Nokia unveils first MS phones

Nokia yesterday unveiled its first new Lumia phones under the ownership of Microsoft. The 930 and 630 both run on the Windows 8.1 operating system.

Microsoft yesterday announced a pair of new Lumia devices – the Lumia 630 and the flagship Lumia 930, running on Microsoft’s latest mobile platform, Windows Phone 8.1.These are the first Lumia phones to be unveiled under Nokia’s ownership by Microsoft, and suggest the Nokia brand will be kept for now.

The new features integratewith Windows Phone signature features like Live Tiles, which have been improved to add the possibility of a third row of tiles to all Windows Phones. Extensive on device search, a reworked calendar, improved People Hub with direct app integration and the new Word Flow keyboard make Windows Phone 8.1 an extensive update.

The first Windows Phone 8.1 smartphone to hit the market is the Lumia 630, the successor to the successful Lumia 520.

Nokia Lumia 630

“We hit a sweet spot with the Lumia 520, and together with our partners ended up with a real hit,” said Patrick Henchie, head of product for Microsoft Mobile Devices in South and East Africa. “With the Lumia 630, we set a new standard for affordable smartphones. The device combines Windows Phone 8.1 with quad core processing and uncompromised cloud-connected experiences from Microsoft.

With a vibrant design with changeable covers, the Lumia 630’s quad-core Snapdragon processor provides a faster social experience on leading social apps like WhatsApp and WeChat. Benefiting from high-end Lumia apps such as Nokia Camera, maps and navigation from HERE, plus free MixRadio streaming, the device brings people a premium experience at an excellent price. The Lumia 630 also boasts a 4.5-inch ClearBlack screen, which makes games, apps and entertainment look fantastic.

At the high-end, the Lumia 930 is powered by a 2.2GHz Snapdragon quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM. Nokia Lumia 930

With a 20MP PureView camera, ZEISS optics and optical image stabilization, the Lumia 930 also comes with HD video and four high-performance microphones that enhance the clarity of subjects and block out unwanted noise. Integrated Dolby Surround Sound also makes for a rich audio experience when watching movies or listening to music. The five-inch, 1080p Full HD, ClearBlack screen display provides a detailed viewing experience and Nokia Rich Recording delivers an improved video experience. LTE-ready and with a 2420 mAh battery, the Lumia 930 will last longer, while built-in wireless charging provides convenience.

All new Windows Phone 8.1 smartphones come with a suite of fully integrated Microsoft services. These include full mobile version of Office, with Word, PowerPoint, OneNote and OneDrive – which now offers 15GB of cloud storage completely free. Windows Phones also have Xbox built-in, meaning a gaming experience can travel from phone, to PC, to Xbox.

The Lumia 630 is expected to be available in July at a recommended retail price of R1999. Pricing of the Lumia 930 will be announced when the device becomes available during Q3.

Windows Phone 8.1 will also be available to download to all existing Windows Phone 8 customers in the coming months.

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