Author: Clinton

Earlier this week I posted on the fact that the Windows Phone Store has over 300,000 apps and continues to improve and mature.  Here is another great example of that improvement.  Ubisoft, makers of the Assassin’s Creed franchise, has just released AC Pirates for Windows Phone.  This was one of my favourite games for iOS and when it dropped into the store yesterday, without hesitation I hit the Buy button.

And I don’t regret it for a second.

AC Pirates for Windows Phone has you play the role of Alonzo Batilla, a young pirate who is trying to make his way in the pirate world of the Caribbean.  He does this by challenging the establishment, forging alliances and of course doing piratey things like steal gold and find treasure.  The story line, graphics and game play are outstanding and yes I was up until the small hours playing – again.

Facebook Messenger for Windows Phone has been updated with several improvements including the ability to record and send voice messages through the service.  It has been one of the most requested features for the app and for Windows Phone users, was one of the ways that Messenger for iOS was ahead as it had this feature.  Rejoice Windows Phone users, you now have it too!

We knew this day was coming and it has arrived for Windows Phone.  Foursquare has now launched Swarm for Windows Phone, taking the check-in process away from the original Foursquare app and moving it to a separate app.  Now if you have been reading my other blog, AlliOSNews, you know that I’m not thrilled about this prospect.  I personally don’t like Swarm.  I’m fine with where Foursquare is trying to take the Foursquare app and what they are trying to do with Swarm but why do we need two apps?

Over the course of the last week I’ve had a chance to use and put through its paces the Lumia 635, the budget friendly entry Windows Phone from Nokia.  I have to admit that when I first got it, I wasn’t sure what to expect given the low price point of £119.99 but as I indicated in my first impressions, I have nothing but good things to say about this Windows Phone.  It snappy and the display is excellent and if there is only one knock on it it would be the low end 5MP camera.  But it isn’t terrible – I’ve seen far worse.  If you are looking for a solid phone at a great price, look no further than the Lumia 635.

The challenge with any mobile device is storage.  Windows Phone is no exception and the beauty of the majority of devices on the market today is that you can easily expand that memory by adding a MicroSD card to it.  In my case, in both my Lumia 635 and Lumia 1320 I have a 64GB card, giving me ample room for apps, music, videos and podcasts.  I had the cards in the devices when If first set them up so I could chose where these things were stored.  I did this with a Nokia app named Storage Sense and even if you add a microSD card to your Windows Phone after getting it, this powerful app will make moving content from your phones memory to the card a snap.

If you know me or have followed me here or on AlliOSNews for any amount of time you know that I’m a big fan of Fitbit.  The wearable tracker helps me keep track of my activities for the day as well an integrating into MyFitnessPal, my diet tracking app.  Back in 2009 I started a weight loss program that would see me go from 290 lbs to my current weight (as of this morning) of 191.3 lbs.  Yes there was a lot of hard work involved by Fitbit helped me without a doubt.

One of the really exciting parts aspects of Windows Phone 8.1 is Bluetooth LE which allows things, like a Fitbit, to connect to your Windows Phone and sync automatically on-the-fly.  So it only makes sense that there would now be a full fledged Fitbit for Windows Phone 8.1 app available now that takes full advantage of this update.  If you have been a Fitbit user on Android or iOS, you will feel right at home with the app on Windows Phone.  It is identical in every way and even gives you up-to-the-minute updates thanks to the Live Tile for the app.