Just a week back, Steve Ballmer had announced that he’ll be stepping down within a year. However, before his impending exit, the Microsoft CEO has sealed the biggest and perhaps the most important deal for the big M by acquiring the Finnish phone manufacturer Nokia. According to a press release from Nokia, the software giant will pay EUR 5.44 billion ($7.2 billion approx) in cash. This includes EUR 3.79 billion ($5 billion approx) to purchase pretty much all of Nokia's Devices & Services business, and EUR 1.65 billion ($2.1 billion approx) to licence patents for 10 years. Post-acquisition, Nokia will still retain HERE maps and NSN businesses.

The transaction is expected to wrap up by the first quarter of 2014. Under the terms of agreement, Nokia’s President and CEO Stephen Elop will step down from these roles and assume the responsibility of Executive Vice President of Nokia Devices & Services. Meanwhile, Risto Siilasmaa, the Chairman of the Nokia Board of Directors has been assigned as the Finnish company’s Interim CEO. At any rate, the stars seem to be in perfect alignment for Stephen Elop's almost inevitable ascension into the role of Microsoft’s CEO.

For consumers, Nokia has promised to continue the work they’ve been doing. Hopefully, with added resources from Microsoft, the phone-maker will be able to accelerate growth. Finally, it seems like the probability of Nokia building an Android device has just gone down to zero from near zero.

The developments aren't over yet, so watch this space for more updates.

TAGS: Mobile Phones, Nokia, Microsoft

Nokia Lumia 925
Street Price: Rs 32,000

Apple and Nokia are two of the very few design driven companies that focus on usability rather than engaging in the meaningless specs race. The Cupertino-based company’s current flagship, the iPhone 5, flaunts an elegant metallic body, whereas Nokia’s Lumia line-up is all about bold colours and polycarbonate shells. This time around though, the Finnish manufacturer has introduced the first metal-clad Lumia — the 925. It may not be a huge upgrade over the existing 920, but aims to address most of the criticism associated with its predecessor.

Aesthetics
The Nokia Lumia 925 is the first WP8 device to move away from Nokia’s hallmark polycarbonate construction strategy. It features an aluminium frame that feels every bit premium as the metal used in iPhone 5. Since this frame also works as an antenna, it sports four notches to avoid the death grip that once plagued the iPhone 4. The back of the 925 is made of polycarbonate with a slight rubberised feel to it. Apart from the white sample that we received for review, the phone is available in grey and black. With a new design, Nokia has managed to make the 925 2 mm slimmer than its predecessor. This doesn’t look like a big difference on paper, but in reality, the phone feels a lot thinner than the 920. Moreover, lesser mass also translates to reduced weight. Those who cribbed about the 920’s heft will be pleased to know that the 925 tips the scales at around 139 grams — that’s almost 45 grams lighter than the former.



Whether or not the Lumia 925 is a better looking device than the 920 is debatable. Most people favouring the iPhone will appreciate the 925’s design, whereas many Nokia purists will bat for the 920 for its curves. Similar to most Lumia handsets, the 925 features three capacitive keys: Windows (Home), Back, and Search. The Volume rocker, Lock button, and camera key are on the right side. A 3.5 mm jack and micro-USB port are at the top, along with a micro-SIM slot that can be pop-opened using a paperclip. The phone has three contact points for the snap-on wireless (induction) charging covers (compatible with Nokia's charging plate DT-900), available in Yellow, Red, Black, and White. Last but not the least, the handset is perfect for single-handed usage.



Display And Specs
The 925 has a 4.5" screen with 1280x768 pixels and an aspect ratio of 15:9. I assume the reason behind Nokia choosing it over 16:9, is that the old WP 7.5 apps scale proportionally with the 15:9 screen. At 332 ppi, the screen is impressively sharp. To put things in perspective, the iPhone 5 has the pixel density of 325 ppi. So is the 925’s screen better than that of 920? The answer is clearly “Yes”. Those not in the know, the 925’s AMOLED panel produces rich colours and deeper blacks. Since Windows Phone OS mainly features bold colours and blacks, the AMOLED does full justice to its aesthetics. If you find the colours on the AMOLED screen oversaturated, you can tone it down using Lumia colour profiler settings.

Nokia has implemented sunlight readability mode that changes screen’s contrasts automatically to retain legibility even under direct sunlight. This is helped further by Nokia's ClearBlack technology that comprises of a sequence of polarising layers that eliminate reflections. As seen in recent Lumia phones, the 925 comes with super-sensitive screen that works with gloves, fingernail, and even a knife. Don’t worry about the knife bit, as the display is protected by Gorilla Glass 2. Now even Edward Scissorhands can play Fruit Ninja. The screen is slightly curved near the edges, which makes the swiping feel more comfortable. Overall, the display is excellent.



The 925 is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon S4 chipset, featuring a dual-core 1.5 GHz CPU, and Adreno 225 GPU. It has an 8.7 megapixel PureView camera with Zeiss optics, and Optical Image Stabilisation. Other features include Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi, 4G LTE, NFC, and 2000 mAh battery. In India, only the 16 GB variant of the phone is available, which is quite disappointing, as there is no memory card slot to expand it further.

UI And Apps
The Lumia 925 comes pre-installed with Windows Phone 8 GDR2 (known as Amber for Nokia). In the latest version of software, the core-UI hasn’t changed. It’s still as elegant and refreshing as it looked back in 2010. You have dynamic Live Tiles that bring curated information right on your homescreen. The interface feels way more organised than the current numero uno smartphone OS, Android. WP8 comes with deep social networking integration — Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are built in. The phone didn’t show any sign of lag or slowdown during our extensive testing. As covered in our previous article, the Amber update has introduced Glance screen that makes use of AMOLED screen’s selective pixel illumination. Similar to the Nokia N9, you can unlock the 925 by tapping the screen twice. Moreover, there’s a Flip to silence feature, which is self-explanatory. Other improvements are camera related; we will come to that later.

 

Coming to the subject of apps, you get excellent Microsoft Office Suite and SkyDrive integration out of the box. The Finnish manufacturer has also thrown in its exclusive suite of apps that include Nokia Music, Here Maps+, City lens, and PhotoBeamer. Out of these Here Maps+ offers free voice-guided navigation. There’s also an option to download map packs at once to avail of the navigation even in offline mode. After using it for quite a while now, I can tell you that Nokia’s mapping solution is better than Google maps (Apple Maps barely work, so let’s not include it here).

The Windows Phone platform is still no match for the iOS and Android when it comes to the number of apps. Going by numbers, there are 1 lakh 50 thousand apps in WP marketplace, compared to Android’s 1 million. On the other hand, Microsoft’s repository has got almost all the popular apps duly covered. Even the lack of official Vine and Instagram apps isn’t an issue since third party clients such as 6Sec and 6Tag work like a charm. The Xbox gaming scene is also showing signs of improvement with the launch of some big titles including Halo: Spartan Assault, FIFA: 2013, and Dark Knight Rises. That said, if you can’t live without a steady stream of quality apps, the iPhone is your best bet, or of course, one of the premium Droids.

Multimedia
The Lumia 925 comes with Nokia Music that offers unlimited free track downloads for a year. Moreover, you get Dolby sound enhancements and equaliser settings. When it comes to sound quality, the device packs in quite a punch. The FM radio has also been duly covered. Coming to the subject of video playback, the handset managed to handle 1080p MP4, WMV, and AVI without an issue. The MKV files are a no-go, and the VLC Player for Windows Phone is still under development.

Camera
Both the Lumia 925 and 920 sport an 8.7 megapixel snapper with Zeiss lens. It’s backed by Nokia PureView phase 2 tech that includes Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) and Back Side-Illuminated image (BSI) sensor. To achieve OIS, Nokia has suspended the entire lens assembly, which is loaded on springs. This helps cancel the unwanted movement caused by shaky hands. Thus, producing relatively sharper pictures even in low-light. In case, you’re still confused, do check out this video.

Speaking of image quality, the 925 produces impressively sharp photographs with accurate colour reproduction. Click here, for the camera sample. The phone boasts of a 6 lens assembly, which is superior to the 920’s 5 lens module. To make use of it, the phone comes with Smart Cam option that gives you advance controls mostly found in standalone higher midrange cameras. Using this software, you can tinker with shutter speed, exposure, and manual focus. More importantly, the interface is easier-to-use than most cameras.



We played a lot with the camera settings, and there's so much to talk about. Hence we will explain most of the interesting aspects of the Lumia 925 camera in a separate feature, coming up in a couple of days. Do keep an eye out for that. Given below is an example of focus-shift that can be achieved using this camera, followed by a low-light comparison between the 925 and the iPhone 5.

Focus shift with Pro Cam's manual controls.



Low-light photo comparison without flash.

The phone also comes with Lumia-exclusive camera lenses such as Cinemagraph, Smart shoot, and Panorama. To find out what it can do, don’t forget to go through our tutorial. The Lumia 925 records 1080p videos at 30 fps. Thanks to OIS, the videos come out smooth and sharp even in low-light.

Telephony And Messaging
People Hub offers deep social networking integration. It puts all your contacts from Facebook, Windows Live, Twitter, and LinkedIn in one place. The phone also features ‘Call + SMS filter’ that does what it says without putting in requests are your service providers end to do block certain numbers. The keyboard is very responsive and is designed to minimise typos. More importantly, the call quality was top-notch.

Battery
The phone packs in a 2000 mAh Li-Ion battery. With brightness set to ‘Medium’, it lasted for 6 hours and 40 minutes in out video loop test. While it’s not bad, it’s well short of the 10 hour benchmark set by the iPhone 5. It should easily last you for a day and half to two on a single full charge. That is clearly above average when you compare it to most flagship smartphones these days.

Verdict
In times when Samsung is criticised for its lack of design innovations and Apple is too cautious to experiment, Nokia has come up with yet another beautiful handset that looks nothing like the 920 or 928. The Lumia 925 ticks all the right boxes in terms of multimedia and productivity. The phone sports a fantastic screen and hard-to-beat camera. In 925, Nokia hasn’t just used Carl Zeiss lens to strengthen the specs sheet, but has actually taken advantage of it with cleverly designed apps. Thus proving that there are other ways to innovate and differentiate than just increasing the screen size or putting faster processors. All in all, it’s a top-notch phone, priced rightly at Rs 32,000.

Features: 4/5
Design And Build Quality: 4.5/5
Performance: 4/5
Value For Money: 4/5
Mojo: 4.5/5
Overall Rating: 4/5
 

• 4.5" AMOLED WXGA display with 768x1280 pixels.
• Corning's Gorilla Glass protection, Polarization filter, 600 nits of luminance.
• Dual-core 1.5 GHz Snapdragon S4 chipset, 1 GB of RAM.
• 8.7 MP rear snapper, a 1.2 MP front-facing camera.
• 16 GB internal storage, 7 GB in SkyDrive (cloud storage), Lacks microSD card slot.
• 3G, Bluetooth 3.0, Wi-Fi, A-GPS, microUSB connectivity.
• 2000 mAh battery.
• Support Micro-SIM.
• Windows Phone 8 GDR2 operating system.

TAGS: Mobile Phones, Windows Phone, Nokia, Lumia

After launching the Nokia 515 feature phone, which claims to be an "ideal companion to a smartphone", Nokia is all set to expand its Asha feature phone series with new devices, Asha 502 and Asha 503. According to a Twitter post by EVLeaks, the Finnish manufacturer will release the Asha 502 (codenamed Nokia Pegasus) and the Asha 503 (codenamed Nokia Lanai). Although details regarding the formal launch of both these handsets are be made official, speculations suggest that both the new Asha feature phones will be released by the end of 2013. Other technical details for the devices include:

• 3.2" display with scratch resistance.
• 5 MP rear camera.
• Dual-SIM support.
• 128 MB/512 MB RAM expected.
• 1.2 GHz dual-core processor (or a 1 GHz dual-core CPU, as the case may be).
• 3G, Bluetooth, microUSB port.

Nokia's Asha 502 is also said to be much thinner and lighter in comparison to its predecessor, the Asha 501.

Nokia Asha 503:

• 3.2"/3.4" screen with scratch resistance.
• 1.5 GHz dual-core processor.
• Dual-SIM support.
• 128 MB/ 512 MB RAM.
• 3G, Bluetooth. microUSB port.

Along with the key tech-specs, both the Asha devices are also expected to come preloaded with Nokia-exclusive camera apps, and the Nokia SLAM feature. However, these devices are yet to become official at this stage, and pricing it right for India buyers will be the key to its success.

TAGS: Nokia, Asha, Mobile

Nokia has announced a new feature phone, the Nokia 515, with a classic design and premium feel. Amidst the hustle of high-end Lumia and Asha smartphones, the Finnish manufacturer seems to have realised the need for good feature phones. And as if dual-SIM Asha smartphones were not enough, the company claims that this model is suitable for use "as a companion to your smartphone".

The classic design of the phone uses an anodised, sandblasted aluminium body with a new hardened polycarbonate resin for the keypad. The phone has a 2.4" display with a pixel dimensions of 320 x 240 and is protected by Gorilla Glass 2. The Nokia 515's memory can be expanded by up to 32 GB via a microSD card, which is necessary considering the paltry internal storage of just 256 MB. The 5 mp rear snapper comes with an LED flash and a few features such as 100-degrees Panorama shot and voice-guided self-portrait. Connectivity features include 3.5G HSDPA and Bluetooth 3.0. The device is expected to have a 38 days standby time and a talk time of up to 10.4 hours.

Nokia 515 will be available in two version: single-SIM and Easy Swap Dual-SIM, with colour choice of either Black or White. The phone is expected to start shipping from the third quarter of 2013 with a price tag of about EUR 115 (approx Rs 10,000). The India price is not know yet, but if it is anything close to its European pricing, it will have a tough time moving numbers here. Unless of course, if it looks absolutely stunning. Some key specification of the Nokia 515 are as follows:

• 2.4" QVGA LCD display with Gorilla Glass 2
• 3.5G HSDPA - GSM 850/900/1800/1900 WCDMA 900/2100
• 256 MB internal memory with expandable memory up to 32 GB
• 5 MP camera with LED flash
• Measures 4.4" x 1.8" x 0.4" and weighs 101.1 grams
• microUSB, Bluetooth 3.0, 3.5mm jack, Micro SIM

TAGS: Nokia, Mobile Phones

Considering the huge demand for phones with bigger screen size, Nokia has finally released its biggest Lumia so far in India, the 625. It’s a first Windows Phone 8 device from the Finnish manufacturer to sport a 4.7" screen. The phone might attract Android users who believe in “Bigger the better” ideology. But is it a worthy addition to the existing Lumia line-up? Above all, let's find out if it's any better than the relatively cheaper Lumia 720.

Design And Build Quality
As expected, the Lumia 625 has a strong resemblance to the 620’s design language. The 625 is bigger, yet slimmer compared to its predecessor. The phone comes with colourful replaceable outer shells made of translucent polycarbonate. The available colours are red, green, yellow, white, and black. So if you get bored of the existing hue, you can simply buy a new shell and give it a new look. The phone has a matte finish that helps with the grip. The phone doesn't look significantly larger despite the 4.7" screen because Nokia has been smart enough to enlarge the screen by shrinking the bezel at the top. The ensuing lack of symmetry, however, tends to get annoying on account of the unbalanced bezel.

While removing the back-panel gives you access to the memory and SIM cards, the battery is not user-replaceable. The button placement is a standard Lumia affair. The Volume rocker, Lock button, and shutter key are on the right side. A 3.5 mm jack is at the top, while the bottom side hosts a micro-USB port. Simply put, the design and construction are bright points for this phone.



Display
The 625 sports a 4.7" IPS screen protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 2. The panel’s colour reproduction is quite good. However, since it lacks ClearBlack polarisation filter the blacks aren’t as good as seen on the 620. Like most Nokia smartphones, the screen on the 625 packs in plethora of usability features such as Sunlight Readability Enhancement, High Brightness Mode, and Super Sensitive Touch. However, all these good things are let-down by the pixel dimensions of 480x800 (around 200 ppi). Seriously, why do you behave like a miser when it comes to pixels, Nokia?

Specs
The phone is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 chipset with a 1.2 GHz dual-core CPU and Adreno 305 GPU. Other features include a 5 megapixel auto-focus camera with an LED flash, 512 MB of RAM, 8 GB internal storage, and microSD card slot (up to 64 GB). Other than the higher CPU clock speed, the hardware specifications are fairly similar to those of the Lumia 620. To keep the phone powered, there’s a 2000 mAh battery. Full specifications are at the end of this article.

Software
The Lumia 625 features Windows Phone 8 GDR2 (or simply called Amber for Nokia) out of the box. In the latest iteration, the core-UI hasn’t changed. You have customisable Live Tiles with three sizes. As mentioned in earlier reviews, WP8 offers deep social networking integration. Microsoft's Office Suite and SkyDrive integration are useful additions. The Finish manufacturer has also thrown in its exclusive suite of apps that include Nokia Music, Here Maps+, PhotoBeamer, and a plethora of digital camera add-ons. More importantly, since WP8 is well optimised, you won’t notice any lag. Due to 512 MB of RAM about 0.3% of apps won't be compatible with this device. Though 625’s processor has been clocked slightly higher as compared to the 620, in actual usage, you won’t notice much of a difference.

Camera
The phone packs in a 5 megapixel camera with an LED flash to keep it company. The phone also comes with Lumia-exclusive lenses such as Cinemagraph, Smart shoot, and Panorama. For those not in the know, check out our tutorial on how to make most of these digital camera lenses. From whatever little time I got to spend with the phone, I can tell that the camera is quite good, but is no match for the one found on the Lumia 720. You can check the untouched sample here.

The Bottom-line
The Lumia 625 is another well-built smartphone from Nokia. Despite going for a relatively larger 4.7" screen, the company has managed to retain single-handed usability. The screen also comes with a fair share of enhancements such as sunlight readability mode and gloves compatibility. However, all this good work has been negated by the low-pixel density.

Mind you, these are my initial impressions of this phone, based on a few hours that I spent playing around with it, and not an in-depth review (which we will be doing shortly). Despite that, I believe I have seen enough to safely answer the question that's on everybody's mind - is the 625 better than the 720 and 820 to justify its Rs 19,000 price tag? The answer is "No”. For 2k less, the Lumia 720 offers a brilliant camera and a much better screen. And for Rs 500 extra, you get the Lumia 820 that has twice the amount of RAM, noticeably better performance, and a quality AMOLED screen. The ideal price should have been between 15 to 16K rupees. Stay tuned for a full review to figure out if the Lumia 625 has more to it than what met my eye the first time around.

Specifications:

• Windows Phone 8.
• 4.7" multi-touchscreen with pixel dimensions of 480x800.
• 1.2 GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 CPU.
• 512 MB RAM, 8 GB internal storage, Support for up to 64 GB microSDXC.
• 5 megapixel rear camera with autofocus, LED flash, and 1080p@30fps; 0.3 megapixel front camera.
• 3G, 4G/LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0+LE, A-GPS, GLONASS, USB 2.0, 3.5 mm audio jack.
• 2000 mAh battery with up to 15.2 hours 3G talk time.
• 5.25" (H) x 2.8" (W) x 0.36" (9.15 mm) (D), 159 grams.
• Available colours (removable back covers): Red, Green, Yellow, White, Black.
   

Review unit sourced from Top-10 Telecom
 

Tags : Mobile Phones, Windows Phone, Nokia, Lumia

Even as Windows RT has been facing an overall rejection from consumers, Nokia seems to be thinking otherwise as they are planning to bring out a tablet with this beleaguered OS. Known as Sirius for now, this tablet with a 10.1" screen appears similar to the company's Lumia smartphones, based on Windows Phone OS. Images leaked earlier this month had shown it to sport a polycarbonate body, so we can assume it will come in multiple colours. The said device is supposedly lighter and thinner than the current generation iPad, weighing less than just half a kilogram.

The screen boasts of Full HD (1920x1080) pixel dimensions and improved outdoor readability, because it is brighter. Other specs revealed include a quad-core Snapdragon 800 CPU with 2 GB of RAM. There will be 32 GB of internal storage with microSD support. A micro-HDMI port will allow taking the display output to a larger screen, and a micro-USB port will provide for data connectivity and charging. The tablet will come with a 6 mp rear camera and a 2 mp front snapper. While it is a given that Wi-Fi connectivity will be available, it is not yet known if there will be 3G/4G option as well. A keyboard accessory will be bundled along, to make life easier for those users who want to use it for regular productivity tasks and more accessories will be announced during the launch. Nokia is planning to price it similar to the iPad, against which it will compete, and the launch could happen at the company's scheduled 26th September event in New York. As reported earlier, Nokia may also launch its "Bandit" smartphone or phablet, which will be the largest Windows Phone handset with a 6" screen.

TAGS: Tablets, Windows, Nokia

We Unbox Nokia 925, for specifications click here.

TAGS: Mobile Phones, Windows Phone, Nokia, Lumia

In its campaign called 'Don't fight. Switch' to promote the Windows Phone platform, Microsoft had mocked Samsung-Apple tussle in 'The Wedding' ad that features the Nokia Lumia 920. This hilarious clip, released in April, went viral on social networking sites and managed to garner over 6 million views in a couple of months. Following the launch of the Lumia 920's true successor, the 1020 in the US, Microsoft has now come up with a sequel to its most popular Windows Phone advert.

In the latest clip, the action takes place at a children's recital, where parents try hard to get a perfect shot with their Android and iOS devices. You can spot a variety of products, mainly from Samsung and Apple, including the GALAXY Note II, S4, and iPhone 5. One hilarious spot in the ad shows a woman using her not-so-portable iPad to click photographs. The dialogues are also quite clever. For instance, a GALAXY Note user tells an iPhone 5 owner that "2007 had called, it wants its camera phone back" (PROTIP1: hinting that the iPhone's camera is so outdated). Then, the GALAXY Note user retorts with a headbutt, "How's this for a 'drama shot'?" — a reference to the GALAXY S4 feature. Finally, Microsoft once again takes a dig at the popular iPhone 5 ad, which states that “Every day, more photos are taken with the iPhone than any other camera". Of course, the clip obviously plugs the Lumia 1020's camera as its users continue to take snaps from wherever they are seated, mentioning that they have the best seats in the house (PROTIP2: hinting at the 1020's 41 mp camera PureView zoom). Now without further ado, here's the ad in question.
 

TAGS: Mobile Phones, Microsoft, Apple, Nokia, Samsung

Nokia is reportedly readying a 6" handset that runs Windows Phone. If true, then we can say that the Finnish manufacturer, who had so far shied away from big screen devices and stuck to its unique design philosophy, has finally been bitten by the big-screen bug that has been pushed and popularised by rival Samsung. It was only last month that the company had launched the Lumia 625 with a 4.7" screen, which is currently its largest Windows Phone offering. The purported 6" device will surely dwarf the one-month-old sibling, in a bad way.

Codenamed Bandit, the handset is said to be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon quad-core CPU and the display will sport 1080p pixel dimensions. In fact, this could be the first of several Nokia Windows Phone handsets with 1080p displays. While details are sketchy at this point, it is said to be thin and light with a polycarbonate body and a main camera with at least 20 mp imaging sensor. While it is not know when an official announcement will be made, the device will compete with the currently available Samsung GALAXY Mega 6.3.

TAGS: Mobile Phones, Windows Phone, Nokia

Nokia launched the Lumia 625 about a month back with the largest-ever display on a Lumia device, till date. Now, the device is available for pre-order online for Rs 19,500. The smartphone is expected to be available by the end of August. Along with the promised handset,Flipkart is offering free eBooks alongside Nokia Music and movies, and free 3G data for 3 month from Tata Docomo.

Lumia 625 will be available in five colours of Green, White, Yellow, Black, and Orange. With the Lumia 720 available for around Rs 17,000, it will be interesting to see if a larger display (with the same WVGA resolution) is will lure more customers, or the Lumia 720 will stand strong, which we believe is a better all-round phone. Some of the key technical specifications of Lumia 625 include:

• 4.7" WVGA display with 480x800 pixels.
• Windows Phone 8.
• Dual-core 1.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor.
• 5 MP rear camera with Full-HD recording and 0.3 MP front camera.
• 512 MB RAM, 8 GB internal memory and microSD card support of up to 64 GB.
• 2000 mAh battery with a talk time of 23 hours (2G) and 15 hours (3G).
• 3G, Bluetooth 4.0 and microUSB connectivity.
• 5.25" (H) x 2.8" (W) x 0.36" (9.15 mm) (D), 159 grams.
• Available colours: Green, White, Yellow, Black, and Orange.

TAGS: Nokia, Lumia, Windows Phone

The successor to the Lumia 920, and Nokia’s first Metal-clad Windows Phone device, the Lumia 925 has finally reached the Indian shore. The smartphone is currently available from the company’s official e-store and other popular online stores for Rs 34,000.

This smartphone, announced back in May, runs Microsoft's latest Windows Phone 8. Being a Nokia handset, this device packs exclusive apps such as HERE maps, Nokia Music, and digital camera lenses. Similar to the Lumia 920, this one's powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon S4 chipset, featuring a dual-core 1.5 GHz CPU, and Adreno 225 GPU. It has an 8.7 megapixel PureView camera with Carl Zeiss optics, and Optical Image Stabilisation. According to Nokia, the 925 boasts of a 6 lens assembly, which is superior to the 920’s 5 lens module. Connectivity features include Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi, 4G LTE, NFC, and 2000 mAh battery. Similar to the Verizon exclusive 928, you get a 4.5" screen with pixel dimensions of 768x1280. The display is protected by Gorilla Glass 2, with ClearBlack tech for better sunlight legibility. Thanks to Nokia's super-sensitive screen tech, you can use the phone with gloves on.

Moving away from the bold colours, the Lumia 925 will only come in boring Black, White and Grey. For those who want to add a dash of colours can buy additional snap-on wireless (induction) charging covers (compatible with Nokia's charging plate DT-900) that are available in Yellow and Red, along with Black and White.

Nokia has also listed its latest and greatest camera phone Lumia 1020 as coming soon on its official website. For photography enthusiasts, it makes sense to wait for the 1020. Those who prefer a stylish phone should consider the Lumia 925.
 

TAGS: Mobile Phones, Windows Phone, Nokia, Lumia

The much-awaited Amber update for Nokia's Windows Phone devices has finally gone live. This new software is actually Microsoft's WP8 GDR2 with some added bells and whistles from Nokia. Since the Lumia 1020 and 925 run Amber out of the box, the Lumia 920, 820, 720, 620, and 520 will benefit from this update. We can confirm that the software is available for the Lumia 920 in India. However, it seems like owners of Lumia 820, 720, 620, and 520 may have to wait a little longer. According to Nokia, the exact delivery timings will vary by region, but all the WP8 Lumias will be refreshed by the end of September.

Here's what you can expect from the Amber update. The number of features may vary according to the phone model and region.

FM Radio
Yes, finally a FM radio on WP8 phones. Period!

Better Image Processing
The update brings improved algorithms that offer better noise reduction, colour reproduction, exposure control and autofocus to every phone across the Lumia range. On the Lumia 920, controls to adjust the ISO settings of the camera from 800 to 3200 allow for even better low light performance.

Nokia Pro Cam
The much-anticipated Pro Camera app that offers extensive settings on Lumia 1020 is now available for Lumia 920, Lumia 925, and Lumia 928. Once you’ve updated your phone, you can download the app from here.



Nokia Smart Camera
Debuted on the Nokia Lumia 925, this new camera app is similar to HTC One’s sequence shot. You can grab this app by using this link.



Nokia Glance Screen
Perhaps one of the features that has been most requested on Nokia Lumia smartphones. Nokia Glance Screen brings a clock to your screen when the phone is inactive, along with indicators to show the battery level when running on a low battery or the phone is charging, and whether your phone is set to ‘silent’.



Flip to silence and double-tap to unlock
Two favourite features from older Nokia phones that users have asked for. Flipping the phone over is a great and easy way to mute an incoming call. Double tapping the screen is something many people prefer over the unlock key.

You can manually check for the update by going to ‘Settings’ - ‘Phone Update’. In case, you're confused, check out the following video that demonstrates this process.

TAGS: Mobile Phones, Windows Phone, Nokia, Lumia

Nokia has now enabled a new feature called Call and SMS Filter to its Lumia smartphones running Windows Phone 8. With this, users can block unwanted SMS messages and blacklist numbers. The SMS and Calls Filter will be part of the General Distribution Release 2 (GDR2), and will be available for Nokia Lumia 625, Lumia 925, and Lumia 1020. Nokia says that other Lumia devices will get the update shortly.

To use the SMS and Call filter, Lumia users can simply navigate to the list of recent calls via the phone's tile and long tap the number which is to be blocked and then select 'block number'. Nokia also allows users to unblock and manage the list of blocked phone numbers through the Settings menu.

Apart from the blocking/unblocking, Live Tile, and notification can also be activated for a particular "block number filter". Nokia says that the update has started seeding, and users should receive the same in the next couple of days. 

TAGS: Nokia, Lumia, Software, Mobile Phones, Windows Phone

Seeking to give a shot in the arm to its Lumia handsets, Nokia has introduced new buyback schemes for two of its smartphones — the Lumia 520 and 620. While these are already priced aggressively, the Finnish giant is trying to make the deal more appealing with its 'Lumia Smart Buy Back' scheme. Under this initiative, consumers will be offered discounts on the aforementioned Lumia handsets in return of their existing phones.

To avail this offer, consumers will have to produce the original invoice of the handset they wish to trade. In case the bill and warranty card has been misplaced, a photo identity proof would suffice. After assessing the old handset, the dealer will have a final say in determining its exchange value. Based on your phone's condition, the consumer may get a discount ranging from Rs. 4000 to Rs 6000.

Here's the list of applicable handsets for Lumia 520 buyback:

• Nokia: Asha 305, 306, 308, 309, 311, Lumia 510, 610, 710, 800, Nokia 206, E5, E71, E72.
• Samsung: GALAXY Y, Y Duos, GALAXY Pocket Duos, S Duos, GALAXY Chat, Music Duos, Ace, Rex 70, Rex 80, Rex 90.
• Sony: Xperia E, mini, NEO, Tipo.
• HTC: Explorer, Desire C, Desire V.
• Micromax: A87, Canvas 2, Canvas HD.
• LG: Cookie.

For Lumia 620 buyback:

• Nokia: Asha 308, 311, Lumia 510, 610, 710, 800, E72, N8.
• Samsung: Neo, GALAXY Pocket Duos, Y Duos, Music Duos, Ace, Rex 90, S Duos, GALAXY Young.
• BlackBerry: 8520, 9520, 9300.
• Sony: Xperia E, mini, Neo, Tipo.
• HTC: Desire C, Desire V.
• Micromax: Canvas 2, Canvas HD.

So are you ready to switch to a Nokia Lumia? Comment below to let us know.

TAGS: Mobile Phones, Windows Phone, Nokia, Lumia

The Nokia Lumia 925 with a metallic body is now available for pre-order in India. The smartphone with a price tag of Rs 34,000, can be booked via online retailer Flipkart. The e-commerce site claims that the hadset will release in the fourth week of August 2013. Unlike the Lumia 920, the 925 doesn't support wireless (induction) charging out of the box. Those who fancy this feature will be required to buy an additional wireless charging shell.

Nokia's Lumia 925 had been launched in May this year, and the smartphone betters Nokia's earlier flagship, the Lumia 920, in terms of design. Nokia Lumia 925 runs Windows Phone 8, and comes with an 8.7 MP rear camera. The Lumia 925 has the following key technical specifications:

• 4.5" AMOLED WXGA display with 768x1280 pixels.
• Windows Phone 8 operating system.
• 1.5 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon dual-core processor.
• Single-SIM support.
• 8.7 MP rear snapper, a 1.2 MP front camera.
• 1 GB RAM.
• 12 GB internal storage.
• MicroSD card slot wih support for up to 32 GB.
• 3G, Bluetooth 3.0, Wi-Fi, A-GPS, microUSB connectivity.
• 2000 mAh battery, with claimed talk time of 18 hours on 2G and 12 hours on 3G.

Since the innards are identical to that of the 920, expect the performance to be same. With the Nokia Lumia 925 having made it to India, we can expect other Nokia Lumia smartphones including the Lumia 625 and the recently-unveiled Lumia 1020 hit the retail stores in the country.

TAGS: Nokia, Lumia, Windows Phone

The camera-phone market seems to be heating up, as  after Samsung Nokia brought out a camera-smartphone into the market. The Nokia Lumia 1020 with its 1/1.2" 41 MP sensor and six element ZEISS lens setting with optical stabilisation, is quite a beast to boast of. Now, the Finnish manufacturer is all set to show off what's under the hood.

Nokia has released a video that explains everything about the Lumia 1020's imaging. Right from tracking the journey of light from the point it hits the lens, it takes  you through the six-element lens setup and optical image stabilisation to the display. Check out the vieo below for details:

TAGS: Mobile Phones, Nokia, Lumia

Nokia is at it again. After making fun of the iPhone's infamous red-eye camera defect, the Finnish mobile maker has released a new ad, parodying a recent Apple iPhone 5 advert. The video clip mocks the camera capabilities of the iPhone 5, comparing it unfavourably with the Lumia's PureView camera results. The iPhone ad starts with the narrator stating, "Everyday, more photos are taken with the iPhone than any other camera". The Nokia spot features the Lumia 925, which compares photos taken by the two flagship phones of the same subjects in various lighting conditions, with and without flash. Obviously, in each case, the Lumia outshines the iPhone 5. Here's the Nokia Lumia 925 ad:

And this is the original Apple iPhone commercial:

The Nokia Lumia 925 advertisement delivers a scathing "but at Nokia, we believe in building quality, rather than quantity". Mobile phone makers have been taking the integrated cameras seriously for quite some time, because of the convenience they offer due to the portability in a convergent device. Apps dedicated to camera-phones such as Instagram are also quite popular. It is little wonder that the camera has become one of the major USPs of mobile phones with every manufacturer trying to better the other to woo customers.

TAGS: Mobile Phones, Nokia, Apple, Lumia, iPhone

Ahead of the final release of the Amber update for Windows Phone 8, bringing the latest OS release from Microsoft (GDR2) and unofficial custom ROMs with the update for Nokia's Lumia 820 and 920 are already available. The firmware updates are only available for the said devices as of now and you can download them from WindowsMania.pl (Lumia 820, Lumia 920).

Before you go ahead with the update, we must caution you that you will have to do this at your own risk as the process will wipe all the data from the phone including all app settings that you might have made. It can also happen that you might not receive the official update when it releases. However, if you are one of those who love to live dangerously, then head over to NokiaViews and follow the instructions to get started.

The GDR2 update brings a host of improvements to Windows Phone 8 including FM radio activation, Other Storage issue fix, and some minor enhancements to Xbox Music. The Amber update for Nokia phones also adds features such as Glance Screen, and flip to silence among others. The official Amber update is expected in August and knowing that the update is already on Nokia servers, we don't think the wait will be much longer.

TAGS: Mobile Phones, Windows Phone, Nokia, Lumia

Looks like the Grand Virus has finally caught up with Nokia too. When we heard a rumour about the Lumia 625 specifications earlier today, we were hoping that it would be just that - a rumour. But alas, we will indeed have a phone from the Finnish manufacturer with a large 4.7" screen with a pitiful WVGA resolution (800 x 480 pixels). Saving grace, it has a dozen more pixels per inch (ppi) compared to the Samsung GALAXY Grand (199 vs 187). Statistically speaking, Nokia's entry level WP8 phone, Lumia 520 has 233 ppi.

Nokia claims that the screen will have good Sunlight Legibility, High Brightness Mode, Color Enhancement, and Super Sensitive Touch, allowing it to be used even with your gloves on. This Windows 8 phone is powered by a dual-core processor, and sports dual cameras with the main 5 MP camera capable of recording 1080p videos. Connectivity options are available in the form of Wi-Fi, 3G, 4G/LTE, and Bluetooth 4.0. The 2000 mAh battery claims to provide a 3G talk time of 15.2 hours, which actually seems to be too good to be true given its large screen, but would be great if Nokia can walk the talk. Here are the specifications of the handset:

• Windows Phone 8.
• 4.7" multi-touchscreen with pixel dimensions of 480x800.
• 1.2 GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 CPU.
• 512 MB RAM, 8 GB internal storage, Support for up to 64 GB microSDXC.
• 5 megapixel rear camera with autofocus, LED flash, and 1080p@30fps; 0.3 megapixel front camera.
• 3G, 4G/LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0+LE, A-GPS, GLONASS, USB 2.0, 3.5 mm audio jack.
• 2000 mAh battery with up to 15.2 hours 3G talk time.
• 5.25" (H) x 2.8" (W) x 0.36" (9.15 mm) (D), 159 grams.
• Available colours (removable back covers): Red, Green, Yellow, White, Black.

This new handset should be able to provide a viable Windows Phone 8 alternative to the Android-based Samsung GALAXY Grand for those who live by "Bigger the Better" motto. The Lumia 625 certainly seems to be a better looker and is available in multiple colours: red, green, yellow, white, and black. No word on Cyan though. The back cover is expected to be removable and swappable, but it is not clear if the battery can also be removed by the user. It is slated to ship in the third quarter of this year for €220 (approx Rs 17,400) in Europe, but there is no word yet when it will be available in India. Even if it's launched at that price point in India, the Nokia Lumia 720 seems like a clear winner between the two with it's higher ppi screen and a brilliant camera. And did I mention that the 720 is more affordable too?
 

TAGS: Mobile Phones, Windows Phone, Nokia, Lumia

One of the most popular touch-based painting app from Microsoft has finally appeared on the Windows Phone store yesterday. The Fresh Paint app is no different from the Windows 8 application and supports nearly all its features. You can create your own artwork or transform pictures through various filters present in the app. It supports mixing of colours and adjusting brush sizes according to your preferences.

When you are done creating your piece of art, you can share them through email, SkyDrive or text message. The app requires a handset with 1 GB of RAM, so you are out of luck if you are using a Nokia Lumia 520, 620, 720 and HTC 8S.

Update (16-August-2013): The app is now compatible with all WP8 handsets with 512 MB of RAM.

Developer: Microsoft Corporation
Size: 22 MB
Price: Free
Platform: Windows Phone 8
Download: www.windowsphone.com/en-in/store/app/fresh-paint/ab89f9f8-f78b-4fa0-a244-c87d53c14319

TAGS: Download, Windows Phone

As Lumia users continue to look forward to the much-awaited Amber update for Windows Phone 8, here is something that will make you smile. It's popular Cinemagraph lens that has just received an update, says Nokia's official blog.  The app now lets you create cinemagraphs in HD (1080x720 pixels) that will play as a video on HD displays, such as a television, or a PC monitor. It will continue to render as GIF images when viewed on browsers, and other devices though.

Apart from that the app will also support new image filter called colour pop [sic]. This lets you pick selective colours in your images, while turning the rest of it into monochrome. The filter will also let you "fine tune the selection of the colours and extend or limit the area" selected. The upgrade is now available, as is the updated app on the Windows Phone Store. However, this upgrade will work only to make a difference to handsets with a HD screen with over 1 GB of RAM. For more image effects, you can turn to Instance, till Instagram officially graces the Windows Phone platform.

TAGS: Apps, Windows Phone, Nokia, Lumia

Most Nokia phones are perfect for single-handed usage. In brand's the current Lumia line up, the Lumia 920 sports the biggest screen at 4.5 inches. This may change soon, as Tenaa.com.cn reports that the Finnish phone-maker is working on the Lumia 625 with a 4.7" screen. To back their claim, they've posted quite a few images of the yet-to-be released handset, shot from various angles.

As the model number suggests, the Lumia 625 will succeed the 620. The device codenamed Max, is said to have a Super Sensitive screen that you can use with your gloves on. The phone is powered by a 1 GHz dual-core processor, and has 512 MB RAM. Apart from that, you can expect a 5 megapixel camera and 2000 mAh battery. The phone is also speculated to be LTE-compatible.

According to Liveside.net, the phone is expected to cost around CNY 2000 (approx Rs 20,000). It will probably hit the Chinese market by the end of this month. However, there's no word on its international availability.

TAGS: Mobile Phones, Windows Phone, Nokia, Lumia

Ask any average Mumbaikar about road sense, and pedestrian safety and he will gape at you as if you are talking gibberish. In a city where sidewalks become bike ways and hawkers zone, Nokia has decided to bring some change. No, they don’t intend to put up banners educating people about road sense or pedestrian safety.  Instead, they are painting a few (12 to be precise) Zebra crossings in the city with Nokia Asha colours for its #colorisin campaign for a period of 12 months.

However, knowing the spirit of Mumbai, it's not exactly zebra crossing anymore, these will now become randomly coloured lines that cars continue to ignore. Or maybe things will change and these 12 zebra crossings will become the safest in the city. For now though, the priceless expression on the police constable's face gives us all the hope we need!

TAGS: Mobile Phones, Culture, Nokia, Asha

In yesterday's announcement, Stephen Elop, CEO of Nokia, demonstrated how the Pro Camera app unlocks the potential of the Lumia 1020's 41 megapixel camera. As you already know, the app will come preloaded with the Lumia 1020. Thankfully, those who have purchased a current Lumia flagship need not worry, as Nokia Pro Camera will soon be made available for the Lumia 920, 925, and 928. The Finnish giant hasn't specified a timeframe, but we expect the software to start rolling out next month.

The app provides total control over parameters such as shutter speed, exposure, white balance, and ISO. What's more, even after the picture has been snapped, you can reframe it. All this comes with a touch-friendly UI that comprises of scroll wheel and swipe gestures.

Another thing that will please the shutterbugs is the manual focus. Tinkering with these settings, you can achieve the Bokeh effect. Long exposure can be used to capture surreal light trails. Here are a few sample images, published by Nokia.

TAGS: Apps, Mobile Phones, Windows Phone, Nokia, Lumia

In case you are avoiding Nokia's Lumia handsets because it doesn't have a "brimming" app repository, then your perception may change soon. Along with the launch of its much-awaited Lumia 1020 with a 41 megapixel camera sensor, the Finnish handset-maker has promised the arrival of popular apps on the platform. These include an app to post images on Instagram, alongside Vine, Path, and Flipboard apps.

In one of its official press releases, Nokia has announced that popular applications such as Vine, Path, and Flipboard will soon come to the Windows Phone platform. The Oggl PRO which had been announced at the Lumia 925 launch, gives users a legit way to post images on Instagram via Lumia handsets. While the rest are just announcements for now, we can hope for the apps to hit the Windows Phone store well before the handsets make it to Indian shores. Till then, you can use the 6Sec app as an alternative to Vine instead.

TAGS: Apps, Windows Phone, Nokia, Lumia

The Nokia N8 was the unbeatable camera-phone of its time before it was replaced last year by the Nokia 808 PureView – the world's first mobile handset with a 41 megapixel camera. In our tests, the handset did match up to the DSLR's quality in good lighting conditions. While it had outstanding imaging capabilities, the phone was let down by the ageing Nokia Belle (formerly known as Symbian) platform. Needless to say, fans were waiting for the Finnish company to port this camera tech to its modern Lumia line-up. After months of rumours and leaked images, Nokia has finally announced the Nokia Lumia 1020 at its New York event today.

Unlike the 808 PureView, the Lumia 1020 seems perfectly pocketable. This phone is based on Lumia 920's polycarbonate unibody design, and is 10.4 mm at its thickest point. The handsets sport a 4.5" AMOLED screen with pixel dimensions 768x1280. The display is protected by a 2.5D curved Gorilla Glass 3. Thanks to ClearBlack tech, the screen is said to offer relatively better sunlight legibility. And yes, it's a super sensitive screen, which means you can use it even with gloves on. The phone is powered by 1.5 GHz dual-core Snapdragon CPU, and has 2 GB RAM. Internal storage is 32 GB, but there's no microSD card slot.

The USP of course is its 41 megapixel BSI (Backside illuminated) sensor with floating lens technology. It's a 6-lens assembly manufactured by Zeiss (earlier known as Carl Zeiss). There's also a Xenon flash, which is generally found in standalone cameras. The phone can record 1080p at 30 fps with stereo sound. For this Windows Phone 8 device, Nokia has specially designed the Pro Camera app that gives total control over parameters such as shutter speed, exposure, white balance, and ISO. The phone comes with a feature called dual capture. When enabled, it takes a 38 megapixel and 5 mp oversampled picture simultaneously. The high-resolution image can be used for editing, while the 5 mp one can be quickly shared over social networks.

Nokia also announced a Camera Grip accessory that turns Lumia 1020 into a full-fledged camera. This $80 add-on offers a two-stage camera button, tripod compatibility, and 1020 mAh battery pack. The Lumia 1020 will be available in Black, White, and Yellow – no love for Red and Cyan. It will first land on AT&T on 26th of this month, and will be gradually rolled out in the rest of the world. The off-contract pricing pricing will range between $600-650. The India pricing hasn't been announced yet, but given the competition here, it is expected to be priced around Rs 39,000. There is no word on it's India launch though.
 

TAGS: Mobile Phones, Windows Phone, Nokia, Lumia

The official FIFA 13 soccer game is now available for Nokia Lumia smartphones running Windows Phone 8. The game is not free; it costs Rs 300. The FIFA 13 app takes advantage of Nokia Lumia's 3D compatibility. That being said, Xbox users can also lay their hands on FIFA 13.

Lumia and Xbox users choose from 30 available leagues, 500 licensed teams, and 15,000+ players. Users can also select from the 32 stadiums, along with the weather in which to play the game. With the various soccer kits available, FIFA 13 only gets better. Plus, there is a practice mode with which you can hone your virtual soccer skills.

Users shouldn't find the game hard to play, with its simple user controls. FIFA 13 is available as a huge 951 MB file, so its better to stick to a Wi-Fi connection to get the game on your handset.

               

TAGS: Nokia, games, Downloads, Windows Phone

Leading up to the launch of the much-anticipated Nokia Lumia 1020, the exact specification of the 41 MP Windows Phone has been revealed by UnleashThePhones. It seems Nokia is quite poor in keeping secrets. Or may be they just want everybody to sit up and take notice. If these details prove to be accurate, then it would confirm the previously-leaked details of 32 GB onboard storage and absence of wireless charging on the device. While the handset is set to unveiled in matter of hours from now, here's what we know about its specs:

• 4.5" AMOLED WXGA screen with pixel dimensions of 768x1280; protected by 2.5D sculpted glass Gorilla Glass 3.
• 1.5 GHz dual-core Snapdragon CPU.
• 2 GB RAM.
• 32 GB internal storage, 7 GB Skydrive cloud storage.
• PureMotion HD+ ClearBlack.
• Super sensitive touch for nail and glove usage.
• PureView 41 MP sensor with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) with 6 lens optics, Xenon flash; 1.2 MP front camera.
• Includes Nokia Pro Camera mode and Nokia Smart Camera Mode; video capture - 1080p at 30 fps.

• Here Location and Mapping Service: Free global HERE Maps and HERE Drive+, free HERE transit available in the store.
• 130.4 (l) x 71.4 (w) x 10.4 (d) mm; weighs 158 grams.

• USB 2.0, Bluetooth 3.0, NFC with SIM-based security, Wi-Fi, A-GPS, 3.5 mm audio jack.

• 2000 mAh battery.
• Wireless Charging supported via accessory cover.
• Available Colours: Yellow, White, Black.

While these specs look good to be true, a YouTube user Nokia2928, has posted quite a number of videos, claiming to be shot with the Lumia 1020. Watch the videos in HD to know what you can expect from the 41 MP phone. Check out one below; and for more, head over to the user's channel.

TAGS: Nokia, Lumia, Windows Phone

Earlier this year Nokia announced the Amber update for it's Windows Phone 8 handsets. Apart from the  the FM radio functionality (via the GDR2), it is also expected to offer Bluetooth 4.0 support for the Lumia 720, Lumia 620, and Lumia 520. The Amber update will also syncing with Pebble smartwatches.

The Chinese blog Blogjackphone says that the three Lumia Windows Phone 8 smartphones will also receive camera enhancements. Apart from dynamic improvement in colour saturation, the update is also expected to bring sharp photo/image viewability even when using the Zoom In feature. Also look for battery enhancements in the pipeline. The Bluetooth 4.0 driver support will help devices sync with Bluetooth Low Energy, which is extensively used in healthcare, fitness, and security industries.

As of now, Nokia's Lumia smartphone support the older Bluetooth 3.0 (and 3.1) technology. In fact the first generation Nokia Lumia devices lacked the Bluetooth FTP.

The Amber update is expected to reach Lumia smartphones by August, but it is not clear whether it will roll out for earlier devices such as the Lumia 920.

TAGS: Mobile Phones, Software, Windows Phone, Nokia, Lumia

Nokia has announced that its HERE mapping service will be made available to all Windows Phone 8 handsets in several countries. Until now, this service was exclusively available only to Windows Phone 8 handsets from the Finnish mobile maker. Users with WP8 handsets will be able to download the apps for this service at Windows Phone Store by this weekend. However, it is disappointing to know that India not on the list, despite being one of the fastest growing Windows Phone market. The HERE service consists of a bunch of apps that allow offline map navigation, which basically means that you can use your smartphone with GPS to navigate, even without a data connection.

HERE Drive is a turn-by-turn navigation system that uses the offline (and online) HERE Maps and will be free, regionally. Global navigation will require you to upgrade to HERE Drive+, for a price. Also releasing, will be HERE Transit, which shows directions, travel times, and arrivals for public transportation, and this will also be available for free in select countries, which include Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Spain, UK, and US. Nokia has been paying attention to India as we have seen with the recent Asha launch event in New Delhi, but it is not clear why the Finnish manufacturer has been turning a blind eye to one of the fastest growing Windows Phone markets as far as WP handsets from other manufacturers are concerned, namely HTC. While India yet again remains ignored, we can only hope that Nokia opens up its eyes to the ground reality and does the right thing, soon.

Update: HERE has confirmed from its official Twitter account that while HERE Maps will be made available for free for non-Lumia Windows Phone 8 users in India, you will have to pay Rs 2495 for HERE Drive+. HERE Transit will be released only after it is determined that coverage is strong enough in the country and it did not specify if that will be free or paid. Here is the Twitter conversation regarding the same.

TAGS: Software, Apps, Nokia, Windows Phone