Download Exclusive Apps From WP Store Without Having Lumia

Exclusive apps are one of the reason why Lumia users have more reasons to be happy than other Windows Phone users. These exclusive apps are Nokia’s initiative to strengthen their presence into the Windows Phone ecosystem and one way to make more people choose Lumia over other brands. Seeing these apps exploited and ported to other Windows Phone is really disappointing.

Chinese hacker Reker has discovered a way which allows non-Lumia users to download some of Nokia’s exclusive apps. Here’s how:

• Someone sets up a proxy server which disguises itself as a Lumia phone.
• Users anywhere connect to the Windows Phone Store through said proxy, effectively disguising themselves as Lumia phones too.
• Users perform search via the proxy in the Store, searching for Nokia-exclusive apps by name. Normally a device model/brand check would be performed by the Store server, and refuse to offer any result upon finding model/brand mismatch. But since now those users are cloaked, the server will spill app descriptions and download links without a fuss.
• However, the proxy server is not able to pass file download streams to each user request, therefore non-Nokia users who just managed to get app download links are not able to really buy or download stuff.
• This is where the server glitch actually exists: in common sense of this universe, the Store should perform a model/brand check upon each search AND download request, to make sure what’s supposed to be exclusive will stay exclusive, no matter how hard people try. However in Microsoft’s case, download requests are NOT FILTERED AT ALL.
• Therefore if a user switches into WiFi setting, turn the proxy off, then switch back to the app description page and click the download button, he/she just gets the app. Microsoft is assume that if this button is displayed on your screen at all, your device must be well qualified, what could possibly go wrong? Just go ahead and make yourself comfortable.
• End of story: Nokia-exclusive apps ending up on non-Nokia phones.

This will allow non-Lumia users to download Nokia’s more than 50 exclusive apps. Apps like Nokia Glam and Temple Run, work pretty well on the Huawei Ascend W1.

App exclusivity is Nokia’s edge among other OEM’s but having this apps exploited is like putting Nokia’s hard work into waste. But does Nokia need to be alarmed at this point? In my opinion, not really much because there are only 14% of non-Lumia users out there and there are only few techy users who will desperately attempt to do this. But still we hope that Microsoft will fix this as early as possible.

Read More

PS 1 Emulator on Lumia

Everyone has become a big a fan of those game emulators running on smartphones because it lets you play your old time favorite games like from Snes, Gameboy, Sege Super Nintendo or even Play Station games. I still can remember when I got my first Symbian smartphone, the Nokia 6630, I got all the emulators that can run on Symbian except Play Station since it requires an intensive graphics card for it to run games.
PSX Emulator is one of the famous Play Station One emulator that runs on various platforms. I remember when the Nokia N900 can play some of the PS One games via the PSX4M emulator. There are also a number of Play Station emulators that run on Symbian Belle but due to a less powerful GPU, it can only play few games with an acceptable frame rates.

Now, Andre Botelho, a Brazilian developer who has already created a Playstation emulator for Symbian 3, has successfully ported the PlayStation One emulator EmiPSX to the Windows Phone 8 platform. This emulator runs even on 512MB Windows Phone 8 devices smoothly.

We hope that it hits the Windows Phone store as early as it can. What can you say about this project? And what Play Station One games that you would want to play on your Lumia? Share us your thoughts.

Read More

new chipsets under Snapdragon 200 series

Qualcomm has announced six new chipsets under Snapdragon 200 series which targets low-tier smartphones. Just recently, they have unveiled their high-end chipsets under Snapdragon 600 and 800 class. The low-end smartphone market is really catching up and in fact, there is really a big potential on this price segment. These chipsets will be available in Qualcomm Reference Design (QRD) platforms in late 2013.

The new Snapdragon 200 processors are manufactured on a 28nm process technology and feature key modem technologies that are important in China and emerging regions, including support for HSPA+ (up to 21Mbps) and TD-SCDMA. It is anticipated that the new processors (8×10 and 8×12), along with its Qualcomm Reference Design counterparts, will be available in late 2013 and are designed to deliver improved performance, graphics-rich gaming experience and advanced multimedia features for high-volume smartphones.

“With the expanded line of Snapdragon 200 processors, Qualcomm Technologies is building on its dual-and quad-core processor portfolio for entry-level smartphones and tablets, bringing key process technology and modem features to all Snapdragon tiers,” said Jeff Lorbeck, senior vice president of product management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “We are excited to offer our customers the broadest range of 3G technologies and superior performance and power-efficiency, enabling them to deliver a wide range of innovative smartphones for the high-volume segment.”

The 200 series offers optimum performance with extended battery life. It will have support for dual cameras, with a maximum 8 Megapixel rear-facing camera and up to 5 Megapixel front-facing camera Interestingly, this also offers Dual SIM and Dual Active also Tri SIM Tri Standby.

The latest additions to the Snapdragon 200 class also feature: class-leading graphics performance with Adreno 302 GPU and Qualcomm Quick Charge. The new set of chipsets will support various platforms such as Windows Phone, Android and Firefox
With these new Snapdragon 200 chips, we would probably see a low-end Windows Phone with a dual Sim support in the future.

Read More

The Best New Smartphones Of 2013

The Nokia Lumia 925 has chosen by the Independent Newspapers as the Top Best Smartphone of the Year. Independent Newspapers is a popular broadsheet newspaper in the UK. They have posted ten smartphones of various mobile manufacturers and the Lumia 925 has won the titleSecond to Nokia Lumia 925 is the Samsung Galaxy S4 and iPhone 5. The Lumia 925 is a small uprade from the Lumia 920 in terms of imaging and design. It has a six element lens and an aluminum-polycarbonate body. It has been featured in the ‘Man of Steel’ film as well.“The very latest offering from Nokia, this sharp, stunning and fast smartphone is really all about taking pictures. The camera boasts six lenses, next-generation imaging software and can take photos in low light better than its competitors. Snapper first, phone second.”

1. Nokia Lumia 925

The very latest offering from Nokia, this sharp, stunning and fast smartphone is really all about taking pictures. The camera boasts six lenses, next-generation imaging software and can take photos in low light better than its competitors. Snapper first, phone second.

£499.95, nokia.com

2. Samsung Galaxy S4

From Samsung's flagship Galaxy range, this fourth-generation smartphone is bursting with social media-integrated features, such as the Story Album, which pulls together multimedia content to create a personalised timeline. In-built air-gesture technology means you can control functions with a wave.

£399, o2.co.uk

3. iPhone 5

There may be whispers of a 5S, but until then, this is as good as it's going to get from Apple. Still, the iPhone 5 remains one of the most coveted smartphones around and with iOS7 around the corner, there's never been a better time to get one.

£699, apple.com

4. Vodafone Smart Mini

One of the cheapest smartphones on the market, the Smart Mini may not pack the same punch in terms of camera specs, display size or memory, but for the money it's a real treat. The Android 4.1 operating system should keep you up to date with all your social media.

£50, vodafone.com

5. HTC One X+

Possibly the finest smartphone on the market, the One X+ boasts a 1.7GHZ processor, 64GB of storage and a camera that can shoot simultaneous HD video while you snap. The real highlight is the speed; expect quick-loading web pages and seamless video with no need to fear a multi-task meltdown.

£349.99, amazon.co.uk

6. Google LG Nexus 4

Seamlessly integrating the Google apps most of us depend on, the Nexus is a fantastic value smartphone. The camera was the first to have a built-in panorama function and wireless charging means you'll never need to worry about plugs again.

£239, play.google.com

7. Sony Xperia Z

With a huge 5in HD display that's so sharp you feel like you're tumbling into the screen, the Xperia is built around clarity and definition. Despite this you don't need to handle it with care; it's water- and dust-resistant.

£479, sonymobile.com

8. Motorola Razr i

Encased in Kevlar and aircraft-grade aluminium, the Razr is one tough cookie. The device takes its lead design-wise from the iPhone 5 and although it's not as high-spec, the lower priced phone is packed with a whopping 1GB ram for a speedy performance.

£270, tesco.com

9. Blackberry Q10

Blackberry still produces some of the best QWERTY-based phones on the market. The Q10 is their top of the range model and the first to run on their latest operating system, Blackberry 10, which includes super-addictive swipe gestures for speedy app-switching.

£549.99, expansys.com

10. Huawei Ascend P2

Light, fast and visually stunning, this record-breaking handset from Huawei (which this week unveiled the Ascend P6, its would-be iPhone killer) is officially the "world's fastest smartphone". Expect sharp picture quality and a "magic touch" screen that can even be used with gloves on.

Read More

Nokia Is Expect to Stop Symbian Smartphone Shipments

Nokia is expect to finally stop production of its Symbian based smartphones this summer as the company completes its migration over to the Windows Phone operating system supplied by Microsoft.

The Nokia 808 PureView was the company's last Symbian smartphone.
The Financial Times, without citing sources reported that the company is not expected to issue any sort of notice about the final date, as it would still have units in the delivery chain waiting to be sold.
Nokia's Symbian shipments dropped to around half a million units in the first quarter of this year, as compared to 5.6 million of its WP based Lumia smartphones. The company shipped a total of 61.9 million mobile phones though.

Nokia told the FT that: "It took 22 months to get a Symbian phone out of the door. With Windows Phone, it is less than a year. We spend less time having to tinker with deep-lying code and more time on crafting elements of the experience that make a big difference,"
Kantar Worldpanel has estimated that Symbian held a European market share of about 1.8 percent in the three months to April, down from 8 percent a year ago. The OS, which was originally developed by Psion for its handheld computers, still accounts for about 2 percent of the Chinese market.
Nokia is not totally reliant on Windows Phone for its handsets software, as the company still uses its own in-house OS for more basic handsets.

Read More

Nokia Shows Off Update to its Lumia 920 Smartphone

Nokia has shown of its latest smartphone -- the Lumia 925 -- that introduces a metal design and the latest PureView camera innovation along with new features and third party applications.
The phone is an update to the existing Nokia Lumia 920.
The smartphone comes with a 1.5Ghz dual-core Snapdragon processor and 8.7 megapixel camera with Optical Image Stabilization. The phone also comes with 1GB RAM and 16 GB internal memory.

The Nokia Lumia 925 also introduces the new Nokia Smart Camera mode, coming as an update to all Lumia Windows Phone 8 smartphones. Nokia Smart Camera offers a way to capture ten images at once and edit the pictures with options such as Best Shot, Action Shot, and Motion Focus to improve the photo after it was taken.
"We keep innovating," said Jo Harlow, executive vice president of Nokia Smart Devices. "We're advancing experiences on the Nokia Lumia portfolio whether that means great new benefits for an existing Lumia owner, or bringing new showcase devices like the Nokia Lumia 925."

The Nokia Lumia 925 introduces metal for the first time to the Nokia Lumia range. The polycarbonate back comes in white, grey or black. A wireless charging cover can be clipped onto the back of the phone to take advantage of Nokia's wireless charging accessories.
The Nokia Lumia 925 is being introduced into Europe with Vodafone, along with other operator and retail partners. In addition to Europe, the Nokia Lumia 925 will be introduced into the US by T-Mobile and into China by China Mobile and China Unicom.

Sales are expected to start in the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain and China in June, followed by the USA and a number of other markets.
The Nokia Lumia 925 will be priced around 469 EUR before taxes and subsidies. Country-specific pricing and availability will be announced locally.

Read More

Microsoft Walked Away from Deal to Buy Nokia's Phone Division

Although often denied, it would appear that Microsoft and Nokia were in merger talks as recently as last month, until the talks broke down over the price being offered.
That Nokia was even willing to enter into such talks signifies a major development for the company.
Microsoft had been offering to buy the handset division, but walked away due to concerns about Nokia's shrinking market share, and a disagreement over the price being demanded by Nokia.

Citing numerous sources, the Wall Street Journal said talks took place as recently as this month but aren't likely to be revived.
Nokia represents just under 80% of Microsoft's total shipments of Windows Phone software and there have been rumours that Nokia's CEO, Stephen Elop, a former Microsoft man would consider a sale of the phone business to Microsoft.

Indeed, some persistent rumours suggest that a sale had been his plan all along.
The price being asked by Nokia for the handset division is now known, but the company's market capitalisation has dropped to just US$14 billion, and around half its revenues come from phone sales.
Microsoft would almost certainly have to pay a hefty premium though to win over Nokia shareholders to such a deal.
Nokia is expected to announce a major new flagship smartphone next month that may help the company turn around its fortunes.

Read More

Nokia EOS With 41 Megapixel Camera Is Expected to Com in July

Nokia has sent a media invite to the event called “41 Million Reasons” on July 11th at NYC. There will be a live webcast link available for everyone to see. We’ve been having couple of leaks for the past few weeks, whether the Nokia EOS will sports a 41 Megapixel lens or not – this should ends all our speculations.

This article on Nokia Conversations indirectly confirmed that a 41 Megapixel Lumia is yet to be unveiled this July. This device should be the only viable replacement to the Nokia 808 Pureview’s camera. Thought there were doubts that Nokia and Microsoft can bring this exciting technology to the Lumia brand, worry not, it’s now finally coming.

Aside from its camera, we also hope that this smartphone could bring some new hardware specs especially on its CPU and GPU. There was a rumor that Nokia is testing a device using a Snapdragon 800 processor which is the latest advancement from Qualcomm. This supports up to 55 Megapixel camera and 1080p displays which can perfectly power the Nokia EOS as the latest imaging smartphone flagship.
let’s see what’s in store for us, so tune in on the live webcast, we will be posting it here as well and will keep you updated. The webcast begins at 11am EDT.

Read More

Nokia Testing a Quad-Core Device on Snapdragon 800

Windows Phone doesn’t need four cores to run smoothly but Nokia has to keep up with the competition and demands. That being said, Nokia is reportedly working on a device running on a quad-core processor using a Snapdragon 800, contrary to earlier reports.
A leaked documentation appeared on Nokia’s developer forum schema that the Qualcomm SnapDragon S4 MSM8974 is being used for testing. The GPU used is the latest Adreno 330

instead of the 305.
The Snapdragon 800 is a designed for high-tier smartphones and tablets used for high performance and power efficiency. It also supports up to 55 Megapixel camera and 1080p HD display.
This powerful chip on a Nokia Lumia will surely be a monster device that can blow the competition away. We hope that this will power the Nokia EOS if not probably another high-end Lumia before the end of this year till Q1 of 2014.

Read More

Windows Phone leads in Finland with 35% Market Share

Nokia is now back on its own territory. Based on a recent study, Marketvision has released a new data covering the Finnish smartphone market share. The new data shows that the Windows Phone has finally surpassed Android’s lead in Finland.

Nokia, being the largest Windows Phone vendor, it covers 80% of the Windows Phone sales. With the

current lead of Microsoft’s mobile platform in Finland, it only connotes that Nokia’s success.
Windows Phone has managed to gain a 35% of market share ahead of its two biggest rival, Android at 33% and iOS at 30%.

“Finnish smartphone platforms in the market differs from other markets. most other countries, the Android platform dominates the smartphone market, while in Finland the Windows Phone is taking a strong foothold in the Nokia Lumia family tension” Market Vision says a leading analyst Toni Nygrén.
On the other hand, Windows Phone got even a bigger share of 50% from the enterprise smartphone segment. The new and upcoming low priced Lumia handsets will surely strengthen and expand further dominance of the Windows Phone in Finland. Though Finland  market is quite small, still its an honor for Nokia to get back its supremacy on its own land. With the Finnish market is worth around 4 billion Euros, still its worth it.

Read More