Windows Phone Summary of the Week: January 16 - 22, 2022

Summary for the Week

Welcome to your weekly roundup of Windows Phone news from WPCentral. We're slightly on the late side unfortunately due to time restraints and the lack of free energy (not even a pack of Red Balderdash and countless coffees could beef up the energy bar). Kicking united states off is episode 135 of the WPCentral podcast, where we take Rene Ritchie from our sis website iMore joining Dan and Jay.

The official WPCentral app has reached version 2.0, with 2.1 well on its way. A massive thanks to Jay for the incredible evolution that continues to splat bugs and introduce new features. Dave from the forums takes a minute to remind readers of the WPCentral Meta forum where suggestions tin be posted and site announcements tin be read. If that wasn't enough community activity for you, why non dive into CES 2022 discussions? If evolution is more than your thing, and so we can cater for your needs with our newer developer section.

Be certain to head on past the break for the full weekly summary.

Nokia starts our week highlights by handing over 350 essential 2G, 3G, and 4G patents to IP bulldog. Pantech and Microsoft are working on an Android license bargain to join Samsung, Acer and other OEMs. ZTE are looking to explode in the states with 4G phones, whether they be Android or Windows Phones. According to Nielsen the platform is communicable 1.4% of the U.S. market, which isn't as well bad because the push is only only outset with Nokia.

Some positive news includes the number of Facebook users using the Windows Phone app went up by 200,000 since Christmas. not a bad indication. We take a look at some data plan alterations being made past AT&T, and how Windows Phone browser share is set to overtake Blackberry in French republic. With Microsoft and Nokia locked in the partnership, nosotros begin to run into signs of how Nokia is aiding the software giant with mapping and more.

ZTE speaks out and reveals that the Windows Phone licensing is more expensive than starting time thought. AdDuplex, the programmer ad network for the platform has revealed some interesting usage data, while Microsoft announces record quarterly earnings of $20.9 billion. To add to Microsoft'southward good news, Windows Phone is still being predicted by analysts to overtake iOS past 2022. On top of that, Elbert Perez has reached one million downloads for all his games. If you remember dorsum to CES 2022, Ben Rudolph was on the hunt for victims in a number of challenges. We take a look at the recap.

Moving swiftly onto gaming news, Flight control is this week'due south Xbox Alive Deal of the Calendar week, while TextTwist 2 becomes the 100th Xbox LIVE title for the Windows Phone. Brain Cube Reloaded, a sequel to the original puzzle game, is on its way to the Marketplace. Should you enjoy the strategy title Armed!, the developer is interested in hearing players feedback on whatsoever potential balancing issues.

WP Developer Tool

A Windows Phone Manager Tool (which is in early alpha) is a man'south all-time friend when it comes to XAP loading, keeping runway of multiple side-loads can be frustrating on a number of handsets. The Windows Phone 8107 update is being rolled out across multiple regions, which includes the much desired disappearing keyboard fix. The Foursquare sharing app which we took a look at not so long ago has at present been released on the Market and is available to download.

With Mango existence well and truly set in stone, it's time to look to the futurity - namely Tango. We take a wait at a few rumours which bespeak to group Alive Tiles every bit an upcoming feature (much like whats seen in Windows viii). Two unofficial Instagram apps are fighting for the spotlight on the platform, but both are plagued with the read-only API access granted by Instagram. Then over again, it is relatively feasible that an official app could exist on its style to Windows Phone, and could go far before an Android offering.

If y'all weren't up for purchasing YouTube Pro for the updated look and feel, but actively employ SuperTube, you'll be pleased to learn that a free update to the app will bring the app up to speed with YouTube Pro. Wordfeud, a cross-platform multiplayer word game is set to make it on Windows Phone past February 1st. Rdio comes to Australia and New Zealand, simply if the user reviews are annihilation to go by and then this app is pretty awful.

From the WPCentral forum - Chromatic, a 2-dimensional shooter, is in need of beta testers. The Deepshining custom ROM has been updated to 8107, just non only is it at present up-to-date with the latest version of the Os, the ROM now comes packed with its own Marketplace. Keeping your Homebrew apps in order is at present easier than ever. Two 4Chan readers are available on the Marketplace, though unfortunately are merely viewers (4chan Reader and also Imageboard Browser allows access).

MSN Weather has gone Mango and at present sports Live Tile functionality, and BoxShot is updated adding the power for users to pin folders to the home screen. The official IMDB app also receives a Alive Tile upgrade, and quaternary & Mayor at present supports menu and QR Code checkin.

For hardware nosotros have the T-Mobile Lumia 710 being featured and receiving positive feedback, scoring 4.9 out of five. If that didn't excite you plenty, yous tin can option up the handset on T-Mobile for just a penny from Costco. If you lot thought the 710 was a slouch so mayhap you'll be interested to learn that the device features speedy UI rotation, allowing for faster rotation furnishings. Canada is finally receiving some generation ii love from Nokia with the 710 and 800 making their way across the border in February.

Looks like either the Nokia Portugal team are having fun with some pranking, or the Lumia 900 is actually going to exist making its way around Europe - we pray for the latter. If that wasn't enough, Nokia Republic of ireland apparently spilled the beans surrounding the 900 coming beyond the water from the U.South. Looks similar we're all in for an exciting ride with Nokia'southward high-end Windows Phone. For those who reside in Due south Africa, accept notation that you'll need to prepare yourselves for Nokia seventh, when the Lumia 800 will be launching.

Speaking of Lumia 800s, Nokia has been busy releasing the 2d firmware update that was promised along with the first to the end of terminal yr. Unfortunately, not all is well with this update as owners have experienced issues once updated, including soft key lighting playing up when automatic brightness is turned off. Spinning this negativity into some positive zen; more prove mounts pointing to a white Lumia 800 coming out, nice!

The ZTE Tania, a low-budget Windows Phone, has striking the United kingdom at Clove for £250. Speeding over to the opposite side of the scale is a behemoth of a battery for the HTC TITAN from Mugen Power. How does 3600mAh sound to you lot? Proficient news for those who rock Dell Venue Pros every bit the OEM is reportedly keeping upwards with Os updates and is rolling out 8107 as well as everyone else. Shocker!

WP HTC TITAN Doodle

We have a fun little WPDoodle of the HTC TITAN Two, making all other Window Phones look like wimps. Nokia French republic ensures everyone gazes in awe every bit they launch their 6 "Amazing Days" where they reward lucky winners with some awesome prizes. Over on this side of the channel, we see the Lumia 800 being sported in Coronation Street.

In Germany, they wanted to get one step farther with Ghostbusters, and now we take a full video of what the event was all about. A Vodafone UK advertizing, which is promoting their RED Box service features Yoda and Windows Phone. Should you be into NASA soundtracks and whatnot, and so perhaps some ringtones that are complimentary until the terminate of February volition interest y'all?

For developers nosotros have winners from the Core77 contest who are hard at work bringing their app ideas to life. Should you have a number of apps on the Marketplace and would like to go along and eye on how well they're performing in terms of reviews etc., then you'll be interested in the Windows Phone Dashboard. If you're looking for emphasis colour hex values to achieve close replication in Photoshop then you lot'll want to cheque out Metro Swatches that can be loaded into the software for quick access.

Highlights

Nokia hands over 350 essential 2G, 3G, and 4G patents to IP bulldog
Pantech and MS working on Android licensing deal
ZTE to brand a big push button in the Us with 4G phones
Microsoft Windows Telephone communicable 1.4% of the U.S. market
Number of WP7 Facebook up 200k since Christmas; at ane.three meg
AT&T makes alterations to information plans
Windows Phone browser share looks to accept over Blackberry in France
Bing Maps to be stamped with Nokia branding
ZTE reveals that Windows Telephone license fees are higher than first thought
AdDuplex network usage information bear witness interesting Windows Phone trends
Microsoft records a record quarterly acquirement of $20.9 Billion
Windows Phone to overtake iOS in 2022?
Windows Phone developer Elbert Perez reaches a million downloads
Faster Than Windows Phone? Challenge at CES 2022 recap
WPDownUnder's "Wheres my Update?" page for Americans

Gaming

Flight Control braves inclement weather condition to go the Xbox Live Deal of the Week
TextTwist 2 becomes the 100th mobile Xbox Live game this week
Brain Cube Reloaded heading to the Market
Xbox Live:TextTwist 2 arrives on the Marketplace with a bag full of letters and noble intentions
Armed! developer asks for user input on remainder problems

Software

Windows Phone Manager Tool helps XAP loaders
Windows Phone 8107 rolling out for unlocked and across
Square sharing app released to the Windows Phone Market place
Two changes coming in Windows Phone Tango includes tile grouping?
Instagram client coming to Windows Phone?
SuperTube update brings YouTube Pro expect and feel
Wordfeud coming to Windows Telephone on February 1st
Unofficial Instagram app for Windows Phone fights for admission
A different Metrogram app appears in the Windows Phone Market place
Could Instagram come officially to Windows Phone before Android?
Rdio comes to Australia, New Zealand merely Windows Phone app yet terrible
Pandora apps Radio Controlled and MetroRadio working again
From the WPCentral Forums: Chromatic in search of Beta Testers
Deepshining ROM gets 8107 update + custom Marketplace
4Chan Reader now available on the Marketplace
Imageboard Browser also brings 4Chan to your Windows Phone
MSN Weather going Mango and getting a Live Tile
WP7applist updated for Mango, even so quite handy
BoxShot updated, bringing 'pinnable' folder functionality to your Windows Phone
Torchbear for Windows Phone updated to version i.iv
Official IMDb app for Windows Phone gets update with Live Tile, bug fixes
quaternary & Mayor v3.2 now with menu support & QR checkin

Hardware

T-Mobile Lumia 710 a "featured device" and getting great reviews
T-Mobile Lumia 710 for a penny at Costco
Costco stores also getting Nokia Lumia 710 for $269.99
Nokia Lumia 710 features fast UI rotation --> --> -->
Nokia Lumia 710 gets toll drib in Bharat
Nokia Canada promoting Lumias. New devices February 6th?
Nokia Lumia 900 headed to Portugal, elsewhere?
Nokia Lumia 800 hitting Ireland February 1st, 900 following?
Nokia Lumia 800 Available in South Africa seventh Feb
Nokia running Lumia 800 'battery fix' update
Nokia Lumia 800 firmware update detailed, not fixing everything?
Telus now listing Nokia Lumia 800 every bit "coming soon". Available in all three colors.
Testify mounts for a white Nokia Lumia 800 launching before long
Deal Alert: Unlocked Samsung Focus I917 for $215 at Buy.com
Deal Warning: Unlocked Dell Venue Pro at Buy.com for $269
ZTE Tania hits the United kingdom, bachelor from Clove for £250
New images of Sony-Ericsson Windows Telephone prototype sally
Mugen Power selling 3600mAh extended HTC Titan battery
AT&T updating Focus Due south and Flash to OS 7739.25?
Dell shocks world, releases 8107 OS update for unlocked Venue Pro?

Fun

WPDoodle: The TITAN Two makes other Windows Phones wait similar wimps
Nokia'southward 6 "Amazing Days" in France --> --> -->
Windows Phone featured in Coronation Street
Windows Phone Ghost Hotel caught on tape
Vodafone Red Box advertizement with Yoda shows off the Lumia 800 --> --> -->
NASA ringtones for WP7 free until the cease of February

Developers

Wireframes to Prototypes [Developers]
Windows Phone Dashboard Beta [Developers]
Metro Photoshop Swatches

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