store

If you're not already aware of the online Windows Phone store, which is available over on the official Windows Phone website (www.windowsphone.com), it's useful way of checking out Windows Phone content when at a computer. As well as browsing apps from developers, consumers are also able to look through and install OEM apps that are listed in the Nokia Collection, Samsung Zone and HTC Apps.

Prior to this feature it was only possible to check out the latest content from each manufacturer on a device.

Updated with new screenshot (12:30PM ET)

We’re just going to leave this here for now as we’re not 100% sure to do with it. The image above reportedly reveals the official Instagram app for Windows Phone 7 and Windows Phone 8 on the Windows Phone Store page. But images can be faked and this one has a few issues with it.

For one, the first sentence states: “100 million users love Instagram! It’s a free, fun, and simple way to make and share gorgeous photos on your Android.”

Ahem, Android?

We've been hit by a number of reports this morning that the Windows Phone Store is playing up and not allowing consumers to download apps and games. We're able to confirm that the issue is indeed present, with the error 805a0193 displaying when attempting to grab an app for our handset. This isn't the first (and probably not the last) time the store has fallen unwell.

The Windows Phone team have published some helpful tips and pointers for developers who are thinking of submitting apps to the Windows Phone Store. They go into some detail, covering the multiple XAPs per GUID, as well as deciding on how to approach the submission. Walkthroughs for three scenarios have been provided for the benefit of those who may find themselves needing a quick helping hand.

The Windows Phone Store is dead. Long live the Windows Phone Store! It would seem the store is inaccessible to many, with app listings returning the error 805a01f7 when a user attempts to view more information or download an app / update. Many are also receiving a "We can't search right now, be sure Internet is available and SkyNet hasn't been activated."

The Windows Phone team have announced on the official blog that the Windows Phone Store has expanded to cover 37 new locations around the world. With the newly added markets, the store is available in 112 worldwide, while the website is accessible in 191. The team has continued to work on adding more locations to the list since the platform launched back in 2010.

Purchasing apps and games on a Windows Phone is an absolute breeze. Trials are a unique opportunity for developers to allow consumers to download and "try" their work before committing to a purchase. But with the speedy process in purchasing apps from the Store, should there be some level of protection for credit cards that are attached to a Microsoft Account?

Currently, anyone who has access to a Windows Phone that has a Microsoft Account loaded with valid credit cards for transactions can head into the Store and engage in a shopping spree - this isn't a good situation to be in but it can occur with children or other folk who borrow a smartphone for a few minutes. Luckily, Microsoft has a solution for this issue.

The Lumia 920 is being picked up for just £399 (excluding £10 top-up) at EE stores on PAYG (Pay As You Go), according to a thread on the Hot UK Deals website. The Nokia Windows Phone is bundled with a wireless charging plate and while being locked to EE's realm of magic, it's at least £100 cheaper than purchasing the device unlocked at retailers.

We don't enjoy relaying news such as this, but it appears as though Volt Link, an app enabling Windows Phone owners who are OnStar subscribers (www.onstar.com) to access actions and functionality using the handset, will no longer be supported or available on Windows Phone.

The developer has revealed to a Windows Phone Central reader that a cease and desist letter was sent by GM/OnStar, requesting the immediate withdrawal of the app from the Store.