While WhatsApp seems to be doing well for the SMS crowd, IM+ from SHAPE is still the de facto messaging app for all other services. IM+ is an all-in-one and includes support for Skype, VK, Facebook, Yahoo!, ICQ and more. Even better is the fact that SHAPE actively pays attention to their Windows Phone and Windows 8 base, giving them frequent updates with new features.
Today, version 3.0 for the free and Pro versions have landed on the Store. Even better, the Pro version, which normally runs for $4.99, is on sale for just the weekend, being knocked down to $1.99. So what’s new? We have the full changelog below.
New in both WP7 and WP8 versions
- Option to change group chat topic
- Lock display orientation the way you want
- View VK.com timeline from contact info
- Chat with MSN/WLM contacts in Skype.
Specific to WP8
- Favorite contacts. Now you can add your favorite contacts from different services in one group.
- Quick Voice messages - Instant recording, transferring and listening. New Quick Voice option is easier and faster to use. We’ve minimized the steps required to get to this feature – with Quick Voice selected under Settings / Messages, it’ll appear next to text input field for fast access.
- You can send and listen to the recorded voice messages in the IM+ app – there’s no need to go to the native recorder app in order to listen to incoming voice messages.
- Send you current location via IM+. Very helpful for making appointments, shouting for help or teasing friends with places like Miami Beach or such.
How well is IM+ doing on Windows Phone? It was way back in October that they surpassed 1 million downloads, as detailed on their Facebook page. That’s a pretty huge success rate, considering the competition.
We’re big fans of IM+, partially out of nostalgia, but also because it’s a really good app on Windows Phone and Windows 8. Nothing beats having an all-in-one messaging app and this is the one to have.
Pick up IM+ for free here in the Store, or opt for the full-feature IM+ Pro, which has the push-to-email option and more. Pro is normally $4.99 for a lifetime license, but it is now $1.99 for the next two days. Grab it here in the Store. All Windows Phones.
Read more about their Windows Store app for 8.1 here.
ID@Azure is a new program for indie cloud development, based on ID@Xbox
Microsoft is spinning up a new program aimed at introducing independent devs and teams to Azure cloud-based services and infrastructure, according to this new job listing.
Microsoft is testing 1080p xCloud streams for Xbox Game Pass gaming
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is currently limited to 720p for streaming to mobile devices, but we've seen evidence that it's about to get bumped up to 1080p. Here's what you need to know.
Here are 10 Xbox games that need 'FPS Boost'
FPS Boost is another impressive feature currently available in the Xbox backwards compatibility utility belt. Here are 10 games we want to see take advantage of enhanced framerates.
Complete list of apps supported by NVIDIA RTX Voice
NVIDIA RTX Voice can remove the background noise from your streams, voice chats, and video conferences. Here are all the Windows apps with official NVIDIA RTX Voice support.