This week in Windows Mobile: Insider build 14342, new apps, and SongArc goes universal

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

Windows 10 Mobile preview build 14342 rolled out to Fast ring Insiders.

This is the first Insider build available for the Lumia Icon, BLU Win HD LTE 150e, and BLU Win JR 130e. Some users reported getting hung up during the install, but being patient seems to be the best remedy.

Build 14342 delivers swipe navigation for Microsoft Edge , the ability to open websites with apps, as well as the usual fixes.

Microsoft also rolled out a new Store UI for those running "Redstone" builds of Windows 10.

In other news, a video surfaced this week of a LG Nexus 5X running Windows 10 Mobile. There isn't too much to take away from the video, but it's certainly a cool novelty that took a lot of technical savvy.

Other notable items:

Apps

Apps

The official Instagram app for Windows 10 Mobile was updated with a new user interface. The update also dons the new logo that the company debuted two weeks ago.

Hulu pushed out a patch for Windows 10 PCs and phones, but the 2.3.16 update contains a bug that prevents the app from loading, luckily Hulu fixed the release with two more patch updates soon after.

Windows Central picked up a couple of updates this week. The first added a new comment sorting feature, while the second changed icons and article layouts.

Microsoft was incredibly busy on the apps front. They dropped a new OneDrive UWP app for Windows 10 PC, as well as the first PC version of Microsoft Health.

Those on Insider Preview Release builds of Windows 10 Mobile got to check out the new Maps experience with a new look and a plethora of added features.

We got a leaked look at the revamped Wallet app for Windows 10 Mobile, which may be coming as part of the Anniversary Update. The UI has been colorfully redesigned and now you can add loyalty cards, scan barcodes, and download apps.

There also appears to be plans to add a Panorama option to the Windows 10 Mobile Camera app, letting you stitch together a series of photos into one large image. Online pictures show the app sporting a panorama button alongside the existing camera and video camera icons.

We expect Insiders to get the first crack at this new feature, with the rest of the world seeing it as part of the Anniversary Update.

Other notable items:

Games

Games

Candy Crush Jelly Saga was updated with a new episode entitled Marzipan Meadow. The new story in the saga adds twenty levels, bringing the total to 280.

Age of Empires: Castle Siege got a tiny patch on all Windows devices, adding a "Reconnecting" icon to the screen, so players know when the game is communicating with servers.

The popular music game SongArc was rereleased as a universal app on Windows 10 PC and Mobile.

And finally, we reviewed Valiant Hearts: The Great War, which recently dropped into the Store as a universal Windows 10 app.

Other notable items:

Be sure to weigh in on this week's news in the comments section. See you next week!

Seth Brodeur
Seth Brodeur