ICYMI: March 7, 2015

A lot can happen in a week. New apps join the Windows Phone Store or Windows Store. Your favorite apps can get a big update with a new look or new features. Device rumors come and go. Seven days might not seem like much, but it can be an eternity in the tech news cycle. Every week we're going to compile the biggest stories into one post, so you never fall behind – In Case You Missed It (ICYMI).

Windows Phone

  • Acer is back in the Windows Phone fold with the Liquid M220 [Read]
  • Microsoft's Project Spartan web browser demoed on Windows 10 for phones [Read]
  • Microsoft announces the $180 Lumia 640 with a 5-inch HD display, Glance and Dual-SIM LTE [Read]
  • Microsoft reveals the Lumia 640 XL affordable-phablet Windows Phone with a 5.7-inch HD display [Read]
  • Microsoft shows off the new Office for Windows Phone [Read]
  • Microsoft confirms that a Windows Phone flagship won't arrive until Windows 10 'is ready' [Read]
  • Settings gets a visual refresh in Windows Phone 8.1 Update 2 [Read]
  • Windows Phone 8.1 Update 2 will add support for Bluetooth keyboards [Read]
  • Nokia Lumia 1520.3 now getting the Lumia Denim update [Read]
  • Verizon approves ATIV SE Windows Phone 8.1.1 updates, now available [Read]
  • Denim update rolling out to Lumia 830 in India [Read]
  • Kyocera prototype puts Windows Phone onto its rough and tough Torque [Read]
  • First Impressions of the Microsoft Lumia 532 [Read]
  • The Cherry Mobile Alpha is a nice lower-end Windows Phone for the Philippines [Read]
  • Alcatel OneTouch slips out a Windows 10 prototype at MWC 2015 [Read]
  • The Coship X1 is a premium feeling, water-resistant Windows Phone [Read
  • You can pin individual settings to the Start screen in Windows Phone 8.1 Update 2 [Read
  • Softcard app support will officially end for Windows Phone on March 31 [Read]
  • Lumia 535 getting new OS and firmware update, likely addresses display touch issue [Read]

Microsoft + Windows

  • New OS market share data shows slight gain for Windows 8.1, Windows XP [Read]
  • Microsoft reveals Coship Mobile as new Windows Phone hardware partner [Read]
  • Microsoft reveals its Windows 10 universal apps plans to developers at MWC 2015 [Read]
  • Leaked Spartan browser demoed in new video, shows off Cortana integration [Read]
  • Surface Pro 3 wins Best Mobile Tablet at Global Mobile Awards during MWC 2015 [Read]
  • Microsoft gears up for online Band sales again as preorders go live, shipping in 2 weeks [Read]
  • Phil Harrison reportedly planning to depart Microsoft [Read]
  • New screenshots reveal more about Spartan browser's interface [Read]
  • Start menu transparency revealed in latest Windows 10 build leak [Read]
  • Windows 10 grabs Movies & TV area in the Windows Store as Xbox Video begins to fade [Read]

Apps

  • IRCTC Windows Phone app updated with a few new features [Read / Download]
  • Netflix updated for Windows Phone, likely address recent playback issues [Read / Download]
  • Telegram Messenger Beta is popular in South America, rolls out update to fix scaling issues [Read / Download]
  • Telefónica to launch Movistar TV Go for Windows Phone with Cortana Spanish support [Read]
  • Xbox One SmartGlass and WhatsApp Video Optimizer both pick up updates [Read / Download SmartGlass /Download WhatsApp Video Optimizer]
  • First look: What's coming to Opera Mini for Windows Phone [Read]
  • Tetra Lockscreen app gets unpublished from the Windows Phone Store [Read]
  • Flipboard update brings topics, magazine management tools and bug fixes [Read / Download]
  • Microsoft Remote Desktop for Windows Phone comes out of preview [Read / Download]
  • Latest update to Xbox Music for Windows fixes several syncing issues [Read / [Download]
  • Latest 6tag update for Windows Phone adds a refresh button and more [Read / Download]

Games

  • Candy Crush Saga for Windows Phone updated with new levels [Read / Download]
  • Epic Games ditches monthly fee for developers who use Unreal Engine 4 [Read ]
  • Dungeon Hunter 5 slashes its way onto Windows and Windows Phone on March 12 [Read
  • Pulpi Rescue for Windows Phone - battling an angry school of fish [Read / Download]
  • Escape Fast! is our Windows Phone myAppFree Deal of the Week [Read / Download]
  • Shadow Fight 2 lands some kick-ass moves onto Windows PCs and tablets [Read / Download for Windows Phone / Download for Windows]
  • Cross-buy will let gamers purchase and play games across all of their Windows 10 devices [Read]
  • GDC 2015: We get our hands on Crossy Road for Windows Phone 8 [Read]
  • Despicable Me: Minion Rush updates have ended for Windows Phone and Windows 8.1 [Read / Download for Windows Phone / Download for Windows]
  • Latest Subway Surfers update takes you on a tour of India [Read] / [Download]

Xbox

  • Out This Week on Xbox One: ScreamRIde, OlliOlli, Zombie Army Trilogy and more! [Read]
  • Battlefield Hardline Premium to cost $50 for access to DLC packs and extra features [Read]
  • This week's Deals with Gold include The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Assassin's Creed Unity and more [Read]
  • Xbox 360 owners can now claim free Xbox One games from their console [Read]
  • Microsoft announces preview program for Xbox 360 [Read]
  • IGN and Nerdist apps make their debut on the Xbox One [Read]
  • Sunset Overdrive's 'Dawn of the Rise of the Fallen Machines' DLC lands on April 1 [Read]
  • Microsoft reveals a ton of upcoming ID@Xbox games coming to the Xbox One [Read]
  • Wolfenstein: The Old Blood for Xbox One has BJ Blazkowicz fighting Nazis once again [Read]
  • What Microsoft revealed about Xbox and Windows 10 today at GDC 2015 [Read]
  • Rock Band 4 will thrash its way to the Xbox One in 2015 [Read]
  • Microsoft is talking with its rivals to learn how to stop Xbox Live DDoS attacks [Read]

Extra and Miscellaneous

  • The Samsung Galaxy S6, complete with 115GB of OneDrive, OneNote and SkypeE [Read]
  • Sandisk's new 200GB microSD card brings massive storage in a tiny size [Read]
  • Missed the Microsoft MWC event? You can now watch it in full! [Read]
  • Intel's upcoming Atom x3 processor could be used inside Windows 10-based phones [Read]
  • Lenovo's Pocket Projector is an affordable way to pump videos to your wall (or ceiling) [Read]
  • Valve's upcoming 'Steam Link' will let you stream PC games to your TV [Read
  • GDC 2015: The Windows 10 and Xbox One event in-depth [Read]

Share your thoughts on this past week of Windows Phone, Windows, Xbox and Microsoft news!

Seth Brodeur