Category: Windows Phone

The ever popular Instagram app for Windows Phone, 6Tag, has received yet another update bringing several new features to users.  The Instagram app is the work of developer Rudy Huyn, one of the most prolific in the Windows community and is hands-down superior to the official Instagram app for Windows Phone which has not seen an update in well over a year now.  This latest update, version 4.2 for those keeping score at home, is available now in the Windows Phone Store.

6Tag for Windows Phone – Free – Download Now

A bit of good news on the app front for Windows Phone.  Cut The Rope 2, a game which has been available for well over a year on Android and iOS, has made its way to the Little OS That Could.  The free game is identical to the game on the other platforms and is a sequel to the original game where you help the main character Om Nom get to the candy by cutting ropes to swing him into the position to get the candy.  It sounds easy but there are some levels of the game that are mighty difficult.

Cut The Rope 2 for Windows Phone – Free – Download Now

The official Amtrak app for Windows Phone has receive a big update today, bringing the ability to view your eTickets and monthly reservations amongst other changes.  The update, version 2.2.0 for those keeping score at home, also brings the ability to purchase tickets right from within the app.  For those outside of the United States, Amtrak is our national rail service and while not nearly as comprehensive as those you would find in Europe, it is pretty good especially if you live in the densely populated East Coast.  Now you don’t have to always go to the Amtrak site while on the go with your Windows Phone.

Amtrak for Windows Phone – Free – Download Now

For those of you in the Windows Insider program who are running Windows 10 for Phone, there is a new build out this afternoon and one that you should most definitely get if you are in the Fast Ring.  It comes just 11 days after 10051 was posted.  Build 10052 doesn’t bring any new features nor does it bring the new Office apps but it does have a huge number of fixes and improvements that will benefit everyone.  If you are a Windows Insider and on the Fast Ring, go to Settings>Phone Update and get the latest build.

Over the past few weeks I have been using a Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 tablet as part of my daily routine.  As I put in my post a few weeks ago, it has been refreshing to have so many apps available on the platform but I still have plenty of things about Android itself that I’m not fond of exactly.  I love Windows and Windows Phone and I can only hope that the app gap is closed a bit when it is released later this summer.

We know for sure that Microsoft is heavily focused on their own apps in Windows 10 for the PC, Tablet and Phone and in Android, we get a glimpse of just where they plan on going with their apps on these devices running the new OS.  Equally, we know that Microsoft is pushing developers and themselves hard to create universal apps so no matter which device you are using an app on, you get the same look, feel and features across all devices.  If you look at the Office suite of apps – Word, Excel and PowerPoint – then look at Outlook on Android, you have a much richer and decidedly more touch friendly experience than you do currently with Office 2013 on Windows 8.1 PCs and tablets..  As for Office on Windows Phone, I’ve said before and I’ll say it again that it is just about useless at this point. Even Microsoft acknowledges it is a frustrating experience.

The future of these apps however looks bright and all you have to do is go look at them on Android.

The value priced but powerful BLU Win HD LTE Windows Phone has made its way to the Microsoft Store and is priced at $199 unlocked.  If you don’t remember, this new phone was announced just before MWC this year and is the latest in the lineup from BLU Windows Phones aimed at giving solid mid-range features at an attractive price.  This new phone also eliminates one of the complaints with the BLU Win HD which is that it did not support LTE bands for higher download speeds so at $199, it is a great deal for what it has to offer.

BLU Win HD LTE – $199 – Microsoft Store