updates

How to create and use Groups on Windows Phone to better organize your social media

How To

By robert brand, Monday, Sep 3, 2012 at 1:36 pm

Information overload is all too common in our busy, hectic lives these days. One of the central themes through the entire Windows Phone operating system is of deep social integration. From the very start we have had Twitter and Facebook woven into the very fabric of the system. Sometimes though, too much social activity can mean it is hard to see the updates from those that matter most.

When you get to the point where you have hundreds of contacts on Facebook and the same amount or more again on Twitter, things can get hectic. We’re going to show you how easy it is to setup and create your own custom Live Tiles to cut out the static and see the updates from those that matter most...

Bank of America adds Mobile Check Deposit to the Windows Phone feature list

By George Ponder, Thursday, Aug 30, 2012 at 5:56 pm

The official BoA app gets feature parity with Android and iOS

The official Bank of America app for our Windows Phone has been available for some time now over at the Marketplace. The free banking app already had a healthy list of features including the ability to pay bills, transfer funds, review balances and find ATM/branch locations.

Bank of America has recently updated the app's features. Now you can add Mobile Check Deposit and a few more features to the banking app.

New version of 627.AM goes ad-free with Live Tile support

By George Ponder, Monday, Aug 27, 2012 at 9:10 pm

627.AM is a popular daily assistant for your Windows Phone that helps you manage daily alarms, check in on the weather forecast and jot notes on daily tasks. Our initial impressions found 627.AM to be a simple, clever and gorgeous app. The original release had 627.AM being a free, ad supported app. If you liked the free version but didn't care for the banner ads, an updated, ad-free version hit the Marketplace recently.

Losing the ads will cost you a little but you will also get a few new features including a theme friendly Live Tile, refined navigation animations, and the alarm time on the main page will now pick up the right time format based on your Windows Phone settings.

Football Pro updated to version 2.0, ready for the 2013 season

By George Ponder, Sunday, Aug 19, 2012 at 12:49 pm

Are you ready, for some Football? Well are ya?

An update to Football Pro '12 (formerly known as NFL Pro '12) has been updated over at the Windows Phone Marketplace in preparation for the upcoming season. While the Marketplace title stills reflects the Football Pro '12 name, the version 2.0 update takes the app to Football Pro '13.

Confused? So were we but apparently it takes a while before the Marketplace will reflect the name change for the app. What you're looking for is version 2.0. Once you run the Football Pro, you'll see things setup for the 2013 season within the app itself. Even though the title is dated '12.

Fhotoroom updated, major layout overhaul and new features added

By George Ponder, Friday, Aug 17, 2012 at 11:06 pm

Fhotoroom is a popular photo editing app for your Windows Phone that not only allows you to edit your images but also has a social networking aspect to it. Editing includes basic tools such as cropping, exposure edits, and rotating the image as well as filters and frames. Edited images can be saved to your SkyDrive account, Windows Phone as well as shared on the Fhotoroom Photo Sharing Network (free registration required). The network will let you show off your images with other Fhotoroom users, get and give feedback and message other members.

Fhotoroom was recently updated to version 2.0 which brings a major overhaul to the photography app. The update not only brings new features to the editor, social network and in-house camera but also brings a new layout and user interface to the app. You also have the routine bug fixes and performance tweaks.

NAVIGON updated, adds traffic, Bing integration and FreshMaps

Apps

By George Ponder, Friday, Aug 17, 2012 at 7:57 am

NAVIGON is a handy navigation app for your Windows Phone. One of the keys features (and appeal) to NAVIGON is the app's downloadable maps that reduces your dependency on a data connection while on the road. NAVIGON was recently updated to bring a trio of new features to the table.

First up is Traffic Check. Traffic Check will inform drivers of current traffic conditions with an easy to read graphic. The graphic gauge indicates traffic conditions with a green, yellow or red field based on the conditions.

Markets & Me + now available to download for Windows Phone

By Rich Edmonds, Thursday, Aug 16, 2012 at 12:14 pm

The developer of Markets & Me has released its premium version to the Marketplace. Markets & Me + is to compliment the recent app update that rolled out last week. This premium version of the app will not sport advertisements and will feature a few exclusive features that users will have to upgrade to should they wish to make use of extra functionality...

Nokia Weather updated and is now available in new regions

Windows Phone News

By Rich Edmonds, Monday, Aug 13, 2012 at 1:30 pm

An update has been released for Nokia's Weather Windows Phone app, which is available in the OEM collection on the Marketplace. The app is a "suped-up" version of The Weather Channel app that is available for all Windows Phone owners to use, and sports some interesting functionality and features. The manufacturer launched their own version of the app back in July and already they've released an update.

It was previously limited in availability but this update brings with it new region support. While no changelog is presently available, we expect backend changes and improvements to be bundled with the release.

Deal Flux gets bumped to version 1.2, adds social integration

Apps

By George Ponder, Sunday, Aug 12, 2012 at 9:24 am

Deal Flux is a popular deal finder app for your Windows Phone. It was recently updated to version 1.2 that adds social integration and a few new deal sites to the app.

Dailysteals.com, Tech.Woot and Sport.Woot has been added as deal sources. This brings the total number of sources/categories that Deal Flux taps into up to seventeen. All of which should bring you more deals to choose from.

Xbox Live - Farm Frenzy 2 update Old Yellering players' save files

Games

By Paul Acevedo, Saturday, Aug 4, 2012 at 7:11 pm

Saved games gone?

Title updates are usually something to look forward to: they fix bugs, add new features, or restore an Xbox Live Achievement to working order. Sometimes things go awry though. Remember the Shuffle Party update that broke many of the game’s textures? Now we have an even worse example, as the Farm Frenzy 2 version 1.2 update has actually erased multiple people’s saves!

Windows Phone stock app Markets & Me version 2.0 on the way

By Rich Edmonds, Friday, Aug 3, 2012 at 5:28 pm

We previously looked at Markets & Me, a stock portfolio management app for Windows Phone, earlier in the year. We praised the work by the developer, who managed to create a beautiful experience for those who are interested in checking out the markets, or who have a heavy inventory full of stock. You may have seen Windows Phone Central use the app while taking shots for other stories.

Version 2.0 has been in development for some time and we're pleased to relay the announcement that it has been submitted to the Marketplace. We expect the Markets & Me update to go live sometime next week. So, what's included in this latest release?

ARMED version 1.6 update brings a price drop and lots of tweaks

Games

By Paul Acevedo, Friday, Aug 3, 2012 at 2:36 pm

Here at Windows Phone Central, we’re all big fans of strategy title ARMED! from Dallas-based indie developer Sickhead Games. Among the game’s many qualities are sharp 3D graphics, intuitive controls, online multiplayer, and of course, plenty of strategic depth. Not only that, but Sickhead has regularly updated the game since its release, tweaking and improving a variety of elements with each patch.

The latest update, version 1.6 is no less impressive than previous updates. The update just went live so look for it pushing out any time. We've got the full list of changes to share with you, the most impressive of which is the new price: $2.99, down from $3.99. That and more ARMED! news after the break.

Nokia's ESPN app updated, adds Olympic goodness to the mix

Apps

By George Ponder, Friday, Jul 27, 2012 at 10:30 am

An update was pushed out to Nokia Lumia Windows Phone for the ESPN app this morning that adds a listing for the 2012 Olympic Games on the Sports Page. London 2012 will pull up all the news, social feeds from @ESPN_OlySports, and medal counts for the Summer Olympics.

While there are a handful of Windows Phone apps dedicated to the Summer Olympics, having coverage rolled into a sports app that many already visit makes keeping up with the games rather convenient.

You can find the ESPN app here in the Marketplace or under the Nokia Collection that is in your Marketplace app on your Nokia Lumia Windows Phone. ESPN is a free app and for the time being, an exclusive for the Nokia Windows Phone.

Thanks Cory, Mark and everyone else for the tip!

Windows Phone flight simulator, Infinite Flight, gets updated

Games

By George Ponder, Tuesday, Jul 24, 2012 at 8:42 pm

Infinite Flight is one of the most comprehensive flight simulators you will find for Windows Phone and possibly any other mobile platform. Since it's release, the app has been updated several times adding new features and planes to the mix. With Infinite Flight you can fly everything from a bi-plane to the Space Shuttle.

...or in my case, barely get the aircraft off the ground only to stall out and crash into the countryside.

Xbox Live - Spider Jack gets a patriotic level update

Games

By Paul Acevedo, Monday, Jul 23, 2012 at 7:50 pm

While some mobile Xbox Live games never get the updates they deserve (ahem, MiniSquadron!), other developers do a much better job of supporting their games post release. Why, over the weekend Russian developers MaxNick published their third update to Spider Jack. Howza bout that?

Xbox Live - Dodonpachi Maximum update details

Games

By Paul Acevedo, Friday, Jul 20, 2012 at 6:50 pm

Games often receive title updates when they have major glitches or bugs that need squashing. But sometimes updates just make little tweaks for other reasons. Such is the case with this week’s Dodonpachi Maximum update.

Baseball Pro '12 updated to add player tweets

Apps

By George Ponder, Tuesday, Jul 17, 2012 at 4:07 pm

Baseball Pro '12 (formerly known as MLB Pro '12) is a nice Windows Phone app to keep you up to date with all the stats, scores and news from the Major League Baseball season. The app was recently updated to follow along with players Twitter tweets.

Version 1.4 adds a twitter page to the Player Profile pages so you can see what your favorite ball player is tweeting. Additional features include:

Fantasy Playoff Prediction: Personalize your own fantasy playoff prediction and pick who is going to win the MLB World Series this year and compare your choices to everybody else's prediction.
Favorite Team: Follow your favorite team and gain easy access to your team page.
Live Tile: Pin as many teams as you want on your start screen and get a glance at their next game.
Deep News and Roster: Check the Latest news and rosters from every MLB team with detailed information about all players (including their tweets).
Latest Videos and Podcasts: Check out the latest videos and podcasts about the MLB and enjoy watching all the action on Baseball Pro '12.
Live Sports Talk: Share your comments and knowledge with everybody else at your Team's Page and talk trash at the other team's pages.

You will need to create a Baseball Pro '12 profile (free) to get the most out of the app. Even if you opt out of creating the profile, Baseball Pro '12 still offers a cornucopia of information from the Major League Baseball season.

Baseball Pro '12 is a free, ad-supported app that you can find here at the Windows Phone Marketplace.

Chickens Can't Fly version 1.2 update fries bugs, comes out tasty

Games

By Paul Acevedo, Monday, Jul 16, 2012 at 8:41 pm

Last month, the long-awaited Chickens Can’t Fly version 1.1 update added tons of great features like Avatar awards and asynchronous multiplayer. It also rebalanced the game’s difficulty, which we exclusively explored in detail. A few bugs slipped through the crack though. As Robocop villain Dick Jones would say, “The last update made a mistake. Now it’s time to correct that mistake.”

Chickens Can’t Fly version 1.2 release notes:

Aquarium Lab unlocked for people that finished the Physics Lab before the 1.1 update was released
Everyone can now unlock the ‘Hungry Hungry Chicken’ Achievement faster (this was not working on some phones after 1.1)

Note that you’ll need to earn Gold medals in every single stage, including the Aquarium levels, in order to unlock the ‘Chickens Can’t Fly’ Achievement. In that respect it’s gotten a bit harder than before the version 1.1 update when it could’ve unlocked after finishing the Physics levels. However, it wasn’t exactly easy to get all Golds before the version 1.1 difficulty adjustments, so I’d still say gamers came out ahead in the end.

We’re pleased to see those technical problems gone, returning Chickens Can’t Fly to its proper status as one of the best Xbox Live games on Windows Phone. Check out our review for more details.

Chickens Can’t Fly costs only 99 cents and there is a free trial. Don’t ask the Colonel’s permission; just get it here on the Marketplace.

Shuffle Party returns to the Windows Phone Marketplace with a new update

Games

By Paul Acevedo, Monday, Jul 16, 2012 at 8:31 pm

Speaking of Xbox Live game updates correcting issues with previous updates, last month’s Shuffle Party version 1.1 update actually introduced a nasty texture bug into the game. Microsoft quickly pulled the game itself while they investigated the issue. Developer Babaroga found the culprit, and now both a new update and the game itself are back on the Marketplace.

Shuffle Party version 1.2 release notes:

Improved stability when connected to Network
Avatar no longer turns backward

If users happened to have completed the 1.1 update a few weeks back, then this update also corrects the following:

Incorrect textures on table

That’s it; the developers just wanted to make sure the game experience consistently stable and polished. Thanks guys! Now we can all get back to knocking down bowling pins and collecting coins with our shuffleboard pucks. And when we're done with that, we'll play Shuffle Party! To learn more about Shuffle Party’s many game modes and unlockables, read our review.

Shuffle Party is free and offers 50 GamerScore worth of Achievements. Get it here on the Marketplace.

Freda ebook reader for Windows Phone bumped to 2.6

By Rich Edmonds, Saturday, Jul 14, 2012 at 2:07 pm

Freda, the free ebook reader for Windows Phone, has been updated to version 2.6, which introduces a number of new features and improvements. We previously looked at the app back in November when the developers were eagerly seeking beta testers for a previous update, so it's good to see Freda continue to receive invested time and effort to further improve the user experience.

So what's new in version two-point-six? The Turnipsoft team have worked hard to translate the UI for French, German, Swedish and Slovak users, further opening up the service for international consumers, but that's not all. Find the full changelog below:

Improved Metro-style appearance (including a jump-list view of the 'bookshelf')
FB2 format
Ability to backup and restore the bookshelf using SkyDrive storage
Better handling of CODE, PRE and DIV elements
Advertising no longer displayed on the main front screen
Bulk-download feature to get multiple books at once
Low-memory mode for better performance on low-end hardware (Lumia 610, etc.)
Password lock
French, German, Swedish and Slovak UI localisation
Numerous stability and performance fixes

Not a shabby update. In fact it's quite a leap forward. If you're into ebooks and haven't given this app a try, be sure to do so as it supports EPUB (DRM-free), FB2, HTML and TXT formats to keep you busy. Freda sports customisable controls that enable the user to alter fonts and colours, while inserting annotations and bookmarks, as well as the ability to look up dictionary definitions and translations.

The app can render EPUB formatting (eg. bold / italic text, margins and alignment) and can display code, images and diagrams. Book sources supported include Feedbooks, Smashwords and the Gutenberg Project catalogues. SkyDrive, DropBox or Calibre can be used to share existing book collections with the app for on-the-go reading. If that wasn't enough, Freda can also download books from websites using the built-in web browser. Favourite books can then be pinned to the home screen for more convenient access.

You can download Freda and Freda+ ($0.99 / £0.79) from the Marketplace. Difference between the two versions is advertisement removal.