Category: Microsoft Windows

Before I started writing this post I seriously debated whether to bother with it. But I like to think that I keep everyone reasonably up-to-date with app changes – especially those involving settings on Windows Phones – so thus you have a post.  Microsoft today update the Extras+Info app in Settings for Lumia devices.  The new build, version 3.14.6.2 for those keeping score at home, is available now in the Windows Phone Store.

I have absolutely no idea what changed.

Extras+Info for Lumia Devices – Free – Download Now

Fitbit has released another update to the Fitbit for Windows Phone app, the 4th month in a row that the app has been updated.  The update, version 1.6.206.12403 for those keeping score at home, is mainly focused on improvements for the new Fitbit Charge HR and Surge trackers but there also other changes that all users of the app will appreciate.  Perhaps the most important of those general updates is the shrinking of the app down from 26MB in size to 18MB.  That may not sound like much but it adds up if you have a limited amount of phone storage left on your Windows Phone.

Fitbit for Windows Phone – Free – Download Now

As I put in my initial thoughts post last week, there are a lot of changes coming in Windows 10 for Phone aimed at brining the Little OS That Could to par with Android and iOS.  While the final verdict of if that was achieved will come out in the months ahead, there are clear indicators already in the Preview that point to Microsoft taking a big step forward in making the user experience in

Replying to SMS in Action Center in Windows 10 for Phones

this release far more friendly and customizable.  One of those areas is the Action Center.

Action Center itself in Windows Phone is not new.  It’s been there since Windows Phone 8.0 but it has been fairly limited in what it could do.  Basically it was read only information on notifications.

Now however in Windows 10 for Phone, it becomes far more interactive and, dare I say, useful.  Now you will be able to interact with things like SMS messages or delete individual notifications for other apps and by the time Windows 10 for Phone is released, be able to interact with other Microsoft services like Skype.  The key is you can do all of this without leaving the app you are in at the time on your phone.

Age of Empires Castle Siege for Windows Phone has received another massive update today bringing further game play improvements along with stability and other performance fixes.  The update, version 1.5.1.105 for those keeping score at home, has a huge amount of changes that improves everything from how units perform and are organized to visual fixes to notification improvements.  The game is an Xbox game so you have achievements available throughout the game as you play.  You can read my review of Age of Empire Castle Siege to see my thoughts on the game (hint: I love it!)

Age of Empire Castle Siege for Windows Phone – Free (In-App Purchases) – Download Now

One of the changes that I outlined in my initial thoughts on Windows 10 for Phone is the semi-transparent tiles on the Start screen.  As I discussed with my friend Mike Temporale (he runs MobileJaw) yesterday on Twitter, I personally like them as it was one of the aesthetic things about iOS 8 that I enjoyed in my walk through the iOS wilderness.  Mike however isn’t so sold.  Well Mike and others who aren’t 100% sold, take heart.  Microsoft’s Joe Belfiore in a Tweet last night confirmed that Transparent Live Tiles like we have in Windows Phone 8.1 is returning in a later build of Windows 10 for Phone.

@OpenPlumbob yes… Were planning to include both the “full background” and “in the tiles” options.

— joebelfiore (@joebelfiore) February 13, 2015

As part of the release for the Preview of Windows 10 for Phone yesterday was the Windows Recovery Tool.  This separate download is the key for users who want to roll their devices back from Windows 10 for Phone to Windows Phone 8.1.  As I put in my initial thoughts on Windows 10 for Phone, there are a lot of bugs and some significant lag issues with the Preview and it may be to much for some users.  As a reminder, for those who are going to stick with it, be sure to use the Feedback app built into the Preview to give Microsoft the feedback they need to improve things.