The basics

Windows Phone 8 is here, and it’s never been more needed. Google and Apple have hoovered up most of the smartphone marketplace, and Windows Phone 7 has made little dent in that in two years. Microsoft is hoping to change that with an all new release (that won’t run on older Windows Phones, you’ll need to buy a new handset to get it) that promises speedier performance, a new look homescreen and support for the latest hardware, including 4G speeds, HD screens and multi-core processors. But is that enough, when its competitors do too? Let’s take a look.

The good

We’ve always enjoyed the design of Windows Phone, and version eight only improves on that. The new homescreen lets you customise it to your heart’c content, with three different tile sizes available. It’s a happy medium between Apple’s static icons and Android sometimes overly confusing widgets, especially since these live tiles update with information (headlines, unread messages and so forth).

Microsoft has made very few changes when it comes to navigation otherwise but that’s no bad thing. You still open apps from the live tile homescreen, and swipe from side to side for more options. The keyboard too remains visually unchanged, but that’s no bad thing: it was already excellent, and its word prediction is now even smarter.

Everything feels fluid and fast, but then, Windows Phone always did. The only difference is that now, it feels fluid and fast on HD screens, with dual-core processors.

Microsoft has improved notifications with Windows Phone 8 though, letting you assign one app to show extra detail on the lock screen (The calendar, for instance), and five to show alerts from. This combined with the ability to now receive Skype calls (a glaring omission in Windows Phone, considering Microsoft owns Skype) makes keeping an eye on all your updates in your most important apps much easier.

The problem of few apps for Windows Phone remains, but the important change is one under the hood you’ll probably never see: Windows Phone 8 is now based on the same core as Windows proper, which should mean developers should have to do very little work porting their Windows desktop apps over to mobile.

Only time will tell if this happens in practice, but given Windows 8 on PCs is off to a strong start, with four million upgrades already, there’s every chance it’ll solve the app famine on Windows Phone at last.

The bad

We like most of the new features on Windows Phone 8 (Except Rooms, the new private group chat and communication features, which is basically useless unless you and all your friends have a Windows Phone 8 device).

What we don’t like, however, is what Microsoft hasn’t fixed from Windows Phone 7 and 7.5. The People hub is a lovely idea, supposedly pulling in all the data from social networks about your friends. But it still doesn’t update in the background, so every time you open a friend’s profile, you’ll have to watch it load, load, load. It’s a bizarre move, and one that wouldn’t even be acceptable in a third party app on Android or iPhone, never mind a built in service.

Internet Explorer 10 is fast, but due to the core engine it uses has a nasty habit of showing you nasty old text-based versions of sites by default. It also only lets you have six tabs open at a time, and it’s two taps to get to them each time you want to switch, which is a lot less seamless than Chrome on Android’s swiping gesture support.

Microsoft has also not fixed its daft multi-tasking issue: you can open an app in the state you left it again, but only through the multitasking screen accessed by holding down the back button. if you open the app again from your homescreen, it just restarts and you have to wait while it loads again. It’s infuriating, especially if you find yourself using just a few core apps day to day.

And while We love Xbox SmartGlass, the app that lets you control your Xbox 360 from anywhere, and even view second screen content while palying a game or watching a film – and it comes built into Windows Phone 8. But it also highlighted for us a serious problem with how accounts work on the platform.

We have an Xbox Live account tied to a Gmail address, and not the Hotmail address we use to test Windows Phone – which effectivly meant SmartGlass wouldn’t connect to our Xbox. Microsoft’s guide for reviewers’ advice on this front was simply to make sure all your accounts are tied together before you set up your phone. Not very helpful after the fact.

It didn’t have to be this way either: you can just sign into different Xbox Live accounts on Xbox SmartGlass for Android. As such, SmartGlass is actually better on Android (and presumably will be on iOS) than it is on Windows, which is not something Microsoft would want.

You also have to wonder if the new technical support on Windows Phone 8 is enough: yes, it can now run on 720p HD screens, like the latest Android super phones. But we’ve already seen one full 1080p HD phone announced by HTC in recent weeks, and we doubt the likes of Samsung will be far behind. Could Microsoft be setting itself up for a fall down the line once more?

The bottom line

Windows Phone 8 is a solid effort that remains beautiful and effortlessly easy to use. It adds in a few extra features to keep it competitive, as well as support for the current cutting edge in hardware, but unfortunately, it still doesn’t solve the problems that have plagued Windows Phone ever since its 2010 reboot.

There’s still no sign of a flowering app eco-system, and Microsoft has still not yet fixed some ofthe issues that have been bugging us for years. We can’t say Windows Phone 8 is a reason to ditch your iPhone or Android phone, but as a new experience for a first time smartphone user who wants simplicity, not every option under the sun, it’s a serious option at last.

www.easyappbusiness.com

Windows Phone 7.8 is slowly on the way, but there’s good news for owners with current Windows Phone 7.5 devices who want to update right now, as the friendly folks at XDA Developers have managed to release a near-final version of the update for use on quite a few products.

Windows Phone 7.8 brings quite a few new nifty features to older devices that have been left behind after Windows Phone 8 was released. These Windows Phone 7 devices get some almost-WP8 updates, such a revamped Start screen as well as Xbox Music.

If you own one of the following devices and fancy updating to the latest software release possible for Windows Phone 7 devices, hit the link to be taken over to the XDA Developers forum: HTC Titan, HTC Mozart, HTC HD 2, HTC Radar, HTC HD 7, Samsung Omnia 7, HTC Trophy, HTC 7 Pro, Nokia Lumia 710, Nokia Lumia 800.

Of course, these released updates are available for you to install at your own risk, and are not officially supported, so don’t say we didn’t warn you. At the very least, it’s a sign that the release is very close at hand – let us know how you find it in the comments below!

Five things you never knew you could do with your Chromebook

With everything stored in the cloud, Google’s Chromebooks offer super fast start-up times and are much lighter than most laptops. And with great devices like the Acer C7 being a bargain at just £199, now could be the time to invest in a Chromebook.

Don’t worry if you think they’re less well-equipped than proper laptops, either. Far from it. With a Chromebook, you can do this little lot, for starters.

1 Stream music

Last week Spotify announced it was launching a version of its streaming service using a browser. You can sign up now through the company’s Facebook page. Or you can use Rdio, and bring millions of tracks to your Chromebook using your browser. Hard drive? Who needs a hard drive?

2 Watch movies using Netflix

The original version of Chrome OS wouldn’t stream Netflix, but the movie service will now work like a charm on your Chromebook, giving you a ton of options that’ll more than make up for the lack of DVD drive. Just careful you don’t get popcorn in the keyboard.

3 Make video calls

The bad news is it’s a little tricky getting Skype to work on Chrome OS. Thankfully there’s an app called imo, which’ll let you use Skype as well as Google Talk, ICQ, and more. Of course, you could always start a Google Hangout in Google +, which works seamlessly with Chrome OS. Your contact will need to be on Google +, which admittedly not that many people are, but signing up is a doddle.

4 Turn it into a Windows PC or Mac

You may be feeling a little underpowered with your Chromebook, but did you know you can effectively turn it into a Mac or Windows PC? Just install Chrome Remote Desktop, and you can access another of your computers right on your Chromebook. Add the app to your browser, enable remote connections (both computers will need to be connected to the internet), and you should be able to jump between the two on the same screen.

5 Edit photos and videos online

No hard drive to install programs on might leave you thinking you can’t pull off any photo or video editing. Well you’d be wrong. There are a bunch of programs available online that’ll do the job. Ok, so they might not be able to rival Photoshop and Final Cut Pro for the really polished effects, but for your basic editing they’ll have everything you need. Check out Pixlr Editor, LunaPic, Fotoflexer, and iPiccy for snaps, and the YouTube Video Editor is pretty handy.

Google’s trio of new Nexus goodies may not be the only gizmos the tech giant has for us before Christmas: according to a new report, the search gurus at Google are working on an own-brand Google Chromebook laptop, complete with a touchscreen. Is Google’s answer to the low price laptop about to get even smarter?

According to China Times, Google is working on its own-brand Chromebook laptop, to rival the likes of Samsung and Acer – and it may start shipping before the end of the year, in time for Christmas. Unusually, it will pack a touchscreen, meaning that you should be able to swipe up and down and select on-screen icons, as you can with many new Windows 8 machines.

Chromebooks run Chrome OS, Google’s operating system that’s fast, free, and little more than a web browser – if you caught our feature last week though, you’ll know that’s much less of a limitation than it used to be, and you can do almost anything with it that you’d want to on a Windows PC or Mac.

We’ll let you know as soon as more information surfaces about a touchscreen Google Chromebook.

www.tell-me-first.com

Barnes & Noble’s new tablets, the Nook HD and HD+, have hit the UK, and right on cue, the bookseller’s app for smartphones has arrived too. Download the free e-reader app and you can keep all your books and magazines in the cloud, accessible from anywhere. Will this kill the Kindle?

Much like Amazon’s Kindle app, which is available on just about every platform you care to shake a stick at, the Nook app for iPhone and Android phones and tablets – launched in the UK today – lets you buy and choose from more than 2.5million titles, read on one device, and pick up where you left off on another. It’s free, and runs on Android phone running version 2.1 or up, and every iOS device from the iPhone 3GS upwards.

Barnes & Noble’s Nook app tries to stand out from the crowd with a big focus on magazines and comics – which you can view pane by pane. Your purchases will also run on the Nook e-reader and Nook HD and HD+ Android-powered tablets – we’ll have full reviews of those for you shortly

www.easyappbusiness.com

Which smart TV set-up is right for you?

TVs have been going crazy of late, with streaming, apps, and games all relatively recent additions. So how do you know which set-up is right for you? Break out the popcorn, as we take a quick tour through the different options on offer. And please, turn your phones off.

Smart TV set

Smart TVs are a new breed, bringing the internet and apps to your lounge. Which sounds great on paper, but in reality they’ve been slow to take off, with Google TV failing to win over couch potatoes. So what’s been the problem? Too many companies, like LG and Samsung, have tried to launch their own app stores, so there’s been no standard set so far. And that means less choice. Like any new technology, they’ve been expensive, too, but the price will come down. Having said all this, you haven’t lived until you’ve played Angry Birds on a 65-inch screen.

PVR

One huge advantage PVRs have over smart TVs (and all these other set-ups have over smart TVs, for that matter): you won’t need to buy a new telly, which will save you a bundle. And will mean you’re not stuck with an eyesore of a gogglebox for years if you find actually you don’t like it. Freeview+ HD boxes let you record shows and movies from the TV in HD, and they won’t break the bank either; you won’t need a subscription, and prices start from around £160. Or if you want something a little extra, and are prepared to pay a bit more, why not go for YouView? The boxes are a little more expensive, but there’s still no monthly fee, and it’s a doddle to use, especially compared to the mostly clunky and overly complicated smart TV menus.

Media streamer

These do what they say on the tin. You can enjoy all the movies, music and TV shows stored on your computer, but on the big screen TV in the lounge. Which is handy, as you can sit on the sofa instead of that uncomfortable desk chair. The only downside? You’ll need Wi-Fi set up, as it all works wirelessly. Apple TV is probably the easiest of the bunch to use, but Roku runs it a close second.

Games console

If you’re only using your console for games, you’re only using a fraction of its potential. Hook it up to the internet, and you can watch a host of films and TV shows. The PS3 has its Video Store, offering films, and you can access services like iPlayer and 4OD on it. The Xbox 360 also offers lots of films and TV shows, as well as catch-up services like 4OD, iPlayer and Sky On-Demand. You will have to pay for films, and some TV shows though, so be prepared to cough up if you’re a telly addict. And if you don’t own a games console already, it wouldn’t make sense to buy one purely for watching films and TV.

Media centre

In many ways, a media centre PC is the best way to watch TV. It’ll have far more storage than any other device, so can hold more movies and shows. It’ll play more file types than other home cinema kit too, and you won’t be tied to one particular online store, so you can pick and choose from all the films and TV shows on the web. But media centres are bulky, expensive beasts that look unsightly in a lounge, and with noisy fans that can get annoying. Look for one with a built-in Blu-ray/DVD drive though, and it’ll be all the home media systems you need.

The Archos FamilyPad: a 13.3in tablet that’s fun for the whole family
Archos has come up with a tablet that’s big enough for the whole family to gather around, so it’ll be perfect for large games of Angry Birds this Christmas.
The 13.3-inch FamilyPad has 10x multitouch support, so four people can get their sticky fingers on the screen at the same time, like a 21st century equivalent to playing board games at Crimbo. Or if you want to hark back to the classics, you can play the pre-installed digital board games, too.
The FamilyPad isn’t going to give the high-flying Galaxy Tabs or iPads of this world a run for their money specs-wise though. The screen is 1,280×800-pixels, it has 8GB flash memory, a microSD slot, and 1GHz ARM Cortex A8 CPU. If that 13.3-inch display isn’t big enough, an HDMI output lets you run movies to your telly. And there are front- and rear-cameras that are 2-megapixels each.
The tablet runs Android Ice Cream Sandwich, can handle a variety of e-mail accounts for all the family, and is available for £274.99.

Which smart TV set-up is right for you?

TVs have been going crazy of late, with streaming, apps, and games all relatively recent additions. So how do you know which set-up is right for you? Break out the popcorn, as we take a quick tour through the different options on offer. And please, turn your phones off.

Smart TV set

Smart TVs are a new breed, bringing the internet and apps to your lounge. Which sounds great on paper, but in reality they’ve been slow to take off, with Google TV failing to win over couch potatoes. So what’s been the problem? Too many companies, like LG and Samsung, have tried to launch their own app stores, so there’s been no standard set so far. And that means less choice. Like any new technology, they’ve been expensive, too, but the price will come down. Having said all this, you haven’t lived until you’ve played Angry Birds on a 65-inch screen.

PVR

One huge advantage PVRs have over smart TVs (and all these other set-ups have over smart TVs, for that matter): you won’t need to buy a new telly, which will save you a bundle. And will mean you’re not stuck with an eyesore of a gogglebox for years if you find actually you don’t like it. Freeview+ HD boxes let you record shows and movies from the TV in HD, and they won’t break the bank either; you won’t need a subscription, and prices start from around £160. Or if you want something a little extra, and are prepared to pay a bit more, why not go for YouView? The boxes are a little more expensive, but there’s still no monthly fee, and it’s a doddle to use, especially compared to the mostly clunky and overly complicated smart TV menus.

Media streamer

These do what they say on the tin. You can enjoy all the movies, music and TV shows stored on your computer, but on the big screen TV in the lounge. Which is handy, as you can sit on the sofa instead of that uncomfortable desk chair. The only downside? You’ll need Wi-Fi set up, as it all works wirelessly. Apple TV is probably the easiest of the bunch to use, but Roku runs it a close second.

Games console

If you’re only using your console for games, you’re only using a fraction of its potential. Hook it up to the internet, and you can watch a host of films and TV shows. The PS3 has its Video Store, offering films, and you can access services like iPlayer and 4OD on it. The Xbox 360 also offers lots of films and TV shows, as well as catch-up services like 4OD, iPlayer and Sky On-Demand. You will have to pay for films, and some TV shows though, so be prepared to cough up if you’re a telly addict. And if you don’t own a games console already, it wouldn’t make sense to buy one purely for watching films and TV.

Media centre

In many ways, a media centre PC is the best way to watch TV. It’ll have far more storage than any other device, so can hold more movies and shows. It’ll play more file types than other home cinema kit too, and you won’t be tied to one particular online store, so you can pick and choose from all the films and TV shows on the web. But media centres are bulky, expensive beasts that look unsightly in a lounge, and with noisy fans that can get annoying. Look for one with a built-in Blu-ray/DVD drive though, and it’ll be all the home media systems you need.

But according to Aaron McPherson, practice director for Worldwide Payment Strategies at IDC, that’s just a drop in the overall transaction bucket.

“Even at a trillion dollars that’s a big sexy number in the grand scheme it’s not that much,” McPherson said in a call with Mobile Payments Today. “It’s clear that (mobile payments has) a long ways to go,” he said.

McPherson said the total mobile payments market will represent only a small fraction, just 2.5 percent, of the total transaction volume that mobile payments could, at least theoretically, address. He said that number, which includes cash, check, ACH and cards, is closer to $50 trillion.

Even with that caveat, however, McPherson said mobile payments growth will continue to accelerate.

McPherson also noted that a couple of results from his research surprised him a little. “One of the things that jumped out at me was just how big (m-commerce) is,” he said. He explained that most of the money being attributed to “mobile payments” is actually money being spent through m-commerce, meaning consumers shopping from a mobile device instead of online or in a store. “It’s a much higher percentage of the total than I was expecting,” he said.

To find out more about mobile apps for your business or to become a Retailer, Distributor or Reseller, visit http://www.easyappbusiness.com.

Contact:

Tell Me First – the Best in New Technology

http://www.easyappbusiness.com

UK : +44 (0) 208 144 2025

USA : 262 299 4501

Nokia HERE Maps launches on iOS

Good news if you own an iPhone 5 but aren’t too keen on Apple Maps. Nokia has just launched its own navigation app, HERE Maps, on the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

The app lets you save maps for later viewing, see what you searched for earlier, and share your maps on Facebook. It features step-by-step and turn-by-turn voice-guided navigation, just like a satnav. And with 200 countries mapped, you shouldn’t find yourself feeling lost very often.

Head to the iTunes App Store and you can download it now for free.

The offline maps may be a little limited though, as you can only download 10MB of data. So don’t expect to find your way everywhere without having to use a connection. But still, offline mode is very handy if you’re going abroad, as you can snaffle a map in the UK to use on your hols without incurring a huge bill for data.

Apple replaced Google Maps with its own mapping app for the iPhone 5. Apple Maps has met with almost universal scorn, with entire towns being in the wrong place. Google is rumoured to be working on a new version of its mapping app for the iPhone 5, but until then, this looks the best bet for lost Apple fans.