First look at Windows Phone 8.1

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Windows Phone 8.1 was released yesterday to developers but anyone can install it. The update is the biggest and most impressive refresh to Microsoft's mobile OS since its inception and one that brings various features and tweaks that propel Windows Phone forward as a viable and modern smartphone OS.

I installed Windows Phone 8.1 on my trusty Lumia 1020 and while the installation took around 40 minutes, it also became apparent that despite the '.1' designation, this is a major update.

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Stephen Elop to head Microsoft Devices Group including Xbox and Surface

Stephen Elop is currently CEO of Nokia and he actually gave a great demo and launch event for the new Asha and Nokia X devices this week at Mobile World Congress. Word has it that once Nokia is fully absorbed into Microsoft, Elop, who many saw as contender for the CEO job which went to Satya Nadella, will head the Devices and Studios Group.

Originally a Microsoft employee, Canadian Elop gets the opportunity to steer one major aspect of Redmond as it aspires to fullfill its 'Devices and Services Company," destiny. Under Elop's stewardship will be  Xbox, Surface and all the accessories and physical doodads such as keyboards, mice and accessories from Microsoft. His experience in products from Nokia should come in pretty handy. 

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Nokia sets to battle budget Androids with new Nokia X devices

Nokia CEO Stephen Elop recently launched the new Nokia X family of budget smartphones targeting emerging markets. The Nokia X devices feature Nokia's popular look and construction but use a forked version of Google's Android OS. While the move to launching Android-powered devices seems contraryto Nokia's focus on Microsoft's Windows Phone OS, it makes perfect sense as a business decision.

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BlackBerry Messenger coming to Nokia X and Windows Phone devices

BlackBerry Messenger or BBM is expected to come to Nokia's new Android powered X devices as well as to exisiting Windows Phone handsets. BlackBerry confirmed the news earlier, John Sims, President, Global Enterprise Solutions at BlackBerry said, “BBM continues to grow in popularity as millions of people use our mobile platform for chatting and connecting with friends or colleagues, and we are very excited that we will soon welcome Windows Phone and Nokia X users to the BBM community."

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