Nokia adds ‘LiveSight’ augmented reality feature to HERE Maps

Great for exploring new places

Nokia has updated its HERE Maps software to include LiveSight augmented reality. The update is now live and can be installed for compatible devices from the Windows Phone app store.

Using LiveSight, Nokia HERE Maps provides an overlay of interest points based on your current location. The 3D interface, which can be likened to Google Street View, shows small icons for things like restaurants, cafes, museums and photo opportunities – basically anything that would show up on your 2D version of HERE Maps.

Nokia LiveSight

Another nice addition to LiveSIght is the compass, which shows the direction that you’re facing in to assist with navigation. Previously LiveSight has only been available as part of the Nokia City Lens app, but it can now be used with the customisable Nokia HERE Maps.

While Nokia’s HERE apps are intended for use on the Nokia Lumia range, they are also available for other Windows Phone handsets and iOS. There’s also a browser-based version of HERE maps, so you can give it a go on Android and BlackBerry devices (as well as various desktop browsers) by visiting m.here.net on your device.

Via Windows Phone Central

‘Amber’ update to bring Smart Camera and FM Radio to Lumia handsets in July

Lumia Amber update coming in July

Alongside its announcement of the Nokia Lumia 925 yesterday, Nokia has stated that its ‘Amber’ update will bring the 925′s Smart Camera feature to existing Lumia handsets. The Amber update will be rolled out to all Windows Phone 8 devices, but not Windows Phone 7.5 or 7.8 handsets.

The Amber update will also bring FM Radio functionality to all existing WP8 Lumias apart from the Lumia 620, which does not have the required chip. Lumias 820 and 920 will also have ‘double tap to wake’ added to their feature sets. Nokia has said that more features will be confirmed for the Amber update, which is due to begin rolling out in July, closer to its release.

Due to differences in processing power between various Lumia handsets, the Smart Camera features will vary between different devices. It has not yet been confirmed which functions individual handsets will receive.

Smart Camera Action Shot

Action Shot

Smart Camera

On the Lumia 925, 920 and 820 Smart Camera takes a burst of ten shots with a 5MP resolution, whereas the 520, 620 and 720 will take seven shots with a 1MP resolution. The shots are then stored on your Lumia until you are ready to apply some visual effects to them, which include:

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Nokia Lumia 920 advert mocks the Samsung-Apple spat

Adverts from smartphone manufacturers are a bit of a free for all when it comes to mocking rivals and creating extremely cheesy content. Some are good, some are bad.

This latest Nokia/Windows Phone advert for the Lumia 920 takes a swipe at both Apple and Samsung, including the kind of clichéd comments that we’ve come to expect from advocates of both products. Let us know what you think! 

Via Inneractive Blog

Do fancy promo videos and press shots win you over?

The majority of smartphone manufactures are utilising videos and press releases to build hype surround a product launch. Take the Nokia Lumia 800 for example and more recently the 920, two heavily marketed products pre-launch. What with numerous videos, press releases and even performances from international DJ “Deadmau5” in the heart of London. These events beg the question, are they effective? Are you enticed by the flashing lights and pretty colours or do you prefer the black and white facts, figures and specs?

Lumia 800–Promotional video

The tech savvy among us may wise-up to inflated advertising campaigns over selling a product, however, everybody responds differently to marketing strategies and it can be said that some are more susceptible than others.

The technology industry is renowned for having prolonged “build-ups” and fancy advertising campaigns designed to spark interest, discussions and ultimately increase sales. Here at Clove we want to know how you, the consumer, feel about promotional materials and flamboyant advertising campaigns. Do you enjoy the buzz and excitement of a new product launch. Or do you see straight through them, taking no notice and base your purchasing decisions purely on the numbers (or specs).

More recently announced is the Sony Xperia Z. Videos such as the one below and other promotional materials cost tech companies vast sums of money to produce. Do they pay for themselves by stimulating consumers into believing their product has to be the next in their hand? Or do you believe that the money spent on these campaigns is a waste of money?

Xperia Z–Promotional video

Nokia Lumia 920 Yellow Coming Soon

As you may be aware here at Clove we have been selling unlocked Nokia Lumia 920, but to date they have been available in Black, White and Red.

We can confirm today that we will soon have Yellow Lumia 920’s too.

First stock of these are expected on February 18th.

To obtain one, please CLICK HERE

Nokia Lumia 920 user creates their own wireless car charger [VIDEO]

             

 

There’s no doubting that Nokia have wowed a lot of us when it comes to their wireless charging plate and stand; but I hear a lot of people asking whether Nokia are going to release a wireless car charger? It would appear; at this stage anyway that Nokia have no plans to announce let alone release a wireless car charger, so someone has taken it upon themselves to build their own wireless car charger.

The actual holder itself looks slightly unappealing but this is besides the point, the demonstrator shows what looks like a Garmin vent mount that has been connected via the cigarette lighter fuse box. The Lumia 920 fixes to the charger via neodymium magnets that have been stuck to the inside of the case and of course the Nokia wireless charging plate, allowing for a strong fix.

Although the holder is not aesthetically pleasing on the eye; you have to give it to this guy, he’s showed Nokia that it can be done with limited resources. So what is taking Nokia so long in producing a wireless car charger? The demand for an accessory like this would be huge would it not?!

We would love to hear if any our readers have tried modifying any accessories of their own? please feel free to share your thoughts or designs with us.

Nokia Lumia 620–Arriving 28th January £227

The Lumia 620 has been over shadowed by the Lumia 920 for obvious reasons, however we have more information available today regarding the release and price.

During week commencing 28th January we will be receiving the first stock of the Nokia Lumia 620 in Black colour.

The price will be £189+VAT (£226.80 inclusive).

What are the key features of the 620?

  • Windows Phone 8 operating system
  • Unique dual colour effect within the shell cover
  • Perfect photos with Smart Shoot
  • Add motion to still images with Cinemagraph
  • Find your way around with Nokia City Lens
  • Free music streaming with Nokia Music
  • 3.8” Capacitive multipoint – touch display
  • 1GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor
  • 5MP camera with two-stage capture key

We are taking orders now for delivery at the end of the month.

Nokia Lumia 920–Back in stock 8th January

24/1/2013 – UPDATE: RED, BLACK & WHITE UNITS IN STOCK.

Just a quick update to say stock of the Nokia Lumia 920 Windows Phone in Red & Black is due to arrive on Tuesday 8th January.  White units are on course to arrive a little later in the month, the exact date is still to be confirmed.

For more information of to order, just CLICK HERE.

Nokia Lumia 920 vs Nokia Lumia 820

Hardly comparable I hear you say? to a point yes; but there are some significant differences between the two siblings. Naturally the 920 will be far more superior in certain areas which is to be expected; as it is the ‘top end’  device after all. I am going to briefly compare the differences and the similarities between these two Nokia WP8 Smartphones to help gain a clearer picture for potential users.

Firstly I would like to point out that both the 920 & 820 are in fact operating on the same chipsets (Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon; Adreno 220 GPU). the CPU’s are both Dual-core; and again both are clocked at 1.5GHz and feature 1GB of RAM.

As mentioned previously – both devices are operating on the same chipsets but the 920 still holds the advantage when it comes to speed and all round general smoothness. The 920 features a PureMotion HD+ (increases the refresh rate of the physical screen itself to match up with the 60 frames per second, thereby reducing blur) display, as well as ClearBlack (reduces reflections on the screen and improves visual image quality, especially outdoors). The 820 does not feature PureMotion HD+ therefore it lacks that extra bit of smoothness that the 920 has when it comes to the general speed of the interface operation.

In terms of size; the 920 is significantly larger and weighs approximately 25g more than its predecessor. I personally feel that the 820 feels a lot more natural to hold as the 920 is a fair bit wider and feels some what awkward to hold. Both the 920 & 820 have a polycarbonate finish that really confirm the quality of build of both handsets.

Another issue or let’s say big difference would be the on board memory between the two. The 820 only has an internal memory of up to 8GB but features an expansion slot that can add up to 32GB to your device (albeit on a microSD card of course). The 920 features a generous 32GB of internal memory (7GB of Cloud storage) BUT does not have an expansion slot. Not a massive disadvantage as I guess Windows are trying to push people to the Cloud; but perhaps a slight inconvenience?

Nokia have really produced a very technical line with the Lumia series. The camera tech being one feature that really stands out. Both handsets have excellent photography capabilities; especially for a Smartphone. Both handsets feature 8MP primary cameras with 1080p video capture and both feature Carl Zeiss optics, autofocus & dual LED-flash. The 920 has a few extra features that make it that extra bit special with optical image stabilization and of course the PureView technology.

Using advanced floating lens technology, the PureView camera in the Nokia Lumia 920 takes in five times more light than competing smartphones without using flash, making it possible to capture the best pictures and videos even at night.

So, there you have it, the main differences between the two have been ironed out -fairly significant wouldn’t you say? screen size, screen resolution, storage and of course the superior PureView camera Technology on the Lumia 920. It’s clear that the Lumia 920 is the better option if money is not an issue but that’s not to say that the Lumia 820 is not a good handset. The 820 is a very strong mid range device (if you can call it that) for those that want to stay under the £400 bracket. We want to hear what handset you have opted for and whether this comparison has swayed your opinion/decision at all?

Nokia Lumia 920 vs Samsung Ativ S

Let’s take a look at the differences between these two heavyweight Windows phone 8 devices. Granted – the price difference is significant between the two but they are definitely rivals as both Samsung & Nokia have produced high spec Smartphones on WP8.

So what are the main deciding factors between the two? let’s find out..

OS: Right, a fairly straight forward one here as both devices are running on the latest Windows OS (WIndows Phone 8)

Processor: The Lumia 920 is one of the fastest Smartphones that Nokia have ever produced. The 920 is running on a 1.5GHz (1GB RAM) dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 chip. The Ativ S is again clocked at 1.5GHz (1GB RAM) whilst also sporting a Qualcomm chip too BUT.. it is paired alongside an Adreno 225 GPU for a smoother experience without any lag. The Ativ S just shades this one for me.

Display: There’s no surprise that Samsung have produced yet another highly vibrant screen with the Ativ S. A 4.8-inch Super AMOLED screen that operates at a resolution of 720×1280 pixels with a pixel density of 306ppi. The Nokia Lumia 920 has 4.5-inch WXGA IPS LCD operating at a resolution of 768×1280 pixels, with a pixel density of 326ppi. Both feature vibrant and tough screens but the Lumia 920 has the slight advantage here; as the smaller screen gives the user that slightly richer experience.

Storage: The Lumia 920 does NOT have a micro SD card slot for expandable storage but they do soften the blow with a fairly large internal storage of 32GB. Samsung provide an internal storage of 16GB with the option to expand with a Micro SD card slot. Unsurprisingly the Ativ S is the favoured option here.

Camera: Samsung’s Ativ S features an 8-megapixel camera with auto focus, LED flash, image stabilization, geo tagging along wth 1080P video capture. The handset also features a 1.9-megapixel front facing camera for Skype. The Lumia 920 has an 8.7-megapixel PureView camera that features a Carl Zeiss Tessar Lens as well as 1080P video capture. Nokia are leaps and bounds ahead when it comes to camera capabilities, they have given their users a wonderful piece of kit; especially if we are referring to the photography side of things. The Nokia Lumia 920 is the clear winner here.

Design: The Nokia Lumia 920 (130.0mm x 70.8 mm x 10.7 mm; 185g) has a quality build that feels solid in the hand. Samsung have designed something not too dissimilar to previous handsets with the Ativ S (137.2mm x 70.5mm x 8.7mm; 135g). Yes, the Lumia 920 is a fair bit heavier than the Ativ S, but the sheer build and quality of the device is second to none.

Verdict: Nokia have really surprised a lot of people with their Lumia range. The Lumia 920 is bold & beautiful device that really is a going to be remembered for all of the right reasons. The build quality and features outweigh that of the Samsung Ativ S in my opinion. Let’s not get confused; the Samsung Ativ S is a top end WP8 device that offers a lot to it’s potential user but Nokia have really pulled out all of the stops with their first WP8 release.

We would love to hear your opinions on which device you opted for and whether you felt you made the right choice?