There's a lot going on in the world of Windows Phone. So much, in fact, that it is sometimes tough to catch every important story.
Device rumors come and go. New apps join the Windows Phone Store, and your favorite app can get a big update with a new look or new features.
Therefore, every week we will compile a list of the Windows Phone news that you just shouldn't miss. Welcome to the "Windows Mobile Weekly Digest."
Windows Mobile
Just days after announcing that they would be selling off their feature phone division, images of a supposed Microsoft feature phone prototype were leaked online. Microsoft's feature phone business was sold this week to HMD, a partner of Foxconn, for $350 million.
Chinese electronics manufacturer Coship is taking a novel approach to pricing their upcoming 6-inch Moly PcPhone W6 by asking the public how much they would be willing to pay for the Windows 10 Mobile device. The phone was originally announced back in April with a $399 price tag, but it remains to be seen if that number holds when the phone officially launches in July.
Windows 10 Mobile build 14342.1004 rolled out to Fast ring Insiders this week, but it was only a marginal bump, adding some fixes to the previous version.
However, some Insiders did report seeing system requirements in app listings in the Store.
There was also a server-side bug identified that caused users trying to change their Insider ring selection to receive a "Disabled" error. Microsoft is aware of the issue and working on a fix.
Perhaps the most interesting news came from an email that was sent out to Microsoft's partners explaining the company's shifting mobile strategy.
The email said that Microsoft's focus will be on "businesses for which security, manageability, and Continuum are important, and consumers who value the same."
The company will be moving away from manufacturing budget smartphones in favor of high-end devices. Similarly, they will concentrate on "core markets" and move away from emerging markets like India and Brazil. The expectation is that Microsoft's OEM partners will fill the gaps that the new strategy leaves in the market.
The shift indicates that they are more interested in innovating and redefining device categories than trying to play catch-up in a market dominated by their competitors.
Other notable items:
- Get a free Display Dock with Lumia 950 or 950 XL purchase starting May 24
- Save $150 on the Lumia 950 XL through May 30 at the Microsoft Store
- Microsoft Office Online extension for Edge browser available for Windows 10 Insiders [Update: Maybe not]
- New video shows off Microsoft's Lumia 650 on Cricket Wireless
- Red, white and blue sale: Save 20% on Windows Phone accessories!
Apps
The Windows Central universal app got some new bells and whistles in build 32, including haptic feedback, some snazzy new animation fades, and more.
Flipboard's Windows 10 app picked up Live Tile support in its latest update.
Microsoft's Remote Desktop app for Windows 10 graduated out of Preview status, though the production version is still lacking some features. Both versions are available and can be installed on the same device, which may offer the most flexibility for the time being.
PayPal has announced that it will be discontinuing its Windows Phone app on June 30. This news comes just as PayPal updated its apps on iOS and Android, which hopefully means a new Windows 10 version is on the way.
And during a Build event in Barcelona, Spain, Microsoft unveiled a mysterious new initiative called "Project Europe". Little is known about the project, other than it involves their Universal Windows Platform.
Whatever "Project Europe" turns out to be, you can be sure we'll cover it.
Other notable items:
- Outlook Groups app update adds connectors card support and more
- Perfect Tools, a Swiss-army knife collection of utilities for Windows 10 Mobile
- Hope Calendar adds week view, new Live Tiles and more in latest update
- GroupMe for Windows 10 Mobile adds video search in latest update
- Movies & TV update makes it easier to buy your favorite content
- Luis von Ahn, the Duolingo founder, on next goals and newfound love for India
- Facebook Beta updates its status with a new release
- Windows Insider app nabs Redstone update on Windows 10 Mobile
- Photo Editor Suite, a simple photo effects app for Windows 10 PC
- AccuWeather for Windows 10 adds future radar for predicting what's coming soon
- Fhotoroom fixes Windows Phone 8.1 bugs and gets Windows 10 improvements
- Groove Music update brings easier sharing and more to Windows Insiders
- Bandsider adds a way to compare your Microsoft Band activity with others
- Get Steam Guard on your Windows Phone with this simple app
- The untold "app gap" story, Part I: Human behavior, the overlooked variable
- Readit app adds user tagging, cloud sync and more in latest update
- Windows 10 UWP developer says 75% of his app's usage is on smartphones
Games
Candy Crush Soda Saga gained a new episode this week. Piñata Party adds 20 new levels, bringing the total to 865 bubbly boards.
Game Troopers released Ludo Blitz for Windows 10 PC and Mobile. It's an animated board game designed for casual play, with each match lasting only a short time.
Game Troopers also shared some information about their experience with publishing games on the Windows platform, including quite a bit of success with Windows 10. They also offered insight into what qualities make some games more popular and financially lucrative than others.
Other notable items:
- Roll your way to victory with Super Bounce Ball Maze for Windows 10 PC and Mobile
- Legend of Theia for Windows 10 Mobile scores as today's myAppFree Deal
- Shoot some hoops with Streetball Game for Windows 10 Mobile
- Avoid the deadly Zamboni in Blocky Hockey for Windows 10
- Battle the shadows with League of Stickmen for Windows 10
Be sure to weigh in on this week's news in the comments section. See you next week!
