The latest update for Windows Phone 8.1 – dubbed Denim – is now being pushed to Nokia/Microsoft Lumia devices.

Denim features a number of improvements to the operating system, including quicker access to its Cortana personal assistant, and changes to the way the home screen can be customised.

The update also introduces a ‘Glance Screen’, which allows users to extra information to the phone’s lock screen, as well as additional camera and photo options.

More details on Denim can be found on the Microsoft Lumia website, or on the video below.

The Nexus 9, Nexus 7 and Nexus Player will run on Google’s new Android Lollipop OS

Google has taken the wraps of its latest flagship Nexus devices – as well as the next version of its Android operating system.

The Nexus 9 tablet – built by HTC - will offer a 2.3GHz NVIDIA K1 processor, 2GB of RAM, an 8MP camera and a 9″ screen. It will come with 16GB or 32GB of storage, with preorders for the device starting on 17 October.

The Nexus 6 smartphone – made by Motorola – will have a 5.9″ HD screen, a 2.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor and a 13-megapixel camera. Preorders for that device will open later this month (in the US at least).

Coming somewhat out of left field is the Nexus Player – an Android-based device for playing content on your TV.

It will allow access to the standard streaming options like Netflix and YouTube, while a separate controller will allow the device to be used as a games console. Preorders for that start on 17 October too – with a price-point somewhere in the Apple TV region.

All of these devices will run on the new Android 5.0 operating system – which has been officially named Lollipop.

The OS will become available to other Nexus devices in the near future, as well as many Google Play edition tablets and smartphones. The exact release schedule of that is not yet known, however, and it may take some time to hit certain devices depending on the manufacturer.

Nokia / Microsoft’s Lumia 930

Nokia as a brand may be on the way out, but its work to promote the Windows Phone platform lives on. So is the Lumia 930 finally the phone Microsoft needs to take the smartphone battle to Google and Apple?

The details

The Nokia Lumia 930 is a 5 inch smartphone running Windows Phone 8.1. It’s powered by a Quad-core 2.2 GHz processor, with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage space built-in. It boasts a 20MP camera with image stabilisation, can be bought in a range of colours* and is capable of wireless charging.

It can be bought on the Vodafone or Meteor networks, or SIM-free for €599.

Design

Even in its darkest days, Nokia maintained a reputation for quality hardware – the Lumia 930 is a continuation of that trend.

Despite its relatively bulky frame – it’s almost 3mm thicker than the iPhone 6 – it feels considerably well in the hand, in no small part due to its solid construction. The crispy display is surrounded by a brushed metal edge, with a matte plastic (and colourful) backing rounding it all off.

This solid construction means the battery is non-removable, but the trade-off for this is that it lends a solidity to the device that would be hard to achieve otherwise.

Hardware

Given that the 5 inch screen is the predominant feature of the 930, it would want to be an impressive one – and it is. It’s a full HD AMOLED display, using what Nokia calls its Clear Black technology to really deepen the contrasts – it’s also capable of being eye-wateringly bright (though setting the phone up this way will obviously come at the expense of the battery).

And this top-notch display is useful to have to hand when utilising the 20MP camera, which houses a sensor that’s on a par with anything you’d find in a compact camera. Adding to this is its built-in image stabilisation, which is a killer feature for the kind of quick shooting that people tend to do on smartphones, while its dual LED flash does a relatively decent job in low light conditions. The camera can also pick up HD video at 30fps, which may not allow for the great slo-mo features like on the iPhone, but is not to be sniffed at all the same.

Software

Windows Phone 8.1 cleaned up a lot of the loose ends on what was already a fairly solid operating system. Amongst the features added is Cortana – Microsoft’s voice-activated virtual assistant – as well as improved multi-tasking and the addition of a notifications centre.

One thing the OS still lacks, however, is apps. Yes, some of the bigger names like Facebook have finally made their way onto the platform, but there are so many glaring omissions, as developers continue to prioritise iOS and Android. This lack of apps has been a stumbling block for Windows Phone-based devices for some time, and it remains one to this day.

The one light at the end of that particular tunnel, however, is another feature of Windows Phone 8.1, which makes it easier for developers to make one app for mobile, tablet and desktop.

Round-up

On any metric, the Lumia 930 is the best Windows Phone ever. It also more than holds it own against devices of other stripes, particularly some of the flagship Android devices currently on the market.

However any praise for a device running on Windows Phone has to go with the caveat that apps are lacking, and prospective buyers should do their homework before they make the switch.

If Microsoft managed to solve that problem tomorrow, however, there would be very little to say against this fine offering from its mobile division.

Meteor hopes to pick off some of O2′s carcass before Three finishes its takeover

It’s fairly par for the course for a company to tell you how they’re better than all the rest. Even specifically naming a rival is not uncommon in Irish ads – though it doesn’t happen all that often. So why has Meteor opted to build an entire ad campaign around one of its rivals, O2?

There’s a good chance you’ve spotted one of the TV spots, billboards or posters from Meteor, telling O2 customers they can get more for less if they move network. It promises a better package for a few euro less per month, and even throws a free smartphone into the bargain to push those tempted over the edge.

So why has Meteor taken the bold step of directing its message at O2 users specifically, rather than taking the old-fashioned scatter-gun approach?

It’s hard to imagine that Meteor’s campaign, to some degree at least, is trying to prey on any confusion that may exist amongst O2 customers as they wait to see what the Three takeover means for them.

Three has been busy rebranding some of O2′s assets in recent weeks – from the music venue formerly known as The Point Theatre to the logo on Ireland’s rugby jersey to the company’s headquarters on Dublin’s quays – but has yet to reveal much about its plans for the network’s actual customer base*.

And that lack of information is compounding the general vibe of listlessness that has been coming from O2 for some time now, thanks in large part to its former owner’s unwillingness to invest in a network that it was trying to sell off.

As it stands, O2 is now the only major network left in Ireland that does not offer a 4G service – and there doesn’t seem to be any sign of that changing on the back of Three’s takeover.

The network’s price plans are also woefully behind the curve set by its rivals – for example offering billpay customers just 700MB of data on its €35/m plan (compared to unlimited data on Three’s €25/m offering).

O2 is also currently offering a 32GB iPhone 5S on a contract for the same price as a 64GB iPhone 6 – which suggests a disjointed approach to its pricing structure.

So Meteor’s ad campaign is undoubtedly designed to play on this apparent lack of value and service, with the network hoping to snap up some customers before Three gets around to steadying the ship and – perhaps – giving it some direction.

Given that market share was the main draw for Three in its takeover bid, halting that malaise is something they may want to do sooner rather than later.

* About the only detail known at present, according to Three, is that the O2 network will be rebranded and all existing price plans will stay as they are (presumably until a customer switches to a new one).

Windows 10 will try to make up some of the ground lost by its much maligned predecessor

Microsoft has given the world its first look at its next operating system – which will be called Windows 10.

The company says the new software – due for release in 2015 – will be used on all devices, including smartphones and tablets.

With the infamous ‘Metro’ interface of Windows 8 having gotten a fairly luke-warm reception from users, the company is returning to the classic Start menu and toolbar in its next release… albeit with a slight twist.

Users will now see a number of customisable ‘live tiles’ when they hit Start, along with the kind of application and file links you’d tend to find in an older version of the Windows platform.

Full screen apps and a toned-down version of the Windows 8 home screen will also be available in certain instances, with the OS designed to switch to ‘tablet’ mode when a keyboard and mouse is no longer attached.

Microsoft also hopes its unified store will give it an edge with developers, and in turn users, as it technically allows for one app to be created to run on mobile, tablet, PC and even games console.

Other new features in the software – which Microsoft stressed is still in its infancy – include the ability to get web results in the Start menu’s search bar and improved multi-tasking functions.

Nokia is now pointing its customers towards Microsoft’s website

Nokia’s Irish website is now pointing visitors to Microsoft.com – the latest part of its phasing out of the legendary Finnish brand.

Visitors to Nokia.com are now offered to ‘step inside’ the brand’s new home, with a link that redirects them to Microsoft.com.

The move follows Microsoft’s blockbuster acquisition of Nokia more than a year ago – and will ultimately lead to the end of the Nokia and Windows Phone brands.

They will be replaced with a new division – Microsoft Mobile Devices – of which Lumia will play a key role.

It is also expected that Microsoft will begin to refer to their mobile operating system simply as Windows in the future.

The Nokia name will continue – though not in the world of handsets. What’s left of the business in Finland now focuses on networks and infrastructure.

Irish customers will be able to buy an iPhone 6 in a week’s time

Meteor has detailed its plans and prices for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, which launch in Ireland in a week’s time.

Customers will be able to get a 16GB iPhone 6 for €99, when they sign up to a 2 year contract costing €59 per month.

Those wishing to sign up to the cheapest monthly tariff available from the network – which is €19 per month – will need to pay €499 for the handset.

Meteor is also offering a 64GB iPhone 6 or a 16GB iPhone 6 Plus from €199, depending on the contract.

The network is accepting preorders online now.

Meanwhile O2 has also detailed its price plans for the new iPhone.

A 16GB iPhone 6 can be bought for €60, but customers will need to sign up to a 2 year contract costing €70 per month in order to avail of this discount.

When using O2′s cheapest monthly plan – priced at €35 per month – customers will need to pay €270 for the device.

O2 also has prices for the 64GB and 128GB iPhone 6 – priced from €150 and €260 respectively.

The iPhone 6 Plus can be bought from O2 from €150 for the 16GB model, €260 for the 64GB model and €360 for the 128GB model.

Full details of O2′s plans can be found on the network’s website.

Elsewhere, Vodafone has revealed a €50 price tag for a 16GB iPhone 6; assuming the user signs up to an €80-per-month contract.

On the network’s cheapest plan of €35-per-month, the upfront cost of the device will be €250.

The 64GB and 128GB iPhone 6 is priced from €150 and €250 respectively, again on the €80 contract, while the 16GB iPhone 6 Plus will set you back €150.

Customers can register for the iPhone via Vodafone – and see more detail of their plans – on the network’s website.

And not to be left out, Three Ireland has also given some detail on its price plans – though just for the 16GB iPhone 6 model.

Such a handset will cost you €180 when bought on a €55-per-month, 2 year contract. That price rises to €230 if users want to go for a slightly cheaper monthly fee.

Three also gives details of the phone’s cost on a slightly shorter contract – in this case 18 months. Customers going down that route will have to part with €350 – and then €40.66 per month – if they want to be tied down for a slightly shorter period than would otherwise be the case.

More details can be found on Three’s website.

If none of that takes your fancy, there’s always the option of buying the handset outright and without any network restrictions. Doing that will come with an upfront cost of at least €700, though, so it may not be an option for many.

iCloud Drive lets users store all types of files in Apple’s cloud

Hot on the heels of iOS 8 being made available to iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch users, iCloud Drive has been added to the company’s iCloud website.

The new iCloud Drive feature acts as a hub for a user’s documents and photos, making it easier for them to sync their files across multiple devices.

In practice, it means that an iPad user will be able to save a file on their tablet and then access it on their desktop computer or phone without having to manually send it from one to the other. Having the Drive available on iCloud.com means the same files will be accessible on any PC – even if it isn’t yours – as long as it has an internet connection and a modern browser.

To begin storing files through iCloud Drive, users will need to upgrade their iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch to iOS 8 – or upgrade their Mac to OS X Yosemite (which is not yet officially available).

Apple’s new mobile operating system will go live before the new iPhones are released

Irish customers may have to wait more than a week to get their hands on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, but the software that powers it will available to all later this evening.

READ: teic.ie’s tips for a smoother iOS update

An update to the latest version of Apple’s operating system – iOS 8 – is set to become available from around 6pm Irish time, offering users access to a range of new features and functions.

The new OS will include Apple’s new Health app, which is designed to monitor and track health-related data pulled in by the phone – along with information gathered by other apps.

iOS 8 will also be compatible with iCloud Drive, which will make it easier for people to share documents and files across multiple devices and applications.

Existing iPhone/iPad apps will also get some additional functionality – Messages will now make group chats easier, and will allow for voice messages to be sent. Users will be able to add new types of keyboards too, while people will also be allowed to easily share their apps with other family members.

For people who have more than one Apple device, new ‘Continuity’ features will bring those closer together.

The new software will allow for a user to start something on one device, and then seamlessly pick up where they left off on another. When the latest operating system for Macs comes out later this year, people will also be able to answer calls and texts through their computer – leaving their phone in their pocket if they so wish.

The one caveat – some of these features won’t be available on certain devices and iOS 8 itself is won’t be downloadable if your phone or tablet is too old. Here’s a list of compatible devices:

iPhone 4S
iPhone 5
iPhone 5S
iPhone 5C
iPhone 6
iPhone 6 Plus

iPad 2
iPad (3rd Gen)
iPad (4th Gen)
iPad Air
iPad Mini
iPad Mini with Retina Display

iPod Touch (5th Gen)

The new operating system for Apple’s mobile devices has a range of new features

The latest version of Apple’s operating system for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch is about to go live – but if past launches are anything to go by, it can be a bit of an ordeal to update.

But there are a few simple measures you can take to make the process a little bit smoother – especially if you want to get your hands on iOS 8 as soon as possible:

Check your compatibility

Before you do anything, you need to make sure your device will work with iOS 8.

If you have an iPhone 4 or older, the original iPad, or an iPod Touch bought before September 2012, you won’t be able to use the new software. Any newer iOS device should be good to go, though.

If you’re not sure what model your device is, plug it in to your computer and have a look in iTunes. Alternatively, use Apple’s guide to match up the listed model numbers with what’s etched on the back of your gadget.

Have a back-up plan

All going to plan, updating your operating system shouldn’t have an impact on all of the information stored on the device – but there is a chance that things go wrong.

To make sure you’re not caught out, make sure to create a backup of each device before you start the update process. You might already have your device set to automatically send some the most vital information to Apple’s iCloud, but there’s no harm in creating a full backup on your computer to be on the safe side.

To do so, plug your iOS device into your computer and open up iTunes. In the ‘Summary’ tab for the device you should see a section called ‘Manually Back Up and Restore’ – which has a ‘Back Up Now’ button. Hit this and, after a little while, you’ll have a copy of everything safely stored on your hard drive, available to you should anything get deleted later on.

Make some space

The new version of iOS is about 1GB in size – but you’ll need a lot more space than that on your phone to install it.

That’s because you need to download the file in full before it replaces the old OS – there also needs to be some room on there for things to get duplicated and moved around in the installation process.

If you’re using a 16GB device this may prove a little tricky – but it is doable.

Worst case scenario, you could always delete some of your bigger apps and reinstall them after iOS 8 is in place. The same goes for any photos or music (most of which should either be backed up on iTunes or iCloud).

To find out which apps are biggest, open Settings, click on General and then tap into ‘Usage’. It will take a minute, but all your apps – ranked by size – should appear in here. Chances are your Photos and Music will top the list, with everything else coming after. Now you can get a clear idea of what to delete first.

Wired or wireless?

In recent years, Apple has made it possible to update the operating system ‘over the air’ – meaning the device can be upgraded without being plugged into a computer.

To do this, you just need a decent WiFi connection – connection to a power source is also recommended, as you don’t want the battery running out of juice in the middle of the process.

Alternatively, you can tether it to your computer and update via iTunes – you’ll find the option to do this in the same place as the aforementioned back-up option.

As long as you have a stable WiFi connection, it doesn’t really make a difference which method you choose.

Good things come to those who wait

The whole world will be getting access to iOS 8 at roughly the same time – so Apple’s servers are likely to be under a lot of pressure tonight and even into tomorrow.

As well as that, the update process can take a while to complete even after everything has been downloaded.

In other words, you could be waiting a while to update and your device of choice will be pretty much out of action for the duration.

So before you update – especially when it comes to your phone – make sure you can afford the downtime and you don’t have anywhere else to be (including your bed) for at least the next hour… maybe even longer.

If you can’t be sure you’ll have time to spare, maybe put off the update for a day or two. At that stage it should be quicker to download the software from Apple – which will make the whole process a bit quicker overall.

Be prepared for a bumpy ride

Previous iOS upgrades have been met with a lot of frustration from Apple customers – particularly because of problems with getting the software from their servers.

Hopefully things will go well tonight, but be prepared for downloads to fail mid-stream, and updates to crash to a halt randomly.

Enjoy – oh, and turn on automatic updates for apps

Once you’ve downloaded your software and applied it to your device(s), you can sit back and enjoy all the new features iOS 8 has to offer.

A lot of apps have already updated to make the most of the software’s new features, and over the next few days and weeks a lot more will do the same. Some developers may have to push out additional updates as they spot bugs and problems that tend to be associated with new software.

For that reason, it might be an idea to turn on automatic updates to the app store – this will mean that all of these annoying updates will be taken care of for you (and only when you’re in a WiFi zone – so it won’t eat into your data). The alternative is having to go into the App Store on a regular basis to manually update each app for the foreseeable future.

This feature can be activated by going to Settings, scrolling down to ‘iTunes & App Store’ and switching on Automatic Downloads for Updates.

Tesco’s customers now represent 5% of the mobile market

Tesco Mobile has announced its 250,000th customer – giving it a market share in Ireland of 5%.

The virtual operator – which uses the Three network to connect customers – says it has added over 50,000 customers in the past year alone.

This follows the opening of a number of dedicated phone shops within Tesco stores, as well as a renewed marketing push and some attractive price plans.

The Irish market is set to get more competitive in the next 12 months, however, despite Three’s recent acquisition of O2.

Both Carphone Warehouse and UPC are set to launch their own virtual mobile network in 2015, both of which will utilise the Three network.

Microsoft’s Ultra Portable Keyboard is designed to work with multiple operating systems

Microsoft is launching PC-compatible Xbox One controller along with a Bluetooth keyboard that can instantly switch between three different devices.

The controller is almost identical to the one that ships with the Xbox One console – in fact it could even be used with the device if a user so wished.

The Ultra Mobile Keyboard, meanwhile, is designed to wirelessly connect to all manner of devices – from Android tablets to Apple phones to Windows PCs – and even allows users to switch between multiple devices at the flick of a switch.

The device also makes smart use of its protective cover – slide it off and it automatically switches on, with the cover doubling as a stand for your device. Put the cover back on and the keyboard powers down.

The keyboard will be available next month in the US for $80, though there’s no details of an Irish release as of yet.

The controller is priced in the US at $60, which is the same as a dedicated Xbox One controller.

Irish customers will be able to buy an iPhone 6 in eleven days

Apple has confirmed the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus will reach Irish shores on Friday, 26 September.

Ireland is one of 20 countries included in the ‘second wave’ of the devices’ launch, following its debut in select markets this Friday.

The US, Britain, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Puerto Rico and Singapore will get the new phones at the end of this week.

Ireland will join Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Isle of Man, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey and United Arab Emirates in getting access to Apple’s latest smartphones in eleven days time.

Along with the confirmed release plans, Apple also announced that it received four million preorders for an iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus within 24 hours of allowing bookings.

It said demand has now exceeded supply and many US orders would not be filled until October.

WhatsApp has replaced the old-fashioned text for many Irish users

Messaging apps like WhatsApp and Viber are having a dramatic impact on the number of old-fashioned texts being sent by Irish users, according to official data published today.

There were less than 1.88 billion text messages sent by Irish mobile users between April and June, according to ComReg, which is a 23.2% fall in the space of a year.

This is the continuation of a trend that first started in late 2011, with the number of texts sent now 42% lower than that peak.

The second quarter of the year also marks the first time that text usage fell below the 2 billion mark during a three-month period since the early days of mobile.

It’s almost certain that most of this messaging activity has moved to dedicated app services, and the country’s data usage figures certainly point in that direction.

There were more than 15.7 petabytes of data (that’s 15,700,000 gigabytes) used in Ireland between April and June – a more-than 5o% increase on the same period of last year and a dramatic rise on figures recorded back in 2011.

Those hoping to buy the iPhone 6 or 6 Plus will have to part with a lot of cash

Those looking to buy Apple’s latest iPhone will have to pay upwards of €700 if they wish to acquire the device outside of a network contract, according to prices on the tech company’s website.

A 16GB iPhone 6 – which comes with a 4.7″ screen – is listed at €699 on Apple’s online store. That rises to €799 for the 64GB version, and €899 for one packing 128GB of storage.

Meanwhile, an iPhone 6 Plus – which boasts a 5.5″ screen – will cost at least €799 out of contract, assuming 16GB is enough storage space for all your apps, music and photos. An extra €100 will get you the 64GB version, while those wanting big storage to go with their big screen will have to spend €999.

While prices are available for Irish users, exact details of the phones’ release date is not. The Apple site says the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus will be “available to order on 26 September”, though it is unclear how quickly devices will be shipped after that.

For those looking to get the device at a lower upfront cost, there is still the option of buying one through a mobile network.

The trade-off there, of course, is that they’ll have to sign up to a 18 or 24-month contract in order to get the device at a discount and exact details of the various network’s packages are not yet know.

All of the main networks are asking potential iPhone 6 buyers to register their interest, saying they’ll send on launch details once they’re available. The links to those pages are:

Meteor / Vodafone / Three / O2

The Irish telecom has announced a new ‘charge to mobile’ service, which will let people buy apps, games, books or music without a credit card or voucher.

Pre-pay customers will have the cost taken from their credit, while those on bill pay will have the purchase charged to their monthly bill.

The ‘charge to mobile’ service already allows users to buy items from the likes of Donedeal.ie, Facebook and Xbox through their phone.