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
It's looking more and more like Microsoft's upcoming flagship phones, the 'Cityman' and 'Talkman' will indeed carry Lumia 950 moniker, as opposed to Lumia 940. Though it has yet to be confirmed, the report comes from Evan Blass, via his @evleaks Twitter account, who has a pretty good track record with these kinds of things.
The two hero phones are also likely to support Qualcomm's Quick Charge technology. The Talkman and Cityman are rumored to be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 and 810 processors, respectively, so it makes sense, as both chips are Quick Charge 2.0 compatible.
Talkman and Cityman aren't the only high-end Windows 10 Mobile phones on the way. This week, Acer announced their Jade Primo smartphone, which sports Microsoft's Continuum technology.
The company also unveiled two new budget Windows 10 Mobile phones at IFA, the Liquid M320 andM330. Windows Central got our hands on the Liquid M330 at the conference.
As for Windows 10 Mobile itself, Microsoft's Gabe Aul took to Twitter to let Insiders know that the next preview build will include a fix for the mobile hotspot feature, in addition to its bug fixes and performance enhancements.
Other notable items:
- Leaked video shows Xiaomi Mi 4 running Windows 10 build 10240
- Intex partners with Microsoft to become first smartphone brand in India to bundle OneDrive
- The Star Wars Sphero BB-8 Droid is coming to Windows Phone users after all
- Windows Phone Recovery Tool gets a mandatory update
- Microsoft's Continuum Windows 10 Mobile dock rumored to have HDMI, DisplayPort and USB ports
- Why Microsoft's Continuum may succeed in putting a PC in your pocket while Motorola's Atrix and others failed
Apps
Instagram BETA users got a couple of surprises this week. Unfortunately, the first was that some people were unable to refresh their feeds, likely because of a recent change that allows for landscape and portrait images to be uploaded. The good news is that surprise number two came along. Instagram Beta for Windows Phone finally got its first update in more than a year, which fixed the issue.
Meanwhile, superstar Instagram client, 6tag, got several updates of its own this week. One update added support for Instagram's new image formats. Another contained some fixes and performance improvements, and a third patch brought Instagram's Direct messaging improvements to Windows Phone. Telegram messenger graduated from beta and added search and sync options with its latest update.
Microsoft pushed out some app patches of its own. Lumia Cinemagraph and Lumia Creative Studio Beta app both got Windows 10 Mobile support and Microsoft Messaging app for Windows 10 Mobile got an update without a changelog.
Much to the chagrin of some users, Microsoft announced that it will be ending support for several Lumia Windows Phone apps on October 30. Lumia Storyteller, Lumia Beamer, Photobeamer, Lumia Refocus, Lumia Panorama, and Video Uploader are all going away. Hopefully, we'll see some of the functions that they serve make their way into other Microsoft apps, or into Windows 10 Mobile itself.
Pushbullet client Instabullet became a universal Windows 10 app this week.
And Facebook Messenger was updated to fix login issues.
Other notable items:
- Microsoft's UpdateAdvisor helps you prepare for Windows Phone updates
- Readit for Windows 10 updated with inbox support and much more
- Events for Me: Third-party EventBrite app for Windows Phone gets revamped
- Perfect Workout now available from the Windows 10 Store
- InstaSquarer - One square photo editor for Windows Phone
- The GOQii fitness app gets a nice refresh with a lot of bug fixes
- Fitbit updates their Windows and mobile apps with new Exercise Sharing feature
- Mail and Calendar updated on Windows 10 desktop and mobile
- BBC iPlayer for Windows Phone updated after nearly a year
- Duolingo updated to support Windows 10 on desktop and mobile
- WhatsApp now has 900 million active monthly users
- Official Twitter Windows Phone app gets a minor update [Update: Removes DM limit]
- Dropbox for Windows Phone 8.1 updated with interface tweaks and more
- Windows Camera updated with minor tweaks on Windows 10 desktop and mobile
Games
Less than a week after its release, Gameloft pulled Spider-man: Ultimate Power from the Windows Phone Store. Many users were unhappy with the game's performance and pricing, so it's possible the game will eventually return with some improvements.
Game Troopers said early in the week that they had a 'secret' Windows Phone game that was ready to drop. That turned out to be Imperia Online, a real-time strategy game for Xbox.
Cloud Raiders received an update that boosts the Stronghold and level caps for players.
Finally, Gameloft released the first footage of Order & Chaos Online 2, the follow-up to their hit MMORPG. The game will launch on Windows 10, Windows Phone, Android and iOS and will introduce two new features, Instant Quests, and Solo Dungeons.
We're looking forward to it!
Other notable items:
- Spider Square, a crazy game for your Windows Phone
- Spoiler Alert is this week's Windows Phone myAppFree Deal
- Fast Side of the Moon – an online, multiplayer Windows Phone racing game
- On The Run - a speedy, somewhat addictive Windows Phone game
- Mars Pop – an online bubble burst game for Windows Phone
- Lara Croft GO Developer Interview: Square Enix talks Windows Phone and Windows 10
- What in the World? update brings 50 new cards, a new level and more
Be sure to weigh in on this week's news in the comments section. See you next week!
