Nokia Lumia 1020: You Will See Things You Have Never Seen Before

The Nokia Lumia 1020 marks the beginning of the end of Nokia’s transition period. After almost two years of launching the Lumia range of smartphones, Nokia finally has something that would make buyers notice its product while they are deciding whether they should go for the latest iPhone or Galaxy smartphone. Despite the weakness of Windows Phone as a platform when compared to iOS and Android, over the past two years Nokia has managed to come up with a decent package of hardware, software and services to make up for the missing bits.
If the Nokia Lumia 1020's camera does perform as claimed (it did during my brief experience with the smartphone), it would be a pretty compelling offering.

Think about it, the Lumia 1020 would have the best camera performance combined with a music store that offers unlimited tracks to download for free and it also has one of the best offline navigation software on any smartphone. While Nokia’s Lumia smartphones were already doing well in the entry and mid-level segments, the Nokia Lumia 1020 could be the key to success in the high-end segment, which was missing so far.
Having said that, it is too early to root for Nokia’s future success. The company still has a few obstacles to overcome. The first and foremost being its partnership with Microsoft and Windows Phone as a platform. Nokia has consistently got the hardware right but has always been let down by Windows Phone, which lacks apps and is not as polished or evolved as Android and iOS. Major app developers prefer to make apps for Android and iOS, while developing them for Windows Phone seems like an afterthought and often after being paid to developed for the platform. Heavy smartphone users prefer using the other two platforms as Microsoft has failed repeatedly to catch up with them in a quest to be perceived as being different. The lack of a proper centralized notification system, for instance, is hard to explain.
Secondly, Nokia is still struggling to roll out its smartphones at a faster pace. With limited marketing budgets and production capacity, it has to stagger its launches that take a couple of quarters to reach major markets while Samsung rolled its Galaxy S4 smartphone in over 110 countries in a fortnight. Even if Nokia has a great product like the Lumia 1020, people would consider to buy it only if it is available in their country. Think about it, the Lumia 925 is not available in most markets yet and Nokia had to announce the Lumia 1020. Even hardcore Nokia fans would now be compelled to not buy the Lumia 925 and instead wait for the Lumia 1020. And who knows, by the time the Lumia 1020 is available across markets, Nokia might have something else to offer.
During my interactions with senior Nokia executives it became clear that they are aware of the situation but it remains a challenge and they are making the best of what they have. Despite these challenges, it is refreshing to see how Nokia continues to innovate with the resources it has and is playing to its strengths. Rather than buying off the shelf image sensors for the 41-megapixel PureView camera, Nokia has designed the entire assembly including the optical image stabilization bit internally, which means its rivals won’t be able to easily replicate the main USP of the Nokia Lumia 1020.
Having its own music store, navigation software and acquiring Scalado, which makes the UI for most smart camera apps that you currently see on rival smartphones, will buy Nokia some time. But what Nokia needs the most at this time is a major hit at the top-end segment and it is hoping the Nokia Lumia 1020 will be that smartphone.

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LG G2 Smartphone to Arrive in August

The upcoming LG G2 Smartphone will arrive in the United States as early as August, according to LG CFO David Jung.
The FCC documents don’t provide a lot of details about the phone, but we know it’s got the model number LG-D801, and it’ll support HSPA and 4G LTE wireless networks.
Speaking to Korea’s The Kyunghyang Shinmun (translate) recently, the executive spilled a few beans about the flagship smartphone. The device will reportedly launch in South Korea in August, followed by North America and Europe in September, and by additional markets in October.
In terms of U.S. carrier support, Jung noted that Verizon is in line to offer the G2. Engadget reminds us that recently leaked FCC details also suggest that AT&T and T-Mobile will offer the smartphone.
I would love to see all four major carriers stand behind the Optimus G2 the way they do HTC and Samsung’s flagships. Not only would it put additional pressure on these two rivals, it would also enhance LG’s image. Seeing as how the Moto X is rumored to have a wide release, LG would look out of place selling its biggest device in a limited capacity.
The way LG has been teasing the forthcoming G2, I suspect the phone-maker has big plans for the device.

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Smartphones now normal for Americans

If you live in the United States, the chances are you own a smartphone. And if you’re black, it’s probably an Android.
The percentage of American adults with a smartphone has gone from 35 percent to 56 percent in the past two years. The proportion with a standard cellphone (usually defined as one where you can’t install applications) is now 35 percent, leaving just nine percent of people without some form of mobile phone.
The figures come from the a survey for the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project, which says it’s the first time the smartphone ownership has passed 50 percent. Last year’s figure was 46 percent.
As you’d expect, the proportion of smartphone ownership peaks among 25 to 34 year olds (81 percent), dropping consistently among older groups and falling to 18 percent for people aged 65 or older.
Ownership is significantly stronger among richer people and those with a higher income (which may simply correlate to being richer), while urban and suburban folk are almost 50 percent more likely to own a smartphone than rural dwellers (which could be a combination of income and shitty coverage.) Pew noted that the older somebody is, the more effect income has on whether they own a phone: it’s a status symbol for middle-aged and a norm among the young.
Men are slightly more likely to own a smartphone than women (59 percent to 53 percent), while there’s a potentially surprising racial breakdown with ownership at 53 percent among white people, 60 percent among Hispanic people and 64 percent among black people.
Another particularly notable racial point was that both white and Hispanic people had an almost identical split between iPhone and Android ownership (roughly 26 to 27 percent in both cases.) However, only 16 percent of black people had an iPhone, compared with 42 percent having an Android handset.
Posted in Android, Apple, smartphone | No Comments » Read more from John Lister
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T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon Smartphone Upgrade Plans Compared

How many phones do you want to use in two years? One? Two? Four? Photo: Arial Zambelich / Wired
The new upgrade and “no-contract” plans from T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon Wireless are made for people who frequently feel the burning need to get the newest, greatest device on the market.
Unlike traditional smartphone plans, which require you to wait up to two years between purchases to get a new phone at a price fully subsidized by the carriers (usually $100 or $200), these new plans let subscribers acquire a brand new phone as often as twice per year. But when you switch to a newer phone, you’re either borrowing the handset from the carrier and handing it back when it’s time for your next upgrade, or you’re buying it at a higher, unsubsidized price and paying it off in monthly installments that get tacked onto your bill. That might sound like a sweet deal on the surface — there’s potentially no up-front payment for a phone and no need to wait out a two-year contract to get another shiny handset. However, these plans come with so many caveats and restrictions that they’re only worth it to people who are desperate to be super-trendy and must
own the latest gadgets. Also, the options to buy the phones are more costly, so these plans will only appear attractive to people with the extra money to spend.
The major carriers apparently think there are enough people beneath this umbrella, or at least enough customers who can be tricked into thinking these plans are a good buy. But if you’re switching carriers or starting off fresh and the advantages of these new upgrade plans do
suit you, at least be informed. Check the chart below to see which deal is best for you. But keep in mind that you’ll end up spending a whole lot more to own your device.T-Mobile JumpAT&T NextVerizon EdgeStandard Two-Year ContractAvailabilityNowJuly 26August 25NowCost of Phone (iPhone 5, 16GB)$21/month, $156 up front$32.50/month (total cost divided by 20 months)$27.08/month (total cost divided by 24 months)Typically $200 up frontAllowed UpgradesTwice a yearEvery 12 monthsEvery six monthsVerizon, Sprint (Google sells unlocked version for AT&T and T-Mobile)Total Phone Payments Required Before You Can UpgradeSix payments: $28212 payments: $39050-percent of phone cost: $325Up front of $200Cost of Service (Individual)$10/month to enroll in Jump, $50 to $70 for service$60 to $140$90 to $140Same as above, depending on carrierWhen You Can Leave CarrierAfter you've paid off your last handset in full or returned it.After you've paid off your last handset in full or returned it.After you've paid off your last handset in full or returned it.After two-year contract.Total Cost of Phones w/ Max Upgrades Over Two YearsFour phones: $1,128; own noneTwo phones: $780; own noneFour phones: $1,300; own noneOne phone: $200; own oneMain Drawbacks and CaveatsYou must pay the full unsubsidized price for a phone in order to own it, or else give it back when you upgrade. To leave the carrier, you must return the device or pay for it in full.You only get to upgrade once a year. You must pay the full unsubsidized price for a phone in order to own it, or else give it back when you upgrade. To leave the carrier, you must return the device or pay for it in full.You have to pay for half of the phone before you can upgrade. You must pay the full unsubsidized price for a phone in order to own it, or else give it back when you upgrade. To leave the carrier, you must return the device or pay for it in full.You have to wait two years to upgrade.

If you must go with one of these new-fangled upgrade plans, T-Mobile’s is the best deal. You can upgrade up to twice per year (though you don’t have to) and the cost per phone at minimum upgrade time is the least costly. You do still have to fork over a down payment up-front, and there’s a $10 monthly charge to enroll in Jump, but the less expensive data plans make up for that.
AT&T’s plan is the biggest rip-off. You have to complete 12 months worth of phone payments before you upgrade. Assuming you’re upgrading to the latest, most expensive smartphones, then you’ll end up paying for more than half of the phone, and well over the amount you’d have paid had you opted for a two-year contract. Verizon isn’t much better, considering you have to pay for half the cost of the phone to upgrade. Both carriers still charge their standard service plan rates.
Essentially, these plans are high-cost rental services that want to take advantage of your desire to be on top of the continuous, churning wheel of smartphone releases. The fact is: Most phones are still good after two years. They might not be the newest, fastest and shiniest, but they’re usually still working fine and capable of running the latest software. And of course, there’s the negative environmental impact of frequently upgrading your mobile devices to consider. Join these plans at your own risk and expense.

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