VP of Design at Nokia interviewed by The Guardian

WP Central

The Guardian has interviewed Marko Ahtisaari (seen above), executive vice president of design at Nokia. Beingness responsible for the look and feel of the Lumia family of handsets, Ahtisaari was questioned on how the unique polycarbonate body design (Lumia 800 and 900) came to exist, the partnership (and integration) with Microsoft, and what will be brought to the table past Nokia adjacent.

"Live Tiles; they're abstractions of data, a panoramic view of your data. It'southward a dissimilar approach - 'glanceability', such as in the People Hub. Our goal in the studio is to design and so that people tin have their head up once again. Touchscreen designs are often immersive; we'll ofttimes meet couples in a eating place pinching and zooming, but not interacting with each other. And there's a trend of having smaller and smaller targets on screen so you accept to get closer and closer.

If we tin make the interfaces more than direct, so y'all tin can accept your caput upwards again – this is something that, while it would never come upward in a focus group, is deeply appreciated past people, because the most important things are happening not only in the vessel of your phone, but also with the people and the environment effectually you."

Discussing MeeGo, iOS and Android, Ahtisaari speaks highly of the platform UIs, but notes fragmentation and lack of development since innovation (especially the example with iOS). We shouldn't view what'south currently available as the end of user interface evolution, he continues:

"They will exist more diversity in user interface because you tin design more means to utilize a phone. Some people would say that the iPhone is the new generic form. My signal is more near competitive multifariousness. What's really important is that this isn't styling. This aesthetic come from the way that we build the product."

Caput over to The Guardian to read up on the interview in full. There's more to come from the Finnish manufacturer, which can simply exist good news for Windows Phone.

Source: The Guardian (image credit), thanks @samsabri for the tip!

New report reveals Microsoft's future AR strategy; HoloLens 3 is dead

Oh Dear

New report reveals Microsoft'southward future AR strategy; HoloLens three is expressionless

Business concern Insider has today published a follow-up written report with more details about Microsoft's canceled HoloLens 3 augmented reality headset. The partnership with Samsung is said to include a headset with a set of screens inside, powered by a Samsung phone in your pocket.

Keeping it affordable

Review: Surface Laptop SE is the new standard for K-8 Windows PCs

Starting at just $250, Microsoft'south first foray into affordable laptops for the education market is a winner. With a gorgeous design, fantabulous thermals, and a fantastic typing experience, Microsoft would do right to sell this directly to consumers besides. Let's just hope Intel can make a amend CPU.

Best deals on Xbox headsets

Our top picks for Xbox headsets below $100

Do y'all fancy a new Xbox Ane headset? Do yous fancy not spending more than than $100? Let us assistance! In that location's a large range of solid audio options without breaking your upkeep. And here are our elevation picks that nosotros've personally used.