Category: Windows Phone

The personal assistant Cortana that is built into Windows Phones running Lumia Denim and is now in the Windows 10 technical preview continues to get mini, behind-the-scenes updates.  The latest update now brings the ability to read out loud instant answers to your questions.  To this point, when you asked a question like “What time is it?” Cortana would simply display the current time.  Now when you ask the same question, it reads out the time based on your location.

The popular Runtastic app for Windows Phone has seen a major update this morning bringing an improved user experience along with a lot of new features.  The update, version 3.0.3.0 for those keeping score at home, is available now and many of the updates are focused on the Pro version of the app (which also saw the same updates).  Runtastic is free while Runtastic Pro is $4.99.

Runtastic for Windows Phone – Free – Download Now

Runtastic Pro for Windows Phone – $4.99 – Download Now

One of the new apps in the Windows and Windows Phone Stores that is a real bright spot is the NPR One app.  National Public Radio, or NPR, released the app last week for Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 to bring you news and information from your local NPR station as well as news and information from the wide range of NPR shows to your devices, completely free.  With smooth navigation and powerful search functionality, the NPR One app is a must have for those who listen avidly to National Public Radio.

The release of NPR One last week covered both Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 to the closest thing that the platforms today have to Universal Apps.  Functionally they are identical with only modifications for the UIs coming into play.

NPR One for Windows Phone 8.1 – Free – Download Now

NPR One for Windows 8.1 – Free – Download Now

If you have been waiting to get Windows Phone 8.1 on your HTC 8X as a T-Mobile customer, your wait is over.  According to a Tweet from the T-Mobile USA Twitter account, the company has no plans of releasing any future updates to this device.  It’s sad news but it shouldn’t come as a complete shock to many Windows Phone fans.  The 8x was released in November 2012 so at just over 2 years old and with HTC still not fully committed to Windows Phone, it is hardly a surprise

The Personal Assistant Cortana that is built into Windows 10 and Windows Phone has a new Interests category that will allow you to track everything from workouts to concerts.  But this new feature isn’t available to everyone and there is no indication on when everyone will see it.  It’s another way that Microsoft continues to make the service more personalized for every individual user.

The quiet but consistent rollout of Windows 10 look and feel continues to march across Microsoft’s websites.  This morning you can now see the new look Devices page on the new Microsoft account pages that reflect the look and feel as well as the icons for Windows 10.  It is certainly more dramatic than the current device look you find on the Windows Phone pages today and is likely the look we can expect to see across all Microsoft digital properties in the coming months.