Skype for Windows Phone got updated with new Compact view for high res displays

One of the complaint that the Skype team has always got by Windows Phone users is that the fonts and messages being too big.

However, this has now got addressed.  Now the Windows Phone high res display users can see atleast six contacts instead of five online in the Skype app. The same rule applies for within conversations where you can see more messages on the display now, saving some scrolling.

Although this is not a big deal , it was one such thing that was being pending since quite a long time.

Take the update and let us know in comments what you think of the changes!

• Download Skype for Windows Phone (Free)

Microsoft granted patent on "inconspicuous mode" to make your device less distracting

Imagine your Windows Phone automatically adjusting its settings on your phone in certain situations to make your phone a less distracting ? Sounds soothing right? Well Microsoft just got granted a patent for a new "inconspitious mode". The company first filed for the patent about a year ago.

Although after Windows Phone 8.1 , the phone already provides a way to quickly silence your device,  (Quiet Hours). "inconspitious mode" would potentially be able to do this automatically. 

This mode would display a limited amount of information on the lock screen and could also mute the sounds and adjust brightness.

However, the application of patent states that it can be activated by a number of factors like location and noise level or could be also triggered when in a movie theatre based on a ticket purchase in your phone's browser.

For more info , stay tuned.

Image Courtesy Windows Central

Microsoft clarifies that Lumia Denim update is just in-name-only for some

The Lumia Denim update is surely going down as one of the most confusing update ever from Nokia (now Microsoft). In the past where the new firmware like Lumia Amber or Lumia Black brough new features to all Lumias e.g Call and SMS blocker, Lumia Denim's exact feature set is only for newer pureview Lumias.

For months its been said that only the Lumia 830, L930 (Lumia Icon) and Lumia 1520 will be seeing the new Lumia 5.0 features brought by Denim.

In an FAQ message, Microsoft answers a presumably obvious question:

FAQ - I have updated Lumia Denim, but the firmware version number was not changed, why?

"Lumia Denim is the marketing name for latest Lumia software update, which is a combination of firmware, OS (operating system) and Lumia exclusive applications. Exact contents coming with Lumia Denim vary depending on the device model, and some devices are not requiring new firmware for the new features to be enabled, so firmware can in some cases remain unchanged."

This answer explains why many people are reporting their devices now say Lumia Denim even if they did not get an update. It appears that under Extras + Info, the change from Cyan to Denim can be triggered by hitting a particular OS version. For some people, this can change based on their Preview for Developerstatus (enrolled versus non-enrolled can change it).

The reason for that "trigger" is that some devices, like a Lumia 520 or Lumia 920, will not get new firmware. However, when they are at the right OS level – either through Preview or official Windows Phone 8.1.1 update – the phone will rightly "switch" to Lumia Denim.

This news may be a bit of a disappointment for the Lumia owners.

Microsoft does need to push newer technology to advance its platform, and Lumia Denim seems to be that evolution. 

Next week, all hopes are on Microsoft to unveil Windows 10 for mobile. Stay tuned for the Jan 21st event !!

Image Courtest : Windows Central

Another exploit in Windows 8.1 and 7 showcased by a Google security researcher

Few weeks ago, Google had outed a vulnerability in Windows. Well ! Google has done it again. This time by a Google security researcher detailed another vulnerability in both Windows 8.1 and Windows 7. Similar to the exploit that Google had previously detailed, this vulnerability could allow a user to impersonate another ID allowing encryption and decryption of data he or she wouldn't have access to.

From the report:

"The issue is the implementation in CNG.sys doesn't check the impersonation level of the token when capturing the logon session id (using SeQueryAuthenticationIdToken) so a normal user can impersonate at Identification level and decrypt or encrypt data for that logon session. This might be an issue if there's a service which is vulnerable to a named pipe planting attack or is storing encrypted data in a world readable shared memory section."

This news comes before a patch has been issued by Microsoft to fix the exploit just similar to the previous report by Google security research. However, it is important to note that the details of these security exploits are subject to a 90 day disclosure deadline. It appears, Microsoft was aware of the issue for quite sometime and fix for this is expected in February patches.

Image Courtesy : Windows Central 

Lumia Camera app shall be expanded to all Windows Phones for Windows 10

As the Windows 10 event is all set for next week to be Live, more information is slowly coming out. A new Camera beta app has been found at the store for internal use by Microsoft.

Images for the app provided to another tech site Windows Central by Leskinen reveal the familiar Lumia Camera app design , although it appeared that ffew features were unique to Lumia Denim like Rich Capture were not present.

Interestingly, the camera app listed HID (Human Interface Devices) bluetooth support, although it is not clear in what context that would be useful for this app.

Currently Lumia devices have minimum two main camera apps, including the Microsoft  default app and Nokia's Lumia camera. It makes sense that Microsoft would want to consolidate things for Windows 10, especially since they now own the Lumia camera app code.

As announced earlier, Microsoft is expected to announce a Phone Insider program this week for Windows 10 on mobile.

Till then , stay tuned

Image Courtesy : Windows Central

Microsoft announces the ultra-affordable Lumia 435 and Lumia 532

Roughly after a couple of hours post the news of mysterious Lumia 532 passed through Brazil's equivalent of the  FCC, Microsoft made the news true by making the device official. The Redmond giant also launched the Lumia 435 in both single and dual Sim versions at a price tag of $80 before taxes making it the most affordable Lumia handset ever.

Now lets talk about the specs !

Lumia 435

The Lumia 435 features a 4-inch WVGA display clocked at 1.2 GHz dual core Snapdragon 200 CPU with a 1 GB RAM , 8 GB internal storage and 2 MP rear camera , VGA front shooter and a 1560 mAh battery. For its software, obviously it is running Windows Phone 8.1 with Denim update out of the box and also the users will be able to access HERE's suite of services for free (thanx to Microsoft's licensing deal with Nokia)

The Lumia 435 will be available in bright Green, bright Orange , white and black and will start rolling out in select countries in Europe , APAC and IMEA in February.

Lumia 532

The Lumia 532 is another budget device , but the device features a more improved hardware in the form of quad core Snapdragon 200 CPU. The camera is 5MP at the back compared to 2MP of Lumia 435. The rest of hardware is more or less similar along with the colors available . The price tag is a $93 before taxes and will set to roll out in Europe , APAC & IMEA in February.

Lumia 532 is also available in single and dual SIM versions.





So what do you guys thing of these latest ultra budget handsets ?

Windows & Windows Phone stores now comprises over 560,000 apps!

Microsoft has just updated its official combied number of Modern apps that are currently available in its Windows & Windows Phone stores to a whooping number of 560,000 apps.

Last updated, Microsoft said the store contained 527,000 apps from both stores last year.
Its a good news for Windows and Windows Phone fans and users out there. The updated stats comes even as Microsoft gets ready to move all of its Modern apps to one app store for the launch of Windows 10 later in 2015 .

Source : Microsoft