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Microsoft wants to create a new mobile app store to compete against Apple and Google by John Callaham Microsoft tried for years to make Windows Phone/Windows Mobile a successful operating system that would rival Apple's iOS and Google's Android. Ultimately, the company failed in those efforts and Windows Phone officially shut down in 2019. However, it sounds like Microsoft isn't done yet with trying to complete in some way with Apple and Google in the mobile space. In a new interview for The Times, Microsoft's Xbox head Phil Spencer took questions about the company's plans to acquire Activision Blizzard, even with some opposition and concerns from government regulators. In that interview, Spencer claims those groups don't have a lot of knowledge of how the video game industry works. He stated, "I’ve appreciated spending time with them and in certain cases helping to educate." It's then that the article reveals something about Microsoft's plans that hasn't been mentioned before: One area where Microsoft hopes the deal can increase competition is in mobile app stores, which are dominated by Google and Apple. It wants to create a rival service, starting with gaming. “We definitely get support from regulators when we talk about opening up mobile and being a credible third-party alternative on those devices — and we’re a long way from there today,” Spencer said. The article doesn't offer any more details about this possible rival mobile app service and how it might work. Microsoft already has its cloud gaming service that does allow Android owners (via the Xbox app) and iOS device owners (with a browser) to access and play over 100 Xbox games. Hopefully Microsoft will expand on its plans for a new mobile app store when and if its merger plans with Activision Blizzard are completed. Speaking of which, Spencer says that the Xbox business will continue even if the Activision Blizzard deal fails to go through. He stated: This is an important acquisition for us. It’s not some linchpin to the long term — Xbox will exist if this deal doesn’t go through. One way or the other, we should learn if the deal will be completely or not sometime later in 2023.

One app to rule them all? New report suggests Microsoft "Super App" was indeed a new thing by Sayan Sen Microsoft was reportedly building a new "Super App" according to a report by The Information. This Super App, as one would expect, was hoping to achieve big things. Well, how big exactly? The report seems to suggest that the Redmond giant was eyeing the fertile mobile landscape with a title "Microsoft Eyes ‘Super App’ to Break Apple and Google’s Hold on Mobile Search". Apparently, Microsoft had momentous plans as it wanted to integrate the capabilities of Discord and TikTok to help bolster its own mobile efforts. Sadly, those attempts failed as both ByteDance and Discord rejected the advances. Microsoft was seemingly inspired by China's WeChat's success and wanted this "super app" to offer everything under one umbrella, which would have included entertainment, shopping, messaging, web search, news feeds, forums, and alike. This may also explain in part why Microsoft has been so serious about its acquisition efforts of Activision-Blizzard. Perhaps gaming was the next big target where Microsoft wanted to double down on, as mobile gaming is a pretty large-sized pie. According to the latest reports, gaming on mobile is massive and is expected to exceed a valuation of nearly $215 billion by 2028. While WindowsCentral speculated that the new "Super App" was perhaps the evolution of the already familiar Microsoft Start, The Information shot down such speculations confirming that it was going to be a new thing. The site writes: The Information confirms that it had considered Microsoft Start as this app, but it is not the story's focus, and indeed, Microsoft's "super app" idea is reportedly something else. Even though the report is in the past tense, as in subtly suggesting that Super App ambitions are now probably buried, it will be interesting to see how things pan out, and whether Microsoft's Super App does become a real thing perhaps sometime in the future. Source: The Information (paywall) via WindowsCentral

I kind of miss how pretty Nokia Lumia Windows phones looked by Usama Jawad This morning, I had an idea for an editorial along the lines of "I turned on my Nokia Lumia 630 Windows phone after seven years, here's what still works". I rummaged around in my cabinet drawers for around 15 minutes before I finally managed to locate it in a shopping bag containing old phones. I excitedly plugged it in, however, much to my disappointment, the phone's display doesn't turn on even though there's a vibration when I plug in the charging cable. I do remember that Lumia phones showed the charging icon when you plugged them in, but there's nothing on the display even after waiting for several minutes. Even pressing the power button doesn't yield any response. So it's definitely not completely dead, but it's useless since it doesn't turn on. I was a bit sad because that also meant that I had to bin my idea for an editorial which I was quite looking forward to, but as I tried different things to resuscitate my beloved Lumia 630, I also began to marvel at how pretty it looked, even compared to my primary, and relatively more high-end handset, the Samsung Galaxy A51. This is an older photo of the Lumia 630 Although numerous OEMs have recently started to gravitate towards more colorful phones, it was arguably Nokia Lumia Windows phones which popularized this trend of having a noticeable (flashy?) and aesthetically pleasing exterior for the phone. Sure, people argued at that time that the polycarbonate shells that Nokia and Microsoft used were a cheaper option compared to the metal designs being used by more premium phones of that time, there was very little debate over how pretty they looked and how nice they felt to hold. Nokia Lumia 1020 Although Microsoft and Nokia did release your standard black and white colors, it did experiment with a bunch of other more flashy colors such as red (magenta), yellow, orange, blue (cyan), and green too. Even though the Lumia 1020 (photo above) came in white and black colors too, the color that likely comes to mind when the phone's name is spoken is yellow. Nokia and Microsoft went with bolder colors and those became synonymous with Lumia handsets. Maybe I'm speaking from personal experience but when purchasing a Lumia handset, you were less concerned about the OS and specs - since the OS was quite well optimized up until at least Windows Phone 8.1 - and more concerned about which color would best suit your style. I fondly remember my dad calling me from the store and asking me that he has located the Lumia 630 I want, but which color do I want him to pick? There were five options: orange, yellow, green, black, and white. I went with orange and to this day, I have no regrets. At college, it always used to attract eyeballs from people around me and then they would borrow my phone for a bit while they discussed the color, the design, and the OS itself. So, I guess in a way, it was free promotion for Nokia and Microsoft too. The polycarbonate shells were swappable as well but both firms never really capitalized on that idea. It was definitely floated around but it never became mainstream, at least in Pakistan, even though many Lumia phones were officially sold here. It would have been even more fun if you could purchase a bunch of shells, maybe even have some built custom, and then swap them according to your liking. Nokia Lumia 720 At the same time, I fully understand that colorful phones were not and are not everyone's cup of tea. Even back in the early 2010s, the few people in my circle who did have Windows phones did not always go for the flashiest color out there. That said, I can't help but reminisce about all the relatively daring experiments that Nokia did with Windows phones, the colorful exteriors became an identity of Lumia Windows phones and is something I still fondly remember. Yes, some OEMs release phones with relatively colorful exteriors but they are still quite muted compared to the Lumia phones of yesteryear. I am not saying that black and white colors should be removed altogether and we should all go for the flashiest phones out there, I'm just saying that it would be nice to have the option to have more snazzy colors. But maybe that was a different time and we were different people, and maybe something like that wouldn't really work nowadays. But maybe it also wouldn't hurt to try with some mid-range phones? I'd be the first in line to buy a phone with an orange, blue, yellow, or green polycarbonate shell. But maybe that's just the nostalgia speaking. What do you think about having more colorful exteriors for the phones of today? Would something "daring" like that still work? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!

Welcome to the Mobile Device Desktops thread! Here you can post screenshots of your mobile device's desktop. Please bear in mind the following guidelines for this thread: Posting Guidelines: * Stay within the board rules, no matter how yummy you may believe it to be. * If you are going to quote, there isn't a need to quote an img-embedded picture - Just don't do it. Please just reference the post by page number/page link/etc. * Off Topic Posts will be edited or removed. * The desktops thread is not to be used as a means to post images of a pornographic or otherwise provocative nature. We do not support a babes forum and neither will we in an unofficial capacity. Please help to keep the thread relevant and safe to browse for everyone. * The moderators of this forum reserve the right to edit or remove your posts as necessary so they may comply with our Community Rules. * In the interests of keeping the thread on topic it is strongly urged that you format your posts in the following order: * Visual Style: Name/where you got it (with link would be nice). * Wallpaper: Name/where you got it (with link would be nice). * Icons: Name/where you got it (with link would be nice). * Programs: Name/where you got it (with link would be nice). Looking for a blast from the past? See the previous mobile devices threads: 2005-2015 2016 2017

Windows 10 Mobile's bootloader unlocker is now open source by Muhammad Jarir Kanji Image credit: HeathCliff74 (XDA) René Lergner, the developer behind Windows Phone Internals, is the reason behind quite a few impressive hacks and workarounds since the release of Windows Phone. Indeed, it's thanks to his software that we have seen gems like a Lumia running a custom ROM or Windows 10 on ARM on a Lumia 830. Sadly, he's decided he can no longer commit to the project anymore, and will only be able to make sporadic contributions at best. As a result, Lergner - otherwise known as HeathCliff74 - has made Windows Phone Internals an open source project, and released the full source code for the tool on GitHub. Alongside this, he also promised to soon make available some of the preliminary tools he had used to create Windows Phone Internals. While the move is certainly a welcome one, and would allow anyone to try their hand at furthering work on circumventing the bootloader on Windows phones, just how many would be willing to take up work on what is essentially a dead OS at this point remains to be seen. Source: Windows Phone Internals via MSPoweruser

Microsoft Weekly: Gaming's at the fore, updates in store, inside Windows some more by Florin Bodnarescu It should come as no surprise that much like in previous weeks, the Redmond software giant’s campus was busy churning out news of all kinds these past seven days. From the heavier emphasis on gaming, to the hefty chunk of updates and indeed some Insider goodies, here is your Microsoft digest for the week of February 24-March 2. Gaming's at the fore The ever present and always growing backlogs were squeaking under pressure from a bunch of discounted games, future titles, and upcoming features. Redstone 4 changes coming to Xbox One were finally revealed, with version 1804 confirmed to bring 1440p support, new audio controls, controller sharing and improved stream switching on Mixer, a better Edge UI, invitation request filtering for Clubs, and Tournament availability in Game Hubs. Furthermore, Xbox Live Gold users will be able to find their Games with Gold much easier, courtesy of a new dedicated tab. Alpha ring Insiders can grab build 17105 at their own risk, since it is complete with a few issues of its own. On the bright side, it also fixes some things, and there are known workarounds for the aforementioned issues. But those need not be your focus if you don’t want them to be. Instead, Deals with Gold has a pretty compelling lineup of discounts for the Xbox One and 360. Among others, Blood Bowl 2 for example is a quarter of its full price on the One, and Sniper Ghost Warrior 2 enjoys and even higher 85% reduction in price for those on the 360. A little split is the offering via Games with Gold as well, netting you a free copy of Trials of the Blood Dragon until March 30, if you’re on Xbox One. People still using its venerable predecessor can grab Brave: The Video Game, which is free until March 15. Free is also your choice to subscribe to the Xbox Game Pass or not. However, this month’s lineup is quite good, seeing as for $9.99 you get access to Rise of the Tomb Raider, Super Lucky’s Tale – which recently got its first DLC -, Resident Evil Revelations 2, Oxenfree, Sonic CD, The Final Station, and Dovetail’s Euro Fishing on March 1. Probably the most high profile release also included is Sea of Thieves, which you can enjoy starting March 20. Rare’s maritime burglary simulator can also be had as part of an Xbox One S bundle. That said, if silly pirate adventures don’t quite float your boat, there’s a modern interpretation of Age of Empires to give a go, or a shiny new Combat Tech variant of the Xbox controller to grab. Not to worry, the beefy Xbox One X got some attention too. If you managed to grab a hold of it, but have some older games you’d like to play, good news: Crackdown, Fable Anniversary, Forza Horizon, and The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings will be enhanced to take advantage of the hardware. Luckily however, CSI won’t be doing the enhancing. What else has happened this week? Why, updates happened. Updates in store The lifeblood of any ‘as-a-service’ model is the constant stream of updates. Though more akin to a creek than a stream, this week’s influx of changes was still noteworthy. Office 365’s February update brought improvements to the Editor pane, the Resume Assistant, a StaffHub Now tab for workday insights, the ability to enforce naming conventions across Office 365 groups, and network diagrams in Visio Online. As part of the same wave, Microsoft Teams finally added guest access, whereby users can be added regardless of the email address provider they have. Those who don’t have an Office 365 subscription and wish to use Teams may just be able to do so at some point in the near future. Microsoft is apparently thinking of adopting a freemium model for its “chat-based workspace”, which would mean dropping the subscription as a prerequisite. But far be it for Microsoft to think at only a macro level, as evidenced by its Quantum Development Kit, which this week was updated with support for macOS and Linux. Sticking with things of reduced size, Intel’s Meltdown and Spectre-mitigating microcode for sixth-gen Skylake processors finally made its way into Microsoft’s Update Catalog. Finally, for people with a Surface Laptop, a firmware update showed up and apparently improved reliability. Or was it battery stability? Not even Microsoft is all too sure about that. Inside Windows some more What Microsoft is sure about is its Windows Insider program, a new build from which rather unexpectedly dropped on a Tuesday. Bumping up the build number to 17110, the latest iteration is part of the Fast ring and contains an array of features geared towards enterprise users. There’s the ability to run custom actions during the feature update install sequence, as well as the deployment of post rollback scripts in system context. The latter was implemented following feedback from enterprises stating that most of their users do not have admin privileges, and thus cannot run scripts in admin context. Enterprise users taking advantage of the Docker Hub will also be able to acquire matching Windows container images for Server Core and Nano Server with the advent of build 17110. As you’ve guessed however, the build has its fair share of fixes and known issues. Business users who are interested in deploying IoT solutions got some good news this week, with the announcement of an upcoming extension of the support cycle for the Long-Term Servicing Channel, and the addition of NXP chip support. These particular changes may affect a smaller portion of the Windows install base, but the following do not. Currently, apps with a Graphical User Interface (GUI) can be published to the Store, but those with a Command Line Interface (CLI) cannot. This will change with the soon to be released version 1803, which will give Console UWP apps the green light for Store entry, and give all Universal Windows Apps broader access to the file system. Until all that rolls around, there are users still on previous versions of Windows 10. Whether you’re running on Anniversary Update (1607) or Creators Update (1703), you’ll be greeted by build 14393.2097 (KB4077525) or 15063.936 (KB4077528), respectively. The Fast Ring Huawei unveiled its MateBook X Pro Windows 10 PC and we took a look at it. Lenovo showed off the Flex 14 and Yoga 730, also running Microsoft's latest OS. Microsoft expanded its collaboration with Xiaomi, centered around the cloud and AI. The Custom Vision service is now being offered in preview, along with an improved Face API and general availability of the Bing Entity Search. Office VP Javier Soltero has moved to a similar position on the Cortana team. Microsoft and Sunseap have signed a 20-year solar power agreement for the software giant's Singapore datacenter. Microsoft wants Congress to create data privacy and data use laws fit for the 21st century. Logging off We end on a rather strange note with Microsoft’s ever more complicated approach of support for its mobile devices. In one of the most bizarre will they / won’t they iterations to date, the Redmond giant has relisted its Lumia 550, 650, 950, and 950 XL handsets in the online store in the United States. For $139 you can have the lower-end 550, $199 nets you the Dual SIM 650, while the 950 and 950 XL go for $399 and $499. All pricing is for the unlocked variants. How long these will be available to purchase is really anyone’s guess, as the Windows Mobile strategy seems to be as blurry as the Fluent Design app borders.

Microsoft confirms that there are no Windows 10 Mobile builds coming by Rich Woods Windows 10 Mobile is dead. We've known this for some time, even before Joe Belfiore confirmed it by saying that new features aren't a focus. Microsoft only sells two Windows handsets in its online store at this time, and no major U.S. carriers sell any. So it should come as no surprise then, that the company won't be releasing any new Windows 10 Mobile Insider Preview builds. The news was confirmed by Microsoft's Brandon LeBlanc: No mobile builds are coming. — Brandon LeBlanc (@brandonleblanc) January 24, 2018 Remember, while there was a Windows 10 Mobile Fall Creators Update, it wasn't from the Redstone 3 branch like it was for PCs. Mobile was actually an extension of Redstone 2 called feature2, and it only contained a handful of minor new features. Most devices that have been upgraded to, or shipped with Windows 10 Mobile are still supported with cumulative updates though. Every month, Microsoft regularly patches phones that are on the Anniversary, Creators, and Fall Creators Updates. The only version that's actually not supported is the original version of the OS, 1511. Again, today's news really shouldn't come as a shock. We really weren't expecting to see anything new on the Windows 10 Mobile side of things, but now it's just been confirmed.

Starbucks for Windows Mobile has been removed from the Store by Hamza Jawad More than a year ago, the Starbucks app was officially launched for Windows 10 Mobile. Today, it has been removed from the Store on Windows Mobile, adding yet another name on the long line of applications leaving the platform. As noted by a Reddit user, current users of the app are logged out, and find themselves being redirected towards the mobile website when attempting to log back in. Interestingly however, the interface is quite different compared to the mobile application, and some users have reported being unable to locate the option to pay via their cards. Notably, the Starbucks app for Windows Mobile wasn't launched globally. In fact, it was only made available to users from the U.S., the UK, and Canada. The application allowed users to order and pay for items using their smartphones. Moreover, it provided them the ability to earn rewards in the form of free food and drinks after a certain amount of purchases. Interestingly, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is currently part of the board of directors at Starbucks. Ever since Microsoft announced that Windows 10 Mobile would no longer be a focus for the company - and even before then -, several high profile developers have abandoned Windows phones. The move is especially interesting in light of the rumors about a new 'Andromeda' device, rumors which have been emerging at an increasing rate over the past few months. In any case, the tech giant hasn't cited any official reason for the removal of the Starbucks app as of yet, and users are seemingly being advised to access its capabilities via their web browsers. Source: gilbyXIII (Reddit) via MSPoweruser

Welcome to the Mobile Device Desktops thread! Here you can post screenshots of your mobile device's desktop. Please bear in mind the following guidelines for this thread: Posting Guidelines: * Stay within the board rules, no matter how yummy you may believe it to be. * If you are going to quote, there isn't a need to quote an img-embedded picture - Just don't do it. Please just reference the post by page number/page link/etc. * Off Topic Posts will be edited or removed. * The desktops thread is not to be used as a means to post images of a pornographic or otherwise provocative nature. We do not support a babes forum and neither will we in an unofficial capacity. Please help to keep the thread relevant and safe to browse for everyone. * The moderators of this forum reserve the right to edit or remove your posts as necessary so they may comply with our Community Rules. * In the interests of keeping the thread on topic it is strongly urged that you format your posts in the following order: * Visual Style: Name/where you got it (with link would be nice). * Wallpaper: Name/where you got it (with link would be nice). * Icons: Name/where you got it (with link would be nice). * Programs: Name/where you got it (with link would be nice). Looking for a blast from the past? See the previous mobile devices threads: 2005-2015 2016

Windows Store device limit per Microsoft account raised to 2,000 by Usama Jawad Back in 2013, Microsoft announced that you could install Windows 8/8.1 apps on up to 81 devices under the same Microsoft account. However, slightly before the launch of Windows 10, the company significantly decreased this figure to just ten devices per account. Now, it appears that Microsoft has once again had a change of heart, and is bumping the Windows Store device limit up to 2,000. As reported by Windows Central, numerous users are now seeing the device limit pegged at 2,000 under their Microsoft account. Since it's rare that a Windows Store customer would be using 2,000 devices with the same account, it is possible that by making the aforementioned change, Microsoft is essentially abolishing this limit for Windows Store devices. Previously, if a user reached their account limit of ten devices, they would be forced to remove one or more devices in order to add another. It is also important to note that this limit includes all devices accessing the Windows Store under the same account, including Xbox, Windows PCs, and Windows phones. That said, no official announcement has been made regarding the increase in the Windows Store device limit - and not everyone is seeing the bump on their respective Microsoft accounts just yet - it is possible that Microsoft is testing the change with some customers before rolling it out globally. Source: Windows Central

Microsoft's UWP Community Toolkit graduates to version 2.0; 'largest update to date' by Usama Jawad More than a year ago, Microsoft released UWP Community Toolkit, a project that enables developers to collaborate and contribute new capabilities on top of the Windows 10 SDK. Since its release, the Toolkit has received numerous updates, enhancing stability, and introducing new controls and features. Now, Microsoft has released version 2.0 of the UWP Community Toolkit, calling it the "largest update to date", similar to the tagline that it gave version 1.3 back in February. Microsoft states that the UWP Community Toolkit now boasts over 100 contributors, and that developers have downloaded its packages more than 250,000 times. The latest update to the UWP Community Toolkit is designed to enable developers to take advantage of the features, APIs, and the Fluent Design System available with the upcoming Windows 10 Fall Creators Update. Microsoft says that over the next few months, the controls available in the Toolkit will be updated to support Fluent Design, and the sample update will enjoy similar improvements as well. The sample app in the Toolkit has been updated too. The XAML inside the app can now be updated directly and changes to it will be visible instantly in the preview. The navigation model and has been redesigned, and a new landing page has also been introduced. Furthermore, version 2.0 features two packages that will enable support for more cross-platform APIs in the future. Your browser does not support video. Some other improvements to UWP Community Toolkit 2.0 include: Added InAppNotification control – a control to show local notifications in app Added TextToolbar control – text editing control that enables easy rich text and Markdown formatting Updated Expander to support all orientations and added LayoutTranformControl from the WinRT XAML Toolkit Updated Menu to support underline characters, orientation and many other improvements. While version 2.0 of the UWP Community Toolkit does boast a lot of enhancements, Microsoft notes that "this is just the start". If you're a Windows 10 developer interested in the project, you can contribute to it by heading over to GitHub.

The New York Police Department reportedly needs to replace 36,000 'useless' Windows Phones by Dreyer Smit A year and a half ago (almost to the day), the New York Police Department issued a statement that it, in conjunction with Microsoft, would issue 36,000 new Windows Phones to its officers out in the field, as part of a $160 million 'NYPD Mobility Initiative' which was hailed by Mayor Bill de Blasio as a 'step into the 21st century'. Jessica Tisch, Deputy IT Commissioner for the NYPD standing with Mayor Bill de Blasio (via NY Post) However, the NYPD has reportedly started the process of replacing the now-defunct phones with new iPhones according to sources, after Microsoft stopped supporting the devices running Windows Phone 8.1 on June 11. The Deputy IT Commissioner for the NYPD, Jessica Tisch - who spearheaded the project that started in October 2014 - was criticized internally for not commissioning a panel of experts beforehand: “Nobody purchases 36,000 phones based on the judgment of one person, I don’t care if you’re [...], you get a panel of experts.” The decision was met with general confusion last year, with several technical analysts scratching their heads over the move to Lumia, the main reason being that of the paltry market share Microsoft commanded in the mobile space at that point. Digital Trends pointed this out in an article last year: “The NYPD’s decision to go with Microsoft’s mobile operating system seems to confound more than a few, since Windows Phone’s 2.3 percent US market share is anemic when compared to Android’s 65.2 percent and iOS’s 30.9 percent,” And CNET didn't mince words either: “You read that right. Life and death situations rely on outdated phones running Microsoft’s Windows Phone software,” The backlash towards the decision isn't without merit, however, some of the facts are a bit misleading in the report. The NYPD uses the Lumia 830 and 640XL, both of which have received Windows 10 Mobile support, however, the former device was not included in the latest Creators Update. So Microsoft has updated the devices at least once, which can be seen as unacceptable by any standard. Even though Satya Nadella did note that any future mobile device from Microsoft won't be like anything seen today in the market, this still does not help the situation, and might further hurt future support from government institutions and corporate clients if the company does not improve support of older devices in particular. Source and image: New York Post

Despite Microsoft's acquisition of LinkedIn, the Windows phone app is being killed off by Usama Jawad Late last year, Microsoft purchased professional networking service LinkedIn for a whopping $26.2 billion. Hence, the company's announcement of ending support for the platform's Windows phone app back in January came as a lot of surprise for users of Microsoft's mobile operating system. However, the firm quickly retracted its statement, saying that the email proclaiming end of support for the Windows phone app was sent by mistake. However, it now appears that Microsoft is killing the LinkedIn app for Windows phones after all. The company has sent out an email to Windows phone users yet again, saying that the mobile app is being retired. It says that the app won't be functional on the operating system after August 31, 2017. Moving forward, Windows phone users have been recommended to use their mobile browsers if they wish to continue using LinkedIn. In fact, the email has also detailed an elaborate procedure to pin the website to the Start Menu on Windows phones in order to access it quickly. It is important to note that the email mentions both the Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge mobile web browsers as alternatives, so support is not only being dropped for Windows Phone 8.1 - which recently reached end-of-support itself - but also Windows 10 Mobile. The content of the email can be seen below: @windowscentral Looks Like LinkedIn Is Coming To Windows Store On Desktops Soon, Based On Email I Got Today From LinkedIn pic.twitter.com/CEYIHeoajz — Andrew Tech Help (@andrewtechhelp) July 13, 2017 That said, some users will be pleased to know that the company is working on launching a brand-new Windows Store app in the coming weeks - but the email makes it clear that it's a "LinkedIn Windows desktop app", which therefore won't be able to run on Windows 10 Mobile phones. It's certainly strange that mobile devices are not part of the strategy, keeping in view Microsoft's push for a unified Universal Windows Platform (UWP). We have reached out to LinkedIn for confirmation, and will update if the company responds. Source: Andrew Tech Help (@Andrewtechhelp)

Send disappearing photos with the newest update to Instagram on Windows 10 PC and Mobile by Richard Tyr Blewitt A new update for Instagram users on Windows 10 and Windows 10 Mobile has been released. It brings with it the ability to upload up to ten photos in a single post, and a disappearing/temporary photo or video feature. The first of the two additions will be presented in such a way that followers can flick through the ten images in a gallery-like fashion. Though the rollout to Windows devices beings now, this capability has been available on Android and iOS for a while. What has also been added is the ability to send a temporary or "disappearing" photo or video via Direct Message.This particular ability is undoubtedly quite similar to what Snapchat is offering. For example, the user can also add stickers, and play around with the disappearing image before sending it using a dedicated button in the Direct Messenger. There's no doubt that Instagram is cranking up the heat with this new update, especially if we also consider their recently announced offline mode. This update sees them following in the footsteps of Facebook-owned hybrid messenger WhatsApp, which also started offering features very similar to Snapchat. The rivalry between these social media and instant messenger hybrids is quite obvious, after Snapchat's April Fools joke on Instagram. The update version available for Windows Mobile is 10.849.31563.0, while on PC it's 10.849.31563.0. You can download the update or indeed the app if you do not have it, through the Windows Store. Source: Windows Central

From Windows phones to Android: my adventure, 6 months later by Vlad Dudau This is a personal take on switching from Windows phones to Android, a feat I undertook about six months ago. That’s after using Microsoft’s operating system ever since it launched, while mostly staying away from Android devices. What's the story so far? During the last six months I’ve used Android as my daily driver, while still keeping a close eye on all the builds and updates that Windows 10 Mobile has been receiving. I first shared some thoughts on how the transition to Google’s OS was going a few days after the switch, and you can read those impressions here. Since that turned out to be popular, and sparked some interesting discussions, I’m following it up with a second, and final report after I gave Android a real try for a decent amount of time. Oh, ok. Ready to come back to Windows phones? Microsoft fans, of which we certainly have a few around here, will likely be disappointed, but the answer is an emphatic NO. Android has treated me very nicely for the most part and took most of the stress out of our relationship using my phone. I’m swimming in apps, looking forward to Android 7.0 Nougat, getting ready for the next Nexus phones and enjoying some great Microsoft apps – there’s no reason for me to go back to Windows. Which phones and versions of Android have you been using? I’ve extensively relied on the Nexus 5X over the past six months. As I mentioned previously, having the most up-to-date OS and a pure, streamlined experience is very important for me. It’s the reason why I stick with crapware-free Windows and Insider builds on Microsoft’s side of the aisle, and it’s the same reason why I chose Nexus on Android. With some exceptions, which I’ll mention below, I strongly believe Nexus is the only experience that’s worth it on Android. Besides the 5X, I’ve also used the new OnePlus 3, which is quite an impressive device, but I’ll go much more in-depth on that in a few days when we publish our official review. I’ve also played around with Samsung’s latest Galaxy S7, which I found to be a great device – but not for me. The combination of Samsung’s aesthetic and TouchWiz quickly gets to be too much and I soon run back to my comfortable Nexus. I’m also considering buying the HTC 10. I’ve been a fan of the company’s flagships for many years now, but the combination of slow updates and overpriced devices, plus mediocre cameras, has left me disappointed. But if the HTC 10 continues to drop in price, I’ll more than likely pick one up. As for Android itself, I’ve tried out the current version available on high-end devices, Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Back in my original “From Windows to Android” post, I mentioned how I enjoyed a simple, lag-free experience, something that in my own experience Windows 10 Mobile no longer offers. Since that post, I’ve discovered I’m an addict and a glutton for punishment so I quickly abandoned the buttery-smooth Android Marshmallow, for the oh-my-lord-my-phone-is-on-fire Android Nougat preview. I’ve had mixed experiences with the beta of the OS on my Nexus, with Android N running very well for weeks at a time and then suddenly running into some critical issue that forced me to reset the device. Obviously, though, that was just a beta and the latest build has proven to be of very good quality, so those issues seem to be firmly in the past now. The conclusion is that you’re safe if sticking with general availability OS versions, while betas and insider builds may bite you in the backside no matter which platform you’re on. "Affordable flagships" like the OnePlus 3 are making Android very attractiveWhat’s the best part of Android? Back in my original post on this switch, I mentioned how its popularity has turned Android into a great operating system because nobody can ignore it. Want that new Pokémon GO app that everyone’s going mad about? Sure it’s on Android. Want that new hipster service that delivers your kale ironically? It’s probably only on iOS for now, but it’s coming to Android next week. New website showing up? It looks great on Android, because nobody can ignore the platform. New Microsoft app? Yeah, of course it’s on Android. Windows phone support? What’s that? Our own platform? Oh! Not feeling neglected, or hearing that every good app is coming “Soon™”, is a feeling Windows phone users have rarely experienced. I also wanted to highlight another positive aspect. It’s one that applies to the mobile market as a whole, but which has disproportionately positive effects on Android. And that’s how the mid-range has become “good enough”. It used to be that Android was a pretty good operating system on high-end, expensive flagships. But that experience would quickly turn nasty on low- and mid-range devices. Want a smooth experience? Get a flagship. Want a good camera? That’ll be $600+. Want to get a recent version of Android and not some 2-year old, unpatched, crapfest of an operating system? Certainly, just take out a second mortgage. But that’s no longer the case. Starting a few years ago, devices like the OnePlus phones, or Motorola handsets, or Xiaomi’s own models or even some Nexus phones have brought affordable, high-quality experiences to the masses. You no longer have to go for the most expensive model to ensure you have a good camera, a smooth experience and a great screen. All of these features are now standard, and the Android ecosystem, which is full with choices, is benefiting greatly from this new wave of affordable devices. Even software patches are becoming more common, though still not as common as they should be. Android's security is still of great concernSo what’s the worst part of Android? I’ve previously mentioned how I’m not a big fan of its design or of its fragmented nature across devices. While those issues, alongside a very mediocre keyboard, are still on top of the list, the real major issue I’ve found myself concerned with is security. As mentioned, I’ve mostly relied on Nexus devices for my Android experience, meaning that by many estimates I’m getting the most secure version of the OS. And in some ways, that’s still not enough. Popularity and a very full Play store are great when you’re looking for a specific service or app. But this can be a double-edged sword when it comes to security. No longer can I simply hand over my phone to a friend or my little brother and let them play around and download apps or surf the web without reservation. That used to be my experience on iOS and Windows phones, but it’s a different story with Android. Clicking a few nasty ads may infect your device, leak your data, copy your contacts and so on. Downloading a malicious app, even from Google Play is a real possibility, and getting your encryption broken is easy-peasy on most Android phones. I went from having the peace of mind that even those who were actively trying to mess up my phone could do little more than install an annoying app or set my alarm for the middle of the night; to knowing that a few stray clicks and improperly given permissions may not only mess up my device but leak copious amounts of private data. In other words, my phone suddenly became a PC – and that’s not what I wanted my phone to be. But all of this is worth it for the apps, right? Right? About that ...you might be disappointed to find out that switching to Android doesn’t get rid of the “app-gap”, it just changes the game a bit. Those of you living in the US or UK or other such major market might be confused by this next part, but for those of us outside of those places, the struggle is real, and so is the app-gap. While on Windows phone, I could never find apps because they didn’t exist, on Android I sometimes have trouble finding apps because they’re region locked. Microsoft services like Cortana, or new apps that have just launched don’t show up for those of us living outside of “privileged” markets. And while this issue easily crops up on other platforms as well, it’s also easily bypassed. Not so in the Play Store where Google has enforced an iron curtain around each region and country. Even with Google’s own services, this problem popped up a few times. For example, the company recently launched the Podcast section on Play Music, finally giving users a native way to enjoy podcasts. But it’s not available outside of the US. Why? Probably because of the ads or licensing agreements Google is serving. But that doesn’t make a lot of sense considering I can get the same content through a third-party app. It just makes things a lot less convenient. Of course there are some ways to get around this, but they’re fewer and fewer with each version of Android and each patch. And honestly the trouble I’d need to go through, or the risk I’d need to take with APKs found online is just too much of a hassle in most cases. Then again, don’t get me wrong, the situation is infinitely better than on Windows phones. Snapchat? Here. Pokémon GO? Here. The Uber of kale delivery apps? Nope, sorry, still only on iOS. Unlike Android, Windows phones include lots of basic features nativelyDo you miss anything about Windows Phone or Windows 10 Mobile? Of course. I’ve mentioned many times how I miss the design of Windows Phone and the consistency and the buttery smoothness of the whole OS. I won’t harp on much more about it. But I will say that I also miss the simplicity, and the out-of-box experience. I’ve found Android, especially non-stock, non-Nexus Android to be a pain in the backside for the first few days of usage on any device. There are so many options that need to be set up, so many apps for basic functions that need to be downloaded – it’s just tiring and unsatisfying. I’ve already mentioned podcasts above but here are a few more examples: scanning a QR code – literally one of the easiest things to do on Windows phones – requires you to download and sift through Google Play apps instead of being built right in; want to identify a track? Yes, Google can easily do that but it won’t remember it unless you go through its Music widget or rely on third party app. It’s little things like these that wear on the user and make everything on Android more tedious than it should be. Any chance of coming back to Windows 10 Mobile? Not this year, and to be honest as things stand, not next year either. If anything, since my original article, Windows 10 Mobile took another turn for the worse by destroying battery life on both of the devices I still own: the Lumia 930 and 830. There’s nothing on the horizon that could help Windows 10 Mobile devices and next year’s 'Surface phone' holds little interest for me. Though I’ll likely be jumping from device to device, I’ll be sticking with Android for the foreseeable future. Anything I should look forward to on the Android side that might get me to switch? Android 7.0, or Nougat as it’s now known, is a nice upgrade that should be out in the next couple of months. It brings a bunch of new features though most of them will require new hardware. To that end, I’m very much looking forward to the unveiling of Google’s new Nexus phones. We already know quite a bit about them and they sound very enticing. If the company can get the design and price right, they might be the Android handsets to get this fall. I’m also very curious to see where Google takes its Daydream VR platform. If this turns out to be more than just an experiment and the company pushes it forward, Daydream may soon be the more affordable way to get into VR and that’s very exciting. Finally, getting back to devices I’m also curious to see the new smartwatches coming out of Google, rumored to also feature Nexus branding. Wearables, outside of the fitness sector, have failed to make a big impression on me so far, so I’m very curious to see whether Google can change my opinion or if I’ll wait for Microsoft’s Band 3. Come over to the dark side, we've got apps!So should I ditch Windows phones and switch to Android? I’ll simply reiterate what I said in my first post: that’s your decision. If, right now, your Windows phone is working well and you’re happy with it, there’s not much Android can do for you. If any of the flaws described above seem like they might be a deal breaker than you’re likely better off staying with Microsoft. If, on the other hand, any of the features mentioned seem very appealing, then yes, this is a good time to switch to Android. Low-cost, high-quality devices will ensure you don’t need to spend too much money on switching, while Android’s ubiquity will give you a comfortable ecosystem to jump into. For me personally, I’ve found Android to be an attractive proposition, and despite its flaws I’m planning on sticking with it for the long term.

It's clear from recent articles about Microsoft depleting stock of Lumia branded phones and making little or no effort to restock them, the writings on the wall and Lumias are being gradually phased out. Microsoft might introduce Surface branded phones at some point in the future, but that's strictly speculation right now. The question is, for anyone that currently owns a Microsoft Lumia device running Windows 10 Mobile, or even for anyone that might be considering buying one while stocks last as perhaps a secondary phone, what is the likelyhood Microsoft could eventually discontinue OS update support for these devices, leaving Lumia owners in the lurch with increasingly insecure devices, and little or no option but to eventually, maybe reluctantly, switch to a phone running Android or iOS ... ?

Looking for a blast from the past? See the previous mobile devices thread, Sept. 2005 - Dec. 2015. https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/379065-mobile-device-desktops/ Welcome to the Mobile Device Desktops thread! Here you can post screenshots of your mobile device's desktop. Please bear in mind the following guidelines for this thread: Posting Guidelines: * Stay within the board rules, no matter how yummy you may believe it to be. * If you are going to quote, there isn't a need to quote an img-embedded picture - Just don't do it. Please just reference the post by page number/page link/etc. * Off Topic Posts will be edited or removed. * The desktops thread is not to be used as a means to post images of a pornographic or otherwise provocative nature. We do not support a babes forum and neither will we in an unofficial capacity. Please help to keep the thread relevant and safe to browse for everyone. * The moderators of this forum reserve the right to edit or remove your posts as necessary so they may comply with our Community Rules. * In the interests of keeping the thread on topic it is strongly urged that you format your posts in the following order: * Visual Style: Name/where you got it (with link would be nice). * Wallpaper: Name/where you got it (with link would be nice). * Icons: Name/where you got it (with link would be nice). * Programs: Name/where you got it (with link would be nice).

Focused Inbox for Outlook coming to Windows 10 in November, roll-out starts for Mac and Web by Steven Parker Back in September, Microsoft told Neowin that the Focused Inbox feature, which is currently only available on iOS and Android, would eventually make its way to all devices, as the company seeks to offer a feature parity between iOS, Android, Mac and Windows 10. Focused Inbox is a feature that shows priority messages, rather than everything, or "emails that matter most". Now, the company has updated its blog post from July and added release dates of when we can expect the feature to arrive on different platforms. Office 365 First Release users will get the feature in "late October", although worldwide rollout "will take 4–6 weeks", after which it will be rolled out to Standard Release users in mid-to-late November, which will take "6-8 weeks" to roll out worldwide. Once enabled, users will be able to see the Focused Inbox in Outlook for Mac, iOS, Android and the web immediately. Focused Inbox will also become available to Outlook Mail on Windows 10 PCs and Mobile devices, as well as Outlook 2016 for Windows — but that’ll also arrive sometime in November. Here is the full statement from Microsoft: “Office 365 First Release users will become Focused Inbox enabled starting in late October. Worldwide rollout will take 4 – 6 weeks. Office 365 Standard Release users will be enabled in mid to late November and will take 6-8 weeks to be available worldwide. Once enabled, users will be able to see the Focused Inbox in Outlook for Mac, iOS, Android and the web immediately. Outlook 2016 for Windows and Outlook for Windows 10 Mobile will show the Focused Inbox in November.” If you're left wondering what Focused Inbox is, check out the short video clip above, if it isn't for you then you'll be happy to learn that you can disable the feature across the different platforms. Source: Microsoft Office Blog via MSPU

The HTC HD2 gets a taste of Android Nougat... sort of by Justin Luna The HTC HD2 was one of the very unfortunate Windows Mobile 6.5 smartphones that were not upgradeable to the Windows Phone 7 series, considering that it had decent specifications for its time. However, a number of developers took the time to play around with the classic device, and were actually able to port operating systems like Android Lollipop, Marshmallow, and even the ARM-based OS Windows RT to it. Now, the device has received its taste of Google's latest Android iteration, Nougat. XDA Developers Senior member "macs18max" was recently able to port Android 7.0 Nougat onto the almost six-year old device. The developer used CyanogenMod 14 to modify the device, on top of the initial Android 7.0 release (NRD90M). Unfortunately, with the HD2 having only 448 MB of RAM, the device cannot be used as a daily driver under such a port. According to the developer, only the sound and the Wi-Fi are working. Regardless of the numerours issues, it is still interesting to see such a modern software ported to a classic smartphone. Just a month ago, another XDA Developer managed to port Android 6.0 Marshmallow to the Nokia Lumia 525. This was done by removing Windows Phone and UEFI elements from the device, and then flashing a build of CyanogenMod onto the device. Source: XDA Developers via Pocketnow | Right image via XDA Developers

CUBE's massive Windows 10 Mobile phablet goes on sale for $139 [Update] by Vlad Dudau Even though Microsoft’s mobile ecosystem might as well not exist at this point, accounting for less than 1% of the mobile market, new Windows 10 Mobile devices are still showing up. This week, the Chinese-made CUBE phablet, sporting Microsoft’s OS became available for purchase. Late last month the CUBE company announced it would be releasing a new Windows 10 Mobile device, sporting one of the biggest screens available. Coming in at 6.98-inches, the device’s display made it stand out from the crowd, but its other specifications were mostly unknown at the time of unveiling. Fast forward to today, and the CUBE’s WP10 specs are now a matter of public record, alongside the device’s price. As spotted by our friends at Windows Central, the WP10 phablet showed up for sale at AliExpress. The device is currently listed for $299 $139. So what does that money get you? Unfortunately, not much, as the CUBE WP10 is squarely a low-end device. Here are its full specs: Dimensions: 187.7 x 97.7 x 7.6 mm , 248g 6.98-inch screen, 1280 x 720 resolution Qualcomm Snapdragon 220 CPU @ 1.3 GHz 2 GB RAM 16 GB Storage, with MicroSD support up to 128 GB Front-facing / World-facing camera at 5 megapixels 2850 mAh non-removable battery Dual SIM : Nano + Micro Windows 10 Mobile As you can see in the company’s image, the device also sports a “Sensitive Hole” on the front, as well as a USB port, which very much looks to be USB Type-C. The official listing also claims the phone comes with “Google Play”, though we’re ...a bit skeptical on that point. Unfortunately, the CUBE WP10 doesn’t exactly look like a winner here. It's availability is limited, and given Microsoft’s support for its own platform, it’s doubtful this device will have much success on the market. Update: A couple of hours after the article was published the price on AliExpress was modified to $139. The article has been updated to reflect the change. Source: AliExpress Via: Windows Central

HP opens orders for its Elite x3 in Sweden, delivery in under a week by Boyd Chan Just a day after HP revealed pricing for its Elite x3 for the US, France and Spain, HP Sweden has now begun to accept orders for the device on its website. The Elite x3 is priced at 8624 SEK (Swedish Kroner) inclusive of tax, which roughly converts to $1005 USD. HP Sweden has advised that delivery will generally be within five days despite its website advising that the handset would be "normally dispatched within two weeks." An added bonus is that interested customers can knock 10% off the price by using the coupon code 'SOMMAR16' when checking out, bringing the total price down to 7762 SEK (€820 / $905 USD). At this stage, availability of accessories for the Elite x3 in Sweden is very thin. In fact, the only accessory listed - a USB Type-C adapter with Ethernet and USB 3 ports - is not in stock, while the Desk Dock accessory remains notably absent. Even with the 10% summer discount, buyers may find the bundle deal from Clove.co.uk for €5 cheaper to be slightly more enticing. While HP documentation indicated that the Elite x3 would be available in a 'Gold/Gold' configuration, it seems that Sweden, at least initially, will miss out on this option. Source: HP Sweden via MSPoweruser

A second Microsoft Support agent confirms Snapchat is on the way, but don't get excited yet by Vlad Dudau Only a few days ago, rumors started swirling that an official Snapchat app for Windows 10 Mobile might be released in the near future. Those were based on a Lumia support channel’s announcement. Now, Microsoft support is seemingly corroborating this. Snapchat has had a difficult past on Microsoft’s mobile platform. Despite petitions, demands and false hopes, the company never launched an official app for Windows Phone users. Even worse, it aggressively went after third party apps on the platform. But last year Snapchat finally announced it was working on an app for Microsoft’s platform. The first signs that it might actually be coming soon showed up a couple of days ago when a Lumia support person said as much. Now, a Microsoft support agent is saying very much the same thing. According to him or her, the company is currently in talks with Snapchat, and doesn’t have an exact timeframe for when the app will be released but it’s coming “soon”. This second confirmation from a company employee would seem to corroborate the earlier report, but we’d urge you to take everything with a huge grain of salt. For one thing, it’s highly doubtful that a customer support agent would have any knowledge of what the relationship is between Microsoft and its partners or collaborators. Secondly, this wouldn’t be the first time when a customer support agent simply reads a rumor online and then peddles it as inside knowledge. In either case you can read the chat above and decide for yourselves. All in all, while this may be a good sign, we wouldn’t get our hopes up just yet. Source: Deskmodder.de Via: MSPU

Hi, I'm quite disappointed by message from Groundspeak that official WP app (Geocaching Live) will be shut down this June. I like and use the app. I wonder how many users there are ... MP

Microsoft confirms pullout of its brick and mortar stores across Brazil by Steven Parker A Microsoft Store in Natal, Brazil Microsoft confirmed on Friday that their authorized reseller network of Microsoft Stores in Brazil will be closing in the near future. The company has around 27 brick and mortar locations across the country, which include stores in Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Manaus, Sao Luis, Uberlândia, Contagem, Bethlehem, Niterói, Natal and São Paulo, as well as other store-in store or kiosk locations which bring the number up to around fifty. In a statement to a Brazilian news website, Microsoft said: “Microsoft, together with its franchisees in a strategic decision for the channel confirms the closing set of certain physical stores of the brand Microsoft Store – Authorized Reseller in Brazil. The company makes clear, however, that the service’s online store brand continues to operate normally and serving the entire national territory. “ Microsoft emphasized that it will instead opt to roll back to its previous offering of purchasing hardware and services through its online stores, as well as from retailers such as Walmart, US Submarine Shoptime and Ponto Frio in Brazil. After what seemed to be a coup of more than fifty Nokia retail points in the country thanks to the purchase of Nokia's device and service's division in 2014, Microsoft began toning down operations, with the sale of an ex-Nokia factory in the region in late 2015 to Flextronics. Along with the delaying of bringing their current Windows 10 range to the region, Brazil, which was one of Windows Phone’s biggest markets, with a store opening there less than a year ago, will likely see a drop in Microsoft’s market share there following a combination of these actions. On the plus side, the stores may have closure sales which could come with major clear-out discounts, which is the only silver lining in economically beleaguered Brazil at present. Source & Image: Windows Team (Brazilian) via MSPoweruser

Lumia 550 users told to skip Windows 10 Mobile build 14267; here are recovery instructions by Steven Parker On Friday, Microsoft released Windows 10 Mobile build 14267 that could be installed on just a select number of Microsoft's newest handsets, the Lumia 550, 950 and 950 XL as well as the Xiaomi Mi4. There are reports that even the Lumia 650 could upgrade to this build, but unfortunately it is affected by a rather nasty bug just like the Lumia 550, where after upgrading, the device fails to recharge and isn't recognized by the PC when plugged in via the USB port. Some people were able to recover their Lumia 550 providing the battery level hadn't dropped below 50% by doing a hard reset, in most - if not all cases - the device is no longer recognized by the Windows Device Recovery Tool when connected to the PC, making a roll back to the latest publicly available OS version impossible. Microsoft has now acknowledged this bug and posted up a workaround to recover the device, which should be your first port of call. Gabe Aul says: Several Windows Insiders with a Lumia 550 have reported an issue where their phone no longer charges or connects via USB after upgrading to Build 14267. If you have a Lumia 550, we recommend holding off going to this build. If you have hit this issue we recommend rolling back to Build 10586 using the Windows Device Recovery Tool. You will need to connect your phone to your PC via USB first, open the Windows Device Recovery Tool and choose “My device was not detected”, choose “Lumia” and turn off your phone and let it reboot in order for the Windows Device Recovery Tool to detect your phone and reinstall. If you need to download the image, your phone may reboot back into the OS, once the image finishing downloading completely – reboot your phone again and it should begin reinstalling Windows 10 Mobile. If your Lumia 550 is really low on battery, switch your phone into flashing mode by turning your phone off first and press power button and then volume up until you see a lightning bolt on your phone’s screen. This will allow your Lumia 550 to charge. You should let it charge a bit before using the Windows Device Recovery Tool to roll back to Build 10586. However, should the above method not work, MSPoweruser has discovered a way to successfully recover a Lumia 550 or 650 that has had its battery completely drained, or won't charge by force flashing the firmware over the command line. It is a bit technical, and you should only do this as a last resort. First off, you’ll want to take note of the Model and Code numbers of your Lumia. This information can be found under the back cover, on the stripe of text next to the battery. (Example picture above) Ensure you have the Windows Device Recovery Tool installed, and then follow this tutorial below: Go to lumiafirmware.com In the first column select your Model, in the second column select your Code and then select the first available firmware in the third column A new box with links to files should appear on the top of the site, proceed to download every single one of these files Once downloaded, make sure these files are not blocked by SmartScreen (you can check by going into the file’s properties, if it is blocked, just click Unblock and OK) Completely turn off your device and make sure it’s not connected to anything If you are using 32-bit Windows, navigate to: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Care Suite\Windows Device Recovery Tool If you are using 64-bit Windows, navigate to: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Care Suite\Windows Device Recovery Tool Open a command prompt in this folder: Shift + Right-click a blank space in the folder and click Open command window here Now we’ll prepare the command line for flashing the phone, take note of the folder you downloaded the firmware to and the name of the file that ends in .vpl, in this tutorial we’ll assume C:\Downloads is the firmware folder and RM1152_059X6N3.vpl is the .vpl name Enter this into the command prompt (the bold bit): thor2 -mode vpl -vplfile “C:\Downloads\RM1152_059X6N3.vpl” -reboot and hit the Enter key on your keyboard. After you hit Enter, connect your device to your PC Your device will now flash, once it reboots (after a brief flash of the green color on the device’s screen) it means that the flash has finished and that it’s safe to disconnect it Hopefully this will help some people that have been affected by this, Microsoft is now recommending that people with a Lumia 550 skip this build (see Known issues section). It's just unfortunate this wasn't picked up a bit earlier. Let us know in the comments how you got on, and if you were able to recover with one of the two methods posted above. Source & second image: MSPoweruser | Thanks for the tip Jamie Maclean