General

Lumia 930 now available in Singapore The latest innovation beautifully integrates the best of Microsoft and Lumia Microsoft today announced the availability of the Lumia 930 with Windows Phone 8.1 in Singapore at a recommended retail price of SGD789, a device which integrates the best of Microsoft and Lumia to deliver the ultimate video and imaging experience on a smartphone. Lumia 930 packs a rich suite of differentiating applications and services into a beautifully crafted design with metallic details and vibrant new colours, while keeping content like photos, videos and documents in sync across Windows Phone, PC, tablet and Xbox devices. ...

The Nokia Lumia 635 was launched in Singapore on the 14th of June, 2014. Recently, I had the opportunity to check out this low-cost device - a pioneer of the next version of Windows Phone (8.1). Setting Up I was pleasantly surprised at the upgraded out-of-box experience that comes with Windows Phone 8.1. The cellular network setup that used to be separate from the initial setup has now been merged, and the overall setup process has been simplified. I ran a restore from my Nokia Lumia 1020 which quickly brought back all my accounts, contacts, apps and customization options (even backgrounds and tiles) in less than 10 minutes. The Lumia 635 I got came with OS version 8.10.12382.878 which is the latest publicly available version of Windows Phone to the public. ...

The Surface Pro 3 Media Event on the 27th of June also revealed some information about the Xbox One and Windows Phone in Singapore. Here are some interesting information regarding the three that I gathered from asking around. Xbox One The Xbox One will be released in Singapore on the 23rd of September. It will be available for purchase on the online Microsoft Store, with (S$739) and without the Kinect (S$639). Consumers will be able to pre-order the Xbox One - though no news on pre-order bonuses, if any. The delayed launch of the Xbox One was due to customizations that had to be made in order to cater to the country. This is because the Xbox One is not just a gaming device - it’s an all-rounded entertainment device. Stay-tuned for the pre-order which may reward locals for waiting. Post-launch, we should see games by Microsoft (343i - like Halo Master Chief Collection, etc) launching on the same day in Singapore. Not sure if partners (like EA) will release on the same day as well or if games will have a staggered release. Integration with local providers is being worked on. The Xbox One has many upcoming exclusive games as shown in the recent E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo). Did you know: The Xbox One can control the TV (e.g. power, volume) via HDMI? Windows Phone The Nokia Lumia 930 will be launched in July. Nokia device releases are usually on Saturdays - meaning the Lumia 930 will likely go live on the 5th, 12th, 19th, or 26th of July. Windows Phone 8.1 will be rolled out some time in Q3 2014 (1st July to 30th September). SensorCore will only be available to the Nokia Lumia 635, 930, and 1520 - and future Lumias- but not earlier models of Nokia Lumia. Fragmentation is not expected from this as SensorCore is very niche, and developers can make an app work with or without it (e.g. Bing Health & Fitness app) Surface Pro 3 Students can get an educational 10% discount off the Surface Pro 3 from the online Microsoft Store. No plans for any trade-in promotion. Will be available at Challenger, Newstead, and Harvey Norman - pre-orders from them start 4th July (already available at the online Microsoft Store). Check out the Surface Pro 3 Fact Sheet for more information.

Meet Surface Pro 3, the tablet that can replace your laptop. Wrapped in magnesium and loaded with a 12-inch ClearType Full HD display, 4th-generation Intel® Core™ processor and up to 8 GB of RAM in a sleek frame — just 9.1mm thin and 800g — with up to nine hours of Web-browsing battery life, Surface Pro 3 has all the power, performance and mobility of a laptop in an incredibly lightweight, versatile form. The thinnest and lightest member of the Surface Pro family, Surface Pro 3 features a large and beautiful 2160x1440 2K color-calibrated screen and 3:2 aspect ratio with multitouch input, so you can swipe, pinch and drag whenever you need. The improved optional Surface Pro Type Cover and more adjustable, continuous kickstand will transform your device experience from tablet to laptop in a snap. Surface Pro Type Cover features a double-fold hinge enabling you to magnetically lock it to the display’s lower bezel, keeping everything steady so you can work just as comfortably on your lap as you do at your desk. With a full-size USB 3.0 port, microSD card reader and Mini DisplayPort, you can quickly transfer files and easily connect peripherals like external displays. And with the optional Surface Ethernet Adapter, you can instantly connect your Surface to a wired Ethernet network with transfer rates of up to 1 Gbps [1]. The custom Surface Pen, crafted with a solid, polished aluminum finish, was designed to look and feel like an actual fountain pen to give you a natural writing experience. Use Surface Pen to organically mark presentations, sign documents or create art in apps like Fresh Paint. A click of Surface Pen opens OneNote, so you can capture your thoughts instantaneously — and your work is automatically saved. Double-click the back of Surface Pen to instantly capture a screenshot of whatever’s on your screen [2]. And with our sophisticated Palm Block technology, you can rest your hand as you write without unintended inputs and marks. When it’s time to have some fun, Surface Pro 3’s bright 12-inch ClearType Full HD display, Dolby® Audio-enhanced sound and doubled Wi-Fi speeds are up to the task. Prop up your Surface via its continuous kickstand for your perfect viewing angle, and enjoy Surface Pro 3’s front-facing speakers, now 45 percent louder for an even better audio experience. Need to quickly capture a photo or video chat with your friends? Surface Pro 3 now features two 5MP cameras capable of capturing 1080p HD video, so capturing stills or video has never been easier. With Windows 8.1 Pro [3], Surface Pro 3 is capable of running all your Windows software, including Microsoft Office and Windows Store apps, including custom line-of-business apps for enterprises and business owners. Surface Pro 3 is available with an Intel® Core™ i3, i5 or i7 processor with up to 512 GB of storage and up to 8 GB of RAM [4]. At launch, we have announced that BMW Group, the Coca-Cola Company and LVMH Group have already committed to deploying Surface Pro 3 in their respective organizations, leading the way in transforming the way companies do business. This fact speaks to Surface Pro 3’s suitability for business needs. ...

What’s ‘Appening is a series of lists by Microsoft Singapore detailing some must-have apps for your Windows 8 or Windows Phone device. Do check them out and discover some hot new apps! It’s time for kick-off! Whether you call it soccer, football, or the “beautiful game”, the sport where 11 players on each side kick a little ball around a grass field and try to get it into large woven nets at either end of the field is back again this year with its biggest and most exciting global event—the World Cup! If you’ve never heard of the game, the way we’ve described it may not sound very exciting, but rest assured that no other soccer competition in the world is more anticipated than this once-in-four-years mega-event. But as countries of the world put forth their best feet to win the grand title of World Cup champion, we’d rather hunker down in our living room with our Windows and Windows Phone devices, where the view is better and more personal, and where there are great apps to make the experience exceptional. Are you ready for the kick-off? ...

You may have heard by now that Microsoft announced on Tuesday updates to OneDrive that include: an increase in the amount of free storage available to customers, reduced prices for paid storage, and added value for customers who have an Office 365 subscription. A breakdown of the updates is included below: Free storage will increase from 7 GB to 15 GB Storage bundled with Office 365 subscriptions will increase to 1 TB S$9.80/month or $98.00/year for Office 365 Personal S$13.80/month or $138.00/year for Office 365 Home (up to 5 PCs or Macs) S$108.00/4yr for University Note: Monthly pricing only available via microsoftstore.com Storage prices will be reduced worldwide. Plans are now: S$3.00/month for 100 GB of storage Lastly, OneDrive users who refer friends will still receive up to 5 GB (in 500 MB increments) for each friend who accepts an invitation. Additionally, OneDrive will give you 3 GB just for activating the camera backup feature on your smartphone. All of these updates will take effect in the next month. Current subscribers will be automatically be moved to the lower prices. Additional details can be found on the OneDrive blog.

Lumia 635 Now Available in Singapore The most affordable 4G Lumia smartphone packs a wealth of innovation and super-fast connected experiences 16 June 2014, Singapore The Lumia 635 with Windows Phone 8.1 is now available in Singapore bringing an unrivalled affordable smartphone experience with lightning-fast 4G connectivity, quad-core processing and a ClearBlack 4.5” LCD screen for only SGD239. The Lumia 635 adds to the leading personalization brought by Windows Phone 8.1, and makes it quicker and easier for people to connect with the things they love online with a combination of award-winning design and experiences found on high-end Lumia smartphones: ...

Big changes are coming to the Windows Phone platform with Windows Phone 8.1, the next major update to the Windows Phone Operating System. All WP8 devices will be able to update to Windows Phone 8.1 which will begin rolling out over the next few weeks, or months (timing varies depending on model). These are exciting changes that will enhance your Windows Phone experience, check out some select major improvements and new functions below. ...

What’s ‘Appening is a series of lists by Microsoft Singapore detailing some must-have apps for your Windows 8 or Windows Phone device. Do check them out and discover some hot new apps! The world is a book… … and those who do not travel read only a page. This famous quote by St. Augustine has inspired wanderlust in many of us, and is all the more resonant in today’s age of affordable flights and accommodation. Why should one travel? Just run a quick search on Bing for the answer and you’ll likely get the same well-known responses thrown back at you, all running along the same theme—travel is great for finding out more about yourself and your mates, not to mention the fun you can have, and you should absolutely do it sometime soon. But planning a trip can be daunting. Other than the obvious preparations to make before the trip, there are still a thousand things that could go wrong during the trip itself. Fortunately, apps on Windows and Windows Phone can make the entire process smooth and easy. Charge up your devices, load up these apps, and let’s head out for an adventure! ...

Maps do more than get us to our destination. Maps tell stories and help us explore. In a way just being on a map means we exist. The challenge is that mapmaking is a human intensive business and many places change so rapidly that cartographers can’t keep up. Nokia’s HERE business, which through 2012 operated under the Location & Commerce name, develops a range of location-based products and services for consumers, as well as content and platform services for device manufacturers, automobile manufacturers, application developers, Internet services providers, merchants and advertisers. HERE was formed during 2011 through the combination of NAVTEQ, which Nokia acquired in July 2008. In November 2012, Nokia introduced a new brand, HERE, for its location-based products and services, which include HERE Drive, HERE Maps and HERE Transit. With more than 6,000 people in 56 countries, Nokia’s HERE business takes a human approach to updating digital maps at the pace of real world growth, using the industry’s most advanced map collection tools and technologies and enlisting locals to share their homegrown knowledge of a place by making changes to the maps that reflect their stories. ...