Windows Phone

Microsoft sued over Windows Live Tiles

Microsoft is already facing lawsuits related to the just-launched Windows, with an operating system technology designer accusing Microsoft of ripping of its patent for "tiles."

SurfCast, in a complaint filed yesterday in a U.S. District Court in Maine, said Microsoft infringes one of its four patents -- No. 6,724,403 -- by "making, using, selling, and offering to sell devices and software products" covered by SurfCast's patent. That includes mobile devices using the Windows Phone 7 and Windows Phone 8 operating systems as well as PCs using Windows 8/RT.

The company also … Read more

Skype for Windows Phone 8 has some smart moves (hands-on)

Skype's VoIP app is "coming soon" for Windows Phone 8, but when it arrives, it'll be outfitted with more options than its Skype sibling for Windows Phone 7.5.

Written in native code, the app integrates into your address book and partially into the dialer, so you can receive incoming Skype calls the same way you would receive a cellular call. You'll be able to answer with a video chat in addition to voice. Skype contacts also integrate into your address book, so you can find your buddies from your contacts screen, not solely from … Read more

iPhone users get less loyal

iPhone users are feeling a little less loyal, according to Strategy Analytics.

For the first time since the phone originally launched in 2007, the number of iPhone owners who say they definitely or probably will purchase their next handset from Apple has declined, the firm said.

There is no doubt that Apple is continuing its success in retaining existing user base while attracting new customers. However, negative press prompted by a perceived lack of recent innovation by Apple has meant we are starting to see some growth in the number of previously highly loyal consumers who are now reconsidering whether … Read more

Google ties Apple with 700,000 Android apps

Google has hit another milestone for Android apps, and this one is pretty big news for Apple too.

The number of apps available for Android now totals about 700,000, a Google spokesman confirmed to CNET. That's up from the 675,000 the company said it had a month ago.

And it equals the figure Apple most recently touted. The Cupertino, Calif., company first revealed it had about 700,000 apps available in its store last month, and Apple reiterated that amount during the iPad Mini launch last week.

The number of apps offered for an operating system is … Read more

Verizon's Windows Phone 8X will get wireless charging

The Verizon Wireless version of HTC's Windows Phone 8X may have one advantage over the AT&T version: support for wireless charging.

Verizon confirmed to CNET that the Windows Phone 8X will indeed get wireless charging capabilities. The Verge first reported on the feature and that it would be exclusive to the carrier in the U.S. The wireless charging addition will be built into the phone, and wouldn't be noticeable to users.

Wireless charging, which has been sold through third-party retailers and famously touted in Palm's smartphones, is making a bit of a comeback. Nokia's Lumia 920, … Read more

For holidays, T-Mobile goes big on Android and Windows Phone 8

Hurricane Sandy forced T-Mobile to cancel a Holiday Showcase event planned for New York City today, but the storm didn't prevent the carrier from announcing its 2012 product lineup for the holiday season. The iPhone is absent, of course, but T-Mobile will deliver a strong lineup of Android and Windows Phone 8 tablets and smartphones. As you'd expect from the carrier, some devices, like the LG Optimus L9 and Nokia Lumia 810, are decidedly midrange. Yet, other handsets, like the HTC Windows Phone 8X and new LG Nexus 5 are top of the line.

Here's the skinny … Read more

Windows Phone 8 trio hitting Verizon for the holidays

Microsoft is getting a little cozier with Verizon, saying the nation's biggest carrier will offer three Windows Phone 8 devices for the coming holiday season.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, speaking during an event today, said Verizon will be offering the Nokia Lumia 822, and that the 8X by HTC will ship by Thanksgiving. Verizon also will offer the Samsung ATIV Odyssey in December.

The 8X will retail at $199 for 16 GB, while the Lumia 822 will sell for $99.

Meanwhile, AT&T will be selling the Lumia 820, Lumia 920, and Windows Phone 8X, while T-Mobile will … Read more

Microsoft brings out Jessica Alba to show off 'Kid's Corner'

She's been a presence at tech conferences of late, and today Microsoft brought out actor-turned-entrepreneur Jessica Alba to talk up the virtues of Windows Phone 8, which the company is launching at an event in San Francisco.

Alba was on stage to tout Kid's Corner, Microsoft's new user account of sorts for kids. Kid's Corner, which acts as a second lock screen for kids, lets an adult choose which apps the kids see, which music they can listen to, and which games they can play. Kids can choose their own theme colors, but they can't … Read more

Windows Phone 8 users can access 46 of top 50 apps

Windows Phone 8 is getting a big app boost, with the platform now featuring 46 out of the 50 most heavily used mobile apps.

"That's huge progress for us," Joe Belfiore, manager of Microsoft's Windows Phone program, said during a presentation today.

There are now 120,000 apps in the Windows Phone marketplace. That's pretty good for Microsoft, but it still falls well short of Android and iOS. Apple last month said its store had 700,000 applications, while Google said its Play store offered 675,000.

Microsoft has been working closely with app developers … Read more