A lot can happen in a week. New apps join the Windows Phone Store or Windows Store. Your favorite apps can get a big update with a new look or new features. Device rumors come and go. Seven days might not seem like much, but it can be an eternity in the tech news cycle. Every week we're going to compile the biggest stories into one post, so you never fall behind – In Case You Missed It.
Windows Phone
- Quick look at the all green Lumia 1520 aka 'the Hulk' phone from AT&T [Coverage]
- HTC One for Windows gets Cortana integration with DOT VIEW case and specs confirmed [Coverage]
- Verizon Lumia 830 specs rumored to include 20.1 MP PureView camera, 4.5-inch display [Coverage]
- New rumor claims Lumia 830 could have three US models, each with different specs [Coverage]
- Microsoft IFA press event invite for September 4 may tease 'selfie' Lumia 730 reveal [Coverage]
- Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 opens up to password protected Office documents [Coverage]
- Lumia 530 launches in India, available on Snapdeal for Rs. 7,349 [Coverage]
- Hisense launches first Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 device called Nana [Coverage]
- More alleged photos of the Lumia 830 show up on Weibo account [Coverage]
- AT&T Nokia Lumia 1020 getting Lumia Cyan and 8.1 updates [Coverage]
Microsoft + Windows
- Windows Threshold technical preview expected late September [Coverage]
- New rumors of Cortana for Windows 'Threshold' claim it currently runs as an app [Coverage]
- New Microsoft project turns first person videos into smooth timelapses [Coverage]
- Surface Pro 3, Surface Pro and Surface RT all get new firmware updates [Coverage]
- This is how artists can disable the Windows button on the Surface Pro 3 [Coverage]
Apps
- Foursquare finally launches Swarm on Windows Phone 8.1 [Coverage / Download]
- Facebook Messenger gains recorded voice messages and more in new update [Coverage / Download]
- Highly anticipated DJ mixing app edjing drops on Windows Phone 8.1, needs more work [Coverage / Download]
- Xbox One SmartGlass Beta update lets you post status updates to your activity feed [Coverage / Download]
- Wunderlist beta now available for Windows [Coverage / Download]
- The Converge app returns to Windows Phone as a high-quality tech newsreader [Coverage / Download]
- Minimalist Atmosphere Weather jumps from Windows Phone to Windows as a universal app [Coverage / Download]
Games
- Assassin's Creed Pirates brings treasure hunting to Xbox Live on Windows Phone [Coverage / Download]
- Tentacles: Enter the Mind launches for Xbox on Windows Phone with a limited release [Coverage / Download]
- Neon Battleground is an awesome multiplayer shooter that goes to Windows Phone first, Android and iOS later [Coverage / Download]
- Iaculator Free Space Shooter, an apocalyptic space adventure [Coverage / Download]
- Pinball FX2 now available for free on Xbox One [Coverage / Download]
Xbox
- Xbox One to get new media player, new Friends section and more in future updates [Coverage]
- Xbox One to begin digital game pre-loads and pre-orders soon, starting with Forza Horizon 2 [Coverage]
- Massive Xbox One update with new social features rolling out to preview members [Coverage]
- Capture your Xbox One gameplay in 1080p and 60 FPS with new Elgato box [Coverage]
- EA Access now live for all Xbox One owners [Coverage]
- Halo Channel coming to Xbox One, Windows Phone 8.1 and Windows 8.1 [Coverage]
- White Xbox One confirmed with Sunset Overdrive bundle for $399.99 [Coverage]
- 1 TB Xbox One console included with Call of Duty Advanced Warfare bundle for $499.99 [Coverage]
- Titanfall for Xbox One can be yours for just $25 with Xbox Live Gold [Coverage]
Misc.
- Weekly photo contest: Motion [Coverage]
- Catch Daniel Rubino join Windows Weekly to talk Windows Phone! [Coverage]
- Weekend entertainment: FKA Twigs, Porter Robinson, Locke and more [Coverage]
- How to move offline map data to your SD card in Windows Phone [Coverage]
- How to stream videos from your Mac to Xbox One [Coverage]
- Mobile Nations Community Update August 2014 [Coverage]
- Mobile Nations podcast changes and updates! [Coverage]
My random thoughts from this past week
This past week was all about Xbox. Not surprising since Gamescon, a major gaming convention, was happening in Germany. I'm excited for the future of Xbox One. The Xbox One has had a rough start since launching last November and isn't doing so hot when compared directly to the PlayStation 4. The battle isn't over yet though, so-called "console wars" play out over the entire console lifecycle. There are still many years left before we can declare one winner over the other.
Personally I'm happy I went with the Xbox One over the PlayStation 4 last November. Since the launch of the new generation of consoles, we've seen better support from Microsoft for their console and have seen continuous feedback and improvements. This past week we learned that future updates to the Xbox One will bring a powerful media player, improved social features, digital pre-loads, threaded messages and more. The Xbox One gets better each month and doesn't just fix bugs, but adds feature. Contrast that with the PlayStation 4 which had a big feature update in April, but has more or less just received bug fixes.
Earlier this week Daniel confirmed the specs for the upcoming Windows Phone 8.1 handset from HTC. It's going to be the HTC One (M8) hardware, but with your favorite operating system installed instead. I'm mildly excited about the device. It looks great and has killer specs, but I'm just hesitant about how much support it'll get from HTC post-launch.
No OEM can live up to the support offered to Lumia devices, and I'd be cautious to get a non-Lumia device as my daily driver. On that note, I am looking forward to the Lumia 830. We're expecting to find PureView technology, including a 20.1 MP rear camera, in the device. It's also going to be extremely pocketable with a rumored display size under 5-inches. I'm more curious about this device than a recycled Android phone.
I'm digging Swarm, a new app from Foursquare. I've been a big fan of Foursquare for years and have anxiously awaited Swarm for Windows Phone. It launched with a few bugs, but two post-launch updates show that Foursquare is dedicated to ironing out the app. Notifications didn't work at first but have started working without an update. Seems that was a server issue, and now they work flawlessly for me.
Swarm improves upon Foursquare by making it easier to see what your friends are doing, find your friends and make plans with friends. You can make 'plans' within the app and don't need to send out an invitation list. Swarm will use your location and the current location of your friends to plan hangouts.
ICYMI Mailing list
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Share your thoughts on this past week of Windows Phone, Windows, Xbox and Microsoft news!
