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Xbox Video gets better with the latest update on Windows Phone

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August 18, 2014

Xbox Video hasn’t been the strongest of improvements in Windows Phone 8.1, however, Microsoft has been working hard to improve the experience by providing updates to the app every two weeks or so. The latest update is here and it improves the app even further. Here’s the changelog:

Faster app startup and faster playback for streaming, downloaded and personal video
More informative error messages for geofencing and download limit issues
Improved search results

The update makes Xbox Video startup time shorter across all Windows Phone devices, along with improving playback speeds as well. Users are already reporting the app to be much faster than before, so it seems like the improvement is noticeable afterall.

Grab Xbox Video from the Windows Phone here.

Facebook Messenger crosses 500 million downloads on Android, is the third non Google app to do so

Categories

Sharang Sharma

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August 18, 2014

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Facebook has a way to make people use its services, whether they like it or not. The recent decision to decouple Messenger from the main Facebook app and making it a necessary download to chat with friends is reaping the benefits for the company. Facebook Messenger has become the most popular app on the Play Store in the last couple of days and is seeing massive downloads.

Messenger has become third non Google app to accumulate over 500 million downloads on the Play Store. In case you’re wondering, the other two are owned by Facebook as well — Facebook and WhatsApp.

Although it opens up plenty of opportunities for Facebook to monetize Messenger, it sad to see that the company had to use such tactics to force people into downloading its app. Although Messenger isn’t the only chat platform on Android, given how much Facebook has become a part of our lives, people are forced to use the app since there’s no other alternative to chat with your Facebook friends on your smartphone anymore.

Facebook Messenger – Android

Waze has no plans to update its app for Windows Phone

Sharang Sharma

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August 17, 2014

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Waze might not be the number one navigation app on Windows Phone, but it’s still used by millions. The app that relies on user generated information and alerts was acquired by Google last year. Although the app wasn’t removed from the Windows Phone Store, it’s not been updated in over 6 months now. Given how Google treats Windows Phone users, many suspected that Waze for Windows Phone might never get updated in the future and their fears have finally come true. Here’s what the company had to say on Twitter:

“There are no plans for an update as of now but things can always change.”

The reply was made to a user’s response on Twitter and pretty much sums it up. That’s rather unfortunate, given that we see Microsoft updating its apps on Android frequently. Granted Windows Phone has a small userbase compared to Android or iOS, Google’s anti competitive approach towards the platform is certainly disgraceful. We’re yet to see any other Google services like YouTube or Gmail apps on the platform and have no hope of them ever being released. Thankfully, it was Facebook and not Google that acquired WhatsApp, or else it might have suffered similar fate.

Still, users have the option to download Waze on Windows Phone as it is. It isn’t much different from the iOS or Android versions for now, but we might see that gap getting broader in the future.

Waze for Windows Phone

[Source]

Machinarium, Kings Can Fly, Mush and more are Red Stripe Deals on Windows Phone this week

Sharang Sharma

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August 15, 2014

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Like every Thursday, Microsoft has update the six apps in the Red Stripe Deals section on the Windows Phone Store which are discounted by 50 or more percent, Here’s the list for this week.

Mush – $1.49

Discover the emotions in this award-winning exclusive, a quirky puzzle adventure that lets you change how your character feels! Touch, tilt, rotate and shake up Mush to alter his mood. Gain new abilities, evade beasties and solve puzzles as you tumble through unique and beautiful worlds!

Machinarium – $1.99

An award-winning adventure game by Amanita Design. The popular puzzle point and click game takes you through an eponymous city as seen by a robot called Josef. The game has won multiple awards.

Space Weather – $0.99

The original Space Weather app for Windows Phone! Only a glance or a few taps away from real-time space weather.

Castle Raid 2 – Free

Castle Raid is back, bigger and more challenging than ever before! In this unique tug-of-war you once again fight to defend your castle against the enemy’s hoard. Get ready to enter the magical world of noble knights and sage wizards, dragons and assassins, and set out on a new epic adventure.

PC Remote Pro – $1.49

With millions of downloads, great reviews, best mouse performance on Marketplace, easy and secure setup, this is the perfect remote connectivity app. You can control PC from your phone while relaxing on couch or bed. You can use your phone as keyboard, mouse, interactive remote desktop, transfer files to and fro, integrated remotes for your favorite media players, and lot more.

Kings Can Fly – $0.99

Kings Can Fly will soon have your brain sweating as you try to fly the King through his maze-like kingdom. You need a good eye and sharp wits to navigate the towering mountains, spiked gates and dangerous whirlwinds you encounter on the way.

Facebook Messenger gets an update on Windows Phone, allows sending recorded voice messages

Shivendra Pal

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August 14, 2014

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Facebook Messenger has received another update on Windows Phone taking it to version 7.0. The latest update doesn’t add much except for allowing users to send recorded voice messages, which according to the team, has been one of the most demanded feature on the app. Here’s the full changelog:

Now you can record voice messages—one of our most requested features.
Send emoticons like smiley faces and more.
Other improvements, including some to help you save data.

Besides adding the ability to send voice messages, the app also allows to send emoticons. It also consumes less data, something essential for users who aren’t always connected to WiFi.

Grab the latest version of Facebook Messenger from the Windows Phone Store here. For some reason, the store listing still shows it as version 6.0, but the current version on the store is indeed 7.0.

Foursquare launches Swarm on Windows Phone 8.1

Sharang Sharma

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August 14, 2014

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Foursquare’s decision to split its app into one of the original name and another called Swarm has already been implemented on Android and iOS where both the apps have been available for users for some time now. Windows Phone has also joined the party finally, as Foursquare has launched Swarm on the platform.

Swarm allows users to check in to different places where you can eat, as well as track where your friends have been. It takes the social aspect more seriously than Foursquare and adds things like stickers which hold importance within the app. Users can also be the mayor of a location, but only among friends and not for everybody.

The app has also received its first update in the Windows Phone Store that fixes an issue where users with other languages weren’t being able to check in to locations. Swarm is only available for Windows Phone 8.1 users and can be picked from the Windows Phone Store here.

Manuganu 2 lands on Android and Windows Phone

Promil Bhardwaj

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August 13, 2014

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Popular 3D platformer Manuganu 2, which was released on iOS last month has made its entry on Android and iOS. Developed by Alper Sarıkaya, the game is sequel to Manuganu and has been praised for its visuals. The side scrolling game features 40 levels that never get old or repeating.

Manuganu 2 features 40 different levels with 4 boss battles. Each level earns you thre starts depending on factors like time taken to complete the level and items collected. These levels also feature multiple paths that adds to the replayability.

Manuganu 2 is free to download on Android and carries a price tag of 99 cents on Windows Phone. That should not disappoint Windows Phone users however, since there is a free trial and also, the game costs the same on iOS (so no, the developers have got nothing against the Windows Phone community). Download at the store links below.

Manuganu 2 – Play Store

Manuganu 2 – Windows Phone Store

Skype update for Windows 8.1 allows users to edit sent messages

Sharang Sharma

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August 12, 2014

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We all have been witness to the embarrassment after sending someone a message that was not to be sent. Thankfully, Skype will now save users from that humiliation with the latest update on Windows 8.1. The update will allows users to edit sent messages.

According to Microsoft:

“To edit a message, select the message you want to edit or remove, by tapping on it or right clicking with your mouse to highlight the text you want to remove. Select ‘edit message’ to revise your message or ‘remove message’ to remove the message completely. You can remove multiple lines in sequence.”

Besides, the update brings fixes to Skype’s video message notifications along with making it easier to read and send video messages.

Download Skype 3.1 for Windows 8.1 from the Windows Store.

HTC will soon launch Zoe-beta for other Android devices

Android
News

Sharang Sharma

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August 12, 2014

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HTC is not only known for its elegant hardware, but also for its custom skins and exclusive software options on its phones. Now, other Android users will be able to enjoy some of it on their non HTC devices.

A new team of 260 people based in Seattle called HTC Creative Labs, is working towards bringing bringing Zoe beta to other Android devices. Zoe allows users to stitch up to 16 videos or images together to create a short clip. It was first introduced in HTC One M7 and has been carried forward in subsequent devices.Zoe also allows users to remix and expand one another’s videos, and also add in new content.

While making it available to other users, HTC hopes to build a consumer base and build on it so it may monetize it in the future. We’re certain the team that is headed by Drew Bamford, the head of HTC’s user interface team, will be looking to bring other interesting offerings to Android users.

[Source]

Microsoft’s SNIPP3T app for iOS let’s you keep track of your favorite celebrities

iOS
News

Chetna Chauhan

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August 11, 2014

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Microsoft has launched a rather interesting app on iOS. Interesting, because it’s not what you’d expect from Microsoft’s kitty that is known mostly for productivity apps. Named SNIPP3T, the app lets users to track your and subscribe to your favorite celebrities. Microsoft has created a profile page for each celebrity that includes timeline of news and imagery from over the internet (using Bing data of course). Users even have the option to like and comment on those stories. You can even keep a tab on who your friends are following and what they’re liking and commenting on by logging on the app using your Facebook account.

You can grab SNIPP3T on iOS for free from the AppStore here. And just in case you’re wondering, no, it’s not available on Windows or Windows Phone.

[via]