Microsoft at the MWC 2015 announced its Lumia 640 and Lumia 640 XLsmartphones, besides the two mid-ranger smartphones it also revealed the Microsoft Unversal Foldable Keyboard – a brand stylish looking universal accessory that could work with Windows, Android and iPhone devices. Microsoft at the event also revealed that Windows 10 OS will make it up this year to all Windows 8.1 devices. Not just these, Microsoft at the Mobile World Congress show also revealed that Windows 10 next public release is to also include Project Spartan which is Microsoft’s lightweight Internet Explorer replacement. Though it is not clear of when this next technical preview is to happen but as per reports it can be expected to be sometime end of this month.
Lumia 640 and Lumia 640XL:
Top of the bill launches by Microsoft at the MWC 2015 are the new Lumia 640 and Lumia 640XL smartphones. The Lumia 640 besides being regular with its 5-inch HD display is also the upgraded version of the 630, while the 5.7-inch XL version is the upgrade from the large Lumia 1320. Both the Lumia 640 and Lumia 640XL devices can be got in 3G and LTE versions while having single and dual SIM support, depending on the market needs.
The Lumia 640 gets powered up be a 1.2 GHz Snapdragon 400-series quad core processor along with 1 GB of DRAM. There is Gorilla Glass 3 protection for the device that has 8 GB of storage. SD card support is expected to be available as standard yet on a close short hand with the device there were none. The rear camera that is of 8MP is described to have wide angle lens (but still no numbers were revealed) along with dynamic LED flash and auto-HDR. A 2500 mAh battery backs up the device. The 3G model of Lumia 640 is to cost 139€ while the LTE version is to carry a 159€ price tag.
The Lumia 640 XL depicted as ‘a slim 9mm’ smartphone has similar specifications of its smaller model but with 5.7 inches display of 1280×720 pixels. The battery is higher up as a 3000 mAh battery supporting the device. With not much internal specifications discussed, the 640 XL gets a 13MP rear camera featuring Zeiss optics. The 3G model of this high end 640 XL device is to cost 189€ while the LTE model might be charged 219€.
For now both the devices are to run Windows 8.1 but once Windows 10 is released they would get upgraded to Windows 10 as Microsoft in this way plans to encourage Windows 10 across all its future devices. One year of Office 365 is given along with both the devices and as part of the deal, installation on one desktop and one on another device is allowed. 60 Skype World minutes and 1TB of One Drive storage are also offered along with the devices.
The Universal Foldable Keyboard:
Hardly bigger than a wallet, this Universal Foldable Keyboard from Microsoft is the company’s first foldable keyboard. There is of course no doubt as it should definitely work fine with the upcoming Windows 10 OS desktop with no glitches. The accessory is designed so well to easily fit into any office bag while also able to connect impeccably via Bluetooth to any device, also with Windows 10 for phones. It focuses more on office environment and there is no much detail available on regards to its availability and price.
The Foldable Keyboard of Microsoft seems to be tremendously lightweight with a compact design that folds into two. This Microsoft Universal Foldable Keyboard is meant to resemble somewhat with the already excellent keyboard cover of Surface family of Microsoft tablets. With its ability to fold into two, it becomes easier for it to be carried in a backpack or for that matter in a large jacket pocket anywhere around if the users need to type a long email or whatever it may be using their mobile device like a phone or a tablet.
The keyboard layout is entirely QWERTY with huge buttons but one has to get used to typing with it because of the split in the middle. The keys on the keyboard are flat providing tactile feedback which turns out to be nice.
The keyboard can be connected to devices via Bluetooth (two devices can be paired to it) and is to carry a battery that gives up to three months of battery life eliminating the need of charging it often. The expected price of this keyboard is freezed at $100 and is expected to hit the shelves very soon.
Details about Windows 10 Rollout:
Microsoft at the MWC 2015 event revealed that this year all Windows 8.1 devices get the Windows 10 rollout provided some of the Windows 10 features might vary based on the device’s hardware specifications. Microsoft’s Devices and Services Executive Vice President, Steve Elop while commenting at the event stated that till now it is been more than 2 million registered Windows Insider users who have given about 900,000 parts of feedback of the latest OS.
It was also said that Cortana will be part of the OS and it along with connecting across devices will also include an updated reminder feature. The first ones to know the rollout would be the developers who have signed up for the Windows Insider programme. Earlier this month, the Windows 10 Technical Preview for phones was made available for the developers to download. However, the Redmond-based tech firm then said that it was the earliest publicly available preview and that is still under development.
Further to this, the firm also made users able to download its Office 2016, Office suite for desktop’s consumer technical preview with a note that they are ready to sign a non-disclosure agreement. According to reports, the Microsoft Office 2016’s general release is to happen sometime in 2015’s second half. However, the last year released original preview was made available only based on an invitation. Also Microsoft in January released its Windows 10 January Technical Preview that had many changes all based on user feedback aside adding Cortana.
Windows 10 universal apps:
Also, Microsoft for the first time gave a demo of Windows 10 universal apps operation on an Xbox One. Though not specific, it was reported that the app wasn’t something like Photos or Mail but one designed to perform across multiple platforms. The demonstration was done not with an idea to show a specific app performing on Xbox One but to get the skin of universal apps and its bigger picture. The real want of Microsoft with its universal apps is that to feel familiar and consistent to all customers across all devices be it mobiles, consoles, desktops, IoT or holographic devices.
Microsoft Surface Hub:
Microsoft Surface Hub was also demonstrated by the firm that surprised all. With an 84-inch display this had 4K resolution featured at 120 Hz along with touch screen functionality. It might be using some kind of IPS display that makes it odd at 120 Hz. It actually feels amazing to have 4K and 120 Hz combined along with possibly IPS routing to an MST arrangement, maybe two panels or four. But no much detail was revealed by the Surface Hub’s product managers who confess not to let know until launch.
There was a white-board scenario in one of the demonstrations along with writing on office presentations. All written on the screen were recreated back to the Surface tablet that was controlling it while the user of the tablet was also able to write and this was termed by Microsoft as ‘ink-back’. Similarly ‘swipe-back’ was also demonstrated that permitted both users to change slides. It was told that Surface Hub is allied to Windows 10 and that more details could be expected at the Windows 10 launch that is also to bring another 55-inches version but with 1080p resolution.
Microsoft has not yet revealed its flagship Lumia phone’s follow-up but hinted of latest Surface Pro 3 tablet that is expected to be the one of the upgrades to its upcoming smartphone.
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