Category: Microsoft Windows

The Avis app for Windows Phone has received a nice update today, bringing several improvements designed to make the app more user friendly.  The update, version 1.3.0.0 for those keeping score at home, now allows you to stay logged into the app for up to 90 days.  Previously you had to log in every time you used the app.  That’s great for security but a real pain when you are trying to get your reservation information as you walk through an airport terminal.

Avis app for Windows Phone – Free – Download Now

One of the new apps in the Windows and Windows Phone Stores that is a real bright spot is the NPR One app.  National Public Radio, or NPR, released the app last week for Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 to bring you news and information from your local NPR station as well as news and information from the wide range of NPR shows to your devices, completely free.  With smooth navigation and powerful search functionality, the NPR One app is a must have for those who listen avidly to National Public Radio.

The release of NPR One last week covered both Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 to the closest thing that the platforms today have to Universal Apps.  Functionally they are identical with only modifications for the UIs coming into play.

NPR One for Windows Phone 8.1 – Free – Download Now

NPR One for Windows 8.1 – Free – Download Now

Another day, another set of intriguing Tweets to whet our appetites for Windows 10 for Phone.

Microsoft Gabriel Aul has once again teased more about the upcoming release, suggesting that the release of the preview for Windows 10 for Phone could come as early as this week along with a new video highlighting the release.  The Tweets came this morning in response to another users question regarding the release and the current Windows 10 for Phone video featuring Joe Belfiore

@FTKMON Or maybe, we’re going to release the video along with the build…

— Gabriel Aul (@GabeAul) February 9, 2015

Now read this with the context of the Tweet just prior to this response

@Wenth @joebelfiore There is this video currently, new video will be available this week. https://t.co/yaYOft2TB5

— Gabriel Aul (@GabeAul) February 9, 2015

If this is accurate than we could well see Windows 10 for Phone this week.

The Personal Assistant Cortana that is built into Windows 10 and Windows Phone has a new Interests category that will allow you to track everything from workouts to concerts.  But this new feature isn’t available to everyone and there is no indication on when everyone will see it.  It’s another way that Microsoft continues to make the service more personalized for every individual user.

Microsoft has released updates to four of the MSN apps for Windows 8.1 today but as has become the norm for these updates, there is scantly any information on what has been changed or updated in these apps.  The updates impact MSN Weather, MSN Money, MSN Health & Fitness and MSN Sports.  The updates, which only appear to be on the Windows 8.1 side and not on the Windows Phone side (not yet at least), have no release notes or change logs, leaving it to our collective imagination as to what has changed.

MSN Weather for Windows 8.1 – Free – Download Now

MSN Money for Windows 8.1 – Free – Download Now

MSN Health & Fitness for Windows 8.1 – Free – Download Now

MSN Sports for Windows 8.1 – Free – Download Now

For those of you who are wanting to try the first Windows 10 for Phone preview this month and have a 512MB RAM device such as the Lumia 635, you may be in luck.  According to a tweet from Microsoft’ Gabriel Aul, there will be some 512MB devices that will be supported with the first preview.  Which ones however remains a mystery and we likely won’t know that until the preview actually drops later this month.