Windows Phone 8S by HTC hands-on: a bright Windows phone that holds promise (video)

Original Posted By Mat Smith

HTC is making a two-pronged attack on Windows Phone 8, and while it may not match up to the specs on its new flagship, the Windows Phone 8S by HTC (yes, that's the official moniker) has some charm all of its own. The screen is a pretty underwhelming Gorilla Glass-coated 4-inch WVGA LCD, with a similarly middleweight 5-megapixel camera peering out from the other side. Given that it's looking to be priced closer to the One V than the One S, we're not all that surprised. The phone itself is a good-looking slab, thanks to the breezy color schemes and while the build is certainly solid enough, we'd be hard-pressed to put it in league with the 8X, which felt at home in our hand from the start. The 8S is cocooned in a matte plastic finish, arriving in four different color options -- depending on carrier and territory.
The two-tone color scheme, aside from a few color licks around the lens and ear piece, keeps the second color limited to the bottom edge and the detachable cap. This offers access to the microSD slot (upgrading the built-in 4GB of storage up to 32GB), but like the 8X, no access to the battery. Yep, these new Windows Phones look nothing like HTC's One series, and while the same design studio is responsible, this time, it took its inspiration from Microsoft's tile interface. There's a dual-core 1GHz Snapdragon S4 processor inside, but the phone wasn't quite ready to be put completely through its paces. While the software was still locked down, you can take a video tour -- and read more of our hardware impressions -- after the break.

Windows Phone 8S hands-on

Unfortunately, until Windows Phone 8 gets its official release next month, HTC is keeping the software out of bounds. There are some things we can glean from the specifications of the device, however, including the lack of a front-facing camera on the 8S. Given that the Microsoft-owned Skype looks likely to be a core feature of the new Windows mobile OS, it seems a shame to not include -- if not the wide-angled front-facer of the 8X -- then something a little tamer. While HTC has apparently entered into a "close relationship" with Microsoft and Windows Phone 8, there will be nothing to match the scale of HTC's Sense additions to Android. You can expect an FM radio inside, while the Windows Phone staple, a two-stage camera button, is also reliably housed along the right edge with the volume rocker. The power button is along that tapered top edge, alongside the headphone socket, while charging and data transfer is handled by the micro-USB port along the bottom.

That colored strip along the base also reminds us ever so slightly of the Xperia U from Sony, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. At least, if nothing else, we can be sure that mid-range phone designers think the cool kids want colored chins. That very same section houses the central Windows key (complete with new logo) as well as back button and search key. These are touch sensitive, so fear not, the design remains flush and lip / ridge free. If you flip the phone over, and remain gazing at the derriere, you'll be greeted with the familiar beats logo. The 8S might not have the deep integration, and extra amplification that the 8X sports, but the Doctor's touch is still present here, meaning that extra musical "oomph" is also on offer.
What else is there to say about the Windows Phone 8S? Well, much like its bigger X-rated sibling, we won't really know until that shiny new operating system gets to see the light of day. Until then all we know is that this is a bit of a curious cocktail. Simple, solid, geometric design, middle-weight features and a few dashes of colorful spice to make it easier on the eye. We just won't know the kick it holds until we've spent some time with it.

James Trew contributed to this report.

Source: Engadget

Nokia Lumia 920 appears in five color leak

Original posted by Chris Burns

Another image has appeared showing off what very well may be the hero device at this week’s Nokia/Microsoft event, this being the Lumia 920, a Windows Phone 8 smartphone for the next generation. This model has been leaked with information leading us to believe that it’ll be working with PureView technology in its 8 megapixel camera, this notion all but confirmed by Nokia’s PureView chief this morning. His comments including how “it’s NOT about the number of pixels but what you do with them” appearing as a direct response to criticism over the not-yet-confirmed Lumia smartphone.

This newest image shows the Lumia 920 in a variety of colors, the white and the black casings being ones we’d not yet seen at this point in time. The rest of the leaks suggest that this device will indeed be running Windows Phone 8 complete with its new smaller set of tiles for a more diverse range of abilities on the device’s home screen. This device will likely be popping up with a dual-core processor from Qualcomm and will have both front and back-facing cameras.

You’ll see a volume rocker on the right along with the power button and a physical camera shutter button as well. The whole model appears quite similar to the previous Nokia smartphone range with Windows Phone, particularly in the case of the Nokia Lumia 900. Nokia will be continuing their image branding here and will be pushing hard with Microsoft to keep the Windows Phone universe strong – and growing, of course.

The Windows Phone 8 mobile operating system from Microsoft will be part of the company’s big push for the next generation of Windows software on the whole, this including Windows 8 and Windows RT for tablets as well. Stay tuned for more information on Nokia’s contribution to the party as we head to the New York media event tomorrow bright and early – be here at 9:30 AM EST for all the newest blasts straight from Nokia!

BONUS: the back of the Nokia 820 has also been shown by the same source – in purple!

Sourcse: Slashgear

Samsung 4.8-inch ATIV S Windows Phone 8 smartphone

Original posted by Cory Gunther.

Those rumors about Samsung naming their new Windows Phone lineup the “ATIV” appear to be quite accurate after today’s latest leak. It looks as if Samsung is getting prepared to launch a few new Windows devices and today we have our first look at the 4.8-inch ATIV S Windows Phone 8 smartphone. It isn’t quite the Galaxy S III — but sure comes close.

Samsung plans to be one of if not the first to announce a Windows Phone 8 smartphone, and that is stacking up to be the above pictured ATIV S. This phone will indeed be their flagship WP8 device if rumors are true, and it packs just as much punch as its Android counterpart.
The Samsung ATIV S will be sporting a 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED display with an unknown resolution but most likely 1280 x 720p. Under the hood will be a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor (probably Qualcomm’s S4) along with an 8 megapixel rear camera and 1.9 MP front shooter as well. Other specs have not been detailed or leaked at this time.

The pictures, leaked by The Verge, shows some similarities to the Galaxy S III with a few subtle changes like the speaker being placed down below instead of near the camera. Otherwise they appear to be extremely similar in design, size, and thickness. We are hearing Samsung could possibly unveil this new flagship Windows Phone 8 device at IFA 2012 during their Samsung Unpacked event. That will be starting under the hour so stay tuned for full details as we are here live! Follow along at our IFA Hub for all the news.

Source : Slashgear

Windows Phone 8: New Features

by Huei

Thursday, 21 June 2012 11:08 AM

As you might already know, the new mobile OS from Microsoft will come with multi-core support, high resolution display and such, so what else is new? A whole bunch actually, LG announced its Siri-like “Quick Voice” that allows for voice control, Microsoft will also have its own Speech Platform that allows you to search for things and listen to ebooks. This feature will arrive to all WP Mango devices so no worries if you’re an existing user. Windows Phone 8 will also come with a new Start Screen, probably the biggest and most obvious change in terms of visuals. I personally love the new redesign, the current big tiles shows too little information and I don’t think I’m that old to require big buttons, yet. There’ll also be deep Skype integration, offline turn-by-turn navigation maps powered by none other than Nokia, IE10 which smoked Safari and Android browser in the SunSpider Java test, improved camera with panorama and burst shot, ready for enterprise, over the air updates for future WP8 devices, and 18-months support cycle. Interested in windows phone Windows Phone 8? It’s expected in “falls”, which is between September and December so just in time for your Christmas shopping. (Source: Lowyat.Net)