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
- Unboxing the Verizon HTC One (M8) for Windows [Coverage]
- Lumia 520 versus Lumia 530 benchmarks show who is king of low-cost Windows Phones [Coverage]
- Lumia 530 versus Lumia 635 benchmarks show which is the best affordable Windows Phone [Coverage]
- Switching from a Lumia to the HTC One for Windows? Here are the apps you may (or may not) miss [Coverage]
- HTC One M8 for Windows headed to T-Mobile US this fall [Coverage]
- New stats show Windows Phone 8.1 now on 24 percent of devices [Coverage]
- New photos of Nokia Lumia 730 and Lumia 735 hit web before announcement [Coverage]
- Rumor claims Threshold preview for ARM-Windows Phone devices due in early 2015 [Coverage]
- Lumia 730 FCC filings confirm dual-SIM support [Coverage]
Microsoft + Windows
- Dell XPS 15 laptop review [Coverage]
- Surface Pro 3 expands global reach with availability in 28 markets [Coverage]
- New rumor claims to have more info on Modern UI changes for Windows 9-Threshold [Coverage]
- Microsoft takes the consumer side in new policy changes to banish misleading apps [Coverage]
- The new Alienware Area 51 PC and its triad design belongs in a sci-fi movie [Coverage]
Apps
- Xbox Music for Windows Phone gains Live tile support in new update [Coverage / Download]
- Xbox Video updated for Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone, improves episode details page and more [Coverage / Download]
- Spotify update brings free music streaming to Windows Phone [Coverage / Download]
- DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket app debuts on Windows Phone and Windows 8.1 [Coverage / Download]
- NFL Now video apps finally show up for Windows Phone and Windows 8.1 [Coverage / Download]
- NFL releases official Fantasy Football cheat sheet and draft kit for Windows Phone [Coverage / Download]
- Appy Weather, a Windows Phone weather app with a personal touch [Coverage / Download]
- Flipagram for Windows Phone 8.1 returns with bug fixes [Coverage / Download]
- Microsoft adds social features to Xbox One SmartGlass on Windows Phone and Windows 8.1 [Coverage / Download]
Games
- Age of Empires: Castle Siege coming to Windows Phone and Windows 8.1 in September [Coverage]
- Cloud Raiders updated with new Treasure Island and more [Coverage / Download]
- Subway Surfers brings you to mystical China in the latest update [Coverage / Download]
- Space shooter 2150 A.D. is this week's myAppFree deal! [Coverage / Download]
Xbox
- Buying guide: Gaming headsets for the Xbox One [Coverage]
- Xbox One September update now live, brings new media player and more [Coverage]
- Xbox One Kinect stand-alone to hit the market October 7 for $149.99 [Coverage]
- Amazon acquires Twitch for over $1 billion [Coverage]
- Your local Microsoft Store will have unique launch events for Madden NFL 15 and Destiny [Coverage]
- NHL 15 demo now available for Xbox One [Coverage]
- Destiny for Xbox One now available for digital pre-loading [Coverage]
Misc.
- Weekly photo contest: Silhouette [Coverage]
- How to get an Uber car with Cortana [Coverage]
Thoughts from this past week
Want an affordable phone? Grab the Lumia 630. Want a phone to supplement your current phone? Grab the Lumia 630. That's one thing I took away from this past week. We looked at how the Lumia 530 compared to the Lumia 520. Surprise, the Lumia 530 is better than the Lumia 520. Then we compared the Lumia 530 and the Lumia 630.
While the two devices have somewhat similar specs and performance, the Lumia 630 is preferred over the Lumia 530. The vastly superior display of the Lumia 630 make it a better buy and one you should go for if you're looking for an affordable phone. Yes, the Lumia 530 is cheaper, but your eyesight is worth the extra bit of money you'll spend on the Lumia 630.
Microsoft announced Age of Empires: Castle Siege for Windows Phone and Windows 8. I can't wait for this game. It comes sometime during September, and it brings my favorite RTS series to phones and tablets. John had a great interview with the dev team, and you should read it to get pumped for this game. The ability to control where units go, something you can't do in Cloud Raiders or Clash of Clans, will be welcomed by RTS fans.
This week wasn't too busy in terms of news, but I guess that's because we're in that calm before the storm phase. Next week is IFA, and Microsoft is expected to announce two new handsets. The next edition of ICYMI will probably have a lot of exciting information. Till next week.
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