HTC One M8 vs HTC One M8 for Windows: Boot Time

By Rich W Woods

Ever since last night, I have been using the HTC One M8 for Windows which is a beautiful new Windows Phone. In comparing it to the Android version of the HTC One M8, I’ve begun performing some tests. After all, both phones are the same hardware with different operating systems.

Which HTC One M8 Boots Up Faster?

I will admit, I was disappointed with the results.

The HTC One M8 for Windows took 1 minute 12 seconds to load the start screen while the Android version took 16 seconds.

So far the comparisons have been disappointing. With the difference in boot times and the lack of Dot View settings, I am so far disappointed with what is undoubtedly a beautiful new flagship Windows Phone.

HTC One M8 vs HTC One M8 for Windows: Dot View

By Rich W Woods

The HTC One M8 is the first device in history that is sold with options for which operating system is installed. The hardware on both sides are the same but the customer can choose between Android and Windows Phone.

What is Dot View?

Dot View is a case for the HTC One M8 that shows users the time and notifications through holes in the case in a dot matrix pattern. It’s a pretty cool feature. In fact, by swiping down with the case closed a user can access Google Now or Cortana.

Windows Phone 8.1 Update gave Windows Phone the ability to support smart covers such as the Dot View cover and the HTC One M8 for Windows is the first phone to ship with Windows Phone 8.1 Update.

You Don’t Have to Wait to Get the HTC One M8 for Windows on Your Carrier

By Rich W Woods

You read that right. You can use the Windows Phone variant of the HTC One M8 for Windows on any GSM carrier right now.

Verizon Sells the HTC One M8 for Windows Unlocked

Whether you buy the phone from a Microsoft Store or a Verizon Store, it ships unlocked. While it still says Verizon when you boot the phone, all you have to do is pop another SIM card in the slot and it will work on another carrier.

I purchased this phone from a Verizon Store and the salesman actually told me that it is unlocked. The first thing I tried when I got it home was to try an AT&T SIM card and it worked.

Nokia is Not Planning a Flagship Windows Phone

By Rich W Woods

So far, we have seen four new Windows Phone 8.1 smart phones from Nokia: the Lumia 530, Lumia 630, Lumia 635, and Lumia 930. The Nokia Lumia 930 is the closest thing to a flagship device that Nokia has released since Windows Phone 8.1 was released.

The Nokia Lumia 930 Doesn’t Count

The Nokia Lumia 930 is not sold in the United States. While one could purchase the phone from Amazon or other online retailers, you couldn’t walk into a Microsoft Store and buy it.

Also, the Nokia Lumia 930 really isn’t a flagship device. Like the Lumia 1520 and the Lumia Icon, the Nokia Lumia 930 uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor which is basically the high end processor of last year. The current flagship Android phones – the HTC One M8, the Samsung Galaxy S5, the LG G3, and the Sony Xperia Z2 – all use Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processors.

How Fast can Microsoft Put Broadwell in a Surface Pro?

By Rich W Woods

Microsoft has released three Surface Pros since the original shipped in February. In fact, they released three Surface Pros in 15 months.

HTC One M8 Makes History with a Windows Phone Variant

By Rich W Woods

HTC announced today that it is going to ship the HTC One M8 with Windows Phone as the operating system. For the first time in computer history (not just smart phone history), a device is being sold and the consumer has the choice of which operating system they want to use at the time of purchase.

There is no word on if existing HTC One M8 owners will be able to side load Windows Phone.

Windows 9 Preview Coming Soon

By Rich W Woods

The nightmare of Windows 8 will soon be over. Microsoft will reportedly be releasing a preview version of Windows 9 late September to early October.

Windows 9 Might Be Free

Rumors have long been that Microsoft would release Windows “Threshold” for free to all Windows 7 and Windows 8 customers. Being that the Windows 9 preview will be free, it could show that the full version of Windows 9 will be free as well. The other option would be that preview users would either have to pay $199 for Windows 9 or roll back to Windows 7 or Windows 8.

Windows 8.1 Update August Update is Here

By Rich W Woods

Back on April 8, 2014, Microsoft released Windows 8.1 Update. While it was long believed that the August update would be called Windows 8.1 Update 2, that’s not what happened.

Nokia Lumia 1520: A User Review

By Rich W Woods

I’ve been using a Nokia Lumia 1520 for almost two weeks now. Having a 6″ screen, I was shocked at how much I fell in love with this phone.

Nokia Lumia 1520: The Screen

The Nokia Lumia 1520 has a 6″ AMOLED screen. Being an AMOLED screen, it looks much better than an LCD screen. On an AMOLED screen, certain pixels can actually be turned off making black colors a true black. Samsung also uses AMOLED screens on their phones making this a similar phone to the Galaxy Note 3, especially since they both have large screens and Snapdragon 800 processors.

How Much Does Lumia Cyan Improve the Camera?

By Rich W Woods

We all know about the tons of features packed into Windows Phone 8.1. If you care about it at all, you have probably been using the Preview for Developers since April when it was released. After all, it’s free and easy to get.

Lumia Cyan

What you probably haven’t used yet is the firmware update that comes bundled with it called Lumia Cyan on Nokia Windows Phones. Firmware is what makes the hardware work better and with Lumia Cyan, the difference with the camera is notable.