Windows Phone 8: Whats new in Windows phone 8.1

Windows Phone 8: Whats new in Windows phone 8.1: Another day and we have got the developer preview for Windows Phone 8.1. What has Microsoft done for us in the new OS. For one we are gettin...

Whats new in Windows phone 8.1

Another day and we have got the developer preview for Windows Phone 8.1. What has Microsoft done for us in the new OS. For one we are getting closer to iOS the software really feels fresh and some what faster.
Let get on in then
 NB :- screen capture has changed now you use power+volume up
UPDATE Process

At the moment the update is available publicly to the Windows Phone App developer, which mean you have to be registered as a developer or your phone should be enabled to receive developer software.
You can go to the Windowsphone store and get Preview for Developers App Preview for Developers, as a side note "I paid $19 to be registered as a developer which is one way activate the service" Once the app is downloaded you will then need enter your account that is registered for devlup. You will receive a software update Settings->phone update->check for updates
Once the first update is done you will repeat the above steps so that you get Windows 8.0.15xx update that will enable you to download the Windows 8.10.12359.845. This will take some time bare with us on that.

 

Once the update completes then you can have some fun, you have WiFi sense, Storage Sense, and new notifications window, advertising id, you can now add a custom background to you start screen, you will get Cortana(some settings will adjusted for those outside the US to be able to get this app). You view the history of installed apps and updates from the store.

The new IE 11allows you to pin websites to the start screen, you get quite hours, project my screen, sync my settings, VPN, Workplace, Notifications+actions

 

Let me run you through the new features that I have explored so far.

One of those features we were really missing on the windows phones platform

Notifications

We are now able to quickly navigate and see some of the settings that are available to us and also view app notification all by swiping down from the top of the screen

You can alter what you view on the notifications by simply going to Settings->Notifications+actions



and adding to the defaults that the OS will have picked.

 

You can then choose your quick actions, these are the things you want to quickly navigate too.

 

 

Battery Sense

Allows you to be able to see which apps are using your power and how much of the battery they are pulling to themselves. This can be view using Battery Saver and checking Usage. You still have the ability to conserve battery by enabling battery saver.

 





 

Cortana

 

Microsoft's searching assistance is the answer to iOS's siri and Android's Google Now. Basically Cortana is your personal assistant that leverages on Bing. Cortana will scan the web for the right response to a query. Cortana learns your personality every time you use it and with time you will able to get specific answer that are based on your searches.

So really what can we do with Cortana

1. As I stated it a personalized assistant. You can tell Cortana when you do not want to be disturbed and if there is any calls which ones you want to answer and which ones Cortana should not allow. By editing the Breakthrough rules you can say who is in your inner circle and can contact during the quite hours. 
2. 

   
   

   

2. You can use Cortana to make calls and set reminders to call or even mention certain things when you communicate with the person you are calling.

 

3. You can ask Cortana to wake you up or even start a service(App) for you at a certain time.

 

below is interaction with Cortana first via text and then speech

 



 

 

 Another cool thing that Microsoft has done on Windows phone 8.1 is modify the IE 11

 

Internet Explorer 11

 

The new IE is packed with some cool features and customizations now you are able to swipe right and go back(previous page) or swipe left and go forward.

entered my credentials as so

then accessed my msdn home page

I can then swipe on the screen to the right and get the pages I accessed before seeing my homepage on msdn.

Another good thing about the new IE 11 is that you can now pin a web page to start screen enabling you to quickly access those important sites


 

You click ... on IE and get pin to start

 

 

As you can see Microsoft Developer Network is now on start screen

The setting of IE have some add things too which will delight most of us who use the advanced features.

 

When you go to the settings of IE you can choose how you would like to view a website either desktop or mobile site version

Advanced settings allow you to specify how IE behaves and also storage for website date

 

You can specify Data Sense savings so that the phone can adjust what it displays when you are on data and its low

 

WiFi Sense

 

 

To enable you to save on data charges Windows Phone has wifi sense, it will scan for open WiFi and try to use that instead of your data. Please note that not all WiFi hotspots are secure and users should take great care when choosing the option.

You will love this new feature as it allows you share your wifi with contacts without exposing your router and network key to them. And you can also get internet access through their shared networks

 

Microsoft through Windows Phone have made it easier for Enterprise user to be able to access their work networks,

 

Workplace

If your company had policies in place on how you can access the enterprise network this feature will enable you to download the certificates and apps that are used by the company. This works out perfectly for companies that like to monitor the activities of the employees.

You can also connect to your work or home VPN as this option has been enabled with the windows 8.1 platform.

 

Finally for now lets look at the start screen.

 

If you go to settings->Start+theme you will be able to customize the start screen and add backgrounds to it. the addition of the background give a cool feel to the start as you scroll up and down the menu and different levels of transparency show the background

 



 


I will continue to update this as time goes by and I discover some other things that I might have missed. Yes I am lazy now there are still some feature that I have captured .





Windows Phone 8: Windows Phone Errors

Windows Phone 8: Windows Phone Errors: So now you have bought a new phone and it is giving you a hard time with different errors when you attempt to use it or download. Below is...

Windows Phone Errors

So now you have bought a new phone and it is giving you a hard time with different errors when you attempt to use it or download.

Below is a list of some of the errors that I can think of and solutions to them

Error code 805a0191 - This is mostly common when a user creates an Account(live account) and then do not complete the information required on the account. Now when you attempt to access services especially Xbox apps the error shows.

Solution - go to http://account.live.com : Fill out all account information. then go to
http://xbox.com : Sign in with the account, create gamer-tag, 'My Account' in the upper right. Bottom left 'Billing Contact Information'. Fill out account, attach region to account.
then
Hard reset the phone. (Settings > About > Reset your phone.)

 
 Error c00cee22 - When trying to access the Windows phone store you may get the following error c00cee22 this is a common error with people who have issues with the network or at time the store in your region maybe down.

Solution please try to test the simplest thing first are you able to access the internet from your phone, if not check the settings -> Access point -> see if there is an mobile service provider access point. If there is no value select add ->internet APN and enter the details.
If you do not have the APN you can always call your service provider and they can send you the settings.

Error 80320011 - While trying to update an App you may receive the error 80320011 this could be due to the App missing in the store

Solution -  You can try a work around the app might be missing in your region but available in other regions. Just change your region and see if you can download the app update from the store.


 Error 8018830f - trying to install new update. You download the update, but when it is time to install it, it says it couldnt open, and the (8018830F) error code shows up.

 Solution

1.  install Lumia Updates from Store;
2. update and/or install:  Accessories, Accesspoint, Audio, Display + Touch, Extras + Info, Feedback to Nokia, Network+, Nokia Account and  Storage Check (I think only this one is needed);
3. go to settings > storage check (not phone storage) > slide to page 2 (Details) > Temporary Files (mine had about 130 megs, probably from the failed downloaded firmware) > Clear (now you should have around 6 megs);
4. go to settings > phone updates > check for updates > follow the on-screen instructions > in about 30 minutes it should finish.

Error 80004004 When attempting to download an app you may receive an 80004004 error, this happens a lot when you try to use WiFi to download
Solution  If you are able to add or modify settings on your router you can try modify them to allow Windows Store through the firewall else try using data to download if the download works then you know the issues is firewall based.

Error c101a006 This error happens a lot for new users of Windows Phone, and it is an error reflecting an incorrect region setting. Your account may have been created with one regional and the phone may have a different region set on it.

Solution - you should be able to solve this error by going to your settings ->language+region then selecting the correct country that matches the account settings on your live account and also where you are at the time

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Windows Phone 8: Phones selection process

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Windows Phone 8: Why I selected Windows Phone

Windows Phone 8: Why I selected Windows Phone: I am a brand loyal guy, if its not Nokia its not a phone I used to say :) well I guess 16 years later I am still using a Nokia device. I am ...

Why I selected Windows Phone

I am a brand loyal guy, if its not Nokia its not a phone I used to say :) well I guess 16 years later I am still using a Nokia device. I am also a loyal Microsoft guy, so what do you think happened when Microsoft announced that they were using Nokia as their flagship phone, yep I added it to the wish list.
We online to clove.co.uk and on the 12 Nov 2012 I got this email

"Dear Mr Ndlovu,

Order Reference: CTXXXXXXXXX

Thank you for placing an order with Clove Technology for

Products
1 x Nokia Lumia 920 (NOK-LUM920, £433.33)
( Contract is SIM-FREE, Colour is White, Memory is 32GB, Grade is NEW ) "

And since then my £433.33 still feels well spent.

So what exactly did I get, first I got a device that has a Gorilla screen and a camera that is so good it takes pictures at night that clear.

Let me just illustrate this with the contents of my Phone

First my start screen I have used small live tiles and managed to fit 28 tiles on a single screen,

 

So when I swipe right I get to see the Apps that I have installed not the lives but the list of Apps, click on the letter and get an alphabetic view and selecting a letter will show me apps that use the letter as the their title first character

 

 

Then the Apps themselves look a little like this when viewing them away from the live tiles

 

 

When check the settings I can view System defined Settings and or Application Settings 



 

 

 



 

While check out settings I can also view Extras and info which should let me know the version of system updates

 

 

 

 

I can view an overview of how my storage is being used in the device and I can have a detailed view

 

My windows phone comes jam packed with goodies for instance we are leaving in a world when data availability is a necessity. I want to be able to access my files from any place any time. And with Office365 installed by default I have just that

 

 

 

Besides having access to Office I have access to OneDrive formerly called SkyDrive, and with OneDrive I cloud at my fingertips I can store App settings, data, video and pictures.



 



I have access to HERE services Maps, drive and City Lense, Maps give you an accurate location search and now you can even edit your location Maps by going to Here.com

 

Best of all HERE allows users to download and use Maps offline, this is handy when travelling and you have no data service you can still use Here Drive(+). You will still get a very accurate GPS service based on your location and direction search.

 



I can use another Here service to be able to explore and find all the locations and spots that are in my city or place where I am. I have access to historical information about buildings and sites. I can get an augmented view of the city

 

Nokia has many services that it offers to its clients, most of which leverage on the camera and technology of the camera. 

 

 

The precious memories that we have in our phones from our travels can be now made in to a story line use location and dates of when pictures were taken you can create your own storyline complete with timeline, places and even your favorite spots

 

You even make your movie using Nokia Video Director, this awesome app allows you to take video and edit it to suit you basically create a movie of your

 

These are just some of the fascinating feature that basically made me fall in love with my Nokia Lumia 920. So much so that I have even gotten myself a Lumia 625 Black and still have to get  Yellow, Cyan and Red devices to complete the set.



Windows Phone 8: Phones selection process

Windows Phone 8: Phones selection process: How much do we really know about phones, I remember I was stuck on Symbian Nokia phones for a long time one reason was at the time the on sm...

Phones selection process

How much do we really know about phones, I remember I was stuck on Symbian Nokia phones for a long time one reason was at the time the on smartphones Nokia had were the N-Series and then E-Series. Then Nokia followed HTC into the Windows Operating System environment at the time it was Windows phone 7. I remember seeing the Lumia 900 and thinking its time to save money and get me one. But my first thought of a smartphone was a Nokia E5. It was a very handy phone and I enjoyed using it till disaster struck. The phone fell into a tub filled with water and that was that. I went and got myself a Asha phone because at the time Microsoft and Nokia had announced a new flagship Windows Phone 8 device. This is where my journey into Windows phone begins and what journey we have had with my Nokia Lumia 920.

That's me the night my phone arrived via DHL, I was overjoyed till I realized I will have to wait for morning so that I get a new micro sim card.

How to choose a Phone

This a very a important part of selecting your device.
1. Operating System this is the software that your device will use to allow you to have a working environment.

• Android - This is a google specification which like Linux in that it is open source. Now with the Android platform you get a solid software which customizable(so they say, I yet to see someone who has change the UI from what comes out of the box). The android platform is not a consistent format. The UI on Samsung, HTC, even Sony using the same software is very different.
• iOS - This Apple's baby it is a beautifully built platform like Android it is solid but is only available to iDevices. The UI is beautiful and consistent from device to device.
• Windows - Microsoft is the late coming into the smart phone world they have but a solid platform that is consistent no matter what device you are on. PC, Laptop, Tablet or phone the Operating system and UI are the same.
• BlackBerry - In terms of enterprise space this was the operating system to have, the Blackberry platform is very secure as BB utilizes its own space for encryption purposes. 

2. Applications this is the software that provides you with the ability to accomplish tasks, be it at a social level or business. Developers have made applications that will work with the Operating system you have.

• Android - the PLAY STORE is where you would go to find Apps when using an Android device. In the apps competition Android is heads above all in terms of sheer volume of apps available in the store. There is a lot of Open Source app developers and most of the Globally available Apps can be found in Play Store and there is a lot of 3rd party options.
• iOS -  Apple Store is the official place to get all your apps, you'll need to create an account with apple and provide credit card information. like android most of the globally available apps can be found in the store. Apple is strict about the published apps and will only published if they are test and certified by the Apple engineers. Apple store has the second largest number of apps in the store.
• Windows - Windows Store is the official place where you can find applications for the Microsoft based devices, windows is still attracting app developers to their platform they current have close to 90% of the globally available Apps in the store with a promise of more to come. You will find good alternatives from 3rd party developers for those apps that are not yet in the store. Like Apple Microsoft is very strict on the Apps that it publishes in the store.
• BlackBerry -  BlackBerry World is where you will find the apps for blackberry devices, they have concentrated on enterprise apps and have the least amount of globally available apps. They have also opened up the BlackBerry Messenger(BBM) to Android and iOS and soon to Windows phone. 

3. Devices Let us look at devices in terms of the hardware, the feel and weight of a phone is very important. You want to be comfortable when gripping  the phone and when texting and answering calls.
The strength of the device body and screen are very important, there is a lot of videos on Youtube where people do crash test, hammer and knife test of devices.
Battery life of smart phones is really poor if you compare to the legacy devices this mainly due to the processor and its processing capabilities. Also the graphics adapter that is displaying the images on screen.
Screen resolution is another factor to consider dpi is an important measure how many vertical and horizontal pixels you can fit in a inch is what makes an image clear and distorted.
Memory is highly important as this is the one device or service that is going to be holding programs, apps and data when you use the phone
Processors are getting better nowadays we are seeing device manufacturers release quad core(4cpus in one) processors which is really impressive.
Storage this is where your device can store apps, data, music, videos and so on you have a choice of 8GB-64GB built in and some devices can expand the storage available by use of Micro SD Cards.
Camera most devices will have a primary and a secondary camera. The Primary camera will most times be located at the rear of the device and has a high resolution which is good for taking pictures and video. The secondary front facing camera is low resolution and mostly used for video chat.

4. Support and Security To me one of the most important things when I select a product is availability of support services. Does the product have a dedicated team for support, are there forums that I can join to find important information.
How many time does the system have updates also gives away how secure a device's operating system is.
How easy can an app be attacked by malware or how easy are phishers able to piggyback on the app.