Nokia starts rolling out Lumia Amber update

Nokia is finally releasing its Lumia Amber update to a number of its Windows Phone 8 devices. Aside from getting Microsoft’s latest version of Windows Phone 8, the update contains some Nokia-specific app additions such as Smart Camera and Pro Camera apps as well as the Glance software.

Smart Camera software originally came out with the Lumia 925 and it adds motion focus picture options. The new Pro Camera app, which came out recently with the Lumia 1020, is going to be made available for the Lumia 920, 925, and 928. Glance software has a clock on the lock screen and allows users to double tap the device to wake it up. It also lets Lumia users flip the phone to silence it and mute incoming calls.

The rollout began with Lumia 920 and 820 in selected countries and Lumia 521, 820, and 928 in the US. Nokia aims to make the update available to all its Windows Phone 8 smartphones by the end of September.

Source: Conversations by Lumia

Vans x Belkin team up for iPhone 5 and iPod touch cases

On the hunt for something edgier and more colorful to protect your iPhone 5 or iPod touch? Vans and Belkin team up to release four Apple iPhone 5 cases and three iPod touch cases. 

Each case is inspired by Vans’ iconic designs, such as vulcanized rubber waffle (a slimmer version is available for the iPod touch) and the classic black and white checkboard pattern (available for both the iPhone 5 and the iPod touch).  The two other designs include a Sticker Collage case for the iPhone 5 and a Jungle case for the iPhone 5 and the iPod touch. You can check this link to view all the cases.

Gmail bids old full-screen compose window goodbye

Whether you like it or not, the new compose window for Gmail is here to stay. Google announced in a Google+ post that the compose window is finally rolling out to everyone and the old full-screen compose window is out the door (or should it be out the window?).

But you can still get the full-screen experience when writing your emails. You just need to click on the expand button at the top right of the new compose window and set that as default by clicking “Default to full-screen” in the More options menu at the bottom right corner of the window.

Microsoft wants you to gear up for Windows 8.1 release

The folks at Redmond want you to mark your calendars for the worldwide release of Windows 8.1. Windows 8 users will be receiving it as a free update through the Windows Store on October 17 and the retail release is set for the next day, October 18—just a few days shy of the one-year anniversary of the operating system (October 26).

Microsoft promises new features and the return of the Start button with the OS update. Supposedly, it’ll have better integration between the desktop and Start screen to minimize the jarring effect of the two interfaces. They have also improved Internet Explorer 11, cloud connectivity with SkyDrive, search capabilities, and Windows Store experience, among others.