Windows Phone News

Since summer of last year, Electronic Arts and Chillingo have been pumping out Nokia-exclusive Xbox Windows Phone games. Players not fortunate enough to own Nokia phones sometimes feel left out and/or upset because they can’t access those games from their phones. But we are talking about timed exclusivity here.

Six months after release, Mirror’s Edge became available to all Windows Phone users, followed by Risk and Connect 4. So while owners of HTC, Samsung, and other non-Nokia devices have to wait a while, Nokia’s deal with EA does pay off for them as well.

This week, two more former exclusives became available to all Windows Phone users: The Game of Life and Parking Mania. As if that wasn’t enough, Shoot 1UP, an Xbox game that was found to be incompatible with Windows Phone 8 has just gained compatibility. Gotta love being able to play more stuff!

According to sources familiar with company plans, Microsoft is preparing to roll out an update for the Xbox 360. This package will implement changes to the dashboard UI and will enter into a public beta in late June or early July. Said changes are believed to be in preparation for the next-generation console, which Microsoft will be announcing soon.

Just like the Lumia 920, Nokai's new Lumia 928 has had its case pulled off to reveal what's inside. We're always under the impression that Nokia packs magic inside its family of Windows Phones, with an army of fairies making the experience complete. Unfortunately, the Verizon Lumia 928 is (like technology in general) powered by circuitry. Interested to see what's inside?

Nokia has released a new beta for Lumia Windows Phone owners to enjoy - App Highlights Social. So what can one do with said app installed? It essentially takes the baton from the App Highlights app we've come to know and love, but improving the overall experience with new functionality and a more advanced interface. Our first impressions: it's really, really cool.

A concept, created by recent French graduate Ferid, has been published online. The concept goes into some detail about possible improvements that could be implemented to make it easier and more convenient for consumers to carry out standard tasks on a mobile phone. 

Bill Gates doesn’t have anything to do with the day-to-day operations of Microsoft. Since stepping down back in 2008, he’s been full-timing it at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation - the largest transparently operated private foundation in the world. But he’s still an important figure in the tech world, especially for anyone following Microsoft. He’s also back on top as the world’s richest person.

Instagram is here for Windows Phone, unofficially at least now that Itsdagram is in the Store. But if there’s one thing we like, it's competition. And soon we’ll see another app in the Store that will allow you to upload, view, comment and more to Instagram. We’ve already told you that Instagraph and Metrogram have plans to join forces. Here’s your first sneak peak.

When Cut the Rope: Experiments arrived on Windows Phone last month, fans of the Cut the Rope series were of course pleased to see another installment on our platform. But the sequel’s arrival also reminded us that the first Cut the Rope had yet to receive an update since launch. The original game on Windows Phone had only 275 levels - 75 less than other versions.

As mobile Xbox gamers surely know, Rovio has been busy updating several of its Angry Birds games lately. Now it looks like Russian developer ZeptoLab has decided to join in the fun, because they’ve updated Cut the Rope at last! The update brings our version up to par with the iOS and Android games and gives players a great reason to rejoin Om Nom on his quest for candy.

It's been almost three years since Windows Phone succeeded Windows Mobile and now Microsoft has managed to take third position from BlackBerry in the global market for Q1 2013 shipments, according to IDC. The gap between the two platforms has been closing in for some time and with Nokia's strong marketing push, Windows Phone is now well on its way to the iOS and Android pool party.