wallpapers

You think I’m just going to sit idly by and let Rich have all the fun with wallpapers? Not a chance. Here are some similar wallpapers to the ones he did the other day, but I would wager raise the bar on minimalism. Just our kickass Windows Phone Central logo set to the background color of your choice.

If you're a fan of space exploration and NASA, check out the NASA Image of the Day lockscreen wallpaper app for Windows Phone 8.

NASA Image of the Day will rotate your Windows Phone 8 lockscreen wallpaper daily with a different photo from the NASA library. Everything from launch day photos to photos of the cosmos. Toast notifications are in place to alert you when the image changes.

While Windows 8 is still slated for an October 26, 2012 release we are discovering that the desktop wallpapers make for some really nice Windows Phone lock screen wallpapers.

Our friends over at 1800PocketPC have converted the Windows 8 collection of Start Screen wallpapers into Windows Phone lock screen wallpapers. The Windows 8 collection includes 69 of these colorful wallpapers and so far, 23 have been converted to 480x800 images.

Since Windows Phone users can't spend a lot of time customizing their OS (instead we live our lives), there's much focus on the lock-screen. We know we change ours every few days (we use Ffffound for inspiration).

Today, Microsoft has announced a partnership with London based graphic designer Levi Freeman and as a result, they've released eight "officially sanctioned" wallpapers to spiffy up your Windows Phone.

The eight images are nature focused so they may not appeal to everyone (we're more into abstract art here). Still, the designs are nice and they're meant to look perfect on your phone. What's more, the images all have a corresponding QR code for easy download (see, not even Microsoft uses Tag). Plus Microsoft notes that they hope more of these collaborations will happen with Levi, meaning we can probably expect different themes in the future--we like that idea. Levi also plans to release desktop versions too.

There's some interesting tidbits about the inspiration for each image and details about Freeman at his site, so hop on over to grab those images and learn a little bit about their origins.

Source: Windows Phone Blog, Levi Freeman's blog

1800PocketPC has compiled a number of StarCraft II wallpapers for Windows Phone owners to apply to their lock screens. Should you be a fan of the strategic title, you'll love the small collection of 800x480 images that are ready to go.

This pack joins the array of other wallpapers that have been made available in the past year. Head on over to 1800PocketPC to download them.

Source: 1800PocketPC

It wasn't easy but we've look through all the entries in the Samsung Focus S giveaway and have identified the winning entry. The contest called for readers to submit thier WPCentral lockscreen wallpaper in this Forums discussion. We were simply amazed at the quality and number of entries submitted. Over 270 entries were submitted and picking the best was tough.

First, we would like to thank AT&T for providing the Samsung Focus S (they were impressed with the quality and volume of entries as well) and the WPCentral Accessory Store for providing the prizes for the runner-ups.  To find out who won, you're gonna have to head past the break.

Need a boost to get you into the Christmas spirit? YuleTile is a collection of Holiday wallpapers and ringtones to give your Windows Phone that Christmas feel.

With each passing day, the YuleTile main page will fill with Christmas images and from the three-dot menu you can save the images to your Windows Phone and access daily Christmas ringtones. YuleTile also has a Live Tile that will count down the days until Christmas.  The layout of the app is simple and interface for saving ringtones and wallpapers equally straight forward.

Yuletile does have a free trial with the full version running $.99. The developer, Mendzapp, is a student start-up app development business based in Sheffield, UK and has pledged that 10% of the profits on YuleTile will go towards a children's charity. YuleTile is a mango app and you can find it here at the Windows Phone Marketplace.

We're always looking to refresh our lock screen on our ten Windows Phones. Okay, well you probably don't have that big of a problem but still, if you're like us and a bit geeky, these "minimalist" Star Wars wallpapers will suit your needs.

Created by Rafal Rola and cropped/re-sized by 1800PocketPC, there are the six posters for the Star Wars films (although lets be honest, there are only three real films, amiright?) and another nine for specific characters, including yes, Mr. Bobba Fett (Boba Fett, where?!).

So haul yourself on over, get your downloading on and represent some Star Wars.

Source: 1800PocketPC

We're kind of big fans of the app "...I'm a WP7!" as it's elegantly designed, feature rich and well, it's free. We mentioned v3.2 a few weeks ago, including some new features that were on the way and today, you can grab that update.

Here are the new additions:

• Download Wallpapers & Ringtones
• Task “Extras” like Wi-Fi and Airplane Mode access, even a fun little WP7 Flashlight
• The GamerHub™ (this is a BIG COOL FEATURE) with Gamer “MeetUps”
• Tons of Live Tile integration, essentially all areas can now be pinned: Messaging, Forums, GamerHub™, Tips & Tricks

The gamer meetups are pretty awesome--basically if you're a Gears of War fan, or enjoy online multiplayers, it's a quick way to call up a bunch of folks from the community for a match up. You also get gamer news integrated right into the app, which is convenient.

But for the wallpapers and ringtones alone, it seems silly not to pick up this app. Grab it here in the Marketplace.