Windows Phone - News, Features, and Slideshows

News

• Smartphone lull a golden opportunity for Microsoft

  Critics have derided Microsoft's $US7.5 billion acquisition of Nokia's Devices and Services business but the deal may be closing at the perfect moment -- during a slowdown in smartphone innovation.

• Microsoft to wrap Nokia deal Friday, name subsidiary 'Microsoft Mobile'

  Microsoft today said that it will close the $7.2 billion acquisition of Nokia's handset business on Friday, about eight months after revealing the deal.

• Nokia app developers get some new imaging tricks

  Nokia is giving developers the tools to write Windows Phone apps that lets users do more with their photos, like combine shots taken with the front and back cameras.

• Microsoft eases development for Windows and Windows Phone with new App Studio

  Microsoft's App Studio beta test has been expanded to allow novice developers to build applications for Windows tablets and PCs, in addition to Windows Phone.

• Unity beta program helps game developers with Windows Phone 8.1

  Game developers can prepare to create apps for Windows Phone 8.1 with a beta program from Unity Technologies.

• LTE smartphone specs shoot-out: Nokia Lumia 635 vs. EE Kestrel

  The options are increasing for people who want an LTE smartphone, but don't want to spend a fortune or sign an expensive contract. Two new alternatives that won't drain wallets are Nokia's Lumia 635 and the Huawei-made Kestrel.

• Windows Phone 8.1 confirmed, with Cortana digital assistant

  Microsoft unveiled Windows Phone 8.1 on Wednesday, and confirmed reports that the new OS includes Microsoft's first voice-activated digital assistant, called Cortana.

• Nokia adds Refocus feature to all Lumias

  Nokia's Refocus app -- which lets users play with the focus after a picture has been taken -- is now available for all Lumia smartphones with Windows Phone 8.

• Facebook Messenger arrives for Windows Phone

  Facebook has made its Messenger app available for Windows Phone 8, a bonus for Microsoft as it seeks to increase the number of applications available for its smartphone OS.

• Management vendors show Windows Phone some love

  IBM-owned Fiberlink and BlackBerry are adding Windows Phone to the list of platforms they can manage and protect, as enterprise interest for the smartphone OS is increasing.

• Nokia hopes Android and Microsoft will help sell low-end smartphones

  In a bid to go after the low-end smartphone segment, Nokia is using Android with its own user interface and Microsoft services on the X, X+ and XL devices.

• Windows Phone to get long-awaited enterprise update

  Microsoft will soon offer an update to its Windows Phone operating system that will bring a number of new features targeted at enterprise users.

• Microsoft targets developing markets with Windows Phone changes

  With developing markets in its sight, Microsoft is making a number of changes to Windows Phone that it hopes will result in a wider range of less expensive devices.

• With BYOD smartphones on the rise, IT headaches will become migraines

  The bring-your-own-device trend will only get more nerve-wracking for IT managers in 2014 because of the 30% annual growth expected for smartphones purchased under a BYOD approach, and the further emergence of Windows Phone as a third platform behind Android and iOS.

• In Pictures: 11 must-have apps for your new Windows Phone

  While the Windows Phone app market continues to mature, there are plenty of good grabs within the 200,000-plus strong ecosystem right now. We've highlighted 11 Windows Phone apps that will make your mobile experience as smooth as Steve Ballmer's scalp.