Microsoft unveils most affordable Windows 10 smartphone

Microsoft is getting serious with the affordable smartphone market with its latest device priced at around US$70. The new Windows 10-powered Lumia 430 is a Dual SIM device with a 4-inch WVGA display and 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 CPU. It comes with 8GB expandable storage, 1,500mAh battery, 2-megapixel rear camera, and 0.3-megapixel front camera.

It’s a budget phone so you can’t expect it to be packing mind-blowing specs. Also, it’ll be coming to regions where this kind of device is desirable; namely, Asia-Pacific regions, Africa, Belarus, Kazakhstan, the Middle East, and Russia. It isn’t coming to this part of the world.

Source: Microsoft | Via: Engadget

Lenovo to debut Windows-powered phone mid-year 2015

Lenovo has been previously listed as a partner for Microsoft’s Windows Phone 8.1 but they haven’t released any device yet. Now, with Windows 10 coming out, it seems Lenovo is finally entering Microsoft’s mobile space. According to a blog post from Microsoft, they will be debuting in 190 countries and that Lenovo will be creating a Windows-powered phone. It is said to be available in the middle of 2015 through Chinese carrier China Mobile.

According to CNET, China Mobile is the nation's largest carrier. They have around 808 million subscribers, which certainly can help boost both Lenovo’s and Microsoft’s efforts in the mobile space. It isn’t known yet though what type of device it’ll be or if it’ll make its way out of China. But getting into that market will be important for Microsoft especially as they look to roll out Windows 10 to all devices (from phones, tablets, to PCs) and make its presence known in the mobile device space. China would be a good place to start as it has the largest smartphone market.

Source: Microsoft + CNET

Microsoft to let you use the Xbox One controllers with Windows

You just have to wait a bit but Microsoft plans to have wireless adapter for Xbox One controllers for the PC later this year. This means you can use the controller without needing a USB cable. The Xbox 360 had a similar adapter before. It seems this’ll arrive right on time for the Windows 10 launch, especially since the Xbox app will let you stream Xbox games to the PC. If you hate cables, this should be great news for you.

Source: The Verge

Microsoft brings OS X-like trackpad gestures to Windows 10

If you feel like consistent trackpad gestures have been missing on your Windows device, Microsoft is looking to change that with Windows 10. Microsoft's Joe Belfiore said at TechEd Europe that they are working to remedy that. "With Windows 10 we're adding support for power users in a touch pad, where multiple finger gestures—which all of you power users learn—can make you really efficient."

The features outlined by Belfiore include: three-finger swipe down to minimize all active Windows and three-finger swipe up to bring them back. You can use a three-finger swipe up to open new Task View feature and swipe left and right with your three fingers to switch between apps. Yes, these gestures are what is being used in OS X. We expect some issues to arise in the near future.

Source: The Verge | Via: Gizmodo