All About Smartphones

Almost everyone now know as that Nokia Devices and Services Business has been sold to Microsoft and to that effect, Nokia have released set of new information regarding the changes and transition that would take place for their numerous fans. One of the very significant change is that Nokia devices will start carrying the Microsoft branding once the takeover is final.  In a letter to consumers, Nokia has this to say: Hello, We wanted to share some important information about your data privacy and contracts. Nokia currently expects to complete the sale of its Devices & Services business to Microsoft in April 2014. With the completion of this transaction, a Microsoft Finnish affiliate* assumes responsibility for your personal data and the contractual relationships for the products and services related to this business. Microsoft cares deeply about your privacy and the protection of your personal data and will continue to collect and use your personal data in the sa...

Few days ago we brought to your remembrance the on going project for Nokia to release an Android based Nokia phone with entry level specs and pricing before its totally owned by Microsoft. The name of the Android Nokia phone is codenamed Normandy. Until recently, no real visible look into the way the UI of the Android OS that would be bundled into the Nokia Android phone would look like.  Thanks to the popular and ever persistent activities of @evleaks, we have a good look of what the Normandy will look like when complete before its officially unveiled on the 25th of February. The device which lacks a little in specs looks like a Nokia 520 and feels like it too according to sources but what we really see here is the amalgamation of Android and Windows Phone OS design bundled to the already premium build phone. This version of Android is known as "Forked Android" From the images, you would also see that BBM is installed on the device which means that th...

The rumour of a Nokia Android phone code named Normandy had been swirling through the net for quite sometime without any serious proof of something like that being developed. Today, a proof of such rumors was revealed. The proof which is in form of pictures of a prototype of the said device was leaked courtesy of Weibo and some other sources. The idea of a Nokia device running on an Android phone would be something that a lot of folks wouldn't mind at all. Of course Microsoft have taken over the handset unit of the Finish company and have already slammed their own windows phone OS on the Nokia phones, yet it would still be great to see a Nokia phone running Android even if it's for history sake. A Nokia Android phone, how does that sound to your ear? We shall put you in the know of once more information surfaces regarding this development. So make sure you stay tuned to Phonegist to be a reason all your smartphone news. Like our Facebook page a...

Nokia Lumia users can now have folders on their home screen just like other smartphones from other devices do.  Naturally, all apps are arranged on the home screen without the ability to put these apps in folders for organisation and cleanness sake. However, Nokia has now made the ability to get folders on their handsets by releasing a dedicated app to achieve that. This app called App Folder can be downloaded from the App Store (link placed at the bottom of page). Initially, this ability was reserved for Nokia Lumia 1020 and Lumia 925 when the Lumia Black software update is installed. However, Nokia deemed it fit that other Nokia Lumia phones should have the feature or app too on their devices which eventually led to the release of a dedicated app. What this ultimately means is that you can gather similar apps an put them in a folder so that things can get very organised on the home screen and also less clustered. This would also make it easier to find apps. ...

Finally, the old year 2013 is gone, it has become history, one we have to refer to in the past tense.  It didn't go without a lot of notable events either good or bad.  In 2013, there was rise and fall of individuals, products and companies. Some products stood out and some that didn't really raise eyebrows.  In January 2013, BlackBerry unveiled its BlackBerry 10 range of devices, the Z10 and Q10 which at first seemed like a flop but quickly gathered momentum and steadily rising to its success stage, Nokia also started with the Lumia series with Lumia 520 releasing in February. Samsung didn't waste time in announcing their Samsung Galaxy S4 in March while Google announced their Moto X for August and one of the most anticipated release of 2013 was the iPhone 5S which was announced in September.  Also in September, October and November, Infinix Mobility, the French company released the Infinix X570 and Infinix X520 smartphones respectively ...

Nokia is secretly building an Android phone that would be released January 2014 as gotten from sources. The phone is codenamed Normandy and it would be a low-end Android budget phone. The team involved are apparently in "full steam ahead" to  get the device out as early as possible. The phone is expected to tackle the competition its Asha line of phones are having with other low-end budget Android phones according to some sources. Since, the full acquisition of Nokia handset unit by Microsoft isn't complete yet, Nokia can quickly make the Android phone and see the reactions that would be generated by customers out there.    Although, it is my opinion that this is something that Nokia should have done long time ago, we still think that Nokia has a better chance of growth if it had gone the Android way rather than going the Windows OS way.  Either way, we would be glad to see a low-end budget Nokia Android phone come 2014 if Microsoft didn't ta...

HTC phones are likely to be widely banned in the UK following the current case between Nokia and HTC over patents infringement by HTC. Nokia accused HTC of infringing on some patents which eventually caused a legal battle in UK courts.  Justice Arnold of the England and Wales high court ordered an injunction against HTC but gave HTC the chance to appeal on limited grounds.  Nokia won the first round of the case and have asked for the ban of HTC phones and monetary compensation for each phone sold.  If Nokia should completely win the case and these demands by Nokia are finally acceded to, there would be a huge ban on a lot of HTC phones that are accused to have infringed on Nokia’s patents EP1246071 and EP0998024.  The patents in question describes the method of configuring electronic devices and especially between desktop computers and mobile devices.  If the ban becomes effective, it would be a serious issue for the Taiwanese compa...

Nokia has taken the wraps off their Lumia 525 smartphone which is the successor to the Lumia 520 budget smartphone. Lumia 520 was common for those with budget concerns but lacked somethings: bigger RAM to run apps Well, Lumia 525 comes to correct the RAM issue. Lumia 525 comes with 1GB RAM instead of the 512MB RAM seen in the 520. Aside this new bump in RAM, everything else is pretty much the same. The camera is still 5MP without flash, screen display is 4 inch, dual-core Qualcomm S4 processor still running inside the Lumia 525.  The price should also be the same too though so that those willing to leave the Lumia 520 for 525 will have even more reasons to do so. As of this writing, there is no word on release date but we believe it should be soon enough in this year and in Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific according to the website. Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter for more smartphone news.

The release of Nokia first tablet in the Lumia series is near. This tablet with code name Nokia Sirius would officially be called Lumia 2520 according to @eavleak. What we do know is that the tablet is rumoured to have a full 10.1 inch HD resolution of 1920 x 1080, powered by a Snapdragon 800 SoC processor clocked at 2.15GHz. Furthermore, a RAM of 2GB and internal memory of 32GB is expected for this device. As you all know, camera is a must for all tablets and the Lumia 2520 will be bagging a 6.7mp rear camera with Carl Zeiss optics.  Also, connectivity is achieved by the help of USB port, micro HDMI port, WiFi and a detachable keyboard. The tablet will run Windows RT and may be available come 22nd October for $499. Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter for more news and guides

Christmas just came early this year for my Nigerian peeps, thanks to the partnership between Nokia and Airtel. Nokia and Airtel partnership have given birth to a wonderful program that bring good news to interested people. The news is that you can swap any of your old functioning Nokia phone for a new Nokia Lumia 520 smartphone which is currently selling for N28,000. For example, bring a good functioning Nokia 3310 and collect a new Nokia Lumia 520 smartphone.  How does it work? Well, the process if pretty simple. 1.  All you have to do is take your good functioning old Nokia phone of any kind to any Airtel outlet nationwide,  2. Drop N23,990  3. Collect a brand new Nokia Lumia 520 smartphone.  More Goodies What is even more sweet about this offer is that you can swap as many old Nokia phones for equal amount of Nokia Lumia 520 smartphones. Icing on The Cake Like icing on a cake to give more flavour, so also Airtel have decid...

Nokia have sold it's handset unit to the Software giant Microsoft for $7.2 billion  This occurrence is of course inevitable seeing how software companies are increasingly moving into the hardware market so as to have total control on the hardware to uses its software, something Apple did long time ago and paying off. Google and Microsoft who just in recent times totally picked up on the school of thought of Apple have seen that controlling both the hardware that runs its software is the way to go now. Well,  Microsoft have totally demonstrated that school of though again by acquiring Nokia's handset division for $7.2 billion.  Also,  Nokia would license some of its patents to Microsoft to allow for freely usage of these technologies. Nokia directors and shareholders had these to say in a statement made by Risto Siilastmaa, chairman, Nokia board of directors . "We believe this transaction is the best way forward for Nokia and its sharehold...

In this age, the role of advertising cannot be over emphasized. While in the past, it may be somewhat of a minimal value, however now it is a very important activity that can set a company above others especially when combined with innovative ideas, new breathtaking technology and services. Advertising which is the act of publicly promoting a service of product has evolved prodigiously.  It is no more confined to TVs, Billboards, Newspapers and Radios. It has also encroached to the Internet, on mobile devices and even by mails. Brands are evolving daily and competition becomes far acute than it used to be. Monopoly of a particular brand is constantly being broken due to this stiff competition. Consequently, to remain in business, one has to keep up not only appearances but innovation and competitiveness; the customer is the final target. There is no room to sit still, get comfortable with the loyal customers one have acquired over time, there's always someon...

Nokia is doing everything possible in their power to make sure that they keep smartphone consumers satisfied and also covering all angles. Nokia have released high end and low end devices that are doing well. Today Nokia has launched yet another budget Lumia smartphone, the 625. The big surprise it’s the 4.7 inch screen, OF WVGA(640×800) resolution. Pixel density is not exactly premium class at 201ppi, but it’s decent. Another surprise is the super sensitive screen that has only been available so far for the high end of the Lumia range, but found it’s way into the 625.  The smartphone features a 2000 mAh battery which should keep you talking for about 15 hours. Definitely, it's a medium end smartphone with some high end device features embedded. To be candid, it's a smartphone that would be easily cherished and appeal to  a lot of consumers. The phone is covered with repleaceable shells created using the same technology(two colored layers) as in ...

Striving for success and gaining success is one thing, however keeping and holding on to that success is another thing; one that often requires huge amount of energy even sometimes exceeding the energy used to get to that vantage point. The term "Energy" is defined as money invested, Research & Development, innovation and dedication to true customer satisfaction. While Apple and Samsung may have strived and attained success in the smartphone industry, keeping hold of that success is a daunting challenge. One they address every second of the time using different models.  Am sure they learnt from the mistakes of the Fallen heroes: Blackberry, Nokia, Erricson and even Motorola. The reason for even far more energy spent on sustaining success isn't too far fetched considering the plethora of other companies trying to attain that pinnacle of success at the expense of the downfall of the new big names either by copying innovation or using advertising t...

Nokia's chief executive Stephen Elop have given a reason why Nokia didn't choose Android to replace Symbian  in 2010 when it decided to ditch  Symbian OS from its phones and replace it with the struggling Microsoft OS for mobile, Windows Phone OS. According to Elop, the choice he made was right and he and his team  are happy to have made the choice back in 2010 and still stands by it even now. He stated that Nokia decided not to go with Android because it seemed like and OS that would be totally dominated by one manufacturer which is what is happening now. He stated and implied that Samsung is totally controlling Android giving other phone manufacturers little or no chance at success as evident with what HTC is facing in the android space. In Stephen Elop's words "I'm very happy with the decision we made," he said. "What we were worried about a couple of years ago was the very high risk that one hardware manufacturer could come to dom...