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Despite all the successes Microsoft has been having with its Lumia phones, it appears that we may soon see less Lumia phone releases in the near future. This comes about as Microsoft have laid off 7800 employees "generally working on smartphones" and writing off the $7.6 billion Nokia acquisition. In response to rumours that Microsoft would stop making Lumia phones entirely, Satya Nadella, Microsoft's current CEO announced that there would be restructuring and streamlining, resulting in flagship, business and value smartphone categories for any new upcoming Lumia smartphones. Bloomberg also found out that there may be just 1 or 2 devices for each category. Obviously, Microsoft have already released more than six Lumia smartphones already, but this likely means that this streamlined approach will be the way Microsoft will operate their streamlined phone business from now on. As it is, we are expecting some flagship Lumia smartphones to appear shortly.

Most of the world's businesspeople use Microsoft Office to do work so according to Microsoft, they should also use their Lumia smartphones for the same purpose. Utilizing their Microsoft Lumia 640 XL, Microsoft have come up with a video showing just that and how easy it all could be if you switch your smartphone to a Lumia 640 XL. This is by no means a rumour but do take this with a grain of salt as it may not be the best fit for everyone. In any case the Lumia 640 XL certainly offers fairly good midrange tech specs and features such as a quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor, 1GB RAM, 8GB storage, 5.7-inch 720p display, 4G LTE connectivity, 13MP rear camera and 5MP front camera. These should be more than enough to do work on the go. While it is running Windows Phone 8.1, the Lumia 640 XL and a some other Lumia smartphones will soon get a Windows 10 upgrade. Check out the video for yourself in this article.

Microsoft Devices has just announced that the Microsoft Lumia 540 Dual SIM smartphone  will be available at all authorized dealers and distributors from 19 June 2015. It will be priced for only RM569. Tech specs and features include a 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor, 1GB RAM, 8GB storage + up to 128GB microSD, 5-inch laminated display with 1280 x 720 pixel resolution, 8MP auto focus rear camera, 5MP wide angle front camera and 2200 mAh battery. The Lumia 540 Dual SIM measures in at 144 x 73.7 x 8.6mm and weighs 152g. It will also come with Microsoft Office, Skype and OneDrive with Dual SIM support. There will be black, cyan, orange and white colours to choose from but this is what Microsoft Devices had to say about it:

“The Lumia 540 Dual SIM is a welcome addition to our affordable smartphone portfolio running the latest Windows Phone 8.1 operating system and Denim update. With its generous HD display, front and rear cameras, great apps, and Microsoft Office, Skype and OneDrive built-in, the Lumia 540 Dual SIM is a well-rounded package at an appealing price.”Bruce Howe, General Manager, Microsoft Mobile Devices Sales for Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei.

With 5 Microsoft Authorized Reseller stores already launched Microsoft are launching 2 more stores this weekend at Lowyat Plaza on 13 June 2015 and The Mines on 14 June 2015. As usual the store will offer a hands-on experience for Microsoft products like Windows phones, feature phones, Surface tablets, Microsoft Office 365 and more. For customer Sam How, the store opening at The Curve also saw his wedding proposal to his girlfriend of 7 years (who said yes). While there may be no extra festivities this weekend, do check out this article for promotions and activities for the aforementioned store launches.

Microsoft is picking up the pace for their ultimate goal of 39 Microsoft Authorized Reseller stores by opening 2 new stores here in Malaysia. This will include a Microsoft Authorized Reseller store in The Gardens Mall on 30 May 2015. Another store will be opened at One Utama on 31 May 2015. As usual the store will offer a hands-on experience for Microsoft products like Windows phones, feature phones, Surface tablets, Microsoft Office 365 and more. Check out the promotions and activities in this article.

In line with their previous statement to open 39 more Authorized Reseller stores in Malaysia by end of 2015, Microsoft Malaysia will be opening their second Authorized Reseller store at Sunway Pyramid on 23 May 2015. Like the first store recently opened in KLCC, this store in Sunway Pyramid will feature an assortment of best-in-class Microsoft products, including Windows Phones, Feature Phones, Surface devices as well as Windows, Microsoft Office 365 and more. Visitors can get a hands-on experience of all these devices and products, and special consumer training sessions will also be available on the opening day. If you've been curious about Windows 10, a preview version of the operating system will also be made available to try. Check out this article for more promotions, deals and details.

While it was announced earlier alongside the Microsoft Lumia 640 and Lumia 640 XL, the Microsoft Lumia 430 Dual SIM smartphone will be available for users in Malaysia at a super affordable price of RM319 starting from 8 May 2015. As a refresher, tech specs and features of the Lumia 430 Dual SIM include a 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor, 8GB storage + up to 128GB microSD + free 30GB OneDrive, 4-inch WVGA display, 2MP rear camera, VGA front camera and 1500 mAh battery. Measuring in at 120.5 x 63.2 x 10.6mm and 127.9g the Lumia 430 Dual SIM offers a tough but curvy polycarbonate casing in black and bright orange. Here's what Microsoft Mobile Devices had to say about it:

“The Lumia 430 is our latest introduction to the Malaysian market which brings Windows Phone experiences to a new level, and at an even lower price point, making it possible for more people to own a Windows Phone. Lumia 430 made us look for new ways to drive technological innovation by keeping the cost low and delivering greater value with the latest Windows Phone experiences like Live Tiles and Action Center. It will also come with Office, Skype and OneDrive built-in, and will be upgradable to Windows 10.” Bruce Howe, General Manager, Microsoft Mobile Devices Sales for Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei

Microsoft Malaysia has sent out the invites and it looks like Malaysia will be the first country in the Asia Pacific to get their own Microsoft Store. Located at Suria KLCC on Level 3, the Microsoft Store will offer users first hand access to Microsoft products like the Microsoft Lumia smartphones and Surface tablets along with the various accessories for each of Microsoft products available in Malaysia. If you're looking to get some hands-on time of your own, do swing by on 9 May 2015 at Suria KLCC. Rumours indicate that this could mean that we're finally getting local support for the Microsoft Xbox game console, but these are still early days and we can't confirm that just yet. In addition, Microsoft have also opened up a Facebook event page stating that you could also win 2 tickets to Paris. We expect more prizes to be also up for grabs so do check them out for yourselves. 

The larger Microsoft Lumia 640 XL recently passed into our hands for a little hands-on of the 5.7-inch display Lumia smartphone. Other notable tech specs include a 13MP rear camera with ZEISS lens and a 5MP front camera. Unlike the Lumia 640, the larger Lumia 640 XL has a matte back with a raised camera perhaps due to the ZIESS lens and larger sensor size. Despite the larger screen, we found the Lumia 640 XL to be surprisingly comfortable in the hand with a fairly thin profile despite being 9mm thick. At 171g it weighs lighter than most phablets but do check out our hands-on photos below for yourself.

The recently released Microsoft Lumia 640 Dual SIM is the slightly smaller smartphone compared to the Lumia 640 XL but for Windows Phone users it does offer a much larger screen than most are used to. That being said, the Lumia 640 is slimmer and more compact with a glossy surface backside. Like most other Lumias the Lumia 640 felt quite solid but still quite lightweight at 145g. The 8MP rear camera is flat compared to the other smartphone though and looks sleeker as well. Check out our hands-on photos in this article.