Micromax to offer Windows Phone 8.1-based smartphones soon

One of the most important announcements made at Microsoft's Build Conference 2014 was the tie up of Microsoft with the Indian smartphone maker Micromax. According to reports, Micromax will soon be offering affordable Windows Phone 8.1 platform-based smartphones in India.



Reports suggest that Micromax and Microsoft were in talks over Windows Phone since the middle of last year. The two companies reportedly reached an agreement earlier this year as Microsoft decided to make Windows Phone free for Micromax. According to recent reports, Microsoft is offering Windows Phone free for some Indian smartphone companies including Micromax, Xolo (Lava) and Karbonn.

Samsung’s next Windows Phone handset (ATIV SE)

Next week, Microsoft is expected to unveil Windows Phone 8.1. Usually with big OS refreshes you get a few hardware launches, as well. That’s no different this time around as we’re expecting the Lumia 630 (aka ‘Moneypenny’), Lumia 930 (aka ‘Martini’, a non-Verizon version of the Icon) and eventually ‘Goldfinger’, which we hear is going to be a somewhat radical departure in terms of user interaction.

One of those 8.1 launch devices is reportedly the Samsung ATIV SE, another refresh from Samsung destined for Verizon. Not much is known about this device except that it may have a five inch, 1080P display and that it’s being built for Windows Phone 8.1. A render has been leaked by Evleaks that suggests a strong similarity between it and other ATIV devices in terms of aesthetics.

It’s not clear yet though if it will launch with 8.1 or get the update sometime soon after.

Now, getting word from a trusted source that the ATIV SE will hit shelves on April 18 with an off-contract price of $599. On-contract will most likely be $199, but we have not been able to verify that as of yet.

New Skype for Windows Phone 8.1 Devices Is Integrated With Cortana

At the Microsoft Build 2014 conference in San Francisco yesterday, the Redmond-based software giant Microsoft officially unveiled its latest and most awaited Windows Phone 8.1 update. From the same floor, the company also announced this year's Windows Phone devices from Nokia viz. The Lumia 930, Lumia 630 and Lumia 635. Moreover, Microsoft also made an announcements regarding its partnership with Indian smartphone vendor Micromax.

 

But for Skype users, and lovers of the video call via VoIP, the announcement pertaining to the new iteration of Skype might be of great interest. To be precise, Microsoft's latest Windows Phone 8.1 update which brings Cortana, a virtual assistant feature will enhance the Skype experience in an interesting way. Moreover, in exact words of the company, "Skype for Windows Phone 8.1 will now allow users to seamlessly transition from a voice call to a Skype video call." 

Also via a blog post, the company noted, "For the first time on mobile, you can easily upgrade your regular phone calls to Skype video calls. You can preview the feature in the current Store app, with more to come in the next few months."

Internet Explorer 11 debuts on Windows Phone 8.1, gets updated for desktop

Microsoft's keynote address at the Build 2014 conference saw some major announcements from the company, such as Windows Phone 8.1, Windows 8.1 Update, three new Nokia Lumia smartphones,and also, the new Internet Explorer 11.

The Redmond giant also announced that the Internet Explorer 11 browser has been updated for Windows 8.1 Update and Windows 7 users. The company also debuted Internet Explorer for Windows Phone 8.1.

Notably, this is the first time when the Internet Explorer 11 is arriving on Windows Phone-based smartphones since Microsoft first previewed the web browser in July 2013.

The highlight of the Internet Explorer 11 updated version is that it brings unified features on its mobile and desktops, while improving the user experience on different screen sizes and input methods, whether touch or mouse and keyboard.