Why choose Windows Phone?
Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS (used on the iPhone) are the mobile operating systems that grab all the headlines, but there’s another OS out there that many experts think is even better – Microsoft’s Windows Phone.
Home to a range of unique features and with the benefit of being extremely easy to use, it’s been adopted by the new line-up of Nokia Lumia touchscreen smartphones. Read on to discover the best bits of Windows Phone and the great mobiles available with it…
1. Live Tiles
The Windows Phone main screen is made up of a scrolling window of icons. But these aren’t static – they’ll show you how many missed calls you have, any new messages and your next Calendar appointment. Fast, intuitive and fun, the tiles are also fully customisable, just drag and drop a tile with your finger to reorder it.
2. Windows Phone Apps
The Windows Marketplace boasts over 90,000 apps specially developed for Windows Phone. You’ll find all your faves, like Facebook, Twitter, Skype and Spotify, along with specialist apps for everything from cooking to photo editing. Marketplace also features games, podcasts, music and videos to download.
3. Games Hub + Xbox LIVE
The Games Hub is your mobile arcade. You can play solo or link up with Xbox LIVE to play with friends. It fully integrates with Xbox LIVE so you can track your Gamerscore, see your profile and even change your avatar. Likewise, the Music and Videos Hub bring your entertainment together for playing and downloading new stuff.
4. Office Mobile
As well as connecting all your email accounts to Outlook Mobile you can use Microsoft Office Mobile – Windows Phone includes mobile versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote. What’s more, you can synchronise all your files with Microsoft’s SkyDrive Cloud service for mobile access.
5. People Hub
This is where the magic happens. People Hub brings all your contacts together in one place, whether they’re on Facebook, Windows Live or stored on your phone. As well as checking the latest updates, you can call, text or instant message your contacts and see your own social messages, such as posts on your Facebook wall.
6. Pocket To Picture
One simple but genius feature of Windows Phone is Pocket To Picture. A dedicated camera button means you’re only one click away from taking a shot, even if your phone is locked – making missed photo opportunities a thing of the past.
3 of the best… Windows Phone smartphones
Nokia is making some beautiful touchscreen smartphones featuring Windows Phone. Find your favourite here…
Nokia Lumia 710
As well as a crisp ClearBlack 3.7-inch touchscreen, the 710
has swappable covers, so not only can you change the colours
on your Start Screen, the outside of the phone can match them too.
Nokia Lumia 800
One of the best-looking phones around, the Lumia 800 is just as impressive on the inside – it’s got a superb 8MP camera with dual-LED flash, a zippy Internet Explorer 9 browser and great Xbox Live gaming.
Nokia Lumia 900
The stylish unibody shell is home to a 4.3-inch AMOLED touchscreen that’s super-bright and super-strong. The Lumia 900 also packs a giant 1830mAh battery, so your phone won’t bow out when you need it most.
Buy a Nokia Lumia smartphone now at Tesco Direct
You might also like to read:
- Windows Phone 8 revealed by Microsoft
- T3′s Nokia Lumia 900 review
- Skype web calls now available for Windows Phone
- How to update your smartphone software
- Is Microsoft’s Surface Tablet worth waiting for?
