Xiaomi’s path to the West gets a little easier with Microsoft patent deal | Ars Technica

Xiaomi’s path to the West gets a little easier with Microsoft patent deal | Ars Technica: "Xiaomi and Microsoft have announced a deal that will move the companies a little closer together, while giving Xiaomi a slightly less treacherous path for expansion into Western markets. Xiaomi is buying some Microsoft patents, and the two companies have inked a cross-licensing deal for patents, and, like many vendors, Xiaomi is committing to bundle Microsoft apps on its Android phones."

Could be a big win. Maybe a Xiaomi Windows phone is next!

The Windows Phone story: From hope to dusty abandonware • The Register

The Windows Phone story: From hope to dusty abandonware • The Register: "Spring cleaning the other day, my wife found a Windows wristband. It was in a box where ten year old 4MB MMC cards went to die, along with paperclips, odd screws and a lot of dust. Keep or chuck? Chuck, I said, before looking closer, and realising that it was a time capsule buried in another era: a USB drive with press materials on it.">

Windows Phone is dead, you know, just like how Apple was pronounced dead by Rolling Stone back in the late 1990s. Not only does Microsoft now have a Phone OS and a phone hardware division, they also have the best cross-platform mobile tools in existence: Xamarin. Windows Phone is dead, long live Windows Phone.

Microsoft confirms elimination of Nokia's Salo phone unit, up to 2,300 jobs

Microsoft confirms elimination of Nokia's Salo phone unit, up to 2,300 jobs
The month prior, former Nokia CEO Stephen Elop — sometimes blamed for the company's misfortunes and takeover — exited Microsoft himself as the tech giant unified its OS and device divisions under a new leader.

I'm pretty excited about the latest Windows $80 ATT GoPhone. Candy Crush Saga, Facebook, Instagram, Spotify. You see the point? People want to be connected. I don't think anyone cares about the shovelware.

Microsoft releases new Windows 10 Mobile preview with flashlight quick action, animated GIF support in Photos app | VentureBeat | Mobile | by Jordan Novet

Microsoft releases new Windows 10 Mobile preview with flashlight quick action, animated GIF support in Photos app | VentureBeat | Mobile | by Jordan Novet: "... phone’s flash operate as a flashlight, and the Photos app now supports animated GIFs on phones with at least 1GB of RAM"

I think it's hilarious when GIF89 support is touted as "news". The 89 in GIF89 is 1989.

Screenshots of Windows 10 for phones leak, show off almost everything (Updated) | VentureBeat | Mobile | by Emil Protalinski

Screenshots of Windows 10 for phones leak, show off almost everything (Updated) | VentureBeat | Mobile | by Emil Protalinski: "The second image shows off the Action Center, which apparently has three rows of toggles. The last screenshot depicts the new design for the Settings app, featuring images and descriptions beside each section"

I like the way it's looking.