Microsoft Launches New Mid-Range Lumias And Accessories At IFA 2014

Microsoft today launched the Nokia Lumia 830 at IFA 2014 in Berlin today, its new flagship "affordable phone" that comes with PureView lens to battle with the latest from Samsung and Apple .

Microsoft made its firm claim in the flasghsip market with the Nokia Lumia 830, which will retail at 330 euros which unlike  Samsung Galaxy S5 and iPhone 5s won't burn your pocket.

It comes with the latest quad-core Snapdragon processor, weighs around 150 grams and with 8.5mm thickness it is the thinnest and lightest Lumia phone yet.

Microsoft also announced the dual-sim Lumia 730 and Lumia 735.  The 735, 730 and 830 all have better front-facing cameras to improve the quality of "selfies" and the 735 and 730  will exclusively ship with a new ‘selfie app’, which will give you some add on editing controls for your selfies.

And that's not all to show off the camera capabilities Microsoft will ship these phones with free three month Skype unlimited subscription.

Both devices will have a 1.2ghz snapdragon processor, and a 6.7 mega-pixel rear camera and a front-facing wide angle camera of probably 5 mega-pixel. Both devices have the largest aperture in any smartphone yet and both will go on sale later this month.

Better selfies

Source

Accessories

Microsoft also revealed two accessories today. First, there is a new Wireless Charging Plate. This plate connects to the phone over Bluetooth which allows the plate to give you status updates for the phone, and will notify you if the phone needs to be charged. In addition, the charging plate will give two blinks to display notifications for a  a missed call or SMS message.The Nokia Wireless Charging Plate will be available in green, orange, or white to match the 2014 Lumia color palette . Pricing is expected to be around $60. The final accessory is the long named Microsoft Screen Sharing For Lumia Phones HD-10. This Miracast receiver allows you to beam your smartphone display and audio to any HDMI TV or monitor somewhat like chromecast but minus the dongle . It is NFC enabled, allowing easy pairing by just tapping a phone on a NFC disc.Just a tap will mirror your phone on a nearby HD monitor/TV.

The Denim Update / Windows 8.1 Update 1

Microsoft also hinted that Update 1 to Windows Phone 8.1 will be released alongside the new Lumia devices to all Lumia devices which are running WP 8/8.1. The Denim update will see couple of interesting features including an alpha version of Cortana to users in India, Australia and Canada. You’ll also be able to arrange apps into folders or create a start screen with access to a particular set of apps or settings which are only available to Developers under Developer Preview. The Denim update will also bring a all new camera app to Lumia phones with 4k video recording. The update can be expected to roll out by early next month.