Windows Phone 8 is definitely picking up pace as a worthy alternative mobile operating system for those who have grown tired of iOS and Android, or who want to stay away from the mainstream offering. The firmware's cause is definitely helped by the growing number of quality apps that are appearing on the Windows Phone Store, some from large development houses and some from third-party indie developers. The platform may not have an official Instagram presence yet, but the innovative Instagram Lockscreen app that is now available could at least give Windows Phone 8 users a taste of what they are missing out on.
For Windows Phone users, perhaps the most useful feature you can think of is not the temperature indicator within the Weather app, or where it is displayed. However, sometimes checking the current temperature in your town before heading out might just save you the time of going back indoors and pick a different jacket. LockTemp adds a small temperature indicator straight to the bottom-right corner of your lock screen.
Finnish telecommunications giant Nokia is reportedly prepping a bunch of new Lumia Windows Phone 8 devices this year, according to a report TheVerge, whom Nokia is also said to have revealed plans to opt for a delectable aluminum body for at least one of the higher-end models. Currently codenamed Catwalk, it will also take on a thinner and lighter form factor than the current flagship - the Lumia 920.
Whenever a new and improved mobile software is released nowadays, there's always that moment in which owners of certain devices discover theirs will be left out in the cold. In the case of Windows Phone 7.x, that was everybody, and although Microsoft has delivered Windows Phone 7.8 in something of a watered-down edition of Windows Phone 8, it's still lacking many of the key new features of Windows Phone 8. The advantage of using old software, however, is that, more often than not, it's a lot more mod-able, and thanks to a new app, those running Windows Phone 7.x can enjoy a slick Notification Center feature with the aptly-entitled Notifications app.
All of the recent Nokia and Windows Phone discussions may be centered around the Finnish company's launch of the fantastic new Lumia range of devices powered by Windows Phone 8 but if you happened to have gotten in on the Lumia action during the first wave of releases last year then there could be a nice software related surprise waiting for your Lumia 800 device when it connects to the Zune software. Those who still make daily use of their Lumia 800 have obviously made the conscious decision that the upgrade to a newer Lumia device isn't on the cards just yet but that shouldn't stop 800 owners from updating the device to Windows Phone 7.8 as it becomes available through Zune.
Facebook - once condemned for its lackluster collection of mobile apps - has really been on its game this week. Following the updates to both the Android and iOS apps just a day or two ago, the social network has now released one for those running Windows Phone 8. Just like the refreshers released to the Big Two platforms, the new Facebook app for Windows Phone 8 brings significant speed improvements. More details after the break.
As time has progressed, the amount of time we spend selecting and creating a custom ringtone has been severely reduced, thanks largely to the multitude of other distractions provided through the Windows Phone / iTunes / Google Play Stores. Before the world of modern smartphones, it was the Nokia-dominated world of cellphones, and despite its impressive Lumia range now a million miles from the era of the old faithful 3310, the Finnish company's love for the ringtone is as prevalent as ever. If you're in ownership of one of the new Lumia devices, you can now produce your very own melodies thanks to the just-released Ringtone Maker app tailored specifically for your handset.
Finnish based Nokia once sat on top of the mobile world and released some of the most iconic cellphones we have seen in the late 1990',s and even early on at the turn of the century. With that said, they are now placing their revival firmly in the hands of the gorgeous Windows Phone 8 powered Lumia devices, and although the already released Lumia 920 and 820 have been accumulating positive reviews, it seems they are not prepared to rest on their laurels and have announced the Nokia Lumia 620 device that is intended to appeal to the lower-end of the smartphone market.
If you've only been following the movements of the smartphone industry during the last couple of years, you may not have heard of HTC's HD2, but the old relic of a device - which first launched running another antiquated product in Windows Mobile 6.5 - has been modded to run the brand-new Windows Phone 8 ecosystem. That's right, while Microsoft has given Windows Phone 7.x users the sad news that their beloved device won't be upgradeable, the three year old handset designed by the Taiwanese maker has been pictured running Windows Phone 8.
Microsoft today announced some information surrounding a new release of its Windows Phone software that will go some way to answering some of the most oft-asked questions - when will Windows Phone 7.8 be released, and who will be able to take advantage of it?
