Category: App Update

I always debate if I should post these minor update notifications but just in case any of you are impacted by a bug in the code, I feel I should.  So here you go… Microsoft has updated the Music app for Windows Phone with a minor update to address some fixes and improvements in the app.  What are those fixes or improvements?  Haven’t a clue.

The update brings the revision number up to 2.6.347.0 for those keeping score at home (baseball term if you aren’t familiar with it) and the release notes literally say that there are minor fixes and improvements in this build.  There is however no indication as to what exactly is fixed or improved.

What is interesting however is that this is the 3rd update that the app has received in almost as many weeks.  Clearly Microsoft keeps tweaking on this app to improve it – just have no idea what they are trying to improve!

Music for Windows Phone – Free – Download Now

The latest update to the Skype for Windows Phone app has just gone live in the Windows Phone Store and it brings a very cool new doodling feature.  The update, version 2.24.0.111 for those keeping score, brings several new features including the new drawing function.  There is also support for HD screens and improved third-party app access to Skype amongst the new features.

First and foremost with the new app, which is universal for Windows and Windows Phone, is the new drawings function.  Now you can add a drawing to a message by tapping the + icon next to where you normally type then select Share Drawing.  On your Windows PC, Tablet or Windows Phone, draw out your message or picture then send it.  You can also send annotated maps.

Skype for Windows Phone – Free – Download Now

Microsoft has released a small update to the Extras+Info app for Windows Phone that has caused a bit of a stir today in the community.  It was released a few hours ago but almost immediately rumors began floating that this was Lumia Denim, the next firmware update expected this year for Windows Phone.  Folks, this is not Lumia Denim.  It is simply an app update.

Now, what exactly was updated in Extras+Info is pretty vague in that the description highlights stability improvements.  So nothing terribly exciting.

Lumia Denim, which will bring a whole set of new features to Windows Phone, will be released later this year.

Microsoft’s continued efforts to rebrand the Nokia lineup of apps has continued with the update yesterday of Nokia Refocus to Lumia Refocus.  The renaming of the apps has been part of the overall process of Microsoft absorbing the Nokia brand and focusing the devices and apps to the Lumia name.  For diehard Nokia fans it is a painful process but is one that undoubtedly will continue.

Lumia Refocus, for those who don’t know, is one of the great photo apps that is available for from Microsoft.  As the name suggest, it allows you to take a photo and have any part of that photo in focus or have the entire photo in focus.  It is also dead simple to use.  Just point your Lumia Windows Phone’s camera a near object and tap the screen.  The app will then capture the entire photo in focus where you can then go in and select what you want in focus.

Lumia Refocus for Windows Phone – Free – Download Now

Microsoft has released an update to the Lumia Creative Studio app for Windows Phone, brining back the popular Color Pop feature along with a few other enhancements that make this a pretty powerful photo editor.  The new version, 6.3 for those keeping score, is in the Windows Phone Store now and, as with the other Lumia apps, is free to download to your Windows Phone.

Lumia Creative Studio for Windows Phone – Free – Download Now

The Glance screen app for Windows phone has been updated and it has some big improvements and new features.  The biggest new feature is the ability to have live lockscreen information on your Glance screen.  While it is currently limited to only MSN Weather and Health & Fitness, you can now get this information on the Glance screen without having to actually start your Windows Phone.

The Glance app, which is included in several Windows Phone models or can be downloaded separately, allows you to view, erm, at a glance, information such as email, messages and other important information on one screen while your Windows Phone sits idle without having to actually turn on your phone to get to the Lockscreen.

Glance for Windows Phone – Free – Download Now