Windows

Microsoft might enter the phablet game with an extra row of live tiles for 5"+ Windows Phones

posted by Daniel P. / Apr 12, 2013, 2:02 AM

After the inevitable support of Full HD 1080 displays, Microsoft is now tipped to lay the groundwork for large 5"+ handsets by outfitting the deck of Live Tiles with an additional row, where appropriate. Translation - Windows Phone will enter the phablet game with the upcoming fall version of its mobile OS:

One of my contacts confirmed that... the so-called "GDR3" (General Distribution Release 3) Windows Phone 8 update is where Microsoft will make this change. My contact said GDR3 will add support for five- to six-inch devices with 1080p support. Along with the higher resolution, GDR3 also could include changes in the start screen and core Windows Phone 8 apps, such as possibly adding a third column of apps in the start screen, my source added.

GDR3 is expected to be the last Windows Phone 8 OS update Microsoft releases before it introduces Windows Phone Blue. Windows Phone Blue is expected to arrive a number of months after Windows Blue, a k a Windows 8.1, possibly as late as early 2014.

Microsoft might enter the phablet game with an extra row of live tiles for 5

source: ZDNet via WPDaily

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26 Comments

1. RaKithAPeiRiZ

Posts: 1488; Member since: Dec 29, 2011

we added a extra row of icons , its revolutionary ....wait that's Apple's line ..

posted on Apr 12, 2013, 2:18 AM 29

5. Wiki_jaan

Posts: 704; Member since: Jun 24, 2012

apple ll sue them coz every new row patent by apple...... MS beware adding new row......

posted on Apr 12, 2013, 2:28 AM 21

14. EXkurogane

Posts: 863; Member since: Mar 07, 2013

It looks a bit too cluttered messy, how about that extra screen space on left side used as a vertical bar for notifications, touch the bar to pull out to see preview (opps, sounds like copying BB10 OS, but meego was also like that i think), and if u swype the screen on the right u see full notification center. At least it is not a pull down from the top like Android and iOS.

posted on Apr 12, 2013, 4:04 AM 4

20. shikroi

Posts: 187; Member since: Sep 24, 2012

Yeah instead of an extra column they should add something like a charms menu.

posted on Apr 12, 2013, 6:44 AM 0

28. Contreramanjaro

Posts: 153; Member since: Dec 04, 2011

This sounds like a great Idea to me. Charms works really well on Win8, I think it would feel right at home on a large phone like this.

posted on May 02, 2013, 9:43 AM 0

15. haseebzahid

Posts: 1853; Member since: Feb 22, 2012

my thought exaclty but it wasnt revolutionary but Iphonary dont know why this guy pointed out as a tunt or complement

posted on Apr 12, 2013, 5:20 AM 0

17. -box-

Posts: 3991; Member since: Jan 04, 2012

I like this concept, going wider instead of taller. I'd like a slightly larger screen than the 4.5" on the Lumia 920, and 5"-ish with the same overall approximate body size would be great. I'd keep the right column empty to emulate the look of WP7 with the swipe-left to get to the app list, or leave some spaces blank

posted on Apr 12, 2013, 6:03 AM 1

26. Bilpocalypse

Posts: 301; Member since: Oct 13, 2012

Swipe left pulls up the app list. I think it should be swipe right from the left side of the screen.

posted on Apr 12, 2013, 10:59 AM 0

25. akki20892

Posts: 3902; Member since: Feb 04, 2013

they are making more size tiles......!!!

posted on Apr 12, 2013, 10:53 AM 0

2. Timmehor

Posts: 599; Member since: Mar 09, 2013

WOAH, nice. Loving this, can't wait for the next Windows Phone!

posted on Apr 12, 2013, 2:18 AM 17

7. phil2n

Posts: 519; Member since: Apr 30, 2012

Expect Nokia Lumia Mega 6.3 inches.. hahahaha

posted on Apr 12, 2013, 2:48 AM 6

10. Timmehor

Posts: 599; Member since: Mar 09, 2013

Well maybe not that, but it is time for Microsoft and Nokia to mix things up a bit with their phones.

posted on Apr 12, 2013, 2:54 AM 5

18. -box-

Posts: 3991; Member since: Jan 04, 2012

If you mean "mix it up" to mean "offer more high-end options", yes. They have the low- and mid-spec markets well covered (5xx-8xx)

posted on Apr 12, 2013, 6:06 AM 4

27. Dastrix unregistered

Time for some serious Lumia action!

posted on Apr 13, 2013, 11:15 AM 0

3. MC1123

Posts: 1256; Member since: Nov 12, 2012

interesting

posted on Apr 12, 2013, 2:24 AM 4

4. EXkurogane

Posts: 863; Member since: Mar 07, 2013

This simpy shows that future flagship phones are getting bigger, i just dont like this. I could imagine in another year all flagships are more than 5 inches in size.

posted on Apr 12, 2013, 2:24 AM 8

6. Xolar

Posts: 57; Member since: Apr 02, 2013

agree, in the next few years, our so called "Phablet" is now as big as a tablet

posted on Apr 12, 2013, 2:46 AM 6

16. haseebzahid

Posts: 1853; Member since: Feb 22, 2012

dont say it i hate 5 inchers its too big for long calling and onehand usage :(

posted on Apr 12, 2013, 5:24 AM 2

22. Aeires unregistered

Flagship: the finest, largest, or most important one of a series, network, or chain. *Merriam Webster Emphasis should be on finest, not largest. It's almost like the OEM's don't think a medium sized phone can be powerful. While I don't mind a 5" phone, these new Mega phones are ridiculous.

posted on Apr 12, 2013, 9:17 AM 0

8. g2a5b0e unregistered

I applaud this move by Microsoft. If you're gonna make a bigger phone, there's no reason why the extra screen real estate shouldn't be taken advantage of. The original Note allowed for a 5x5 grid of icons as opposed to the standard 4x4 on most Android phones. I was a little disappointed to find that this functionality was absent on the Note 2. Hopefully, it will return on the Note 3.

posted on Apr 12, 2013, 2:52 AM 7

11. TheBitterTruth unregistered

Apple will sue them.

posted on Apr 12, 2013, 2:55 AM 4

12. snowgator

Posts: 3621; Member since: Jan 19, 2011

This is fun. Windows Phone is just chipping away at sales, features, and options. My wife loves WP, but desperately wants a larger screen then her 4.7" Titan 2. Be nice if I can tell her our next set of phones she can have her choices.

posted on Apr 12, 2013, 2:57 AM 3

19. shikroi

Posts: 187; Member since: Sep 24, 2012

ROW or COLUMN? Get it right please. Your title says row, but thats silly since users can add infinite numbers of rows to their start screen. Then your article said column which makes more sense.