Microsoft explains the origins of Windows Phone 8's home and lock screens

We've delved into just what we think of Windows Phone 8's interface, but not what led Microsoft to the final layout. The company isn't content to let us wonder -- a pair of new company blog posts explain some (though not all) of what was involved in that birthing process. Ignore the marketing spin and you'll learn that the wider, more densely packed home screen was chosen as much for balance as to stuff in more home tiles, and that it caused a momentary crisis for the app list as a result. The Redmond team goes on to justify choices behind the lock screen, such as why notifications are as customizable as they are, why the music controls fade and why there's a failsafe for PIN attempts. Don't expect to come out of the explanations suddenly craving a Lumia 920; just expect to make more sense of the OS inside.

[Source: Engadget]

Microsoft posts Build 2012 session videos for eager Windows 8, Windows Phone 8 coders

Not every developer had the luxury of putting a flight to Redmond on the corporate tab so that they could attend Microsoft's Build 2012 conference in person. Much to their delight, they won't have to. The company has posted streaming video for every session addressing Windows 8Windows Phone 8 and beyond, ranging from the two keynotes through to nuts-and-bolts framework talks. Be warned: most programmers will want to know Visual Studio and similar tools like the back of their hand before tackling some of these sessions. If they emerge unscathed, though, they'll be well-equipped to live in Microsoft's Windows Store world.

[Source: Engadget]

Windows Phone 7 Connector for Mac updated for WP8, rebranded simply as 'Windows Phone'

For Mac users who prefer Microsoft as their mobile partner, Windows Phone 7 Connector has been the one bridging the divide so far. The sync app has just been updated to v3.0, gaining support for Windows Phone 8 and a concise new name -- "Windows Phone" -- to match its Windows 8 counterpart. The new app plays well with Retina Macs too, while other goodies in the changelog include drag-and-drop capability for transferring files in either direction, along with support for iPhoto 9.3.2 and Aperture 3.3.2. Incoming WP8 devices such as the HTC 8X and the Lumia 920 will also get enhanced ringtone features and allow battery life to be monitored via the app. Persuaded? Then collect your goods at the source link below.

[Source: Engadget]

Microsoft announces Skype app for Windows Phone 8 with new UI, deep People Hub integration

Last week, if you recall, Microsoft announced Skype for Windows 8, a touch-friendly app that appeared in the Windows Store the same day Win 8 went on sale. Now, with Windows Phone 8 getting its big reveal, the company is following up with a WP8 version, which Microsoft says is coming soon. Like the new Windows 8 app, it runs in the background, delivering push notifications even when you're looking at something else. In particular, now that Windows Phone allows for three different tile sizes, you can view the Skype tile in small, medium or large formats, with the largest displaying your latest message. (All tile sizes show an unread message count.)

[Source: Engadget - Click here to read the full story]

Windows Phone 8 handset UK availability and pricing detailed: free starting from £21 per month

We've heard how Windows Phone 8 is all about you, and seen all the devices bearing the new OS at launch. What's left, however, is where you can get one on the other side of the pond and, more importantly, how much it's going to cost you. Nokia has separately announced that both the Lumia 920 and Lumia 820 will be launching in the UK (and France) later this week. More specifically, though, it looks like every UK carrier will be getting at least three handsets, with the almost-ready-to-launch EE getting both of HTC and Nokia's handset pairs. We've got all the (current) pricing details and availability dates after the break.

[Source: Engadget - Click here to read the full story]

Microsoft adds WP8 app to Windows Store just in time for launch

If you're aiming to get your hands on one of the many Windows Phone 8 devices launching later today, it would be nice to be able to sync it with your Windows 8 PC, no? Redmond has you covered in the nick of time, as it's just released the free Windows Phone app to its Windows Store. That'll let you get music, photos, or video over to your computer and back, use Windows 8 apps to share things like searches, automatically save photos or videos taken with your phone to your PC and check your phone's storage to see how it's being used. It'll also let allow you to download phone apps and learn more about your device, while pulling off a trick we've saw first with Apple, then WP7 -- letting you track down your smartphone if it goes missing. You can grab it at the source, then all you'll need is a WP8 (or 7.8) handset -- so stay tuned for our liveblog at 10:00 am PST / 1:00 pm EST to see when that might happen.

[Source: Engadget]

HTC 'Accord' Windows Phone 8 image leaked, reportedly includes 1.5 Ghz dual-core processor

HTC is preparing three Windows Phone 8 devices for release this year, and one of them — the HTC Accord — appears to have leaked in an image render today. Posted on Twitter by XDA-Developers member Football, we've been able to confirm the image is from a HTC ROM and shows off a render of the new device. Although it's shown running Windows Phone 7, the HTC Accord appears to be sporting a purple color — indicating that HTC might be adopting a more vibrant color scheme for its Windows Phone 8 handsets.  

We revealed various details about the Accord previously, but Football says the Accord will run on a 1.5GHz dual-core MSM8960 chip — the same CPU that Samsung uses in its US Galaxy S III handset. HTC's Accord will also include a 4.3-inch 720p Super LDC 2 display, an 8-megapixel camera with 1080p capture, microSD card support, and NFC. Samsung has already unveiled its first Windows Phone 8 handset, and we're expecting two from Nokia next week — so don't be surprised if HTC unveils the Accord soon too.

[Source: The Verge]