Author: Clinton

There are a lot of new features in Windows 10, many of which we saw during the Windows 10 event last month.  However there is one new feature that wasn’t mentioned and that is the power down Reminder feature.  Today under Windows Phone 8.1, when you power off your device (press and hold the power button then swipe down on your screen), you are given a “goodbye” message.  Under Windows 10 for Phone however this changes to provide you a bit more information.

One of the changes that I outlined in my initial thoughts on Windows 10 for Phone is the semi-transparent tiles on the Start screen.  As I discussed with my friend Mike Temporale (he runs MobileJaw) yesterday on Twitter, I personally like them as it was one of the aesthetic things about iOS 8 that I enjoyed in my walk through the iOS wilderness.  Mike however isn’t so sold.  Well Mike and others who aren’t 100% sold, take heart.  Microsoft’s Joe Belfiore in a Tweet last night confirmed that Transparent Live Tiles like we have in Windows Phone 8.1 is returning in a later build of Windows 10 for Phone.

@OpenPlumbob yes… Were planning to include both the “full background” and “in the tiles” options.

— joebelfiore (@joebelfiore) February 13, 2015

As part of the release for the Preview of Windows 10 for Phone yesterday was the Windows Recovery Tool.  This separate download is the key for users who want to roll their devices back from Windows 10 for Phone to Windows Phone 8.1.  As I put in my initial thoughts on Windows 10 for Phone, there are a lot of bugs and some significant lag issues with the Preview and it may be to much for some users.  As a reminder, for those who are going to stick with it, be sure to use the Feedback app built into the Preview to give Microsoft the feedback they need to improve things.

One of the key elements for Windows Insiders who are testing the Preview of Windows 10 for Phones is providing feedback.  Feedback is the only way that the next generation of Windows on mobiles will improve both from a stability and performance perspective but also a general user experience view.  Therefore providing feedback is key.

Fortunately Microsoft has made it very easy for you to provide feedback on any app no matter which one it is or what you happen to be doing on your Windows Phone.  It’s a great way to collect instant information – including screenshots – and also eliminates any excuses not to give that feedback.

Peeps & Tweeps, it appears that today is the day.  Today, according to Microsoft’s Gabriel Aul, we will see Windows 10 Mobile Technical Preview released.  In a Tweet this morning he posted

Okay #WindowsInsiders, you’ve all been patient enough. TODAY is the day for Win10 Technical Preview for phones. Stay tuned for more info.

— Gabriel Aul (@GabeAul) February 12, 2015

That pretty much is as clear as day eh? What is better, and kind of funny, is in his very next Tweet he wrote

Okay, going dark for a bit. Need to go push a button… — Gabriel Aul (@GabeAul) February 12, 2015

Now, let’s all take a breath folks because everyone needs to keep a few things in mind.  First, Windows 10 Mobile is going to be in beta which means it will have issues and bugs.  If you are not prepared for that, do not install it on your Windows Phone.  Remember, everything associated with Windows 10 is in beta at the moment.  If you are going to install it, read my Windows 10 Mobile tips post for some advice.

Second, not every device is going to see the Preview today.  If your device isn’t supported today, that doesn’t mean it won’t be later.  But Microsoft has been clear that in the beginning not every device will be supported.  Going to Twitter and complaining about it will not help – so don’t.

So for now, stay tuned and calm.  Windows 10 Mobile Preview will be here in a matter of hours.

Really Simple Syndication, or RSS, has been around since the mid-90s and is a way for websites like this one to publish a “feed” to subscribers providing the highlights of posts so users don’t necessarily have to visit the site until they want to do so for a particular article.  In fact, you can subscribe to the RSS feed for ClintonFitch.com right here and most of the Windows and Windows Phone dedicated sites have their own feeds.  Likewise, RSS readers or aggregators have been around a long time as well.  These app allow you to gather all of your RSS feeds into one place so you can read them in one place at one time.  When it comes to Windows and Windows Phone, one of the best readers out there is NextGen Reader.

NextGen Reader leverages Feedly where you actually configure the RSS feeds and presents them in a modern, easy-to-read and navigate app for both your Windows 8.1 PC and tablets as well as a Windows Phone 8.1 version that is equally as solid.  The app allows you to quickly and easily read your feeds, supports the Modern Windows 8.1 app design and on the Windows Phone version, supports Live Tiles and pinning on your Start screen.  NextGen Reader is as close to a universal app as you can get in the current Windows 8.1 world (true universal apps are coming in Windows 10) but it does mean that once you buy the app at $2.99, you get the app on all your Windows powered devices.  If you are looking for a good RSS/News reader for your devices, take a look at this one.  I don’t think you will be disappointed.

NextGen Reader for Windows Phone – $2.99 (Universal App) – Download Now

NextGen Reader for Windows – $2.99 (Universal App) – Download Now