Windows Phone Thoughts - Daily News, Views, Rants and Raves

"We reached out to Microsoft, and it confirmed that $25 will secure Nokia's latest Windows Phone handset for you, but there wasn't any new info on how much the phone will cost in full when launch day comes around."

Microsoft's Brick and Mortar Stores are now taking pre-orders for the Nokia Lumia 900. The 900 is one of two LTE capable WP7.5 phones being released by AT&T on March 18th. The other being the HTC Titan II.

If you want to pre-order the 900, grab $25.00 and head to your local Microsoft Store.

"Microsoft has some major changes in store for Windows Phone 8, we've learned, which is the version of the platform currently being referred to by codename "Apollo" (the one scheduled for deployment after the upcoming Tango update)."

Details of Windows Phone 8 "Apollo" are now available thanks to a video meant for Nokia hosted by Joe Belfiore seen by pocketnow.com.

Looking at the features coming in Windows Phone 8 Apollo, this upgrade will definite put the OS in the running for top three mobile OSes. Here are just a few of the changes as cited by pocketnow.com.

- Multicore processor support

- Four new screen resolutions

- MicroSD card storage

- NFC wallet and tap sharing

- Windows 8 integration

- Data management

- And many more...

So, the question now is do you pick up the Lumia 900, wait for the 910 or hold out for Apollo and the phones that will inevitably follow?

"While it's been confirmed by Nokia already, the team over at WeLoveWP.hk have run some tests on charging the Lumia Windows Phone with a number of options. Turns out...the Nokia Lumia adapters provided more charge for a faster rate of recharge."

I'm not sure a "faster" charger is that much of an advantage, as bearing in mind my rudimentary knowledge of battery technology, fast charging like this tends to stress the battery more while also generating more heat. You might be trading off faster charging against a shorter battery lifespan. Of course, if you're in the habit of buying an extra battery or two, or changing phones every couple of years, that might not matter much. The nice thing though is that since the Lumia models will charge off a standard USB port, the decision is yours.

Starting tomorrow, Microsoft will begin the '30 to Launch' campaign to encourace developers to submit apps to the Windows Phone Marketplace. The schedule has not been revealed, but the rules state that each sumbitted app will mean entry into the contest. The 500 winners and the grand prize winner will be selected by a panel of judges and receive prizes such as a Lumia 800. Four grand prize winnders will win an entertainment package consisting of a Samsung 46" television, an Xbox 360, and more. Apps are required to utilize features such as push notifications, background agents, or music and video hub integration. Hit the link for more information and get coding to win!

"So you're walking with your iPhone in one hand, and a Starbucks latte in the other, and granted it is possible to use the iPhone in one hand, it could prove to be "fatal" since one hand tends to offer less support compared to two, and we all know that heart wrenching feeling when your brand new gadget slips out of your hand and onto the hard pavement."

Basically very simple, as all this does is attach to the iPhone case or the iPhone itself and you slide your fingers in and can start using your iPhone one handed without fear of dropping it. I can also be attached to the back of your iPad, or any other tablet for that matter. As you can see from the photos, it doesn't have to be an Apple product to work. Three sizes (small, medium and large) depending on the finger size and you can get them for $29.95 USD each from the Flygrip store located here. That seems a bit spendy to me, and I think I would rather just spend that on a better case. What are your thoughts?

"Microsoft paid Nokia $250m in Q4 2011 for adopting Windows Phone, the Finnish company's financial results today have revealed, the first of a "platform support payments" scheme expected to eventually account for billions of dollars. The two companies have always declined to put an exact figure on the "significant investments" Nokia would receive, though this new stat lends weight to earlier talk of over a billion in Microsoft subsidies."

Talk about getting paid - what kind of reward do you think would a CEO get from his shareholders, if he got another company to pony up a billion greenbacks? Conversely, what should the shareholders of Microsoft think of a billion dollars in cash going to somebody else, who isn't even a big name in the US (and losing ground everywhere else)? Still it shows the kind of lengths Microsoft, or should I say Steve Ballmer, will go to to get WP7 into wider circulation. As much hammering as Nokia has taken in the last couple of years, they're still a big presence in most major and emerging markets. This is a gamble, but given the competition, it's probably no time for half measures.

"So here we stand with the best smartphone operating system, best hardware, best development tools and the best mobile web browser. I'm certain that Windows Phone with its army of app developers, OEMs and Mobile Operator partners will be marching to victory this year."

Yes it will, says Rob Tiffany in his blog. How is he so sure? Well, he thinks it's a convergence of a number of factors that play well into Microsoft's hands. For instance, he believes that exciting new hardware options will entice customers from a handset perspective, and developers will be able to develop compelling new apps using Microsoft's effective development environment. Good points, and indeed these will be important factors. I think marketing, product positioning with both vendors and the public, and continual evolution of the reference hardware specs will be important too. Read through his blog and the drop over to our forums to let us know if you think 2012 will be "the" year for Windows Phone.

"We just received a portion of AT&T's 2012 roadmap from a trusted source, and it looks like AT&T isn't playing around this year."

BGR is reporting that a leaked AT&T 2012 roadmap shows the Nokia Lumia 900 will be available on March 18th for $99.00 with a two year contract.

"Pinspiration is the best way to browse and post to Pinterest on your Windows phone. Think of Pinterest as a virtual pinboard - a place to catalog and share the things you love."

Pinspiration is a social network app that allows users to browse and share favorite photos. If you find a photographer you like, you can elect to follow that user and subscribe to their new pins. If you pin the app to the home screen, the Live Tile will rotate through the most popular photos that are currently being shared.

Pinspiration is available in the Marketplace. There is a paid version with full access and an ad supported one. Give the free version a spin here.

"Beginning this Sunday, January 22, AT&T will begin offering new data plans to its US smartphone and tablet customers, its first change to the plans since June 2010."

If you are constantly finding yourself using just a tick over your data plan allowances and thereby incurring overages, AT&T's new data plans may be for you. Smartphone plans are now available in either 300MB ($20), 3GB ($30) and 5GB ($50). Subscribers of the 5GB plan will get tethering tossed in for free. Tablet plans have also been revised to 3GB ($30) and 5GB ($50). The low end 250MB tablet plan for $14.99 is the only plan that remains unchanged.

Of course if you are happy with your current plan, you may elect to stay with it but new subscribers will have to choose from one of the new plans.