Mobile

Windows Phone Book: The Next Chapter, Office + OneNote

Sat, 18 May 2013 17:51:00 +0000

A new chapter about the Office productivity apps in Windows Phone 8

Here is a very early peek at the next chapter in Windows Phone book, Office + OneNote. This chapter focuses on the Office hub—Word, Excel, and PowerPoint Mobile plus the SkyDrive and SharePoint integration—and the OneNote Mobile app.

The Nokia Advantage: Camera

Fri, 17 May 2013 18:35:00 +0000

Nokia is establishing the Lumia as having the best smart phone cameras in the industry

With Nokia finally filling out its product line with new Lumia 920 derivatives for other wireless operators, a clear strategy emerges: Nokia is betting that its vaunted reputation in camera optics will help sell its high-end smart phones. But Nokia’s strength in this area isn’t just about the camera hardware: Users of Lumia 92x handsets also benefit from ongoing software updates, low-light camera performance, and apps that work together in unique ways.

Lenovo Takes on MacBook Air with ThinkPad X1 Carbon Touch

Fri, 17 May 2013 16:16:00 +0000

Lenovo out-airs the Air

The only reason I’m not using a Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Touch is that I’ve gotten too used to the 15-inch form factor of my current Ultrabook. But browsing around the ThinkPad web site this morning, I came across a nice infographic comparison of the X1 Carbon (and Touch) with Apple’s MacBook Air. And they do a nice job of differentiating.

Surface Pro Comes to Europe

Thu, 16 May 2013 19:26:00 +0000

Surface Pro will ship in numerous European countries this month

Microsoft announced today that the Windows 8-based Surface Pro tablet would ship in numerous European countries this month, with the first country getting the device starting tomorrow. Additionally, Microsoft revealed a special deal for new Surface RT customers in Europe.

Windows Phone is Now Number Three

Thu, 16 May 2013 13:51:00 +0000

And it's all thanks to Nokia ... And a nicely declining Blackberry

It’s all coming together, baby: Windows Phone has surpassed Blackberry to become the number three smart phone platform in the world, behind Android and iOS. OK, maybe it’s not that dramatic. But in the battle for ecosystems, Microsoft and Nokia are betting that there can be only three.

Coming this Summer: A Windows Phone 8 Update

Wed, 15 May 2013 16:09:00 +0000

GDR2 is most welcome, but it's not enough

I know, I know. It doesn’t seem possible. But buried at the end of a lengthy blog post about the Nokia Lumia 925, the Windows Phone team actually announced that it will deliver an update to Windows Phone 8 this summer.

Report: Smart Phone Market Moving to Android Monopoly

Wed, 15 May 2013 13:58:00 +0000

Just last year, industry analysts spoke of a duopoly in the smart phone market, with Google’s Android and Apple’s iPhone slicing up the market between them. But today, it’s pretty much an Android monopoly, with iPhone market share falling precipitously.

Open In New Window: No

Microsoft Surface Firmware Updates for May 2013

Tue, 14 May 2013 21:27:00 +0000

Again, regular updates are just one of many reasons to choose Surface

Each month since the release of the first Surface tablet, Microsoft has issued firmware updates that improve the devices. And May is no different: Today, the firm is releasing firmware updates for Surface RT and Surface Pro. It’s the 7th straight month they’ve done so.

Windows Phone Book: Calendar 1.1 and Photos 0.6

Tue, 14 May 2013 21:14:00 +0000

Two more existing chapters are updated

I’ve updated the Calendar and Photos chapters in Windows Phone Book. Calendar was updated to the new task-based approach, while Photos chapter needed more minor edits.

Windows Phone Book: Messaging 0.8

Tue, 14 May 2013 20:46:00 +0000

A significant update to the Messaging chapter

I’ve updated Chapter 7: Messaging in Windows Phone Book to the new task-based approach. This is one of the first chapters I wrote for the book, back in late 2012, and this version is significantly cleaned up and shortened.