Windows’ assault on the mobile OS market continues in the form of their refreshed and redesigned Windows Phone 8.1 OS. Along with it, they’ve also announced two new flagship devices, one for the rich and another for the not-so-rich. Here are the specs and some first impressions.

First big addition is the Action Centre, a pull down menu that works in much the same way as on all other Smartphones on the market. Obviously this feature ties in directly with any new activity and notifications that happen in your Live Tiles (SMS, Calendar, battery, emails).

While on Live Tiles, the new OS features the possibility of a 3rd row of tiles on all devices across the board. There’s also some transparency and background image fun to be had and this takes care of one of the few gripes I had about Windows Mobile, the lack of personalisation by use of images.

Other updates to note include an improved Calendar, improved People Hub and a Word Flow keyboard, similar to the one on the Samsung Galaxy.

The new Windows Phone Nokia flagship device is the Nokia Lumia 930 which features:
2.2GHz Snapdragon quad-core processor
2GB of RAM
20MP PureView camera, ZEISS optics and optical image stabilization
Integrated Dolby Surround Sound
5-inch, 1080p Full HD, ClearBlack screen
LTE ready
2420 mAh

In a world where it’s easier to tell the Williams sisters apart than it is to recognise a new Smartphone, Nokia have done really, really well creating a decidedly sturdy 9.8mm thick and 167g phone. That is thick and heavy as slim phones go, however when you hold it in your hand the cool metal back and weighted feel let you know you’re holding a high end device.

The Nokia Lumia 930 also comes in a range of colours with optional colored protective backs.

On the cheap Smartphone front, the Nokia Lumia 630 is the successor to the popular Nokia Lumia 520 and specs look like:
Snapdragon 400 processor
Display size: 4.5 ”
Capacitive Multipoint-Touch
5 MP
Quad-core 1.2GHz
Changeable colored covers
8GB storage but expandable

While the Nokia Lumia 630 is affordable (R1999) and looks like any other Lumia device, it does run the risk of being a little bit unexciting.

And while other brands like Huawei are embracing the selfie, Nokia have done away with the front facing camera entirely. Interesting move especially since the demographic most likely to afford this device are the teenager/university student, and nobody enjoys a good selfie like and an irritating One Direction fan.

Get it: www.Nokia.co.za
From:
Nokia Lumia 630 retail price – R1 999
Nokia Lumia 930 retail price – TBA