Facebook for WP Gets Updated to v 2.5

Facebook's already quite decent WP app has just received a nice over-haul bringing the following features:

New in version 2.5:
Added ability to like comments,
full-threaded Facebook messaging including group messaging,
tagging friends using 'with' and ‘at’ formats,
delete posts and comments via long press context menu,
active links in posts,
updates to photo comments and likes pages to match posts comments and likes page.

Safe to say that I won't be looking for any facebook alternatives any time soon :)

Super useful QR code:

Leaked Windows Phone 8 Template/Layout?

 

First off let me start by saying that this is by no means official or even somewhat confirmed, what I can tell you is that this interesting Concept/Layout popped up in my twitter feed last night (unfortunately I can't seem to find the source where this image first came from). Regardless lets treat this as a wishlist/concept render rather than a rumored update. 

What you can see above are some navigation/Ui changes that would hopefully come to Windows Phone 8 or whatever the next update after Tango is going to be. Starting from the First tile/Image render on the upper left I'll work my way across and down trying to explain what I understood from each one.

• The very first screen render seems to be a "Recent Applications Folder" possibly showing you the latest applications along with your pinned applications (similar to pinning applications to the toolbar on Windows 7 PC??)

 

•  Next we see the new multitasking view which shows you the same elongated mini screen of the running apps, however there's now a "X" button to presumably kill the application as well as a new set of toggles that pop up when entering multitasking mode. The toggles appear to be for Wifi, 3G, Battery Saver, Lock screen or app??, and possibly a restart/Power switch. We can also so a Quick app launch/shortcut on the bottom part of the screen (possibly the "Pinned" apps from the previous render?

 

• Next up is the new app list/view which now gives you the option to organize your applications via category or via Alphabet (interesting to see how the category organization will work, will it be preorganized or do you get to move them around?)

 

•  Also included is one feature that I agree should have been implemented form the start, a notification bar that informs you of missed calls/Unread messages as well as the option to differentiate between multiple ringer volumes.
  Could the presence of this notification bar mean that tiles will become optional? something to please those who don't like them?
  
  
  
   
•  Also the much asked for "Folders" feature seems to have been implemented allowing multiple folders each with their own settings to be set as Tile shortcuts as well as accessed within the menu- Also present seems to be landscape support for menu/homescreen which is a nice touch (maybe one of the toggles seen above was for screen orientation?)
  
  
  
  
  Finally we see an interesting feature which is the ability to view apps while the phone screen is locked (demoed here with the maps application)- which could possibly mean that this update could support running WiFi while the phone is locked.
   
  
  
  What are your thoughts? Are some of these features unnecessary? how many have you been waiting for? and most importantly is this the real deal or a fan made concept?
  
  
  
  
  SOURCE

Should MSFT/Nokia Release Unlocked Devices to Devs?

So once again twitter has sparked up another glorious Meego Vs. WP Vs. Symbian debate,this time as is usual it all came back to the fact that most of the tech aware online community are geeks; and geeks love to tinker with stuff (it's in our blood), how bad would it be to make a developers device that has an unlocked bootloader for some geeks to mess around with? If the fear is sideloading apps/pirating then they could simply add a premium to the initial cost of the device (say another 50-100 $) to cover any possible piracy fears and pay those over to devs, or reduce the app hub membership to be fair to all (of course then choosing to buy the phone with this App premium would only be for people who plan on messing around and wouldn't be forced onto all WP adopters).

 

Wouldn't it be great if they gave out some dev. devices like RIM just did with BB10 (which btw looks pretty sweet); I personally can't see the harm in it, nobody is better at unlocking the true potential of an OS than Hackers and Geeks (take WebOS as your prime example, it's buggy as $hit but once you slap on some plugins from the unoffical store it becomes beautiful). I personally think that allowing people to tinker with the OS could expose some unexpected bugs as well as provide some interesting foresight into what future OS adopters would want, as well as some interesting features/fixes (just include a clause that says that MSFT can use any SW changes/hacks in future updates or something..). And the other huge benefit is that it wouldn't give anyone else any chances to poke holes in MSFTs platform strategy by saying it's worse than iOS and it's "too closed" for their taste.

Side Note: I used to live off side-loading apps on my N8 (still do) and I was always looking forward to trying the next tweak or fix; but for some weird reason WP/Lumias have tamed that beast inside me; I no longer feel the need to try tweaks or mods or even to sideload any apps. I'm not sure this is a good thing but at least it gives me alot less to worry about (Possibly the main reason is that WP simply works meaning I don't have to go behind anybodies back to improve it).

When I look back at it I think my love/desire to sideload/tweak the device rose out of necessity rather than true desire, which is the only reasonable explanation why that urge has faded; simply because WP delivers directly so you don't have to dirty your hands hacking and sideloading. 

Lumia 900 & Better Devices Coming in October- No 800 for KSA

Ok last "Leak" for now; if you head over to the Nokia KSA twitter you'll find loads of confirmation tweets about Lumia devices coming in October with full arabic support- but the following tweet stood out:

"When will the Lumia 800 be available in KSA"
"It wont be launched in Saudi Arabia, we will however bring the Lumia 900 and better phones in October- god willing"

Now call me crazy but why would you differentiate between the 800 and the 900 if they both have the same future? Nokia KSA previously singled out the Lumia 900 as supporting Arabic, so why not the 800? and what exactly are these Better phones to come? Obviously Windows 8 phones, maybe with a hint of pureview? Why would you launch the Lumia 900 alongside windows 8 devices if it was going to be running outdated software by then- unless it'll be running something else?

Could this be a controlled leak to re-instill confidence and banish the fears from those tempted to upgrade but afraid of being left out in the dark? It would certainly make some sense, as Nokia India confirmed similar theories before; and yet none of the tweets have been redacted removed or denied in a way. It certainly would make sense considering how some blogs have been punching holes in Nokia's Lumia strategy trying to lower their worth.

what do you guys think?

Wordament Gets Xbox Live Support- Awesome Update

I just love it when my favorite app gets updated,  even better when it was already a great app; and the frosting on the cake? When *that* app is THE one and only wordament. Just a couple days ago my already favorite word playing game was updated to get Xbox live support and a complete UI over-haul the result? A perfect game. 

The latest update brings Xbox live achievements to the board as well as smoother interactions and new sounds; I suggest you check it out  if you haven't already fallen in love with this game.

 

Here's a demo of the original game taken from MNB LumiappADay:

Go Ahead and scan the QR code to download this awesome app:

Whatsapp for Windows Phone Updated to V 1.9- Now supports Emoji and Media Sharing History

 

The title basically says it all- If you have a Nokia Lumia or a WP head on over to  the marketplace and update your whatsapp to V1.9 to get all the goodies of Emoji from smiling turds to farting elephants; as well as the added bonus of having the option to view all media shared with a contact from under "Contact Info"- All in all a pretty cool update but all it needs now is the option to sync your conversations online; or at least to save them as a text file. (I believe that option is available on Android and iPhone but not Symbian)

Full Changelog:

Improved support for Emoji

- Group mute features
- Share contacts
- Browse downloaded media in a conversation
- German and Russian localizations
- The usual bug fixes and performance improvements

-If you're not getting the latest Whatsapp update simply go to your marketplace- hit the "share" button then immediately go back to the main Whatsapp download page; hopefully you should have the option to update. 

Cheers.

Video: N9 Vs. LumiaSocial Integration

Here it is, the video that gave me so much pain to upload: Enjoy

How To: Jailbreak/Sideload onto your Lumia device- a full guide.

Ok, so you got your brand new spanking awesome Lumia; but you feel a bit claustrophobic with it's walled in garden of a marketplace-
Here's something that will ease the pain a bit: (Steps are easy to follow and although it may seem long it's not)

So here’s how to do it (seems long but it’s really easy).

• Head over to Dreamspark.com
• Create an Account/Sign-in with your LIVE ID (the one you use on the marketplace)
• Once your account is complete you’ll be asked to enter your .EDU email address for verification (usual steps of logging in and clicking the link in the confirmation email)
• Go back to dreamspark after verifying your .edu email
• From Developer and Designer tools select ‘Windows Phone and App Hub’

• Choose ‘Map Your Live ID’

• Set it so your .edu email is linked to you LIVE account that you use on the marketplace (unless you want to use your .edu email as your live account)
• Now once your done with that feel free to go ahead and download & install the Windows Phone SDK tools (direct link) and get that out of the way.

Now that you’ve made a dreamspark account and linked it to your Windows LIVE & .edu email you want to register on the app hub- which basically gives you the ability to side load apps and publish apps to the Market place WITHOUT having to pay any fees (cause we’re poor students after all  )-

Note: I’m not sure of the exact order of the next steps as I can’t view them after making my account so I’m going off memory here.

• Go to the AppHub site
• Create an account, while creating select ‘As A Student‘ (which was the whole point of the dreamspark account)
• At this point depending on your university/school it might take a while for you to be verified as a student; do not panic- it took me about 24hrs (no notification that it went through so you’ll have to go and try again)
• You’ll be asked for your location; choose the correct location; and if it’s not available the closest one possible (not guaranteed to work- but if you choose a distant location it will tell you the country address is incorrect later on)
• Complete the rest of the form (since your filling it in as a student it’ll magically skip the payment step)
• Once your done just go verify or confirm the email that you’ll receive.

Up till this point we’ve basically created the  AppHub account which will give your live ID recognition on the phone you want to unlock. Now for the actual unlocking process- pretty easy and straight forward-

• Connect your Lumia device to the computer (must have Zune running and Lumia screen must be unlocked)
• Open  Windows Phone Developer Registration (also part of the SDK package you should have installed)
• Enter your Live Id & Password(that you used on the AppHub)
• Hit Register
• AND YOUR DONE!

 Now that you've unlocked it here's how to sideload apps:

 All done? Great either have some fun or go bake some cookies; up to you after all your no longer walled in :D