update

One of the “forgotten” phones on T-Mobile seems to have been the awesome and site favorite HTC Radar. We say that only because it has yet to receive the 8773 ‘Tango’ update like a lot of other Windows Phone, including its non-branded international counterpart.

We’ve now had two reports coming in noting that replacement phones for the Radar have ‘Tango’ in ROM:

• OS version: 7.10.8773.98
• Firmware revision number:1750.0602.40602.531

There’s no word of course when or if T-Mobile will push out the update for the rest of you who still have working Radars but we think it’s a positive sign that fresh-from-the-factory versions are coming with a T-mo approved new ROM.

Although Tango is a minor update, it does feature such things as multiple MMS messaging and other minor improvements to the user experience in addition to the optimized new firmware from HTC to fix any other performance issue that may be nagging users.

We checked our Zune Desktop and did not notice any awaiting updates (even when we “forced” it using the Wi-Fi trick) so don’t get too excited yet. We’ll try to find out more though so keep your fingers crossed in the meantime. Thanks, Andre for the photo and ICMIAMI05, for the info

Just as we reported two days ago, Verizon has opened the flood gates for the Windows Phone Tango update. Customers who own the HTC Trophy will be able to update their device(s) once the notification of updateable-goodness has appeared on-screen or through Zune. We've already received word from a number of Windows Phone Central readers confirming the update is indeed rolling out.

To recap what's included:-

• WiFi Hotspot / Internet sharing now available
• Enhanced multimedia messaging capabilities (multiple photos, videos, ringtones)

The Tango update will push Windows Phone owners to 8773 and will set the path for Windows Phone 7.8. Be sure to plug in your Trophy when possible to receive the update and inform us when you do in the comments below.

Thanks to everyone who tipped us on this!

The Lazyworm team has released an update to the highly rated YouTube Windows Phone app, MetroTube. Featuring a heavily Metro-influenced design and feel, the app really is the unofficial home of YouTube on the mobile platform. It disappeared for a number of months at the beginning of the year due to API issues with Google, which couldn't be resolved even after consulting with Microsoft.

Luckily the third-party YouTube app is back in action, and returned to the Marketplace earlier this month. Today version 3.3 of MetroTube passed certification so it should be with us shortly. So, what's new in this release? 

Microsoft has released an update to their Bing Get Me There app, which is available for those who either travel through or reside in London. The app enables users to keep up-to-date with the status of public transport links in the city. It also sports functionality for quick assistance to get the user home (or to a connecting rail terminal) with a pinned Live Tile opening up directions from current location to the configured "home" in the settings.

We previously looked at an update which was pushed out adding support for the DLR (Docklands Light Railway), London buses and Overground lines. Now the app has been bumped to version 1.5, which now includes a Bing search box for instant web searches from within the app, handy for those times when you require further information. Bug fixes and optimisation are bundled, as well as recently re-opened stations and stops.

Hey DJ!, previously known as Speak To Play, is a Windows Phone app that enables users to tap a button to speak, and state clearly an <artist>, <song>, <playlist> or <genre> and the app will start up whatever matches in your music collection. Sounds pretty neat already, right? We previously covered the app when it was rebranded, was updated with new features and had its price tag slashed.

Now we're excited to report that Hey DJ! has been bumped to version 1.8 and is now completely free for the next 72 hours (until July 31st). So if you haven't already purchased a copy for your Windows Phone, you'll want to do so now while it's on offer. Once the period has closed, the pricing will return to $0.99.

Although it’s been a slow news weekend there have been a few bits worth mentioning but not necessarily getting a full on post—mostly because they’re somewhat interesting but not necessarily important. This weekend's stories are:

• Does Nokia have an exclusive early release for Windows Phone 8? We call shenanigans.
• Nokia's stock - now with even more junk!
• Nokia Music gets amped to version 3.1

Head past the break for the weekend’s collection of too small to pass but too big to print...

Microsoft is rolling out another update to its SkyDrive Windows Phone client today. Not a huge amount has changed in the latest version but it does bring some welcome graphical changes.

The logo has been updated to now fall in line with that seen on the web and on the desktop version  of the client, gone is the swish and onwards with the ‘flattening’. It is also adhering more to the Metro feel, dropping the rather dull skeuomorphic yellow folder icons and replacing them with their authentically digital counterparts. Yes, that means blue squares to you and me.

We previously looked at Bing UK rolling out the social update we've witnessed being released elsewhere, but it seems as though we're not going to get the full package - at least not the SERP social sidebar anyway. What the Bing UK search engine has received is a slight upgrade with Facebook and Live connectivity, plus a slight design revamp.

With our previous coverage, we received numerous comments from readers who reside in multiple countries, all confirming no social sidebar. Unfortunately, it seems as though this is a limited feature with only the US sporting the whole shabang thus far. But what we all do have after the upgrade is a cleaner interface, larger homepage images, and clearer result pages. Let's hope more is on the way.

If that wasn't enough to heal the social wounds, the Bing team have worked hard on optimisation and under-the-hood improvements. Question is: do you like the sidebar? Would you like to see it included, or is what we have so far enough?

Source: Bing UK

'Overly Attached Girlfriend' approves of the latest PrimeTube update

Although it was nice seeing old-time favorite MetroTube land back on the Marketplace last week, we don’t want to lose sight of some other fantastic YouTube viewers. PrimeTube fits the bill nicely and it just received a solid update to version 2.1 (v2.0 hit last month).

According to the developer, version 2.1 brings “a new player, UI refreshes, speedier performance and bug fixes” which sounds to us like some nice improvements. Indeed, loading up the app and swiping through the pages is buttery smooth and the player itself is laid out quite nicely with options for High Definition (HD), High Quality (HQ) and Low Quality (LQ) which came with the version 2.0 overhauls.

You can’t directly download videos for offline-viewing with PrimeTube but you can pin to Start, favorite, leave comments and share links with others. In addition, you can upload video which is certainly a nice option for those of you who want to share your experiences with others (hopefully this is native in Windows Phone 8).

Overall, PrimeTube is one of our favorite YouTube apps for Windows Phone. It’s fast, smooth and has a very clean, Metro UI. Best part? It’s free with no ads which means at the very least you should download to give it a shot.

Pick up PrimeTube v2.1 here in the Windows Phone Marketplace for the low, low price of nothing.