Category: Windows Phone 8.1

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

If you have been waiting to get Windows Phone 8.1 on your HTC 8X as a T-Mobile customer, your wait is over.  According to a Tweet from the T-Mobile USA Twitter account, the company has no plans of releasing any future updates to this device.  It’s sad news but it shouldn’t come as a complete shock to many Windows Phone fans.  The 8x was released in November 2012 so at just over 2 years old and with HTC still not fully committed to Windows Phone, it is hardly a surprise

Foursquare has released a minor update to their Windows Phone app that addresses issues around the app’s Cortana integration.  The update, version 4.1.1.0 for those keeping score at home, has only one issue that is addressed in their release notes: Addresses an issue when opening places for Cortana.  It is not clear how widespread the problem has been or if it was specific to particular devices.  Regardless, if you use the app, get the update to avoid any potential problems.

Foursquare for Windows Phone – Free – Download Now

If you have been on the fence about picking up a Lumia 635 on the AT&T network, now is the time to jump.  At the Microsoft Store you can pick one up for only $69 and there is no contract commitment required from AT&T.  It’s a great deal on a great little Windows Phone. I reviewed the Lumia 635 when it was first released and it is still one of my favorite devices.  It’s small, lightweight and has quite a bit of power for an entry level phone.

Now the Microsoft Lumia 635

The Lumia 635 has been one of the better selling devices for Microsoft and has always been at a great price point.  Throughout most of the holidays it was between $69-99 and was even as low as $39 on Black Friday.  Still, at $69 this is a great phone even for daily use but certainly could fit the role of a back up phone or a media player device.

Just as a reminder, here are the highlights on the specs of the Lumia 635:

• 4.5-inch display
• 5MP camera with 720p HD video
• 8GB storage / microSD 128GB
• Windows Phone 8.1

There is no word on when this price will end (it has been $99 for most of this year) or if this is a new permanent price for the phone.  Regardless, get one now while the price is this low.

Don’t forget that you can also get the Lumia 635 accessory bundle for $60, a savings of $38 if you were to buy all of the contents separately.  That bundle includes a case of your choice (selected cases), a screen protector, and a Nokia DC-21 portable battery charger

Lumia 635 – $69 for AT&T (No Contract) – Microsoft Store

Lumia 635 Accessories Bundle – $60 (Save Up To $38.99)

dTilt Shift photography is not something new to Windows Phone but many of the apps can be complicated to figure out, especially on photos you have already taken.  That is one of the reasons that the new Diorama app for Windows Phone is one try out.  The Diorama app allows you to take a photo with your camera or from your photo library and quickly apply a tilt shift effect to them.  With simple controls and a clean, simply UI, Diorama is a fast way to apply this fun photo filter to your pictures.

For those who are new to smartphone photography, tilt shifting is a photo effect where you make something look miniaturized, or as the case may be, like it is in a diorama.  It certainly isn’t new to digital or smartphone photography or photography in general for that matter.  Smartphones however have made the effect popular because apps like Diorama have made it easy.

Diorama for Windows Phone – Free (In-App Purchases) – Download Now

AT&T has posted on Twitter that customers can expect to see the Lumia Denim update for devices on their network “soon”.  The Tweet was a reply to long time Windows Platform Development MVP Ginny Caughey who somewhat sarcastically Tweeted that she would likely see Windows 10 on her Lumia 1520 before Lumia Denim was released.  AT&T apparently was paying attention and replied with this Tweet:

@gcaughey The Denim update is coming soon. We will announce it’s availability on the AT&T Consumer Blog as soon as it’s ready for download.

— AT&T (@ATT) February 3, 2015

It is certainly encouraging to hear that AT&T is looking to release Lumia Denim on the Lumia devices on their network but “soon” is a word that Windows Phone users have heard all too often. Still, we are likely talking weeks now instead of months.

As a reminder, you can read my Guide to Lumia Denim and my Lumia Denim Rollout Guide for more detailed information on the release and the rollout process.