Windows Phone Summary of the Week: December 12-18, 2022

Summary of the Week

Welcome to some other Windows Phone weekly recap! Kicking u.s.a. off is Dave Blake from the WPCentral forum with some updates. Two new forums accept been added, Custom Themes and Beta Testing volition both open up up new discussions to exist held between developers and consumers. We've got episode 133 of the WPCentral podcast up and ready for your viewing.

Nosotros're also running a contest for wallpaper designs to exist made for Windows Phones. The winning reader will receive a brand new Samsung Focus S, exist certain to become your entry in now as the closing date is December 22nd. Caput on past the suspension for the full summary.

Starting off our highlights is our question as to whether or non Carrier IQ is being used by the FBI, interesting stuff. The president of Windows Phone division, Andy Lees, is being replaced past Terry Myerson in response of the slow adoption of the platform. PCWorld dearest their lists, and their "xx Virtually Anticipated Tech Products of 2022" listing includes Windows Telephone. AT&T are in the festive mood already by giving out a featured gift to random winners, 1 per day until December 20th.

Microsoft is yet on the offensive when it comes to alluring unhappy users on other platforms with Ben Rudolph giving 5 complimentary Windows Phones to the best (or worst in this example) Android experience story. Not all is ruby rose in the garden of Windows Phone every bit an SMS/Alive Tile problems has been spotted, which disables the Messaging hub (or live tile), although is extremely unlikely to really affect any user. With years of Windows feel nether the belt, the software giant is ever aware of the problem and is actively working on a solution to protect consumers.

According to Niels Munksgaard, director of Portfolio, Product Marketing & Sales at Nokia Entertainment Global, in an interview with Pocket-lint Nokia is pulling out punches past stating that youths are fed upwardly with the iPhone and are unhappy with Android. Speaking of Nokia, Justin Affections is giving abroad five Lumia 800s to homebrew developers who require handsets. AJ Troxell is acting as Windows Phone Santa by offering 12 days of freebies. We take a await at his free wallpaper pack for your handset(s).

Our dear friend James Dudley is back again with Last Mission, another illegal submission. We terminal covered his illegal ROMs being nowadays on the Marketplace back in September. Judge he ignored Microsoft'south warning? Nokia is all gear up to put their plan into effect, operation "rolling thunder" is what they're calling their upcoming U.S. marketing rush. CloudMusic, a SkyDrive music app, is in need of some beta testers to help the developer squash bugs and ensure the user experience is perfect prior to release.

Last.fm has been playing host to some heavy on-site Windows Phone ad, a positive boost for consumers to see. Mendzapp, the programmer behind YuleTile, the Christmas calendar app, has released a Windows Telephone Christmas carte du jour pattern for the public to print out and send to contacts in the festive flavor. An investment firm has chosen poor RIM to prefer an existing eco-system, namely Windows Telephone. While we don't run across this happening, it'southward an interesting thought.

Windows Phone Device Manager version i.8 public beta is now available, which will permit owners of unlocked devices to explore the OS and phone in more than detail. Folders for Windows Phone Mango has been updated bringing more support and fixes. Lockergnome takes on Microsoft'due south Metro UI and goes into how the software giant is releasing good apps for iOS and the UI works exceedingly well on bear upon.

Countdown to 2022

We're counting down the days until the Xbox Live Countdown to 2022 sale starts, which will include three Windows Phone titles. We take a look at the rumours spreading most Kinectimals using the Unity game engine, later the company said they were "skipping" Windows Phone 7 and coming onto the field in Bone version 8. Microsoft's Dream.Build.Play challenge is prepare to include a Windows Telephone category for 2022, and we'll see developers around the world taking stance to win first place.

Breeze joins Battlewagon and Putter God every bit the third Xbox Live game to exist released this week, great news for mobile gamers. To keep up the excitement, Tentacles is this week's Xbox Live Deal of the Week. Sega has published a video of a Sonic CD Development Diary, which shows some interesting art piece of work from the titles that'southward hitting the Xbox and Windows Phone. Microsoft has expanded its iOS catalogue of apps by releasing Kinectimals to the platform, met by much criticism from our readers.

Windows Phone Hacker has released a themes customiser tool for the homebrew community to change the manner their tiles look beyond the bachelor accents. Nextgen+ ROM for the HD7 has striking version 2, advances fifty-fifty further and now offers "lite" and "total" options. The Audible.com app, which nosotros've been anticipating for the past year, is prepare to be released in March 2012 according to an anonymous tipster.

Newegg, the U.S. haven for geeks (nosotros take ebuyer in the Britain), has finally got an app for Windows Telephone, and information technology own't-one-half-bad. StreamBox7, which allows users to stream music from their DropBox account, has arrived and is pretty easy to use supporting background streaming. Microsoft has released a HealthVault app (U.S. but) that volition permit users to proceed runway of health information, access medical records, and much more than.

If the above releases weren't enough, a SkyDrive customer has also made its way onto the Marketplace. Should you enjoy using your Windows Phone as a media player while exercising, y'all'll be pleased to know that Nokia is bringing Sports Tracker to all OEM handsets, which will allow users to keep track of physical fitness. Wunderlist is headed for he platform -- and it looks sweet! Stitcher, a popular web-based radio provider, is set to release an app on the Marketplace in 2022. Endmost off the software department of this week'due south recap is Telstra rolling out the Net Sharing update to customers. Samsung has updated the "Actress Settings" app to version 1.6, but once more we have no change log.

We take a await at the first generation Samsung Focus potentially receiving the 7740 Os update. The HTC Radar 4G has been receiving good reviews since it was announced months ago, and it's the 2d highest rated telephone at T-Mobile and is tapped "Best of 2022" by IGN. Its bigger brother, the HTC Titan, has also been making headlines by existence top rated at AT&T with the Samsung Focus S closely post-obit in quaternary position.

T-Mobile hosted a 4G Super Auction over the class of the weekend, which saw a number of Windows Phones beingness given away (among Android handsets etc.) later mail-in rebates. SFR has released their white characterization ZTE handset titled "Windows Telephone Internet seven" -- dainty! According to a written report over at CNet, Verizon and AT&T are playing with a LTE Nokia Lumia 800. We take a look at the possibility of the Lumia 800 sporting DLNA in the near futurity, just like some OEMs have enabled it on handsets via an app on the Market.

We'll never grow tired of how Nokia tin can market their products, and this is another wow-factor. The manufacturer had prepare blocks of ice in German cities that contained a dummy Lumia 800. The public passed past, some stood to stare, while others attempted to smash the ice to attain the phone. In the video, information technology appears should you take been i of the lucky ones who poured endeavor into freeing the device, you lot received a make new 800.

Nokia isn't just fooling around in Germany, the Finnish handset maker has launched the Lumia 710 and 800 in India, and accept planned a massive marketing campaign. The 710 is also making its mode to Brazil and Italia. Let's non forget T-Mobile looking to stock the 710 in January (unveiled at the New York issue) with an announced price tag of $49.99. If y'all like the Lumia 800 and Batman, you lot'll love the Dark Knight edition of the Nokia handset. Wrapping up our hardware coverage is Mugen Power offering a 1950mAh battery for the HTC Titan, should y'all be a power business firm and drain the stock battery easily.

Nokia continues to produce some amazing visual work with episode 4 of the "Niggling amazing Show". This episode is in London again, but is specifically at night. MonWindowsPhone has compiled a pack of 180 wallpapers for owners to use on their Windows Phones, yous'll never run out of new images. The Samsung Focus Wink takes a trip to the shops in a new U.S. commercial. Jon Rettinger, from TechnoBuffalo, has switched from the iPhone to a HTC Titan as his chief handset. Skillful news with the amount of exposure the device will receive.

Non much developer news this calendar week apart from Core77 announcing the winners of their "Fast Track to the Mobile App" competition and a new, slick Windows Phone emulator theme has been released by Jeff Wilcox.

Highlights

Carrier IQ being used past the FBI?
President of Windows Phone division Andy Lees is beingness replaced
PCWorld includes Windows Phone in '20 Most Anticipated Tech Products of 2022'
AT&T's Season of Gifting
Ben Rudolph offering 5 unhappy Android users a free Windows Telephone
Windows Phone SMS bug disabling Messaging Hub
Microsoft working on a SMS Problems prepare
Nokia director claims youths are tired of the iPhone, non happy with Android
Justin Affections giving abroad v Nokia Lumia 800s to homebrew developers
Samsung Focus Flash takes over YouTube
Tweet MS to win $25 in apps
12 days of freebies from AJ Troxell: wallpaper pack for today
Scam alert: Dudley is back with Final Mission
Nokia hitting the U.S. with functioning 'Rolling Thunder'
CloudMusic is looking for Beta Testers
Concluding.fm takes on the Samsung Omnia W
YuleTile celebrates the festive season with gratis Windows Telephone Christmas card
Investment firm calls for RIM to adopt Windows Telephone OS
Windows Phone Device Manager Version v1.8 public beta now available [Homebrew]
Folders for Windows Phone Mango updated [Homebrew]
Lockergnome takes on Microsoft's Metro UI

Gaming

Xbox Live Inaugural to 2022 Auction to include three Windows Phone games, starts adjacent week
Kinectimals using Unity engine? Not probable.
Dream.Build.Play Claiming 2022 to include Windows Phone games, awesomeness
Surprisingly, Breeze makes for three Xbox Alive games this week
Xbox Live Deal of the Calendar week: Hide your eyeballs, Tentacles is now on sale
Xbox Alive: Sonic CD Developer Diary reveals amazing behind-the-scenes artwork
Trine's Hangman goes Mango
Windows Phone exclusive Kinectimals now available for iOS
Free Xbox Live title Breeze has blown to the Marketplace
Xbox Live: Battlewagon & Doodle God brand information technology to the Marketplace, breaking & making things all the while

Software

Themes customizer tool for Windows Telephone released [Homebrew]
Nextgen+ ROM hits version 2.0 for the HD7
Audible.com app coming in March for Windows Phone?
All flights-Skyscanner launches in the Windows Phone Marketplace
Official Newegg app is set up to do business organisation in the Marketplace
StreamBox7 for streaming music from your Dropbox
Microsoft releases HealthVault app for Windows Telephone
Submarine Patrol surfaces at the Marketplace
eBuddy XMS for Windows Phone beta now live
Microsoft SkyDrive App rolling out to the Marketplace
Sports Tracker coming to Lumias tomorrow [Updated with link]
Wunderlist heading for Windows Phone
Stitcher reportedly coming for Windows Telephone Q1 2022
Navigon Update adds MyMaps into the mix
Perfect Scan updated, adds SkyDrive support
Telstra rolling out update featuring Net sharing

Hardware

AT&T Samsung Focus receiving Os 7740 update?
HTC Radar 4G second highest rated phone at T-Mobile
HTC Titan top rated at AT&T with the Samsung Focus S number iv
HTC Radar 4G tapped All-time of 2022
T-Mobile 4G Super Auction: December 17-18th
Samsung updates 'Extra Settings' to v1.6 for Focus S and Flash
White label ZTE Windows Phone at present available on SFR
CNet claims Verizon, AT&T toying with LTE enabled Lumia 800
Nokia Lumia 800 getting DLNA support?
Nokia Germany wraps the Lumia 800 in ice
Lumia 800 available for pre-order at Hutchinson 3G Austria
Nokia launches Lumia 710 and 800 and plans marketing push in India
Samsung Focus Southward joins HTC Titan being backordered on Amazon Wireless
Nokia Lumia 710 coming to Brazil, passes Anatel
Lumia 710 heading to Italy early next year
T-Mobile Lumia 710 coming Jan eleven for $49.99
T-Mobile-Nokia Lumia 710 launch result in NYC
Omnia Westward available for pre-guild in India
Nokia Lumia 800 - the Dark Knight edition spreads its wings
Mugen Ability selling 1950mAh extended battery for HTC Titan

Fun

Nokia takes over Primal Station, Milan
Nokia puts out Episode 4 of the 'Little Amazing Show' series: Night
So, um...Here's 180 wallpapers for your phone
Samsung Focus Flash goes shopping in new ad
Jon Rettinger from TechnoBuffalo switches from iPhone to Windows Phone
Another Windows Phone wallpaper site pops up

Developers

Core77 announces "Fast Track to the Mobile App" competition winners
Jeff Wilcox releases new slick Windows Telephone emulator theme

Oh Dear

New report reveals Microsoft's future AR strategy; HoloLens 3 is dead

Business Insider has today published a follow-up report with more details well-nigh Microsoft'southward canceled HoloLens 3 augmented reality headset. The partnership with Samsung is said to include a headset with a prepare of screens inside, powered by a Samsung phone in your pocket.

Keeping it affordable

Review: Surface Laptop SE is the new standard for K-8 Windows PCs

Starting at only $250, Microsoft'southward start foray into affordable laptops for the pedagogy market is a winner. With a gorgeous design, splendid thermals, and a fantastic typing experience, Microsoft would do right to sell this straight to consumers likewise. Let'south just promise Intel can make a ameliorate CPU.

Our top picks for Xbox headsets below $100

Best deals on Xbox headsets

Our top picks for Xbox headsets beneath $100

Do you lot fancy a new Xbox One headset? Do yous fancy non spending more $100? Let us assist! There's a big range of solid audio options without breaking your upkeep. And here are our superlative picks that we've personally used.