Nokia to release Windows 8 tablets this June, top drawer Lumia in the works?
There’s some intriguing Nokia news coming out of France this morning, thanks to Paul Amsellem, head of the company’s Gallic outpost. In a recent interview with Parisian daily Les Echos, Amsellem described Nokia’s aspirations to regain some of the market share it’s lost within France, explaining that his firm is squarely targeting the 60 percent of French users who currently don’t own a smartphone. More salient, however, is what the exec had to say about Nokia’s plans for future releases. According to Amsellem, Espoo will unveil a newWindows 8 equipped tablet by June 2012. Unfortunately, that’s about all he had to say on the subject, but it’s certainly enough of a carrot to raise our heart rates — as are Amsellem’s comments on theLumia 800, which hit French stores yesterday. Comparing the handset to a BMW 5 series, the chief went on to say that Nokia “will soon have a full range with a 7 Series and 3 Series.” He didn’t elaborate much on this analogy, though its implication is rather self-evident — new Lumia cousins may be in the works. Of course, it remains to be seen when and if the company will expand upon its Lumia line, though we’ll definitely be keeping ouryeux on it.
Nokia publishes Lumia 800 ‘making-of’ documentary (video)
You’ve already heard Nokia’s Peter Skillman talk design regarding the N9, and now it’s Nokia’s turn to show you what kind of magical mayhem went into the the making of the Lumia 800. It’s an eight-minute long clip discussing the decisions behind the company’s “first Windows Phone,” with Nokia calling it “as much a story about collaboration and taking risks as it is about design.” Taking risks, indeed. It’s a good watch regardless of your platform affiliation, and it can be found just after the break.
Outside of snapping up an even newerhandset, N9 users who are looking to score a taste of the very latest from Nokia will uncover a delicious morsel waiting in the form of a software update. Known as PR1.1, the downloadable package adds such refinements as music controls on the lock screen, new status indicators on the standby screen, along with NFC tag support and Swype’s renowned keyboard. The crew in Espoo also promises improved multitasking, noise cancellation and faster syncing of Mail for Exchange. Rounding out the list, the camera app has gained color filters for still and motion captures, and as for that option to close apps with a downward swipe — it’s now enabled by default. The update has begun rolling today, which Nokia will be deploying in waves. In other words, if you’re not among the early recipients, persistence and patience will likely become your new mantra. Enjoy the freebie, folks.
