The calm before the storm. Tomorrow a good chunk of the Windows Phone Central crew heads off to Las Vegas for CES. This past week also saw a relatively slow news period for the world of Windows Phone, Windows 8, and Xbox. Between Christmas ending and New Year’s there wasn’t much happening. Nonetheless, some new apps did come to the Windows Phone Store and some of your other favorite apps were updated. Missed out because you were too busy recovering from festivities? We got you covered. Let’s check out the app highlights of the Windows Phone Store for the past week.
New
4Blend HDR –We love photography around here and do our very best to try out every photography app in the Windows Phone Store. For all you HDR fans out there you might want to check out a new app called 4Blend HDR. With it you’ll be using your Windows Phone and Nokia’s Imaging SDK to create high dynamic photographs. The app is pretty great and already picked up an update after launching. Pick it up in the Windows Phone Store. (Free)
Citlink Indonesia – In Indonesia? Odds are you probably have used Citilink at one point or another to get around. The low-cost airline has just produced an official app for Windows Phone users. The app allows you to book flights, check in, and get the status of your trip. Get in the Windows Phone Store. (Free)
SpiceJet – Speaking of low-cost airlines. Indian airline SpiceJet has just released their official Windows Phone app. It’s also exclusive to Windows Phone for the time being with no mobile apps available for iOS or Android users. You can book your flight and check your status all from within the app. Grab it in the Windows Phone Store. (Free)
Updated
Readit –Our favorite Reddit client for Windows Phone received a huge update this week. Readit was updated to version 1.4, which is most notable for addressing battery depleting and overheating issues with the CPU. Outside of those improvements you’ll see the app receive a ton of refinements in terms of UI/UX and features. The new Gfycat integration also allows for faster and smoother gifs. Grab it in the Windows Phone Store. (Trial/$1.99)
UnfollowSpy –One of our favorite apps for managing who we follow on Twitter was updated this week. The recent update for UnfollowSpy for Windows Phone brings an overactive friends view, details for users profile and much more. There’s also Instagram support coming soon. Grab it in the Windows Phone Store. (Free/In-app purchases)
Fandango – Fandango for Windows Phone is back. The app disappeared months ago due to terrible reviews and a non-functioning app. The app now sits at version 1.6 and actually works. Check it out in the Windows Phone Store for all your movie booking news. (Free)
Cal –The stock calendar application is decent on Windows Phone. However, third party developers fill the feature gap all the time. Cal is one of those apps that features both minimalist design and more advanced stats over the stock app. The latest update introduces new custom colors, a week view, a today button, a light theme and much more. Get it in the Windows Phone Store. (Trial/$1.99)
Super Calendar – Cal not jiving with you as an alternative to the stock calendar app? Super Calendar is another one of our favorite calendar apps and it too saw an update this week. The app was updated with two new day views, two month views, a refined week view and so much more. Grab it in the Windows Phone Store. (Trial/$2.49)
6tag – Rudy had a busy week updated all his apps with new features and starting work on a new project. His Instagram client, 6tag, received an update that allows for videos to be saved to a user’s SkyDrive. Grab the update from the Windows Phone Store. (Free/In-app purchases)
6snap – We said Rudy had a busy week and we weren’t kidding. The latest update for his Snapchat app, 6snap, brings the ability to draw on videos, multi-line text support on videos, and more. Big fonts were also introduced in an earlier update in the same week. Grab 6snap in the Windows Phone Store. (Free/In-app purchases)
iHeartRadio – Still love terrestrial radio? Then you’re probably a big fan of streaming service iHeartRadio. The app was updated to version 1.0 in the summer that introduced a new design. That update however left some users with streaming issues. A version 1.1 update hit Windows Phone devices this week that addresses those shortcomings. No changelog accompanied the update, but users are reporting that streaming is working again. Give iHeartRadio a go in the Windows Phone Store. (Free)
Beta/Sneak peeks
FilmOn – In the coming weeks FilmOn TV will have their Windows Phone 8 available for users. There’s a public beta in the meantime that a lot of you are participating in. We are too, so we’ve given you all a sneak peek at the app for the popular streaming service. The app is most notable for allowing users to stream local affiliate channels and other networks like FOX, ABC, CBS on their Windows Phone. Check it out in action.
Weather+ –Can you have too many weather apps in the Windows Phone Store? Maybe, but we’re still going to highlight any beautiful and unique ones we come across. Weather+ is coming on the tenth of January, but we’ve got your first look at an interesting weather app. We’re big fans of the clean interface and gestural navigation that the app uses. Check it out in action.
Games
Into the Dead – Still into Zombie games? Then you’re going to want to check out Into the Dead. It’s an intense zombie game from iOS and Android that’s now available for Windows Phone. Warning, don’t play this at night unless you want to get spooked. Grab it in the Windows Phone Store. ($0.99)
Traffic Frenzy – Need to kill some time? Then you’ll want to check this game out. Traffic Frenzy comes to us from Android and looks to be really fun. In the sense that it’s a free game that will pass the time. What’s gameplay like? Hint: You’re a traffic light. Grab it in the Windows Phone Store. (Free)
Light week in terms of new apps. But we’ll be sure to have a busy week ahead with CES. Don’t like our list? Sound off with your favorite apps and games from the past week.
