Intel releases ‘optimized’ Android 4.2 release, hinting it will dual-boot with Windows 8

Intel has been missing out on the Android party ever since ARM came and stole Google’s heart with its power-efficient and affordable processors, but the major microprocessor manufacturer is already hard at work trying to woo Android. Intel has just released a pre-alpha build of an “Intel-Optimized” edition of Android, meaning that the Operating System may very well come in future PCs dual-booting alongside Windows.

The idea of dual-booting Windows and Android is old news, but doing it with a standard Intel x86 processor has yet to be accomplished. While devices like the ASUS Transformer AIO allow you to run both, they actually utilize two different processors, an Intel and an ARM processor, to do it. This new accomplishment by Intel is putting the notion of native dual-booting Windows and Android close to reality.

Android was built from the ground up in ARM architecture, but Intel’s new pre-alpha is suggesting the company is investing time and money into porting it for x86 processors – namely Intel ones. The company has been working on contributing x86-based Android components for years now, but this most recent development is for Android’s latest version, Jelly Bean 4.2.2, and means Intel is keeping up with the updates to perhaps someday bring a fully fledged port to its x86-based tablets and PCs – likely along with its new Intel Atom Clover Trail series of low-power processors. This means we may be only a year or less away from having PCs that dual-boot Windows and Android.

While Intel deserves credit for such hard work, it’s also worth noting they are far from the first to try this. The Android x86 project is itself a complete port of Android Jelly Bean and has been hard at working bringing Android to netbooks since 2011. Intel has more money and more manpower than this independent group of developers, and has actually contributed to Android x86 through its open source releases, but what matters more here is that Android is getting closer than ever to being an option on a PC just like Windows, bringing with it a large community of application developers and other projects.

Unfortunately, there is a disadvantage to running Android in an x86 architecture: all applications made for ARM-based Android devices will not work unless they are re-compiled for the x86 architecture or are emulated. This means that every game, program or utility on Android has to be rebuilt for x86 architecture in order to work, and while much more efficient than emulation, will mean that most applications will not work out of the box for Intel-based Android devices. In the end though, if enough people are interested in the power of the Atom, then there will certainly be plenty of  applications by the time Intel releases its first Android-Windows tablet, perhaps offering one of the most versatile tablets on the market.

Joshua Sherman is a contributor for Digital Trends who writes about all things mobile from Apple to Zynga. Josh pulls his knowledge from years of experience using smartphones and tablets of all shapes and sizes, and has had his content featured on other top sites like MakeUseOf. Josh is a student at Vassar College.

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Microsoft announces that Windows Phone Store surpasses 130,000 apps

In this world of smartphones, many manufacturers are doing a pretty decent job of keeping up with all of the advancements in mobile technology. But let’s face it: most normal users aren’t really all too concerned with the processor, contrast ratio, or specifics about the audio formats. They’re interested in battery life, speed, camera, and the number of apps available to download.

It’s the app selection that many operating systems are struggling to keep up with. Of course, iOS and Android dominate the market by a landslide. App offerings are so important, in fact, the beefed up Blackberry App World was one of the biggest selling points for the suffering phone manufacturer when it recently released its new line of phones.

But, ahead of them, is Microsoft. The company just reported on its blog that the Windows Phone Store recently surpassed 130,000 app offerings. To boot, Microsoft is starting to see a huge boost in the number of downloads. The company saw an astounding 91 percent bump in paid app revenue, with an overall download increase of 75 percent. The number of apps downloaded per user has also steadily increased to 55 each.

Helping to increase these downloads, no doubt, is the increase in Windows Phone sales, which, over the 2012 holiday season, increased to four times the normal number. They also claim to have 10 percent of the market share in a number of countries, but didn’t reveal which ones.

Since the launch of the Windows Phone 8 last October, 15,000 pre-existing Windows apps have been upgraded for the latest operating system. And Windows Phone 8 SDK downloads have surpassed 500,000, meaning that this growth is expected to continue, as more and more developers continue to work on creating new apps.

We’re excited to see where all this leads, particularly because we enjoy a little friendly (or not-so-friendly) competition, and it’s nice to see a former underdog begin to make some headway.

Spending a childhood engrossed in such technologically inspiring television shows like Voltron, Small Wonder, and Power Rangers, it's really no surprise that all things digital would continue to inspire Josh to the point that he would one day make a living writing about the things he loves. After graduating from SUNY Purchase in 2006 with a degree in journalism/anthropology, he spent years working as an editor for Travel + Leisure. Josh doesn't look forward to a Cylon takeover, but he does eagerly await the day he can become half cyborg.

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The Life and Tiles of a Windows 8 Convert: Why I’m dumping Apple

Tired of living in a tech world dominated by Apple, DT contributor Andrew Kalinchuk is taking a huge leap. Armed with a Yoga 13 and a Lumia 920, he's signing up for an all-Microsoft life and his journey begins here.

I’m a university student. Every day, the first thing I see when entering a lecture is someone surfing Facebook behind that iconic, glowing apple. The second is usually a casual flick through Twitter on a gorgeous black iPhone that’s cruelly hidden beneath an ugly, bulky case. At times like these, I’m embarrassed by the MacBook Pro stowed away in my bag. It weighs me down emotionally and physically as I choose a seat. After lecture, on the train home, I’m surrounded by e-books opened on iPads and white cords snaking out of barely concealed iPods. I see Apple everywhere. Apple, Apple, Apple. The worst thing is, I’m guilty of it too; I contribute to my own madness. Until a week ago, I was shackled to a MacBook Pro; there’s an iPad in my nightstand; and an old iPhone hides in my desk.

To put it simply, I’m tired of Apple. I’m tired of product refreshes bringing nothing new to the table. I’m tired of endless pages of rounded icons. I’m tired of coffee shops full of shiny Apples. I’m tired of apps trying to look like physical objects. I’m tired of iPhone mania. I’m tired of OS X. I’m tired of “magic.” I’m tired of that annoying Launchpad. But most of all, I’m tired of watching a company I once admired for being a bold, risk-taker let its product line become – dare I say it? – pedestrian. Feel free to disagree with me. You won’t change my mind. 

This Apple-exhaustion has been building for a long time. First, I left my iPhone and tried Android for a while, though that only left a different, equally bitter taste in my mouth. I needed something more substantial, a replacement for Apple’s tightly integrated hardware ecosystem. With Android lacking the PC factor (I refuse to use a Chromebook), I only had one place left to turn: Microsoft.

Once the reigning king of personal computing, Microsoft has had a rough few years spent getting trampled by the competition, but lately all of that has changed. Microsoft is following in Apple’s footsteps, creating its own hardware, app ecosystem, and uniting Windows Phone with its desktop equivalent. Its long-awaited transformation is a tremendous achievement and I am ready to ride the coat tails, if only for the sheer thrill of it all. As of right now, I’ve decided to commit one hundred percent to Microsoft and all it has to offer. I’m retiring my current smartphone, tablet, and laptop to make room for a new Windows 8 hybrid and Windows Phone 8 device. And that’s not all, I’m also giving up my most beloved applications and web services to replace them with Microsoft alternatives. 

It all boils down to this – Microsoft is the crazy one now. Microsoft is the one that believes it has the power to change the world (and the way we use computers). The software is information-packed, touch-friendly, and introduces a new design to a flat lined market. The hardware, though it may be half-baked in the first round, is boldly attempting to marry the mobility of a tablet with the productivity found in a laptop. The Surface RT is closest to successfully fusing the two dynamics but needs more time in the oven before it will be ready for the big time. Rather than attempting to placate its consumers, Microsoft is showing us something different, a new way of computing we will learn to appreciate. Its pushing us out of our comfort zones and I am ready to be pushed.

I know going all in on Microsoft will mean losing the devices and applications I’ve grown to love. I also know it’s going to be a huge change and maybe I will hate it, but I have to try. Microsoft represents everything I want out of a technology company: it’s daring, visually appealing, fast, and cohesive. I’m not ashamed to say that I want to stand out; I want to take risks; and I want to buy into innovation not stagnation. 

I’m no stranger to switching operating systems. I’ve tried Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, webOS, Android, iOS, BlackBerry, and Windows Phone 7, but I have never changed my technological habits this radically before. I mean it when I say that I’m starting fresh with Microsoft. It’s all or nothing. MacBook Pro? Gone. iPhone? Locked up. iPad? Left to die. Outlook will replace my Gmail account. Skype will take over instant messaging. Google+ is off-limits. I’ll be on SkyDrive not Google Drive. And Bing is my new preferred search engine. Feel free to alert me if I missed something! I want to be thorough.

I am sure you are all wondering what Windows devices will facilitate my transition from one walled garden to another. For that delicate task I have chosen Lenovo’s Yoga 13 for its inventive form factor, support of legacy apps, and integrated touchscreen. I’m using it to write this article and I can say that the last week with it has been equal amounts frustration and enjoyment. The first few days in particular were – to put it lightly – a nightmare, but I will get to that later. The Nokia Lumia 920 is my smartphone of choice. It has its share of problems, some more bothersome than others. However, I was immediately drawn to its laundry list of features, snappy performance, beautiful screen, and aggressive design. 

As I dive headfirst into the uncharted waters of Windows 8 and attempt to recreate the life I left behind, I will bring you along for the ride in this weekly series of articles aptly named “The Life and Tiles of a Windows 8 Convert.” Through my personal trials, you will see what it is really like to make the switch to Windows. I’ll start with my first impressions of Windows Phone 8 before moving right into my first and very painful experience with the Yoga. The road may be rough, but there’s no turning back now. 

Bring it on, Microsoft. I’m ready.     

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Google isn’t developing Gmail or anything else for Windows 8

A Google executive has confirmed that it will not develop any apps for Microsoft's Windows 8 platform.

Less than two months after the launch of Windows 8, Microsoft continues to bolster its app store for its brand new platform. However, one crucial company has already declared that it will not be on board. On Wednesday, Google announced that it doesn’t plan to develop any apps for Windows 8, including its widely popular email provider Gmail.

Due to lack of interest in the platform, Google is deciding to pass on creating applications for Microsoft’s new software. Clay Bavor, Google’s product management director for Google Apps, said that the search engine giant is “very careful” about where it invests its time and resources. As Slash Gear reports, Google said it only plans to go where the users are, and users “are not on Windows Phone or Windows 8.”

Although Google hasn’t expressed interest in developing for Windows 8 at the moment, the company could change its mind if its user base grows, Bavor said. Much of Google’s time and resources are put toward improving its existing Android and iOS products, and the company is expected to further that notion come 2013. Bavor said that the new year will mark a time when Google makes “big investments” in its mobile properties. Bavor also added that the company’s current apps are merely “first versions” of what’s to come.

While Windows 8 users will still be able to access Gmail and other Google apps through their Web browser, they will not get the same user experience that comes with a native application. Windows 8 sales haven’t been phenomenal thus far, as Microsoft analyst Paul Thurrott has written that some of his sources said the new OS isn’t hitting Redmond’s targets. According to the Windows aficionado, Microsoft is putting some blame on the OEMs for not delivering more inspiring hardware for its new platform.

Microsoft’s Surface tablet hasn’t exactly been flying off the shelves either. Earlier in December, brokerage firm Detwiler Fenton estimated that sales of the company’s first self-branded tablet would fall below one million units this quarter. Windows Phone 8 may be seeing the most positive reception of Microsoft’s recently launched platforms. Analysts predict that by 2016, Microsoft’s mobile platform will account for 11.4 percent of the mobile market - a major jump from its current 2.6 percent ownership in the market. This is a 71.3 percent increase, and the projected percentage only falls a few numbers below Apple’s iOS standings at 18.8 percent.

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Microsoft sells 40 million Windows 8 copies a month after launch

Despite mixed reviews and rumored slow start, Microsoft claims to have sold 40 million copies of Windows 8 merely a month after it was made available for purchase.

If you’re one of those tried-and-true Windows XP or Windows 7 users who has a strong dislike for Windows 8 and its controversial Metro UI, we’ve got some news for you. You’ll be seeing the OS on more and more computers in the near future. In a blog post written Tuesday by Microsoft’s Brandon LeBlanc, the company announced that since its October 26 launch, 40 million Windows 8 licenses have been sold to date.

This revelation comes after a number of reports of Windows 8 being off to a slow start, and that Microsoft is failing to reach its target sales numbers. Those reports weren’t difficult to believe either, as opinions about the system’s new user interface have been divided even prior to release due to Windows 8' layout, which is more suited for mobile devices than computers. Moreover, many Windows 7 users are actually fond of – and prefer – their current systems. 

Microsoft selling 40 million licenses within four weeks means Windows 8 has sold as well as Windows 7 did when it was first launched. The much-loved (much, much more than Windows Vista, at least) Windows 7, which became the fastest-selling operating system upon release, also hit the 40 million mark within its first month. According to PCWorld, Microsoft Chief Marketing Officer for Windows, Tami Reller, called Windows 8 the company’s biggest project since Windows 95, and said that “Windows 8 is shaping up as one of the company’s most successful products.”

Still, that doesn’t mean there are 40 million people out there using Windows 8. According to Reuters, most of the sales came from PC manufacturers whose computers will ship preloaded with the new operating system, and many of these computers have yet to be bought. Research firm StatCounter puts the actual number of Windows 8 users to roughly 15 million or around 1 percent of the 1.5 billion PC users around the globe. While Microsoft didn’t detail where the 40 million sales came from, Reller – as well as LeBlanc, as evidenced by the blog post announcement – suggests that aside from sales that came from computer manufacturers, the company’s also raking in numbers by way of Windows 8's relatively inexpensive $40 upgrade option. 

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What a Windows user needs to know about Mac and OS X

Are you a former Windows user making the switch to a Mac? Find out what to expect and learn the basics of using an Apple computer.

Now that we know Apple’s new iMac will be available starting Friday, November 30, it’s time to prepare yourself – especially if this is your first time using a Mac. Mac newbies will find that the homescreen appears foreign, the trackpad will do confusing things, and there will likely be a plethora of helpful tricks that you’ll never unearth. Luckily, we’re here to help. You don’t have to learn everything from scratch, but Apple’s OS X is different enough that you might just find this guide useful. 

First things first: You don’t need to install Windows on a Mac computer. You certainly can if you want to, but you don’t have to. Mac computers come with Apple’s own operating system (OS) called OS X, with versions named after big cats. Think Leopards, Lions, and, according to rumors, even Lynxes. The newest release to date, version 10.8, is called Mountain Lion.

OS X isn’t a complete departure from Windows. Nothing’s so shockingly different that you’d feel as if you’re navigating something that’s not a computer. That said, there are many OS X-exclusive features and applications that you won’t find on a Windows machine. Some applications, like Reminders and Notifications, are tightly connected to the cloud. You can write a reminder on your computer and access it on your iPad or iPhone if you happen to have either.

A handful of the OS X features you need to know to get started are:

Dock and menu bar: You can use the dock at the bottom to launch apps or go back to an open app if you’ve temporarily navigated to another homescreen. You can customize your dock to display oft-accessed programs. The menu bar is at the top of the screen. Here, you can find small icons of programs that work in the background (cloud services like Dropbox and Google Drive, among others). At the top left-corner of the menu bar is the Apple icon where you can find the Log Out and Shut Down commands. Mission Control: One of the default dock icons is Mission Control. Mission Control gives you an overall view of all the windows and desktops you have open. Yes, you can add and subtract as many desktops as you want – something that’s especially useful for MacBooks with smaller screens. To access a desktop, you can either go back to Mission Control and select one, swipe upwards with three fingers on your trackpad, or double-tap with two fingers using a Magic Mouse. We’ll discuss OS X touch gestures in more detail later on. Launchpad: Want to see all your Mac applications and not just those displayed on your dock? Find the silver icon with the rocket graphic to launch your app screens. Dashboard: When you access Mission Control, you’ll notice that the screen at the very left is not another desktop. It’s called the Dashboard, and you can pin various widgets on it, including currency and measurement converters, virtual Post-it notes, clocks, and more. Finder: Think of finder as Mac’s My Documents’ folder. It’s where you can access all your files. Spotlight: You’ll find the Spotlight window situated next to the time on the thin menu bar on top of your screen (look for the little magnifying glass). Spotlight is a text search bar that’ll help you find files and even word definitions via OS X’s built-in dictionary. How to install Mac apps: When installing a Mac app, you’ll be prompted to drag the app’s icon into the Applications folder. By doing so, you’re making the app available on the apps homescreen accessible via Launchpad. You can download apps from the Mac App Store (similar to the iOS App Store, except it sells OS X apps), or anywhere on the Internet.How to quit Mac apps: Clicking the teeny “x” button on the top right-hand corner of an application won’t truly close the app. In order to properly exit a Mac app, click the app name at the menu bar on top, then find “Quit” on the drop-down menu. Alternatively, you can right-click an app icon on the dock and click Force Quit. If all else fails, you can always hit “Command + Q.”How to delete Mac apps: To delete Mac apps, open Finder and go to the Applications folder. Drag the icon of the app you want to delete to the Trash icon on the dock. You can also download third-party Mac apps like Appcleaner (free) to delete previously installed programs on your computer. Forget the Control Key; the Command key is your new best friend. Command is the new Control when using a Mac. For example, if you’re used to pressing “Control + I” on a Windows machine to italicize text, it’s now “Command + I” on Mac. You’ll find yourself using a lot of keyboard shortcuts on Mac. Check out this handy list of shortcuts compiled on Apple’s website. Believe us when we say it’s a must-check, as it contains incredibly useful info. Know how to take screenshots on a Mac? It’s “Shift + Command + 3 (or ’4' to take a screenshot of a specific area).” How’d we know that? We learned that from the shortcuts list.You’ll also be using gesture controls a lot. MacBooks have built-in trackpads. If you have an iMac or don’t want to use your laptop’s trackpad, you can use either a Magic Mouse or a Magic Trackpad – both of which recognize gestures. While gestures vary subtly depending on the accessory used, the ideas are similar. Swiping sideways using multiple fingers, for instance, lets you scroll horizontally or switch desktop homescreens. Pressing down on the trackpad or mouse is double-clicking, while tapping with two fingers means right-clicking. To learn more about your device’s gesture control settings – and to tweak it, if you want – launch System Preferences and click on the trackpad or mouse icon. 

If you have an external hard drive you’ve been using on Windows that you also intend to use with your Mac, know that it won’t work right out of the box. All hard drives used with Windows use the NTFS proprietary file system, and that – surprise, surprise – doesn’t work on OS X. You can either choose to convert your drive into a Time Machine for exclusive use with a Mac, or follow either of these instructions so you can use it with both systems:

Download and install compatibility programs on Mac. Two programs you can use are Paragon ($20) and Tuxera ($32). Simply installing them on a Mac computer will make it compatible with the hard drive you use for Windows. We recommend going this route as it is easy and hassle-free, but if you’re really not willing to shell out that much for a program, you can choose the option below.Change your external hard drive’s format from NTFS to FAT32, which works with both Mac and Windows. Before you do this, make sure you back up your all your files because formatting your drive will wipe it out. A downside to converting your file format to FAT32 is that it doesn’t support files larger than 4GB.

One way to convert your external hard drive to FAT32 on a Windows computer is to download third-party software programs. Search for “NTFS to FAT32 converter” on Google to find a number of free programs, such as FAT32 Format.

You can also format your drive on Windows via the Command prompt. Click the Start button, type “Run” (without the quotation marks) in the search box, then type “cmd” in the box that pops up. This will launch the command prompt. Type “format /FS:FAT32 X:” in the prompt, changing “X:” with the drive’s letter. You can find the drive’s designated letter by checking Windows Explorer – it will look something like “Removable Disk (X:).”

On OS X, go to Applications with your external hard drive plugged in. Find the Utilities folder and click on Disk Utility. Choose the hard drive you want to format on the left-hand side, choose Partition, and pick FAT under the Volume drop-down menu. 

Did you know that you can share your MacBook’s Internet connection? If you only have a USB Wi-Fi dongle instead of a mobile hotspot that you can wirelessly connect to, simply plug the dongle into your Mac, go to System Preferences, click Sharing, then tick the check box next to Internet Sharing. Your phone or tablet can now hitch a ride on your MacBook’s Internet connection via Wi-Fi.

We’ve barely scratched the surface with this guide. Don’t be afraid to discover what a Mac can do. After some exploration, your Mac will soon become more of a familiar sight than an intimidating alien environment.

Anything to add for Windows users new to OS X and Mac computers? Sound off in the comments!

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Music focused Windows 8 ads going global today

Microsoft have just announced their plans to get the advertising steamroller underway for the launch of Windows 8.

They are set to kick off the full scale assault in 42 countries in the run up to the Windows 8 launch. They have decided to highlight local upcoming bands using “the universal medium of music”. Bands such as Best Coast (US), Lenka (China) and Hogarth (Brazil) are being cited as some examples. Check out the videos below…

We selected music from up and coming bands. We didn’t want to use overly popular songs because we wanted to bring the viewer on a journey of discovery, both through the storytelling and the music that accompanies these stories. Sometimes, as in “Express Yourself,” by Labrinth we found a new take on a classic old song, much like the reinvention of Windows – Rob Reilly

Folks, we’re just at the start of the Windows 8 advertising, Microsoft has a long way to go until the holiday season is over. MS are set to spend a record amount on advertising Windows 8 and its certainly easy to see why they have set so much aside. The next version of the OS comes with a totally new UI, services and links to the likes of Windows Phone and the Xbox, forming one happy eco system. Oh yeah, they are making a tablet computer too which is already selling out.

In the post is also the following message, we’re sure some of you will be popping along, would you even consider missing it?

And if you are in New York on October 25 thru the 27th don’t miss Times Square where Windows 8 will be featured on over 39 digital boards in the largest takeover of Times Square to date—the biggest Start Screen ever! And we will be hosting a hands-on experience on the ground in Times Square and at our Microsoft Stores in the North America for consumers to touch and try the new Windows —and maybe even see yourself up on the boards in Times Square. We hope to see you!

We’d really like to know what you think of these ads, and more importantly, the music in them. Tell us all about it in those comments below…

Source: blogging windows

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Microsoft also unveiling Windows Phone 8 at event in Spain

Microsoft is set to hold an event on October 29th for Windows Phone 8 in Madrid, Spain. The company plans to unveil the next version of its mobile operating system to the world, which will pave the way for hardware to be released and carriers to begin rolling out new plans for Windows Phone 8 devices. Much like Munich, Germany and Milan in Italy, Microsoft appears to be attempting to synchronise each event to progress simultaneously.

Windows Phone Central will be heading along to the events that are being held in San Francisco and merry ol' London, so be sure to stay tuned to our feed and homepage for all the details from the day.

via: WindowsPhoneApps.es

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Google Voice client MetroTalk on Windows Phone goes free for 48 hours

MetroTalk for Windows Phone v2.5

If you use Google Voice because like us, you have multiple phone numbers or you just like the free data-driven SMS feature, then you should check out MetroTalk for Windows Phone.

The app started off decent enough when it was first launched months ago but it has quickly ramped up to be one of the best, most fully featured Google Talk clients for Windows Phone—that’s specially good since Google doesn’t seem interested in supporting their own services.

Now, the developer has made the normally $1.49 app free for the next 48 hours. That’s a heck of a good deal especially since the app was just updated on October 13th to a version that will work with Windows Phone 8 and will be updated for WP8 features in the coming weeks.

We’ve used MetroTalk for quite some time and we think it’s a solid app with some great developer support behind it. While you could use the free, ad-supported version, why not head to the Store and grab yourself the full paid iteration for $0? The app does have push notifications done through a simple setup procedure on the device to ensure timely updates and the UI is quite sharp. 

Go grab MetroTalk here in the Windows Phone Store before the price goes back up. And if you like it, remember to leave a positive review for it in the Store.

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Lots of updates going out and Amazon Mobile picks up Windows Phone 8 support

Just like our London busses, you wait around for ages and then they all come at once. It seems that someone has flicked a switch somewhere and released a few updates today for Windows Phone.

Of particular note, Amazon Mobile on its way up to version 1.9.1 and picks up support for the oh-so close Windows Phone 8. It’s good to see some developers with early access readying their apps for the shiny new operating system which is only days away.

As regards to the Amazon Mobile update, we can’t say if it’s going to bring any new WP8 specific features or just being brushed up so that it works.

Also in the update to-do list today is

Xbox Live Extras – No change log (tsk tsk!) – I am unable to login to this at the moment with an error “We can’t access you avatar items, try later” so cant see what has changed, if you see something, do let us know.

Ceton Companion App – Brings a host of minor updates including Password authentication support and improved syncing and recording adjustments.

Podcatcher – Adds support for podcast audio and video streaming, podcast description improvements and some other UI changes.

Nokia’s App Highlights – No change log (tsk tsk!) But we know Nokia are constantly updating this to help improve app discoverability.

Good to see the updates train up and running again, if you are seeing any interesting updates going out, do let us know.

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Nokia's Cardboard Windows Phone Challenge winners announced

Remember earlier this month Nokia announced a cardboard challenge where participants had to build a Windows Phone out of... well... cardboard. At stake, a Nokia Lumia 900 Windows Phone and Nokia 808 Pureview.

Nokia describes the turn out as impressive and we have to agree, the level of detail, accuracy and creativity is impressive.  Hard to imagine how much time it took with the hot glue gun and X-acto knife to create some of these cardboard Windows Phones.

Dhaval N Damar walks away with the Lumia 900 for his rendition of the Lumia 920 with pop-up Live Tiles.

Davide Ilvicino Marin won the Nokia 808 Pureview for his rendition of the yellow Lumia 920 and Monster headphones.

Source: Conversations Nokia

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Microsoft Windows 8 Launch live stream and chat

Today, Microsoft is launching Windows 8 OS today (8:15 a.m. PDT/11:15 a.m. EDT) and above is the Live stream (Silverlight required, will probably fail). Watch and join our live chat room after the break!

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Windows Phone App Review: Photo Shader

Photo Shader is a decent little photo editor for your Windows Phone. The app has a healthy amount of filters and effect to apply to existing photos in your Pictures Hub or new images captured with your Windows Phone camera.

Layout is simple and clean with most filters/effects having setting to fine tune the application. When you first select a photo to edit, cropping tools will appear to let you crop and/or rotate the image. From there, all you need to do is apply your effects and save when done.

Photo Shader's editing tools include Color adjustments, Stylize filters, Retro effects, Blur effects, and Distortion filters. The effects total 38 in number and can be stacked.

Effects will have varying adjustments that let you fine tune things. You also have the ability to apply the effect to only a portion of the photo with the draw tool that will appear in the preview screen. Just tap draw and touch the area of the photo you want to remain unaffected.

Swiping over from the editing page, Photo Shader has a page that displays your Undo History and a page to suggest features, review the app and tweak Photo Shader's settings. Settings cover Photo Shader's theme and Live Tile settings (show last saved image, a collage of images, or disable).

Photo Shader does not have a native share feature. You'll need to go into your Pictures Hub and share any Photo Shader creations. While Photo Shader has a healthy selection of editing tools it felt a little odd in how the tools were laid out.  Nothing critical to be concerned over it just felt odd scrolling away from the preview image to get to the editing tools.

Overall, I liked Photo Shader. It gives you another creative tool to customize images through your Windows Phone. There is a free trial version available that lets you try things our but you won't be able to save your images. The full version of Photo Shader is running $.99 and you can find it all here at the Windows Phone Store.

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Xbox on Windows Phone Review: Gerbil Physics

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Xbox and Windows Phone Store and services temporarily down

We’ve been getting tips for the last few hours from users that the Windows Phone Store has not been working, specifically when you try to go download an app, you get an error message (we’ve seen a few mentioned).

As it turns out, heading to support.xbox.com alerts us to what appears to be a general system failure on several fronts, including Xbox 360, Windows Phone, Windows 8, Zune PC Client and more. That’s the bad news.

The good news is you’re not alone and clearly Microsoft is on top if it, though we have no idea if it’ll be back in 20 minutes or 2 hours. Just standby and we’re sure some of these last minute hiccups will pass on by. Thanks, everyone, for tipping us

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Zombies!!! escapes, becomes the Xbox Windows Phone Deal of the Week

It’s board game week for Windows Phone. First the long-awaited Carcassonne debuted on Xbox Live, and now another board game has become the Deal of the Week. Babaroga’s Zombies!!! is on sale for the first time for $2.99, down from $4.99. Are you ready to roll some dice and do battle with the undead?

Like Carcassonne, Zombies!!! (review) is a board game in which players place a land tile every turn, effectively building the board. In this game though, some modes start with a completed board, which happens to represent a single zombie-infested city. The city, players, and zombies all come to life with 3D graphics (as opposed to Carcassonne’s mostly 2D visuals), while the cards that players draw, play, and discard every turn feature Dave Aikins’ hand-drawn art. Some of the many card effects include restoration of health and other supplies; stealing items from other players; and even sending zombies after your opponents.

Survival of the fittest

One of the coolest aspects of this game is its dice-based combat. Whenever a player runs into a zombie (controlled by the AI or other players), a battle ensues. Players must roll a four or higher in order to avoid taking damage. Carrying a weapon (which you mostly get from playing weapon cards inside of specific buildings) adds one or more points to your roll, increasing the chance of coming away unscathed. You can also elect to use one of your precious bullets to boost your roll, though ammunition tends to come in scarce quantities. All told, combat provides an enjoyable mix of chance and strategy.

The game currently supports single-player and 4-person pass-and-play multiplayer. Single-player is more fun than you might expect thanks to the Survival Horror mode, which pits a sole human survivor against the entire city of zombies. Kill them all full of holes (everyone knows they deserve it) or reach the helicopter to win. As for the online multiplayer long ago promised in our developer interview, see the section below for an idea of how that will be delivered.

DLC and Windows Phone 8 plans

Once you’ve spent enough time with the game and unlocked its precious GamerScore, you may still hunger for more. Zombies!!! has one downloadable expansion right now – ‘3.5: Not Dead Yet!’ The DLC costs $2 and includes 50 GamerScore worth of Achievements. It’s not a bad buy if you want more variety in your cards and weapons or more GamerScore. Check out our full impressions here.

Babaroga’s plans for the game’s future are even more exciting. Not only is it coming to Windows 8, but it will be coming to Windows Phone 8 too. As I understand it, there’s a good chance the WP7 version will receive an update that upgrades it to WP8. That way, people who buy the game now will still have access to WP8-specific features once they’re introduced. Future expansion DLC will be WP8-specific as well.

Zombies!!! is on sale for $2.99 for one week only. Get it here on the Windows Phone Store before those pesky zombies get your brains!

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Samsung sees Windows Phone and Windows 8 seen as opportunity in business market

With the operating system juggernaut called Windows 8 looming closer by the day it seems everyone is talking about Windows. Is the conversation going to include Windows Phone more frequently too now?

Samsung’s UK vice president has dropped a few encouraging words about where the company sees opportunity in the business sector for an end-to-end solution for tablets and smartphones based on Windows 8.

Samsung unveiled its ATIV range of devices a while back which include Windows RT, Windows 8 and of course Windows Phone 8 products. The ATIV S has for the most part been fairly elusive but with questions still lingering about general availability. Here is what their UK VP said:

"In discussions we've had with IT directors and chief information officers we've been able to tell them we'll be able to provide a smartphone, a tablet, a PC and an all-in-one utilising the IT they've built their business on for the last 25 years."

There are signs that business is now keen to standardise on a smartphone platform and that IT heads are looking to Windows Phone 8 to fill their needs. With the rapid circling of the drain that Blackberry are experiencing there is a distinct opportunity for Windows Phone to fill that gap. The next generation of the mobile OS will support excellent encryption and other business friendly features.

The iPad is also being used in business but has weak security and lacks Office, the ability for a company such as Samsung to offer an iPad alternative, ATIV TAB and Windows Phone 8 could prove a winner. Graham also had this to say:

"The launch of Windows 8 really provides us with that opportunity where we will have everything from a smartphone through to a tablet through the PC through to the all-in-one."

Microsoft is on a roll with its launches, yesterday we saw the reviews of the Surface device go out and with it the destruction of the iPad mini announcement momentum. The Redmond based company are owning the news cycle at the moment. Windows is a big deal whenever it comes around but combined with a new version of Office, Windows Phone 8 and the overhauled Xbox the positive effect on the whole catalogue is starting to hit home.

There has been some concern that Windows 8 is being aligned too closely to Windows Phone 8, people are often using Windows 8 to describe them both. Considering how little of the conversation Windows Phone garners maybe it’s time to stop worrying about such things. The halo effect from Windows 8 and the pervasive tiled interface we used to call metro should mean Windows Phone 8 is a very direct beneficiary of all this publicity.

If Samsung see the ATIV range of Windows devices helping them assault the business market and they want to call it Windows 8, so be it. We’d just like to see Samsung start pushing Windows Phone to the masses rather than their other smartphone products.

Source V3 via wmpoweruser

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New Zealand bank ASB teases upcoming Windows Phone app

The official Twitter account for New Zealand's bank ASB (www.asb.co.nz) tweeted a photo that teases a Windows Phone app for customers to make use of mobile banking. ASB joins numerous other banks that have released apps for the platform, adding another name to the pool of officially supported apps.

While no details are included, we can see the app offering a number of features. Amongst the list of menu items is an option for exchange rates and possible conversion calculators, as well as the ability to locate nearest branches and (we'd assume) ATMs, receive quick balance checks to stay on top of the bottom line without diving into feature rich account management, visit the official ASB website and to contact the bank for enquiries.

"The wait is almost over... #ASBmobile #WindowsPhone  twitpic.com/awrabl

— ASB Bank (@ASBBank) September 21, 2012"

Should the number of features present not be enough, a line of security is also illustrated in the photo - an account PIN. It's positive to see another bank taking Windows Phone seriously with security, features and usability in mind. No word on when the app will be available on the Marketplace, but we can't imagine it'll be too long.

Source: @ASB (Twitter)

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Chinese manufacturer Coolpad might be adopting Windows Phone

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Viber for VOIP now available for Windows Phone, but still exclusive to Nokia for now

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