Microsoft Adds Optional 2-step Verification to Microsoft Account
#Microsoft has finally enabled 2-step verification for their Microsoft account across all properties.
Microsoft Adds Optional 2-step Verification to Microsoft Account
#2InstaWithLove: a Clever Ploy or a Mighty Annoyance?
#Nokia launched an app to get Instagram’s attention to build a Windows Phone app. Clever or annoying?
Disqus: A Windows Phone Exclusive App Not Built by Microsoft or Nokia? You Heard It Right!
#Disqus releases a mobile app for Windows Phone and not for iOS or Android. Outside Microsoft/Nokia, it may be the first such company.
Disqus: A Windows Phone Exclusive App Not Built by Microsoft or Nokia? You Heard It Right!
Windows Phone: What Shut Up and Ship?
#Even though the Windows Phone team has gone quiet, Joe Belfiore gives hints of features and updates, via Twitter.
Microsoft Announces Some More Windows Phone Developer Momentum Numbers, New Partnerships
#Several updates from Microsoft related to Windows Phone development, including partnerships to benefit developers.
Microsoft Announces Some More Windows Phone Developer Momentum Numbers, New Partnerships
Nokia Announces Lumia 520 and Lumia 720: Priced to Gain Market Share
#Nokia announced the entry-level Lumia 520 and the midrange Lumia 720 at Mobile World Congress. They are priced to attract first timers.
Nokia Announces Lumia 520 and Lumia 720: Priced to Gain Market Share
My ideal podcast app/service
#Much has been discussed among Windows Phone (and Windows 8/RT) circles about lack of podcast features in the phone and lack of a native app on big Windows.
I am a big podcast listener. Not huge, but I do listen to a few podcasts regularly. In fact, so regularly, that I have formed a nice list of things I would want in an ideal podcast app/service. The reason I put app/service is because we are now no longer in a single device world.
- Native apps for my devices: I use Windows Phone, Windows 8/RT and Windows 7. I would like native apps for at least phone and "Windows Store".
- Catalog: Big enough, and fresh enough catalog so that I don't have to add podcasts by URL.
- Easy subscribe settings: Options during subscribe should include auto downloads, number of episodes to keep, episode delete settings, etc.
- Remember played position: For each podcast, for each episode.
- Cloud: Sync settings, subscriptions and played positions to the cloud. Configurable setting for syncing on-device episodes to the cloud as well.
- Refresh/check for new episodes: Check for new episodes when app is opened, automatically. Also, check on a schedule that can be configured and have a default. So if the default is 3am and 3pm every day, I know when I get up and am ready for my commute, there may be some fresh episodes waiting for me. Same, with a 3pm check for the commute home.
- Playback speed adjustment: Must-have for me, at least 1.5x.
- Playback in the cloud: If my subscriptions, settings and on-device episodes are synced to the cloud, I suppose I should be able to play those episodes from the web too. That would take care of machines which don't have native apps, for example Windows 7 or Macs/iPads/iPhone/iPod.
- Discovery: Based on what I have subscribed to, and perhaps extending it to my social networks, suggest other podcasts.
- Live tiles: I don't care much about getting notified of new episodes, so I put this in the bonus territory. Live tile notifications of new episodes.
- Usage notifications: Notify (via live tile or otherwise) me about space used being above a certain threshold, or unplayed episodes going above a certain threshold.
- Visual niceties: Like the tape player in the iOS app. Don't care about it since I always lock the phone screen anyway.
- Social sharing: I don't share either while listening or otherwise, so I don't care about that feature.
None of the Windows Phone 3rd party apps do auto-download yet. There are some in the process of getting released with promised functionality but none generally available yet.
The native Windows Phone feature does not have a manual check for new episodes, and there is no clear understanding when exactly it checks for new episodes. Besides, there is no corresponding app on Windows 8, and of course, there is no playback speed adjustment.
Let me know if you find any compatible apps :-)
Who Didn’t See an X86 Windows Phone Coming?
#Intel has posted a job opening for Windows Phone engineers. Could an x86 Windows Phone be far? My take: phablet (or mini tablet).
Blackberry 10 Coming After Windows Phone? It Better Look Elsewhere
#Blackberry 10 is almost here. I suggest it should target iOS in the enterprise and Android in the consumer space.
Blackberry 10 Coming After Windows Phone? It Better Look Elsewhere
Windows Phone 8: What Would Make It More Awesome?
#Some additions/enhancements to Windows Phone 8 to make it even more useful and appealing.
Windows Phone and Google Services: Is Google Lying or Just Innocent?
#Some recent moves by Google seem to indicate they may be afraid of Windows/Windows Phone, for some strange reason. Or are they just innocent?
Windows Phone and Google Services: Is Google Lying or Just Innocent?
Windows Phone 8: Xbox Music and Video Issues
#Windows Phone needs a lot of fixes. This post goes into some key issues with Xbox Music and Video apps that need to be addressed quickly.
Windows Phone 8: Internet Explorer Issues
#Windows Phone needs a lot of fixes. This post goes into some key issues with Internet Explorer that need to be addressed quickly.
Windows Phone 8: Platform/OS Issues
#Windows Phone needs a lot of fixes. This post goes into some key issues with the platform/OS that need to be addressed quickly.
Windows Phone Sucks
#My peeves with Windows Phone 8 after using a Nokia Lumia 920 for three weeks.
Windows Phone 8 Sync: Really Taking You to the Cloud
#Microsoft has replaced the wireless sync in Zune desktop and Windows Phone 7 with the cloud in Windows Phone 8. The “devices and services” strategy coming along nicely for Microsoft.
Windows Phone: Going from “Very Small” to Just “Small”?
#Some interesting tidbits about Windows Phone in the news recently. Things may be turning for the platform. Maybe.
Why I Decided to Stick with Windows Phone
#Despite being tempted by iOS and iPhone, I have decided to stick with Windows Phone. See why.
Surface Phone Will Not Help Windows Phone
#More rumors of Microsoft making a “Surface Phone”. Will it help Windows Phone at all?
Where Art Thou, Windows Phone 8?
#Windows Phone 8 is nowhere to be found, making device launches meaningless and developers angry.
The New Windows Phone Dev Center is Now Live
#App Hub has been retired and the new Windows Phone Dev Center is now live.
Windows Phone 8: Second Reset in Two Years
#What are the implications of Microsoft’s second reset with mobile in two years? Is Microsoft doomed, or is it ready for its next chapter?
Windows Phone 7.8: There is Reason to Feel Disappointed
#Microsoft announced “Windows Phone 7.8” for existing users since existing devices cannot be ugpraded to Windows Phone 8. I am disappointed.
Twitter for Windows Phone Gets Updated: Notifications, Finally!
#The official Twitter app for Windows Phone finally gets notifications. It is finally an app I don’t feel ashamed to recommend!
Twitter for Windows Phone Gets Updated: Notifications, Finally!
Windows Phone Finally Becomes Enterprise-Ready
#Windows Phone 8 promises to add much-needed enterprise-class features which will please coporate IT departments.
