Category: App Update

The Avis app for Windows Phone has received a nice update today, bringing several improvements designed to make the app more user friendly.  The update, version 1.3.0.0 for those keeping score at home, now allows you to stay logged into the app for up to 90 days.  Previously you had to log in every time you used the app.  That’s great for security but a real pain when you are trying to get your reservation information as you walk through an airport terminal.

Avis app for Windows Phone – Free – Download Now

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

Microsoft has released an update to the Nokia Software Recovery Tool with support for newer Lumia devices.  The update, version 5.0.5 for those keeping score at home, fundamentally works the same way as it always has although there are a few minor layout changes.  If you are not familiar with this tool, it is a download that allows you to recover your Lumia phone to its original firmware configuration if your phone will not respond or is stuck in a loop.  Rarely should you need to use this if ever but the tool is there and available for free.

If you need more insight into how the tool works, read my How To on restoring your Lumia’s software.

Nokia Software Recovery Tool – Free – Microsoft

Foursquare has released a minor update to their Windows Phone app that addresses issues around the app’s Cortana integration.  The update, version 4.1.1.0 for those keeping score at home, has only one issue that is addressed in their release notes: Addresses an issue when opening places for Cortana.  It is not clear how widespread the problem has been or if it was specific to particular devices.  Regardless, if you use the app, get the update to avoid any potential problems.

Foursquare for Windows Phone – Free – Download Now

The latest update to the Foursquare app for Windows and Windows Phone (Universal) brings an interesting twist to once hugely popular location check-in app.  You can now get personalized recommendations from the app on your devices without actually having to have a Foursquare account.  It is a significant shift for the app as Foursquare continues to focus on their main app as being personalized local content while their other app, Swarm, is for checking and more of the social networking side of the business.  Foursquare is shifting to a service instead of something you do.

This shift has not been received well by hardcore Foursquare users (Clinton raises his hand too) but it is clear that Foursquare wants their app to be the one that you get recommendations around you, even if you aren’t a registered Foursquare user.

Foursquare for Windows Phone – Free – Download Now

The Lumia Storyteller app for Windows Phone has received a minor update overnight, bringing expanded stories in your timeline among other small updates.  The new build, version 4.1.0.19 for those keeping score at home, builds on the major 4.0 update that came out in December and is more-or-less a tweaking of some of the features that that releases brought to the exclusively Lumia only app.

Lumia Storyteller – Free (Lumia Devices Only) – Download Now