The clue is probably in the generic term 'camera-centric', really. However much people in the tech world like their phone cameras, having just a little too much emphasis placed on imaging - enough to warrant a significant bump on the back - seems to be the death knell for a device long term. In part though, this is more down to the time needed for R&D, but the end result is (yet again) a device which seems destined to be sidelined a little....
While reviewing the Lumia 930, I found myself factory resetting it several times on day one. And not because of anything wrong with the phone or its software. You see, there's a limit built into the Microsoft account and Store system that just hasn't been thought through completely. It only hurts the people Microsoft and the Windows Phone team should be wanting to make friends with!
As the model numbers attest, the new Lumia 930 is in many ways a follow-up to the classic old 920 - everything's integral, no covers needed, specs here are higher in every way yet without increasing dimensions unduly. Here's our definitive comparison - what would an existing 920 owner gain by upgrading to the much newer handset?
One of the interesting features of the Windows Phone world is the variety of applications that use the smartphone's camera. Often for gimmicky effect, but sometimes going for maximum quality and a possible direct replacement for Nokia Camera, the application that comes on each Lumia, as tested here. But do you sacrifice image quality by using another application? Using a controlled low light test, I decided to investigate!
I'm a sucker for power solutions on mobile. So when Michael Krikheli, pictured below, got in touch about his company's innovative new 'key ring charger', recently successful on Kickstarter (it completes in a couple of days time), I couldn't resist the chance to ply him with some questions. The only bad news is that retail gadgets are still a couple of months away, so you won't be using the Megalo Mini on your summer vacation.
When the Nokia Lumia 1520 first arrived, back in November 2013, the quality of the hardware was obvious. But there were some aspects of the Windows Phone UI which looked underdeveloped on the much larger screen, with the same UI elements as on smaller screens, just made larger. Happily, one aspect of Windows Phone 8.1 which no one seems to have noticed yet, is that the 1520's huge 6" screen is much better utilitised. See below for some illustrations.
There was a lot of chat earlier today about a BGR article commenting on the Kantar Worldpanel data for May 2014 that I already reported on. The title was typically provocative: "Why Windows Phone cannot rebound" and it's perhaps a good opportunity to respond in kind and explain why I/we think the OS can indeed rebound. Yes, being AAWP, it's of course going to be our natural position, but there are some sensible points to be made here.
The Android-powered LG G3 is the hottest thing on the smartphone block, not least because of the QHD screen, the first in a really mass market device. In fact, with a 5.5" screen diagonal, it's technically in 'phablet' territory - in which case, how does it compare to Nokia's own flagship phablet, the Lumia 1520?
In a world full of iOS devices and an avalanche of Android products (including Microsoft's Nokia X2 Android handset), it's important to remember the vital role that alternative operating systems offer. That includes BlackBerry's BB10, Jolla's Sailfish OS, Mozilla's Firefox OS, and of course Windows Phone. Which is why it is such a shame that Windows Phone is becoming more like the alternatives with every release.
