Windows Phone 7.8 unofficial update rolls out for Nokia Lumia 610, 710, 800, and 900

If you own Nokia’s previous Lumia models, we have news for you. The Finnish firm’s Windows Phone 7-powered handsets are not yet due to get the Windows Phone 7.8 update, but according to Nokiapoweruser, an unofficial firmware update is now available.

The unofficial update is for the Nokia Lumia 510 (unavailable in the UK), the Lumia 610, the Lumia 710, the Lumia 800, and the Lumia 900.

This is an unofficial update, which means that you’ll have to flash your handset. We advise that only the seasoned users go through the process. If you’re a novice user, it might be a better idea to just wait for the official update. According to Microsoft, the Windows Phone 7.8 update will be rolling out in a matter of weeks.

Last month, Microsoft said that it is “working closely with our hardware and carrier partners to get it tested, approved, and rolled out to as many devices as possible in early 2013.

If you can’t wait for the official update, you first have to download Navifirm from Symbian Toys. This is needed to get Firmware build 8858 running on your phone.

Microsoft dealt a huge blow to Windows Phone users when it announced that the Windows Phone 8 would not be rolling out to current handsets. Their only consolation is Windows Phone 7.8, which brings Windows Phone 8 features to Windows Phone 7 devices. These features include a new Start screen, resizable Live Tiles, new theme colours, different Xbox icons, Store, and Office. Also included are Bluetooth sharing, 24 backgrounds for the lock screen, and an option that allows users to set Google Search as the default Internet Explorer search engine.

Planning to download the unofficial Windows Phone 7.8 update for your handset, or would you rather wait for the official update? Let us know what you think through a comment on our Facebook page.

Tags: Firmware build 8858, Microsoft, Navifirm, Nokia, Nokia Lumia 610, Nokia Lumia 710, Nokia Lumia 800, Nokia Lumia 900, windows phone, windows phone 7, Windows Phone 7.8, windows phone 8
Category OS News |

Networks decide there is ‘no reason to push Lumia’ – Nokia loses £1.1 billion

It looks like the Finnish phone manufacturer Nokia is going through some troubled times. It has lost £1.1 billion in the past three months. Networks around the world have decided not to push Lumia handsets (610, 710, 800, and 900) since Microsoft has no plans of updating the handsets to Windows Phone 8.

Speaking to CNET UK, Francisco Jeronimo, a phone industry specialist, said, “As the current Nokia handsets will only get light updates of the new platform and will not be fully compatible, operators don’t see any reason to push the current Lumia devices this summer.”

Francisco does, however, say that there is hope for Nokia. He said, “Improvements to the Dual-SIM portfolio and Asha devices are now paying off. Asha devices support some of the most important applications consumers just like smart phones — such as Facebook, Twitter, email, browsing, maps, and Exchange ActivSync — which is particularly important in emerging markets, where fast network connections are not available and users cannot afford high end smart phones.”

What do make of Nokia’s loses? Let us know through a comment.

Tags: Francisco Jeronimo, Lumia, Microsoft, network, Nokia, Nokia Lumia 610, Nokia Lumia 710, Nokia Lumia 800, Nokia Lumia 900, windows phone, windows phone 8
Category Network News |

Analyst says Nokia will sell only 34 million Windows Phone Lumia handsets in 2013

According to Nomura Holdings, Nokia will ship only 34 million Windows Phone Lumia handsets in 2013. Apple sold over 37 million iPhones in Q4 2011. This means that there will be fewer units of the Lumia 800, 710, 900, and 610 finding their way to hands of the consumer next year.

The report says, “An abandoned strategy in feature phones combined with an apparent increase in competitive pressures in Windows Phone lead us to cut revenue estimates that the recent restructuring announcement does not fully offset.”

Are Nomura’s analysts wrong? We’ll find out on the 19^th of July once Nokia reveals their Q2 2012 financial results.

Tags: Lumia, Microsoft, Nokia, Nokia Lumia 610, Nokia Lumia 710, Nokia Lumia 800, Nokia Lumia 900, Nomura Holdings, windows phone
Category Phone News |