All current Windows Phones can get Windows 10, flagship 'later this summer'

With Windows 10 for phones around the corner, at least in a preview, the question still on many people's minds is 'What about my phone?'

The issue is both simple and complicated. Let's break it down.

Short Answer

Yes, all current Windows Phone 8 and 8.1 devices can get Windows 10 as an upgrade. Sure, there could be some restrictions (mostly the camera), but the Lumia 530 and Lumia 635 are just as likely to get this update as the Lumia 1520 and Lumia 930.

Microsoft was certainly showing off all of their current phones with Windows 10 today and boasting about this fact.

Even for the Windows 10 preview program, all of those phones should be able to get the upgrade. Microsoft has said this for a while now, so this isn't even news. However, I can state that as of today, they are still sticking to that message.

Longer Answer

Carriers. You know how they are. They still play a role in which phones get updated and which do not so they still have some power here. However, since Microsoft has a preview program (both for early builds and one for later builds), people have options.

Flagship and release

As mentioned earlier, Microsoft was hitting the message hard that a flagship Lumia phone is on the horizon. Ifi Majid, director of product marketing for Microsoft Mobile Devices, mentioned that such a phone (and updates for current phones) were likely "later this summer".

For some time, I have noted that I do not expect a flagship until summer time, aligning with a proper Windows 10 release, and this is still the case. I'll have more on this maybe tomorrow as to my thoughts about how and why on this timing. For now, I'd plan on that timeframe.

News & Image Courtesy Windows Central

Hike messenger for Windows Phone gets new stickers, faster uploads and more in latest update

Hike messenger for Windows Phone has being bumped to version 2.9.2.0 in the latest update. It has got a number of features like faster uploads, faster app launching , new stickers etc.

Here's a list of all that's new in version 2.9.2.0, according to the changelog:

• Lighter Than Ever: We put on a lot of weight last year, so we hired a trainer and went on a strict diet! We're super happy to announce we are now under 10 MB in size!
• 3 New Sticker Categories: We are working overtime at bringing the full Sticker Shop to you. In the meantime get the latest 3 popular sticker packs - College, Marathi and Festivals.
• Quick Upload: We've added a little hike magic to bring lightning fast uploading of photos & videos especially over 2G networks and in low network areas!
• Send Uncompressed Images: You have taken the best photo or selfie ever and it's time to share it with your friends. What happens after you send that awesome photo? Image gets compressed, the quality drops significantly. There goes your killer photo. Good thing is that this will never happen again! Now choose to send uncompressed original quality or compressed images.
• Shared Media: Quickly access all the media shared centrally in one place.
• Turn Off Notification of Friends Joining hike
• Download Settings: Now use data smartly by choosing when to download media depending on the network & media type

The built in India messaging app is gaining good traction off late in the country and elsewehere . Thanks to its offers like privacy mode, theme pack, sending messages to offline contacts and more.

Download the Hike messenger from here

Image courtesy Windows Central

Highlights from Windows 10 keynote briefing are now available online

Microsoft has yet to post the entire keynote presentation from Wednesday's Windows 10 consumer briefing to its Youtube channel, the company has however uploaded a brief video going over the highlights of the almost 2 hour event.

You can check out a replay of the full Windows 10 keynote event here.

Also below is the video of Microsoft's Xbox channel on Youtube where Spencer's full 18 minute presentation from the Windows 10 event, where he talked about the all new DirectX 12.

All set for Windows 10 event now Live !

We are all set for the #Windows 10 event held live from Redmond based headquarters. People can watch the event live at here .

The event starts in the next 15 minutes. So stay tuned for more updates and click the above link to watch the Live event !

We are pretty much excited !
What are you expecting from today's event ?

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