Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK) (BIT:NOK1V) (HEL:NOK1V) has unveiled its new DT-903 wireless charging pad. This particular charging plate is different than its predecessors because it will also glow to notify users that they have a notification. This will make it easier to see when there’s a missed call or an error in charging. It will even glow to tell users that their smartphone’s battery has less than 30% of a charge left on it.
Details on Nokia’s new charger
Engadget reports that Nokia’s new wireless charger works with Qi-powered Lumia devices (both tablets and smartphones) with Bluetooth 4.0. To use the charger and receive visual cues about notifications that are waiting, users simply pair their smartphone to it like they would any Bluetooth device while it’s not on the charger.
Users can choose white, orange or green, and the light given off by the charger matches the charger’s color. The plus of the flashing light is different depending on what kind of notification is waiting for the user. The charger is priced at $59 and should be available for purchase in October.
Microsoft unveils its own Lumia accessory
Nokia isn’t the only one showing off a new accessory for Lumia devices. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) itself has a new device that looks like a hockey puck that mirrors what’s on a phone or tablet’s screen onto a connected TV. Gizmodo reports that at first, it looks like a competitor to Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) (NASDAQ:GOOG)’s Chromecast. However, The Screen Share device works more like a Miracast hub, utilizing near field communication to begin screen sharing by tapping to pair devices.
Lumia gets an update
Windows Phone also recently got the latest update, which is called Denim and follows Amber, Black and Cyan. The update delivers Microsoft’s Cortana digital assistant in languages that are more localized for where users live. It also adds more contextual knowledge for users in Australia, the U.K., India and China and enables users to call up Cortana by simply saying, “Hey Cortana” in a similar fashion to the “OK Google” voice prompt for Google Now.
In addition to those updates, Denim offers improvements to the Lumia cameras, speeding up the startup and cutting down on shutter lag. It enables users to take photos faster because imaging processing occurs in the background. The camera on the Lumia 1520 and the Lumia 930 also takes 4K video now through the Moment Capture, while the Lumia 830 camera takes full HD video after the update. Users can also change how much flash they use when taking photos.
