Nokia Lumia 1320 launched as 720p budget Lumia 1520

Nokia has launched the Nokia Lumia 1320 as the 720 HD budget alternative to the newly announced Nokia Lumia 1520.

The Lumia 1320 offers similar specs to the Lumia 1520 but at a more affordable price point.

Officially announced at the Nokia World event in Abu Dhabi on October 22, the Nokia Lumia 1320 is the second 6-inch Windows Phone 8 device to launch today.

“Now more than ever, mobile devices are at the centre of consumers’ lives as they look to capture, curate and share experiences on the go”, said Stephen Elop, Executive Vice President of Devices and Services at Nokia. “With our latest range of Lumia and Asha products, we’re delivering industry leading design and imaging innovation to bigger devices at more accessible prices.”



Nokia Lumia 1320 Features

The Nokia Lumia 1320 has a 6-inch 720p HD resolution screen with a 1.7GHz dual-core Snapdragon 400 processor and 1GB of RAM.

Unlike the Lumia 1520 with a 20-megapixel PureView camera, it only has a 5-megapixel camera in order to keep the price tag low. It also has a 0.3-megapixel front-facing camera for video calling.

However, it does come with 8GB of internal storage and all the applications present on the Lumia 1520, including Storyteller. This is Nokia’s new app that combines photo books and Here Maps.

There’s 7GB of SkyDrive cloud storage available to anyone purchasing the Lumia 1320 too and you’ll benefit from the microSD card expansion slot that supports cards up to 64GB.

The Lumia 1320 is powered by a 3,400mAh battery and measures up at 9.79mm thick and 220g in weight.



Nokia Lumia 1320 Release Date and Price

The Nokia Lumia 1320 will be available in orange, yellow, black and white and will cost around $339 (£210) SIM-free. Exact UK pricing and release hasn’t been announced, but expect it to arrive sometime early 2014.



Next, read our Nokia Lumia 1020 review.

readmore »»  

BBM for Android and iPhone downloaded 5 million times in 8 hours

BBM for Android and iPhone has already been downloaded over 5 million times in the first 8 hours of availability.

Despite initial availability issues, BBM for iPhone and Android devices is proving exceedingly popular with consumers with the app downloaded over 5 million times already.

According to a tweet from the official BBM Twitter account, the recently released app has already been downloaded by 5 million users within the first 8 hours.

{pulllquote}“Next five million in line – your turn! Open up BBM and click “I got the email” to get started on #BBM right away!”{/pullquote} read the tweet.

The multi-platform app is available to download now but it is being gradually rolled out to users on a first-come-first-serve basis.

In order to qualify to use the BBM app for iPhone and Android you’ll have to download the app and enter your email address when prompted. This will enter you into the BBM queue at which point you’ll have to wait until BlackBerry contacts you and offers you full access.

“Thanks for all your excitement. We’re moving through the lineup on a first-come, first-serve basis,” explained the BBM Twitter feed earlier.

BBM for iPhone and Android release date was originally scheduled for a month ago, but it was delayed when an unofficial Android version of the app was leaked on the Google Play Store and downloaded over 1 million times.

BlackBerry then had to address all the issues caused by the unofficial version and delay the launch for all those who had patiently waited since it was announced in May at the BlackBerry Live event.

It will be interesting how BlackBerry’s multi-platform messaging app will be able to compete with rivals like WhatsApp in the long run, but this initial popularity will certainly be a boost for the financially struggling smartphone manufacturer.

Next, read our pick of the best smartphones of 2013.

readmore »»  

HTC planning Android smartwatch for 2014

Is HTC planning to take on the Samsung Galaxy Gear?

HTC is making plans to join the burgeoning smartwatch market with its own Android-powered effort, according to one report.

Bloomberg reckons that HTC is looking to launch its smartwatch concept during the second half of 2014, which would place it more than a year behind rival Samsung, with its own Galaxy Gear launching recently.

Indeed, HTC can probably expect to find a Samsung Galaxy Gear 2 on the market by the time of its launch, not to mention the possibility of Apple's own much-rumoured iWatch effort. Recent rumours suggest that the iWatch will also launch some time in 2014 with a 1.5-inch iPod Nano-like screen and a curved design.

HTC's new wrist-mounted smart device will follow the lead of the Samsung Galaxy Gear in featuring a camera, according to the report.

A recent Financial Times interview with HTC CEO Peter Chou revealed that this won't be the first time the struggling Taiwanese manufacturer has looked into smartwatch concepts.

Chou claims that HTC worked with Microsoft on smartwatch concepts several years ago. When pressed on the company's current plans for the emerging market of wearable technology, however, he remained vague while appearing to take a pop at rival efforts.

"It has to meet a need, otherwise if it’s just a gimmick or concept, it’s not for people’s day-to-day lives," Chou said.

HTC has a number of interesting projects in the pipeline, including a smartphone collaboration with Amazon and a brand new "disruptive" tablet concept.

Read More: 5 reasons why smart watches are still a dumb idea

readmore »»  

Nokia enters the tablet race with the Nokia Lumia 2520

The Nokia Lumia 2520 has been officially unveiled, with the 10.2-inch device marking the Finnish manufacturer’s first effort on the tablet scene.

Having been the subject of much rumour and speculation in recent weeks, the Nokia Lumia 2520 has entered the realms of reality during the company’s Nokia World conference in Abu Dhabi. Although the company’s first tablet offering, the Nokia Lumia 2520 comes three years after the likes of Apple and Samsung first joined the now highly competitive tablet market.

“The award winning design and revolution camera with have introduced with the Lumia smartphones is coming to the tablet market,” Nokia CEO Stephen Elop said. “I would like to introduce you to the Nokia Lumia 2520.

He added: “The Nokia Lumia 2520 is the first Nokia tablet and a great addition to the Lumia family. We designed the Nokia Lumia 2520 to feel great in your hand and be truly portable and get it out of the house.”

Breaking News.. More to follow.

readmore »»  

Instagram coming to Windows Phone in the coming weeks

Leading photography app Instagram is to finally be introduced to Microsoft’s Windows Phone 8 platform, handset manufacturer Nokia has confirmed.

With the Windows Phone platform having to date missed out on a number of high-profile apps, Nokia CEO Stephen Elop has revealed that Instagram for Windows Phone 8 will be rolled out “in the coming weeks.”

Breaking News… More to follow.

readmore »»  

Nokia Lumia 1520 officially unveiled

The Nokia Lumia 1520 has been official unveiled, with the Finnish manufacturer’s first phablet device making ats first formal appearance following months of rumours and leaks.

The first phablet sized Windows Phone 8 handset, the Nokia Lumia 1520 has been unveiled as part of a Nokia World onslaught, with the 6-inch smartphone set to rival the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, HTC Max and Sony Xperia Z1.

“Today I would like to share with you how our Lumia portfolio continues to grow, not just in number, but actually in size,” Nokia CEO Stephen Elop said in unveiling the 6-inch phone. He added: “We have boosted the screen to a full 6-inches. Colours are rich and true. The Lumia 1520 offers a brilliant imaging experience.”

Breaking News... More to follow

readmore »»  

iPad mini 2 images appear to confirm Touch ID and gold option

iPad mini 2 with Touch ID

New images of the iPad mini 2 appear to have leaked online complete with Touch ID home button and gold-coloured elements.

Apple is widely expected to launch the iPad mini 2, alongside the iPad 5, at a special event to be held tonight in California.

Ahead of that event, fresh images have emerged from French website Nowhereelse seemingly showing the iPad mini 2 with some much-debated features.

The above image seems to show the new 7.9-inch tablet with the same Touch ID-equipped home button as the recent iPhone 5S. It's been questioned whether this feature would make it into the iPad mini 2 owing to production and price constraints.

It's also been questioned whether Apple would be able to churn out enough gold-coloured components to cover both a gold iPad mini 2 and the still-in-demand gold iPhone 5S. This image appears to suggest that such fears have been unfounded - or at least that Apple is pressing ahead regardless of potentials supply shortages.

Of course, it's quite possible that these images are of a prototype or even a fake product - that gold rear panel certainly seems a little shinier than the muted gold equivalent of the iPhone 5S. Either way, these pictures are far from confirmation that we'll be getting a fingerprint-scanning gold iPad mini 2 later on today.

The main area of discussion relating to the iPad mini 2 is whether or not it will feature a Retina display. Again, persistent rumours of supply constraints have led many to believe that there will be no high resolution display in the next compact Apple tablet, but the most recent reputable reports suggest otherwise.

We'll know for sure from 6pm BST, so tune in to TrustedReviews then.

Next, read our roundup of the best tablets of 2013.

readmore »»