Category: Microsoft Windows

Over at the Microsoft Store online you can get an exclusive color option on the BLU Win HD Windows Phone.  The new Smoldering Gray color is in stark contrast to the neon-like colors that the Blue Win HD is normally found online or at your local Microsoft Store but for those who want a bit more sedate (i.e. normal) color, the Smoldering Gray option is right for you.  The 5″ Windows Phone only comes in this color when you order it online but it is still the same low price of $179 unlocked.

BLU Win HD Windows Phone – Online Exclusive Smoldering Gray – $179 – Microsoft Store

The Netflix apps for both Windows and Windows Phone received a minor update yesterday that all users should update to if you haven’t done so already.  The update, version 4.1.0.16 for those keeping score at home, does not have any detailed release notes with it but it is widely suspected that this addresses a bug that was causing crashes on the streaming movie and television app.

Netflix for Windows Phone – Free – Download Now

Netflix for Windows – Free – Download Now

This weekend at MWC, HP announced the all new Spectre x360 ultra sleek notebooks powered by Windows 8.1.  Now you can order yours on the HP Online Store starting at just $899.  This new lineup has been seeing some raving comments from those in attendance in Barcelona for the sleek design and look of the Spectre x360.  When it was announced this weekend there was some question as to when it would be available.  Those questions are answered it seems as both the i5 and i7 versions of it are now available for order.

Spectre X360 Ultra Sleek Notebooks – Starting at $899 – HP Online Store

At the Microsoft Store today they are once again running a promotion they ran last month on the HP Stream 7 Signature Edition Windows Tablet.  The promotion makes it one of those hard to pass up deals on what has been on a highly rated and well liked economy tablet.

Right now you pick up a HP Stream 7 for $79 which is a $20 savings off the regular price.  Keep in mind that this is the Signature Edition so there is no crapware installed on this model.  In addition to the $20 savings, you get a year of Office 365 Professional to run on this tablet for free which is a $69.99 value.  And if that wasn’t enough to tempt you, Microsoft is also throwing in a $25 Windows Store Gift card so you can buy apps and games online with your new HP Stream 7.

So let’s do the math shall we?

• HP Stream 7 Signature Edition:  $79
• One Year of Office 365 Personal Edition:  ($69.99)
• Free Gift Card from Windows Store:  ($25.00)

That means your cost is $79 when normally you would pay a total of $173.99 for all of this.  In fact what you are getting for free is of greater value than the price of the HP Stream 7 itself:  $79 versus freebies of $94.99

HP Stream 7 Windows Tablet – SALE $79 – Microsoft Store

In addition to the Lumia 640 announced today at Mobile World Congress, Microsoft also announced their new Phablet device, the Lumia 640XL.  The 5.7″ device is a replacement for the now quite dated Lumia 1320 (my personal phone of choice) and it is a significant bump up in specifications over the 1320.  Like the Lumia 640, there will be multiple variants of the Lumia 640XL:  Single and Dual SIM 3G models as well as Single and Dual SIM LTE Models.  It is expected to retail for around $245 for the Dual SIM LTE model which is a very attractive price point for what this device has to offer.

The Lumia 640XL will be powered by the Snapdragon 400 Quad-Core processor running at 1.2GHz and will sport 1GB of RAM.  It will have 8GB of internal storage with expansion up to an additional 128GB with a MicroSD card.  It has a 5.7″ IPS display running at 1280×720 with Glance screen and sunlight readability enhancements for when you are outside.  The rear camera is probably the single biggest improvement over the Lumia 1320.  The 1320 has a 5MP camera while the 640XL will have a 13MP camera.  That rear camera can also shoot 1080p video and has a flash.  The front facing camera is a 5MP wide angle fixed focus.  It will also have SensorCore which is something the Lumia 1320 does not have either.

Another interesting change is that the Lumia 640XL will have a user replaceable 3000 mAh battery, something you cannot do on the Lumia 1320.

At Mobile World Congress today, Microsoft announced the new Lumia 640, a mid-range Windows Phone that is a step up from the popular Lumia 635.  The Lumia 640 comes in three variants, the 3G Dual SIM, LTE Dual SIM and an LTE Single SIM and it is expected to sell for less than $200 when it reaches the US.  Yes, the Lumia 640 is coming to the United States!  It is expected to be with AT&T, T-Mobile and MetroPCS but what is unclear is which variant will be with which carrier.  While I’ve voice my opinion on the need for a flagship Windows Phone from Microsoft, it is good to see this Lumia 640 as it is, specification wise, not bad at all for a sub-$200 device.

The Lumia 640 will run on the Snapdragon 400 quad-core processor at 1.2GHz and will sport a 8GB of storage on board.  That can be augmented with up to 128GB on a MicroSD card.  The rear camera is a 8MP autofocus capable of shooting 1080p video while the front facing camera is a HD 1MP wide angle. The display is a 5″ HD 1280×720 IPS that does support Glance which if you don’t have, once you do, will love.  It is expected to launch this month in various markets globally.