Category: Windows Phone

The Facebook Messenger app for Windows Phone has received an update that brings significant performance improvements along with the ability to message people using their mobile numbers from within the app.  The update, version 9.1.0.0 for those keeping score at home, is the latest evolution in the Messenger app where Facebook wants to be your one-stop shop for messaging friends on the social network as well as those not on it.  The browser war may be over but the messenger war rages on between Facebook, WhatsApp, Skype and others.

Facebook Messenger for Windows Phone – Free – Download Now

The recently announced Lumia 640 and Lumia 640XL have made their way to the Microsoft Store in the UK and are available for Pre-Order.  In case you missed it, these are the two new Lumias that were announced at Mobile World Congress and are 5″ and 5.7″ mid-range Windows Phones respectively.  The pricing is in line with what was expected.  The Lumia 640 will be about $250 while the larger Lumia 640XL is equal to $325.  Both can be pre-ordered now with a release date of April 28 being posted on the site.

So a funny thing happened this afternoon.  As I took a break from my Saturday goings on I snapped a screenshot of my Ninja Cat wallpaper on my Windows Phone and Tweeted it.  Why?  I kinda like it and with all the Ninja Cat fun stuff going around, I thought I’d throw my .02 cents into it.

Confident this is a proper #WindowsPhone wallpaper #NinjaCat @GabeAul agree? pic.twitter.com/Lrg77HKTIP

— Clinton Fitch (@ClintonFitch) March 14, 2015

What I DID NOT expect was the massive amounts of retweets and emails asking me for it.  So now that I’ve finished drinking my green beer for Saint Patty’s Day, I’ve posted them up on the Wallpaper page.  There are two versions – the blue one which I showed on my Lock screen in my Tweet and a white version.

Please note, I did not create these images.  I honestly don’t know who the author is but props to them for making them as they are great fun.  Actually, I do know now! Microsoft MVP Michael Gillett created them.  Thanks Michael – great stuff here!  You can see Michael’s original images and his other wallpapers on his site

Don’t forget to order your Ninja Cat shirt from the team over at Windows Central.

The NCAA March Madness Live app for Windows Phone and for Windows PC has been update for the upcoming 2015 tournament along with a load of other features.  The app, which will allow you to watch every game of the tournament through logging in with your television provider.  Regardless of if the game is on TBS, CBS (which doesn’t require a login), TNT or truTV, you can stream every game and watch every buzzer beater, upset and Cinderella story this year.  The update, version 2.0.0.0 for those keeping score at home, also brings a refreshed user experience along with the new features.

NCAA March Madness Live for Windows – Free – Download Now

NCAA March Madness Live for Windows Phone – Free – Download Now

It has been a couple of months since the last Age of Empires Castle Siege update but today Microsoft Studios made up for lost time.  Today they have issued an update for the popular tower-defense style game for both Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1.  The update, version 1.6.0.14 is available now in their respective Windows and Windows Phone Stores and both are a hefty update with a lot of new features and a boatload of bug fixes.

Age of Empires Castle Siege – Free (In-App Purchases) – Download Now

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

I will preface this post with a disclaimer to start in an effort to ward off the flaming emails.  The purpose of this post is not to suggest that Microsoft should get rid of their current ecosystem of partners.  It is too fast and far to important to the company and the success of their solutions.  All you have to do is look at the all new Dell XPS 13 laptop and read the raving reviews it is getting to understand just how important OEMs are in the mix for Microsoft.

But equally, you can look at the Microsoft built and branded devices and see where the company could and should be more actively involved in hardware manufacturing.  I’m not talking about mice and keyboards (although they do a pretty good job at that too) but rather things like the Microsoft Lumia lineup and the Surface Pro 3.  Arguably the best Windows experience for their form factor are on these devices because Microsoft has intimately been involved in the hardware design of them to get the most out of the Operating System.  Even with the Microsoft Band, a device that is near impossible to get because they can’t keep them in stock, produces a great experience for users.  And while user experience is important, there is also the matter of controlling their own destiny when it comes to updates and improvements along with security.  All of these are why I think Microsoft should look long and hard at the PC and Laptop market for their own branded devices.