Windows Phone 7.8 could hit devices in a matter of days

Soon, WP7 fans. Soon.

Nokia has let slip that Windows Phone 7.8 could be landing on users' handsets in just weeks, if not days, as the updated software has now been released to manufacturers.
The news comes from a developer seminar in Singapore, where the head of Nokia Asia Pacific Developer division let slip that the RTM had happened.
Reportedly, he told devs that the consumer roll-out would definitely happen before 2013, and added that WP7.8 won't be getting the swish new IE10 browser because the aging hardware can't support it.

Nearly but not quite

The not-quite-Windows Phone 8 software update will see Windows Phone 7 devices get some almost-WP8 updates like a revamped Start screen and Xbox Music, among other consolatory prizes.
We'd previously heard tell of a Windows Phone 7.8 release date following shortly after the Windows Phone 8 launch date (which was October 29), thanks to a post on the Italian Windows Phone Facebook page.
This was also backed up by a leak on a Chinese blog last week; so although nothing's for sure, all signs point to an imminent software treat for WP7 users.

From WM Power User via PocketNow

Early Windows Phone 8 adopters reporting 'random reboot' issues

The Windows Phone 8 operating system is causing new handsets to randomly reboot, according to reports from early adopters.
Users of the brand new HTC 8X and the Nokia Lumia 920 handset have taken to the various support forums to complain of unprompted reboots and, in Nokia's case, poor battery life, and device freezes.
Threads on the WPCentral site and the Microsoft and Nokia support forums all feature a litany of complaints from owners of the handsets, which went on sale at the beginning of the month.

WPCentral poster mberdych, who began one of the threads, wrote: "So far, within 3 days of use, I have had 2 random reboots. Device just suddenly reboots itself, ending in PIN screen. Quite annoying."

Bricked Lumia

Lumia 920 users are also complaining of poor battery life and some attempts to remedy that with a factory reset have simply 'bricked' the device, leaving it stuck on a Nokia splash screen.
WPCentral user, Brian McBride posts: "I thought I'd hard reset my phone and start from scratch to see if I could get better battery life. Now it is stuck on the Nokia splash screen. Resetting it with the buttons only causes a vibrate, the AT&T logo, then back to the Nokia splash screen."
Nokia, HTC and Microsoft are yet to comment on the reported issue.

Via TheVerge, WPCentral

Huawei Ascend W3 leaked as high-end Windows Phone 8 handset

Huawei could be planning a fleet of WP8 phones

Images claiming to show the rumoured Huawei Ascend W3 have appeared online, revealing a high-end Windows Phone 8 device.
We've already seen numerousreports regarding the budget focussed Ascend W1, but the Chinese firm is yet to confirm or deny the existence of that, or any other potential Windows Phone 8 devices.
The latest snaps come courtesy of Chinese site WinP, and show are large-screened handset running Microsoft's latest mobile platform.

Credit: WinP

Sceptical

According to details added to the calendar app live tile, the Ascend W3 will sport a 4.5-inch display and measure 132 x 67 x 10mm, while round the back details next to the camera suggest it will sport a 8MP resolution and record 1080p video.

Credit: WinP

We remain sceptical about these specifications, although we can believe that Huawei is planning a range of Windows Phone 8 devices, plus the origin of the photos is unknown.
Word is that Huawei is waiting until CES 2013 to announce its Windows Phone 8 devices, we just hope that's not too late as Nokia, HTC and Samsung will all have phones available by then.

From WinP via KnowYourMobile

Fabled Huawei Ascend W1 could make CES 2013 debut

We may finally see a Huawei WP8 device in January

The fourth and final manufacturer given clearance by Microsoft to launch a Windows Phone 8 handset will apparently launch its device at CES 2013, in the form of the Huawei Ascend W1.
The muchrumoured handset looks pretty certain to be the the Chinese manufacturer's first Windows Phone 8 device, although Huawei itself is yet to officially confirm or deny the Ascend W1's existence.
Chinese site WPDang claims it can exclusively reveal that the Huawei Ascend W1 will indeed make an appearance in Las Vegas in January and, while this is no great surprise, the source of this information is unknown.

Playing catch up

Huawei may have a job on its hands to make inroads in the Windows Phone 8 market, with the Nokia Lumia 920, Lumia 820, HTC 8X, HTC 8S and Samsung Ativ S all going on sale before the end of this year.
However the one trump card Huawei may have up its sleeve is price, with separate reports suggesting the Ascend W1 will be the cheapest Windows Phone 8 smartphone once it launches – which may open up the new mobile platform to the lower end of the market.
We've contacted Huawei for more information and we'll update this article if and when we hear back.

From WPDang

Teenager causes red-faces at Microsoft with Windows Phone 8 trojan

Windows Phone 8 is fresh out of the starting block but already has its own malware

A teenager is reported to have created prototype malware code for the Windows Phone 8 to steal private user data.
The Trojan, created by 16-year-old Shantanu Gawde, is said to work by posing as a legitimate app which can access a user's data once activated.
Fortunately for Microsoft and Windows Phone 8 users alike, Gawde is an 'ethical hacker' from India's National Security Database program.
Instead of putting it to nefarious uses, he will present the malware code at the upcoming International Malware Convention (MalCon) in New Delhi, India, on November 24.
It is not yet clear whether the malware is able to affect Windows Phone 8 handsets by targeting a specific weakspot in the system, or by duping careless users into installing something dodgy.
Nevertheless, it poses serious questions over the security of the Windows Phone 8 OS – particularly as it shares several similarities with its PC counterpart.

Oh Gawde

Microsoft has yet to see Gawde's findings and has therefore been unable to comment specifically on the nature of the risk.
However, Microsoft's Trustworthy Computing Director Dave Fornstrum has said the company would "investigate any issues disclose" in the MalCon talk and "take appropriate action to help protect [its] customers".
Although finding vulnerabilities could be potentially damaging to the Windows Phone image, it could also be seen as a blessing in disguise by allowing Microsoft to discover and amend such security issues before hackers have the chance to develop more advanced malware.
Stories of security breaches aren't exactly uncommon in the smartphone arena these days.
In September it was revealed Samsung users could have their handsets wiped by one simple line of 'killer code', which targeted the devices' TouchWiz systems and began an irreversible (and unstoppable) factory reset. The issue was later resolved through a software update.
Gawde has promised to share his findings with antivirus software companies at MalCon. Nevertheless, there will no doubt be many red faces at Redmond over these revelations, particularly given the tender age of the culprit.

Via The Register

Microsoft sued over Live Tiles in Windows 8

It's a live one

A US company is suing Microsoft is over its use of Live Tiles in Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8.
A company called SurfCast has filed the suit over its patent #6,724,403 which is all to do with how content is organised and displayed.
"The present invention comprises a graphical user interface which organizes content from a variety of information sources into a grid of tiles, each of which can refresh its content independently of the others.
"The grid functionality manages the refresh rates of the multiple information sources," the patent reads.

Familiar

It sure sounds a lot like Live Tiles – and Surfcast is after recompense for any Windows Phone 7, Windows Phone 8, Windows 8 and Windows RT device using them.
But Microsoft's been showing off bits and pieces on device homescreens using its dynamic tiles since Windows Phone 7 launched in October 2010; why is Surfcast suddenly all up in Microsoft's grill over it now?
It's all to do with the Microsoft Surface and the potential payout that Windows 8 will afford, given that Windows Phone hasn't exactly made anyone a bundle.
Surfcast also says Microsoft is encouraging other companies to infringe its patent by urging devs to build app tiles for the Windows Store and allowing manufacturers to sell Windows 8 and Windows Phone devices.
We don't expect to see this result in multiple years' worth of litigation between the two companies a la Samsung vs Apple – as The Verge suggests, Microsoft will likely settle with Surfcast out of court and we can all move on.

From Surfcast via The Verge

Google Wallet now offering mobile web payments

The evolution of Google Wallet continued Thursday as Google announced plans to change the way consumers purchase goods through the mobile web.
Instead of being required to fill out lengthy order forms on a smartphone or tablet screen, Google Wallet users can now press one button to have all the busy work taken care of by the service.
Consumers with a Google Wallet account can also use the new "Buy with Google Wallet" button for one-touch ordering.
Currently, Google's research showed 97 percent of customers who attempt to buy goods through a mobile website quit before the order is complete.
By simplifying the process, Google is hoping more shoppers can get the items they want with little to no hassle.

Competition heats up

Since the program is so new, very few mobile sites have adopted the "Buy with Google Wallet" button.
1-800-Flowers.com, Rockport.com and FiveGuys.com have already implemented the new Google Wallet options into each company's respective mobile sites, and Google promises more (like Finish Line and MovieTickets.com) mobile sites will soon be compatible.
This is a pretty big step for Google Wallet, as it now provides a distinct advantage competitor services Apple Passbook and Microsoft Wallet don't yet offer.
Google also has an advantage in that its service works across a variety of platforms, whereas Microsoft Wallet is limited to Windows Phone 8 and Passbook is limited to devices running iOS 6.
With more and more consumers adopting digital wallets and payment options, it will be interesting to see how the wallet wars continue to escalate over the course of the next year.

Via Google