lis
30
There’s been a lot written on the Nokia Lumia 920 this week, and I’ve made it my job to find the best of it and bring it all to you in one compact package. Yes, it’s round up time.
Let’s begin at the beginning, with an unboxing and some first impressions from Juan Bagnell from Your Tech Report:
With the screen being taken to ‘an entirely new level’ and preformance that has ‘improved significantly’, Juan is a big, big fan of the phone. So there’s Juan’s considered, well-balanced views, and then there’s this (almost as good).
For further first thoughts (try saying that quickly!) we turn to Daily Mobile’s Kevin Everett and his video:
He doesn’t know what ‘all the hubbub’ was about with other people talking about the weight of the phone, and finds it ‘much zippier’ than previous iterations. Also with the new screen layout he’s able to fit all his previous home screen tiles, but in a lot more compact space.
Finally for today, how about a rather extreme test of the OIS (Optical Image Stabilisation) – strapping the Lumia 920 to the front of a Jeep while off-roading around the sand dunes of Dubai? Mesmerizing and a little…hypnotic.
All part of their Lumia 920 week, and all awesome.
That’s the round up – what do you think? Will you be getting your hands on a Nokia Lumia 920? Anything to ask any of the guys featured here? Pop over to their sites and ask, or let us know here (or on Twitter) and we’ll pass them along 
[Image credit: Slashgear]
Tags: None
lis
30
The Lumias are out and the quest has begun! It’s been a couple of weeks now since we teamed up with LeiVanKash and launched the #NokiaLVK fashion quest, and we’ve seen some tremendous entries so far, like the one above from the incredible Korean Doll, Angela.
The mood boards don’t stop there though. We’re still looking for the top boards from our #NokiaLVK participants to provide inspiration for LeiVanKash to create a one-of-a-kind jewellery masterpiece! Not only that, but one winner will be whisked to London to spend time in Leila’s studio to help create their very own bespoke piece.
Here are some of the highlights from boards we’ve seen so far, many of which have been put together using our exclusive Style Saint app (which Leila herself uses to gather info and inspiration):
From Mia and her OOTD (Outfit Of The Day) board (great use of the phone):
Crystal Phuong accessorised – and we definitely think she was inspired by the colour of the Nokia Lumia 900
Angela has obviously been spending some time (and money!) in her native Milan absorbing the fashion that permeates the atmosphere there. Look at all the shoes!
That’s just a very small selection of what we’ve seen entered so far, and there’s still plenty of time to show us what you can do as part of our #NokiaLVK fashion quest!
Lights, Lumia, action!
Tags: None
lis
30
I would like to think that there is an artist within each and every one of us. I think this particularly when I am wandering around a gallery looking at examples of modern art!
How often have you thought, ‘I can do better than that?’ Well, now you can.
There is nothing more modern than creating art on your mobile phone. The touch screen is a natural canvas for you to show off your talents and to experiment to your heart’s content.
Think of all the advantages of using your phone to make art… Don’t like what you’ve done? Start again with zero waste! Why wait for a gallery to show off your work when you can just email a jpeg it to your friends or post to social networks?
There’s no need to buy lots of expensive equipment and you can use different effects with a tap of the screen.
Feeling inspired? Here are some apps in the Nokia Store that I have been using on my Nokia Asha 311 to create, ahem, art.
As an artist you’ll no doubt appreciate the freedom that this app provides. Pick a colour and swipe your finger across the screen to start painting.
There is a practically limitless palette of colours for you to choose from, you can choose the thickness of the brush and, of course, you can easily erase any bits you don’t like.
You can save your favourite pieces, although sadly there are no sharing options. All in all though, this is a really easy and fun app to use, and a great place to start.
The emergence of street artists such as Banksy has somehow transformed graffiti from being seen as a social menace to a highly lucrative career option for hooded youths who can handle a spray can.
There is no doubting that graffiti has its own unique look and this app does a good job of replicating that urban sensibility.
There are eight colours for you to choose from, three brush sizes and, most realistically of all, different background patterns as well. Is that a nice plain wall, I see?
This is, strictly speaking, not a pure drawing app but those of us who are artistically challenged will appreciate its charms very much.
The app takes one of your existing photos and applies natural sketching effects to them, so it’ll look like you drew it yourself. Vincent van Gogh, eat your heart out! (Or should that be cut your ear off?)
There are some pretty effects to choose from such as pencil sketch, colour sketch or a charcoal effect. When you’re finished, you can set it as your Asha’s wallpaper to show off to the world.
This is a drawing app neatly disguised in a strategy game that works on your knowledge of geometry and appreciation of perspective – two qualities that every artist needs.
The aim is to trace the shape and drawings shown on the screen without lifting up your finger or going back over the same lines. Sounds simple? Give it a go!
One Touch is a nice way of making you think about how different shapes fit together and to get your finger swiping across the screen in long fluid strokes.
Finally, this is not, strictly speaking, a drawing app but it has been included to help inspire and be something of a muse to fire up your talents.
It is a continuously updated list of the best art, photography and design that has been pinned to the popular imaging ‘noticeboard’ Pinterest.
Take a look and try creating some great art of your own on the Nokia Asha. Let us know how you get on in the comments below.
Tags: None
lis
30
Ever feel like you live in your car? Well, if you’re from US, you wouldn’t be far wrong. According to a report by Commerzbank, the average American spends 541 hours, or more than three weeks a year driving. Europeans drive less, but still clock up an amazing 274 hours a year. What’s more, this figure is getting higher every year. However, thanks to the wonders of Bluetooth headsets, time in the car is no longer wasted; we can now chat and even work while on the road. Not all headsets, though, are created equal.
1. It keeps your eyes on the road.
Start your engines for the Nokia Bluetooth Headset BH-310, the ultimate in-car calling kit. This stylish device has been especially created to make communicating while driving as safe and convenient as possible. First off, thanks to Always Ready, a unique Nokia innovation, answering calls is easier than ever. Simply pick up the headset from the charging cradle to answer calls and replace it to end them. There’s no need to even touch your phone, so your eyes need never leave the road.
2. It keeps your conversation clear
The last thing you want to do while chatting in the car is to shout to be heard. The Nokia BH-310 has not one, but two integrated microphones to ensure your voice is easily picked up. It also features DSP (digital signal processing) technology, which reduces annoying background noise, and an automatic sound adjustment feature that compensates for changes in volume. Combined, these innovations mean you can be sure the person you’re talking to can hear you no matter how loud the traffic.
3. It’s designed for maximum comfort
In the same way the interior of a car is designed for maximum comfort, the Nokia BH-310 has been designed for maximum comfort in your ear. Its stylish ergonomic design is complemented by a choice of three different earpiece sizes. What’s more, when you leave your car, the in-box belt clip lets you take the headset with you to use wherever you are.
4. It puts convenience in the driving seat
Driving can be a fiddly business, so you don’t want to complicate it even more by having a fiddly headset. Fortunately, besides being Bluetooth enabled, the Nokia BH-310 has NFC, meaning that you just tap the headset and you’re connected. No NFC phone, no worries. The headset’s voice guidance helps you pair it with your phone and indicate battery and connection status. And if you’re someone who has a personal and a work phone, you’ll be happy to hear the multi-point function allows you to connect to two phones at once.
5. It takes battery power up a gear
Part of the genius of the Nokia BH-310 is that its cradle is also a complete car charging kit. What this means in practice is that while sitting idle, it’s constantly powering up. Consequently, the headset has an extended talk time of 5 hours and an amazing standby time of 2160 hours! Enough to ensure you’ll never be caught short.
If you want to talk longer and drive safer, then the Nokia BH-310 is your perfect car companion. Why not take it for a test drive and see for yourself how it’s miles ahead of the competition.
Tags: None
lis
30
Remember when… No, wait… It’s at the back of my mind and right on the tip of my tongue… What was I going to say?
Our memory has let us all down at one point or another. The best that we can hope for is that it doesn’t happen at crucial moments such as school exams or job interviews!
Much like working out to keep your body in shape, there are also mental exercises you can do to keep your mind sharp as well. Many people play chess for this very reason.
In the Windows Phone Marketplace there are many apps designed for the express purpose of helping you to improve your memory.
While I have never stepped foot inside a gym, I am very much open to the idea of sitting down, having a cup of tea and playing with some apps on my Nokia Lumia to aid my self-improvement.
The aim of this game is to watch and remember the sequence of green squares as they light up across the grid on your Lumia’s screen. The sequence gets longer and longer with every successful effort.
This is very similar to the classic Simon Says game (of which there are many variants in the Windows Phone Marketplace) but I think it is much more challenging because the grid is bigger.
You can also change the difficulty level by playing on smaller grids and there are suitably pleasing sound effects (oddly, especially when you lose) and vibration options for you to choose from.
Many parents with small children will be familiar with the ‘matching pairs’ gameplay that drives Memorina.
You are given a split-second glance of all the cards before they are turned over. Your challenge is to memorise each card and match it with its identical pair. It sounds easy doesn’t it? Well, there’s also the time limit for you to consider.
This is a devilishly addictive game that genuinely gets harder and harder the further you progress. Plus, don’t let the pictures of children’s toys put you off. This is great memory training for adults too.
This game really lives up to its title as I found it really difficult – obviously I don’t have enough of those brainy cells in my head.
The aim is uncover the random pattern of icons in the grid, of which there are many sizes and shapes to choose from, in the shortest time possible.
When you first start you won’t know if there’s an icon underneath the tile. If there is an icon there, remember its position.
Each time you select an empty tile all the other successful icons that you’ve found will turn themselves over. In effect, you have to start again. Can you remember where they were again?
Flashdeck isn’t a game but an interactive utility designed to help you remember the answers to specific questions.
The premise is very simple and will bring back memories to students all over the world: You create a card with the question on one side and the answer on the reverse.
Once you’ve filled out your cards, the app then quizzes you on your knowledge of them. It keeps the score so you can track your progress. This is a great tool whether you are studying for exams or if you’re learning a new language.
This is a paid app, but the trial version is well worth trying out. You are limited to creating two decks with just five cards in each, whereas the paid version has no limits.
One of the ultimate tests of having a great memory is the ability to remember as many digits of Pi as you can, so it would be remiss of me not to include this app.
Using PiMaster you can memorise up to 10,000 digits of Pi and then test yourself to see if you’ve got the sequence right. Or not.
Also, while 10,000 digits sounds impressive it might be worth bearing in mind that the official world record stands at a mind-boggling 67,890 digits by Lu Chao of China. That’s what you call a good memory.
Have you used any of these apps to help improve your memory? Let us know in the comments below.
Tags: None
lis
30
The Nokia Lumia 920 has been called the world’s most innovative smartphone. It’s a bold claim, however, it does have a ton of features, which show us how the future of mobile tech looks. But more than that, the Nokia Lumia 920 also packs in not one but five technology firsts.
Pentaband LTE support
Nokia has led the way when it comes to pentaband 3G radios in its phones, so it was a natural progression to build the world’s first smartphone with pentaband LTE. This means you’ll be able to use LTE, which is capable of speeds up to ten times faster than traditional 3G networks, with more carriers, in even more places around the world.
Super sensitive touch
Maybe it’s not surprising when you consider Finland’s sub zero winters, but the Nokia Lumia 920 is also the first smartphone to have a touchscreen so sensitive, you can operate it with gloves, mittens, nails and even certain pens. This new super sensitive touch technology is the biggest leap forward for capacitive touchscreens since multi-touch gestures were introduced. It’s also worth noting that this super sensitivity doesn’t make the screen any more fragile, affect the water resistance, or increase the likelihood of coins or keys in your pocket accidentally making calls on your behalf.
Optical Image Stabilization
The Nokia Lumia 920 is the first ever smartphone globally available with Optical Image Stabilization. Thanks to a camera module pairing both sensor and lens-based optical IS, still images and HD video captured with the Lumia 920 will be steady, even if your video shooting hand isn’t.
60 FPS HD display refresh rate
The Nokia Lumia 920’s PureMotion HD+ is the latest technology advancement in smartphone displays. We’ve already talked about its sensitivity, but it’s also one of the brightest and most pixel dense displays out there. What’s more, it’s the first smartphone in the world to deliver a full 60 frames-per-second (FPS) without any blurring. This means no more lag or pixelated video and ghost images appearing as your screen moves. Thanks to an IPS type LCD display, which is given a higher voltage difference when changing states, you’ll enjoy a clean transition from frame to frame, even when operating at top speeds.
Integrated wireless charging
The Nokia Lumia 920 is the first integrated wireless charging smartphone, available worldwide, with the technology built right into the handset. Compatible with the Qi wireless standard, the Lumia 920 not only uses a wide selection of Nokia wireless charging accessories, but can be charged anywhere using Qi, such as the Virgin Atlantic lounge in London’s Heathrow airport.
Of course there’s plenty more innovation packed inside, but these world firsts just go to show why the Nokia Lumia 920 deserves its title as the world’s most innovative smartphone.
Image credit: Pasukaru76
Tags: None
lis
30
The best innovations in technology are often the ones that combine simplicity with a sprinkle of magic. Think about the first time you connected a device to WiFi or the first time you made a video call with Skype.
Our latest app for the Nokia Lumia 820 and Lumia 920, PhotoBeamer, offers a similarly amazing new experience for smartphone users.
Download PhotoBeamer 
- Press the Search button on your Nokia Lumia and then tap Vision
- Scan the QR code
- Tap on the link when it appears on the screen
- Install the application from the Windows Phone Store
This is what happens. You install the app and use it to look at pictures in your gallery. As soon as you open a picture, you’re told to go to photobeamer.com in any web browser (not the one on your phone!).
Point the phone camera at the QR code that appears on the website, tap it when it’s visible on the camera screen, and then the magic happens.
Your photos are automatically transmitted to the website and shown on the screen without another click. It’s the fastest and most adaptable way to show off your pictures we’ve seen.
Simplicity is hard to do
Of course, behind the scenes, there’s quite a lot of complexity going on that’s required to allow things to happen so quickly and simply.
David Fredh, who joined Nokia as part of the recent acquisition of imaging know-how from Scalado, is the lead product manager behind the app. David explains: “We had two main aims for PhotoBeamer: to make sharing as simple as possible. But also to make it as fast as possible.”
The QR code is, of course, unique every time the site is opened, and as soon as you’ve scanned it, the app starts sending your pictures, caching them for fast performance as you scroll back and forth through a set.
Images are streamed progressively from the device to the target screen. Thanks to this optimisation of the data, PhotoBeamer can work even on a standard 3G connection, as well as 4G and WiFi.
Samuli Hänninen, who heads up Nokia’s imaging efforts, commented: “It’s great to see the first full delivery from our colleagues in the new Lund office, and a terrific product that reaffirms Nokia’s leadership in the imaging space.”
Tags: None
lis
30
The Lumias are out and the quest has begun! It’s been a couple of weeks now since we teamed up with LeiVanKash and launched the #NokiaLVK fashion quest, and we’ve seen some tremendous entries so far, like the one above from the incredible Korean Doll, Angela.
The mood boards don’t stop there though. We’re still looking for the top boards from our #NokiaLVK participants to provide inspiration for LeiVanKash to create a one-of-a-kind jewellery masterpiece! Not only that, but one winner will be whisked to London to spend time in Leila’s studio to help create their very own bespoke piece.
Here are some of the highlights from boards we’ve seen so far, many of which have been put together using our exclusive Style Saint app (which Leila herself uses to gather info and inspiration):
From Mia and her OOTD (Outfit Of The Day) board (great use of the phone):
Crystal Phuong accessorised – and we definitely think she was inspired by the colour of the Nokia Lumia 900
Angela has obviously been spending some time (and money!) in her native Milan absorbing the fashion that permeates the atmosphere there. Look at all the shoes!
That’s just a very small selection of what we’ve seen entered so far, and there’s still plenty of time to show us what you can do as part of our #NokiaLVK fashion quest!
Lights, Lumia, action!
Tags: None
lis
30
One of the things I love the most about the relentless march of new technology is how quickly people are able to adapt and, almost by stealth, establish new paradigms.
The evolution of mobile phones is a good case study for future anthropologists.
People around the world have consistently shown their ingenuity in how they are using their mobile phones. Text-speak and the rise of SMS is a prime example. In many countries, SMS is now far more popular than actually talking on your phone.
Also, when the very first mobile phone came out, who could have predicted how important location services and cameras would become? It all seemed to happen because that’s just how most people were using their mobiles.
These new shifts are not confined to cutting edge phones either. People without smart devices are still finding smart ways of using the ‘dumb’ phones that they do have.
One way they are doing this is the phenomenon that’s become known as ‘beeping’.
Big beeps
Put simply, beeping is when you call someone and then hang up after it has rung for a split-second. Think of it as giving someone a quick nudge or shout across the room.
What does the beep mean? It can mean anything but crucially it will be understood between the two parties. Some common messages for beeps are things such as ‘please come and pick me up’ or simply ‘I’m thinking of you, please call me back.’
The practice is particularly common in emerging economies like India, Pakistan and the African nations.
It’s popular because it’s practically free and means that if the second party does want to speak to you, then they’ll have to call you back and bear the burden of paying for that phone call.
It is also just a very simple and efficient way of getting your message across. Who needs words, when a beep says it all?
The repertoire
Beeping was first identified a few years ago in Rwanda by Microsoft researcher Richard Donner, who wrote a paper called The Rules of Beeping.
He said that beeping was:
“A simple strategy to redistribute telecommunications costs and as a form of code which, intentionally or not, serves to strengthen relationships and reinforce social norms.”
Mr Donner identified three major kinds of beeps and how they were being used:
- Most common of all are callback beeps. They are a “request” that the recipient return the beeper’s missed call with a voice call.
- Prearranged shorthand beeps. For example, ‘beep me when you’ve finished your shopping and I’ll come to pick you up.’
- Relational beeps are made between friends and expect no reply or action to be taken. It’s used for simple greetings such as ‘hello’ or ‘goodnight.’
The rules
As well as the different kinds of beeps, Mr Donner also found that hierarchies and social conventions have also arisen around beeping.
For example, callback beeps are sent to people with more money than you because they can afford to pay for the call. Likewise, you can send them to friends and family if you have run out of minutes.
There are also occasions when beeping is frowned upon, such as when you are hoping for favourable treatment from the person you are beeping. A man who is courting a girl should not beep her either. Who said romance was dead?
Beeping off
In its simplest form you can think of beeping as a kind of Morse code. Strangers to countries where it is practiced may well find it annoying and confusing, particularly if you keep answering your phone quickly before the caller can hang up!
Even in the UK, I have heard anecdotal evidence that a form of beeping was used among some families with the old fixed-line phones to relay simple messages – “ring the phone twice to let me know you’ve arrived home safely,” and that sort of thing [Ian – we did when I was a kid to let my grandmother know we’d got home].
So, beeping is not exactly new but mobile phone technology has helped it to become a major cultural phenomenon around the world.
Will it last? As Richard Donner said, cheaper operator deals and other disruptive technologies such as instant messaging may very well reduce its popularity. For now though, I think it’s clever, witty and long may they keep on beeping.
Image credits: IIDC and whiteafrican
*Beeping is also known as flashing, but don’t confuse this with wiping or upgrading your phone’s software or firmware, which is also commonly referred to as flashing.
Tags: None
lis
30
Ever feel like you live in your car? Well, if you’re from US, you wouldn’t be far wrong. According to a report by Commerzbank, the average American spends 541 hours, or more than three weeks a year driving. Europeans drive less, but still clock up an amazing 274 hours a year. What’s more, this figure is getting higher every year. However, thanks to the wonders of Bluetooth headsets, time in the car is no longer wasted; we can now chat and even work while on the road. Not all headsets, though, are created equal.
1. It keeps your eyes on the road.
Start your engines for the Nokia Bluetooth Headset BH-310, the ultimate in-car calling kit. This stylish device has been especially created to make communicating while driving as safe and convenient as possible. First off, thanks to Always Ready, a unique Nokia innovation, answering calls is easier than ever. Simply pick up the headset from the charging cradle to answer calls and replace it to end them. There’s no need to even touch your phone, so your eyes need never leave the road.
2. It keeps your conversation clear
The last thing you want to do while chatting in the car is to shout to be heard. The Nokia BH-310 has not one, but two integrated microphones to ensure your voice is easily picked up. It also features DSP (digital signal processing) technology, which reduces annoying background noise, and an automatic sound adjustment feature that compensates for changes in volume. Combined, these innovations mean you can be sure the person you’re talking to can hear you no matter how loud the traffic.
3. It’s designed for maximum comfort
In the same way the interior of a car is designed for maximum comfort, the Nokia BH-310 has been designed for maximum comfort in your ear. Its stylish ergonomic design is complemented by a choice of three different earpiece sizes. What’s more, when you leave your car, the in-box belt clip lets you take the headset with you to use wherever you are.
4. It puts convenience in the driving seat
Driving can be a fiddly business, so you don’t want to complicate it even more by having a fiddly headset. Fortunately, besides being Bluetooth enabled, the Nokia BH-310 has NFC, meaning that you just tap the headset and you’re connected. No NFC phone, no worries. The headset’s voice guidance helps you pair it with your phone and indicate battery and connection status. And if you’re someone who has a personal and a work phone, you’ll be happy to hear the multi-point function allows you to connect to two phones at once.
5. It takes battery power up a gear
Part of the genius of the Nokia BH-310 is that its cradle is also a complete car charging kit. What this means in practice is that while sitting idle, it’s constantly powering up. Consequently, the headset has an extended talk time of 5 hours and an amazing standby time of 2160 hours! Enough to ensure you’ll never be caught short.
If you want to talk longer and drive safer, then the Nokia BH-310 is your perfect car companion. Why not take it for a test drive and see for yourself how it’s miles ahead of the competition.
Tags: None
