Windows Phone now home to 120k apps, downloads and dev revenue rising post-WP8

Windows Phone 8 is a roaring success! That is if you ask the platform's Senior Director, Todd Brix, who tweeted today that developer revenues and downloads have doubled since its launch in November. While this sounds all good, what does it really mean? Back in June, the former Windows Phone Marketplace surpassed 100,000 published apps. To further gauge the platform's progress, Nokia recently announced that the Windows Phone Store now has over 120,000 apps, with 46 of the top 50 iOS and Android applications being available for WP8.

While today's vague declaration of success didn't reveal any specific numbers, a 20 percent software increase in under six months is definitely something to smile about. As much as we'd like to slap Microsoft a high-five, we'll have to save our jubilation until we get a little something more concrete -- hopefully a set of official statistics will Surface sooner than later.

[Source: Engadget]

Android 4.2 reaches some Galaxy Nexus phones early, grab the GSM version here

As Google Play groans under the clicks of early shoppers, Google's apparently got its software sorted too. A new Android 4.2 file for the Galaxy Nexus over at XDA-Developers matches reports we've had from users who have already been gifted the latest version of Jelly Bean over-the-air. Now, this is the 'takju' version, meaning it's meant for GSM devices ordered directly from Google, although the phone meddlers at XDA-Developers already have all the details needed to make the switch to this specific iteration. Sure you've got the right GSM Galaxy Nexus? Then, once you've read all the instructions and warnings from those aforementioned developers, you can pick up the download at the source below.

[Source: Engadget]

Windows Phone 8X, Galaxy S III Mini and Xperia J available on Three UK today

ree customers in the UK have three new options when deciding how to spend their smartphone dollar (or pound, as it were). Starting today the carrier will now be be home to HTC's Windows Phone 8X, the Galaxy S III Mini and the Xperia J. Prices for the devices are all over the map, with the 8X starting at £350 with a pay-as-you-go plan, while the GS III and Xperia J are £270 and £150 respectively with the same deal. If you're looking to save a bit up front, the 8X can be had for just £29, so long as you're willing to commit to a £30 a month plan. The Sony and Samsung handsets are both available without any upfront costs, with the Xperia starting at as little as £13 a month and the four-inch Galaxy offshoot weighing in at £28 per month. For more details, check out the PR after the break.

[Source: Engadget]

HTC Windows Phone 8S hits the FCC with North American 3G, gives the US a horrible tease

Unlike Nokia, all of HTC's Windows Phone effort in the US this fall has been centered on the high-end, through the Windows Phone 8X. That makes the FCC appearance of its budget cousin, the 8S, borderline cruel for American fans of HTC's hyper-colorized design. The phone getting clearance has support for both AT&T and T-Mobile HSPA bands without the LTE that either American carrier would want. Given that the 8S is officially destined for Canada (and not the US) without a named carrier, we're most likely looking at an example for a budget Canuck provider such as Mobilicity or Wind. At least the frequencies will be a comfort to gray market US importers who want HTC's Windows Phone aesthetic on the cheap.

[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]

HTC AND MICROSOFT ANNOUNCE AVAILABILITY OF SIGNATURE WINDOWS PHONES

HTC, a global leader in mobile innovation and design, today announced that its signature Windows Phone 8 offerings will be ranged by all of its operator, retail and distribution partners. The Windows Phone 8X by HTC is available for pre order immediately and will be in-store from the 2^nd November from selected partners.

Unveiled last month, HTC’s Windows Phone 8X and 8S boast fresh and innovative designs which blend the virtual world of the Windows Phone Live Tiles experience with bold, vibrant and colourful physical designs.

“It’s fantastic to see the excitement surrounding our Windows Phone 8 devices,” says Phil Roberson, UK & Ireland Executive Director of HTC. “This is the first time HTC Windows Phone device have had full UK distribution. The level of interest is a testament to our deliberate Windows Phone design strategy and the inclusion of HTC’s iconic feature set.”

Windows Phone 8X and 8S by HTC are the only Windows smartphones with Beats Audio, which delivers authentic, studio-quality sound with deeper bass and crisp vocals, whether you’re listening to music, playing a game or watching a video. They also feature amazing camera capabilities which allow people to capture spontaneous action quickly and easily, even if the phone is locked. 

Partners stocking both Windows Phone 8X and 8S by HTC include Three, Orange, T-Mobile, O2, Virgin Media, Carphone Warehouse, Phones4u, Brightpoint and Brightstar Tech Data.Pre-order is now available at Phones4u, Three and Carphone Warehouse.

Verizon confirms Motorola RAZR HD and RAZR MAXX HD available October 18th

When Verizon said the RAZR HD and RAZR MAXX HD would be out before the holidays, it wasn't kidding. October the 18th is the big day if you're after some of the sharp-sounding Motorola action. The 8-megapixel, NFC-enabled RAZR HD , if you recall, sports a 4.7-inch 720p display, running ICS (Jelly Bean update in the works) on that dual-core S4 chip. If you cast your memory back once more, you'll remember that the RAZR MAXX HD has the same sized screen, but the real killer feature is that 3,300 mAh battery. The RAZR HD will set you back $200, in either black or white with 16GB storage, the MAXX, however will run you an extra $100, and has double the storage. So, which one gets your money?

[Source: Engadget]

Samsung announces Galaxy S III mini: 4-inch Super AMOLED display, 1GHz dual-core CPU, NFC

Samsung has just announced the Galaxy S III mini, a 4-inch David version of its Goliath big brother -- will it be worthy of its name? The rumor mill churned out that it might be a dumbed down version, but an oblique comment by mobile head JK Shin suggests otherwise -- either way, we're on the scene in Frankfurt, Germany to give you the long (and short) of it. According to the spec sheet we just received, this Android 4.1 phone features a dual-core 1GHz chip (which is good news for the 1,500mAh battery), 1GB RAM, 8 or 16GB of internal storage plus an extra 32GB maximum via microSD. The 4-inch Super AMOLED screen comes with a WVGA resolution, while the main camera takes five-megapixel photos plus 720p video, and there's a VGA front-facing camera as well for fans of video chats. There's obviously the usual bundle of radios as well, including 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi, GPS, GLONASS, FM radio, Bluetooth 4.0 (LE) and even NFC, but for now, this 111.5-gram TouchWiz device will only support HSPA 900/1900/2100 networks along with EDGE 850/900/1800/1900.

[Source: Engadget]

Carbonite Mobile backs up the contents of your phone, Android version supports remote wipes

Before today, Carbonite had a few mobile apps, but the backup process was something of a one-way street: you could access content on your handset, but you couldn't back up the contents of your phone. That changes today with Carbonite Mobile, a free app for iOS and Android that allows you to upload photos and other files to Carbonite.com. In addition to backup, though, the Android version offers some features typically reserved for standalone mobile security apps -- things like remote wiping and the ability to reset the phone to factory settings if it falls into the wrong hands. Additionally, you can use the app to locate your lost device on a map, and you can also set off the ringer, even if you had set the phone to vibrate. In the case of the Android app, the software will run in the background; due to Apple's different set of APIs, it won't run 24/7. However, all you iPhone owners out there can program the application so that it backs up the device automatically when you get home. Curious? We've got screenshots below along with download links in Google Play and the App Store

[Source: Engadget]

BlackBerry outage affecting users in Europe, Middle East and Africa (update: service restored?)

While the two events are entirely unrelated, a major service outage coinciding with potentially the biggest mobile of the year hitting stores worldwide is just plain old unlucky. Users of RIM's BlackBerry service in the EMEA region are at the wrong end of a network problem affecting BBM, email and internet. At the moment it doesn't appear to be of the vast and crippling scale as last time, but small consolation if you're one of the unlucky ones. RIM has acknowledged the issue, and you can bet the farm on the fact there is more than a handful of slightly stressed engineers on the case, hoping to keep customers from making that impulse purchase. Let us know in the comments if you're affected.

Update: We've just received this official statement from RIM in the UK:

"Our apologies to any customers impacted by the BlackBerry service issue today. We can confirm that services have been restored and are now operating normally

[Source: Engadget]

The Best Looking Phones of 2012

Let’s keep it realistic: mobile phones are much more than simple devices used to make phone calls. Let’s get even more realistic however, and declare that they’re even much more than tools used to play video games, watch videos, listen to music, and do whatever other functions now possible on our smartphones. Mobiles are fashion accessories, in every sense of the word. Now we’ve got that basic truth off our chest, it’s time to discern which models are the best looking of the year.

Sony Xperia S

If mobile phones were a woman, the Sony Xperia S would be a cross between Beyonce and Jennifer Anniston in their prime. Well that might look a little bit weird actually but I think you get my drift, for the phone is THAT good looking. 

The Sony Xperia S’s inventive mono-bloc style design is seductive to say the least, and its outer layer which comes in both silver and black delicately adds a strong touch of class to the model. This touch is further enhanced by the silver strip running across the phone near its bottom.

Samsung Galaxy SIII

Perhaps it’s the sheer aura of the phone due to its capabilities, or maybe it is the design that makes the phone’s capabilities seem that extra bit better. Either way, the Samsung Galaxy SIII has had people scouring mobile phone deals just to behold the device as if it’s some kind of treasure. 

It may very well be some kind of treasure, as it certainly looks like one. The phone’s white silver encasing represents something of extreme value and the blue version is just as – if not even more – beautiful. 

The only problem with the phone however, is that unlike the Sony Xperia S, it costs as expensive as it looks at some half a grand in pound sterling. Still, as Samsung will tell you, it costs money to look this good.

HTC One X

Admittedly, the HTC One X isn’t quite as attractive as the Galaxy SIII and Xperia S. However, this is more a credit to the other two, rather than a criticism of HTC’s One X. This phone just looks both neat and solid, which is a hard combination to pull off. 

With a back end just as attractive as its front, the One X is a phone that looks equally great in white and black, with a design that’s chic and stylish.

Mobile Phone Technology Moving at Lightning Speed

Mobile phone technology is moving faster than ever and now with smartphones available for an affordable price, our phones are doing more and more for us than ever before. Not all smart phones are fantastic though and, as with anything, there are some phones that are better than others. Some are faster, some have better features, some have the best software; there are many reasons why phones are classed as good. Here is a quick rundown of some of the very best smartphones in the world and why they are considered as such.

Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc

Incredibly impressive hardware and great aesthetics are what you can expect from the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc as the best smartphone from Sony Ericsson approaches a year in the smartphone market. It has some flaws, but the high points make up for it and then some, with the phone's 8.1 megapixel camera being one of these.

iPhone 4

The world's most popular smartphone and for good reason, it has some of the best hardware, including a screen on which the human eye cannot pick out any individual pixel, and some great software as well. Although there are some dual core phones that are now moving past it, this is the best single core phone on the market.

Samsung Galaxy S II

The original Galaxy was great but this follow up is really much better. A dual core 1.2 GHz processor and a great 4.3 inch screen, perfect for watching movies, are just two of the reasons why you should buy this phone. The web browsing, utilising Flash, is seamless and the camera is good enough to use as a digital camcorder. The best phone in the world today by some margin.

HTC Desire

The next Desire is out soon but this is still a fantastic phone and offers a cheap alternative to many of the other smart phones out there. The phone utilises the Android software like no other and is still up there with the best a year after its release.

Article by Lisa Barret, student in IT and Business.