Category: Microsoft

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

One of the most powerful and handy apps for enterprise users of Windows Phone, Office Lens, has been updated with the ability to send your photos of documents and whiteboards directly to PDF.  The update, version 1.4.3727.0 for those keeping score at home, allows those PDFs to have selectable text and can be saved directly to your OneDrive account for safe keeping.

If you aren’t familiar with it, Office Lens for Windows Phone allows you to snap a photo of a flip chart, wallboard or piece of paper from virtually any angle and it will straighten it and to give you a front looking view.  It’s one of those PFM (Pure Frickin’ Magic) apps because when you see it in action for the first time, you’ll be blow away.

Office Lens for Windows Phone – Free – Download Now

Microsoft has released an update to what was known as the Phone Insider app for Windows Phone.  The now Windows Insider for Windows Phone app is essentially the same app with a new name but clearly prepares the way for Windows 10 to come to your phone in February.

Windows Insider – Free – Download Now

Microsoft Studios has released another major update to the popular game Age of Empires Castle Siege for Windows and Windows Phone.  The update, version 1.0.4.371 for those keeping score at home, brings a huge number of game improvements, bug fixes and expanded content for those who have made it to Age 8 in the game.  I reviewed Age of Empires Castle Siege when it was first released and the game has had several big updates since that review.  While the fundamentals of the game haven’t changed – advance your civilization and protect it against attacking hordes – the game has certainly improved in overall stability and features.

Age of Empires Castle Siege for Windows Phone – Free – Download Now

Age of Empires Castle Siege for Windows – Free – Download Now

If there were any doubts in your mind about Microsoft’s commitment to the mobile space, today’s Windows 10 event should have but those to rest.  Not only did we get some insights into what Windows 10 will look like and now it will function on a smartphone, we also got a commitment to a new flagship Windows phone in 2015.

The magnitude of everything Microsoft announced today at the Windows 10 is hard to capture in one post.  So I’m not going to even try.  But there is one thing that stuck out almost immediately in the event.  Windows is no longer just a Operating System.  It is a Service.  And as a service, the scope and depth of the platform took on new meaning for developers, enterprises and customers alike.  This is a huge turn for Microsoft as a company.