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Windows Phone 8 update to bring FM radio support, new gestures to Lumia 920 and Lumia 820: Report

Windows Phone 8 update to bring FM radio support, new gestures to Lumia 920 and Lumia 820: Report

By Anupam Saxena | Updated: 8 April 2013 17:24 IST

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Windows Phone 8 update to bring FM radio support, new gestures to Lumia 920 and Lumia 820: Report

Windows Phone 8 is all set to get a new update. According to a report by The Verge, Microsoft is currently preparing a new Windows Phone 8 update that will bring support for FM radio tuner hardware. The report cites sources familiar with Microsoft's plans to inform that the support for FM hardware will be a part of a General Distribution Release (GDR2) for Windows Phone 8. It mentions that the Nokia Lumia 920 and Lumia 820, among other handsets will start supporting FM radio, following the update, as the hardware is already present.

The report also talks about Nokia's own firmware improvements which would add a new gesture to the Lumia 920 and Lumia 820 that would allow users to wake the device from standby/ lock mode just by tapping on the screen.It will also add a flip to silence option, and Lumia colour profile settings for the device screen, according to The Verge's sources. The minor update is expected to roll out over the coming months.

FM radio hardware was supported till Windows Phone 7.5/ 7.8, but new Windows Phone 8 devices did not offer support for FM radio. It was clarified by Microsoft and OEMs that the exclusion was due to Windows Phone 8's limitations. It seems Nokia has been shipping phones including FM radio hardware waiting for Microsoft to release an update to enable it.

Recently, Microsoft had announced the support dates for its mobile operating systems, Windows Phone 8 and Windows Phone 7.8, on its support pages. The listing had revealed that Microsoft would support Windows Phone 7.8 till September 2014, and Windows Phone 8 till July 2014. However, Microsoft had clarified that that Windows Phone 8 users would be be able to upgrade to the next version of Windows Phone when it comes out. This means that Windows Phone 8 devices would be able to upgrade to the next version of the operating system.

Microsoft is said to be working on Windows Phone Blue, the successor to Windows Phone 8. It had earlier rolled out the Portico update to Windows Phone 8 devices.

Alcatel One Touch Idol

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Display 4.70-inch

Processor 1GHz dual-core

Front Camera 2-megapixel

Rear Camera 8-megapixel

RAM 1GB

Storage 4GB

Battery Capacity 1800mAh

OS Android 4.1

Resolution 540x960 pixels

Alcatel One Touch Idol Ultra

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Slim design and good build quality
Good battery back-up

Bad
Colours look saturated
Camera performance sub-par
No 3.5mm jack

Read detailed Alcatel One Touch Idol Ultra review

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Further reading: Nokia Lumia 820, Microsoft, FM radio, Nokia Lumia 920, Windows Phone, Windows Phone 8, Windows Phone 8 FM radio