship embodiment of Windows Phone 8.1, and features:
- A 20 megapixel PureView camera with ZEISS optics and advanced Rich Recording, delivering a flawless video and imaging experience with new Living Images innovation.
- A stunning design combining elegant metal and vibrant polycarbonate with a 5-inch ClearBlack screen for unmatched viewing of Vyclone, Netflix and Xbox Video, even in bright daylight.
- A Powerful 2.2GHz Snapdragon quad-core processor delivering more from content like apps, games, the Internet and integrated Microsoft services like OneDrive and Microsoft Office.

The Nokia Lumia 930 is expected to roll out globally in June starting with Europe, Asia, Middle East and India, available from USD 599 (PhP28,000 more or less) before taxes and subsidies.

The Nokia Lumia 630 and Nokia Lumia 635 provide an uncompromised Windows Phone 8.1 experience at an affordable price, and deliver:
- A Snapdragon quad core processor providing a faster social experience with Word Flow and social apps like WhatsApp and WeChat.
- A unique colorful design with changeable shells and 4.5" ClearBlack screen delivering a great entertainment experience with apps and games including Asphalt 8 and Vimeo.
- More choice with three variants, including the Lumia 630 in 3G single SIM and the first Lumia with 3G Dual SIM; plus the speedy Lumia 635 in 4G/LTE.

Nokia Lumia 635- The same experiences as high-end Lumia smartphones including SensorCore with Bing Health and Fitness, Microsoft Office, Nokia Camera, free Nokia MixRadio streaming, and free Global maps and navigation from HERE, which save time and money.

The Nokia Lumia 630 is expected to roll out in May, beginning with Asia, India/Middle East, South America and Europe, at USD 15 9 (PhP7,500.00 more or less) for the single-sim variant, and USD 169 (PhP8,500 more or less) for the dual-sim variant before taxes and subsidies. The Nokia Lumia 635 is expected to be broadly available, including in the US starting in this summer, from USD 189 before taxes and subsidies.

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Get your Nokia Lumia 1320 FREE from Globe Telecom

One of the first two Nokia Windows Phone phablet, the Nokia Lumia 1320, finds its home with Globe Telecom, the Philippines largest postpaid carrier. Its currently being offered FREE for new line and re-contracting application of Personal and Business mySuperPlan 1299 with a 24 months lock-in period.

The phone is being marketed by the network as an ultimate mid-range gaming device, perfectly suited I would say having a large 6-inch 720p IPS LCD 1280x720 (~245 ppi pixel density) display with ClearBlack Technology, 1.7GHz Dual Core Snapdragon 400 processor with Adreno 305 GPU, Xbox Games and Xbox Live, offering top-notched gaming experience.

But the Nokia Lumia 1320 is not just for gaming, it also have some of the latest smartphone software innovations and specifications on par with the current high end smartphones like Windows Phone Black software, LTE connectivity, Corning Gorilla 3 Glass with Super Sensitive Multi-touch for nail and glove usage, WLAN, Bluetooth 4.0, Dolby enhanced sound, 5MP Camera with LED flash, and the rest of Nokia and Windows Phone's exclusive apps like the full Office Mobile suite; Nokia Camera that integrates the most popular imaging modes, Pro, Smart, and video into one seamless and fast picture taking experience; Nokia Storyteller that automatically integrates images with HERE location information into a new way to relive images on a map; Nokia Music that allows unlimited music streaming for free without ads or sign on; free global HERE Maps with LiveSight augmented reality view; Papyrus to take handwritten notes in a natural and easy way; Nokia Beamer for sharing ideas easily and instantly with friends by projecting the phone screen to any HTML5 enabled screen; among others.

Under mySuperPlan 1299, postpaid subscribers could enjoy a consumable peso value equivalent to PhP2,300 that could be use for a call, text or surfing combos. Their suggested combo is unlimited LTE surfing + 500 texts + 25 minutes calls to all networks, quite decent enough for moderate users.

You can apply for this offer online or to the nearest Globe Store in your area. Just submit a valid identification (ID), proof of billing address and proof of income.

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HTC and Samsung's Windows Phones account for less than 5% of total sales

HTC and Samsung's Windows Phones account for less than 5% of total sales Microsoft's buy-up of Nokia raised quite a few heads in the industry. Pundits expected both Samsung and HTC to be ire by this announcement. This can not be father from the truth – their Windows Phones simply don't sell in meaningful numbers.

This shocking statement can be obtained by analyzing the user statistics of Tamoggemon Holding's scientific calculator TouchCalc. Over the Christmas period, new users showed up with the following handsets:

Lumia 520 - 33.4%
Lumia 710 - 8%
Lumia 505 - 6.2%
Lumia 610 - 6%
Lumia 620 - 5.5%
Lumia 625 - 5.1%
Lumia 720 - 5%
Lumia 920 - 4.6%
Lumia 521 - 4%
Lumia 800 - 3.5%
Rest - 18.7%

Sadly, the line designated as "rest“ is largely made up of smaller Nokia devices. The most successful Non-Nokia device is the ATIV S; which managed a user share of barely 1.35%. These numbers lend credence to the rumor that Microsoft invests millions of dollars into keeping HTC and Samsung on the Windows Phone track.

From now on, expect frequent updates with data from Firefox OS, Windows Phone and other platforms. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Tamoggemon Holding at any time. Tam Hanna, CEO and Founder, has followed the industry since the days of the Palm IIIc and would love to provide you with in-depth comments.

About TouchCalc

TouchCalc is a scientific calculator for Windows Phone 7 and 8. Unlike most of its competitors, Tamoggemon Holding k.s. offers the product to its users at no cost. In addition to the here-tested client for Windows Phone, the product is also available for Firefox OS, webOS, Symbian and bada OS. Further information on TouchCalc can be found via www.tamoggemon.com. The Windows Phone client can be downloaded at http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/app/touchcalc/e0f06f7a-4691-47cd-964a-dfa989a1c17b.

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Making sense of the Nokia Normandy

When rumor came out about Nokia coming up with an Android running handset, everyone was poking about it like its a statement made during April Fools Day for the reason that the company is tied up exclusively to Microsoft, but when Microsoft confirmed it themselves giving huge credence to the incident as one of the main reason why they bought Nokia's business device division, the poking stopped, and all Nokia Android hopefuls were devastated since it would only mean the said plan is far from fruition, not until lately when leaks came out about Nokia Normandy (Nokia X), a fully running Android handset forked to the taste of Metro UI which I saw as a compromised to get Microsoft's blessing.

Lets try to make sense with this strategy of Nokia and Microsoft:

First and foremost, they must have read the famous saying that "If you can't beat them, join them!" but with a trojan twist, like what Microsoft deed with Nokia when they throw Elop to the picture resulting to the latter's demise, according to conspiracy theorists that is. The trojan trick behind Nokia Normandy is that it is designed to prevent Google from earning revenues out of their offered services with Microsoft's full software being tagged instead. Smart move I would say, beating Google in their home front, but the question now is, how long will Google allow it and up to what extent?

Secondly, Nokia had already close their application store to developers affecting their Asha line up. Without the Nokia store, Asha is as good as dead, and for Microsoft and Nokia to compete in entry level market, they need an operating system with vast collection of apps. In this regards, Android is their only option.

Third, cheap, they need to offer a device that could compete against emerging Chinese manufacturers who re-brand phones, and in what operating can Nokia and Microsoft keep the price dirt cheap, again, Android with the system being free to EOM's. With this system, Nokia could go down to as much as $50.00 per phone, well enough to compensate the hardware cost, like what this aforementioned manufaturers are doing.

And finally, because Windows Phone is not ready to power entry level handset just yet, the bulk of the phone market, that is, currently being gobbled up by competitors. This market is used to be Nokia's stronghold few years back, now its slowly slipping away, drained to small competitors who were willing to offer practicality other than quality.

Since their is no stopping the Normandy from being released to the world, I could presumed that I'm more likely be able to own an Android device first than Windows Phone because I can easily afford it being cheap, and that still, I find the Microsoft operating system incomplete. Now don't get me wrong here, I like Windows Phone more than Android, its just that the system is not worthy to replaced my well loved Symbian just yet. I'll be buying the Normandy to have access to my favorite apps like access to full Viber features, SWYPE, Flipboard and more; not to be left out to the world for cool new ones since Nokia Store is being shelve; and that it will be made by a trusted brand, nothing more. I will even use it only as a back up reloader phone with Nokia E6 as my primary.

But Microsoft should not feel complacent about it, I might grew fond of Android in the process and rather go with it all the way. They must act fast to heed the calls of every Symbian enthusiasts who were running out road to take. Listen, develop, execute... Its now or never!

Images by @evleaks

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2014, Announcements, Burning Platform, And Moving Forward

Another year to conquer for this smallish blog site but rather the most challenging and exciting one since I'm about to announced something that will change this blog forever. Gone were the days of solitude, the right time had come, this is it..

RETROSPECT

The blog had performed fairly well in 2013, breaking records as to the number of page views and unique visits, stretch to the limits of sobriety and backed by a strong following, but for those who religiously follow it, compared to the previous years, I hardly published stories anymore due to circumstances I cannot avoid.

First and foremost, time, I hardly have the luxury of it anymore because of my hectic schedule. Just imagine joggling two jobs a day together with my business tryst and law school, I hardly even have enough for myself, how much more for the blog. I am now on my third year in Law school and it certainly demands so much attention. The dreaded BAR exam is also not too far away (October 2015) and our professors were already encouraging us to prepare as early as now. BAR exam is not just any other exam out there, its the most difficult and prestigious of all. Where in the world can you find an exam where people manage to kill themselves or go crazy in a yearly basis?

Second, health, I believe being in front of a computer all the time affects your eyes, weight and sleeping patterns. Several studies had already been published about it, and its futile to argue because I myself would blame it for my massive weight increase 4 years back and my degrading eyesight. Maximum allowed time in front of a computer according to experts, two hours the most, and I'm already exposed to computer for about 8 at the office.

Third, social, I've notice that my addiction to the internet decreases my ability to interact with people in a natural way. Somehow it decreased my ability to respond to situations instantaneously, critical most specially that the career that I'm pursuing needs quick thinking and analysis. I've notice a huge difference from the way I interact with people and situations before and now. My friends always joke about my being lost in the circle for quite sometime, that I have stretched the boundary of my heartache to abnormal desolation.

And finally, my being lost in transition, from my well loved burning platform to nowhere! Sad to say their is nothing among the current software platforms yet that captured my interest and attention, worthy to replaced my old and burning Symbian.

So close is Android but not to my standard, Windows Phone is incomplete, iOS is too restricted and Blackberry is good as dead. Remember that I started this blog because I was soo inspired with my Nokia N82, now, I lost that synergy and inspiration. Maybe their will come a time that one of this platforms evolved to my fullest liking, a platform that can rekindle my interest back to smartphone technology. In a few months perhaps, years or decades, who knows?

FORTHCOMING

With all this reasons, I've decided to take this blog to the next level by opening it up to the entire tech world. Being open means that everyone can now submit personal stories and experiences related to technology; the camera that you loved; the wearable gadget that you've recently purchased; the smartphone that you cant lived without or the apps that makes your day complete. The blog will now be entirely about you!

You can submit your original stories via this email account, gregg003@ovi.com and I will publish it on the blog with your name as the author. Anonymous post will also be respected as well as the option to restrict comments from readers.

I will still be writing posts if I have time and this subdued moments is definitely temporary. Soon, when everything falls down to perspective, I will return in my full geek self and make technology world as rowdy as ever. For the mean time, I rest my case!

2014 Image from http://www.volkerballueder.com

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Microsoft Buys Nokia's Devices and Services Business, My Thoughts

Today marks a very significant disruption in the mobilephone industry, the biggest brand in technology industry, Microsoft Corporation, acquiring the devices and services business of the biggest brand in mobilephone industry, Nokia Corporation, in a deal that will go down as one of the largest buy-out in history.

A whopping 3.79 billion Euro pay off and a billion Euro more for Nokia's licenses and patents and the use of Nokia's mapping service were at stake. To include as well in the agreement is the licensing of Nokia as a brand for 10 years, the transfer of 32,000 people and the making of Finland as a home for a new data center that will serve Microsoft consumers in Europe. The company said it would invest more than a quarter-billion dollars in capital and operation of the new data center over the next few years, with the potential for further expansion over time.

So basically, Nokia as a brand will subsists because Microsoft will still carry it in their future devices, and Nokia as a company as well because they still have NSN, HERE and most importantly Advanced Technologies that handles its patents and other portfolios, though, more than 90% of its current business will be streamlined. Nokia will stay as a significant player in the industry handling more on this patents and licenses in the coming years.

Thoughts, I'm not really shocked with the merger because rumors had been circulating in the lurk for quite sometime. I already expected it to happen anytime soon. I also had no qualms with Microsoft because they are no less, the biggest company in the tech industry so I'm pretty confident that Nokia's Devices and Services Business is in good hands.

Microsoft being the biggest would means that Nokia as a brand will have all the resources needed to further improved the products and they will be backed-up by Microsoft's leading engineers and designers, so its a win-win situation for the brand and for consumers. I believed that they could come up with more better and high quality products with Windows Phone as a platform, being executed more efficiently than ever.

I do hope though that Microsoft will carry on with Nokia's legacy of offering unparalleled after sales services and high quality products at a reasonable price. Its among the many reasons why I'm supporting the company up to now. Anyways, to all my friends in Nokia, Good Luck and God Speed!

Indeed, the next chapter of the battle to mobilephone supremacy had just begun!

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Nokia's 41 Million Reasons?

A lot of tech writers and bloggers called the July 11th New York event the grand launch of a Nokia Windows Phone with 41MP camera and PureView technology, well, it could be true in one sense with the successive leaks going around the web about a certain Nokia 1020 dubbed "EOS", but it could also be more than just the phone, it could be so much bigger.

For instance, it could be the official announcement of the sale of 41 millionth Nokia Windows Phone device, or the official announcement of Microsoft buying the entire company for 41 billion dollars, who knows. Their have been talks lately about Huawie's interest on the company or Microsoft's undying bid which is good by the way business-wise for the Redmond base company.

It could also be that Nokia is giving away 41millions Nokia EOS phones for FREE including mine in my wildest dreams, but true or not, I'm itching for it to become my next upgrade to my beloved Nokia N8 with a consideration of course as to how impressive it is and how mature Windows Phone had become. If it will fail, I might just go for the Nokia 808 PureView instead with a bitch slap to Microsoft. Symbian might be dying but it still have quite a number of the features I want in a mobilephone.

Anyways, I hope Microsoft could deliver whats expected since I'm fully sold out to the leaked hardware specs of the Nokia EOS so far. 14 days more to go!

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Why Not Android, iOS or Blackberry

Now that the great old Symbian will be put to rest in high end devices, I can’t do anything more than switch to another operating system and of all the viable ones at the moment, I’m only interested in Microsoft’s Windows Phone and Jolla’s Sailfish OS.

Well, you might expect me to write all my reasons behind, but I won’t, instead , I’ll do another approach by detailing the reasons why I’m not choosing Android, iOS and the Blackberry OS .

You might think that it’s because I’m a huge fan of Nokia that is why I’m not considering the aforementioned systems, but it has nothing to do with it. My reasons were liberally base on the way I use my phones and my general opinion over important matters. Read on.

Android

It might be the biggest Operating System in the market at the moment owning more than 60% of the share but really, I never imagine myself using the system as a smartphone even if I tried it well enough via my Android running Ainol tablet.

Here are my reasons:

1. It became a very common OS that even the cloners from China can access. Not that I hate Chinese manufacturers with their substandard built quality but it’s the sense of distinctiveness that I’m referring to, because no matter how expensive the phone is, Samsung Galaxy S4 for example, the functions and capability of the aforementioned phone will be easily imitated by a $100 Android phone made by these insensate Chinese companies. I can still remember my cousin who owns a Cherry Mobile Omega HD that cost $120 mocking another cousin of mine who owns a Samsung Galaxy S4 because the Omega HD can do everything the S4 can. It was WTF frustrating experience for the S4 owner and I was laughing all way through. Android system had no class, no individuality, and no finesse.

2. It’s a mockery of intelligence and creativity. Well, they say that imitation is the greatest form of flattery, but if you’re Android copying everything the iOS had, it became an insult to wit because it only proves how stupid people behind Android is, was. People will lose interests in creating new stuffs because they will only be copied by another, worst; they own the lion share by doing so. Where is justice?

3. Android as a system is too technical. Well, it could be used by anyone in general but for the system to be fully utilized and enjoyed, it needs rooting, hacking and all. For instance, a proprietor Android launcher is hell clunky, now for a user to be able to get rid of these, they will need to root the system to be able to install another launcher that is way better and faster. Then users will need to learn about DATA’s and OBB’s just to install good apps.

iOS

Owning an iPhone might be one of the trendiest at the moment but I had never wish to own one. I remember a comment in the blog few years back that those who hate iPhone’s are the ones who cannot afford; well, I would like to send him my sincerest condolence now.

Here are my reasons:

1. Apple will choke users in the neck with its lavish restrictions wanting users to live a bounded smartphone life without freedom. My greatest frustration pertaining to these, the absence of folder system that would allow users to transfer files in and out the phone freely. Apple use iTunes to do this, but is bounded by countless limitations. I personally want a phone that I can control and not the phone controlling me.

2. iPhones are hilariously expensive. If there is one shit that’s too expensive, that’s iPhone! What people don’t realize was that they’re paying double because of the brand name. Just try to look at its specs and compare it to other cheaper phones, the difference are dime.

3. Apple had lost the jest in innovations. What they are doing right now is increase the phone size, put some clear screen, changed the looks of the icon, etc., and that’s it, no space anymore for creativity and resourcefulness. It’s a sad story for Apple, like really, they were used to be cool and sassy.

Blackberry

I never like Blackberry OS ever since, though they have something going on lately but it never occurred to rethink my stand over it after my Z10 experience.

Here are my reasons:

1. Blackberry failed to move out of its dreadful reputation, the system still feels old and serious without any room for fun and excitement. How serious is it, well, I got bored using the Z10 in just 30 minutes; I never experienced that feeling before while using other systems. Maybe it’s the system’s mechanism of doings things on the phone, I couldn’t find anything different on it that will make it special.

2. Blackberry phones are only a notch cheaper than iPhone, like they deserved to be so given its lackluster system and features. I think they forgot where they were in the OS rank and the features they are offering to the public when they created a pricelist for these phones. They were too expensive base on their level of probity overtaking the price of even the best of the Android or Windows Phone camp. Did they even make a market study before pricing the phones?

Wrap Up

Some harsh words in here but there are no other way to describe my thoughts. Yes, there is no perfect OS but imperfection should not be an excuse for people to select the best. Manufacturers should realize that they cannot just dictate to people what they could or couldn’t do, or copy anything of value; they must continuously strive to achieve perfection through endless innovations and research, it’s the only way to succeed in this competitive world and the only way to win my support.

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