Skype for Windows 8 gains contact blocking and performances improvements
Those of you using Skype in Windows 8 will be happy to know that Microsoft’s just bumped the app to version 1.6. It’s been a few months since the last update, and this revision brings more features to the table, including contact blocking and a slew of performance tweaks. You’re now able to block users, with an option to remove or report the offending party. Speed and reliability have been improved, especially when loading contacts, and a number of bugs have been fixed, including one where the outgoing video was not always displayed after switching cameras. The update’s available in Windows Store, so what are you waiting for?
Filed under: Microsoft
Source: Skype Blogs
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Leave a commentMicrosoft planning ‘next release’ of Windows Phone for this holiday season
A new job listing over at Microsoft has revealed when the outfit is planning to serve up the next iteration of its smartphone OS. According to the post, work on the current version is being finished up and they’re “getting ready for our next release targeting the holiday of this year.” Presumably, the update will be part of the wider Blue umbrella of tweaks for Windows. Though a vague “next release” doesn’t offer any details in terms of features, it’s likely the OS will carry a significant set of changes as the team in need of a developer is responsible for the Start screen experience, the shell, first party apps and more.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Microsoft
Via: WMPoweruser
Source: Microsoft
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Enyo arrives to Windows 8, WP8 and Blackberry 10 with version 2.2
Enyo originally came along from HP to help developers create resolution-independent webOS apps, but since version 2.0, it’s become platform agnostic. While support for Windows 8 and WP8 through IE10 has been around for awhile, version 2.2 now brings packaged app creation for those OSes along with Blackberry 10 at the highest Tier 1 support level. The platform still requires native “container” software to package apps, with Enyo advising Visual Studio for Windows 8 and Cordova for WP8 and Blackberry 10. The company’s swatted a few bugs and added contextual popups too, so if you’re looking to get your JavaScript on, hit the source.
Filed under: Software
Source: Enyo
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Rhapsody posts Windows Phone 8 app with offline playback
Just because Rhapsody is an old hand at online music doesn’t mean it has to lag behind: the company just posted a new version of its app tailored to Windows Phone 8 listeners. Besides the native OS tie-ins, it adds offline downloads and access to the personalized My Music section. Windows Phone-focused listeners who’ve stuck to Rhapsody’s $10-plus service through thick and thin — or just aren’t wedded to options from Microsoft, Nokia and Spotify — can hit the source for the new jukebox.
Filed under: Cellphones, Portable Audio/Video, Mobile
Via: VentureBeat
Source: Windows Phone Store
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Windows of New York A weekly illustrated atlas by José Guizar…
Windows of New York A weekly illustrated atlas by
José Guizar (make sure to check out the rest of his portfolio too)
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Nokia confirms Windows Phone 7.8 coming to the UK today, prices Lumia 620 at £149.99
Brits who ground their fingers to stumps hammering their Lumia’s update button will finally be able to rest, as Nokia UK has confirmed that Windows 7.8 is rolling out today. The company has also revealed O2′s pricing for the Lumia 620, the handset that’ll bring Windows Phone 8 to the cash-strapped masses. It’s available from today on the oxygen-themed network, setting you back £149.99 or free on contracts priced over £18.50. Normally, the interchangeable back plates would cost around £20, but O2 is offering buyers a choice of a yellow, orange, green, white or cyan model for free.
You’ll also be able to pick up the quirky handset from ThreeUK and Virgin Media today, although neither has opened up about pricing just yet. Vodafone has announced that it’ll launch the phone on February 6th with a choice of white or black covers, while EE has yet to commit to carrying the handset. If you saw removable covers and hoped that the 620 would benefit from the same wireless charging plates we saw in the 820, we’ve got some bad news — Nokia has said it’s not likely to happen.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Microsoft, Nokia
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Nokia confirms Windows Phone 7.8 coming to the UK today, prices Lumia 620 at £149.99
Brits who ground their fingers to stumps hammering their Lumia’s update button will finally be able to rest, as Nokia UK has confirmed that Windows 7.8 is rolling out today. The company has also revealed O2′s pricing for the Lumia 620, the handset that’ll bring Windows Phone 8 to the cash-strapped masses. It’s available from today on the oxygen-themed network, setting you back £149.99 or free on contracts priced over £18.50. Normally, the interchangeable back plates would cost around £20, but O2 is offering buyers a choice of a yellow, orange, green, white or cyan model for free.
You’ll also be able to pick up the quirky handset from ThreeUK and Virgin Media today, although neither has opened up about pricing just yet. Vodafone has announced that it’ll launch the phone on February 6th with a choice of white or black covers, while EE has yet to commit to carrying the handset. If you saw removable covers and hoped that the 620 would benefit from the same wireless charging plates we saw in the 820, we’ve got some bad news — Nokia has said it’s not likely to happen.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Microsoft, Nokia
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Nokia Lumia 800 gets first taste of Windows Phone 7.8
An official Windows Phone 7.8 rollout to Nokia devices like the Lumia 510, 800 and 900 seemed all but inevitable after it popped up on third party Nokia ROM tool NaviFirm, then a couple days later on Nokia’s own servers. Now, Dutch site WP7.nl is reporting that Nokia has started rolling it out in earnest to the Lumia 800, at least on that side of the pond. Provided your device is up-to-date, you may soon receive a certain “Nokia update,” which will then be followed by four larger downloads. When the dust settles, you’ll see a newfangled splash screen, customization options and Xbox Tile (among numerous other changes), heralding your not-completely-abandoned handset’s arrival nearly into the Windows Phone 8 era. Check the translated source for more details.
[Image credit: WP7.nl]
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Microsoft, Nokia
Via: Redmond Pie
Source: WP7.nl
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Microsoft explains the origins of Windows Phone 8′s home and lock screens
We’ve delved into just what we think of Windows Phone 8′s interface, but not what led Microsoft to the final layout. The company isn’t content to let us wonder — a pair of new company blog posts explain some (though not all) of what was involved in that birthing process. Ignore the marketing spin and you’ll learn that the wider, more densely packed home screen was chosen as much for balance as to stuff in more home tiles, and that it caused a momentary crisis for the app list as a result. The Redmond team goes on to justify choices behind the lock screen, such as why notifications are as customizable as they are, why the music controls fade and why there’s a failsafe for PIN attempts. Don’t expect to come out of the explanations suddenly craving a Lumia 920; just expect to make more sense of the OS inside.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Microsoft
Microsoft explains the origins of Windows Phone 8′s home and lock screens originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 03 Nov 2012 18:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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MSI launches the 27-inch Wind Top AE2712 all-in-one brandishing Windows 8, military specs
The Windows 8 all-in-one arena is already pretty crowded, but if MSI’s new model had to fight it out with the rest battle-bot style, then it might just come out on top. That’s because the Wind Top AE2712 comes with MSI’s usual military class components, alongside a brutish 27-inch 1080p display with ten-finger touch, Core i3 or i5 processors and optional NVIDIA GeForce GT630M graphics (on the ‘G’ model). Also included is the company’s Smart Media cloud that lets you share data with DNLA-enabled TVs and mobile devices. The PC’s already popped up on Amazon UK with a £830 sticker and November 9th ship date, so if you need an AIO tough enough to withstand, say, an all-out rugrat assault, check out the source link.
Filed under: Desktops
MSI launches the 27-inch Wind Top AE2712 all-in-one brandishing Windows 8, military specs originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Nov 2012 10:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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