Windows Phone Articles Subscribe to this category

All Windows Phone articles can be found here. If you can’t find a topic in here, use the Search box!

Basketball Live: Get NBA Scores, Tweets & Team Info On Windows Phone

by on
Leave a comment
Basketball-Live-News
With the exception of weather apps, Windows Phone's live tiles are best utilized by apps that deal with sports. It is always nice to stay up to date with a game on the go, without even having to launch an app. It is probably due to this attribute of the platform that the Windows Phone Store has a pretty decent sports section. Although there is a Windows Phone app for almost all major sports, perhaps the most well-crafted apps deal with basketball. We have already covered the basketball stats tracking app, NBA Pro ‘12. Basketball Live is a new release that might appear pretty similar to NBA Pro at first glance, but it has its own unique positives. Basketball Live lets users pin any team to their Start screen as a secondary live tile. Not just that, you can use it to stay apprised of all the latest news and related tweets for any NBA team. Of course, no sports app is complete without live scores, and this feature is present in Basketball Live, too. Read More

Dictate Emails To Your Windows Phone With Say Mail!

by on
Leave a comment
Say-Mail-WP7-Home.jpg
Despite its increasing integration with many smartphones and apps, speech-to-text technology has failed to gain the trust of considerable users. A majority of people avoid relying too heavily on dictating items to their smartphones, fearing typos and low quality speech recognition. Siri or Microsoft's TellMe, while great for carrying out small system tasks, can get a bit annoying if you are trying to dictate longer passages to them (to be sent in an SMS). There are other apps that offer better solutions for dictation, but most of them are too complicated to be of much use in a hurry. Say Mail! is a Windows Phone app that focuses on letting you compose emails via dictation without much fuss. The app offers just two main features; you can speak your messages so that Say Mail! writes everything down for you, or you can request the app to read out everything you have just dictated, ensuring there is never a need to look at your phone’s screen. Another great thing about the app is its surprisingly accurate speech recognition. Say Mail! gets almost everything right in the first attempt, and even if it doesn’t, you can manually edit the text later. Read More

Caledos Runner: Exercise Tracking Windows Phone App With RunKeeper Integration

by on
2
Caledos-Runner-WP7-Run.jpg
When it comes to fitness-related apps for Windows Phone, Endomondo leads the pack. Not only is the app very comprehensive and feature-rich, it has a very nice interface, too. With the passage of time, however, a lot of other good apps of the same genre have started making their appearance in the Windows Phone Store. Caledos Runner might not be the prettiest Mango app out there, but once you get down to using it, you are sure to admire the attention to detail and the kind of customizability it offer. Caledos Runner can be used to track your progress in just about any workout routine, but as the name suggests, it is particularly useful for tracking outdoor activities. Though, that does not mean you can’t use Caledos Runner indoors, as the app comes with options to let you add manual details to any activity. The icing on the cake is the app’s integration with RunKeeper, which syncs all your exercise data to the cloud. Read More

Nokia Xpress Is A Web Browser For Lumia Windows Phones With Limited Data Plans

by on
Leave a comment
Nokia Xpress Beta WP7
Unlike its desktop counterpart, Internet Explorer is a pretty nice web browser on Windows Phone (albeit one without too many bells and whistles attached to it). As is the case with most smartphone apps designed for web browsing, the stock browser in WP7 provides users with a seamless and feature-rich browsing experience. This might be perfect if you always use Wi-Fi, or have an unlimited data plan, but if that is not the case, you are sure to feel the need for some app that focuses more on data conservation rather than bringing high quality, flashy images to your phone’s screen. Nokia Xpress is a fresh release for Lumia phones, and it aims to provide a browsing environment that is quick and utilizes the minimum possible data through cloud-based compression. In addition to that, people can use the Xpress app as a feed reader, since the app’s Magazine section displays content in its most data-friendly form (much like an RSS client). Read More

How To Sync Photos From Windows Phone To SkyDrive In Full Resolution

by on
Leave a comment
Zune-SkyDrive_feat
Windows Phone 7 might not have been as successful as Microsoft originally meant it to be, but the Mango platform still enjoys a few perks that no other platform can ever have, simply owing to the impressive number of services owned by MS. WP7’s integration with SkyDrive and Office has earned it a small but loyal fan-base in a world dominated by iOS and Android. There are quite a few problems with Windows Phone 7, but when it comes to SkyDrive integration, things usually work out quite smoothly. However, there are a few minor issues with SkyDrive and WP7 integration, the largest of which is the automatic reduction of image resolution if you want to sync photos from your phone to SkyDrive via Zune. This is actually a feature in WP7, rather than a bug, as uploading full resolution images means using more of your data plan, which can be a big problem unless you are subscribed to an unlimited package, or always use Wi-Fi. Luckily though, it is possible to take matters into your hand, and choose the resolution for photos to be synced with SkyDrive from your WP7. Read More

CamVintagizer: Cool Photo Effects & Camera Options For Windows Phone

by on
Leave a comment
CamVintagizer-WP7-Effects.jpg
Despite interface being Windows Phone’s strongest point, a lot of third-party apps in the Windows Phone Store are accused of being a bit too simple, or poorly made. Some go as far as saying that a few of the stock apps and menus in WP7 can use a little spicing up. The camera app in Windows Phone is quite simple, and lacks all but the most basic features. While it can be argued that the stock Camera app in iOS has even fewer features, WP7 lacks the the kind of third-party apps that make up for this deficiency in iOS. Things are always improving for the Mango platform though, with new and improved apps coming out in the WP Store all the time. CamVintagizer is a WP7 app that can be used a photo editor, as well as a replacement app for the stock Mango cam. The camera mode in this app offers an overlay grid, timer, flash control and choice of image resolution. CamVintagizer comes with an impressive collection of photo effects that can be applied on both camera roll photos, and shots takes from within the app. Read More

StyleSaint For Nokia: Get Fashion News, Photos & Create Your Own Magazine [Windows Phone]

by on
Leave a comment
StyleSaint-WP7.jpg
Most smartphones are available in black or white these days, but if you dare to be different, and want your phone to be a bit more colorful, the Nokia Lumia series can be a pretty good choice. Lumia phones come in a lot of colors, and the Windows Phone operating system is cosmetically pretty good, too. When it comes to fashion-oriented apps, the “Lifestyle” category in the Windows Phone Store might be lacking in quantity, but there are some pretty good apps available there. StyleSaint is the latest fashion app that has been released in the Nokia Store, and deals with just about everything related to style. The app offers downloadable photos, news items related to the fashion world, and you can even use StyleSaint to create your own fashion magazine to gather your favorite stuff in one place. Read More

Official Bloomberg App Available For Nokia Windows Phone

by on
Leave a comment
Bloomberg-WP7-News.jpg
There can be no doubting the fact that Bloomberg is among the most popular news sources for people who are interested in financial affairs and the stock market. The network’s TV channel is followed by a wide array of people, and other services from Bloomberg are quite well-known as well. Despite Bloomberg’s presence in almost all major mediums, it’s not easy staying in touch with your business interests on the go. While there are some pretty decent financial management apps available in the Windows Phone Store, most people like to have a familiar name in the app list of their WP7. If you are the kind of person who is a fan of apps from popular services, having a Nokia Lumia device is a pretty good option, as many official apps are Lumia-exclusive, or at least arrive for Nokia Windows Phone devices before other phones. The Bloomberg app has become the latest addition in the Nokia Store, and offers just about everything you will ever need to manage your financial affairs and staying apprised of all the latest news related to the stock market. You can even configure your portfolio in the app, so that Bloomberg can keep you informed of your own stock’s current progress. Read More

TweetReader Lets You Follow Twitter Users Without An Account

by on
3
TweetReader-WP7-Timeline.jpg
The idea of being able to follow someone on Twitter without their becoming aware of it might sound a bit unfair at first, but the truth of the matter is, public accounts on Twitter are meant to be used that way. Most celebrities who use Twitter have got millions of followers, and there is no reason they should ever want to know who reads their tweets. If you are privacy-conscious, it is possible to make your profile private, but most people don’t use Twitter that way. However, the public availability of tweets sounds a bit pointless if you can’t read them without openly following someone. If you don’t want to do that, or simply don’t have a Twitter account, there are a few services and apps that let you keep track of tweets from any public profile anonymously. We have previously covered TwittStalker for jailbroken iOS devices, which is a Twitter client that does not require any sign up or access to your account. Now, the same functionality is available to Windows Phone users as well, thanks to an app named TweetReader. With this app, you can stay in touch with the latest trending topics on Twitter for any region of the world, and of course, TweetReader for WP7 lets you search for, and follow, any public profile or even a particular topic. Read More

Follow The Stock Market & Your Investments With Official E*TRADE App For Windows Phone

by on
3
ETRADE-Mobile-WP7-Markets.jpg
Blackberry and even iPhones are usually termed as devices tailor-made for business people. While both these platforms have the advantage of having been around for quite a while, Windows Phone is catching up fast in terms of apps that deal with financial management. A lot of really good business and finance apps are already available in the Windows Phone Store, with PayPal among the recent big names to arrive on the Marketplace. As the release of Windows Phone 8 draws closer, more and more big names are coming up with their Windows Phone clients. The latest to join the list is E*TRADE, and thanks to their newly released WP7 app, users can keep track of their own shares and investments, along side the option to monitor all the latest activities in the stock market of their interest. The app can be used as your primary source for business news, and lets you manage your E*TRADE account, too. Read More

SoundGecko Comes To Windows Phone; Converts RSS Feeds & Articles To MP3 Audio

by on
Leave a comment
SoundGecko-WP7-Popular.jpg
Ever since podcasts made it into mainstream, they have become a part of the daily routine of many smartphone users. The idea of being able to stay apprised of the latest happenings in the areas of your interest, without having to sit still in front of a TV or reading a book, is certainly appealing to most people. Having said that, no matter how good a podcast is, not all of it can be to your liking, and there are bound to be some boring its and bits in there. Won’t it be just heavenly if there was some way of creating your own, personalized podcast? Thanks to SoundGecko, that is exactly what users can do. The service is not new, by any means, and has been around for iOS and web for quite a while. With SoundGecko, you just have to email any article’s link to the service, and all its text content is converted to audio (in MP3 form) and sent back to you. While this sort of functionality is useful on a computer, too, it becomes absolutely awesome if you can listen to all the MP3s on your smartphone (and hence, the iOS app). The big news regarding SoundGecko is that the service has released its official Windows Phone client, and is sure to earn the admiration of everyone who wants to listen to their RSS feed or other web content on the go. Read More

Maluuba: Android Search Assistant With Modern UI & Event Management

by on
3
Maluuba-Android-Explore
The number of Android voice assistants and search apps, such as Vlingo, Google Now, Nuance’s Dragon Go!, Iris, et al, has grown to a point where one needs a very succinct analysis of what exclusive features a new entrant supports. Maluuba, the brainchild of the company with the same name, is the latest to join the list of the apps mentioned above. Sporting an eye-pleasing Windows 8-style UI, the app accepts voice and text input to help you with virtually anything on your Android (Update: Now available for Windows Phone as well). Using Maluuba, you can explore nearby food points, conduct general knowledge search queries, request for navigation to desired destinations, get business information, ask for detailed weather forecasts, manage & interact with your contacts via phone calls, mails, text messages & social media, post to various social networks, launch apps, get upcoming event details, play music, set reminders, alarms & calendar events, get movie showtimes, maintain routine schedules, and search across the wide world for web to get accurate answers for your queries. In some areas, the app can help you through its built-in features, whereas for all unsupported features, it presents you with the choice to head over to the concerned apps. Like most aforementioned solutions, Maluuba is quite effective in certain aspects, but can also leave users desiring for more in others. How? We shall explore past the break. Read More

The Official PayPal App For Windows Phone Now Available In US & UK

by on
Leave a comment
PayPal-WP7-Payment.jpg
Mobile financial management and money transaction is something that has made a huge splash in recent times. Google has already launched Google Wallet, with similar features slated to come in Windows Phone 8. Among the top pioneers in this field is PayPal. The service is used all over the world to make secure online purchases, donating to developers and receiving payments for freelancing. Such a useful service can become even more useful if you can access it on the go. That’s why Nokia took the initiative of partnering with PayPal to get the service’s app released for WP7. Fortunately though, the app is not just limited to the Lumia series, and is available for all Windows Phone devices. The PayPal app lets you manage your account, make transactions easily and find places near you that accept payments via “PayPal Here”. Read More

Base For Windows Phone: Manage Your Business Deals, Contacts & Tasks

by on
Leave a comment
Base-WP7-Deal.jpg
There are many businesses that have attained success just because of having good management and CRM (Customer Relationship Management) capabilities. No customer is going to like it if their order is not delivered to them on time, and vendors go to great lengths to ensure efficiency in their business system. Technology can certainly help a lot in making everything about your business streamlined, and there is no better way of handling such affairs on the go than having a decent smartphone app that can cater to all your management needs. The Windows Phone Marketplace might have grown at a good pace in recent times, but there is still a lot of room for new apps. If you are looking for an app that can really help you in CRM, there aren’t too many options available in WP7. However, the newly-released Base app has the potential to fill this void. The app deals with everything related to CRM, including contacts, deals and the assigning of tasks to people working with you. The thing that makes Base truly useful is its ability to sync all your data with the cloud, so that you can access the information whenever and wherever you want. Read More

Welcome Home: Transfer Contacts, Apps & Media From Other Platforms To Windows Phone

by on
Leave a comment
Welcome-Home-App-Recommendations.jpg
A lot of people get bored of their smartphone after a while, but delay making the switch to another device or platform to avoid going through all the hassle of transferring contacts and media to the new phone. If you are thinking of going to a new device that uses the same platform, things aren’t too messy, but if you are planning to give Windows Phone a try after using Android, Blackberry or iOS, then you are in for a long and troubling few days. As Windows Phone hasn’t gone too mainstream till now, there are not many tools that help people get started with their devices. Maybe this is why the folks over at Nokia have decided to take matters into their own hands, and have collaborated with Mark/Space to come up with a solution named Welcome Home. With Welcome Home, you don’t have to worry about a thing if you are switching from any other smartphone platform to, say, your new Lumia. The application copies all your photos, videos, contacts and even apps to your new Windows Phone, and that too without requiring too much work from the user. Read More

Official ESPN Fantasy Football 2012 App Kicks Off On Nokia Lumia Phones

by on
Leave a comment
ESPN-FFL-2012-WP7-Match.jpg
Nokia really knows how to make other Windows Phone users jealous. The Nokia Collection section of the WP7 Marketplace is always growing, and has got some really spectacular apps. Quite a few of these Lumia-exclusive apps are related to sports, and the latest to join the list is ESPN Fantasy Football 2012. There are already many Windows Phone Mango apps that deal with American football, but ESPN FFL 2012 focuses primarily on ESPN’s famous online Fantasy Football game. With ESPN Fantasy Football 2012, you will be able to manage your fantasy leagues, view the results of your matchups, and get all the latest NFL scores, news and related videos clips. If you're not interested in fantasy football, and are just looking for a companion app for the NFL season, ESPN FFL 2012 is sure to prove quite sufficient for you. Read More

Stream Free Movies & TV Shows On Your Windows Phone With Crackle

by on
Leave a comment
Crackle-WP7-Recommended.jpg
If you don’t have access to Hulu because you live outside the US, then there are very few good and legal options available for streaming TV shows and movies. Even for people living in the US, Hulu and other similar services don’t offer a solution that is cheap, and you have to pay per view in most cases. That’s why Crackle is so special. Admittedly, the service does not offer all the popular movies and TV shows, but if you aren’t really choosy and just want to spend some quality time watching some good content, then you are sure to fall in love with this free service. Crackle doesn’t work everywhere, but it isn’t restricted to just the US, either. You can watch some really awesome movies and shows if you live in UK, Canada, Australia or US (the app might work in other locations too, specially if your WP7 ID is registered in any of the supported countries). Read More

627.AM: Alarm App For Windows Phone With Weather & To-Do List Integration

by on
Leave a comment
627.AM-WP7.jpg
The alarm clock functionality in Windows Phone 7 is enough to get the job done on most occasions, but it is very basic in its overall outlook, and does not have any extra features included either. You can use any feature phone to wake you up on time as well, so shouldn’t there be something extra in a smartphone’s alarm clock? If you agree with this, then you are sure to love 627.AM. It is a WP7 app that adds a lot of spice and usefulness to the concept of having an alarm clock on your Mango phone. 627.AM doesn’t just wake you up; it helps you get your day started properly. Most people take a look at the weather forecast soon after waking up, and with this handy little app, you will be presented with the temperature stats with each alarm, so that you don’t have to go to a separate app just to gauge the weather. Not only that, you can also create small to-do lists and pin them to the app’s main screen. This way, you can always be aware of your schedule for the day. Read More

Family Story: Official Client For Samsung’s Social Network Comes To Windows Phone

by on
Leave a comment
Family-Story-Cover.jpg
After Nokia, Samsung is the most active app publisher for Windows Phone 7 among all OEMs. Of course, Samsung Zone does not offer as many exclusive WP7 apps as the Lumia series does, but nonetheless, there are a few really handy apps available for Samsung fans using Mango phones. The latest Samsung-exclusive app to make its way to the WP7 Marketplace is Family Story. The app is the official client for Samsung’s own social network that is focused on providing users with a private environment for interacting with their loved ones. You can define or join groups in Family Story, and then share anything with complete ease. Using Family Story, you can share events, photos and notes with your close family. Even if none of your family members have got a Samsung Windows Phone, they can still use the service on a Samsung Android device, or simply by going to the web version of Family Story. Read More

Counters: Track & Limit SMS, Call & Data Usage On Nokia Windows Phone

by on
5
Counters Nokia WP7
When the Lumia series was first unveiled, Nokia did not take full advantage of the OS customization rights that Microsoft had granted them. Nokia’s own version of Windows Phone wasn’t too different from the one rolled out for other OEMs, which proved to be a bit disappointing for most WP7 fans, but thankfully, the folks over at Nokia seem to be determined to make everything right and give their customers special treatment by rolling out a slew of Nokia-exclusive Mango apps. The latest addition to the Nokia Collection section of the Marketplace is Counters. The app is sure to prove useful for almost all Lumia owners, as the functionality it brings to the mix is pretty basic, yet important. Using the Counters app, you will be able to view all the usage stats related to your monthly calls, text messages and internet data. And that’s just half of it! The app can also be used to place restrictions on all the aforementioned items, so that you can stay within your phone budget each month. Read More