My Nokia Blog |
- Google promoting Nokia Maps for WP as it blocks access to maps.google.com on Windows Phone
- MyNokiaBlog’s Ultimate List of Must Have Apps for Windows Phone.
- Fatboy Wireless Charging Pillow Finally Available on Amazon for $79.99 (Limited Quantity With “More On The Way”)
- Clove UK To Replenish Lumia 920 Stock (Red & Black) on Jan. 8th
- Google purposely blocking YouTube access to Windows Phone, Google Senior Execs do not want first class experience on WP?
- Firmware Update to WP7.8 for Nokia Lumia 610. Lumia 510 gets second WP7.8 ROM
| Google promoting Nokia Maps for WP as it blocks access to maps.google.com on Windows Phone Posted: 04 Jan 2013 05:10 PM PST
Whilst the tables are turning in Google’s power, they seem to be doing their best in dishing out some hard cold revenge on Microsoft. First gmail, then youtube, now maps.google.com access is blocked for Windows Phone. If I go on it, I just get redirected to a google search. To be fair, I have no reasons to use google maps for navigation on my Lumia. Perhaps, for certain POI searches which Nokia Maps doesn’t have (but that can be found in search). Having said that, YouTube still plays fine in both browser and app (it’s just YouTube access supposedly isn’t as great as it could be, though folks who have madd work arounds have created something very great to use in apps like MetroTube). “Do no evil” is a phrase that keeps popping up in Reddit comments. Appear to do no evil at least, when you’re the underdog. When you’re at the top, dish it all out. Who’s gonna stop you, eh?
Sources:
There’s already a pretty good discussion on this over at: Quite clever of Google. WP is no where near a threat, or competition to Android yet, but make sure you do all you can to fizzle it out so it never becomes one. Is a wrong a wrong, or is MS getting their just desserts? How soon before the world we live in just becomes Google Earth? |
| MyNokiaBlog’s Ultimate List of Must Have Apps for Windows Phone. Posted: 04 Jan 2013 12:12 PM PST
So you’ve got yourself a spanking brand new Lumia; but what now? Well after you’ve set up your social networks and hooked up your emails you’re going to want to download some apps and games; so here’s our hand-picked selection of the best of the best (and don’t worry most of them are free!). Of course we highly recommend you download ALL available Nokia apps, since their pretty much all amazing; such as: City Lens, PhotoBeamer, Nokia music, Nokia Maps/Drive, XBrowser, Nokia Pulse Beta, Nokia Reading, Nokia Transit and much more (they can be found in your app store under “Nokia Collection”). *Note: most of these apps SHOULD work on a WP 7.x device, but unfortunately not all do :/ And here they are (in no particular order) Apps:MeTweets:
There are plenty of Twitter clients out there for Windows phone, including the deep twitter integration that comes baked into your new Lumia; but unfortunately the people hub does have its limitations (such as a simple way to send Direct Messages, replying to multiple people, quoted RT’s and a couple other things). Thankfully MeTweets is there to fill in the gap with its easy to use fluid interface, in line photo previews (one of the few twitter clients to provide that) as well as Multiple account support, scheduling tweets and much more. Honorable mention: Twabbit (unfortunately we’re limiting ourselves to one app per category :/ ) MeTweets costs about a $1; but has been discounted to free before (you can simply redownload by pressing buy again). Windows Phone 7.x & 8
PhotoStream:
One of the nifty new features in WP8 is the ability to have your lockscreen/wallpaper changed by apps; giving you the latest weather updates, news or random pictures to keep your phone looking fresh. PhotoStream does just that , allowing you to set your source of lock screen photo as a local alum, Album on Flickr, or my personal favorite random images from 500Px and Flickr. Photostream can be set to change the wallpaper at intervals of 30 Minutes-Daily; or upon demand. Get PhotoStream for Free over here: Windows Phone 8 ONLY
MetroGram:
Metrogram is a great place filler for Instagram until Facebook decides to bring it to Windows Phone. Metrogram brings you the ability to view, like comment, follow unfollow and more (everything except upload photos). And is definitely a must have app for Instagram users on Windows Phone.
Get Metrogram for FREE Over here: Windows Phone 7.X & 8
Baconit:
Simply put baconit is a must have for any Redditor out there, the app combines the beauty of Metro design, with the pure awesomeness that is Reddit; it’s a win win! With quick sharing to all your social networks, email accounts and installed apps (such as whatsapp, viber, skype etc.) Baconit helps you spread the LoLs.
Get Baconit for FREE over here: For Windows Phone 7.X & 8:
4th & Mayor:
4th & Mayor is set to satisfy all your geo-location cravings, 4th & Mayor is the only 4-Square client you’ll ever need; bringing a simple design packed full of functionality. (I’ll admit I’m not an avid 4-Square user) but you can practically do anything from this app; from basic check-ins, posting pictures tip, adding friends, nearby deals and specials, viewing previous check ins and a whole lot more. Get 4th & Mayor for Free Over here: For Windows Phone 7.X & 8:
MetroTube:
Since the launch of Windows Phone Metrotube has been THE greatest Youtube player available, unfortunately due to some changes with Google’s APIs the app has been switching between available/un-Available. but the folks at Lazy Worm Apps have always been on top of it, fixing the app in a matter of days every-time Google ruins it. So what to expect when downloading this app? Only THE coolest Youtube app ever, one that utilizes the Metro lay-out in every way possible and gives you the best experience (it’s difficult to explain why this app is so awesome, but try it and you’ll see). Metrotube is Currently priced at $0.99 which is well worth it, get it over here: For Windows Phone 7.X & 8
Whatsapp:
Whatsapp needs little or no introduction, it’s the largest cross messaging services that allows you to share text, images, video, voice recordings, locations and more; all for free (for the first year- although my one year subscription from 2008 has yet to expire). The app although somewhat inconsistent in terms of service and up time is the perfect alternative to those who don’t have unlimited texting plans; recently the app was upgraded to a WP8 version to bring all the speed and awesomeness of WP8 to a Lumia near you
Whatsapp is currently FREE on the marketplace (after 1st year $0.99 subscription) For Windows Phone 7.X & 8
Wikipedia:
There are a lot of Wikipedia apps out there, but this one takes the award for best design, best function and over all coolest app of them all. Simply titled “Wikipedia” the app brings you the whole online dictionary to your phone (mind you it does need an internet connection); but the app itself is smooth, quick and beautiful. You can either search for a specific topic (which is then cached on your phone to avoid additional data charges later), select a random article, or the coolest feature of them all; search for articles related to areas surrounding you (example: imagine you’re standing in a Roman ruins plenty of those in Jordan- Simply fire up the app and read the articles about the places surrounding you! Pick up Wikipedia for FREE at the Marketplace over here: For Windows Phone 7.X & 8
The Weather Channel:
There are plenty of Weather apps for Windows Phone, some of them are spectacular; in fact a lot of them are, but there are simply too many to mention. Unfortunately it would take days to cover them all so here’s my personal favorite (mainly because it’s a Nokia exclusive and its free). The app supports just about every city in the world, gives you a detailed forecast and has a beautiful “large” home screen tile to give you the latest updates on the go (Lock screen notifications not currently available; if you want them check out Weather Flow) The Weather Channel is FREE & Lumia exclusive For Windows Phone 7.X & 8
SkyDrive:
Seeing how most of Windows Phone is based on cloud storage on Skydrive this app is pretty much a no-brainer. Skydrive allows you to sync your camera rolls, albums, saved pictures, office documents, notes/(room documents), and almost any other type of file together; giving you a centralized storage in the cloud. Plus now with WP8 you can automatically back-up you contacts and text messages to SkyDrive, making it all that much more important. SkyDrive is FREE to download from the marketplace For Windows Phone 7.X & 8
Dictionary:
Almost everyone needs a dictionary at some point in their daily routine, unfortunately you don’t always have an active data connection; which is why “Dictionary” is the perfect solution. Dictionary is an offline app that simply does what a dictionary does, with the added benefit that it has a load of medical terms, which are usually hard to come by in normal dictionaries.
Dictionary is FREE on the Marketplace For Windows Phone 7.X & 8
PDF Reader:
Every now and then you end up needing a PDF reader on your phone; whether it’s to view a document you were just sent, or for some last minute revisions of your materials before the big test. PDF reader (by Microsoft is a great simple solution that does that with no frills attached. Plus it has the added benefit of mimicking the Windows 8 PDF reader, so that’s always cool. PDF Reader is FREE For Windows Phone 7.X & 8
Fantasia Printer:
Fantasia Printer is basically Photoshop light, on the go; the app is plenty capable, giving you the ability to do some random doodles with pretty colors, or some actual work. All on the go on your Lumia device; the app even comes loaded with some tutorials to help guide you through the world of colors. Whether you just want to mess around, or want to try and get some work done Fantasia Painter is your way to go. Fantasia Painter is Free in the Marketplace For Windows Phone 7.X & 8
Facebook (Official):
You may have noticed a lack of decent looking Facebook apps int he Windows Phone marketplace, simply put that’s because there is no need for one; the official Facebook app is stellar at what it does. It manages to cram the functionality of the whole desktop site onto your screen, with everything from managing groups, to liking comments and much more (plus you can even pin your inbox to the start screen- making for a separate ”Messaging” app). Facebook is FREE For Windows Phone 7.X & 8
BBC News:
Of course you’re going to need to get your news on the go, and BB News (Mobile) is one of the best apps to do just that, with a beautiful and easy to navigate interface BBC news brings you your fix of what’s happening from around the world. With voice integration to listen to some news stories read aloud, and much more. BBC News is FREE For Windows Phone 8 (WP7 version also available, but some of the features listed above, as well as the link below are for the WP8 version).
Games:Admittedly it’s near impossible to classify a game as “Must have” since everyone has their own taste in games, but here’s a selection of our favorite and most beloved: Wordament:
Honestly after discovering this on my first Lumia 800, this was the first thing I downloaded on my next 800, my 900 and the my 920 (plus every-time I reset my phone); for me this is THE greatest game in existence. And I can’t be completely crazy since just last week Wordament became the first ever Xbox live title to go to iOS. watch the demo of the game down below, then get swiping on those tiles!
Wordament is FREE to download For Windows Phone 7.X & 8
Alphajax:
Alphajax is one of the many variants of scrabble available for Windows Phone, the thing that sets this one apart is A)- it doesn’t suck (unlike Words with friends which has managed to crash multiple phones) B)- it has Xbox live integration. The rules are the same as your classic scrabble match, but everything is a lot more fun when you’re playing for achievements. Alphajax is FREE to download For Windows Phone 7.X & 8
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| Posted: 04 Jan 2013 11:54 AM PST
For me personally the Fatboy charging pillow is the coolest charging accessory out there (short of the PowerUp which is a tad bit too pricey for my liking). However unlike the PlayUp and PowerUp and the other charging accessories which were previously available on Amazon but have been sold out for the past month or so, the Fatboy has just now become available on Amazon for the first time. Currently it’s only available in cyan or black with the cyan selling for $79.99 and the black for a pricey $94. personally I’m holding out till the red is available (to match my Lumia) or till the black comes down a bit; but don’t let me stop you, pick them up over here:
Side Note: Even though I’ve wanted the charging pillow from day one I’ve started to consider the charging dock after the sleeping screen update #FirstWorldProblems |
| Clove UK To Replenish Lumia 920 Stock (Red & Black) on Jan. 8th Posted: 04 Jan 2013 09:46 AM PST
Hopefully this is a sign that Nokia have finished “ramping up” their manufacturing process; and are now capable of fulfilling more sales.
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| Posted: 04 Jan 2013 08:28 AM PST
On Wednesday, MS apparently raised concerns over Google’s continued attempt to prevent their services appearing on Windows Phone. YouTube is one such example where Google is blocking Microsoft from offering proper YouTube access.
(BTW, when’s gmail supposed to stop fully syncing on WP? Yes, another Google great idea) Cheers for the tip Dan and Alan. |
| Firmware Update to WP7.8 for Nokia Lumia 610. Lumia 510 gets second WP7.8 ROM Posted: 04 Jan 2013 01:22 AM PST
The budget handset, Nokia Lumia 610, is said to be shipping with WP7.8 already, which means the update should be coming soon. Further more, there’s another firmware update to the already WP7.8 handset, the Nokia Lumia 510.
I’m not really sure it was ever a good idea to go down the 256mb route. I find it just frustrates users when WP gen 1 handsets on 512mb flew. Source: Ubergizmo via WPC Cheers Viipottaja for the tip!
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Is this restriction an actual evil though? Or is there more that MS could be doing?
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