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 Phone Weekly Digest."
Windows Phone News
In addition to being the two newest members of the Windows Phone family, the Lumia 640 and Lumia 640XL also come preloaded with Windows Phone 8.1 Update 2.
Since this latest version of the operating system features some new elements, some different looks, and some new functionality, we took it upon ourselves to give you a tour of Update 2 to get you familiarized with it.
As for Windows 10 for phone, this week saw the new Build 10052 go live, jam-packed with bug fixes.
There was good news for owners of Lumia 520 family of devices, as they were finally able to download the Windows 10 for phone preview again, after an issue with the Windows Phone Recovery Tool caused Microsoft to pull it for Windows Insiders the week before.
A previously unreleased build of Windows 10 for phone cropped up in a video online. The video showed the upcoming Universal Office apps, like Word and OneNote, which are likely to be released to Windows Insider members by the end of the month. The footage also gave us a glimpse of a revamped Windows Phone Store and a new way to customize wallpaper for the Start screen.
AdDuplex provided us with another look into the future, when its data revealed a new model of Windows 10 phone. All we know about the newcomer, currently only known as model number RM-1085, is that it sports a 5.7-inch 1080P display. Those specs point to a potential flagship device, but we will have to wait for more information before we know for sure.
The AdDuplex numbers also provided some other interesting facts, like over a half-percentage point uptick in Windows 10 Technical Preview users and gains for the Lumia 635 and Lumia 535 in different markets.
Other notable items:
- Elephone reportedly releasing a Windows 10 flagship phone with a 2K display, fingerprint scanner
- Microsoft Store lists T-Mobile Lumia 640 as 'coming soon' for $89
Apps
This week Google made changes to their YouTube API that would adversely affect some third-party YouTube apps, causing them to no longer work.
Thankfully, the developers of two major YouTube apps for Windows Phone, MetroTube, and myTube, were on the case. They both updated their respective apps, so as to avoid any significant disruptions.
Another developer, the well-known and prolific Rudy Huyn, had an incredibly busy week. First, his long dormant TVShow app was updated to fix its Trakt.tv integration.
6tin, his third-party Tinder app, was updated to support Instagram integration. Conversely, the 6tag Instagram client picked up a preparatory update for 6tin integration.
But that's not all. 6tag was also bumped to version 4.2 and then again to version 4.3 in the same week. Together, they added the following features:
- Added verified badges
- Improved quality of saved copy of uploaded pictures
- Support newlines in comments/captions
- Custom rescale algorithm to improve image quality instead of the native one
- Custom locations
- Improved dark theme
Microsoft was busy, too. They updated Xbox Music and OneDrive.
Not to mention, they released the new Contacts+Message backup app for Windows Phone, which makes a copy of your contacts and SMS/MMS messages to your SD card.
Lastly, we saw the popular photography, 500px, abandon their Windows Phone and Windows 8.1 apps. But for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction, an thus, it was announced that the popular podcast app, Pocket Casts is heading to Windows Phone
Other notable items:
- PayPal Here app returns to the Windows Phone Store
- 1Password Alpha is now available for Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone -Truecaller launches major app update with real-time spam detection and more
- VLC for Windows Phone picks up a responsive layout, several new features in latest update
- Windows Phone users can now upload videos to Instagram with this new app (Update)
- Build 2015 event app for Windows Phone is now available
Games
In gaming, our very own Mark Guim took you hands-on with Halo: Spartan Strike for Windows and Windows Phone.
We also witnessed the release of InMind VR, the first virtual reality game for Windows Phone. Working in conjunction with Google Cardboard Helmets, InMind VR takes you on a journey through the brain to eliminate damaged neurons.
Megapop released their tower defense game Trolls vs Vikings as a universal app, bringing it to Windows Phone for the first time. The game features:
- 70+ Levels – 20+ hours of gameplay
- 40+ wacky and wonderful characters
- Astounding depth of play – Unlock Hard mode, discover an all new game
- Movable and active units – More fun, more action
- Massive Boss fights – Thor, Odin and others
- Social features – Beat your friends
And our old friend Om Nom paid us a visit, along with some new friends, returning in Cut the Rope 2 for more puzzle-solving fun.
Other notable items:
- Momentum Racing - street racing from your Windows Phone
- Now available on Windows Phone: Smash Champs, from the makers of Subway Surfers
Be sure to weigh in on this week's news in the comments section. See you next week!
