live tiles

Earlier today we shared with you guys news about Microsoft looking to add more live tiles to Windows Phone. It would allow the interface to look better on displays with larger and higher resolutions, something that Windows Phone 8 currently might not excel at. A reader sent a quick mockup of what that would look like. We figured we’d share it with you all.

It was only yesterday when we reported that Microsoft released an update for Windows Phone 7.8 hardware, which was believed to address the Live Tile issues consumers have been experiencing. Unfortunately this turned out to not be the case, but the company has begun rolling out another build that's confirmed to do just that.

We've previously looked at a Live Tile issue on Windows Phone 7.8, but it seems as though the issue with the feature could be worse than we originally thought. Owners have complained that tiles are not updating correctly or are "bugging out" with massive amounts of data being utilised with consequences on the battery charge. This isn't good, especially when the Live Tiles are a major selling point of the OS.

Microsoft seems to be constantly tweaking and fine tuning the Windows Phone Store experience. The latest upgrades will be seen with Windows Phone 8 store and covers a few design changes, a little under the hood tweaks and a hand full of new features.  All designed to help consumers with app and game selection and to help developers get thier works seen.

If you are curious if an app or game has Live Tile support, the Details Page of the application will make note if the app has a Live Tile.  This may not be a major improvement but how many out there have been curious is an app or game they are shopping for has Live Tile support and it's not noted in the description?

A Federal lawsuit has been filed in U.S. District Court in Maine claiming Microsoft's Windows Phone Live Tiles infringe on four patents. The patents in question are held by SurfCast and the litigation involves Windows Phone 7, Windows Phone 7 and Windows 8 devices.

SurfCast is asking the Court to declare Microsoft directly and indirectly (through encouraging app development) guilty of infringing on their patents. The want Microsoft to be responsible for financial damages to SurfCast for this infringement.  No injunctive relief has been requestion preventing Microsoft from continuing to produce, sell or distribute the involved systems.

It's time for another From the Forums where we bring you the hottest threads  from the Windows Phone Central community. The boards are the number one destination for Windows Phone fans and developers to engage in relevant conversation. A growing number of registrations is present with a strong accumulation of threads and posts.

The black and white HTC 8S sports a unique black (on light) theme for use, according to a hands-on video by smartphoneinfos. We've taken a good look and it's definitely a new theme. The question is if this is simply an exclusive colour to HTC or we could well be seeing more colours on offer for use in Windows Phone 8.

Many (including ourselves) have been after more themes since Windows Phone launched back in late 2010, and a black theme was high in the request list. Looking at the theme in action on the HTC 8S indeed makes it seem possible that we could see more colours available to choose from when personalising a Windows Phone.