Apps

It was just last month when Navitel released a mapping app for Windows Phone 7.x devices with promises to release a Windows Phone 8 version in the near future. Today Navitel held true to their word and released the Windows Phone 8 version of their app.  In a manner of speaking that is.

Now before you get excited, the release is very limited in what maps are available and it's only a thirty day trial. After the thirty days you'll have to pony up and pay as much as 50 Euros for Navitel's service.

MapQuest is no secret to mapping things out and has thrown it's name on to the Windows Phone Store shelves. The Windows Phone 8 app has voice-guided navigation, real-time traffic conditions, the ability to hunt down restaurants, and a lot more.

I can remember when MapQuest was the go-to website for looking up addresses and the MapQuest Windows Phone app makes a rather nice first impression.

McDonalds Germany has released a Windows Phone app for consumers to download and enjoy. What's interesting to note is how good this app looks, as well as what's sported in terms of features and functionality. Bottom line is: should you enjoy eating at McDonalds, you'll definitely want to check this app out.

The cost of sending SMS to contacts while they are abroad can prove to be rather costly, but there are a number of services that help minimise this fee, or remove it altogether. One such app has arrived on the Windows Phone Store and is called yuilop (www.yuilop.me). The app, now available for Windows Phone 8 hardware, enables users to send free SMS to anyone with a mobile phone in the world.

Nokia has updated its Accessories system app, which enables compatible Lumia Windows Phones to connect with compatible devices and offer unique functionality. Version 2.5.3.1 is quite the update, implementing numerous new features and functionality that will please those who utilise official hardware from the manufacturer.

The Unification service by Liquid Daffodil is picking up steam with more consumers and developers getting involved. To help make the experience as feature rich as possible, the team has enabled inline image support, meaning developers can now send images in notifications, as well as the standard text. This is especially useful for social apps that could render photos shared by others, for example.

Both the Windows Phone and Windows 8 apps have recently been updated to implement and support the new functionality.

Microsoft is continuing to update its Facebook Beta app, which has been well received by the Windows Phone community. The latest release, version 5.0.1.4 is a minor bump from when we last covered the app so we can only assume minor fixes and improvements have been applied to help make it a more stable experience.

The official Twitter app for Windows Phone, which received a hearty update a few months ago, has just been bumped to version 2.1 and it’s quite significant too.

The big new feature is integrated Lens support with filters. That means you can snap a photo and quickly post it to your Twitter account (or accounts, as multiple ones are supported) and add some nifty filters like Vignette, Warm, Cool, 1963, 1972, Golden Hour, Antique, and the classic Black and White.

We've previously looked at Swapchat, an unofficial Snapchat client for Windows Phone, which has been in beta testing for some time now. Much like Instagram, until an official offering is presently available, developers will look to capitalise on the absence with an app of their own. While we're heard from multiple sources that an official Snapchat app is on its way, it's good to see third-party alternatives for consumers to enjoy. 

Windows Phone 8 gamers are currently enjoying this week’s new Xbox title, the delightfully free and also just plain delightful Jetpack Joyride. But you can never have too many games, especially when you’re addicted to Xbox Achievements. Your mouth gets dry, the shakes start to set in, and only a new game will keep you from eating a family sized bag of Whoppers (wrapper and all) in your delirium.

Enter the Xbox Red Stripe Deal of the Week, only too eager to ease the pain! The latest weekly sale title is BulletAsylum from UberGeekGames. Normally priced at $2.99, it’s now discounted to 99 cents. BulletAsylum previously went on sale for $1.99 once in May 2012, so this is a better deal… Probably what the game should always have cost, in fact.

The new non-Xbox Red Stripe Deals are indie game Chicken Invaders 3 from Betacom and popular instant messaging app IM+ Pro. Both cost only a dollar this week, which is an especially good deal for the normally $5 IM+ Pro. Read on for more details, screenshots, and download links!