Quick take: Samsung Galaxy S4 versus the Nokia Lumia 920
Today here in New York, Samsung finally pulled the sheet off of the Galaxy S4, their next big flagship Android phone for 2013. Due at the end of April, the phone looks almost exactly like the S3 save a few minor differences, but it’s the guts and software that make this a killer device. It will launch on a massive 327 operators in 155 countries for complete global reach.
We’ll spare you all the details of the S4, though it does feature 2GB of RAM, an eight-core Samsung Exynos 5410 running at 1.8GHz, a triple-core PowerVR SGX 544 graphics chip with a massive 2600mAh battery. Oh yeah, it also has a swanky 5” 1080P Super AMOLED display at 440 PPI and various sensors, including Infrared gesture, temperature and humidity sensors, which while gimmicky is still really neat. Finally, it sports a 13MP rear and 2MP front camera, with some new "innovations" like two-way shot.
We briefly put it up against our Nokia Lumia 920 in a video and while this is far from a controlled “versus” battle, you can at least get an idea of how Samsung’s beast looks against Nokia’s.
Should Windows Phone and Microsoft be worried?
As much as we hate to admit it, yes. Samsung is a juggernaut right now with a lot of momentum. Just as the S3 is peaking globally they’re showing off the next version, which nicely builds off of its predecessor. For all of Android’s faults (and yes there are plenty), since the 4.2 1 update the operating system has stabilized with a more coherent feel to it.
The problem is becoming clearer with every release: Samsung (and other Android OEMs) can out maneuver Microsoft and its partners, both for phones and new iterations of the OS (though carrier updates are a separate issue).
Don’t get us wrong, loyal readers, we’re not down on Windows Phone at all and still prefer it. But we’re not blind either to recognize that tonight, the completion just ratcheted up to a new level. And if you saw the money and determination behind the Galaxy S product line, you’d be concerned too.
Forcing the Windows Phone 7.8 update: Camera button not required but patience is
If you've checked your Windows Phone 7.5 device for the 7.8 update with no success, you may want to try to force the process, just as we did with other Windows Phone updates like Mango.
This is a little different than downloading and installing Windows Phone 7.8 manually, which we reported on earlier. With this method you're basically tricking the Microsoft servers to recognize your Windows Phone and initiating the update early. Think of it as cutting in line (and Microsoft is okay with this, no worries).
The other benefit with this method (versus the CAB one) is it means you are getting the official carrier/OEM update that usually includes the firmware too. If using just CABs you are updating the OS but not any device specific software. That's not a bad thing but it's really not ideal.
How to
Forcing requires patience and the ability to disconnect your computer from the internet. Make sure you have the Wifi and your data connection turned off on your Windows Phone and connect to Zune. Go to settings and check for an update and as soon as you click the "Update" link in the settings you'll need to disconnect from the internet.
Let Zune come back and tell you that it can't check for an update right now, reconnect to the internet and you should see that an update is now available. Timing seems to be key and it may take you a few tries to get things just right (took me six tries). From there you follow along with the update wizard and your Windows Phone is updated.
If this trick doesn't work, it likely means that the update files for your device aren't out there on the servers yet to be installed. We were successful in forcing the update on the AT&T Nokia Lumia 900 but couldn't get the HTC HD7S to update. When all was said and done, the Windows Phone version ended up being 7.10.8858.136.
Interesting note on the 7.8 update is that it provides support for devices without a camera button. More than likely this is for future low-end devices like the Alcatel One Touch where the lack of a camera button will keep production costs down. You may see this in a smaller update that installs before the 7.8 update goes through.
Step by step instructions to force the Windows Phone 7.8 update
Connect your Windows Phone to a PC and launch the Zune software
Click on Phone > Settings > Update. Allow the software to tell you whether an update is available. If so, skip this guide. If not continue to the next step.
Time to force the update. Click another button (any of the options above or below the word Update). Then click the Update button again, and this time disconnect your computer from the internet after 1-2 seconds. Do this by pulling out the Ethernet cable, disabling Wi-Fi, etc. If it says your phone is already up to date, you didn't disconnect quickly enough and need to try this step again.
Wait 30 seconds or so and Zune should display a notification that an update is available.
Now reconnect to the internet and continue with the update process through the Zune software.
Depending on what OS build you are starting with, you may be prompted for several OS updates
Let the phone update and wait. The final OS build is 8858. If you are getting just 8779, you'll want to repeat 1-4 above
You may also be prompted to install a firmware update at the very end, follow through with this
Celebrate! The whole process, including backup could take up to 60 minutes. Check that you are on build 8858 to see if you are done.
What if this method just doesn't work?
This won't work for every Windows Phone out there, only those that are officially designated for the 7.8 update, so your experience will vary.
If you don't get the update, it can mean one of two things.
Your software update is literally not on Microsoft's servers for your phone/carrier. Try again in a few days.
Your update may never come.
On the second point, we're not too confident generation one devices or Sprint's Arrive will ever "officially" get this update, which is why try as they might this method will never work. For you folks, you'll have to do the more tricky manual CAB method.That will do the job but obviously it won't include any firmware. C'est la vie.
Let us know in the comments if you've had success with the forcing trick to get the update.
When’s it gonna rain? Just ask SkyMotion, now available for Windows Phone
Here in New England, we’re getting hit with some nasty winter weather: snow, rain, sleet, freezing rain and all the variants of wintry precipitation. And if you’re planning your day—especially if you golf, ride a motorcycle or were looking to schedule something outside, knowing when that rain is going to happen is important.
Enter in SkyMotion, which just does just that—it pulls down your location and in various, user-selected time increments, tells you the chance of rain in your exact area. Sure, other weather apps tell you that info in a general sense, but this is about granularity, specificity and SkyMotion kicks it up a notch.
The app was previously on Android and iOS but is now available for our Windows Phones...
The app is simple enough: you launch it, it pulls your location (you can also enter in locations for saving and comparison) and it then tells you rain, clear, etc. over the next few hours in 1, 5, 15 or 30 minute intervals. You can even share the information via social networks, email etc. in case you’re collaborating and the app has a Live Tile too. Best part? Yeah, it’s free.
SkyMotion is a certainly a must have app if rain status is important to you and seeing as it costs nothing, is smooth and simple to use we see little reason to not use it. Pick up SkyMotion here in the Windows Phone Store for Windows Phone 7.x and Windows Phone 8.
'Limited Edition' HTC 8X Windows Phone for Verizon employees looks hot
Verizon employees get a special gift this year, a 'special edition' of the HTC 8X Windows Phone in rare grey
File this under 'cool' as some Verizon employees are getting special, limited edition HTC 8X Windows Phones in grey with limelight yellow accent colors. That’s right, not only do is it in a new color but it has that two-tone look from the 8S that people adore.
We don’t have word on which employees qualify for the ‘Employee Edition’ of the 8X but we certainly are a tad jealous and we would love to see that look go public. The devices are individually numbered (we blurred it out) meaning these really are hard to come by.
So what do you folks think? Would you buy the 8X in this color? Thanks, Verizon Wired, for the images!
Conserve Windows Phone battery life by managing background apps
We heard and experienced for ourselves some rather crummy battery life with the Nokia Lumia 920Windows Phone. It's a mixed bag of results with some report fantastic battery performance while others are struggling to make it through half a day.
While Nokia is looking into things, they've reminded us that managing the apps that are running in the background could help with battery life. And this power saving technique isn't exclusive to the Lumia Windows Phones. If you want to conserve power on your HTC 8X or Samsung Focus 2, shut down some of the apps you don't need that are still running in the background.
To see what's running in the background, go to your Windows Phone's settings and swipe over to the applications page. There you will find "background tasks" setting at the top of the list.
Once inside the settings, you'll see a list of all the apps running in the background. To shut it down, just tap on the app and tap the "block" button. To confirm that you've shut down the app, press and hold the back button to view any open apps.
Nokia has received reports that if Nokia Drive is left running in the background can contribute to high power consumption. They also note that Angry Birds: Star Wars may also be consuming higher than normal power. There's nothing definitive about either, just suspicions that are being researched.
Along with shutting down apps operating in the background, consider disabling the NFC feature (touch + share feature in your settings menu). We aren't sure if there's a connection but over the past two days with NFC disabled, our battery life has improved dramatically.
It's nice to see Nokia taking an interest in the Lumia 920's performance and if we here anything definitive on the 920's battery concerns, we'll pass it on.
Site News - Lumia 810 has arrived at the Windows Phone Central Forums
Today T-Mobile announced the Lumia 810, a version of the Lumia 820 that'll be heading to the US carrier. While many would simply assume it's a mere codename alteration, don't be fooled into thinking the same. The Lumia 810 does sport some differentiations that space the device out from AT&T's second Lumia Windows Phone 8 offering.
Because the Lumia 810 is set to arrive in a matter of weeks, we figured it would be a perfect opportunity for discussion to spark. A forum has been designated for threads to be created that cover the new Windows Phone.
Be sure to head on over to the Windows Phone Central Forum to engage with other Windows Phone fans and developers.
Site News - HTC 8S and 8X have landed on the Windows Phone Central Forums
HTC announced the 8X and 8S today at its New York Windows Phone 8 presentation. These two new smartphones are the company's Apollo entries to go up against Samsung's ATIV S and Nokia's family of Lumias.
The HTC 8X and 8S sport new designs and implemented features that are sure to turn heads and demand attention - particularly the choice of colours and Beats Audio support. Both featuring LCD 2 displays and dual-core S4 chips, the new HTC Windows Phones aren't slouches by any means.
We've opened up two new forums -- one for the 8X and another for the 8S -- for these handsets, which can now be discussed as well as any compatible accessories.
Be sure to head on over to our community forums to mingle with other Windows Phone fans and voice your opinions. Why join the Windows Phone Central forums? Well, we're the largest Windows Phone community out there with bags of activity and a superb readership / userbase. There's never a quiet day and our aim is to continue this trend.
Rumor – AT&T to launch the Nokia Lumia 920 on October 21st
Coming to the US on October 21st? Not likely.
File this under wishful thinking and maybe true but BGR’s Geller personally posted that they’ve confirmed through sources the AT&T launch date for the Nokia Lumia 920. On Tracour, BGR.com only has a 52% average rating on rumor accuracy, so take this rumor with some skepticism.
The flagship Windows Phone from Nokia is reportedly going to launch on October 21st—a traditional Sunday launch for the company. In addition, the Samsung Galaxy Note II will launch the same day. That contradicts earlier rumors from the Verge and TechRadar who suggested November 2nd--the last day of Microsoft's Build '12.
That date, if accurate, is certainly earlier than the November time frame that many have come to expect. If AT&T and Nokia can pull it off, it will surely be a huge win for the OS and the Finnish company as uncertainty about the release has plagued them ever since the September 5th announcement.
Skepticism?
AT&T has not even officially announced that they are getting the Lumia 920, though it has long been speculated seeing as they are the “premier” Windows Phone partner in the US. What’s more, to our knowledge, Windows Phone 8 OS has not been finalized or released-to-manufactures (RTM) which makes this early date slightly suspect. We should also mention there is no finalized, official SDK yet either. That does not bode well for the idea that this phone is coming out so early.
Then again, with all the pressure Microsoft and Nokia are under, perhaps some late night struggling and corner cutting have been implemented to get this out the door sooner than later.
Or perhaps we are seeing a pre-order day and not one for an actual launch.
No price was announced though we’re going to guess that $199 on contract seems to be a fair pricing point for the flagship phone. Will Nokia undercut that and go for $150? Too early to tell.
Edit: Due to some personal communications with others in the tech field since we first published, we've downgraded this to a 4 on the rum'o'meter from a 6.
Are Nokia and Microsoft planning a surprise launch for Windows Phone 8?
How close are we to a Nokia Windows Phone 8 device?
If there is one thing we can say about Nokia and Microsoft lately is that both companies have faith in their products. Whatever the sales or marketshare figures show, the Windows Phone OS and Nokia hardware are a brilliant combo.
So we’re relishing the words by Chris Webber, Nokia’s Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing, who Tweeted this morning a nice little message to rival Samsung:
“Samsung take note, next generation Lumia coming soon.”
It is a bit unusual for companies to directly call each other out so publicly, which is why this probably has garnered so much attention. If we wanted to deconstruct that tweet a bit we could highlight the usage of “note” by Weber as a hint to Nokia’s upcoming Windows Phone 8 plans. Samsung has quite successfully launched and sold a few GALAXY Notes in recent months (see our hands on when we compared it to the HTC Titan).
While there is no evidence that Nokia will be offering a massive 5”+ device come early September, rumors around the Nokia ‘Phi’ have suggested a device with a quite large 4.65” screen, akin to the HTC Titan series. (We’ve previously expressed to Nokia the desire for large screen devices back at Mobile World Congress; at the very least they were interested in our appeal).
Then again, that’s probably reading a bit too much into it and instead was just a playful jab at Samsung. But it does raise some other interesting questions for discussion.
The Lumia line of phones for Nokia so far have been a critical success but it remains to be seen if they can catch on with mass adoption. With what appears to be an accelerated launch plan, Microsoft and Nokia may be rushing their next-generation devices to market sooner than expected.
With Apple expected to announce the iPhone 5 on September 12th, Nokia and Microsoft will beat them to the punch for revealing their next contender for Über-smartphone one week earlier.
But Apple is still predicted to actually launch their phone sooner. That’s because Apple enjoys unparalleled control over the OS and hardware that Microsoft lacks, not to mention the ability to dictate launch-dates to carriers. For even if Microsoft and Nokia have their next-generation Lumia ready, it still needs to bend to a carrier’s launch cycle (presumably AT&T, maybe Verizon) adding a wrinkle to any planned “surprise” unveiling. And that’s really the issue here: How long will we have to wait until we can actually purchase a Nokia Windows Phone 8 device?
At the very least, it does look like Microsoft and Nokia are fast-tracking plans, which shows a new, more agile strategy for both companies. That’s good news. But are we now expecting too much, too soon?
Let’s hope they adapt well and don’t disappoint come September 5th.
Windows Phone Dev Center now automatically encrypts all apps to prevent piracy
Software piracy is a serious battle, which can also affect our beloved platform developers. Microsoft has taken action by automatically applying encryption to all apps through the newly unveiled Dev Center. According to a detailed post on the Windows Phone Developer Blog, Todd Brix states that all apps (including those already submitted) are automatically encrypted without user input.
We first heard about the possibility of server-side encryption back in November, 2011. From our understanding, Microsoft was waiting until everyone was on Mango to implement that feature and it now looks to have happened. If you recall, at the end of April Microsoft decreed that you had to have Windows Phone 7.5 to get to the Marketplace. Combined with the Dev Center refresh, we think that transition for encryption is now complete.
The software giant has been cracking down on Windows Phone app piracy by making it harder for devices to be unlocked and removing the Marketplace from Zune PC software. This would surely slow down those who desire to steal work and make it freely available, but we're hoping this app encryption will help strengthen the blockade against attacks.
It will be warmly welcomed by developers who have poured not only funds and resources, but time and effort into their projects. This will in-turn benefit consumers with more apps being released through more potential sales carried out and a stronger ROI for content providers. Here's hoping anyway.
Walking away with 31.09% of the vote, Pureedged out Motion as the winning suggestion. Windows Phone Central reader J4rrod offered up the Pure moniker and as a result takes home a $50 gift certificate to the Windows Phone Accessory Store. We'll be dispatching an email to J4rrod shortly with details on his prize.
We had some great suggestions and it will be interesting to see what direction Microsoft chooses. Who knows, "Pure" might win out over "Windows 8".
Thanks everyone for participating not only in the hundreds of suggestions but also in selecting the winner.
Nike+ releases extended ad with Kinect and Windows Phone app
A little bit of a hubbub is making the rounds this morning of Nike+ supposedly "announcing" a companion app for Windows Phone for the new Kinect game comingthis holidayOctober 30th.
But of course we knew about this way back in June during E3 when Nike released the first trailer and literally showed a huge Nokia Lumia with the Nike+ app flowing through the pivot screens.
So why the excitement? Blame it on the internet's short-term memory and a slightly revised ad coming out last week.
Nike+ Kinect Training with a Lumia back in June
Around July 30th, Nike put out an “extended” version of the ad with a new voiceover that states “and with the companion app we can send challenge reminders, track sessions and keep you connected to your friends” (It's at the 1:41 mark if you want to fast forward).
Otherwise it’s the exact same ad with some more game footage.
We should note too that we saw Ice Age 4 this weekend (and it was awesome). Before the preview started, Regal cinemas played this whole ad during it’s "pre-show countdown entertainment". No doubt it was kind of fun to see Windows Phone so huge on a screen and not an iPhone or Android in sight. That version of the ad has "AT&T" emblazoned on the phone noting that's it's a Lumia 900 with "Windows Phone" on the movie screen.
Nike+ Kinect Training is coming “this holiday”October 30th but it at least should make some fun times in front of the screen. Having a companion app is also certainly welcome.
The Nike+ app for the Xbox 360 game was shown back at E3
Although if you were really serious about exercise, you would already be using Ubisoft’s Fitness Evolved series which is a fantastic Xbox 360-Kinect exercise system. It has had a companion app for Windows Phone since last year—but you already knew that, right?
Besides a Nike+ app for this Kinect game, we’re still waiting on getting a companion app for their Fuelband. Currently iOS has that app which can sync with your daily stats for the tiny wristband and Android is slated to get it soon too. Windows Phone?No word on that front which is a shame. We’re rocking that gizmo which is a sophisticated accelerometer that measures “activity” (and estimates caloric burn and number of steps walked). Hopefully Nike+ will get around to that one soon or this new companion app can also tie into your Nike+ account for even more bio-statistics.
Namco Bandai’s Windows Phone output has been somewhat uneven so far. Some of their games like Puzzle Quest 2 are great, many are overpriced (Pac-Man Championship Edition DX anyone?), and a few like More Brain Exercise are simply duds. Their previous release, Pac-Man Kart Rally, fell somewhere in the middle of the quality spectrum, but I respected the developer’s boundary-breaking use of local Wi-Fi multiplayer. Now Pool Pro Online 3 pushes things even further, becoming the first mobile Xbox Live game with true real-time online multiplayer. While its online mode is unparalleled, a few fouls keep Pool Pro Online 3 from being a truly great pool game.
Three in one
For those who are new to pool, a primer: there is no one game of pool. Rather, a variety of games with different rules and ball configurations can be played on a pool table. PPO3features three such games, all designed for two players: 8-ball, 9-ball, and Snooker. The first game is best known in the USA, the latter in the UK.
Learning to play
Unfamiliar with one or more of the game’s rules? They’re easy enough to learn thanks to a decent generalized tutorial and some reference text in the Help & Options menu.
Here’s how making a shot works:
Drag left or right anywhere on the table to aim your stick. Arrows indicate which direction the cue ball and the first ball(s) it hits will travel.
Use the slider at the bottom of the screen to fine-tune aiming.
Press the Eye icon at the bottom-left corner to switch between first-person and overhead views.
Press the English icon at the top corner to aim at a specific part of the ball, affecting its spin (optional).
Once the shot is lined up, pull down on the cue stick at the right edge of the screen and release to make the shot.
Sounds good, right? It is, at first. But the more you play, the more nuisances become apparent. First, truly fine aiming can be tough because lifting your finger after aiming usually nudges the aim a bit. The developers should have compensated for that somehow.
More importantly, the mechanism for actually firing the shot needs serious work. Performing a maximum strength shot is extremely tough because your finger often strikes the bottom of the phone before the game can register the stick has been pulled all the way down. Worse, sometimes the stick releases without me even removing my finger from the meter, ruining the shot. I’ve even had my aim change instead of the stick moving, which should never happen. Given the importance of striking balls with maximum strength at times, I found these quirks quite exasperating.
Multiplayer madness
Earning money in single-player to buy new equipment and pool halls is all well and good, but multiplayer really increases the fun factor. PPO3 offers both pass-and-play and real-time online multiplayer. Let’s look at how online works.
Each of the three game types has a public lobby, from which you can invite other players to a game. If you’d rather play with someone else, simply press the Invite button and send one out to somebody on your friends list. UnlikeBattleship, they actually need to accept right away since there’s no asynchronous multiplayer. Once a challenge has been accepted, both players must agree on a bet before the match begins.
Chatting up a storm
Each player has a turn timer, so you can’t just take forever to line up a shot. While you’re waiting, feel free to tap the Chat button at the top of the screen. New messages create a nice sound effect, making it easy to keep a light conversation going during the game.
Once the match ends, the winner walks away a bit richer and the loser slightly humbled. Chat unfortunately cuts off at that point. But you’re free to choose a Rematch; as long as both players stay connected to the server, the gameplay can continue.
Still a Windows Phone game
The public lobbies, real-time multiplayer, and chat features might fool you into thinking you’re playing a console or PC game online as opposed to the rudimentary multiplayer modes we’ve seen in Xbox Live games on Windows Phone so far. Well, all is not perfect in the online mode. Once you challenge someone or accept a challenge, actually connecting to that game is a crapshoot. I’ve also experienced disconnects during games, for which neither player is penalized.These connection issues aren't so severe that they ruin the game as in Gun Bros and Contract Killer, but they certainly cut into the fun.
Achievements
While multiplayer gives a game likePPO3 some legs, an addictive single-player component or metagame is also necessary to keep players coming back. Unfortunately, PPO3’s unlocking system and Achievements fall pancake flat.
See, scratch can either be earned by performing feats and winning games in single-player or by betting and winning multiplayer games. That scratch can then be spent in the pro shop to unlock felts, sticks, and pool halls. It costs 500,000 scratch to buy everything from the shop (Achievement), and there’s also an Achievement for collecting a million scratch.
Unfortunately, the developers seem to have pulled those two numbers out of thin air, because as it stands nobody will ever reach 500K, let alone a million. Single player games pay about 500 scratch on average – up to 700 or 800 if you play on the highest difficulty and do really well. Nobody really wants to bet large amounts of scratch online because you lose your bet if you lose. The betting economy might actually work if the pot exceeded the amount bet, but it doesn’t.
Given the average payout I just described, it would take a minimum of 1000 victories to unlock all the pool halls and 2000 to get the Fat Cat Achievement. Each game takes several minutes, and that’s not counting loading times and losses. Unless Namco Bandai changes payouts with a patch, it would simply take a ridiculous amount of time and dedication to get either Achievement.
Overall Impression
Pool Pro Online 3 really wowed me initially, but as time went on, its faults became increasingly apparent. In the all-important area of controls, the game is only sufficient rather than intuitive. In real life, high strength shots are easier to make than low strength ones, but the reverse is true here. And with Achievements that are either extremely contrived and luck-based or insanely laborious, players can’t look forward to earning the game’s full 200 GamerScore.
Thank goodness for the online mode, then! Being able to play and chat with random strangers or friends in real-time on Windows Phone is a cathartic experience. I wish we didn’t have to bet scratch in order to play and profit from online games, because an ‘everyone profits’ situation would be more fun overall. Still, the online multiplayer is the best the platform has seen so far, and will likely keep pool fans entertained for a long time.
Pool Pro Online 3 costs $2.99 – not bad given the robust multiplayer options and fairly good 3D graphics. Just make sure to turn the music off before it eats away at your soul. Get the game here on the Marketplace.
