WPAPPITUP winner receives HTC Mazaa running Mango RTM ! [Update: HTC Mazaa in action]

Microsoft held a special contest for Dream Spark registered students called WPAppitUp. The idea was simple: make a prototype that impresses Microsoft using Sketchflow Template for Windows Phone and 50 great designs will win a developer device running Mango.

By Rahul Mathur

All you need to know about Fujitsu - Toshiba 's first Windows Phone Mango device IS12T

Futijsu - Toshiba in a press conference in Tokyo early today announced their first Windows Phone powered smartphone running Mango (first officially unveiled Mango device) called IS12T exclusively available on Japanese carrier KDDI. A bit awkward by all standards and most probably  "IS12T" will probably be the final product name when it launches later in September this year. PR, specs and video walkthrough after the break. This doesn't come as a surprise, fyi. We reported about this joint launch exclusively with KDDI some time back. 

By Rahul Mathur

Upcoming Windows phone handsets in 2011

Which mill never closes down, even in the worst of economies? The rumor mill. The juicy rumors that have caught our eye are those regarding new WP7(.5) hardware. From the new OEMs announced at Microsoft's latest event to the desperate Nokia, here's a list of all the rumored upcoming handsets on OEM road maps

Look who joined the new kid in the block.


Nokia:

Will they look like this??

Ever since Stephen Elop's memo to the employees at Nokia and his decision to choose WP over Android as their main OS (woohoo!), new hardware has been imminent. Images have been leaked and so have some tasty rumors regarding them. Here are the cold facts
1. Nokia will be launching their first WP devices in the UK around fall. Whether the US will get Nokia's or not is still shrouded in darkness
2. All their phones will run Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango) and might have a bit of a custom overlay on top of them along with their Ovi services, now renamed to ‘Nokia Services’
3. There is a high possibility of them releasing phones in quick succession to regain market share.

Gorgeous screens, great hardware and a great OS. Can Nokia make a comeback with these

Now to the rumors, expect Nokia to meet all the minimum requirements and put out a high end device. They also suggest the phones will belong to a 'W' series starting with the W7 and W8. They are also rumored to have an AMOLED screen with Nokia's Clear Black Display coating on it.
Whether they will have Nokia's EDoF camera technology or not is any one's guess, but for their flagships Nokia has usually gone with Carl Zeiss (which is better) for it's camera requirements.

HTC:

Can HTC’s camera troubles end with this phone?

The Taiwanese company had announced it's decision to launch WP7 devices last year and kept to it's promise with a set of quality phones. AT&T's road-map conformed the HTC Brandon, a previously rumored Windows Phone device with a monstrous 16MP camera. Later evidence (the pictures above) suggest it was of the resolution 4000x3000p making it a 12MP camera. HTC isn't exactly known for it's camera quality but this might prove to be a turning point. Different sensors and lenses perhaps (high grade hopefully).
With HTC's track record expect to see a few more phones after Mango's official release.


Acer:

Will the dummy get smart?

It's one of the new OEMs who have decided to board the WP train. A few months ago, at Computex 2011, an Acer WP device was spotted -Acer W4 . It was a dummy though, but at least the specs were displayed beside it. It sports a 3.6" WVGA (480x800) LCD display. It doesn't seem to be a global phone as there are two different models according to the specifications given above. Other specifications were the Microsoft standard and nothing hair-raising.

Asus:
Is that a front-facing camera up there?

Although there has been no news regarding an Asus WP device, expect one because it was an Asus device that was used to demo the new OS at this year’s Windows Phone Event. Regarding the specifications nothing is known, but since it has been used in this years event it will probably follow the requirements to the last letter.


Sony Ericsson:

Will Sony Ericsson release another phone with a Microsoft made OS?

Prototypes of Sony Ericsson WP devices were leaked last year but Sony vehemently denied any truth in them (possibly because WP supports Xbox Live and promoting that might seem like weakness to the PlayStation makers). But if a device was ready it would be having a screen powered by Sony's Bravia technology. Software-wise don't, expect Microsoft to be lenient about the version running in the handsets

Regarding other OEMs nothing is known just. Rumors will increase as we inch closer to Mango's release date. Maybe a SUPER AMOLED PLUS display in Samsung's next or NOVA technology in LG's next.
When will the new ones come out?

Keep your eyes and ears peeled and keep visiting us for news folks.

By Sameer

Detailed overview of officially available Windows Phone devices in India

The exponential growth of the mobile phone market over the past few years is largely due to the wide variety of handsets available. The handsets differ in their hardware, their design, their working and most importantly the Operating System. Every OS has its ups and downs. Some have more ups and some more downs. Most of the Major OSes have an App Store that allows you to install/buy new apps that help improve the functionality of the device. Microsoft’s latest OS- Windows Phone 7 Operating system, has a thriving ecosystem with a variety of handsets from various manufacteres and a growing App Store. So when it comes to deciding which WP7 phone you want you’d have to make some decisions.

All WP7 phones work in the same way due to certain restrictions by the folks at Redmond.Microsoft has forbidden OEMs to customize their handsets thus eliminating the problem of fragmentation but unfortunately not leaving much room for manufacturers to differentiate their handsets. So as a customer you will be treated to the following irrespective of the handset.

1. A minimum of a 3.5” screen of WVGA resolution (800x480p)

2. A 1GHz Snapdragon Processor

3. 512 MB RAM and a minimum of 8GB of storage.

4. A 5MP auto-focus camera with a LED flash capable of 720p video recording and also a 2 step camera button.

5. 25 GB of free storage in Microsoft’s cloud, i.e. Skydrive.

Here’s a list of handsets and their prices in India and/or their unsubsidized prices.

1. HTC Mozart

The HTC Mozart is a quality handset with a cheesy namefrom the Taiwanese manufacturer. With a sleek brushed aluminum unibody it is a tough cookie. It also comes with a 3.7” S-LCD screen which claims to be more power efficient and much better viewing angles and contrast. It comes with HTC’s hub and Dolby Mobile and SRS sound enhancements. The camera is advanced to 8MP and comes with a powerful Xenon flash but performs worse than what is found in the Trophy and other handsets.

With 8GB inside and no microSD card slot you might find the memory a bit low. But as a handset it is quite flawless and there are no problems with updates that some phones have faced. Call quality is again reported to be quite decent with not much trouble catching signals. Battery life is said to be decent and might take you through a whole day’s of use

In India the official price is Rs. 26,000 and the unsubsidized price in the US is $550.

Rating in different sites:

Cnet: 3.5/5

TechRadar: 3.5/5

Engadget: 7/10

2. HTC HD7

The sequel to the widely successful HTC HD2 is this mammoth handset. With a massive 4.3” LCD screen it is definetly not meant for those with tiny hands. Unfortunately the screen is not to sharp or of good contrast and viewing angles.(A model with a S-LCD screen is coming exclusively to AT&T). It comes with a 5MP camera with dual LED flashes and kick stand (which doesn’t protect the lens). The Dolby Mobile and SRS sound enhancements make it an excellent device to watch movies on. HTC’s hub provides some nice apps.The memory on this device is 8 or 16GB depending on which you choose or is available. Performance is reported to be up to the mark of other handsets. Call quality is said to be decent but signal strength might suffer a bit if you hold it ‘wrong’. There have been no problem whatsoever with updates. The battery is questionably small. It appears to be incapable of carrying through the day without a recharge in the middle

It’s price in India is a whooping Rs.30,000. Outside it is available unsubsidized at $840.

Rating in different sites:

Cnet: 4.0/5

TechRadar: 4.0/5

Engadget: 6/10

3. Dell Venue Pro

Dell and Windows aren’t exactly a new combination. With certain hot notebooks under their belt, Dell’s consideration of WP7 wasn’t exactly a surprise. Dell’s first WP7 phone has a few cool features making it a good choice. With a potrait-keyboard and 4.1” 480x800 AMOLED display and end-to-end glass it is definitely one of a kind. However, unlike HTC handsets there is no sound enhancements of any sort and the camera fits the minimum requirement. There are two models 8 and 16 GB. Battery life is quite good and will be enough to last a day or so depending on the usage. Call Quality is reported to be good with no problems of any sort. There are no issues of the phone getting bricked while updating to NoDo. 

//Rahul- Certain firmware issues are reported constantly though and Dell hasn't released a fix yet.
It costs a sky high Rs.34,900. Letsbuy on the other hand, offer DVP at just 23,999!
Cnet: 4.0/5

There are just three devices officially available in India and none of the above three devices have been marketed well (probably not even marketed at all!) so there is no surprise that Windows phone hasn't picked up in India. Another contributing factor would be lack of marketplace availability in India. Marketplace is supposed to launch this fall along with Mango update.
We will continue to provide you more information on Windows Phone devices making an entry into India. Do let us know what you think of our overview.
- Sameer Ramesh 

By Rahul Mathur

Supposed Sony Erricson Prototype device running Windows Phone spotted again

Sony Ericsson apparently isn't interested in Windows Phone 7. I don't blame them, why would they promote XBL in any way? But we are aware of some prototypes that were in testing running Windows Phone OS and a few bloggers found some proof too of the black model in existence. The prototype was supposedly code named Julie. The device looked pretty decent. With a slide out landscape keyboard, this could have given  a tough competition to both HTC and Dell.

A white model of the prototype codenamed Julia was recently spotted by a forum.

 Obviously, the plan to convert a prototype to commercial device didn't work out so well. Sony  Erricsson is doing pretty well with Android and I don't see them making a device running Windows phone OS in future.

via Nanapho.jp 

By Rahul Mathur

First Nokia Windows phone devices will run Mango not Windows Phone 8

Microsoft in the VIP mango unveiling event suggested that the first Nokia WP7 devices will run Mango update not Windows Phone 8, which was suggested in the Forbes article which was later contradicted by our own report.

Oh, and Nokia is currently running Windows Phone devices in their labs right now. No surprise here, we even caught Stephen elop carrying one!

image source : Engadget 

By Rahul Mathur

HTC HD7S for AT&T arriving June 5, will cost you $ 199.99

After the announcement of HTC Verizon trophy on Verizon today, looks like AT&T wants to spoil the party. AT& T just posted some delicious info on their facebook page a few moments back. Apparently, they have a price and date for HTC HD7S, surprise surprise!. The device is coming on June 5th and  it will cost you $199.99 for a 2 year contract. The deal doesn't seem so bad considering the list of features. Note, that it's just an HD 7 with improved screen ( 4.3 inch WVGA Super LCD display )  and HD 7 is one of the best handsets on the market right now so deal seems to be pretty reasonable.

Read more about the device here.
So which one would you prefer :  HTC Trophy ( Verizon ) or HTC HD7S ( AT & T ) ? Drop in your thoughts.

h/t @sparkedfire

By Rahul Mathur

HTC Bresson,16 Mega Pixel WP7 device coming to T Mobile this year?

Chris Ziegler from This is my next, revealed the T Mobile Road Map today which had the mysterious HTC 16 Megapixel device in the road map. The device, according to  Pocketnow, is HTC Bresson and is included in this year's release roadmap.  The device is supposed to launch post September so quite a lot of time left. There is not much information available for the device right now, we sure know that device has a 16 MP camera and dual   LED flash,this sure is going to take some great photos and shoot some smooth videos.

We also know that HTC HD7S is coming to AT & T this year, so that makes it two upcoming Windows Phone 7 devices. International available is still unknown, but we'll keep you updated. 

By Rahul Mathur

Details for 4 Nokia's Windows Phones Spilled

After we reported that Nokia was working on the W7 and W8 based on the X7 and N8 hardware, Eldar Murtazin has detailed them plus 2 more Nokia handsets running Microsoft's Windows Phone OS. Nokia has dived straight into development of 'Chassis 2' type WP7 phones which are unrestricted from Microsoft's usual set of conditions on WP7 phones.

The first of these devices is the Nokia W7(based on the X7). It has a similar body as the X7, but will not have an AMOLED display, but the resolution will be WVGA and Qualcomm's QSD8250 chipset will be used. Its should be the Nokia's first WP7 device and and might be ready for release by Fall 2011. The second is the W8 which should have a 12 MP camera and will be the Nokia's flagship when its released. This variant will be targeting the high-end market, with a dual-core processor and Adreno 320 graphics. The design will be as different from the N8 as possible.

Another device will have the touchscreen QWERTY formfactor seen in Nokia's E6, which will come with some sort of subscriptions service for corporate users. The last will be a cheap touchscreen device whose USP will be its price. It will probably have a fixed focus camera to save on costs and should be released early next year.

These 4 are only the first wave of WP7 devices out of the 12 Nokia is going to release next year. With the Mango update and better hardware, Windows Phone seems to be getting better and better.

Source : Mobile-Review

Image Credit : Nokia

By Akshay Bakshi

HTC's 16 MegaPixel Windows Phone 7 device coming soon? (Video)

Pocketnow has posted a video on it's Youtube channel which is some sort of a sneak peak at the upcoming WP7 HTC device. We already know that HTC is coming up with a HD7S with improved screen, SLCD,  but the one mentioned ( nameless ) in the video has jaw dropping 16 Mega Pixel camera with 2 LED flashes. Don't believe me? Watch the video embedded below :



More mega pixels does not equals to better quality. We need better sensors not more megapixels, HTC. To be honest, HTC isn't known much for either the audio quality or camera specs - but guess they are working towards solving this problem soon. This probably is targeted to compete with the upcoming Nokia W8. Competition is good, can HTC outdo Nokia ? Drop in your comments.

By Rahul Mathur