Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows (RT) 8.1 update available now!

Today on Microsoft Build Developer Conference keynote multiple great announcements are done. This for both Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows (RT) 8.1, Windows Embedded 8.1 and Windows Phone 8. Also new Nokia devices (630 and 635) are announced for next month. Great to see that the start menu will return in Windows 8 (with app support), Windows Phone will have voice control (Cortana) and Windows on 9" or smaller Phone and Tablet screens will be free from now on! Can it even better? Way to go Microsoft!

The start menu will return in a later update

This is a smart move from Microsoft to let Windows Phone grow, instead of Android and iOS which still rules the market. There's also extended Mobile Device Management (MDM) coming with Enterprise Mobility Suite. Windows Azure and Intune will be even more important that way. Also great that Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows (RT) 8.1 update is available for MSDN subscriptions now! The update will be generally available in 6 days on April 8th for everyone else on Windows Update. Let's have a look at MSDN right away ;)

Choose between update or whole package

There you go! It's possible to download the update only (360MB for x86 and 770MB for x64) or just download the whole package, which is OS and update in one. Within the update package 6 MSU files can be found and a readme.txt. In the txt file you can find the recommended installation order for the MSU files. No unified installer this time.

Let's install Windows 8.1 update right away ;)

Source:
Day 1 Keynote <- A must see!
Windows Phone Blog <- Windows Phone 8.1
Windows Experience Blog <- Windows 8.1 Update

Back from vacation again! (2013)

After 3 weeks enjoying my vacation, partly in Denmark which is a beautiful country, it's time to take up some activities again. What did I miss last month? Well, their is some interesting news from Microsoft to mention. Let's have a look.
 
Windows 8.1 availability set for October 18
I know a lot of folks are eager to find out when they will be able to get Windows 8.1. I am excited to share that starting at 12:00am on October 18th in New Zealand (that’s 4:00am October 17th in Redmond), Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1 will begin rolling out worldwide as a free update for consumers with Windows 8 or Windows RT devices through the Windows Store. Windows 8.1 will also be available at retail and on new devices starting on October 18th by market. So mark your calendars!
 
Windows Server 2012 R2, System Center 2012 R2 and other updates are also coming October 18
I'm excited to announce that, on the same day, eligible customers will be able to download Windows Server 2012 R2 and System Center 2012 R2, as well as the latest update to Windows Intune! We’ll make evaluation versions available through the TechNet Evaluation Center, and these products will be available for new purchases when they hit the price list on November 1st.
 
Free ebook: Introducing Windows Server 2012 R2 Preview Release
We’re very excited to announce another free ebook offering from Microsoft Press. Introducing Windows Server 2012 R2 Preview Release (ISBN 9780735682931), by Mitch Tulloch with the Windows Server Team, introduces new features and capabilities, with scenario-based advice on how the platform can meet the needs of your business. Get the high-level overview you need to begin preparing your deployment now. This book is based on the Preview release and will be updated to cover Windows Server 2012 R2 RTM. 

Steve Ballmer email to Microsoft employees on Nokia Devices & Services acquisition
We announced some exciting news today: We have entered into an agreement to purchase Nokia’s Devices & Services business, which includes their smartphone and mobile phone businesses, their award-winning design team, manufacturing and assembly facilities around the world, and teams devoted to operations, sales, marketing and support. For Microsoft, this is a bold step into the future and the next big phase of the transformation we announced on July 11.

It will be exciting weeks/months to come!

My Samsung ATIV S review, a lot of phone for your money

Last month I received my new mobile phone for the next 2 years. After using Android for the last years, both 2.x and 4.x versions, it was time for something different. Because I'm using iOS already on my iPad, my choice was fallen on Windows Phone 8. This also because colleagues who are using Windows Phone 7 are still happy after using the device for over 2 years! When looking for a high-end Windows Phone 8 device you have the choice between Nokia, HTC and Samsung. For me it was Nokia Lumia 920 or Samsung ATIV S to choose from. After many sleepless nights (LOL) I decided to order the ATIV S. This because of the larger display, better battery and less weight. For me it was the better choice. Let's start the review!

Samsung announced their Windows Phone first last year, but released it last at all. This probably because Samsung wants to sell Android (Galaxy) phones as much as possible, and Windows Phone is just a second choice. Nokia on the order hand are selling Windows Phone devices as much as possible. When you go for good support or multiple device choices, Nokia is the better choice here. For me I was looking for something new, looking at price and specifications, Samsung is the better choice. ATIV S can be ordered for over 100 euros less than Lumia 920. ATIV S has a larger 4.8 inch Super AMOLED display, a 2300mAh battery and is just 135 grams in weight. Last but not least ATIV S has a replaceable battery and SD-card. ATIV S has a physical start button (to unlock the device and go to the start screen) and can be used 2 days on a single battery load. Not bad I guess :)

Enclosed an comparison between HTC 8X, Lumia 920 and ATIV S:

For me Windows Phone 8 OS is a relief, I really think it's a very good OS. It' s very fast, looking good, handy in usage, live tiles are just great, supports integration with Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, and offers something new! There is a good search option for installed apps, much settings to configure (more then I thought actually). Bing integration is nice for a daily random wallpaper, Microsoft apps like Office, OneNote, Internet Explorer, Xbox, Skype, Lync and Skydrive are all in place. There are less apps available when using Android, but for most apps there's an alternative app available. More apps are coming every day! The persons tile shows contacts with all information available, like Mail, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn data. Photos and videos can be saved in the cloud (Skydrive) immediately.

I think I like my new phone more then earlier phones, just because of Windows phone OS. That's definitely a compliment to Microsoft! When Windows Blue is released later this year (look HERE for more information about it), Windows Phone will be even better I guess. Hope you like my review, and think about a Windows Phone device yourself. For questions about Windows Phone just use comments below. Samsung ATIV S: a lot of phone for your money!

Galaxy S4 vs. Lumia 920 vs. BlackBerry Z10

Yesterday I posted a comparison between Samsung Galaxy S4 vs. iPhone 5, HTC One, and BlackBerry Z10. You can find that one HERE. Today a new comparison is available. This time between Galaxy S4 vs. Lumia 920 vs. BlackBerry Z10. Yeah, finally a new comparison with Windows Phone 8 in it. Let's have a look at the specs!

Hope you can make a choice between the new 2013 mobile phones this way. My choice will be probably the Nokia Lumia 920 with Windows Phone 8 onboard. Hope you like it :)

Nokia Lumia 920 review - Youtube

Nokia Lumia 620 specifications

After unveiling two big Windows Phone 8 powered devices, Lumia 820 and Lumia 920, Nokia has announced a budget Windows Phone 8 device for the masses. Nokia unveiled Nokia Lumia 620 at Paris on December 5 with a price tag of $249 only. This made us all aware that like Windows Phone 7, Windows Phone 8 devices can also have budget models.

Lumia 620 is the third and most affordable Windows Phone 8 device by Nokia. With its price tag, it will be a highly competitive smartphone. Lets take look at the smartphone.

Nokia Lumia 620 press pictures (all colors):

• Nokia Lumia 620 - Color Combo
• Nokia Lumia 620 - Color Combo 2

Searching on the web I found the specifications for Nokia Lumia 620 with Windows Phone 8. Here it is:

Another search shows browser benchmarks (Sunspider and BrowserMark 2), where Lumia 620 beats the Galaxy S III:

In Europe the pricing will probably be 259 euro. The 620 will be released in January in Asia and the Middle East. Then comes the phone to Europe, but exactly when is not known. The Lumia 920 and 820 are in the Netherlands in January in sales.

Windows Phone 8 comparison for HTC, Nokia and Samsung phones

Last week I posted a few mobile phone comparisons. One for iOS, Android and Windows Phone, and one for Nokia Lumia phones. This time I want to post an Windows Phone 8 comparison for HTC, Nokia and Samsung phones. As for now Google's Android and Apple's iOS are most popular, accounted for 85% of all smartphones shipped in Q2 2012. Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 made gains, but BlackBerry OS and Symbian lost ground. It's time for Microsoft now to make a big step towards Google and Apple, with Windows Phone 8.

At the moment both HTC, Nokia and Samsung announced mobiles Phones for Windows Phone 8. Searching on the web I found a good comparison which includes them all. Here it is:

Nice to see all Windows 8 phones in one overview, don't you think? The HTC 8X, Lumia 920 and ATIV S are the high-end Windows 8 devices. The HTC 8S and Lumia 820 are mid-level devices. A comparison by size can also be found on the web. Here it is:

Now we must wait another month (till November) for release and pricing. Can't wait to have a Windows 8 phone myself! :)

Nokia Lumia 920 vs Lumia 820 comparison

AT&T announces last week the Nokia Lumia 920 is exclusive, and will be launced in November with the Lumia 820. The Lumia 920 will be available on AT&T exclusively according to the carrier. This in red, black and white colors, and through online orders in yellow and cyan colors. The Nokia Lumia 820 will be available in black only, but AT&T will stock additional colored shells. There's no word on pricing or exact availability for both models, but AT&T says they'll be available in November.
 

 
Nokia Lumia 820 press pictures (all colors):

• Nokia Lumia 820 - Covers
• Nokia Lumia 820 - Color Range

Nokia Lumia 920 press pictures (all colors):  

• Nokia Lumia 920 - Color Range 

And pictures from the Cyan version too: 

• The Verge - hands-on pictures

Searching on the web I found a comparison for Nokia Lumia 920 vs Lumia 820 with Windows Phone 8. Here it is:

In Europe the pricing will probably be 649 euro (Lumia 920) and 499 euro (Lumia 820) at Vodafone, T-Mobile and O2/Telefonica. More on this later when final pricing is available.

Update 8-1-2013: The Nokia devices are available for pre-order in The Netherlands.  The final pricing will be 599 euro (Lumia 920) and 499 euro (Lumia 820). The Lumia 620 will be just 259 euro. Nice to see that the Lumia 920 will be priced 50 euro less then expected!

Update: Have a look at Nokia Lumia 620 specifications also.