This week, on the 14th of May, Microsoft launched a new technical preview version of Windows 10 Mobile, named Build 10080.
It brings the new Windows Store on the mobile OS, which for now is called Store Beta. Aside from apps, it allows the purchase of movies and TV shows.In the future, music purchasing will also be possible, as well as the promised carrier billing option.
Also new are the previews of universal apps, in the Store Beta, for Office software such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint, as well as the Xbox app which lets users check their feeds, achievements, friends list, alerts and messages from Xbox Live and connect to a Xbox One device.
Another novelty is the new Camera app for Windows 10. There are yet some features on the higher end Lumia devices (the 640 and 640XL, the 830, 930 ,1020 and the 1520) that are not yet supported in the Camera app, but this issue will be fixed in the coming weeks.
This new Windows 10 Technical Preview works on some previously unsupported handsets, such as the Lumia 640 and 640XL, Lumia 930/Lumia Icon and the first phone manufactured by another company, the HTC One (M8).
All these developments and the rapid succession of preview builds for Windows 10 Mobile (there have been 4 already this year), as well as the continuing support for Windows Phone 8.1 (with 2 updates in 2015), have attracted LG’s attention.
Their move was to launch a smartphone for the US Verizon carrier, named Lancet which runs Windows 8.1. It has similar specs to the Lumia 640, with a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, a 8MP camera and 8GB internal storage. The screen is a bit smaller though, at 4.5 inches, the battery is rated at only 2100 mAh and the front camera has only a VGA resolution.
Still, the LG Lancet is a good package and at only $120 off contract, or $19.99 with a 2 year contract, it is a solid option for anyone who wants a capable smartphone with a simple and fast OS. It is already available on Verizon’s website and will arrive in the carrier’s stores on 21st of May.
Of course the LG Lancet will get the Windows 10 upgrade when the final version of the operating system is released later this year.
With Windows 10 for PC scheduled to appear this summer and Windows 10 Mobile following soon after, it is a great time for both users and manufacturers to keep an eye on what Microsoft is up to and maybe give the Windows platform a try.
Image Source: Anandtech
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