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 Phone Weekly Digest."
Windows Phone
Finally, after taking a backseat to Windows 10 for weeks, Windows 10 Mobile Preview got a big bump. Speculation that the new build number would jump to 10512 ultimately turned out to be correct.
A few leaked screenshots later, Windows 10 Mobile Preview build 10512 went live for Fast ring Windows Insiders.
Windows Central delved into the new build to find out what's new, improved and fixed. It turns out that Windows 10 Mobile Preview build 10512 has over 2,000 fixes, including the ability to run videos in Microsoft's Movies & TV app.
Despite the plethora of improvements, build 10512 is not without its issues. However, according to Windows Central Editor-in-chief, Daniel Rubino, it is a solid build that brings us one step closer to a polished final version.
In phone news, handset maker Kazam said that they will not be updating their current Windows Phones to Windows 10 Mobile.
And just ten months after its launch, sources say that the so-called "affordable flagship, the Lumia 830, is reaching the end of its product life 10 months after launch.
Meanwhile, BLU not only debuted their affordable Win HD LTE and Win Jr LTE to India, but also brought them to Europe via Amazon.
Other notable items:
- Quick look: Microsoft Flip Shell for Lumia 640 XL
- Yes, you should do a master reset for the best Windows 10 Mobile experience
- How to move the caret stick to the right in Windows 10 Mobile keyboard
- Windows Camera on Windows 10 Mobile picks up support for Lenses
- Microsoft says if you want landscape for the Start screen vote for it (like you always could)
- Windows Phones are helping the NYPD fight crime
Apps
This week, Microsoft's Tetra Lockscreen returned to the Windows Phone Store after a hiatus, but without receiving any kind of update.
Their Windows Insider app, did however, snag an update. There was no accompanying changelog, so it is likely that it was to accommodate the new preview build of Windows 10 Mobile.
Pushbullet, the cross-platform messaging app, added end-to-end encryption for SMS, notification mirroring and other functionality between devices.
Password keeper app LastPass made their service free to use on mobile devices. That includes full functionality, with the exception of syncing to other platforms. For that, you will still need to subscribe for an annual fee.
Xender launched its file-sharing service on Windows Phone. Now you can transfer files up to 10GB between up to four devices running PC, Mac, iOS, Android, and of course, Windows Phone.
And ReddHub, one of the best Reddit apps from Windows, made the jump over to Windows Phone.
Other notable items:
- AdDuplex HERO App Spotlight: Mirror Cam
- Opera Mini, Fhotoroom and Tweetium for Windows Phone get minor updates
- Elements-The Periodic Table, today's AdDuplex HERO App
- Lumia Selfie update adds selfie stick support with Windows 10 Mobile
- Microsoft's new Photo Story Windows Phone app turns groups of images into videos
- Tweetium supports Twitter's new 10,000 character Direct Message feature in latest update
- Vine for Windows Phone snags a minor update with bug fixes
- Perfect Tube YouTube client is now available as a universal Windows 10 app
- The official Slack app for Windows Phone is still happening
Games
We got a twofer from well-known game studio Gameloft. Firstly, their popular racing game Asphalt 8: Airborne, got a huge update. Players now have eight new cars to drive, along with new decals to slap on them. There is also a new Car Mastery feature, which adds over 1500 new challenges and unlocks "exclusive and iconic cars."
Gameloft's other offering of the week was March of Empires, a new Medieval-themed multiplayer strategy game that is free to play.
Game Troopers enlisted the help of Windows Central and our readers to determine the setting and style of their next game. This is also a contest, so be sure to check it out.
Other notable items:
- Monster Stack 2 VIP, today's Windows Phone myAppFree Deal
- Magnet Balls Free is today's AdDuplex HERO App
- Tiltagon – Tilt, Fall, Repeat is today's AdDuplex HERO App
- Simple Truths - trivia made simple for Windows 10 and Windows Phone
Be sure to weigh in on this week's news in the comments section. See you next week!
