Nokia Lumia 930: Top 10 features to tempt buyers over iPhone, Android
Nokia's last hurrah has plenty to recommend itself
Thanks to stellar efforts by Nokia the release of each new Lumia smartphone has seen an increase in Windows Phone's overall share of the smartphone market. In fact, according to most analysts' estimates, Nokia's efforts mean one out of every 10 smartphones shipped is now a Windows Phone.
As a result Nokia caused quite a storm when it unveiled its latest flagship, the Lumia 930, in April. Featuring a host of top end internal components and coming preloaded with Microsoft's latest Windows Phone 8.1 operating system the Lumia 930 had the potential to be the finest Windows Phone ever released.
Handsets launch this month and we found the Lumia 930 was worth the wait as it is one of the finest smartphones currently available. However, coming loaded with more innovative features than can easily be counted some buyers have justifiably missed some of the Lumia 930's more subtle, but equally great, charms. Here to help we've collated the definitive list detailing the Lumia 930's best features.
10. Free stuff bundled
We all like getting free stuff and the Nokia Lumia 930 has plenty of that. For the first two weeks of availability, between 17 July and 31 July, those buying the Lumia 930 will get a bunch of free stuff.
The offers include a wireless charger, an MD-12 speaker, and a £20 voucher for apps from the Windows Store. All in all, this gear is said to be worth around £130.
Of course this is nothing more than sheer bribary but for many this often works, especially that wireless charger, which is one of unique aspects of the Lumia range that rivals such as the iPhone and Android devices cannot match.
Nokia Lumia 930: Top 10 features to tempt buyers over iPhone, Android
Nokia's last hurrah has plenty to recommend itself
9.Mobile Device Management
Before Windows Phone 8.1, the mobile operating system's enterprise appeal was limited by its lack of strong device management (MDM) options. The lack of MDM was a big deal as it meant IT managers couldn't lock down or manage previous Lumia handsets connecting to their network to control the devices and block dangerous activity, like connecting to unsecured WiFi networks or using inappropriate consumer applications for work purposes.
Now this problem has been fixed on the Lumia 930, which comes running Microsoft's latest Windows Phone 8.1 operating system. Featuring full MDM capabilities, Windows Phone 8.1, and as a consequence the Lumia 930, now offer IT managers key powers over the device, such as the ability to block certain applications from being installed or run, and to remotely lock or wipe handsets.
These powers make the Lumia 930 one of the best bring your own device options currently available.
8. Wireless charging to stand out from the crowd
As noted in point 10, wireless charging is on offer from the Lumia 930 and this is definitely something that sets the device apart from other non-Windows Phone smartphones.
The technology works by allowing users to place their phones on a charging ‘pillow’ which is plugged in, thus removing the need to fiddly around with cables and connections and all entails.
It may be a bit of a gimmick but it is a fairly nifty extra selling point and one that other vendors may look to copy in the future.
7. Super vibrant Clearblack display
Windows Phone 8 brought with it support for 1080p HD screens, and the Nokia Lumia 930 takes full advantage of this, boasting a 5in 1920x1080 display. This gives the handset a 441ppi screen density, an improvement on the Lumia 1520's 367ppi offering, and higher than the Galaxy S5's 432ppi screen.
As well as challenging its competitors in terms of pixels, the Lumia 930's screen also boasts both Amoled and Clearblack screen technology, which means colours are vivid and blacks deep.
With Nokia's Clearblack technology onboard, it will also likely trump its rivals when it comes to outdoor visibility, with the likes of the iPhone 5S proving near impossible to use in direct sunlight.
Nokia Lumia 930: Top 10 features to tempt buyers over iPhone, Android
Nokia's last hurrah has plenty to recommend itself
6. Action Center
Action Center is perhaps the most-requested feature that Windows Phone 8.1 brings with it, and it sees the operating system finally catching up with its iOS and Android competitors.
Essentially a combination of Apple's Notification Center and quick shortcuts menu, Windows Phone's new ‘Action Center' allows users to view notifications - be it Facebook likes, emails or Skype messages - in one place, without having to go into individual applications.
The pull-down bar, accessed by swiping down from the top of a handset's screen, also brings with it toggles for settings, allowing users to connect to WiFi and Bluetooth, or to switch on Airplane mode or rotation lock, just with one tap.
5. WiFi Security
Open WiFi networks are a minefield of security issues and are often used by both hackers and overzealous intelligence agencies to spy on, hack and do generally nasty things to unsuspecting users connecting them.
This fact has been known since at least 2011 when German researchers uncovered a flaw in Android which could leave users' contact information exposed. As a result the Lumia 930's robust WiFi management and security features will prove a key selling point for the handset.
The features are important as they not only warn users when they are connecting to a possible insecure network, they also block any malicious or suspicious website from loading when the user is browsing the world wide web.
Nokia Lumia 930: Top 10 features to tempt buyers over iPhone, Android
Nokia's last hurrah has plenty to recommend itself
4. Internet Explorer 11
In the past we've not been fans of Microsoft mobile Internet Explorer web browser, which in general offered significantly worse performance and features than Firefox and Chrome. Luckily all this has changed on the Lumia 930, which comes loaded with Microsoft's latest Internet Explorer 11 browser.
Internet Explorer is a radical upgrade to past IE versions and features a number of new services. These include infinite tab web browsing support, more accurate URL predictions that learn from your web surfing habits and the ability to pin regularly visited pages to the Lumia 930's home screen as dynamically updating tile shortcuts.
Add to this Internet Explorer 11's super fast browsing speeds and lightweight system demands and we have applaud Microsoft for its stellar work improving the service and list it as one of the Lumia 930's key selling points.
3. Key Microsoft apps from the off
For business types having built-in Office, Excel, PowerPoint and Word applications is a great benefit. While other platforms now have these tools, Microsoft offers them from the off, for no extra cost.
This is an easy way to justify the purchase for those who want to make sure their new mobile device will help them get work stuff done on-the-go .
For companies offering bring-your-own or choose-your-own device policies it also makes it a worthwhile phone to keep the enterprise moving.
Nokia Lumia 930: Top 10 features to tempt buyers over iPhone, Android
Nokia's last hurrah has plenty to recommend itself
2. Pureview camera that blows the competition out of the water
Nokia's been carving out a name for itself in the camera phone market since it unveiled its first Pureview handset, the 808 Pureview, in 2011. While the Lumia 930 doesn't feature the same 41MP camera sensor that made Nokia famous in the world of photography, the handset's 20MP Pureview camera is still pretty impressive and still smokes 99 percent of the competition when it comes to imaging quality.
This is helped by the inclusion of Nokia's Pro camera app. The Pro app offers users significantly more control over the camera's settings than competing apps. Features include the ability to do change the ISO setting and adjust the shutter speed and white balance.
The extra controls make the Lumia 930 one of the best choices available to smartphone buyers looking for a handset with more than basic point and shoot options.
1. Hacker and snoop busting VPN support
Given recent revelations regarding the US NSA and UK GCHQ's mass surveillance campaigns, communications security is currently a top concern for businesses and end users. As a result, the Lumia 930's in built VPN support is a massive bonus.
For those that don't know, VPNs stop hackers or overzealous intelligence agencies monitoring communications by setting up secure lines of communication that set up a private network between devices across public networks.
Specifically they set up an encrypted tunnel between the smartphone and VPN provider's servers. When in the tunnel, data is protected and encrypted ensuring it cannot be siphoned or stolen while in transit.
As an added bonus the use of the VPN hides the user's activities and location, making their movements invisible to the outside world.