Windows Phone Weekly Digest: December 20, 2015

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Lumia 950 XL
Lumia 950 XL (Image credit: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central)

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

Windows Phone

It appears that there is a new Lumia smartphone on the horizon. A leaked render of the upcoming Lumia 650 made its rounds on the internet this week. the rumored specs include a 5-inch 720p display, Snapdragon 210, 1GB of RAM and 8GB internal memory. Chances are we won't see anything official until Mobile World Congress in February.

Microsoft pulled the Windows 10 Mobile 10586.29 update early this week after many reports of bugs on some Lumia 950 and 950 XL owners. The update returned two days later, though some installation issues remained.

Both Fast and Slow ring members began receiving Windows 10 Mobile Insider Preview Build 10586.36 the next day. Lumia 950s and 950 XLs that were still stuck were able to jump right to 10586.36.

Sadly, that wasn't the end of the buggy updates for the new Lumias. Microsoft's latest update to the Audio settings caused some crashing on them.

This week marks the end of Windows 10 Insider Preview builds for PC and Mobile until January 2016.

And after being delayed, January is now when older Windows phones will see Windows 10 Mobile roll out to them.

Other notable items:

Apps

Apps

There was a whole lot of app news this week. The Wall Street Journal released an official universal Windows 10 app for PC and smartphone.

Twitter client Tweet It! for Windows made its return as a new Universal app for Windows 10 and Mobile as well.

Microsoft updated their Windows Maps app with lane guidance for easier navigation. It also picked up access to live viewing of over 35,000 traffic cameras in 11 different countries.

Also, be on the lookout for [a new Remote Desktop app](/micro soft-confirms-remote-desktop-universal-app-soon). Microsoft confirmed in a statement that they will be releasing a Universal Remote Desktop app that lets you connect to computers while using Continuum. According to the statement, it "will be released very soon in Technical Preview."

The Facebook Beta picked up some new features. Now you can edit your posts, change your cover photo and profile picture, and reply to inline comments.

Two well-known companies launched official fitness apps. Garmin Connect Mobile brought its fitness tracking to Windows 10 PC and Mobile and Adidas released a miCoach beta app for Windows 10 Mobile.

And after an outpouring of requests, Bank of America confirmed via Twitter that they are working on a Windows 10 Mobile app. We'll be sure to let you know as soon as it drops.

Other notable items:

Games

Games

Honor Quest, the fantasy-based RPG for Windows Phone, got a significant update. In addition to fixes and performance enhancements, it gained a new map, six new heroes, new items, and the ability to boost heroes past level 80.

QuizUp got a much-needed patch to stop it from crashing on low-end Windows phones.

We reviewed Sniper Fury, one of the year's best shooting games for Windows PC and mobile.

And Game Troopers, the busiest team in Windows gaming, released Looking for Laika, a new game where you set off to find your abducted dog.

Other notable items:

Be sure to weigh in on this week's news in the comments section. See you next week!

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Seth Brodeur
Seth Brodeur