Acer and Asus are two of the biggest names in the PC space. If you are an Xbox fan, you will likely recognize ASUS, as it produces the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X, both of which have sold well, despite some early issues.

However, both companies have temporarily stopped selling laptops and desktop PCs in Germany. It follows a court ruling that granted Nokia an injunction, preventing Acer and Asus from selling certain desktop and laptop devices in the country.

In the country, a court recently granted Nokia an injunction that legally blocks Acer and ASUS from selling certain PCs (via Tom's Hardware).

The ruling applies to the companies themselves. Retailers that already have stock can continue selling existing units. However, once that stock runs out, Acer and Asus cannot import or replenish new devices while the injunction remains in place.

Now, you might be wondering what Nokia has to do with all of this. The case centers on HEVC, which stands for High Efficiency Video Coding. It's a video compression standard, patented by Nokia and used for streaming, recording, and playing high-quality video more efficiently.

Nokia claims that Acer and ASUS are using technology covered by its patents without the proper licensing terms in place. An injunction is simply a court order that forces a company to stop doing something. In this case, it requires Acer and ASUS to pause sales of affected products in Germany.

If Acer and ASUS reach a licensing agreement with Nokia, sales could resume. As the situation is still developing, either company could also choose to appeal the decision in court.

What do you make of this HEVC patent dispute, and do you think Acer and Asus should settle or fight the ruling in court? Let us know your thoughts in the comments and make sure to take part in our poll below:

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

We were at a local Nokia developer event in London last night. The Developer Experience team decided to hold an informal session at the company's Paddington offices, inviting both bloggers and developers to mingle and show off some cool Windows Phone apps. There was more demand than spaces available, but fear not if you were unable to attend as Nokia plans to kick off similar events in the future.

So what was the evening all about? It was essentially an opportunity for developers to show off their work to bloggers for coverage and to see what other content is available. Our Jay Bennett went along to talk about his own experiences with our app and Rate My Beer, as well as Crisi Taylor from Pepper, James Mundy of Mendzapp and Hermit Dave, who developed Cineworld.

Check out a few more shots from the evening below. We'll look forward to future events. A note to add: all these shots were taken with the Nokia Lumia 1020.

The DVLUP (www.dvlup.com) team have announced two changes that are occurring at the Nokia rewards program for Windows Phone developers. If you’ve never heard of DVLUP, the program (launched back in 2012 in the US and Canada) enables those who publish content to the stores to take full advantage of some unique challenges that lead to exciting opportunities and rewards being earned.

The first announcement is the program is now available in 21 countries. Developers who reside in supported countries are able to create, book and manage their own app promotion and marketing campaigns built through DVLUP participation. Because Nokia is able to control its own marketing opportunities, along with offering unique technologies in Lumia Windows Phones, developers gain more tailored support.

Utilising a XP (experience) system, developers earn badges and points through a gamification approach. Opportunities and exposure can be unlocked as developers earn experience, gaining access to featured status in the Windows Phone Store, App Social, in-app advertising, as well as print, digital and social promotion. If you’ve not yet checked out DVLUP, it’s definitely worth signing up for, should you be a platform developer.

We recently covered some of the work Nokia does to help developers out. A perfect example would be #MakeAnAppDevHappyDay, which aims to bridge the gap between developers and their customers. It's just a small Twitter promotion for the first Friday of each month, but makes a rather larger difference.

The second announcement sees Bryan Biniak assuming the role of VP, Developer Experience at Nokia. Biniak previously served as VP and GM, Global Partnering and App Development at Nokia. He’ll now be leading the company to bring top publishers to Windows Phone, as well as supporting new and existing developers to make it big on Windows Phone.

You can find out more details about DVLUP and what the program can do for you over on the official website. 

News this morning has come out regarding some more changes coming to Windows Phone 8 General Distribution Release 3 and Nokia's Bittersweet shimmer. Most of these features we have been aware of for some time, in fact we re-capped them on Saturday with the Glance screen information, but there are a few new tidbits to give a clearer idea of the big picture.

The info comes by way of Nawzil, who has been posting quite a bit of information regarding Microsoft and Nokia’s plans for the upcoming OS and firmware update. We have heard that GDR3’s features have been briefed by Microsoft with various people recently, so we’re not too surprised to hear information is now coming forward—leaks are leaks.

So what’s new? Let’s take a look.

Windows Phone 8 GDR 3

• Support for 1080p display for new devices like the Lumia 1520.
• Support for new processors.
• 3 medium or 6 small tiles on a row for phones with screen resolution of at least WXGA (1280 x 768) including Lumia 920, 925, 928, 1020 and of course the Lumia 1520.
• Close apps by tapping on the X on top right in multitasking view. The icon of the app appears below.
• Custom tones for text or IM, voicemail, email and reminders (confirmed earlier by Windows Phone Central)
• Screen Rotation lock: When auto-rotate screen is off, your screen will stay in the current orientation when you rotate your phone.
• Driving Mode: Turns of all notifications except texts and phone calls when you're driving. You can also turn calls and texts off completely or set Driving Mode to text and automatic reply like "Hey, I am driving right now. I'll reply you later." Driving Mode can start automatically when your phone connects to a Bluetooth device.
• Connect to WiFi in OOBE when switching on your new phone for the first time or after you your reset your phone, so you can restore your data even before connecting to a cellular network.
• Attach Office files (.doc, .xls, .ppt) and .pdf files in email.

Nokia Bittersweet shimmer firmware

• Glance Screen: Notifications in glance screen similar to the notifications on the lock screen. Choose from any of the 20 accent colours for night mode instead of just red in Amber. You can choose whether you want to keep the glance screen always on when charging, in Amber it is always on when charging.
• New apps: Nokia Camera, Storyteller, etc.

If you’ve been following Windows Phone Central closely, most of that should be familiar. What is new is that WXGA (1280 x 768) devices will get new tile sizes, allowing 3 medium or 6 small tiles on a row. Previously it was assumed that only 1080P devices would get that feature, but at least according to Nawzil, current high end devices will also have the option. It’s not clear though how it will all work.

Attach Office files is also new and if accurate, a very welcomed addition. Not being able to attach documents has been a major sore spot for many in enterprise.

The Glance Screen improvements we already knew about but not so much the 20 accent colors for the display—that’s a novel and unique addition.

We should note that this is not a full changelog either for GDR3 and there are presumably other under the hood fixes included as well i.e. a lot of little things that help your everyday experience but aren’t as attention grabbing.

Microsoft and Nokia are expected to detail the new OS version and Bittersweet shimmer firmware later this month in Abu Dhabi.

Source: https://www.nawzil.com; Thanks, Devarshi R., for the tip

File this one under mildly interesting, but if you head to Nokia’s website and type in ‘2520’ the results reveal a new FAQ section entitled ‘What is a tablet?’. Clicking the link though doesn’t reveal much except a generic placeholder quote stating “The tablet lets you access internet, see movies and listen to music.”

Of course, Nokia has had a tablet-like device in the past, namely the Nokia N800. As a result, typing in just ‘tablet’ will bring up numerous links referencing that device. But it is interesting that something as specific as ‘2520’ will return a result with ‘tablet’, meaning this isn’t a coincidence i.e. typing in a random four-digit combo doesn't bring back the same result.

A search for '2520' on Nokia's website

There’s little doubt here that Nokia is getting ready to announce an RT tablet this month in Abu Dhabi. We’ve reported that it should be landing on AT&T and Verizon in early November with LTE on board and it will presumably launch globally soon thereafter.

The ‘Lumia 2520’ name was revealed by Twitter leakster evleaks a number of weeks ago and since then there have been a few off-the-record mentions to confirm its authenticity. Featuring Windows RT 8.1 on a 10-inch 1080P display, the tablet is expected to come in various colors and feature a relatively high quality camera with Zeiss optics on the rear.

Patent found by NokiaMob.me may reveal a kickstand feature

Just this morning we saw what is reportedly the backside of the device and Paul Thurrott posted a render of the tablet in red, confirming its overall design aesthetic. Speaking of kickstands, the site NokiaMob.me found an interesting patent photo (seen above) that may match whatever it is we saw earlier this morning.

Nokia’s first tablet will also launch with various custom apps, including StoryTeller, which will also come to Nokia’s Lumia phones, to offer further product differentiation. 

Source: Nokia.com; Thanks, Padmanabhan K., for the tip

Nokia today announced that Mitsubishi Motors North America will be including HERE Connected Driving technology and services in its line of 2014 models. Working closely with Nokia in a new partnership (think back to when Nokia was reaching out to car makers), the two companies will be providing a unique experience to drivers. 

Mitsubishi vehicles with Nokia's technology will reportedly be the first to offer updates (on fuel prices, etc) delivered by the HD Radio broadcasting solution in the US. You're looking at more information at hand while on the road without having to dig out the laptop or tablet. Whether you're looking to avoid traffic jams or difficult conditions due to weather, the solution is literally a life-saver.

Which 2014 models will be offering this new feature? The Lancer, Lancer Evolution, Lancer Sportback, Outlander, and finally Outland Sport.

As we've covered previously, Nokia has developed a solution with a large amount of rich content. This data includes access to 100,000 gas stations in the US, more than 330,000 miles of local roads with real-time traffic information and weather updates that are published every 30 seconds to drivers.

The information will be displayed through Mitsubishi's infotainment system and can be accessed by using controls located in the steering wheel or touch screen, making the experience that much safer and more convenient.

"We were the first company to support the launch of in-car navigation in Mitsubishi’s vehicles back in the late 1990s, and now we’re offering real-time traffic, weather updates and fuel prices in HD in North America. Mitsubishi car drivers are among the first again to take advantage of the latest technology development," explained Ogi Redzic, Vice President for Connected Driving at HERE. "Our expansion to HD emphasizes our deep commitment to improve the driver experience."

Will you be looking to take full advantage of Nokia's HERE Connected Driving experience?

Red Bull is one of those companies constantly kicking ass and doing crazy things. Between dropping a man from the edge of space, Flugtag, and winning Formula One events there isn’t much they don’t have their hands in. They also have a handful of apps in the Windows Phone Store. One of them, World of Red Bull, is part of the Nokia Collection and allows fans to stay up to date with everything Red Bull does. Speaking of the Nokia Collection, another app was recently updated. NFC Writer allows for users to modify and edit NFC tags and was just updated. Let’s check out both apps.

World of Red Bull has always been one of our favorite apps. It’s a great place to catch the latest from Red Bull. Videos, articles, and more will keep you entertained no matter where you are. It’s also great to use the map feature to find any Red Bull events near you. Never been to Flugtag or Soapbox from Red Bull? You’re missing out on a fun, whacky event and should check it out next time it’s near you.

So what’s new in the update for the World of Red Bull app? We’re not seeing any obvious new features. We’ve reached out to the Red Bull development team to see if they can share what’s new. We’re going to guess mostly bug fixes and general improvements. But it’s nice to see them still updating their apps on Windows Phone.

How about NFC Writer? What’s new with the app that lets you create your own NFC tags? Unfortunately we’re not seeing any new features. The last update for this app came in late June and fixed the ability to purchase NFC tags within the app. We’re thinking today’s update is just general bug fixes and improvements. We’ve also reached out to the devs behind this app and will update you if we learn of anything.

Notice anything new in the above apps we missed? Sound off below.

Both apps are in the Nokia Collection, so you’ll need a Lumia device to get in on the action. World of Red Bull is a free app for both Windows Phone 7.x and 8 owners. Grab it in the Windows Phone Store. NFC Writer on the other hand, is only on Windows Phone 8 and you’ll need a phone with NFC. Get it in the Windows Phone Store as well. QR codes are listed below for both apps.        

In an interesting twist to the Nokia Create program for developers, the company is tasking Windows Phone developers with a mission dedicated to the idea of "Doing Good." Partnering with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), Nokia is calling for developers to create new apps that will help make the lives of those with low vision easier; or update their existing content to make it more accessible.

So how can developers work with features to help those with impaired vision? An example may be an app that provide vibration feedback or audio descriptions of the view from the camera. Apps submitted can be within any of the eight current Nokia Create contest categories. The only difference is you're working to help others with your work. As for updating previous apps, simple changes like contrast and font sizes can make a massive difference.

RNIB will be serving as judges, alongside Nokia for the best apps in the Do Good mission. Why should you be interested? As well as helping people with impaired vision out and making their lives better through technology, you'll also be in with a chance of bagging a trip to Mobile World Congress 2014, along with an expense-paid trip for two to the 29th Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference in San Diego, California.

The winning app will be showcased that the event. Both the winner and runners up will receive a free UX consultation to help create the best possible app experience for consumers. The catch? All apps submitted to the Do Good portion of Nokia Create must be in the Windows Phone Store by December 15th. 

Even if you're not looking to create an app to help out, it's certainly something to consider. If this mission wasn't enough, Nokia has also opened two more of its six mini-missions. One for Maps and Places and the other for Nokia Music. Entries must be in the Windows Phone Store by October 31st. 

Check out Nokia Developer for more information on both the Do Good campaign and the contest in general.

Source: Nokia; thanks, Diamond, for the heads up!

The Nokia Lumia 1020 has been touched on before, in fact we only recently covered news that the Windows Phone launched in the Philippines. Now we're heading to Turkey where local mobile operator Turkcell has the device listed for 1,999TL ($990). Just like other markets, you'll be able to pick up the expensive niche smartphone. 

Colours available include white, black and yellow. Again, just like other listings, you'll be able to bag a free Nokia Camera Grip accessory. Boasting a 41MP shooter, the premium Windows Phone will make a superb investment for any consumer looking to grab a high-end device. It's also interesting to see how many markets are stocking the Lumia 1020.

Head on over to Turkcell's website for more details and to place an order.

Source: Turkcell; thanks, Ali, for the tip!

Ah yes, the FCC. The Federal Communications Commission is responsible for a lot of things here in the United States. They’re primarily responsible for regulating interstate and international communications over radio, television, wire, satellite and cable. There are many bureaus within the FCC, with various offices to support those bureaus.

One office we’re big fans of is the Office of Engineering and Technology (OET). The OET is responsible for overseeing the authorization of various equipment that use electromagnetic energy and maintains this database, which the public can access. That’s where we come in and find out when cool products like the Nokia Lumia 1520 visit the FCC and get ready for market here in the United States. Which it just did.

It was a few weeks ago we saw RM-927 pass through the FCC. It appeared to be the Lumia 929 destined for Verizon. It will come out in early November and go for $500 off-contract. It was also notable for being the first Windows Phone device with support for 802.11ac Wi-Fi.

Today, we’re looking at two devices coming through the FCC in the same filings. RM-938 and RM-940 are the devices, but are probably the same with a slight difference between the two. We believe RM-938 and RM-940 to be the Lumia 1520. What’s the difference between model numbers? They’re the same device, but it looks like RM-940 will include wireless charging, while RM-938 will omit the feature. Which means we’ll see a Lumia 1520 with and without wireless charging. Thoughts on this approach?

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen RM-940. It first showed up earlier this summer in some data from AdDuplex. Although at the time we didn’t see RM-938, but did see RM-937. It’s not unusual for Nokia to go through numbers like that when working on products. So RM-938 and RM-940 might be versions of RM-937, but further along in development.

So what else does this filing tell us about the device? We get the physical dimensions of the device. It’s big. You’re looking at a new smartphone that is 152mm high (about 5.98 inches) and 81mm wide (about 3.19 inches). Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like the thickness of the device is in these FCC filings.

Who gets it? You already know AT&T is getting the Lumia 1520 and these filings back that up. On board we have support for LTE bands 2, 4, 5, and 17. So expect it at an AT&T store around you in the near future.

Of course we’ll be live from Abu Dhabi to bring you coverage when the devices are expected to be shown. Who’s getting pumped for a big Windows Phone device with 1080p display, 20MP camera, and quad-core processor? Sound off below.

Source: FCC, Via: PocketNow

Thanks for the tip Steve K!

Nokia has a strong following who still look forward to a Windows tablet. Speculation and rumours have been in the spotlight since the company started making Windows Phones and Microsoft released Windows 8 to the world. Currently being purchased by Microsoft, should the deal go through, we'll see future handsets be released by Redmond, but that doesn't stop Nokia from innovating and launching new hardware in the mean time.

The FCC has now approved a mysterious device, the RX-114. Require some proof that this is indeed a Nokia tablet? Feast your eyes on the above image pulled from the documentation, courtesy of Engadget. While the details are rather pixelated, it's clear to see exactly what we're looking at with multiple references to "tablet" alone. This could well be the tablet we've been covering the past months.

So what else is included in the documentation along with the diagrams at slate references? We're also able to confirm that the tablet will support LTE with bands 2, 4, 5, 13 and 17, as well as HSPA+ and GSM / EDGE, as one would expect. This means the tablet will technically support Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile in the US.

There are currently no details pointing to exactly which mobile operators would carry such a device from Nokia, though there have been multiple hints in the past with both AT&T and Verizon mentioned. Paul Thurrott has shared specifications and renders, while we were informed the tablet would be part of a limited-exclusive deal with AT&T (released in "early November") and then head to Verizon. This matches the technical specifications and support detailed in this FCC ruling.

We could well catch more details and possibly event a sighting of the tablet at the upcoming Nokia World event in Abu Dhabi next month. Stay tuned.

Source: FCC, via: Engadget; thanks, houtex2380, for the tip!

There's already an aray of apps available on Windows Phone to help out with your fitness, but now Adidas is entering the game with its Nokia exclusive miCoach. Launching today, miCoach is an interactive personal training solution that will aid you in keeping fit, while being able to synchronise with Adidas services (micoach.adidas.com) and take advantage of Windows Phone features.

There are numerous features included, as well as some unique additions not found on other platforms. So let's jump straight in and see what all the fuss is about.

When first firing up the app, you'll be prompted to complete a short personal assessment where the app will start you off on a light path before pushing yourself relatively hard. This will then calculate all the magic behind the scenes and you're good to go once finished. 

There are a nimber of free workouts available, including: running, cycling, walking, and even cross-country skiing. Certain workouts may require additional equipment to get cracking, so be sure to check everything out before you begin. At the end of each workout, miCoach will display some detailed results that can be saved for later reference (or shared via social networks).

Enjoy heading out on a daily basis with new routes to mix it up? HERE Maps makes it easy for you to follow and see your workout route from start to finish. The app also sports a "GPS Off" mode to guide you through the workout. As with many fitness apps on the store, it's simple enough to get cracking without spending hours wrapped up in menus. 

So what about these "Lumia bonuses"? When using the app on your Lumia Windows Phone, special voice packs will be unlocked from leading professional athletes who work with Adidas. Ever felt like having Detroit Lions football player Reggie Bush shouting words of support and encouragement while you work out? Now you can live that fantasy.

That's not all as Nokia Music integration is present, so you can rock out while working out with a personal mix to suit the current exercise. Adidas has also bundled some music mixes into the app, so fear not if you've not used Nokia's Music solution before. Oh, did we mention there are achievements involed? Go out and earn the "Most Calories Burned" to really build up that ego.

When not in the app, Live Tiles can be pinned to the Start screen to display information, including workout objectives and overall progress. Lockscreen integration is also included, just in case you'd like to view workout details at a glance, as well as what music is currently playing. Keeping track of your progress on the miCoach website is handy, especially with the Calendar support for Windows Phone to stay on top of scheduled workouts.

Finally, there's the Bluetooth connectivity for heart rate monitors from Adidas (supports Lumia 520/620/720). Agreed, there's a lot to take in. It's a seriously good looking app that's bursting at the seams with features and functionality. While it's good to see an official app from Adidas, it's even better to see such a well produced solution.

You can download Adidas miCoach from the Nokia Collection on the Windows Phone Store for free (Windows Phone 8 only). It's worth noting that you'll need an Adidas account, which can be set up through the app.

Tips have been pouring in from Windows Phone Central readers across India that their Nokia Lumia 720s and 520s are getting notifications that the Amber update is now available. The Nokia support site also confirms that Amber has been approved is rolling out in India.

Nokia’s firmware update enables new features like flip to silence, Glance Screen and camera improvements. When coupled with Microsoft's GDR2 operating system update, users will also receive such features as Data Sense, FM Radio, default-camera selection, Lumia Color Profile, and Call/SMS filtering.

If you haven't seen an update notification on your phone already, you can go to Settings > Phone Update > Check For Updates to see if you can get it.

Nokia had previously planned to bring Amber to all of its devices by the end of September, which is drawing near. So far they have made steady progress, but with one week left, they are cutting it close.

For all of you Lumia 920 owner on AT&T, sit tight!

Source: Nokia; Thanks to everyone who tipped us!

Evleaks has posted a render today of Verizon’s next big device, the Lumia 929. Following on their Lumia 928 device, not too much is known about the 929 except that it will be 1080P with a 20MP PureView camera.

Verizon Lumia 929 passing thru FCC

The render shows the phone in black although a white version will also be forthcoming. In fact, the white one matches an earlier photo, also seen above. That photo was leaked out of China showing a white Verizon device. A similar device also recently passed through the FCC, hinting that this release is close.

However, that FCC documentation hinted that this phone is smaller than AT&T's Lumia 1520, perhaps more around 5 inches for the display instead of 6. But too little information is known at the moment. 

It’s not clear if the Lumia 929 will be announced alongside the Lumia 1520, destined for AT&T, nor exactly what the differences are, if any, between the two.

Source: Evleaks; Thanks, Douglas A., and others, for the tips

Some new details have emerged on Nokia's alleged "Plan B" to build an Android phone running on Lumia hardware, in case things went South with their Microsoft partnership.

According to CTechCN, a site with a pretty solid history of reporting leaks, Nokia's Beijing Research and Development team designed an Android-powered smartphone codenamed "Mountain View" that was manufactured by Foxconn and had progressed to later stages of testing.

Reportedly the "Mountain View" was based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 8225Q chipset and was what would be considered an economy, or entry-level device.

The project had advanced so far, in fact, that by the time Microsoft had announced that they had purchased Nokia's Devices and Services division, Foxconn had already produced about 10,000 of the devices. In reality, that number seems unlikely, especially since there have been zero leaks of this device. And even more amazing than the number of "Mountain View" phones floating around out there is that rumor has it that they will continue to be manufactured and tested until Nokia shareholders approve the Microsoft sale at the general meeting in November.

So if all of this Android stuff was just a backup plan in case Windows Phone flopped as a platform, why would Nokia continue to manufacture and test the "Mountain View?" One point of knowledge was that the original Microsoft-Nokia partnership was set to start renewal talks in 2014--not too far away. That renegotiation was to extended the Microsoft-Nokia partnership past 2016 as that is when the original deal from 2012 was set to expire. But if a deal was not reached, Nokia would be free to pursue other options, including an Android-based lineup. Having an Android strategy ready to go would have been a wise chip to play in those talks with Microsoft, an idle threat if you will.

There is some chatter that what remains of Nokia could re-establish a hardware division in two years time and pursue an Android strategy. That notion though seems unlikely due to the fact that Microsoft would control a lot of the hardware patents that Nokia used to own and Nokia would have to re-hire and re-establish an entire hardware division--that's a difficult task to pursue. Truth be told, what will remain of Nokia after the Microsoft deal goes through won't be geared towards hardware any longer.

One thing is for certain, Android enthusiasts would love to see an Android-powered device with sleek Nokia styling and packed with the kind of camera technology that Windows Phone users have been fortunate enough to experience.

Source: CTechCN (Translated by Bing); Via: UnwiredView

The Nokia Lumia 520 is already cheap as chips, being the most affordable Lumia Windows Phone on the market. But that hasn't stopped TigerDirect from knocking off a further $60 of the already low price tag with a mail-in rebate. Locked to AT&T, each purchase also comes with a copy of Total Defense Premium Internet Security for your PC. 

So how much will you be looking to pay for the Windows Phone 8 smartphone and the security software bundle? Just $54.99. For a brand new smartphone with the latest features of Windows Phone 8, that's not such a bad price. Sporting Nokia's suite of apps and location services for free, we strongly recommend this as an investment for anyone looking for a superb smartphone experience.

Source: TigerDirect; thanks, sanjeev, for the tip!

Shh, don't tell Nokia, but the Lumia 928 isn't exactly a secret. The high-end Lumia is destined for Verizon Wireless here in the United States. Further adding to the growing evidence are these parts for the Lumia 928. If you're planning on some DIY repair adventures you'll want to check this out. 

Head on over to ETrade Supply and you'll be able to buy an LCD Screen and Digitizer Assembly for the Nokia Lumia 928. It matches up nicely with this leaked rendering a week or so back. You'll notice a certain logo in the upper right hand portion of the screen. More pictures below and at the source.

What do you get in a top shelf Lumia on Big Red? You're basically getting a CDMA variant of the Lumia 920. The differences of course will be slightly different exterior and inclusion of Xenon flash all wrapped up in a thinner body.   

Anybody on Verizon looking forward to the Lumia 928?

Source: ETrade Supply

Thanks for the tip B_RAD89! You're rad!

Nokia is pushing out the new Lumia 520 and Lumia 720 Windows Phones, but what's interesting to note (if you're looking to utilise such functionality) is how the two new Nokia smartphones do not come packing HERE Drive+, but the Lumia 620 does. Windows Phone forum member powersquad received a response from Nokia that may help clear some of the confusion.

We've first got to start with the difference between HERE Drive and HERE Drive+. The former provides turn-by-turn navigation in a single country or region, while the more advanced solution covers almost 100 countries. The selected country or region is calculated with the app launching for the first time, taking into account the country the inserted SIM card belongs to.

All this means is that if you purchase a Lumia Windows Phone with HERE Drive, you'll be limited to the region (or country) the SIM card inserted belongs to. Should you buy one in the UK and insert a US SIM card, you'll have the service activated for use in the states. This is the same for all other Windows Phones that now have access to Nokia's navigation app.

It's not a major difference, but if you're looking to travel abroad, what are your options to use the HERE Drive service and Windows Phone when in a different country not currently supported? For the time being, there's nothing available, not until the HERE Drive apps reach commercial status and are out of beta. But should you be packing the HERE Drive+ app, you're all set to go.

For those with the HERE Drive app, it'll be possible to upgrade to the plus version with a global navigation license for around 100 countries. Nokia hasn't released any information regarding when the apps will come out of beta, or just how much the upgrade will cost consumers. Note that this does not affect HERE Maps. Consumers can download all country maps to the device and enjoy walk navigation, etc.

The difference between the 620 and 720

Nokia Lumia 620 with HERE Drive Beta + and the Lumia 520 with HERE Drive

So why does the Lumia 620 have the more advanced navigation option, while the more expensive Lumia 720 only has the standard, single-country/region app? The Nokia response explains that the unique combination of experiences are to target distinct price points and market opportunities.

Much like the Lumia 620, the Lumia 520 is an affordable Windows Phone, but because the Lumia 720 includes wireless charging, improved imaging, etc. Nokia opted to include a local navigation experience to meet its targeted price point. It makes sense as the Lumia 720 is a rather advanced Windows Phone, but not as high-end as the Lumia 920.

So to wrap all this up, there's not a massive difference between HERE Drive and HERE Drive+. If you're using HERE Drive+ you can use the app in multiple countries and regions, but if you're limited to the standard HERE Drive app (all non-Lumia Windows Phones, Lumia 520, Lumia 720, etc.), you'll have to wait until an upgrade option is available.

Be sure to read up the full response from Nokia and join in the discussion over on our community forum. Thanks, Techman, for the tip!

There’s not too much to go on with this story but evidently a new Nokia phone, RM-877 (RM-877_nam_att_205) with a 1280x768 display has been caught in the web of AdDuplex.

As to what RM-877 is exactly, we cannot discern. The good news is that being 1280x768, it can only be a 9xx series or higher phone (Lumia 8xx have 800x480 displays, as does everything else below it). From there we can speculate that this is either a Lumia 920 refresh or the anticipated ‘EOS’ phone with a high megapixel camera akin to the Pureview 808, which will be sold alongside the current Lumia 920.

Either theory makes sense as clearly Nokia is focusing on thinner and lighter devices with their next refresh of Lumia phones, including using aluminum and thinner polycarbonate materials to reduce some girth. We can’t imagine that Verizon, T-Mobile and international carriers will all get a new, thinner Lumia 9xx while AT&T sits twiddling their thumbs. In fact, the US carrier has been one of the biggest supporters of Nokia Lumia phones since the 900 came to market.

Aluminum Lumia fan concept

Likewise, speculation that a 41MP camera phone aka ‘EOS’ is inbound have been circulating since Nokia first showed off its Symbian 808 over a year ago.  Some recent news has suggested that we may not get a chunky 41MP sensor though, but solid information is lacking at this point and we’re not prepared to declare this that device just yet.

The stars are aligning?

Possible Nokia Lumia EOS 41MP phone

One thing that is becoming clear is Microsoft is planning a Windows Phone 8 refresh mid to late summer—both for new hardware and the OS. With the HTC Tiara bound for Sprint (summer), CDMA ATIV S, Nokia Lumia 928 (Verizon), Lumia 9xx/Catwalk (T-Mobile) and more, it all coincides nicely with Microsoft’s BUILD conference at the end of June.

That event is expected to be the first introduction to Windows and Windows Phone Blue, an OS recharge for all of Microsoft’s major platforms and we can envisage a big second push coming from carriers, Microsoft and OEMs starting around that time. These devices should launch with Windows Phone 8 GDR2 and be upgradable to Blue later in the year.

Source: @Ailon (AdDuplex); via: NokiaPowerUser; Thanks, riffraffy, for the tip!

Here’s an interesting story worthy of the Weekly World News (an old tabloid reference, for you kids). Evidently a Nokia Lumia 920 was accidentally run over by a 24 ton Caterpillar “earth moving machine”, which is basically a ginormous dump truck. What’s interesting is that despite having its display crushed into what looks like a bazillion pieces (see above), the phone still technically works—even making phone calls.

Sure, you can’t hang up those phone calls but the fact that it turns on despite the body being “stretched” is still quite impressive. In fact, it’s because it still worked that they were able to find the phone, as someone evidently called it and they heard the ringer (it was found about a foot and half under the ground).

The phone won’t be repaired, however, as Nokia Care have even their limits. The good news is the owner of the phone, Ossi Pyykkönen, will be getting another Lumia 920 due to his being impressed with its ruggedness.

Of course for every “my phone was run over by a 24 ton dump truck…and survived!” story, we have a few “I dropped it off the couch and the display shattered" ones. It goes to show how luck (as well as soft dirt) plays into these things. Anyway, file this under mildly interesting.

Source: iltasanomat.fi; Thanks, Lasse P. and Miika H, for the tips!

Ever felt like getting stuck into the Lumia 620? A video published by YouTube channel LE55ONS shows exactly how to disassemble, reassemble and fiddle with the insides. It's 27 minutes long and provides an in-depth walkthrough on what to do to achieve the task on opening up the Windows Phone, as well as identifying each component.

While it's an interesting watch, we don't recommend it for the average Joe. Nokia's support channels are pretty good, but if you do happen to want to replace a component, or check out what magic is happening underneath the display, be sure to take extra care (unless you're wealthy enough with a stash of Windows Phones). As usual, we don't take any responsibility for hardware that self-destructs.

Source: YouTube, via: Windows Phone Italy

The Lumia 720 is now available for pre-order on the N-Store in Russia. Nokia's new Windows Phone will sell for 14,990 rubles ($480) as was previously covered, and will be available in red, white, yellow and black. The device will launch on April 12th, according to the pre-order page.

The Lumia 720 features a 4.3-inch IPS display (480x800), 1GHz dual-core chip, with 8GB internal storage (SD support included) and 512MB RAM. The added bonus with the Lumia 720 is the front-facing camera. This 1.3MP shooter joins the 6.7MP main camera on the rear of the device.

Those who are waiting for the Lumia 520 will have some time to go through yet. 

Source: N-Store, via: W7Phone.ru

Reports have flooded in that the 1308 firmware update for Lumia 920 Windows Phones, which improves photo quality and implements the tool to help consumers manage the pesky "Other" storage, is rolling out in multiple European markets. The update has already been released in the US, but Europe wasn't far behind. 

As well as the alterations made to the image quality and the storage tool, there's also improvements that include proximity sensor parameters, improved automatic display brightness adjustment & performance enhancements. Overall, it's well worth downloading. We took a look at the firmware on an AT&T Lumia 920, but the same rules apply for other Lumia 920 Windows Phones.

Be sure to check on your Nokia device to see if the update is available for you. Note that WiFi is required for download.

Thanks to everyone who tipped us!

We have a fairly strict policy here at Windows Phone Central when it comes to rumors (believe it or not). For the ones we stand behind or sound confident in, it’s because we know the source and can vouch for their access. Other times though, we can’t and we won’t. This is the latter case, so be forewarned.

This image above of an alleged Nokia Lumia 950 prototype landed in our email box a little while ago and included some interesting details about the supposed forthcoming device.

From our initial assessment, the phone itself looks legitimate but there are some questionable discrepancies like the Windows Phone logo/button area (more on that below), odd aliasing that's either a sign of compositing or over sharpening. And as iMore’s Rene Ritchie told us, this could be a 3D model photographed from a screen (which are notoriously hard to prove false).

Indeed, without varying angles from multiple photos, it’s hard to prove (or disprove) a digital image is authentic. Because of that, we have to cast doubt.

Alleged details of the Lumia 950

The phone we’re told is called the Lumia 950 to harken back to Nokia’s N95 days—part of a nostalgia/”getting back to roots” campaign that is planned. So far, it has only been seen in black though when it comes to production we’re sure that will change.

Resolution, we’re told, is 1280x768 and there is no planned 1080P support for Windows Phone 8 in the immediate future. Our tipster notes that this is actually a good thing as the main thrust of this device is battery life, something that is backed up the usage of an AMOLED variant of the PureMotion HD panel found in the Lumia 920.

We recently saw Nokia make some advances in battery saving, specifically in the Asha 3310 revealed at Mobile World Congress. That feature phone has a standby time of 30 days, which is quite remarkable. In that sense, it makes sense that Nokia would expand that technology to its Lumia line, though that does not guarantee its truth of this device.

The camera won’t feature a 41MP sensor but it will be larger than current devices, delivering “lossless zoom”, oversampling, low-light performance and video stabilization with a Xenon flash.

It will also have 2GB of RAM and some other internals that will help “future proof” it for some time.

True or not?

It’s always hard for us tell the accuracy on these stories as we don’t have someone at Nokia that we can just call and verify (they’ll remain mum).

Indeed, the photo if fake looks quite real except for the Windows Phone Logo. But then again that is clearly a sticker, which is something we’ve seen in the past with pre-Lumia 800 prototypes. So if anything it lends a bit of credence to the image, not disproves it.

The details and specifications are evolutionary and not revolutionary (as far as we know) and that makes believing the story a lot easier than if we mentioned “holograms” or something. That of course does not guarantee its authenticity, but it is certainly a bit more likely.

We’re sure to learn more in the coming weeks as to whether or not this is accurate. For now, we caution as to its authenticity and we're giving it a "5" on our Rum'o'meter though if a few more images comes forth, we'll be sure to bump that up.

Nokia’s Lumia 920 (and 820) both feature the new Super Sensitive Touch™ screen display, developed by in conjunction with Synaptics and their ClearPad™ Series 3. The new feature, the first of its kind in a mobile phone, will allow consumers to use their gloved hands to manipulate their phones for the first time.

But it’s not just gloves. Those with long fingernails or just wanting to use a stylus or any other object will also be just fine with the technology. Toss in Corning’s Gorilla Glass 2 for protection and you have a scuff free, universally usable touch display on your smartphone.

In the above videos you can see this being demonstrated, once again by our Russian friends, when they manipulate the screen by using a metal fork. Sure, it’s not the first thing that comes to mind when using our phone but it’s darn cool to be able to do that, we suppose.

The video also shows some more practical gloved-use and we also grab a peek of Angry Birds ROOST and some other bits of the OS.

Source: MobileDista, Isriya Paireepairit; via Reddit

Just a little FYI for you folks: On March 30th, AT&T will begin taking pre-orders for the Black and Cyan Nokia Lumia 900. What you may not know is that you face a real good chance of getting that highly anticipated Windows Phone before the official Sunday release on April 8th if you do that pre-order. That's right, they're shipping them before Sunday.

So says AT&T, who told us as much this morning.

However, if you want the joy of buying it in person, some AT&T stores will be open on Sunday allowing you to purchase it that very day. You'll need to check your local AT&T outlet to see if they'll be there to take your business but if they are, you'll have yourself a special Easter gift.

Oh and one more thing, the "glossy-white" Lumia 900 will be available in stores only, starting on the 22nd.

Canadian carriers have been pleased with how the Lumia Windows Phones have been selling, according to a report by MobileSyrup. While carriers aren't known to reveal negative sales publicly often, TELUS and Rogers have both stated that they are happy with their Lumia handsets, and that customers share this satisfaction.

Reade Barber, Senior Director Data Product Management at Rogers, had the following to say:

Rogers packs the inexpensive, but highly rated Lumia 710. MobileSyrup spoke with a number of sale staff from Rogers and the majority were pleased with how the Windows Phone sold in-store. The carrier has the device priced at $29.99 on a 3-year contract, or $255 SIM-free.

Brent Johnston, VP of Mobility Solutions at TELUS, mentioned the Lumia 800 (currently on sale for $25) has met the company's expectations:

Unfortunately, it's impossible to judge how positive this response is due to not knowing how high / low expectations were to begin with. Then again, should the handset be exceeding low expectations would also be on the right path with TELUS then able to be more confident with future Nokia handsets.

With how competitively Nokia is pricing the Lumia handsets, and how dissatisfied many Android users are with low-end hardware, it should be comfortable to assume the Lumia 710 will start to pick up speed while the 800 is available at a reasonable price for those requiring that little bit more (or an award winning design).

Good news is good news, nonetheless.

Source: MobileSyrup; thanks bilzkh for the heads up!

China Telecom and Nokia have launched the first CDMA Windows Phone in China, the Lumia 800c. Following the official launch of the Windows Phone platform itself earlier this month, the 800c will likely be accompanied by an expensive marketing campaign to really provide the device with some steroids in able to throw a heavy punch at competitors.

Stephen Elop explained the company's excitement:

Wan Xiaochu, Chariman of China Telecom, also expressed enthusiasm:

The manufacturer and carrier aren't halting at just the Lumia 800c, as there are plans to introduce the low budget Lumia 610 (also in a CDMA variant) to China Telecom's customer base in Q2 2012. The Lumia "610c" (following the 800c with regards to branding) will be targeting younger audiences - something Nokia intends to achieve on a global scale to rejuvenate the company brand.

The Lumia 800c is available in both black and cyan colouring, and sports a 3.7" AMOLED ClearBlack display, 1.4Ghz processor, 8MP rear-camera (with Carl Ziess optics), and 16GB storage. Consumers who make the purchase will also be able to enjoy the experience with exclusive Nokia apps.

Nokia Maps will be available, with local content support from Fantong, Jiepang, Ctrip, Qunar and Soufun. Nokia Drive is also present for the Chinese market and will sport the same turn-by-turn navigation enjoyed by those in other supported countries. Finally we have Nokia Music, but the service comes limited with 12 months worth of free music, after which it's unclear whether consumers will have to pay a fee to continue using the streaming service.

So what's next on the cards for Nokia and China Telecom now the handset has been officially launched? The two companies are collaborating on a number of plans, including one to feature the Lumia 800c prominently in Tianyi FlyYoung shops, a youth-centred sub-brand of the carrier. Another plan is to bring integrated China Telecom services right to the Lumia 800c home screen, including music, games, videos and integrated reading apps.

Those who purchase the Lumia 800c will be eligible for exclusive apps, including magazines from Trends, and special offers for the free download of popular titles on the Marketplace - 100,000 free downloads of Fuit Ninja and Plants vs Zombies. Speaking of Trends, the provider of fashion magazine apps, the company will be providing Lumia owners with free access to "For Him Magazine" (FHM), Harper's Bazaar and Esquire magazines in the Marketplace.

Microsoft will also be playing a part with the Be Top programme, which is designed to encourage and support developers in creating apps in China. As for availability of the Lumia 800c, the smartphone will be available for purchase through Tianyi FlyYoung shops (China Telecom), Nokia brand stores, China's top chain electronics stores including Suning, Gome, Funtalk, D.Phone, and CentreYou, as well as regional channels and online shops such as 189.cn and hicdma.com. The Windows Phone is sold without contract for 3599 RMB ($570).

Check out some more photos after the break (below photo credit: @Chassit). Source: Nokia

Nokia has teamed up with O2 UK to offer an exciting deal for those who are on the fence with purchasing a Lumia 710 or 800. For this week only (three days remaining) O2 have both Windows Phones priced at £0 when taken out with an 18 or 24 month contract.

Prices start from £16/mo on an 24 month plan, but should you not require mobile Internet access you can walk away with both handsets for just £10/mo. The tariffs available on O2 appear to be relatively expensive when compared to other carriers who stock the same devices. We recommend (as always) to shop around before making the dive. 

Source: Nokia UK Facebook

Good news if you're on WIND Mobile as you'll reportedly be getting the Nokia Lumia 710 sometime in the next few weeks, at least according to Canadian phone site Mobile Syrup.

Not much else is revealed like pricing but the site is promising more details soon from their tipster who is supplying the information. The Lumia 710 has a snappy 1.4GHz CPU, a 3.7" ClearBlack screen and a 5MP camera making it an ideal budget phone for many.

Perhaps this shouldn't be too surprising as WIND runs the same 1700 AWS bands as US T-Mobile, meaning they tend to mirror each other for releases: TMo gets the Radar and so does WIND. This just seems to be another case of the same.

Source: Mobile Syrup; Thanks, Joel R., for the heads up!

On the heels of officially announcing the Nokia Lumia 900's release date, AT&T has also released a Mobile Minute video on the new Windows Phone. We've already seen the 900's "Beautifully Different" tv ad but this latest video is more of a general over view of the Lumia 900.

Daniel, from AT&T's social media team, walks you around the Lumia 900 highlighting the design, camera and overall experience you should expect from the 900. The video simply affirms that the Lumia 900 is an impressive Windows Phone.  All of which makes the choice between black or cyan all the more difficult.

source: Share AT&T

While we still haven't heard anything official from AT&T, CNET is reporting this morning that AT&T has told them that the new Nokia Lumia 900 Windows Phone will hit shelves on April 8th. The Lumia 900 will sell for $99 after two-year contractual discounts.

Earlier rumors had the Lumia 900 possibly launching on March 18th but then the rumored release date was pushed back. The $99 price tag might have been the only constant in all the speculation.

You will be able to pre-order the black and blue versions of the Lumia 900 beginning March 30th in stores and online. The white version will be available on April 22nd.

Still no word on the out-of-contract pricing and should we hear anything, we will definitely pass it on.

source: CNET

Update:  The official press release from AT&T just hit the wire confirming the above.  Beginning March 30th you can pre-order the Lumia 900 in stores or online at AT&T's Lumia 900 webpage.  The two year contract does require a minimum monthly voice package of $39.99 and a data plan of at least $20 a month.  Oh, and don't forget the activation fees are now $36.  You can catch the full presser after the break.

AT&T Brings First LTE Windows Phone to Market with Nokia Lumia 900, Available for Customers April 8 for $99.99

Dallas, Texas, March 26, 2012

The Nokia Lumia 900, the Windows Phone named “Best of CES” for all smartphones, will be available exclusively in the U.S. from AT&T* on April 8 for $99.99.  One of the first 4G LTE Windows Phones in the world, the Nokia Lumia 900 gives AT&T customers more 4G LTE choices than ever before and the largest selection of Windows Phones in the U.S.  For more information, customers can visit www.att.com/lumia or AT&T’s Consumer Blog.

Customers who can’t wait to get their hands on this new smartphone can pre-order it in cyan or black beginning March 30 by visiting https://www.windowscentral.com/e?link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kqzyfj.com%2Fclick-100048247-13650413%3Fsid%3DUUwpUdUnU10612%26url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.att.com%252F%26ourl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.att.com%252Flumia%252F&token=YLu9OF7P or any AT&T company-owned retail store. Qualified business customers who receive wireless service discounts can pre-order the Lumia 900 online, beginning the afternoon of March 30, at https://www.windowscentral.com/e?link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kqzyfj.com%2Fclick-100048247-13650413%3Fsid%3DUUwpUdUnU10612%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.att.com%252Fnokialumia900.&token=J8EuLhcD

Running on AT&T’s superfast 4G LTE network, the Lumia 900 delivers an unsurpassed mobile experience. With 4G LTE speeds, the people-first style of Windows Phone 7.5 and outstanding design lets customers access their emails, music and social media quickly and helps them look good while doing it.  The Lumia 900 will be available in unique and eye-catching cyan blue and a matte black on April 8, with a newly announced high-gloss white version on sale beginning April 22.

“AT&T and Nokia’s relationship spans many years and we’re thrilled to introduce their first 4G LTE Windows Phone only for our customers,” said Jeff Bradley, senior vice president – Devices, AT&T Mobility.  “The Lumia 900 is impeccably designed with clean lines and a camera that rivals stand-alone digital cameras on the market today.  Combine that with the people-first Windows Phone experience and our 4G networks – the nations’ largest – and it’s clear that this is one of the best phones customers can find.”

The Nokia Lumia 900 has a 4.3-inch ClearBlack AMOLED display for rich, bright images both indoors and out and a long-lasting 1830 mAh battery for enjoying content. 

Its 8 megapixel camera includes Nokia's exclusive Carl Zeiss optics, with large aperture (F2.2) and wide angle focal length (28mm) for high-quality, uncropped images even in low-light conditions. The front-facing camera boasts a large aperture and a wide angle lens that ensures sharp, bright images for high-quality video calling, right out of the box.  Additionally, customers can enjoy their favorite music and videos from their Lumia 900 wherever they are with the Nokia Purity HD On Ear Stereo Headset by Monster, also available beginning April 8.**

The Nokia Lumia 900 offers AT&T customers a range of leading content experiences such as:

• AT&T U-verse Mobile lets U-verse TV subscribers browse the U-verse TV program guide, schedule and manage their DVR recordings, and watch hit TV shows while on the go. The U-verse Mobile library includes more than 100 TV series and more than 700 TV shows from a variety of genres.
• Nokia Drive, available to download from Windows Phone Marketplace, provides free voice-guided, turn-by-turn navigation with a dedicated in-car user interface that turns the Nokia Lumia 900 into a GPS navigation device.
• The exclusive ESPN sports hub is pre-loaded on the Nokia Lumia 900, and provides a one-stop sports application for news, videos and scores.
• Limited 4G LTE availability in select markets.  4G speeds delivered by LTE, or HSPA+ with enhanced backhaul, where available.  Deployment ongoing.  Compatible device and data plan required. LTE is a trademark of ETSI.  Learn more at att.com/network.

Limited-time offer. Nokia Lumia 900 requires a new 2-yr wireless agreement with voice (min $39.99/mo) and min monthly data plan ($20/mo). Subject to Wireless Customer Agrmt. Credit approval req’d. Activ fee $36/line. Geographic, usage and other terms, conditions and restrictions apply, and may result in svc termination. Coverage and svcs not avail everywhere.

Taxes and other charges apply. Data (att.com/dataplans): If usage exceeds your monthly data allowance, you will automatically be charged overage for additional data provided. Early Termination Fee (att.com/equipmentETF): After 30 days, ETF up to $325. Restocking fee up to $35. Other Monthly Charges/line may include a Regulatory Cost Recovery Charge (up to $1.25), a gross receipts surcharge, federal and state universal svc charges, fees and charges for other gov’t assessments. These are not taxes or gov’t req’d charges. Visit a store or att.com/wireless to learn more about wireless devices and services from AT&T.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile broadband and emerging 4G capabilities, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T |DIRECTV brands. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising.

Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com. This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at https://www.windowscentral.com/e?link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kqzyfj.com%2Fclick-100048247-13650413%3Fsid%3DUUwpUdUnU10612%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.att.com%252Fgen%252Flanding-pages%253Fpid%253D3309%26ourl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.att.com%252Fnewsroom&token=XUtOLvoP and as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss. Or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT.

© 2012 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. Mobile broadband not available in all areas. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this press release contains financial estimates and other forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results might differ materially. A discussion of factors that may affect future results is contained in AT&T's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AT&T disclaims any obligation to update and revise statements contained in this news release based on new information or otherwise.

Nokia Lumia handsets are all set sport WiFi tethering with an imminent update, according to a report by Plaffo. We previously touched on the lack of tethering support found with the Lumia 710 and 800, and an FAQ article for the Lumia 900 stated the two handsets should be receiving an update in the near future to activate said feature.

The Lumia 610 and 900 both reportedly support Internet sharing out the box, which was introduced in the Windows Phone "Mango" update. Should Plaffo's source for this news, who's employed by Three in Italy, hold out we should see Nokia work with carriers to push out a firmware update that will address the issue of not being able to create a hotspot with a Lumia handset.

We do not expect to see tethering enabled in any of the current firmware released, which all sport battery improvements. This is due to Nokia ensuring carriers continue to roll out new versions with important stability fixes and do not skip an update to avoid tethering.

Source: Plaffo

The Lumia 900 is available unlocked in white on eBay for £499, with an availability date of April 9th. The seller is sunnydayshopping, who has a positive rating history, and the location is Manchester, UK. Bands supported are: GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 and HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100. An unlocked international version of the handset was previously available on eBay from the U.S. not so long ago for the same price.

The Lumia 900 is also destined for AT&T on April 9th, when we'll expect consumers will be able to get their hands on the device, which sports a 1.4Ghz chip, 1830mAh battery, 4.3" AMOLED ClearBlack display and 8MP shooter (with FF camera).

Three have been sold already, so be sure to check out the listing should you be interested in the high-end Windows Phone. Of course, WPCentral cannot take any responsibility for your purchases on eBay, and we always recommend caution.

Source: eBay; thanks hamza for the tip!

Nokia today just rolled out their Play To app for Windows Phone which enables the user to share photos and video via DLNA to your large screen TV or other DLNA-enabled devices. The addition of a DLNA app was speculated back in December as coming to Nokia.

Play To has been available for Nokia Symbian devices since early 2011, so it's finally great to be able to extend that feature to their Lumia Windows Phone line up. This software, similar to what LG, HTC and Samsung have offered for their devices brings Nokia Windows Phone closer to their competition in terms of feature support and should be a welcomed addition.

The software is beta at this point, which simply means you need to head to the Nokia Labs page, sign up and they'll give you the Marketplace link to download the app. Much like Nokia Drive, we expect to be testing for a few weeks before it is finally released for all Nokia devices to download.

If you're already signed up for Nokia Labs, you can try the Marketplace link here to see if it works. Otherwise, head to their site (http://betalabs.nokia.com) to enroll (it's very simple and only takes a minute). Thanks, chriskringel, for the tip!

Although China seems to be grabbing all the headlines today for Windows Phone, the move into Latin America is also as important for the fledgling mobile OS.

We've mentioned in the past that Nokia would be bringing their Lumia series to Mexico this Spring and it looks like that schedule is being kept. Users can now pre-order the Lumia 710 and Lumia 800 on Movistar.

The Lumia 710, a budget-orientated smartphone with a 3.7" ClearBlack display and 5MP camera is perfect for those who are new to the smartphone game, while the Lumia 800 offers a more premium experience with its polycarbonate design, 8MP camera and AMOLED display. Both phones look to be competitively priced on Movistar with a $0 purchase for a 24 month contract (although the 800 has a higher-end contract to meet that requirement).

For more information, head to Movistar's page to sign up and learn more. Thanks, Victor H., for the heads up

Venture Beat has put out their list of "Top Mobile Movers for 2012" defined by them as "The kind of people who thrive in this world are disruptive individuals. Troublemakers. Shakers-up of the status quo" and perhaps not so surprisingly two folks from Microsoft and Nokia are named on the top-ten list.

First up is someone we haven't mentioned much around here, Mary T. McDowell, Vice President, Nokia. While Elop gets a lot of praise and the spotlight (he's does have great stage presence), McDowell is busy behind the scenes concentrating on the mobile phone business aka the Asha S40 line as opposed to the more attention-getting smartphone business. Although she plays little role within Windows Phone, Nokia's future strategy seems to eventually merge the mobile phone (aka "dumb phone") business with the smartphone one. After all, if an Asha phone can be cheap and run S40, why can't it run Windows Phone?

Next up is someone you should at least heard of: Terry Myerson. He took over as corporate vice president of Windows Phone division back in December when Andy Lees was reassigned by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. Although he doesn't have the title of President of the Windows Phone division, he still oversees every aspect of the platform and where it's going. Venture Beat credits Myerson's "no-nonsense" approach for having reset Microsoft's mobile strategy a few years back i.e. when Microsoft threw out Windows Mobile 7 "Photon" and instead went with the more risky Windows Phone 7 OS.

Venture Beat goes on to note that "Windows Phone is early in its lifecycle, but it’s an attractive, responsive operating system that’s getting a lot of notice. You can count on it to make big waves in the mobile market this year." Indeed and Microsoft (and Nokia) seem to have the right people on board.

Source: Venture Beat; Power Man image via Shutterstock

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We're back this week with special guest, Nokia's Justin Angel who joins Editor-in-chief Daniel Rubino and developer Jay Bennett for an interesting and exciting discussion of Windows Phone "Tango" and what it means both for fragmentation, developers and consumers. What's more crazy than that? The fact that Justin called in via his Lumia 610 on Skype.

We also go through some news, apps and take your questions.

Listen in or watch the HD video after the break!

WPCentral Podcast 138 for March 14th, 2012 - LIVE with Special Guest: Justin Angel

• A couple of podcast announcements

Guest Interview

• Position at Nokia - Day in the life
• Which Windows Phone(s) are you using?
• Projects & History
• Lumia 610
• Lower spec phones - the limits
• Questions for Justin

The big stories

• Mobile World Congress
• ZTE Orbit
• Pureview 41MP awesomeness
• Nokia needs to go cheaper?

The apps

• Skype's current limitations
• Nokia Transport and Reader

The rest

• Elop: "The future is the ecosystem"
• New firmware updates for Lumia 800 and 710 on the way
• Gerbil Physics

Community

• Comments from last time
• Live questions & comments

Further Resources for Developers

• Nokia Developer Wiki: Best Practices for 256MB development
• Nokia Developer wiki: Techniques for memory analysis
• Channel9 Inside Windows Phone: Tango podcast

Credits

You can find us all on Twitter @wpcentral; @malatesta77; @coppertop004; @RichEdmonds; @JayTBennett; @segacon; @WithinRafael; @RogueCode; @Big_D5

This has been a Mobile Nations podcast, go to Mobilenations.com for more great shows covering everything mobile, Or head over to the WPCentral Forums if you'd like to get involved with our community in discussing more about Windows Phone news, devices and apps.

Thanks to the WPCentral Store for sponsoring the podcast. Thanks also to these great artists for the music and to CCMixter.org for offering a great database of Creative Commons music!

• Swim below as Leviathans by Fireproof Babies
• GONE by djsociopath

Microsoft has been terribly quiet in Australia and we've had our readers continuously voicing their concerns / complaints in articles regarding the lack of advertising (or promotion) for Windows Phone. Cue Nokia. The manufacturer has been effectively pushing the platform and their Lumia range of handsets in Australia.

We have got the "Little Amazings" video series (much like "The Amazing Everyday") and Lumia Live launch events, carriers offering attractive special offers, giant Windows Phones being erected, and we've now also got newspaper advertisements. The MX newspaper, a popular free Melbourne print, has a full page advert featuring the Lumia 710 on Optus (see above).

Just why are things so slow (excluding the efforts by Nokia)? We're not too sure as demand has shown to be there with Optus recently selling out their entire black Lumia 800 stock. Plan for Microsoft: promote - you've certainly got the money, so please make Windows Phone sunny.  

Source: 1800PocketPC

Australian carrier Optus appears to have sold out of Lumia 800s, according to a report by WPDownUnder. The black version of the Windows Phone has vanished from the website, after launching just two weeks ago. While the cyan version remains listed, it's interesting how Optus completely removed the product listing in favour of a "SOLD OUT" label - much like what O2 UK did.

After a short discussion with a member of the support team through the live chat, WPDownUnder was able to confirm that the Lumia 800 black has sold out, but no information is available as to whether this is due to high demand or low initial stock numbers. We would like to believe this is the case of the former as Optus still lists the product as available on their Business website.

Either way, this is positive news for the platform with signs of a strong start showing in Australia. Unfortunately, no details were shared with regards to when the carrier expects to introduce more stock.

Source: WPDownUnder

No official word on any Lumia 900 release yet for AT&T (though there are mints floating around), but that hasn't stopped some new rumors from springing up. This one comes from a poster at the Verge forums who claims to work for AT&T. The latest date? Sunday, April 8th aka Easter:

Interestingly, we also have a comment from Jess82 responding to our post who says nearly the same thing:

Coincidence? The same person? Who knows but April 8th is an odd date only because we imagine many AT&T stores would be closed that day, being a holiday and all, although perhaps you could still order it by phone. Another comment comes from GB330033 who notes that Nokia is close lipped about the 900 release date on AT&T but they did reveal that it's "very soon" and we "won't be disappointed" by the release date.

For what it's worth, we have it from our verified source that the finalized software for the AT&T Lumia 900 goes out tomorrow, meaning AT&T needs to re-flash all their stock.

Of course this is the internet and anyone can say anything, so lets not put too much faith in these. Hopefully AT&T can save us from silly-season around these parts and shed some light on the issue, officially.

Update: As noted in comments by Jess82 (who also posted at the Verge), the 8th is for online/phone orders and the 9th is when stores will sell it. Interestingly, the site Nokia For Us ran a story last week noting that they heard the 8th as well. 

Thanks, Theo, for the heads up

Just days after a Chinese Lumia 800 surfaced sporting an updated version of Tango, Nokia CEO Stephen Elop told media outlets that the first Chinese Nokia Windows Phone devices will launch on March 28.  Elop did not confirm what model that first device would be, but it is expected to be the Lumia 800, which has been in testing for some time.  Other Lumia phones, will follow sometime in April and beyond.  Word has it those models will include the 710, 900, 610, and as one Weibo user discovered, possibly even the 719:

Nokia is looking to capitalize on what was a good chunk of business for their Symbian operating system.  They were beaten to the Windows Phone punch by HTC, who just launched in China, but it looks like they will give HTC a run for their money with a wide offering of devices.

Source: 21st Century Business; Via: Engadget, TechInAsia

Nokia has uploaded a number of photos from the Nokia Lab at SXSW (South by Southwest), showing devices, coloured test tubes, live music, presentations and general enjoyment. There were some photos in the album of particular interest, including a "SmokedbyWindowsPhone" type promotion. "Are you the fastest draw at SXSW?" provided guests with the opportunity to try and best the Lumia 900 at snapping a photo.

The manufacturer gave Windows Phone developers the opportunity to have their app showcased on Lumia demo units in the Lab for more exposure. Check out some more shots after the break, as well as the rest of the slideshow at Nokia's Flickr album.

Source: Flickr (Nokia)

We all find it humorous when carriers and retailers get things wrong, especially when it comes to Windows Phone. From mistaking specifications, to calling the platform "Windows Mobile" - it's all fun and games. Cue Future Shop, a Canadian chain of electronics stores.

As you can see in the above photos, Future Shop have got their minds muddled with the Lumia family of Nokia Windows Phones. The Lumia 800 is now the 710. Either that or Canada is getting a slightly confused selection of handsets. We still wonder just how it's possible for marketing / promotion material teams to get this so wrong.

Thanks Lucas for sending in the photo! 

For our friends Down Under, you may want to head to Mobicity's website and take a long hard gander at their new Nokia Lumia 900 preorder page. You can now slap your cold, hard-earned $799 down for your choice of black, white or cyan Lumia 900, fully unlocked. Ka-ching!

What's more, they have a date of "late April" as when to expect your device which puts you right about where AT&T is going to be offering the flagship Nokia phone to US customers.  Guess that rumored 45-day exclusive for us is out the window.

This Lumia 900 has some nice network support too so it should work in most places: GSM 850, GSM 900, GSM 1800, GSM 1900, 3G 850 (NextG/Vodafone 850/US3G), 3G 1900, 3G 2100.

Source: Mobicity; Thanks, Doktor G., for the heads up

Itching to get your hands on a glossy white Lumia 800? Live in Singapore? Then you'll want to head to SingTelShop.com to order youself up one of the more rare looking Nokia devices.

Available now for $349 you can order and renew a line or get a whole new one. And if white isn't your thing, you can of course still get black, cyan or fuchsia for the same price.

Source: SingTelShop; Thanks, VoodooKing, for the heads up

Nokia has finally finished up a ROM and firmware update for the Lumia 710 for India and Singapore (we also see one for Brazil's TIM network on their servers). This next update will finally bring the Windows Phone 8107 OS update which address the disappearing keyboard issue as well as security flaws. In addition, the firmware will fix the end-call bug and bring the ever vague ""minor performance and usability improvements".

Unfortunately, this update is dependent on "market requests" meaning we don't know who else will get this, though T-Mobile would seem to be a likely candidate (they did push out 8107 for the HTC Radar recently and the Lumia 710 is still rocking the old 7740 OS). We'll keep an ear out for any rumblings.

Likewise, the Lumia 800 is currently getting the 12070 firmware update which we detailed the other day. That too has an official changelog which is similar to what we reported. That update also is dependent upon "market request" so we'll just have to wait and see who gets it:

• Enhanced battery standby and talk time performance
• Battery capacity icon instead of question mark on top right of screen
• Improved bass in audio performance
• Soft-key illumination at all brightness levels
• Fixes for device performance issues including self-reboots, freezes and call-ending

Read more on the Lumia 710 update here and the Lumia 800 update here.

via: MyNokiaBlog

It shouldn't come as a big surprise but owners of the Nokia Lumia 710 are delighted with their Windows Phone. If there was doubt, we now have a customer survey to prove it.

Argus Insights, a leader in product innovation analytics, has released the results of a customer satisfaction survey that places satisfaction and delight with the Nokia Lumia 710 ahead of the iPhone 4S, Motorola Droid RAZR 4G and competitive with the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. Argus believes that the lower priced Lumia 710 pushed consumers who were waiting for a lower priced smartphone off the fence.

The survey results took into consideration responses on such issues as connectivity, quality/reliability, usability, display, speed/performance and functionality.  All of which reflected overwhelming positive comments on the 710.  

It would appear that consumers, based on Argus's findings, see the Lumia 710 as giving them the biggest bang for their buck.

Source: Argus Insights; Thanks, damthman, for the tip!

Nokia is planning to hold a number of launch events in Australia this month to celebrate the release of the Lumia 800. As one can see in the above image, an event is planned in three major cities - Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne. The events are set to sport a number of Lumia (both 710 and 800) demos to allow the public to test drive the experience of Windows Phone and Nokia.

While we're not aware of exactly what the Finnish manufacturer has planned, but if London is anything to go by it should be an impressive day in each of the selected cities. The full event schedules are as follows:

• Sydney (Martin Place) - Friday 16th March: 7am - 7pm
• Brisbane (King George Square) - Friday 23rd March: 7am - 7pm
• Melbourne (Federation Square) - Saturday 31st March: 9am - 7pm

As well as the above official launch parties, both Techin5 and WPDownUnder are collaborating to arrange a meet up at Melbourne, on the day of the Nokia Live event. Should you be interested in meeting up with other Windows Phone enthusiasts as well as the two websites, be sure to head on over to Techin5 (link below) and the WhirlPool thread for more details / updates.

Source: Techin5

Nokia has announced the dates and location of this year's Nokia World - the event that covers everything 'Nokia'. While Nokia World 2011 in London was a blast, we're looking forward to the next event from the manufacturer as it's most probable that Windows Phone 8 ("Apollo") handsets will be unveiled. All we know for the moment is that it's going to be a fairly sizeable show with it being held on Nokia's home turf in Helsinki, Finland.

September 25-26 are the set dates and the Helsinki Exhibition & Convention Centre is the designated venue. 2012 will be the first year that the event has been held in Finland, which couldn't be better timed with Helsinki being officially titled as the World Design Capital for the year.

For more information, be sure to hit the links below.

Source: Nokia, Nokia Conversations