Microsoft Working on Advanced Version of Cortana; Coming to iOS and Android too.
Cortana, Microsoft Vertual Digital Assistant which had made its way from Halo to Windows Phone and Windows is all set to get into iOS and Android platforms as well. Microsoft has been getting their apps to all platform, under leadership of Sathya Nadela, to make sure not only Microsoft gets better reputation, but their services get everywhere.
In an interview to Reuters, Eric Horvitz, managing director of Microsoft Research, shared that Microsoft is also working on an advanced version of Cortana based on a research project “Einstein”. While Cortana is still in Alpha with very basic functionally, Microsoft has a dream of making it the centre of devices, a concept which we have just seen in hollywood movies. He said:
This kind of technology, which can read and understand email, will play a central role in the next roll out of Cortana.The key to Cortana’s success will be knowing where a user is, what time it is, and what they are trying to do. Albert Einstein’s work on the relationship between space and time gave rise to Microsoft’s secret project name.
One of the features that we would like to see getting enabled in all handset is the “Hey Cortana”, similar to Google Now which work on most of its devices and there is no reason MS has to stay back because of Hardware limitations.
Source: www.wpxbox.com
In an interview to Reuters, Eric Horvitz, managing director of Microsoft Research, shared that Microsoft is also working on an advanced version of Cortana based on a research project “Einstein”. While Cortana is still in Alpha with very basic functionally, Microsoft has a dream of making it the centre of devices, a concept which we have just seen in hollywood movies. He said:
This kind of technology, which can read and understand email, will play a central role in the next roll out of Cortana.The key to Cortana’s success will be knowing where a user is, what time it is, and what they are trying to do. Albert Einstein’s work on the relationship between space and time gave rise to Microsoft’s secret project name.
One of the features that we would like to see getting enabled in all handset is the “Hey Cortana”, similar to Google Now which work on most of its devices and there is no reason MS has to stay back because of Hardware limitations.
Source: www.wpxbox.com
Take a look at some of the changes in Windows Phone 8.1 Update 2
Yesterday morning, Microsoft launches two new mid-range Windows Phone Lumia devices Lumia 640 & Lumia 640XL. Both of the devices are budget friendly & upgradeable to Windows 10 later this year when it is available.
Both the device will come with Windows Phone 8.1 Update 2 OS. It is also known as GDR2 update for Windows Phone 8.1. There are very less info of what is new in this update, but it is likely to be a minor update as Microsoft saving major features for Windows 10 for Phone. There are some pictures appeared at reddit showcase some of the design tweaks found in Updated 2 of WP8.1.
Looking at the settings, it is now organized in different sections. This is a welcome change as it now easy to find the settings you are looking for. There are new settings page also appeared for managing the permissions for all your installed apps.
There is no information available as when this update is available for existing devices. But we can expect it to be available soon at least via Preview for Developers channel.
Source: winphans.com
Both the device will come with Windows Phone 8.1 Update 2 OS. It is also known as GDR2 update for Windows Phone 8.1. There are very less info of what is new in this update, but it is likely to be a minor update as Microsoft saving major features for Windows 10 for Phone. There are some pictures appeared at reddit showcase some of the design tweaks found in Updated 2 of WP8.1.
Looking at the settings, it is now organized in different sections. This is a welcome change as it now easy to find the settings you are looking for. There are new settings page also appeared for managing the permissions for all your installed apps.
There is no information available as when this update is available for existing devices. But we can expect it to be available soon at least via Preview for Developers channel.
Source: winphans.com
How to downgrade your Windows Phone from Windows 10 Technical Preview to Windows 8.1?
If you have installed Windows 10 Technical preview on your phone, u
might have noticed that its pretty rough and far away from complete.
You must be wanting to go back to Windows 8.1, to enjoy the stable OS. But how to downgrade? Watch the video below to clear your doubts.
link: https://www.youtube.com/
Download Windows Phone Recovery Tool.
Source: winphans.com
You must be wanting to go back to Windows 8.1, to enjoy the stable OS. But how to downgrade? Watch the video below to clear your doubts.
link: https://www.youtube.com/
Download Windows Phone Recovery Tool.
Source: winphans.com
Protect Ancient Greece with ‘Age of Sparta’ on Windows Phone & Windows 8.1
Gameloft released their latest strategy game ‘Age of Sparta’ for Windows Phone & Windows 8.1. Join a compelling strategy game with a unique and intense combat system and thousands of players for you to ally with/or conquer. Unite the powers of men and gods to protect Ancient Greece from Xerxes’ invasion! Take a lookk at the game’s features:
WAR FOR SPARTA
– Xerxes thinks Greece will surrender? HA! Fight back in strategic battles.
– Call upon Zeus’s thunderous might and Hades’ dark wrath to purge foes from the battlefield.
– Unleash legions of unique units, including mythical monsters & beasts.
– Get pulled into the action with amazingly animated combat scenes.
A CITY TO RIVAL OLYMPUS
– Design a glorious city that you can customize with mighty barracks, majestic monuments and more.
– Honor the gods with Temples and Shrines so they can fuel your assault.
UNITE & CONQUER
– Ally with players to form an unstoppable force and declare war on rivals.
– Socialize with friends and allies via the in-game chat.
Age of Sparta is an universal app available on Windows platform. It supports Windows Phone devices with 512MB RAM. Xbox live is not supported but it is likely to get it in future updates as Gameloft did with their popular games on Windows. Game is available for free but you can get extra add-ons via in app purchases.
DOWNLOAD:
Age of Sparta on Windows Phone
Age of Sparta on Windows 8.1
Source: winphans.com
WAR FOR SPARTA
– Xerxes thinks Greece will surrender? HA! Fight back in strategic battles.
– Call upon Zeus’s thunderous might and Hades’ dark wrath to purge foes from the battlefield.
– Unleash legions of unique units, including mythical monsters & beasts.
– Get pulled into the action with amazingly animated combat scenes.
A CITY TO RIVAL OLYMPUS
– Design a glorious city that you can customize with mighty barracks, majestic monuments and more.
– Honor the gods with Temples and Shrines so they can fuel your assault.
UNITE & CONQUER
– Ally with players to form an unstoppable force and declare war on rivals.
– Socialize with friends and allies via the in-game chat.
Age of Sparta is an universal app available on Windows platform. It supports Windows Phone devices with 512MB RAM. Xbox live is not supported but it is likely to get it in future updates as Gameloft did with their popular games on Windows. Game is available for free but you can get extra add-ons via in app purchases.
DOWNLOAD:
Age of Sparta on Windows Phone
Age of Sparta on Windows 8.1
Source: winphans.com
VLC becomes a true universal app for Windows Phone, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10
The main developer behind the Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone versions of the VLC media player has announced new updates for both apps, along with news that VLC is a universal app for both platforms. The app works with Windows 10 as well
In a blog post, VideoLAN developer Thomas Nigro announced the team decided to pause releasing weekly updates for the Windows Phone version of VLC in order to turn it into a universal app. Most of the code is now shared for both apps.
Here's a look at what's been added to the new VLC Windows 8.1 universal app, according to Nigro:
The Windows Phone version got an update today, but it's mostly bug fixes. Nigro stated, "We needed to publish an update so we could monitor how the WP version is evolving, and prepare your devices for a much bigger update that will come in the next couple of month, with Direct3D rendering and hardware decoding.
Source : www.windowscentral.com
In a blog post, VideoLAN developer Thomas Nigro announced the team decided to pause releasing weekly updates for the Windows Phone version of VLC in order to turn it into a universal app. Most of the code is now shared for both apps.
Here's a look at what's been added to the new VLC Windows 8.1 universal app, according to Nigro:
- Creating a playlist, editing a playlist (early support though)
- Your videos are displayed in three categories: videos, camera rolls and shows. We automatically detect if a video is an episode of a show.
- You can see the upcoming shows of an artist
- Social sharing (« #NowPlaying Shake It Off – Taylor Swift »)
The Windows Phone version got an update today, but it's mostly bug fixes. Nigro stated, "We needed to publish an update so we could monitor how the WP version is evolving, and prepare your devices for a much bigger update that will come in the next couple of month, with Direct3D rendering and hardware decoding.
Source : www.windowscentral.com
Readly app for Windows Phone offers unlimited access to over 800 magazines
Readly, which offers users unlimited access to over 800 magazines for $9.99 per month, launched their Windows Phone app this week in the Windows Phone Store. The app joins the previously released version for Windows 8.1 users.
Some of the magazine available via Readly include Rolling Stone, Women's Health, ESPN The Magazine, Men's Health, Saveur, Popular Science, Prevention, and Men's Journal. Here's what subscribers can expect when they sign into the app:
Source: www.windowscentral.com
Some of the magazine available via Readly include Rolling Stone, Women's Health, ESPN The Magazine, Men's Health, Saveur, Popular Science, Prevention, and Men's Journal. Here's what subscribers can expect when they sign into the app:
- Unlimited "All you can read" access to 800+ magazines (including back issues).
- Read your favourites anytime, anywhere on tablet, mobile or desktop – with or without an internet connection.
- Share membership with your family – up to 5 devices with one account.
- Do more with Readly – zoom, click on web links, bookmark articles, share it with friends and more.
- New titles are added every day – our selection of magazines is growing fast!
- Love reading? Try Readly and you'll love it!
- Download it now and get 2 weeks FREE. No credit card required, no commitment, you can cancel at any time.
Source: www.windowscentral.com
Lumia Denim rolling out to Lumia 820, 920 and 925 in India
Microsoft has pulled the trigger on more Lumia Denim updates in India and it is currently rolling out to the older Lumia 820, Lumia 920 and Lumia 925 devices in that country.
This is an expansion of Microsoft's Denim roll out in India. The company started with the Lumia 520. Earlier this month, it expanded to the Lumia 525, 535, 620 and 720 and Monday the Lumia 1020 got Denim in India.
Microsoft has pledged to update all Windows Phone 8.1 devices to Denim by the end of February.
This is an expansion of Microsoft's Denim roll out in India. The company started with the Lumia 520. Earlier this month, it expanded to the Lumia 525, 535, 620 and 720 and Monday the Lumia 1020 got Denim in India.
Microsoft has pledged to update all Windows Phone 8.1 devices to Denim by the end of February.
Source: www.windowscentral.com
Here is what is new in WhatsApp update: Notifications
WhatsApp out of the blue pushed out a semi-rare update for their popular messaging app. Unfortunately, no changelog was included, so it was left to the masses to discern what is new. We should have caught the change, as it has been rumored for months now, but alas we have been playing with shiny, new tablets lately. The change in 2.11.670 is rather straightforward: how the messages appear in the notification center.
Previously, notifications for new messages would be formatted this way:
Sender: Message
Relatively direct, but one line dedicated to a WhatsApp message is rather limiting. Instead, the new format has it as such:
- Sender
- Message
Now, the person who sent it is on its own line, with text in bold. Meanwhile, the message itself gets a little breathing room on a second line.
Interestingly, notifications in Windows 10 are also formatted this way. WhatsApp appears to be getting ahead of Microsoft's changes in preparing WhatsApp for the new OS. Indeed, in Windows 10, you will be able to dismiss individual notifications within services, as opposed to the 'all or nothing' style that is currently found on Windows Phone 8.1. We are also hoping that users will be able to respond to new WhatsApp messages directly like they can for text and Skype messages.
For what it is worth, the private beta of WhatsApp is still floating around, being updated on a regular basis. However, its version number 2.11.670 now matches that of the official release, meaning the two have once again caught up with each other. Presumably, WhatsApp will now start pushing smaller updates to the beta channel again for the next few months before they go to the public one. We'll keep you posted on any changes we find when that starts to happen.
Source: www.windowscentral.com
Interestingly, notifications in Windows 10 are also formatted this way. WhatsApp appears to be getting ahead of Microsoft's changes in preparing WhatsApp for the new OS. Indeed, in Windows 10, you will be able to dismiss individual notifications within services, as opposed to the 'all or nothing' style that is currently found on Windows Phone 8.1. We are also hoping that users will be able to respond to new WhatsApp messages directly like they can for text and Skype messages.
For what it is worth, the private beta of WhatsApp is still floating around, being updated on a regular basis. However, its version number 2.11.670 now matches that of the official release, meaning the two have once again caught up with each other. Presumably, WhatsApp will now start pushing smaller updates to the beta channel again for the next few months before they go to the public one. We'll keep you posted on any changes we find when that starts to happen.
Source: www.windowscentral.com