All Articles by Robert Brand

Exclusivity deal ends: Three show off Nokia Lumia 920

Submitted by robert brand on Fri, 01/11/2013 - 06:16

Considered by many to be the Windows Phone 8 device to get, the Lumia 920 has unfortunately been locked to a single network here in the UK. That’s all about to end and to celebrate the guys at Three UK have released their first video to introduce the device to their customers.

Since the launch of Windows Phone 8, Three has been carrying only the HTC 8X. To expand that range Three is going to add not only the 920 but the eagerly awaited Lumia 620 too.

Windows Phone "selling like hotcakes" - Intel chip speculation

Submitted by robert brand on Thu, 01/10/2013 - 07:24

Even though Microsoft wasn’t exhibiting at CES this year, doesn’t mean they haven’t been present. From Steven Ballmer taking to the stage at the Qualcomm keynote to some surprise Xbox 360 demos, it’s been busy.

The folks at Computer World caught up with Greg Sullivan. senior product manager for Windows Phone. Seems Greg was eager to share the good news about Windows Phone sales in China and also led some to speculate on a Windows Phone in the pipeline that uses an Intel CPU.

Mehdoh updated to version 3.2

Submitted by robert brand on Thu, 01/10/2013 - 06:08

Why it was only a few days ago that we saw Mehdoh updated with some cool new features to make it Windows Phone 8 friendly. Seems like developer Chris Field isn’t content to leave it there, as today were seeing yet another bump for the popular Swiss army knife of Twitter apps.

Podcatcher updated along with Nokia Transfer My Data

Submitted by robert brand on Thu, 01/10/2013 - 05:45

We recently reviewed Podcatcher and whilst the app is a relative newcomer to the Windows Phone Store it has already caught our eye. One of the reasons for that was the developer's rapid fire updates, quickly adding features and fixes to the app.

Transfer My Data is a Nokia exclusive app to allow quick and painless migration of your data from your old phone to your shiny new Lumia device. Read on to find out more.

Lenovo considering Windows Phone for 2013

Submitted by robert brand on Thu, 01/10/2013 - 04:36

The Consumer Electronics Show continues to give us some hints about what’s coming up for 2013. Lenovo senior executive JD Howard has spilled the beans on their plans to produce a Windows Phone 8 device as early as this year.

Microsoft and Lenovo are tight business partners and the ThinkPad brand is heavily favoured by business and enterprise customers. At present Lenovo have some Android devices on the market but it’s not difficult to see how having a Windows Phone offering may help them sell a more complete Microsoft package.

Nokia signs new deal to put Windows Phones into enterprise

Submitted by robert brand on Wed, 01/09/2013 - 08:01

Good news today for the prospects of seeing more Windows Phone make their way into the important business market. Nokia and Avande have signed a deal to get Microsoft services, Lumia products and expertise into the enterprise.

Avanade is a global business technology solutions and managed services provider. Currently the company is helping a large UK bank replace its current fleet of phones with Windows Phone 8 devices. Read on to find out more.

Nokia Pulse Beta updated: Windows Phone gets a look in

Submitted by robert brand on Wed, 01/09/2013 - 07:21

Nokia have had this one baking in the labs for some time but there still seems no sign that it’s about to leave beta and be made publicly available to all. The app and accompanying service bills itself as “Messaging, now with location”.

Nokia Pulse and its documentation do not seem to have been updated with any changes but essentially it looks as though the bump was to bring it to Windows Phone, as was previously reported.

Amazon Mobile and Fhotoroom for Windows Phone both updated

Submitted by robert brand on Wed, 01/09/2013 - 06:10

The start of the year has already seen a slew of updates for apps and now we’re seeing yet more updates arrive for Windows Phone. This time it’s the turn of Fhotoroom, the popular social networking and photo editing app and Amazon Mobile to get bumped.

Stacks For Instapaper 3.0 Update: Windows Phone 8 features on-board

Submitted by robert brand on Wed, 01/09/2013 - 05:20

Last week we covered the Stacks for Instapaper app for Windows 8, it’s safe to say we think it’s the best way to use Instapaper on your Windows 8 tablet right now. As part of that review we also did a sneak peak of the coming update to the Windows Phone 8 app. Today it has arrived.

The update essentially brings a host of improvements to the mobile app to bring it visually in line with the Windows 8 app while taking on some new features provided by Windows Phone 8.

Messenger users: It’s time to update to Skype

Submitted by robert brand on Wed, 01/09/2013 - 03:30

We reported on the demise of Microsoft’s long serving Messenger instant chat and video calling service some time back. If you are already an existing user then you’ll have been greeted with pop up notices urging you to update to Skype over the last month or so.

Seems like Microsoft is now putting the word out in full, an official email was sent to users today explaining what you’ll need to do and how long the service will continue to work for.

Windows 8 and Windows Phone snubbed by BBC

Submitted by robert brand on Tue, 01/08/2013 - 11:33

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Just recently the BBC released yet more new apps for Apple’s iPhone and announced plans for more support of Google Android devices. The corporation has stated publically the need to make its content available to all in as many ways as possible but has persistently refused to develop a single app for Windows Phone. They now state they have no plans to support a Windows 8 app too.

The BBC have often cited incompatibilities in their chosen media formats with Windows Phone and the relatively small market share for the platform as being reasons not to make an app. In the latest statement from the ‘beeb’ it’s also apparent that market share and file types aren’t the only thing stopping them developing for Microsoft operating systems. Reason and logic don’t seem to come into play.

Windows Phone 8 updates come to SoundHound

Submitted by robert brand on Tue, 01/08/2013 - 08:45

Microsoft kindly built in music recognition into Windows Phone a while back but for the power user they generally need to seek other solutions. One such solution is the SoundHound instant music and discovery service.

With advent of Windows Phone 8 we got some nice new features and many apps have been picking up updates to take advantage of them. SoundHound picks up improved search, fast app resume, enhanced Live tiles and more. Read on to check out the changes.

Twitter app Mehdoh updated: Windows Phone 8 never tweeted so good

Submitted by robert brand on Mon, 01/07/2013 - 14:00

Windows Phone is blessed with some of the best Twitter apps on any platform, one of the heavyweights is undoubtedly Mehdoh. A sleek totally metro app that simply packs in tons of features for your social networking needs. The app has just got another update.

While Windows Phone has plenty of on-board social networking potential little can beat a dedicated app for folks who need that little bit more. We take a look at the latest version of mehdoh, join us.

Dropbox app now available for Windows 8

Submitted by robert brand on Mon, 01/07/2013 - 04:24

Good news for those who have been waiting and anticipating the arrival of Dropbox for Windows 8, it is now available. The popular cloud storage and sharing service has built a reputation as one of the more ubiquitous ways that folks like to share files and so its arrival on Windows 8 as a metro app is significant for the new platform.

The app is available to download for free and will work on both Windows 8 and Windows RT machines allowing you to download and share files at will.

Stacks for Instapaper: A smarter way to read it later

Submitted by robert brand on Sat, 01/05/2013 - 10:12

Keeping up to date with things we want to read can be a constant challenge, thankfully there are services which allow you to save things for later. The premise is simple, notice something on the web that you want to read and you can save it to your reading list. One such service is Instapaper, it essentially allows for a stripped down mobile-friendly version of the article for reading later.Your reading list is stored in the cloud so can be easily accessed on your computer, smartphone and tablet.

Stacks for Instapaper has been around on Windows Phone for some time and consistently gets great reviews in the Windows Phone Store. Stacks is now available on Windows 8 and combined with an upcoming refresh of the phone app it might just make this the best Instapaper experience on both platforms. We review the Windows 8 version while taking a sneak peak at the coming update for the Windows Phone 8 app.

Microsoft testing service to ease Xbox Live ID region changes

Submitted by robert brand on Thu, 01/03/2013 - 12:09

When Windows Phone initially launched there were some of us who simply used our existing Hotmail Accounts to sign into the phone. Problem was that some had the account set for the wrong geographic region creating a fair amount of issues.

At that time it was nigh impossible to change the region of the account and thus forced many into a situation where a new account was in need to be created. As our Xbox Live ID or Microsoft Account has become central in everything we do now things have eased somewhat and through a lengthy six week process it has been possible to change region via customer services. Not ideal.

That could all be about to changes as Microsoft is currently piloting an online service to get this done much more rapidly.

RedLaser Updated: Voice search and image recognition added

Submitted by robert brand on Thu, 01/03/2013 - 06:11

Now we're into 2013 we’re seeing the updates for apps come in once more, today we got an update for the excellent eBay app, Redlaser.

Redlaser has been doing good service on Windows Phone for some time now and with the latest update we arrive at version 2.1. As well as the usual bug fixes and such they have added in the ability to search with your voice.

Official Brit + Co. app arrives for Windows Phone

Submitted by robert brand on Thu, 01/03/2013 - 05:11

For those who are new to the concept of Brit + Co., it's a website geared towards helping us online folk find savvy shortcuts for our digital lives or even to assist us when in the real world. It’s a fun lively and colourful website which seems to lend itself perfectly to a Windows Phone app.

The site covers everything from tech to cooking and has a heavy slant towards the craft side of things. The team lead by Brit has set up shop to teach us some innovative ideas for simple, beautiful and creative living. Read on to find out more.

YouTube Access and Windows Phone: Microsoft throws down the gauntlet

Submitted by robert brand on Wed, 01/02/2013 - 14:51

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This one has been brewing for a while and it seems that the rhetoric is now stepping up as Microsoft and Google prepare to do battle. The stage has been set and much of the coming drama will focus on Windows Phone.

Microsoft has today written publically about Google’s direct refusal to open up YouTube access so that Windows Phone users can easily use the service when mobile, something we first reported back in March 2011. The plot thickens when we learn that Microsoft has a high quality YouTube app ready to release. Don’t be evil, read on past the break to find out more.

All Articles by Robert Brand

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