apps

Great Windows Apps: new website to showcase only the best content for Windows

Submitted by Rich Edmonds on Tue, 11/27/2012 - 12:17

A new website has been set up for Windows apps, but before thoughts come into play, it's not a duplicate Marketplace. Great Windows Apps (www.greatwindowsapps.com) will showcase only the best content from the Store where developers have poured in hours of effort to ensuring their work shines above the rest. If you're not into sorting through what's deemed as "crap" on the app store, then this may well be the answer to your prayers.

A holistic look at the Lumia 920 and its apps and services

Submitted by robert brand on Wed, 11/14/2012 - 14:03

Nokia have firmly established themselves as a major player in the Windows Phone market. Their devices have been consistently regarded well and their marketing efforts have seen them establish ‘Lumia’ as a powerful and recognisable brand in its own right.

With the advent of Windows Phone 8 we saw Nokia strive to produce the definitive ‘hero’ device of this generation. The Lumia 920 packs some serious specs and for some it’s seen to be the best device of this current crop of phones. It isn’t all about the speeds and feeds, it’s about a cohesive package consisting of exclusive apps, hardware and of course Windows Phone 8.

We've previously reviewed the Lumia 920, which is well worth checking out for the in-depth analysis, but it is from this perspective I’m going to look at how successful it really is.

Music Info for Windows 8 brings your collection to life

Submitted by robert brand on Mon, 11/12/2012 - 06:50

Microsoft have just launched their Windows 8 operating system and with it bundled in Xbox Music which gives users paid and free ways to stream tunes and play local tracks too. At present though the app has a few shortcomings so it’s through this lens we’re going to review Music Info by Johnny Westlake.

By the same developer who brought us Artist Info for Windows Phone, we take a look at this highly visual music playback and discovery app and even catch up with the developer for a short Q&A at the end.

World of Redbull app now available for Lumia 920 and 820

Submitted by robert brand on Fri, 11/09/2012 - 10:23

Nokia have announced the general availability of their exclusive Redbull app for their Windows Phone 8 handsets.

The app has the ability to share video using NFC, pin your favourite athletes to the start screen and more. Check out the full story after the break.

What you need to know if you’re upgrading from Windows Phone 7 to 8

Submitted by robert brand on Fri, 11/09/2012 - 05:41

113

This guide is aimed at those who already have a previous generation Windows Phone handset but can also be worthwhile for those of you who are new to the platform.

We’re going to cover what you need to know in order to ease the transition from old to new so you can get back to top speed and start enjoying your new device.

Microsoft improving the Windows Phone Store experience with new features

Submitted by George Ponder on Wed, 11/07/2012 - 16:29

Microsoft seems to be constantly tweaking and fine tuning the Windows Phone Store experience. The latest upgrades will be seen with Windows Phone 8 store and covers a few design changes, a little under the hood tweaks and a hand full of new features. All designed to help consumers with app and game selection and to help developers get thier works seen.

If you are curious if an app or game has Live Tile support, the Details Page of the application will make note if the app has a Live Tile. This may not be a major improvement but how many out there have been curious is an app or game they are shopping for has Live Tile support and it's not noted in the description?

Angry Birds Roost now available for Lumia devices

Submitted by robert brand on Wed, 10/31/2012 - 10:00

Today sees the release of the Nokia exclusive app Angry Birds Roost. Bird and Pig lovers everywhere can now rejoice! We first saw signs of this back in Sept which we wrote about.

Before you get too excited, this isn’t a game, merely a one stop shop for all things Rovio and Angry Birds.

The Developer Movement competition is back with more rewards

Submitted by robert brand on Wed, 10/24/2012 - 06:52

Last year we reported on Microsoft’s Canadian initiative to spur on developers to create some great apps and in the process pick up some awesome stuff.

The system is based on points and from simply registering to publishing your app, you’ll be rewarded with some credits towards a long list of prizes. Read on past the break to see what you can get.

Rogers reveals Windows 8, Windows Phone 8 excitement through exclusivities and carrier apps

Submitted by Rich Edmonds on Mon, 10/22/2012 - 13:09

Rogers has published a blog post detailing what hardware the carrier will be sporting from Microsoft for both Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8, as well as any exclusivities Rogers will hold on said devices. We're already aware of which Windows Phones the carrier will be taking, but the blog post also touches on carrier apps that will be pre-loaded.

Expert Zone Windows 8 Special goes up to help you sell sell sell Windows 8

Submitted by robert brand on Mon, 10/22/2012 - 11:09

Windows 8 presents a totally new way of using the OS, from the new touch screen interface to buying stuff from a store. There will be much to learn for consumers and more importantly perhaps, retail store staff.

ExpertZone TV have posted up a video to help the folks who are going to sell these machines work up a nice demo. Unlike your granddads version of Windows, 8 presents more than its fair share of new concepts to get to grips with. Let’s see how well they present the hard sell!

Microsoft launches Windows 8 this week – what to look out for

Submitted by robert brand on Mon, 10/22/2012 - 10:17

Yes folks it’s finally here, the week that will see Microsoft launch Windows 8, spearheading its massive 2012 product launch schedule. It’s keystone of the ‘Three Screens & Cloud’ play and this is where we see how it’s all going to shake out.

The pre-orders for Surface have started and even run dry in some regions, invites to the various launch events have gone out and now it’s time to put all the cards on the table. With such a wide ranging spruce-up of the entire product line from Xbox to Windows Phone, we’re in for a wild ride. Windows 8 will be at the centre of these launches, not just because it’s Windows but because with it we will see a whole host of services light up to enable the entire eco system.

NewsSpot Version 2.7 released to marketplace

Submitted by robert brand on Thu, 10/18/2012 - 06:04

We looked at NewsSpot back in September and have since been contacted by the developer to advise that version 2.7 is now available.

The Google Reader client was well received by us and we were looking forward to seeing the updates trickle through so we’re glad things are now on track. To get the update you will need to hit a new link in the marketplace which you can find below.

Reinstaller bumped to version 1.7 with improved interface

Submitted by Rich Edmonds on Mon, 10/15/2012 - 07:45

Reinstaller is a free little app available for Windows Phone that aids consumers in starting fresh on a new handset, or when reseting a Windows Phone. The app essentially does exactly what the name suggests - it reinstalls apps already purchased by connecting to windowsphone.com.

Once the user has logged in and connected Reinstaller to the official Windows Phone website, Reinstaller pulls down all previously installed apps (both paid and free downloads). Instead of searching the Store for each and every app you've previously owned, Reinstaller provides a useful shortcut.

Windows Phone 8 brings new hardware and OS features but what about the apps?

Submitted by robert brand on Thu, 10/11/2012 - 13:04

118

The next version of Windows Phone is just around the corner, with it comes some fantastic hardware and the promise of new features. But what about the next gen apps?

While we have spent a great deal of time looking at the coming phones and peeking at the new underlying operating system did we forget that it’s the apps that matter? While we know that existing apps will work fine on the new OS, what lays in store for those dedicated Windows Phone 8 apps?

Extensive updates to Windows 8 core experience apps detailed

Submitted by robert brand on Fri, 10/05/2012 - 05:07

Windows 8 has been pegged with the RTM title for some time but that does not mean it is really done. The code was simply ready to ship to PC makers and for developers to get busy creating apps.

The end user experience in Windows 8 has remained problematic, mainly due to the incomplete nature of the core app experiences when using the tile based WinRT interface. Whilst there have been a few minor updates nothing much has changed from when the OS was in its first public preview. All looks set to change as Microsoft just announced a slew of coming updates to the entire set of Microsoft WinRT apps.

AMD and BlueStacks team up to bring 500K Android apps to Windows 8 desktop

Submitted by Seth Brodeur on Mon, 10/01/2012 - 17:02

One of the biggest knocks that critics like to sling against Windows Phone is that there aren't enough apps available when compared to Apple and Android. Well, a new deal between chip maker AMD and software developer BlueStacks will ensure that the same cannot be said for Windows 8. The two companies have agreed to work together on bringing around 500,000 Android apps to Microsoft's upcoming operating system for PCs and tablets using AMD's AppZone Player.

By updating code in their processors and graphics chips, AMD has made it possible for apps designed for mobiles devices to look good on the larger displays of PCs and tablets. They hope that this will lure consumers to AMD-powered devices, rather than those running Intel chips.

Windows Phone 7.8 and 8.0 to feature new Share option for apps

Submitted by Daniel Rubino on Mon, 10/01/2012 - 11:27

A new menu option in Windows Phone 7.8 for sharing apps

When we covered the Windows Phone 7.8 custom ROM last week in our hands on video, one thing we missed that has been brought to our attention involves the Program list.

Evidently, when you press-n-hold any third party app within the jump list, you now have a new option besides the current Pin to Start, Rate and Review and Uninstall and that’s Share.

ARMED!, Farm Frenzy 2, Adobe Reader and USA Today all updated in the Windows Phone Store

Submitted by Rich Edmonds on Fri, 09/28/2012 - 17:31

There have been a number of updates being pushed through the Windows Phone Store today, including new versions for ARMED!, Farm Frenzy 2, Adobe Reader and USA Today. While we've only managed to obtain changes for ARMED!, we'll still fire up the alert that you can look forward to update notifications for both USA Today, Adobe Reader and Farm Frenzy 2.

Windows Phone Central App Roundup: London travel companion apps

Submitted by Rich Edmonds on Fri, 09/28/2012 - 13:41

Windows Phone Central's London Travel Companion App Roundup

We've got a bonus Windows Phone Central Roundup for you today that focuses on travel apps, specifically London travel companions, for your Windows Phone.

When traveling through London it can prove to be baffling when attempting to make use of public transport - particularly the Underground system. There are a number of apps available on the Marketplace that each offer unique functionality and user interface thanks to Windows Phone. But which one should you choose?

How should developers price apps in the Windows Phone Store?

Submitted by Rich Edmonds on Thu, 09/27/2012 - 15:53

As Bruce Forsyth would say - higher or lower?

Bernardo Zamora has published an insightful blog post on the Windows Phone Developer Blog, which goes into detail on how developers should configure individual market pricing - if at all. It's an interesting part of marketing one's work. Building and submitting the app is one thing. Effectively pricing your app(s) is another.

apps

Pages