Windows Phone 9 in testing with Nokia, HTC and Qualcomm hardware

In a new job posting and an employee posting, Windows Phone 9 gets name dropped for the first time publicly. The exact relationship between Windows (Phone) Blue and what is being referred to now as Windows Phone 9 is not too clear—for instance is Windows Phone 9 just what people are expecting Blue to be renamed to or is it another milestone OS upgrade?

Regardless, the job posting by Microsoft acknowledges XAP/APPX deployment from the Microsoft Store to “Windows Phone 9” and the employee name drops Nokia, HTC and Qualcomm as testing hardware with the new OS (Samsung is curiously absent).

The information is certainly interesting though perhaps not unexpected. Indeed, the ability to deploy both XAP and APPX files to Windows Phone 9 suggests that the both of Microsoft’s OSs (for mobile and for tablet) are finally becoming more unified, allowing apps to work on both the phone and a Surface tablet (or any Windows 8 hardware). That would mean exploiting Windows Runtime, the cross-platform application architecture that is coming to both Windows 8 and RT devices.

In many ways, that’s the dream shot that many in the tech field have been hoping for ever since was name-dropped by Microsoft years ago. It would also benefit developers tremendously as it will greatly increase their exposure and incentive for working on both Windows Phone and Windows desktop.

Question still remain though including if Windows Phone 9 and Windows 9 actually merge (Microsoft seems to be using them interchangeably, though it’s unclear if that is by choice or a typo), how apps will “look” on each platform and how this all relates to Windows (Phone) Blue, if at all.

The good news is we should have more information in the coming months to better understand where Microsoft is going with all of this, but so far, we’re confident it’s in good direction.

Current Windows Phone 8 devices are expected to be fully upgradable to Windows Phone 9.

Nokia announce new features coming to existing Lumia devices

Nokia have just a announced through their Conversations website that existing Lumia phones will get some sweet new feature updates. The new features announced will include addition Bluetooth capabilities, a ringtone maker and of course the new Windows Phone 8 start screen aka the 7.8 OS refresh.

Nokia are not forgetting about their existing customers, they made this clear at the launch of Windows Phone 8 and now we’re seeing them keep to their word.

Here is the list of new features announced:

• A new Start screen look and feel, familiar from Windows Phone 8, giving you a whole new look the moment you unlock your phone
• Ringtone maker app to selected markets to create a personal ringtone
• Contact share app updated to support sharing over Bluetooth in addition to SMS and email
• Bluetooth file transfer to send media files via Bluetooth from your Lumia device to any other phone

The update will be applicable to owners of the Lumia 610, 710, 800 and 900 devices.

If you tuned into the Nokia Windows Phone 8 event you would have seen their Cinemagraph app being demoed. If you didn’t, it is a neat little camera app that allows the user to highlight certain parts of a scene and animate it. Well that’s coming to existing devices, as are some “additional surprises” to help make shooting and sharing as easy as possible. Intriguing and exciting.

Unfortunately Nokia weren’t able to share when we can expect these updates, as its obviously part of the Windows Phone 7.8 update we have still to hear for certain when they will roll out. That will be down to Microsoft rather than Nokia. 

Samsung Shark Baby Attack promotes the ATIV Book 9 Lite, no really

Samsung is getting in on the Shark Week and the Sharknado action this year with an advert for its Samsung ATIV Book 9 Lite laptop.

The rather bizarre advert sees a baby in a shark outfit in a swimming pool spotting his dad show off his new ATIV laptop.

According to the advert, which takes a cue from Look Who's Talking, the baby is envious of his dad's computer and the snazzy features it has including SideSync that lets him connect and share information and files with his Samsung phone via a virtual phone on the desktop.

The 54-second advert ends with the baby climbing out of the pool and then talking to the camera to say "creative, orginATIV, innovATIV"

Yes, it's okay, you can file this in your WTF folder.

Oh and UK readers, you'll be pleased to know that Sharknado, the crazy B-movie in which giant flying sharks terrorise Los Angeles after a storm is showing on Syfy tonight (Wednesday 9pm).

Windows Phone 8 and what we're expecting to see

Nokia World is just around the corner and there have been more leaks than the Titanic. Windows Phone 8 is almost certain - simply because if it wasn’t,  that would be the end of things for Nokia.

The Lumia range is due to get an update, which from pics looks to be as colourful as previous WP handsets. So what exactly to expect? Lets take a look at everything rumour related in the world of Nokia and Windows Phone 8.

Nokia 920

The most-leaked handset of all has to be the Nokia 920, which has had both pictures and specifications put out on to the web. Coming in either Postman Pat red or banana yellow, the handset is looks to be the new flagship offering from Nokia.

Inside the 920 is a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, the first multi-core processor we will have seen in a Windows Phone handset. On top of that there is 32GB of memory and 1GB of RAM. The real jewel in the 920’s crown however has to be its 4.5-inch HD screen and 8-megapixel camera with PureView tech. PureView proved itself to be mighty impressive in the Symbian-based Nokia 808, so expect similar results from the 920, albeit with the huge 42-megapixel resolution.

It also looks as if the 920 is going to come with built-in wireless charging. Leaked images of the phone placed on what seems to be a charging pad show that the handset has the technology built into its casing, a bit like the old Palm phones.

Nokia 820

A step down from the 920 is the 820, which while not being leaked in official photos, nor having quite as many specs to play with, still looks to be a nice phone. Assuming the images are actually of the handset, it looks like Nokia has done a great job with it, taking the design philosophy of the Lumia 800 that little bit further.

Images show a white handset with a centre-mounted camera on the rear and black volume rocker and power switches on the right-hand side. Buttons appear to be touch sensitive, rather than physical, and the screen is flat rather than curved like that of older-generation Lumias.

Rumours point to a smaller 4.3-inch screen on the 820 and no PureView tech, which would make it a step down or mid-range phone from Nokia. They certainly look great and Pocket-lint can’t wait to get its hands on the 820 to have a play.

Teasers

Nokia has released a steady stream of teaser videos in the build-up to Nokia World. While most don’t give away a huge amount about what we can expect hardware-wise from the new handsets, you can get a glimpse at some of their possible features.

First up is the woman on the bike video, with the header “things are about to change”. Presumably shot using the 8-megapixel camera on the Lumia 920, it shows what Pureview should be capable of.

Next in line is Nokia’s plan for augmented reality. Although being only a few seconds long, the clip shows the woman looking at information and comments from friends being projected on to a shop window.

Nokia already has an augmented reality app called City Lens, perhaps this is due for an update?

Like the look of Nokia's new kit? Let us know in the comments below ...