Moving files around on smartphones is the kind of thing we've been arguing over for years. There are two schools of thought; one group of people think that seeing as our smartphones are basically little computers, we should treat them as such. That means file systems, directory structures and a file manager just like our computers. The other group of people thinks that we should take the opportunity to dump all that nonsense, hiding the whole thing.
Even though the tiled nature of Windows Phone serves as a quirk, it's also a hindrance to those who like their traditional wallpapers. Recognizing this, Microsoft has come through with a compromise in Windows Phone 8.1, allowing wallpapers to be spread across tiles in a neat, mosaic fashion. But there is still a conflict of interests between tiles and wallpapers thanks to fixed-color tiles, and with everything appearing a little too busy and cluttered, one developer has decided to create an app that renders these stubborn tiles completely transparent.
When Microsoft detailed what would be part of its Windows Phone 8.1 update, one of the features that caught our eye was the introduction of 'Project My Screen.' Having the ability to display a smartphone's screen output on a computer may not seem too exciting at first, but if you throw a touch-screen monitor into the equation, things start to get interesting. Unfortunately though, the PC aspect of the whole thing wasn't quite ready, leaving eager tweakers to sit on their hands and wait.
Remember when Microsoft promised that the official Facebook Messenger app would be making an imminent appearance on Windows Phone? That announcement was made back in February, with Joe Belfiore announcing that the native Messenger app will introduce additional features above and beyond those found in the system based Facebook messaging integration. Belfiore, Microsoft and Facebook have stayed true to that promise, with the official Facebook Messenger app for Windows Phone now available to download from the Windows Phone Store.
When considering some of the major social networks around, those that may instantly spring to mind include Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. But for every major hunt, there are literally dozens of smaller efforts vying for some sort of recognition, and Path, which has been available on Android and iOS for quite a while now, is definitely one of them. Although it has a unique, endearing interface and a wide range of features and quirks, it has continued to struggle, but with Windows Phone seemingly on the come-up having edged a little more market share in recent times, a Path app has just made a somewhat timely appearance over at the WP Store.
Microsoft seems determined to make the most of its ecosystem and that's never been more clear than the news that the company has launched the somewhat less than exciting Office Remote app for Windows Phone. If you've ever wanted to interact with Microsoft's Office apps by using your Windows Phone instead of a mouse, then you're in luck.
Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto 5 has been the biggest-selling console title of this year, breaking several early sales records since its release in September. Many millions of gamers had been waiting years on its arrival, and barring a few technical glitches with GTA Online and whatnot, most have deemed the latest in the popular free-for-all classic series to have been worth the lengthy delay. To supplement the title, iFruit for iOS (and rather belatedly), Android, have given those running either of the two main mobile OSes an even richer experience, and although Windows Phone, as ever, remains bereft of any official support, a new third-party app for Microsoft's platform could serve as the perfect accompaniment to GTA 5.
The wait is coming to a close, as the teaser tweet from Nokia USA aims to tout. The US division of the Finnish company tweeted a teaser image showing off two Lumia 1020 devices; one from the back with the impressive 41-megapixel PureView camera in all its glory, while the other showing the same device running - you guessed it - Instagram for Windows Phone!
