This week has been a big one for Windows Phone and Windows 8. And there is more to come…with June shaping up to be a huge month for Microsoft enthusiasts! From new device launches, the roll-out of new services for Aussies, App releases right through to update news, we thought a quick recap was in order for those who may have missed some of the news – and to highlight some key near-future dates to look out for.

The big news this week was the launch of yet ANOTHER Nokia Windows Phone 8 handset. Following on from the Lumia 520 launch recently – and the US releases of the 521 and 928 Lumia variants on expanded carriers for the North American market, Nokia delivered a “re-imagined” 920 device this week. The Lumia 925 builds on the features and capabilities of the premium 920 handset – with a couple of significant differences and enhancements.

Featuring a striking aluminium front bezel and edge detail – with the more familiar polycarbonate finish limited to the back plate only, it is slimmer and lighter than its 920 sibling – targeting two areas of criticism from some commentators over the Lumia 920. The Lens hardware has been improved (an extra 6th lens made of glass), along with the addition of extra camera software (smart camera), which will make its way across all WP8 Lumia devices via firmware updates later in 2013. The 920 IPS LCD screen has been replaced with an AMOLED screen (still 4.5″) and the 925 retains the wireless charging capabilities of the 920 – however only via the addition of a clip-on back plate, which adds a little extra weight and breadth to the handset.

Smart Camera offers a range of new shooting modes and intelligent on-device photo editing. Utilising a rapid-burst 5MP mode, Smart Camera can take 10 shots and then allow instant touch-editing on the device itself for a creative range of effects. Blur, Removing objects, Face selection, multi-motion subject selection are all possible – as well as the supreme low-light camera performance the 920 is renowned for.

It’s an impressive device – however with no official word yet on Aussie carrier’s or release from Nokia Australia. Pricing in $AU would be expected to be $699-$749 street price if it makes launches Down Under.

Nokia’s announcement of a 2nd-half 2013 firmware update (“Amber”) to deliver the Smart Camera enhancements to their current Lumia WP8 range also tipped the market to some additional Windows Phone updates from MS coming this year. Added to Microsoft’s own blog post on the Lumia 925 release was this confirmation of the first official details on their next WP8 update:

“Windows Phone 8 update coming this summer

Speaking of updates. As I mentioned earlier, the Lumia 925 comes with the latest update to the Windows Phone 8 operating system that includes a small number of improvements and upgrades. (It’s similar in size to the one we delivered earlier this year, which brought new Wi-Fi and messaging improvements like the ability to text a reply to an incoming call.)

The new update, which is expected to start rolling out to existing Windows Phone 8 phones later this summer, brings back support for FM radio (we heard you!) and makes the Data Sense feature of Windows Phone 8 available for more carriers to offer. The update also makes it easier to select, download, and pin tunes in Xbox Music and improves the accuracy of song info and other metadata—something I know music fans will appreciate. (FM Radio and Data Sense availability depend on your phone model and carrier.)

The update includes hundreds of other small quality improvements. One final one worth highlighting, as we announced earlier, is that the update also ensures Windows Phone continues to work with Google services by adding support for the company’s newest sync protocols—CalDAV and CardDAV.”

Hopefully we get Data Sense in Australia with this update (looking at you Telstra!) Here’s a good read from Paul Thurrott on the subject of the GDR2 and GDR3 updates expected for WP8.

Finally, after months of waiting and limited information from Microsoft, Aussie WP8 customers experienced the ability to automatically upload FULL RESOLUTION photo (and video) files from their Windows Phone to Skydrive – when connected to wifi. Catch all the details over at the official WP Blog post.

On the App front, Instagram are still holding out on any news of a WP App. However now you can grab the closest thing to an official app there is on WP8 with the release of Itsdagram. You really should try this now!

The other main App event over the last week was Microsoft “Scroogling” Google, and stealing some of the thunder away from their recent media launch of new software/enhancements. WP7 users will know the long saga of Google blocking access to YouTube HQ videos etc – and their lack of support with a modern, feature-rich WP8 app to compare with iOS/Android offerings.

This week MS got one back on them, with a “leaked copy” of Google’s cease and desist letter over the great WP8 YouTube App Microsoft built and updated a few weeks ago. The issue, MS does not serve up Ads in the App – and violate Google’s T&C in doing so. Microsoft’s clever reply was to highlight Google’s refusal to allow them API access to do just this, and undermine the “supposed” good guy-open software façade Google like to position themselves as being in the market. More discussion on this worth reading is over at Mary Jo Foley’s and Paul Thurrott’s blogs. Nice one MS!

And THAT is just the Windows Phone news!

Sheeds.

This week Microsoft debuted a very funny and entertaining new Windows Phone advert for the Lumia 920 – in the United States. Hands-down the catchiest and engaging promotion done for Windows Phone to date, it diverts from prior focuses of feature comparisons and “strengths” of WP8 vs. other platforms. Meanwhile in India, we have a series of TV adverts focusing on the ‘fun’ and ease-of-use of the Nokia Lumia range, especially underpinning the new lower price-point model releases of the 620/520 and so on. America and India. Massive markets. So what about Australia……?

New US ad to air nationally on TV:

Latest Lumia 520 Indian TV spot:

Last month we managed to see some of the local Indian TV coverage of the Aussie cricket tour. What amazed us was the huge Advertising presence for the Nokia Lumia range during this sporting coverage. Pretty much every second ad break had a Lumia TV spot. It was an onslaught! And the adverts were pretty well done, being interesting and social – still focusing on the features and benefits of a Nokia Windows Phone. You can check out some of their clips over at the Nokia India YouTube channel.

Cut to Australia. As of this month, our local market now has the FULL current WP8 device range available from Nokia Australia. The Lumia’s 920, 820, 720, 620 and now 520. Pre-paid offerings, carrier plan offerings – outright, quad band, 4G, 3G, top range to budget entry point…Nokia now have their strategy of recognisable, differentiated handsets with complimentary OEM services for sale from $179 to $749 here, as well as genuine accessories.

That’s great. Build it, and they will come. Well….yes, in the movies. In reality, Windows Phone is a LONG way behind Android and iOS in the local market. With estimates for AUS local new device sales of between 4-7%, Windows Phone has made it to 3rd place and is outselling Blackberry. However 85% plus of the market is made up of it’s two major competitors…so that’s where Marketing comes in.

We won’t even bother talking about Samsung and HTC for local Windows Phone Marketing in Australia. It doesn’t exist in all practicality. So that leaves Nokia (and Microsoft AU – and Aussie Carriers).

As WP8 users in Australia know well (and worldwide owners to a lesser extent too) – the slow progress in having major companies bring Apps to the platform is all about ROI, Return on Investment. With low market share, the potential hybdreds of thousands of dollars it often takes for major companies to outsource or fund Apps to be developed means many are yet to justify the return of adding Windows Phone versions of their iOS/Android Apps.

Unlike India and the US, Australia – whilst a well-known early adopter country for technology and smartphones specifically - our much smaller overall market size makes ROI difficult to justify. Unfortunately for Nokia and Microsoft, this also seems to be true for their Australian divisions. Forget the recent inundation of Microsoft Surface TV adverts, with Surface global market release budgets most probably funded and most definitely tightly controlled by the MS Corp Seattle Surface team. Same for Windows 8. Or Office 365 (see Long Zheng’s recent coverage of their promotional events)

Let’s talk Windows Phone.

Telstra are doing there bit at the moment – probably with investment by either Nokia or Microsoft Australia. In selected key Capital City stores, they setup a feature Windows Phone interactive display to demo some of the apps and style of the ME/personal OS styling manned by trained WP staff (contractors). Let’s hope it improved after week 1, where one WPDU reader reported the Hobart store main screen was out of action, and on our only Melbourne city store visit at lunchtime on a Saturday – there was no staff manning it (had not arrived) AND the upstairs shop section where it was located was CLOSED to the public! Ouch.

Casting our mind back, the last time Nokia Australia launched a TV Advertising campaign was for the Australian launch of their first Windows Phone device – the Lumia 800 way back in MAR-APR of last year. Yep, that’s over a year ago. Since then they have launched a total of 8 additional Windows Phone Lumia devices without any further TV Advertising.

They have launched a number of promotional activities (interactive billboards, virtual reality experiences etc) – with a focus on Bus Stop, Billboard and Public Transport advertising over this period. Contrasting the overseas India and US experience, the latest Nokia marketing activity was a Facebook/YouTube series of videos called “The Mission”.

Being a market leader like Samsung with their Galaxy range, enormous shares and sales allows them to make launch events for new devices extravaganzas. Take the S4 launch last month, Guy Sebastian’s musical appearance alone probably cost them $50K plus. That’s probably about half on Nokia’s annual Australian promotional budget alone (not counting carrier-partnered activities)!!!

Nokia Australia are ramping up the social media activity – with new competitions like their “surf photographer” inspired Facebook Competition underway now (click pic below for link) - as well as the Twitter Lumia 520 inspired hashtag #520Friday giveaway every Friday at 5:20pm for the next month or two – however the lack of any TV advertising to underpin the complete new Lumia WP8 family is a huge black hole.

Click to open the competition page

We hope that this is about to change. With new Nokia Windows Phone handsets expected to be announced in the second half of 2013 – and with the Lumia 920 now having been available as the “premiere” WP8 handset in Australia for basically 6 months, the boat is almost leaving harbour on any chance to marry the current devices with TV advertising.

Showing the latest US Lumia 920 advert on Nokia Australia’s Lumia website is not enough. With all the pieces now in place – and assuming Nokia and MS have been working behind the scenes to improve the consistent weak-spot of sales staff training and platform knowledge – the time is NOW – or never, for a comprehensive TV push to drive up sales of the broad device range now on offer by Nokia for Windows Phone Down Under.

Sheeds.

Fancy a second Windows Phone device for your partner, kids – or even parents? Love free stuff? Then you won’t want to miss this one. During the month of May WPDU is seeking community participation. We want your guest blog post….and all guest posts will go into the draw for a Nokia Lumia 610 handset. Your best chance going for a free handset.

With the Lumia 610, not only will your device be upgradable to the WP7.8 release (with Bing Lockscreen images, smaller custom live tiles, extra accent colours and more) but it is blue-ticked and capable of running on either 850Mhz or 900Mhz (once unlocked) 3G Aussie networks.

So what are we looking for? Thoughts, Reviews, News coverage, Event coverage – or any creative output covering Windows Phone, Windows 8, Office, Developing, Xbox, Gaming or similar for the MS Ecosystem, with an Aussie flavour.

Click to email us your blog post idea

To avoid blog post duplication (for eg 10 Lumia 520 reviews), your initial idea needs to be emailed to us via the button (right) – with a dot-point or brief overview of what you would like to write about so that we can allocate to first in, best dressed. In all cases we will promptly reply back to confirm you can proceed and that no one else has already requested your chosen subject matter.Entries can be provided as word or notepad written files with any hyperlinks and full-res photos related to your post attached. If you have video’s to include, please upload these to YouTube and provide the link. All (c) should be considered for any source material, and quoted/stated with your post. WPDownUnder reserves the right to final editorial approval of all posts prior to publication at www.wpdownunder.com – and will advise entrants of any issues or concerns which may impede publication at the time of receipt.

A minimum of 500 words will also need to be met (guest post, not guest comment!). Please ensure your email includes full name, city (not address) and a contact number as well as your guest post idea, as we need to be able to contact you if you have a guest post published here regardless of if you win a prize or not. Competition is open to Australian residents only – however overseas entries are welcome, even if ineligible to win!

• 1st Prize: will be randomly selected from published entries and is a locked Telstra Lumia 610 handset (bnib). Handset can be unlocked by winner at their own cost ($27.50 max).
• A bonus 2nd place Prize will be confirmed during the competition.

The local Windows Phone and MS enthusiast community is a great one, and we have enjoyed participating in it for the last few years. With some recent time constraints over continuing our regular content here at WPDU, we look forward to receiving some of your own contributions and takes on local issues/news, and hope the handset prize up for grabs motivates you to put pen to paper!

Thanks to all WPDU readers – new and old alike.

Sheeds.

WPDownUnder can confirm that following discussions with both Harvey Norman and JB Hifi stores today, that the Surface Pro SKU’s are now live in their systems and RRP pricing is confirmed.

UPDATE

MS Confirm 30th May local AU release date – pricing per our tip-off!

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/ausblog/archive/2013/05/16/surface-pro-hits-australian-shores-on-may-30.aspx

* * * *

128 GB Model = RRP of A$1099 (Base model typically would include pen, but no cover)

64 GB Model   = RRP of A$999.

JB HiFi reported store orders having been placed (the store I visited had 13 on order) – but no ETA as yet (guestimate of inside 2 weeks). HN advised SKU’s live, but no stock orders placed as yet.

We can reasonably expect these RRP’s to be replicated on the MS Store AU site – if Surface RT price modelling is consistent. The US RRP’s are $899 and $999 respectively – so adding 10% GST respectively and MS are certainly leaving little on the table to hedge currency or other costs. Nice work.

MSAU when contacted prior to today’s information confirmed no comment on RRP or retailer availability

Sheeds.

If you are an Aussie Windows Phone or Windows 8 Developer – or prospective Dev – and you are not taking advantage of Microsoft’s local FREE training opportunities, you need to get serious NOW! With a swag of online and roving Capital City appfests and boot camps, the Aussie DPE teams across Azure/Cloud, WP and Windows 8 are there to give you a helping hand. For our readers, here’s a quick snapshot on upcoming events and how to make sure you know where to keep tabs with these great opportunities.

The MSAU LaLaNinja site focuses on Aussie DPE events, news and App/Developer stories. It should be your first reference – whether you are an established or aspiring local developer in the MS ecosystem. Based on an earlier post, here is a summary of upcoming (May+) Virtual Appfest developer events you should be looking at participating in.

In addition to these, local WP DPE Dave Glover has a great community WP Developer hub over at wp.msdeveloper.com.au. If you are a local Developer for Windows Phone, you can register and access marketplace tokens as well as developer loan handsets. Enthusiasts and community contributors can also register there.

If you are ADELAIDE based, did you know there is a Windows Phone Dev Training workshop coming up this week? That’s right,

Windows Phone 8 developers workshop in Adelaide.

Come and learn about developing for the new Windows Phone 8

Day 1 (Friday) is dedicated to presentations introducing you to the concepts and techniques you’ll need to create successful Windows Phone applications.

Day 2 (Saturday) is a full day of hands-on labs to get you up and running.

With experts from Nokia and Microsoft at hand, you’ll quickly grasp the fundamentals of creating and publishing apps for this exciting platform. Nokia also have some great prizes up for grabs.

Day 2 is now over-subscribed….however MS encourage you to still register if interested in case of a drop-out, and also to help them better understand interest levels for future events.

Make sure you sign up at the site above regardless, and check out all the great getting started and local community Developer links to help you out.

Finally, also don’t forget our very own www.developeddownunder.com community campaign and App (from Dev partner www.mobilewares.net). If you have an Aussie made WP8/WP7 App – why not access FREE promotion of your App by signing up to our catalogue of Aussie Apps to thousands of Australian WP owners (based on App downloads).

Submit your Apps now via our simple web form, it will take literally seconds to do!

Get to it WPAU Devs!

Sheeds.

iiNet, Australia’s number 2 internet provider, has been offering mobile plans mobile for a while now. In partnership with Samsung Australia, their device offerings (for outright purchase or on their iiNet mobile plans) have all been Android devices up until this month. A couple of weeks ago staff began getting trained on a new Samsung phone, the ATIV S, as Windows Phone makes it’s debut on their site.

iiNet’s mobile plans (nice marketing take on the social media data allowance btw) offer some pretty competitive offerings and use the Optus network for 3G (900Mhz).

You have to be an existing iiNet customer to access the mobile handsets and plans, and the handset cost is added to the plan cost for your total monthly outlay.

Outright pricing is not the sharpest, with the likes of Harvey Norman at present offering the ATIV outright for $524.

Will be interesting to see how well the staff have been trained in the differences and selling points for Windows Phone. Their FAQ and support page certainly needs some work – as it is 100% focused on Android vs iOS……no that much different to the OEM who makes the phone I guess!

If you are an iiNet customer and have or are looking into grabbing one of these WP8 devices, please share your experience here on how iiNet handle having a Windows Phone Down Under handset…

Sheeds.

PS thanks for the reader tip-off on this one.

I thought long and hard about the preceding post on the site. Like many of you, last year I wanted to see some serious questions on Windows Phone at Telstra answered. Before Christmas I engaged official channels at Telstra to try and put these questions to them. Today, those questions still broadly remain for Telstra WP owners;

• Data Sense future support
• Visual VoiceMail support
• AFL/NRL – Video Streaming service Apps
• Foxtel App
• 24×7 App (more on this shortly)
• etc

In late November/early December I was advised that we would have the opportunity to receive an interview with Andrew Volard (the business unit head for these Mobile device/support questions) and we promptly submitted a large number of questions to them covering these topics as well as the more general device/platform/Telstra/Marketing ones….Fast forward to March 2013, and I had almost given-up ever seeing a response to the agreed interview (despite the excellent support from my main Telstra contact trying to get me results).

Then on my last follow-up, a breakthrough of sorts. If I could re-submit a smaller list of questions there might be one last shot to get the (much earlier agreed-to interview) responses for me.

The unspoken implication of Telstra’s inability up to that point to deliver on the agreed interview for 4 months and respond to the specific questions raised was clear to WPDU – so we supplied a more basic and redacted list to our contact (for PR).

THIS is the basis on which Telstra replied a few days ago, and we posted here.

So, in the meantime – I would direct your attention to the posts;

• here where I manage to get unprompted questions in front of Andrew on a Live WebChat from last year: http://www.wpdownunder.com/?p=7130 and
• http://www.wpdownunder.com/?p=10308 last week where a reader tip-off had the CEO confirming details on the 24×7 app which Telstra PR and “normal” channels were not prepared to respond.

…and with that, I am well and truly over this matter. Feel free to contact David Thodey with your Telstra WP support questions at http://www.telstra.com.au/webforms/contact-ceo/

Sheeds.

With thanks to Telstra, WPDownUnder is pleased to share with our readers the recent interview we were able to secure on Windows Phone with one of Telstra’s key business unit leaders; Andrew Volard.

UPDATE 4/4/13: With thanks to another WPDU reader and WP Aussie community member, we can now confirm these additional specific responses from the CEO’s office in the quotations below (from an email they received today).

Visual Voicemail (Messagebank Plus): “We continue to look at the viability of introducing Visual Voicemail for Windows Phone, however we currently don’t have a date for release at this stage.”

Telstra 24×7 app: “We can confirm that Telstra has started development of a Windows phone version which we expect to launch later in the year”

Mobile Foxtel and AFL Live: “Currently the Windows Phone operating system does not support the industry standard streaming technologies (RTSP and HTTP Live Streaming) used to deliver Mobile FOXTEL and AFL Live. We are however, working together with Microsoft and key vendor partners on ways to bring this capability and launch both apps in future, but with no firm timings as yet.”

Mobile websites:”In terms of our media products we have a road map to offer Windows phone apps for AFL and NRL for the FY14 seasons. We will also have a windows app for MOG in Feb 2014.  There are no plans for Mobile Foxtel as yet.”

Data Sense: “Microsoft has not made Data Sense available in Australia (nor in most markets outside of the USA).  We are working together with Microsoft on ways to enable Data Sense features in future, but have no firm timings as yet.”

Secure SIM cards: “Telstra currently does not have mobile payments via NFC product available for any platform/operating system.”

*   *   *   *   *

Andrew Volard, Telstra’s Director of Device Management, heads up one of the fastest growing profit sectors for Telstra; their mobile device product range. He and his team decide which OEM devices Telstra will range and are accountable for the profitability of those devices. As such, he has a keen interest in seeing a successful Windows Phone platform for Telstra – offering choice and differentiation from the main two market-leading Android and iOS product groups.

Andrew Volard’s Telstra Exchange profile

Q. Telstra’s latest addition to their smartphone range is Nokia’s 4G Lumia 920 Windows Phone 8 device. What did Telstra see as the main attractions in picking up this device?

A.V. As this was the first Windows Phone 8 available in Australia from a brand loved by so many Australians, we really didn’t have any doubts about taking on the Nokia Lumia 920. It wasn’t one particular feature that attracted us to the phone, it was an obvious choice.

Q. It’s fair to say that Windows Phone in Australia (with an estimated share of no more than 5% of new device sales to date via one analyst) has had a slow start. What do Telstra view as the reasons for this, and how do they see the Lumia 920 and WP8 changing this?

A.V. There’s no doubt Android and iOS platforms have been hugely popular with our customers, but the Windows Phone 8 is a relatively new player and is a great step change in the platform. Devices like the Nokia 920 – with its fantastic camera and design – deliver great differentiation. We want to give customers as much choice as possible in these areas, and we think the Windows 8 platform is definitely a strong alternative.

Q. How do you see the mix of consumer and business as it relates to Window Phone and Telstra? Recent promotional and marketing materials have highlighted some of the platforms synergies with business, and Windows Phone 8 brings new enterprise/business capabilities.

A.V. We’ve had interest from both consumer and small business customers in Windows  Phone 8 at this stage. The combination of Microsoft Office, enhanced security and features like live tiles, kids corner and Music Hub mean the device caters to both markets equally well. This is particularly important for business customers because 85% of business customers use their smartphone for personal use as well.

We’re also seeing some large Business and Enterprise customers evaluating how it can complement their strategies to upgrade PCs to Windows 8. We expect to see this grow as businesses seek more cohesive ways of working remotely and in the cloud.

Q. The new Icon store Windows Phone displays – are they a partnership with Microsoft Australia? How do Telstra believe this will help promote the Windows Phone platform – and what can consumers expect when they come into one of the stores to see these interactive displays?  

A.V. The Windows platform is still new to many of our customers, so to help them understand what is possible with Windows Phone 8 we’ve partnered with Microsoft to roll out a new immersive walk through Windows Phone 8 experience in our Icon stores.

Customers are guided through the personalised experience by Microsoft Ambassadors and are presented with a tablet designed to bring their personality to life throughout the area. They’ll see the colours change, sounds chime and live tiles update to show how they can customise their phone. There are also live devices also ready for customers to try out.

A video walk-through (below) also shows how the entire area comes to life.

Q. What phone do you use Andrew as your primary device? Or have you used the Lumia 920 for any extended period and what are your personal thoughts?

A.V. Although I don’t have a primary device as such, as my role requires me to use all devices, I have used the Lumia 920 for an extended period of time and I have enjoyed using it immensely. One of the main reasons is that it synchronises perfectly with Outlook which is vital for my job.

Windows Phone Down Under would like to thank Andrew for his time.

Don’t forget Telstra now have the exclusively available CYAN Lumia 920, and if you buy a new 920 (or 820) in the months of April or May, make sure you take up the BONUS FREE redemption offer from Nokia Australia of a wireless charging accessory here: http://nokiapromo.com.au/

Sheeds.

Click to grab a Cyan Lumia920 from Telstra.

There has been a growing rich tradition in Microsoft and Google taking pot-shots at each other. With all the current efforts by Google to scale back API’s and bridges allowing their services to function easily on Windows 8 and Windows Phone, their latest effort is disguised in an April Fool’s Day video. Of course, with “Gmail Blue” – Microsoft are front and centre in their sights. Just watch this video and take note of the finishing line. Very funny.

Gmail Blue:

and here’s once of Microsoft’s better efforts from a year or two back…

LOLZ

Sheeds.

A few weeks ago our much-loved Surface RT tablet died. Suddenly and irreparably it failed mid-use. There was not even the fresh-faced :( BSOD screen to warn us of something going awry. After we got over our initial disappointment we had the chance to see how Microsoft stacked up in their Australian warranty support for the Surface RT tablet. We rate our experience for readers.

Our Surface RT tablet gets a lot of use. As we rapidly approach the 6 month mark since buying the device, it has become our staple gadget on the go for work and leisure. It has relegated our Windows Phone to basically being a combination phone/twitter/gps/camera device. Therefore losing it to some form of mechanical failure, without even the option to restore or recover it was quite the setback.

A failure in the flash memory was the suspected culprit – as the device would not boot past the initial Surface logo. If you can get past this to the spinning circles, you have a far better chance of being able to recover the device. By default, each Surface RT device has a recovery partition (hidden) which takes up about 3.5Gb. Users are able to move this recovery partition to a USB drive, allowing this space to be recovered on the device. However if you lose your external copy of the partition you may be in deep strife if you have an OS failure requiring rebuild/refreshing. The official MS help pages on this process should be something you take careful note of. You should also be familiar with the different boot options for problem resolution with Windows RT.

Our issue however, was irreparable. So we decided to give the support number a call from the MS Store online (electing to pass-up completing all our info via the online ticket/form process). We connected quickly and spoke with the very helpful Matt in the Surface support team. Refreshingly, language and accents proved to be little issue as Matt was based in the USA and I toned down my broad Aussie accent Matt efficiently stepped me through the process and whilst still on the phone to him, I received a summary of my warranty/service request on email.

Prior to our device failing I had seen quite a few service and support warranty claims being discussed in the Whirlpool Surface RT threads. The majority were for coloured touch-cover’s coming unstuck (stitching failing on bend radius near the magnets) – with black units not seeming to be similarly prone to this issue. There were also a number of failures/returns for the tablets themselves there with varying customer service levels and user satisfaction. Knowing this, whilst our initial experience had begun well with our call - I knew that we still had a way to go to get our replacement device!

We never needed to worry.

Following the initial call, our service support person Matt followed up promptly on what he promised and each step of the process was seamless and with minimal delay. From shipping labels (for free return postage via Aussie post) to acknowledgements of return receipt and confirmation of the replacement unit being shipped - it all worked like clockwork.

Here’s a summary of the timeline from initial contact with MS Store support to the replacement Surface RT arriving at our home office – and remember that there was a public holiday long weekend here (11th March) and I was unable to drop the package to the post office on the 12th.

That’s a pretty exemplary support experience right there!

So, as much as there was the initial hassle and disappointment of the device’s failure – with a two-year warranty replacement/repair warranty for Australian purchases backing the Surface RT, you have serious piece of mind over Microsoft standing by its product. Oh – and there is no “premium service add-on” like competitors may try to up sell you on here!

Sheeds.

PS – It’s also worth thinking for a minute about how the experience would have differed if buying from a grey-importer without local Microsoft Support! <shudder>

With Australia still waiting in line for confirmed Surface Pro release dates (expected later this month) it has been left to the “pseudo-Windows 8″ Surface tablet running Windows RT to fly the Surface flag Down Under. Recent changes to Microsoft’s policies and minimum specifications for device makers on Windows 8 suggest the path has now been opened for a range of new OEM form factors running Windows 8 – not the least being a 7″ tablet. We can also expect that MS will expand on their current Surface device range, whether in current model refreshes or more broadly into new devices like the much-rumoured Surface phone. Now Microsoft Australia are set to expand their AU Surface presence via a new dedicated Marketing position being advertised last week.

The Partner-Channel “Surface” Marketing Manager role is a new role for Microsoft Australia dedicated to the Surface family of products here. With a strong retail focus, the successful candidate can also expect to have a very strong direct engagement back to the MS Corp Surface team in Seattle. Past experience of ours has suggested MSAU locally won’t even “cough” in response to a Surface question without US HO approval!

This is a great opportunity for an Aussie enthusiast with all the right experience to jump in and push the Surface device family in one of the fastest growing tech segments in the country right now. Sure, the challenge faced on the “Shopping Experience – instore and online” component of the role is huge (many retail staff have NFI on how to sell the Surface RT for instance) – but you can throw into the mix the enticing possibility of Aussie MS stores debuting over the next 12m!

Oh – and if games are more your thing, then try this MS Marketing job going in the Xbox division as well!

Sheeds.

PS – Hopefully this appointment will include REVIEW UNITS for AU media as part of their strategy (sadly lacking since the Surface RT launch).

Nokia’s Lumia 520 is the latest entry-level Windows Phone 8 smartphone in their Lumia line-up. Announced at their keynote at Mobile World Conference 2013 (from 15’45), it is the most affordable device launched by Nokia in the Lumia family. It is expected to launch in China, India and other markets at the sub-$200 mark – and with the Lumia 620 retailing in AUS for around the $270-299 mark – should be at similar price points when landing Down Under.

Packing some bang for bucks, the 520 is more than just the “basic” smartphone quoted in the communique below. It runs WP8 – and features the suite of Nokia services pretty much in full; Maps, Drive, City Lens and Transit (now branded as Nokia Here), Camera lenses, Music and more. Specs include dual-core 1GHz CPU, 512Mb RAM, 8Gb Memory & expandable microSD slot, 4″ IPS super-sensitive touch screen and removable battery. The main differences from this device and the next up the line in the Lumia range is the lack of NFC and wireless re-charging capability.

Thanks to another reader tip-off, we can report Telstra communications pointing to the Lumia 520 being set to replace the Nokia C5 to either their stores, or re-seller partners. Given the Nokia C5 still shows up on both Telstra’s online site (for in-store orders only) and their business site, it may also be fair to assume that this will also translate to these channels as well.

The C5 is still selling direct from Telstra for $240 outright officially or is available where in stock on both $20 and $30 12month plans (with the device being free). Whether the Lumia 520 will pick up similar options – or these are only for the C5 as it approaches EOL – we should find out sometime soon in April.

As a blue-tick device (optimal 3G reception performance) recommended for rural and more remote mobile usage around Australia, it will also be interesting to see if the 520 is accorded this assessment by Telstra. The Lumia 800 (WP7.x) device is the only Lumia handset which has secured this rating previously.

Hopefully this device will entice more customers looking at their first ever smartphone upgrade to consider this unbeatable value in a Windows Phone Down Under.

Sheeds.

Corporate Australian App development for Windows Phone still remains painfully slow for the growing numbers of device owners in Australia two and half years into the platform’s life. Whether its Vodafone cricket Apps, Foxtel or (any) Sport streaming Apps right down to self-service Apps for each carrier, Windows Phone certainly lags behind the market size and reach of Android and iOS. Well, thanks to a motivated WP enthusiast, we can now report that at least one of these gaps is being addressed at Telstra now – and the confirmation comes from an impeccable source!

Telstra’s 24×7 App is a feature-rich mobile App bringing your complete Telstra Account management experience to the convenience of your smartphone. Paying bills, viewing usage, checking credit remaining and re-charging or just locating your closest Telstra store are all features in the iOS and Android versions.

In information provided to WPDownUnder this week, we can confirm that Telstra’s CEO David Thodey has responded as per below (name and contact details removed) on the subject of a Windows Phone Telstra 24 x 7 App.



Dear XXXXX,

I’d like to thank you for your note and I am pleased to let you know that a windows version of our popular 24×7 app is already planned.

We are about to commence its development and whilst release dates are hard to predict with accuracy, we expect to have this app in the market by June this year.

I thank you very much for being a Telstra customer and I appreciate your passion for the Windows phone range.

Kind regards

David

David Thodey Chief Executive Officer Telstra Corporation Limited  Locked Bag xxxx, Melbourne VIC 3001

(phone and email removed)

“Windows Phone is an important platform for us” – This just seems to be missing the comma, BUT!

“We already provide customers with a Windows Phone TelstraOne app (recently updated)” - ….and YOU Windows Phone customers should be grateful we did that AND that we went to the trouble to update if for you! Harsh? Maybe a little

The focus might have been on religion of another sort in recent days, however here in Australia we love our footy codes so much that it would not be surprising to see AFL or Rugby League featuring strongly in national census results for “religion” each survey! In 2011 and 2012 Niall Ginsbourg of Mobilewares.net – one of the leading Aussie Developers for Windows Phone (and now Windows 8) released hugely popular Windows Phone Footy Apps. Now he is back just in time for the 2013 seasons with a great update to these No.1 selling Apps.

It’s great to see these Apps return! Not only are they back for 2013 with all the latest fixture, player lists and more, however in the off-season Mobilewares.net have invested in the platform even further with the introduction for the first time of stats and live scores powered by Australia’s leading service – Sportsdata. This is the same backend data service delivering rich live stats and information on a range of sports to premium AU media outlets (Fairfax, Foxtel etc.). Congratulations to Mobilewares.net for getting behind the platform in this fashion and taking their Apps to the next level. You really will be ahead of the smartphone pack with these amazing AFL, League and Super Ruby Apps!

This review focuses on the AU Footy 2013 AFL app – however feature-sets are similar across both the Rugby League and Super Rugby Apps.

Click for larger version

AU Footy 2013 features a comprehensive set of main screens at the heart of the App. Starting with your nominated team, the AU Footy 2013 provides you with a snapshot view of your teams results from your most recent two games, the next 3 upcoming games as well as your current ladder standings (screen above shows 2012 ladder position until the 2013 Home and Away season commences). Clicking on Upcoming Games or Ladder sections brings you to expanded information pages for each.

Scrolling the Panorama to the right allows you to move through more pages covering Scores (all live in the case of games underway at the time of opening the App), Fixture Info, News (RSS feeds), and More (stats, settings and other App data) sections.

Click for larger version

The Match details screens offer a rich array of Live data and information to allow you to monitor everything which is happening in-game. Whether quarter-by-quarter or total game (to date) stats by team and player views, line-ups or a time-lapse action view – AU Footy 2013 will keep you in complete coverage of your game, Live or after the final siren. It really is the most comprehensive Live Footy app you could ever want!

Not content to just cover the game in its full detail, Mobilewares have also continued their additional match-day support into social media and venue access. The App allows you to not only follow the official team Twitter streams (and match day tweets) – it also allows you to share status updates on the game from the App to Twitter, Facebook, Windows Live or email! It’s the perfect way to annoy friends and family by gloating over the game at any point and making sure the people you love to stir know exactly how many goals their team is down during the match!

Unfortunately for us, last night’s result was not what we had hoped for! Go the Blues 2013!!!

There is also complete venue information – with directions launched from within the App to make sure you get to the stadium for the game.

Here’s a list of all the features of the App as set out on the AU Footy 2013 homepage (and remember these apply similarly for the AU Rugby League and Sup-Rugby versions):

• Comprehensive Extended Live Match Data including Quarter by Quarter, Team + Individual player stats, pre-game Team Lineups, Match Events, and other general information where available (such as weather, ground conditions, umpire lists, injuries and attendance).
• View Upcoming Matches + Fixture by Team or by Round.
• View Detailed/Live Competition Ladders (Including NAB Pre Season)
• View Top Player Stats for the competition.
• View Player Lists for each team
• Includes 2013+2012 Fixture Data (with Historical scores for 2012 Season pre-loaded into the App) – including coverage of the NAB Pre-Season.
• Browse the Team Guide and get comprehensive team details such as upcoming + historical matches, ladder positions and player listings
• Browse the Venue Guide – view it on Bing Maps and get Navigation Directions as well as links through to Wikipedia Venue information
• Browse Latest RSS News + Twitter feeds from all the popular providers for the competition and for your team.
• Shows Match Times in your local Timezone (as well as Local Venue Times)
• Hide Live Scores Option (for when you’re watching a delayed telecast)
• Works great with both Windows Phone 7 + Windows Phone 8 (with Low Memory Device detection + support)

WOW

And Live Tile support you ask? Mobilewares.net have that covered in an update coming soon (after initial App release) which will deliver latest results to your tile along with wide Windows Phone 7.8/8.0 Tile support.

AU League 2013:

Click for larger version

Sup-Rugby 2013:

Click for larger version

The AU Footy 2013 AFL App – and the Rugby League and Super Rugby Apps are expected to go live in the Windows Phone marketplace in the next day or so – and will be priced at the excellent value of only $2.49 each. That’s less than a can of soft drink folks

Keep an eye on the Mobilewares.net App pages below for the live links once they complete marketplace certification shortly! Thanks to Niall for his continued support of the platform and for the chance to exclusively review these brilliant new 2013 Apps for Windows Phone Down Under!

Grab it here

Grab it here

Grab it here

 UPDATE: These Apps are now LIVE in the Windows Phone Marketplace. Click the links directly above to visit each website where you can grab the marketplace link !!!

Sheeds.

PS - They will also be available with limited feature-set trials.

The WPDownUnder household is a true gaming one…Mr’s WPDU aside. With three boys and one large kid in the home, gaming is ever-present. From consoles to tablets, handheld devices and phones to the Desktop. You name it, we have played it. Rummage through the cupboards and ancient Nintendo Game Watches will emerge from one box, prior generation consoles or old PC Graphics cards from another. However all have made way for the mighty current triumvirate of Gaming Desktop, Xbox 360 and PS3. Of course, 2013 will see the latter two superseded by new releases as the console wars heat up for a fresh skirmish.

Gaming in the modern era means online gaming. And it’s here where Microsoft and the Xbox Live service has provided a broad range of social and entertainment value….for a price. Now without any fanfare it looks like for families at least, this price has just jumped substantially.

Back in late 2010 (US) Microsoft launched the Xbox Live Gold Family Pack. This great-value deal offered (based on most recent pricing) 4 annual Xbox Live Gold subscriptions for $129.95, whereas a single annual pass is $79.95.

Last week Richard Hay of WindowsObserver.com featured the news that an Xbox support forum reply confirmed Microsoft had dropped the Family Gold pass. No Press Release, no blog post, email or broad announcement of any sort. Just via a support reply in their forums. We reached out to Microsoft Australia, and received word-for-word confirmation per the US support forum reply here.

In the case of the WPDownUnder household, this means that come the end of 2013 when our household subscription lapses, we will have to pay $189.85 extra (146% more) to keep gaming online with our 2 household Xbox devices for another 12 months. This bring the total annual outlay for what used to cost us $129.95 to the grand sum of $319.80. This is more than the cost of buying a new console bundle each year!

Image (c) EBGames

There is no doubt that Xbox Live has been the premium (feature and reliability) online service suite. However this increase is huge. Currently the basic access to online gaming on the PS3 is free (Playstation Plus offers games and DLC extras for their subscription service). PC gaming of course covers all bases - with free online gaming and games through to paid subscription models.

What becomes more interesting is speculating on the timing and reasons behind this change. With new consoles from both Sony and Xbox due later this year, online services and experiences are sure to be one of the hotly contested face-off’s for both consoles.

• Is MS removing the Family pack now in preparation for a new pricing model (higher or lower) for the next Xbox?
• Are they price signalling to Sony in advance of the new console launches?
• Will Sony be introducing paid subscription access to online multiplayer for the first time (their recent PS4 preview mentioned no commitment to continued free access to this feature with the new console)?
• Did Microsoft internal monitoring of the Family Gold deal reveal increasing levels of “exploitation” of this deal by users to the point they decided to close the loophole?
• Will the new Xbox have a completely refreshed service suite (or even built-in) Family console management features and online family account splitting/aggregating/combining etc…

Right now with Microsoft confirming no reason for the change, no PR, no context or future plans in this area – existing customers with Family Gold subscriptions lapsing or already lapsed will have to fork out more of their hard-earned to keep the kids happily fragging their friends online in Call of Duty or building in co-op Minecraft.

Putting the new single-user only Xbox Live Gold subscription into context with other MS offerings – as Xbox tightens their licensing (and removes discounted offerings) – the Office 365 new home subscription service allows up to 5 PC installs @ an annual per unit charge as low as $23.80 vs. the Xbox Live Gold single-user subscription being $79.95!

Let’s just hope that if MS do launch a new family discounted offering with the next Xbox – that they are prepared to recompense or subsidise the many families who could well end up out-of-pocket with keeping their kids online until then!

Sheeds.

PS – Microsoft you might want to remove the Xbox Family Live Pack FAQ here. Oh – and my Xbox Live Account screen still shows an auto-renew date of DEC 2013 for my Xbox Live Gold Family subscription. Might be worth alerting your customers who elected in good-faith to Microsoft for an auto-renewal that this won’t be happening.

Image credit – Nathan.

If you haven’t walked into a Telstra retail store for a while….you have probably missed the latest Blitz on in-store promotion of Windows Phone. Yep, I said Blitz! In what must be a concerted effort with support by Nokia and Microsoft, Telstra have launched the largest promotional campaign via in-store point of sale materials in the history of Windows Phone. Front and centre, the Nokia Lumia 920!

Here’s a couple more in store shots with thanks to WPDU reader Nathan:

Further to this, over at our Facebook Page, Damien let us know that the latest Telstra Let’s Connect catalogue continues this with a significant advertisement of their Windows Phone 8 range (and a WP7.x device throw in).

….and even a cheap Lumia 610 (Telstra – you REALLY need to update this to the Lumia 620 ASAP). The 620 is available via Telstra re-seller JB HiFi.

Great to see a Windows Phone Blitz happening at the moment from Telstra. They even have the Lumia 920 tagged on one of their new TV spots as well.

Sheeds.

image credit: arstechnica

The future of Windows 8 and the path Microsoft are clearly taking their OS down is all about Apps and User Experience. We can expect more integration and continual investment by Microsoft towards delivering this combination, rather than just relying on third parties and partners. Windows 8 is all about the merging and blurring of the lines between User interface, OS, Hardware and Apps. With Windows 8 (and Windows RT) launched on the back of probably the most extensive trial period of any software in history and on sale with new hardware devices being added almost weekly, Microsoft now need to deliver first class App experiences in its Modern UI start screen environment.

And they are hiring right now – for a Sydney based Manager to achieve this in International Markets (outside of US). Maybe even you?

In 2012 Microsoft globally introduced an in-house news/editorial area to gather and deploy content to the new App experiences powered by Bing it was delivering with Windows 8 / Windows RT:

• News
• Weather
• Sport
• Finance
• Travel

All these services involve data, image, story and other partnerships with third parties; such as the MLB (Baseball league in US), tripadvisor, Fodor’s, Morningstar etc. With Live Tiles, these apps along with the Bing backend services aim to deliver a compelling user-experience to underpin the start-screen “Metro” environment.

Images (c) Microsoft Windows 8 Apps

Now Microsoft are advertising a critical role to drive this new OS App experience for world markets (outside US), and it based right here in Australia: AppEx (Application Experience) World Markets Prgm Mgr Job.

Per Microsoft’s overview in their job listing;

“With their superior user experience, applications are an increasingly common means of accessing the world’s information. Leveraging both Windows and Bing, AppEx (Application Experience) delivers 5 key verticals of information – News, Weather, Travel, Sports, Finance – as world-class apps pre-installed on Windows 8. AppEx World Markets (AWM) is a newly formed group within AppEx focused on creating a winning combination of UX, features and content for all 5 apps in international markets (ex-US). AWM is charged with helping each app become “best in category” in chosen markets, and to grow each market’s user base, engagement and monetization potential.”

Key responsibilities include:

• “Be the voice of the local user”
• “Be a keen student of local trends and evolving competition (competing iPad & Android apps, web sites, other media)”
• “Represent and balance ecosystem interests – user, advertiser, content partner – throughout the product lifecycle”
• “Work with Editorial, the local Executive Producer (EP), and business development to acquire and program content relevant to the local market”
• “Work with vertical product teams to develop services/products/features targeted at the local market”

Source MS Job listings.

Whether this is just regional Asia-Pacific focused - or more broadly for all non-US markets, it’s an interesting role which reinforces the need for Microsoft to evolve and improve these core App experiences. Much comment has already centred on some of the shortcomings of the inbuilt MS Apps (such as Mail). Think of the Nokia service and App platform which they bring to value-add to Windows Phone….and that’s where MS need to be. The days of the OS being enough alone are certainly gone forever!

So – if you are looking for a dynamic regional User Experience, content, partner and Project Management role on Windows 8 (and meet the significant job requirements from the role) – then we look forward to interviewing you here at WPDU six-months in on how the role is going!

Sheeds.

Last month Microsoft confirmed new hardware coming to the Surface range, launching in February. With thanks to MSAU, we can now confirm that the Aussie online Microsoft Store is now carrying these new items;

1) The 64 GB device-only (no touch cover) Surface RT SKU – priced at $679. This now allows you to grab the Type Cover as an extra without having to pay for a bundled touch cover.

2) Further to this new item, special limited edition Touch Covers were also announced. Featuring three different stencilled artworks on the covers, one for each the Blue, Red and Magenta/Pink ones, these too have apparently now become available in the AUS store (they show online at the en-AU site…but yours truly could not see them in the select/purchase section).

The 3 styles available are; ” Flowers – Oh Joy”, Year of the Snake – Liu Qing (aka “Left”) and Skulls – Kate Bailey. We will reach out and ask MSAU if the covers will be in the two retail outlets (JB and HN) or online – or both.

Many Aussies have been hanging out for the Surface Pro. Whilst there is no official word on an Aussie release as yet from MS locally (or in Seattle), we do know that Microsoft have confirmed that it is indeed “coming soon” to selected non-US markets. Given Australia was the first market in the world to have the Surface RT go into non-MS bricks n’ mortar stores with strong demand from both JB and Harvey Norman, we feel it stands to reason Australia will be right up there.

Further to this, a source has tipped WPDU that they may indeed be in-store here before the end of the month. Not sure if these will help or frustrate those waiting for the Pro edition Down Under – but here’s a couple of new Surface Pro videos to pass the time.

The new ” Vibe”  advert is an obvious companion piece to the first (and widely acclaimed) Surface RT advert. Whilst similar in style, we can’t help feeling that MS need to have a more serious enterprise advert…bumping up the “business capability” and down some of the “crazy dance” style…

On a more serious note, we have another grab with Panos Panay (Head of the Surface division at MS) discussing the Surface tablets. Is it just me – or does Panos look a little tired in this one? As well as this, the winners of the Surface US competition for emerging bands / new talent) have had their video thanks to Surface go up. Watch it here.

As a Quick update to our post on the Surface RT student experience at school – with thanks to Helen at MSAU on the Twitter account, we have checked out ArcSoft’s ShowBiz – a more advanced movie making app than the Cinelab version we reported before. With a small number of themes, transitions and effects such as Black/White and other filters – this is a great starter for those looking for an iMovie equivalent. Whilst it is free, be aware they offer an in-app purchase to unlock full HD movie making options.

Finally – in a move which will please many, Microsoft have released a Getting Started guide on PDF for learning Windows 8 / Windows RT actions and settings. Whilst the OS is intuitive, this help document is sure to help some ease any frustrations or head-scratching if they have been a little stuck dealing with the many changes which comes with either new OS. Grab it here – or click on the pic.

Plenty of Surface news. Now we just await the Pro launch here!

Sheeds

A Special Guest Post by Scott Barnes, aka MossyBlog.

Yes this is yet another one of those “I tried the phone but don’t like it, here’s why” posts. I probably will not differ in opinions that others have had over the phone simply because after 30 days of trial I simply could not bond with it. Here is why.

Marketplace is war of the clones.

If anyone has read my blog, they will probably read a post or two about my annoyance at the applications in the market place that are basically “clones” of one another. The apps in general rarely express their own personality, are typically the remains of developers using the default “File-New-Project” templates. Having this occurrence in turn creates a problem for the phone as once consumers of the phone establish a bond with the “metro” look they will eventually grow weary of its consistency & aesthetic design(s) (it loses its wow factor).

I also find that the apps in question generally fail at providing value or depth, which is disappointing given how easy it, is to make an application for the phone and how much room you have to play with as well.

There were some stand out apps that phone had that I valued but not enough to warrant a jump from iPhone to Windows Phone 8 as apps like Facebook & Twitter looked and worked as if they were farmed out to first year grad students to develop for the said brands. I think that was also a huge mistake on Microsoft & Nokia’s part as if they want this phone to succeed beyond the technology geekdom they in turn need to focus in on apps like these two to ensure they are best of breed experiences, as these are your seeds for further adoption.

Where is spotify <editor’s note – it arrived today>? In that someone within Microsoft should have metrics around ensuring, apps on both Android/iPhone that are quite popular are also done on Windows Phone. I just do not see this happening.

Phones Size.

I forget who told me but I heard that this phone was thrown against the wall by a MLB player to show how strong and durable it is. I wouldn’t doubt that the phone would survive and it does give you a sense of relief at knowing that it’s not as fragile as the iPhone, which in turn means you don’t have a beautifully sculptured phone housed in a “hello kitty” phone case (don’t judge me).

Its size was never a problem for me with the exception of the thumb radius, in that I find when I type the size becomes an issue given the thumb has to extend more than I normally felt comfortable doing on the iPhone. It may seem small and trivial but over time it starts to become an issue and one that I felt a bit disappointed in given the phone itself felt great to hold aside from typing.

Keyboard is broken.

In general, the whole keyboard experience on the Windows Phone is amateur hour at best. There is some smarts in the autocorrect that should make whoever that evil bastard at Apple who owns autocorrect is, take notice. That being said, the phone in general is poorly designed, inconsistent and often prone to bugs / errors in its execution. I could blame a developer of an app I guess for the bulk of the issues but I have never experienced a problem like the ones I have on the iPhone, so for me it has to be a platform / SDK issue.

The issues I faced are keyboard hiding the input that I’m typing into, the screen real estate at times going beyond 1/3 ratio,  at times the keyboard I type into takes the keystrokes but nothing happens on the text input and my biggest pet hate is the key designs are badly designed & in need of a serious pixel diet.

I find the keys to narrow and the padding is way off, I think the keyboard could probably steal more from the iPhone here simply because the iPhone still has the same hit space as Windows Phone only they have made the key designs tighter in visual appearance. This in turn creates an interesting thing, given it becomes a forcing function and helps guide your accuracy on keystroke without you realizing that the actual hit surface is still quite larger than it appears (try both you’ll see what I mean)

Tiles are like one of those puzzle games.

Initially I have always found the front screen of Windows Phone to be appealing, I have often commented that this is the familiar face in a crowd that you will both recognize and enjoy seeing. Having used the phone every day for a month or so, it becomes a point of annoyance. I found myself searching at times for apps or tiles that I want to access but cannot find because I am playing a puzzle game of “where’s the symbol in these tiles”.

For instance, I caught myself one afternoon searching for the Phone icon to make a phone call, I mean I found it but it got lost in the sea of tiles for me. I just think the overall lack of icons and personality in each Tile wares on you after a while and many of the apps start to blend in with one another to the point where you probably swipe to the left to get the list view.

I have had many a debate / beers with folks who counter this remark with their own experiences or how their wife/cousin/father/friend etc. all disagree with my assertion here. I simply disagree; I think that the live tiles are missing a key ingredient that is being overlooked – personality. Technically, it is still possible to salvage this but right now, not every developer out there has a freakin clue on what this means.

Internet Explorer aint no stinkin Webkit.

Having worked in the company and been in on internal discussions around Internet Explorer’s future all I can simply ask aloud is why Microsoft continues to push this agenda is still one that I get lost on. Initially it was about controlling your own destiny combined with legacy issues around “help” etc. in existing solutions.

On a brand new phone that went from being a plugin to a UX Platform to then housing a browser within it well sort of jumped the shark a little in and around the rationale for keeping IE alive.

I personally don’t care about the browser wars or which browser has better support then the other, I do care however when my online banking website doesn’t work on Windows Phone but does on Android/iPhone/Other.

This was a deal breaker for me as sure I could sit there and blast an email off to ANZ for failing to accommodate the 0.01% market share of Windows Phone users out there, to which I would not likely get a response. I could change banks, but keep in mind ANZ is one of the largest banks in Australia & New Zealand – clue is in the name  – or I could simply say “it works on a webkit browser but not IE”.

Other sites I visited were not as happy as they should be and there was nothing technically stopping them from working I guess with Internet Explorer – suffice to say that I would wager most web developers out there really have switched off the care factor on supporting Internet Explorer given its historical fail rate.

All I am saying is if you are trying to get a new phone seeded into the market place with stronger market share, why invite more negativity by keeping Internet Explorer on life support when in turn you could have smoothed over some developer and end user experiences for relatively low-cost via WebKit.

Nothing technically was stopping this from happening as I know we had WebKit prototypes inside Silverlight via the Mac installs (hence we run YouTube videos inside Silverlight that break into puzzles). That and I personally before I left the Silverlight team, was working to shim Webkit into the Silverlight runtime via Windows given it would help smooth out our Out of Browser story in a uniform / consistent way (x-platform)

In Summary

Look the phone has a lot of potential to succeed, I did enjoy the phone initially and I can see why others may find it attractive. I think however Microsoft are squandering a lot of its potential with poor execution of simple experiences, to the point where it’s not just one big thing that annoys you about the phone – it’s really death by a thousand cuts.

It could very well be that my bias of using an iPhone for the past 4 years is showing through which is fair, but in reality, this is something that the phone has to contend with early. In that if you want people to jump across from Apple or Android to this phone, well, what is the pathway to do this? Will I have the same level of Apps I had on the other platform(s)? If not when?

Nokia have also got a bit to answer for in their software experiences as well, for example, the Camera application is fragmented at best but at the same time, it has really failed to do the basics of a normal camera application. An example comes to mind in that the settings you opt for (i.e. close up for example) don’t appear on the hud of the camera? WTF! – I had it on close-up one day for a photo then later that day I was outside taking a photo of one of the biggest Planes in production but the camera kept focusing on the fence in front of the plane!  Scratching my head I realized after two shots that I forgot I had close-up on, so there I was navigating my way through menu settings to get it back to normal.

Point is, it simple things like this that bank hate debt with the user.

The camera itself however was quite impressive, I really did enjoy using it and as much as  tired I couldn’t get the camera to adhere to the whole auto stabilization that we saw in those fake ads – but to be fair, I never am good with Cameras in the first place so I simply blamed it on user error.

As I said, it is not one big thing it’s simply lots of small things that when you add them up you are left with simple questions – “Why am I using this? Why did I give up my iPhone and is it still worth it”

With that, I am sorry to say the phone is now my developer device, which at times can also be farmed out to my kids as a gaming device as well. I find the kids’ corner and business hub ideas to be actually brilliant differentiators but right now, they are still parked in the good idea bay.

Scott Barnes.

(image credits - Scott Barnes)

Note from WPDU: We would like to extend our thanks to Scott (aka @MossyBlog) for accepting our invite for a special guest contribution. If you are are looking for Developer tips on Design and UI and haven’t been reading his site Riagenic; where design and technology intersect, then you better start! As a companion piece, you can see his original thoughts in Week 1 of his Windows Phone 8 trial over at his blog here.

The journey to its first day at High School started back in late December.  After letting him know that we were going to get him a tablet or laptop to use at school in 2013, we gave him a week or so to think about it and headed into our local JB-HiFi. Prior to this, I had checked at the school he was attending and confirmed their policy for BYO devices:

Students are not required to have advanced machines or too much software. Our general advice is to purchase a laptop or similar device with at least 2 gig of RAM (4 if affordable) and have Windows and Microsoft Office installed. For an iPad, we would recommend the following Apps; “Pages” “IMovie” and “Quick Office Pro”…. (here’s the bit I really liked, the endorsement) I am very impressed with the iPad as an affordable, portable and highly effective option”

OK – so last bit aside, Surface “should be just fine” in theory. Being wary of any “crushing” experience come Day 1, we had also taken the steps before Christmas and school concluded in early Dec of taking our own Surface RT to the school IT department to confirm it could connect to their network like any device. It worked (can’t say which type of network/protocols they use). The ‘IT guy’ was interested to see the tablet – and confessed they were looking at getting one in 2013 to test.

Now some may scoff at this next comment, however rest assured the words were sincere and <somewhat painfully> true. As we walked into the store, WPDU junior was left in no doubt – that it was HIS choice. If he wanted to buy a… iPad, then that was fine by us! We proceeded to check out the tablets/Ultrabooks on display – and we shared our objective feedback on each format and platform.

“If peer pressure is an issue, and you want to “blend in” – then an iPad will do that. It doesn’t have Office yet, but has an enormous App store. No USB or “smart keyboard” but easy and something the school will be used to.”

“A full mobile PC in laptop or ultrabook form is fine. It will do whatever the school throws at it, but it’s a bit heavier and bulkier (form factor) and you will be lucky to get a FULL day on battery.”

<Android passed over as not a serious contender>

Finally we arrived at the Surface RT Tablet. “Well here you go. You have seen and used ours. We know you can get up to a day and half at school on battery….and it’s instantly on. Yep, the keyboard is way cool – we can get you a Type one to get the most out of school. Sure, it has Office – BUT the App store is relatively tiny, the IT staff at your school probably won’t know much about it (but you have Dad!) – and you can’t install regular old Windows 7 Apps.  What do yo think?”

After a look around all the devices, some thinking music – and then a play or two of Jetpack Joyride on the iPad, he came back over to us <we were talking up the Surface to a customer who bought one right there as we chatted to her> WPDU Junior let us know his decision. “Dad. I want the Surface – with the Type Cover.”

BINGO! That’s my boy

With the dangerous waters of alternative devices and platforms safely chartered, we made our purchase (PLEASE READERS, support WPDU and make your purchase via the MS Store afilliate ads on our site – advertorial now over> and left the store. Over the remainder of the holidays WPDU Junior got to know his Surface RT, mostly the games admittedly, before we settled down to prepare for school this week.

In preparation for Day 1 there were some quick checks/lessons we ran through before that important first day at school.

• Office 2013 “Getting Started Guides” were downloaded, re-named (I mean serious MS - what’s with the default D/L names???).
• Onenote Tutorial videos were watched – as neither of us had really played much with this on Windows RT before.
• Basic device management (Desktop, File Manager and the “old” Windows bits.)
• ‘Metro’ start-screen navigation (groups, snap, Mail, IE shortcuts/pinning, screenshots, camera/video use etc)
• Some basic App installs: Skype, Trackpad Settings, Adobe Reader, Cinelab (basic Movie making), PowerDVD Mobile and FreshPaint were also added.

So onto Week 1:

The first days of high school are always going to be huge! We’re happy to report WPDU junior has made it through so far with aplomb…but not without a few Surface uncertainties which he let us know about after school. The initial concerns rested around;

1) The teacher saying the school online student management and curriculum support system (Moodle) really worked best on Mozilla Firefox.

2) One of the school books paid for was not actually a book – it was an online redemption pass to access myworldatlas.com – some of you older folk like us might remember it in your days as the “Jacaranda School Atlas”. No book now – it’s a Flash enabled website…which of course was not on the MS whitelist!

3) An iMovie App equivalent on the Windows RT (the best we could get was Cinelab) – obviously Office 2013 hands-down killed any need for other equivalent iPad apps for Word processing, Excel etc.

The WPDU tech-support mode promptly kicked-in! The issue of Firefox was a non-issue. IE 10 Metro handled Moodle fine, and in no time we had Favourites and pins to WPDU Junior’s Start Screen for the online pages he needed (dashboard, Yr 7 home, profile etc). The movie creation app issue is “sort-of” resolved. We made do….however the need really is there for a Windows RT supported (Windows 8 also) PowerDirector or equivalent moderately featured App as an alternative to the mature features/capability offering of the iMovie program.

The second item was a more tricky, and concerning, issue.

Microsoft need to work on the process for getting a website with Adobe Flash content added to the MS approved and managed Whitelist which they use on the Surface RT as a “lock-down” and added security process for the platform. WPDU Junior was admittedly a little anxious that he may not be able to access his online school books/resources. We of course used the relatively easy, but hard to find for the casual parent of a student with a Surface RT, XDA workaround for blocking the MS whitelist check and maintaining a local file and site list of your own. This gets the job done, but is a less than ideal compromise, as it necessarily stops the ongoing MS updates to the whitelist. You can get more info here.  Just try on your Surface RT accessing www.myworldatlas.com.au as an example of the “this site requires Adobe Flash content – click to install” – of course RT won’t let you do that.

Being the pro-active sort, we tracked down the info buried at Internet Explorer Developer Center>Docs>Internet Explorer 10 on Windows 8>Get ready for plug-in free browsing>Developer guidance for websites with content for Adobe Flash Player in Windows 8 at this LINK.

We naturally raised a help ticket at www.jacplus.com.au re: this issue, provided the solution (and then replied by email/phone) to their support team. They were grateful for the heads – up, as they had actually had some as yet unresolved support tickets on this exact issue from other Aussie Surface RT student owners! The information was also shared with MSAU – in the hope that this can be better communicated, and the process for adding sites streamlined for users so that it can facilitate faster outcomes.

That aside, the device – from the perspective of a parent as well as tech enthusiast (yes, Geek!) – the Surface RT has been a resounding success so far.

And the final word goes to WPDU Junior……”Awesome! It’s very light. It connects to the school easily and it has Office, which is what I know and have learnt - so it’s easy to use. My Surface has a cool cover/keyboard – it can be used like a tablet, or a laptop – it’s just way better! Today a couple of kids were going to speak to their parents about getting one”

Sheeds – with WPDU Junior

WPDU can confirm that the handset will be released in a couple of weeks - slated for outright sale at Allphones in mid-February, for the outright price of $668. This positions it just under the $699 outright best price for the local release of the Lumia920 via Telstra, at the premium end of the first generation of Windows Phone 8 devices. Full specs and info on the device at the Samsung website.

We of course will provide more info as it comes to hand (including any later press releases). As yet, we have not heard of a carrier release. We have some more news to share on this device shortly as well, re: the services/apps we may see with it Down Under from Samsung.

Add to the recent Lumia 620 release coming in FEB to Allphones outright for <$300, and it looks like we will have some great choice for new WP8 handsets

Sheeds.

For the time being, we thought we would share some of the recent Windows Phone 8 news (Windows 8/RT news in another post shortly) which has caught our attention. Oh – and for those wondering, the header picture is not just a populist attempt to ride the interwebkitty fascination…it is actually our new office kitty – half-way up the Xmas tree a few weeks ago

Before you click on any other link on this post make sure you jump all over the Australia Day Sale over at our good friend of WPDU – Shantek Accessories! Kris is offering a huge sale this long weekend (yes you still have time!!!) on Windows Phone *cough* and other handsets accessories. With up to 20% off you would be mad not to go and check out the huge range of genuine Lumia extras; Fatboys, Monster Purity Headphones, Wireless Stands, JBL speakers – you name it, he has it! Grab a bargain now. Just click on the picture to open Shantek Accessories in a new window and shop till your CC maxes out!

Okay. Promotion nearly complete. Did I also mention you can grab a Surface RT Tab from Microsoft Australia and support WPDU at the same time? All you need to do is click through to the Microsoft store on the advert below, purchase one of their Surface RT bundles or accessories or even a Windows 8 upgrade and you can rest with the thought that for no extra cost you have contributed in at least one small way to keeping WPDU afloat in these difficult economic times…

Blatant commercial interests now addressed. Doors always open to other on-topic offers!

Time for a video interlude. We have always been firmly in the camp that Windows Phone offers a unparrelled business Smartphone experience. Now, Nokia and Telstra have released updated enterprise and small business videos talking up the great features of Windows Phone and the Nokia Lumia 920 for work. In addition to this, our sources also tell us that the Lumia 820 was flying off one carrier’s shelves for business customers in the Christmas lead-up!

Telstra:

Nokia:

On the Lumia front, the Australian Nokia website now officially lists the Lumia 620 as a new handset. Officially it has yet to be released Down Under. We have reached out to our friends at Nokia Australia to query an update on their last status update from December, which was “…no official local release for Australia at this time”.  WPDU remains confident that it is just a matter of time, with retail partners quitting Lumia 610′s to make way for the new WP8 based model (with the Portico update out of the box we are informed!). DSE for instance are currently selling the Lumia 610 for $149 (pic).

Expansys and other sites are listing the 620 as available for local supply (via grey import) now – and feedback we have heard is that the Lumia 620 is an excellent performer for a budget WP8 device. WPCentral just got their hands on one for an unboxing and preview, and with WPDU yet to make the leap into Windows Phone 8 this baby in Lime green with a Lemon twist is the device we have our eyes on for local release!

This week Microsoft confirmed the arrival of Nokia’s brilliant turn-by-turn navigation system; Nokia Drive Beta to non-Nokia Windows Phone 8 users. Following up from the Windows Phone 8 launch advice, this allows other WP8 OEM device owners to access the App from the Windows marketplace for their handset now. Disappointingly, the release is only for North American users at this time. We have also reached out to Nokia and Microsoft here in Aus for advice on plans/eta’s or comment on local availability.

In recent weeks Microsoft has been largely quiet on the release front for Xbox Live Windows Phone titles. Apparently there are plenty in the pipeline (as confirmed to WPCentral) – and to back this up this week saw an Xbox video release of upcoming Gameloft Titles for Windows Phone:

(no word on whether they are all available on WP7.x and WP8)

• The Amazing Spider-Man
• Asphalt Heat 7
• Nova 3
• Order & Chaos (online)
• The Dark Knight Rises
• Fashion Icon
• Uno and Friends
• Ice Age Village
• RF (Real Football) 2013
• Texas Poker (for prizes)
• Shark Dash
• Modern Combat 4 Zero Hour

In local news, the HTC 8s hit Dick Smith this month at a very attractive price. It looks set to battle it out at the entry-level end with the Lumia 620 when it eventually (read hopefully) lands Down Under. Priced at <$300 pre-paid on Telstra’s network, it will be interesting to see how the market reacts to the budget HTC device. Advice from Telstra is an initial unlock fee of $100….reducing down monthly (at 6 months it is $27.50).

Of course no word on local Aussie release for the Huawei Ascend W1 Windows Phone announced at CES. Given DSE’s past history releasing Huawei handsets, my money is on the device being launched here in coming months, possibly also through outlets like Allphones. You can see the video for the Ascend W1 here.

Also make sure you check out the latest Telstra Exchange Blog post – where our good friend here at WPDU, Community Manager Dan Michael is featured. So what exactly does a DITL of Dan at Telstra as a Community Manager look like? We all know he is a great supporter of Windows Phone – and for those who didn’t know, he’s also a prolific blogger outside of business hours. If motorbikes are a fancy of yours or you just want to see more of Dan’s work – head over to http://www.ducatiblog.com.au Catch his first interview right here from the archives at WPDU!

In less positive news, we can advise that requests for updates from Optus on an ETA for TV streaming/App support for their WP handsets, Telstra on AFL 2013 and Foxtel streaming to Windows Phone and other related enquiries (Aus Open, Vodafone etc) remain unanswered or unsatisfactory. No ETA on the horizon. And in related news, we can share this sneak pic reportedly taken from the boardroom meeting at Samsung Australia during a review meeting for the local release of their ATIV-S Windows Phone 8 device. Telling.

 Finally, thanks to MS / MSAU for the recent featured status of the WPDU App in the Windows Store! Keep an eye out in the coming weeks for some news on the App front. You can grab our apps from our homepage (look for the icons/links on the RHS of the page) – and of course, please let us know any news stories, tips or info you want to share or see covered here at WPDU!

Oh – did I forget to mention Telstra confirmed Portico and WP7.8 Updates to their Aussie customers – and possibly being close to (if not) the FIRST CARRIER in the world to release an ETA for 7.8 for their customers (progressively from Lumia 800′s to other devices at later dates…)? Well – kudos Telstra. GREAT STUFF for Windows Phone Down Under!

Sheeds.

Surface RT running Windows RT is a great product, for the right user. Understanding its features and limitations is critical for this product. The ARM chip brings extended battery life – typically of around 8-9 hours real-life usage, and instant on/resume. The bundled Office RT adds to the value of the package and for tablet form brings capability Android or iOS can’t match – yet (Office for iOS is expected this year) and the unique connectable keyboard/cover bundles brings stylish and functional productivity enhancements versus the competition. Then we arrive at the Apps, and the biggest “buyer beware” associated with Windows RT. As Microsoft state on their Surface website: “Works exclusively with apps available in the Windows Store”. However if we go to the Staff Guide for retail partners, we see more explicit training information for salespeople on this point and other differences of Windows RT versus Windows 8:

Microsoft hit the nail on the head with their closing observation on this guide. These are all DIFFERENCES of the Windows RT system. They are not necessarily limitations or negatives. For many users, this author included, Windows RT hardware is a perfect device for their needs. ARM battery life, decent everyday performance, the ability to consume content – and the BEST create content experience of ANY tablet form factor on the market today (Office RT and keyboard – whether Surface RT cover or other OEM docking form factor). Most commonly negative web reviews of the Windows RT system highlight that product placement and information and consumer expectations have not been aligned.

Is the Surface RT a tablet? Is it an Ultrabook? Is it a convertible desktop replacement? Let’s put these questions to one side for a moment. Here’s a picture of the point-of-sale on Surface RT as it stands right now in a typical JB-HiFi store in Australia. Some stores have it on the end of the Ultrabook aisle (with MS point-of-sale material even!) – but many are exactly as pictured below:

This is an interesting decision by JB. Now I for one would never make the claim that the Surface RT was an Ultrabook replacement. It can certainly replicate some of the functionality of an Ultrabook - and admittedly Ultrabooks today now encompass a broad range of specs and performance. However it also has features (like battery life and portability form factor) superior to most x86 Ultrabooks….Logically it is not possible for the Surface RT to sit out on its own table in-between tablets and notebooks/ultrabooks – but the eventual arrival of the Surface Pro both fixes this issue and also makes a case for more in-store support from sales staff for prospective purchasers. The Surface Pro should slot into the picture above, with the x86 model sitting alongside it’s ultrabook and/or convertible form factor Windows 8 devices. The Surface RT on ARM should then move over into this picture:

In our considered opinion, the Surface RT is not a Desktop replacement or Laptop replacement. It is also not simply a tablet.  We believe it is “MORE THAN A TABLET”.  How much more will be based on what your mobile computing needs are and this is an assessment everyone should make for themselves, with sales staff helping to pose the question and inform the customer…something I hope is not too much to ask.

For the record – the JB HiFi online store places the Surface RT under their “tablets” section – not their “ultrabooks” area.

Sheeds.

PS some extra comments on retail / Surface RT / Surface Pro for our readers to answer some of your questions based on Twitter/FB conversations:

• WPDownUnder is quite happy with our Surface RT – and feels no need to upgrade to a Surface Pro (PowerDVD mobile, a torrent client and hopefully Outlook on RT would close out all our mobile needs).
• For those asking re: Surface RT point-of-sale units in JB not having internet access vs. Apple devices. Apple pay for their own 100% maintained tables with their own internet access.
• WPDU has asked MSAU for official comment on Surface Pro AU release dates, the 64GB Surface RT standalone SKU and Limited Ed. graphic Touch Covers availability. We are waiting to hear back.
• Anecdotal sales feedback from (10-20) VIC JB/HN stores we have visited since launch is that interest is pretty good, and sales are from decent to good. We have seen many people looking at them in our visits+sighted sales.
• There has disappointingly been observed and reported numerous cases of “vandalised” store display units (locked out, deleted tiles, disabled features etc) by malicious customers.
• Here is an additional store guide for staff (the flip side of the page featured above) to help sell and position the Surface RT.
• Here is the limited edition Covers confirmed for the US.
• A WPDU shot of the Surface RT point-of-sale support in a JB HiFi store: Pic.
• Surface Pro Overview Video from MS on YouTube

In fact, Windows Embedded 8 is built on Windows Phone 8 – and developers will see a Windows Embedded 8 SDK kit released from MS later this year for additional API access on top of the current VS2012 WP8 API’s to build targeted retail solutions like the one demoed for Home Depot in the video from the NRF Big Show 2013 below!

“Our work with Motorola Solutions is a key building block in helping to provide enterprises with the power of Windows Phone 8 for handheld devices within intelligent systems. From security and manageability to application compatibility across devices, the Windows Embedded 8 Handheld platform combined with Motorola’s innovative devices and tools will support integrated solutions for enterprises as they drive their businesses into the future” states Kevin Dallas, General Manager, Windows Embedded, Microsoft Corp. “From the retailer’s backroom to its store aisles and its digital channels, the front line for gaining customer loyalty is diverse. One of the biggest goals for retailers is to give sales associates the technology they need to be effective at their jobs, including the handheld devices specifically designed for these environments. It’s not about impressing the customer with technology; it’s about taking advantage of technology that transforms the customer experience, and with our partners, we’re creating security-enhanced, enterprise-class devices that help retailers do just that.”

Click for larger version

The prototype phone device above (1min 50sec in) looks quite interesting! Motorola device, running a metro-looking Windows Phone 8 style OS (or App) with flipping live tiles! It also looks incredibly clunky….and has Android buttons! Full final release Windows Embedded 8 devices are expected later this year.

The NRF convention Demo in conjunction with the Home Depot sets out a workflow in the retail environment:

• Customers can purchase an item on a website and schedule it for pickup at their local store
• Associates each carry a Windows Embedded 8 Handheld device loaded with task management, customer lookup, order processing and store inventory data
• The associate uses the device to locate the merchandise when the customer is in-store and help them with their other needs, culminating in

….”a seamless engagement process that extends to the customer’s home and culminates in a personalized, in-store experience, with the goal of fostering loyalty.” (MS press release).

Windows Embedded 8  with its shared WP8 API’s and technologies is yet another example of the encompassing compatibility of the new Windows OS platforms, from Desktop to Tablet, to Phone – and now retail enterprise solutions and other intelligent systems. That being said, we are keen to see how this prototype device unfolds from Motorola Solutions…how close might it end up to a “Google” Windows Phone

Sheeds.

PS (Edit) – As Andrew kindly pointed out below, this is about 2 years two late to speculate as a Google Windows Phone - with Motorola Solutions being the indutsry component of Motorola which was split off and NOT bought by Google. Motorola Mobility is what the Google owned business became. Still, makes for a good headline!

Over at Telstra, the company everyone used to love to hate continues to demonstrate industry – and actually even Australian wide – social media leadership in engaging their customers. Their Live Chat’s via their Facebook page have provided regular customers and online viewers the chance to ask questions direct to senior executives – even members of the executive leadership team, without any PR censorship or spin. This is brave stuff, and Telstra rightly should be applauded for the level of access and engagement they are offering. Naturally, when the National Telstra Director of Devices, Andrew Volard, was confirmed as a guest today WPDownUnder had to fire off a quick (160 characters or less) question on Windows Phone 8 for Telstra. We focused on features either lacking to date, or being made possible with the arrival of WP8. With our thanks to Mr. Volard – for his frank and open responses on each of our items. Great stuff Telstra!

You can see our question in the section above – and the video feed where Andrew took questions from the presenter and then answered them. Whilst we hope for a full transcript of this being made available on YouTube – we were able to grab a quick sound byte on our question…and confirm some other positive news for WP8 at Telstra!

Our Question: In Quarter 1 2013, will Telstra support Windows Phone 8 features such as LIVE TV (eg AFL), Data Sense, Visual Voicemail and a Telstra 24/7 App.

For his response – click the MP3 Below!

MP3 Copy of his response.

Telstra_WP8_AV_Question

In other brief news from the session, there was also acknowledgement by Andrew of Telstra’s ongoing support (ranging) of Windows Phone, the new devices launching (Nokia Lumia’s and HTC’s) as well as acknowledging WP7.8 updates coming for handsets like the Lumia 800 still available.

More soon….(If you had your Windows Phone question answered by Andrew – let us know in the comments below).

Sheeds