Tag: Windows Phone 8

Earlier today, Microsoft surprised the Windows Phone community by not only announcing all the new features in GDR3, but by announcing the Developer Preview Program. That just announced program allows developers and enthusiasts to download the latest operating system updates from Microsoft. In fact it was just a few hours after those announcements that the Preview for Developers app went live allowing everyone to download GDR3, which Microsoft is calling Update 3. Let’s check it out those features in Update 3 for Windows Phone 8. 

Poll time! Earlier this morning Microsoft announced their brand new Developer Preview Program. You can think of it as the enthusiast program that was announced a few blue moons ago. Shortly after that, any registered developers could download GDR3 to their Windows Phone 8 devices. It’s been a busy day and a lot of you are now running GDR3 on your handset. What’s your favorite new feature? Take the poll below to answer. 

Starting later today, anyone can update their phone to Windows Phone 8 Update 3, as Microsoft announces new Preview Program

This morning, in addition to announcing Windows Phone 8 GDR3 (or just 'Update 3' as it is now being called), Microsoft has finally detailed their enthusiast update program so that owners of Windows Phone 8 devices can get the latest version of the OS without having to wait for OEMs or carriers. While technically designated for “developers”, anyone with a Windows Phone 8 device and a few minutes of their time can participate.

The program, detailed on the Windows Phone Developer Blog, will allow those who meet Microsoft’s loose standards to update to GDR3 starting later today. You read that right. The point of the program is to allow developers to try out their apps and optimize their code before the new OS goes live to millions of Windows Phone users, in addition to giving feedback to Microsoft.

Unofficially, it is meant to allow anyone to update their phones over-the-air to the latest version of Windows Phone 8, without carrier interference. 

The Samsung ATIV S Windows Phone 8 smartphone is favoured among many, including ourselves. We rated the handset highly in our in-depth review and rightly so - it's a top notch device. If you've been wanting to hop on the custom ROM path with the ATIV S, now's your opportunity with a new solution released over on XDA Developers.

Earlier this summer, Microsoft released a preview for the next version of their popular art app Fresh Paint. The beta was aimed at users on Windows 8.1 and was notable for bringing SkyDrive integration into the app. That syncing abilty later came to the Windows Phone version of the app. Now both apps are ready for a big update next week that will coincide with the launch of Windows 8.1 to the general public. Let’s check out some of the new features you’ll be using next week.

There are more music services than you can shake a stick at. On Windows Phone you have apps for all the major music platforms. We’ve got Xbox Music, Spotify, Pandora, Vevo, Soundcloud, and more. Sure, some of those might be a third party apps, but they exist and are pretty good. Digitally Imported is bringing an official app soon, but we’ve been pretty lucky with Beem as a third party offering. Development isn’t slowing down though, the app just picked up a new update. Let’s check it out.