Windows Mobile Weekly Digest: March 20, 2016

News
By Seth Brodeur
last updated

There's a lot going on in the world of Windows Phone. So much, in fact, that it is sometimes tough to catch every important story.

Device rumors come and go. New apps join the Windows Phone Store, and your favorite app can get a big update with a new look or new features.

Therefore, every week we will compile a list of the Windows Phone news that you just shouldn't miss. Welcome to the "Windows Mobile Weekly Digest."

Windows Mobile

Windows Mobile

Last week, rumors circulated about the Alcatel Idol Pro 4's hardware. The latest word corroborates previous rumblings about a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor and adds an alleged 64GB of storage, 4GB of RAM, a 22MP rear camera, and a 10MP front-facing camera. According to the report, the Idol Pro 4 will also have a 6-inch screen with possible 2K resolution and will ship with the Windows 10 first "Redstone" update pre-installed.

This week noted internet news leaker, Evan "evleaks" Blass posted and alleged render of Idol 4 Pro with. Of course, all of this needs to be taken with a grain of salt, but if true, the Idol 4 Pro could shape up to be a pretty stellar device.

AT&T Lumia 950 owners who are not enrolled in the Insider program began receiving Windows 10 Mobile build 10586.164. The same Lumia 950s also picked up a firmware update, bringing it to version 1078.00038.16025.39033.

Microsoft officially started rolling out the Windows 10 Mobile over-the-air update to many devices running Windows Phone 8.1. While this is exciting news for many Windows Phone users, phones with 512MB RAM will not be upgraded to Windows 10 Mobile. Nor will the Lumia 1020 and some other older Windows Phone 8.1 models.

You can see whether or not your phone is eligible for the upgrade and learn how to get it here.

If your Windows 8.1 device isn't going to get the over-the-air upgrade, you may still be able to get Insider builds of Windows 10 Mobile. And if you're an Insider already, you can see how the official update will affect you.

Other notable items:

Apps

Apps

There was big news in the app department when Instagram released their new Windows 10 Mobile app as an early beta last week. We went hands-on with beta app, which it turns out, was actually ported over from iOS. The newborn Instagram app even picked up its first small update.

A video and some screenshots of another social media app, the upcoming Facebook Messenger for Windows 10, leaked online. Shortly after, it even appeared in the Store, though it was not available for download.

LINE became truly universal, rolling out a mobile version of their app for Windows 10. Version 5.0 also added the ability to send any file to other users.

Twitter put out an update for their Windows 10 Mobile and it looks beautiful. We gave you a first-hand look at the new mobile app.

Bank of America announced the triumphant return to Windows. On March 28, the bank will launch a brand new universal app for Windows 10 PC and Mobile that will allow customers to pay bills, deposit checks, transfer money, and more.

Despite earlier reports that Spotify ended support for its Windows Phone app, the opposite is actually true. Not only did the company reiterate their commitment to the Windows ecosystem, but they also rolled out an update for Windows 10.

Sadly, the same cannot be said for the HERE suite of apps. As of March 29, the collection will no longer be available in the Store and the apps will cease to function entirely on June 30.

However, the news isn't all bad. Microsoft will continue to use HERE Maps data for their branded apps. They've already updated Maps for Windows 10 Mobile with a new drive mode and user interface.

Not a fan? You may want to give one of these excellent alternatives to HERE Maps a try.

Other notable items:

Games

Games

Last week, King updated their suite of Candy Crush games this week. Candy Crush Saga picked up 15 new levels in an episode called Divine Diner.

Candy Crush Jelly Saga added 20 levels and a boss named Liquorice Larry. And the Monkey King swung his way into Candy Crush Soda Saga topping off twenty new levels in the Gumdrop Gongfu! episode.

Age of Empires: Castle Siege brought 20 new missions to the kingdom as well. The game also got an updated tutorial, new objectives to earn honor items, Daily Combat Rewards, and more.

This week, the popular cross-platform strategy game Dawn of Steel launched on Windows Phone and Windows 10.

Game Troopers released yet another game. This time, it's the Tiki Taka Soccer, where you get to build a team, hire a manager, and play your way to the championship.

And Hipster Whale announced that Mickey Mouse and over 100 other Disney characters will be heading to their hit game Crossy Road.

Other notable items:

Seth Brodeur
Seth Brodeur