The official Amazon for Windows Phone app has received a small but important update today, addressing some bugs within the app and making some performance improvements. The update, version 2.6.82.1 for those keeping score at home, doesn’t bring any new features but in my testing this morning does have a significant performance boost over the previous build. If you use the Amazon app on your Windows Phone this update is certainly one to get.
Yesterday, Amazon announced two new unlimited storage plans for the Amazon Cloud Drive to help it compete in the personal cloud storage market. While the offerings are okay, for Windows and Windows Phone users, there is likely a better deal to be had with OneDrive, Microsoft’s own cloud storage solution. The biggest problem for Windows Phone users is the lack of an app for Amazon Cloud Drive which can make uploading to these new unlimited services a challenge, especially on-the-go.
The audio book app Audible for Windows Phone has received a major update, it’s first since 2013 (the same year it was released) and it brings a whole host of new features, fixes and improvements. If you remember, I told you about the Audible for Windows Phone Beta that has been going on these past few weeks and I even encouraged users to try it as it was so much better than the current “shipping” version of the Audible app. That beta is now rolled up into the official app and everyone will benefit from it. The update, version 9.0.1.23 for those keeping score at home, is available now in the Windows Phone store.
A couple of weeks ago I told you about the new Audible for Windows Phone beta that is out and how even as a beta it is far superior to the current production app that is available. Over the weekend the app received another update to address some issues but also to add a couple of options. The updated, version 9.0.1.19 for those keeping score at home, is available now and while I don’t normally suggest you try beta software unless you know what you are getting into, this one is worth the download if you are an Audible customer.
Every once in a while I see a beta version of an app that is so much better – so dramatically improved over the current production app – that I actually recommend it be installed. The new Audible for Windows Phone beta is one of those. If you have read this site any amount of time you know that I warn against installing beta software. It tends to be buggy, do strange and often unexplained things, and it often is just not ready for primetime. I’m not suggesting you won’t run into these issues with the new Audible beta. What I am suggesting however is that it is so much better and more stable than the production version, even if you see a bug pop up it’ll be less than what you get today.
Yes, it’s that much better.
Here is another great deal running currently on Amazon. Right now you can get the Lumia 830 International Unlocked version for only $369.99. That’s a full $130 less than what you can buy it from AT&T or Microsoft direct on their sites. The “Affordable Flagship” has done reasonably well here in the US market and at this price it certainly is one to consider.
The International Unlocked version means that it will work here in the US with no problem but you will not be able to use LTE connectivity. You will only have HSDPA+ which is really fast 3G. Personally, this is what I have on my Lumia 1320 as it is also an international unlock version that I acquired while in Europe. Unless you just really, really need LTE, HSDPA+ will meet the needs of most users.
Today over at Amazon there is a huge sale going on as part of their Deal of the Day on SanDisk media. Today only you can save up to 73% off various storage solutions from SanDisk. The deal ranges from USB key storage down to MicroSD storage cards and all are in stock right now.
This morning the Amazon app for Windows Phone received a minor update that has brought stability and performance improvements to the shopping app. The update, version 2.6.81.2 for those keeping score, only lists “bug fixes and performance improvements” in the release notes as what is new in this version. However, I for one, had significant issues using this app prior to this update with it often crashing on me as I was searching for products. This morning at least those seem to have gone away.
