Windows Phone

While your fingers are in firmly in control of hand-held devices, they’re guided strictly by your eyes — and Microsoft thinks that’s a waste of your sense of touch. Researcher Hong Tan found that using so-called haptics to add tactile sensations to screens can have some concrete benefits. For instance, by adding a keyboard-like “click” Continue Reading →

At the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this year it was clear Microsoft had a problem: exciting new hardware like Pebble, Nest, and various fitness bands were not fully supported on Windows. Companies appeared to be ignoring Microsoft’s platforms in favor of iOS and Android. Thanks to Windows Phone 8.1, that might be about to change. Continue Reading →

Microsoft is starting to distribute Windows Phone 8.1 to existing Lumia devices this week. The Lumia Cyan update provides the full Windows Phone 8.1 software, alongside some tweaks and customizations specifically for Lumia handsets. Windows Phone 8.1 includes a personal digital assistant in the form of Cortana, a number of new customization features for Live Continue Reading →

If you thought that BlackBerry’s messaging service landed on iOS and Android several years too late, its (late) arrival on Windows Phone takes it to the next level. BlackBerry teased the launch of its BBM messaging service on Windows Phone back in February, and now users can finally get their hands on a beta version, Continue Reading →

As Microsoft continues to evolve Windows Phone in hopes of greater market share, its latest trick could be to support Android apps on its handsets. That’s the latest rumor, according to Eldar Murtzin, a long-time industry insider who has a few correct predictions to his name. Murtzin tweeted the information on Tuesday morning, sounding pretty Continue Reading →

The latest data from Comscore regarding the United States smartphone market isn’t great for Microsoft. The company’s Windows Phone platform managed no growth, ending the May period with a 3 month market share average of 3.4%, the same level that Comscore reported for the platform in February. Android was flat, Apple picked up 0.6%, and Continue Reading →

With the latest versions of its desktop and mobile operating systems, Microsoft synchronizes passwords for websites people visit with the Internet Explorer browser. The sync service means that a password entered on IE11 on Windows 8.1 will be migrated to IE11 running on Windows Phone 8.1, Microsoft said in a blog post on Monday. IE11 Continue Reading →

Microsoft is planning to update Windows Phone to include anti-theft features that will prevent thieves from using devices after they’re stolen. The software maker signed on the CTIA’s Smartphone Anti-Theft Voluntary Commitment in April, and plans to release a software update to the Find My Phone feature of Windows Phone 8.1 ahead of the CTIA’s Continue Reading →

Nokia’s newest phone, the Lumia Icon, may be the most personalized phone I’ve ever touched. A lot of that personalized feel comes from Cortana, Microsoft’s new personal assistant. Cortana is brand new to Windows Phone 8.1 and, just like Siri, can answer questions like “What’s the temperature outside?” But Cortana learns from you in a Continue Reading →

Microsoft is trying to cram Kinect-like features into its future flagship Windows Phone handsets. At least one device, codenamed McLaren, will debut on a range of US carriers later this year with features that let you hover your finger over the screen to interact with games and applications without ever touching the display. Sources familiar Continue Reading →