April was an important month for Windows Phone with the release of the Nokia Lumia 900 and the HTC Titan II on AT&T, but did the renewed push live up to the hype? We're not so sure but it appears Microsoft is at least growing now. Research group comScore has just released their mobile subscriber market share report for the United States in April 2012, and once again Microsoft remains in the lower threshold of the market.

As you can see in the image above, Microsoft's market share (which supposedly consists of Windows Phone and Windows Mobile) is sitting at 4.0%, which is down from January's 4.4%. However if we were to compare this new percentage with the reported market share from March, Microsoft has actually grown by 0.1%. It's hardly an impressive stat, but like we said at least it's actually growing now.

We are a little confused to see how negligible of an effect the launch of the Nokia Lumia 900 had on market share, especially with such a significant marketing presence and the low on-contract cost. However it's still early days, and technically the phone launched with only 23 days left in April, so we'll see how the momentum continues to build throughout the Summer. (P.S. Now might be a good time to consider bringing that Dark Knight Rises promotion stateside!)

Source: ComScore

Anyone remember squirting? The feature that made Zune players a unique little flower in the world of media players was squeezed out by the record labels over time, but we've heard rumors the feature could be making a comeback in Microsoft's new Metro device ecosystem.

Today The Examiner has revealed what could be a key component to that future that is very likely to be announced at E3 2012. An application called Xbox Smart Glass will soon be available for Windows 8 devices, Windows Phones, and even competing smartphone platforms iOS and Android. So what is Smart Glass? It's described by the report as an app that, "will allow users to control their Xbox 360 remotely" but it's not quite the same as the Xbox Companion.

Smart Glass goes deeper than that by letting the application's users tap into Xbox Live's multimedia services like their Netflix and YouTube streaming apps. It sounds almost as thought Smart Glass will act like a portal to the Xbox Live media library from another device. Where the squirting comparison comes into play is the application's other ability to push content to the Xbox 360, laptop, tablet or mobile device.

It sounds very exciting to us and a much-desired feature that will finally come to fruition. It's only a matter of time before we learn more, so sit tight and start dreaming of the possibilities.

Via: Neowin
Source: The Examiner

Want a look at even more upcoming Xbox Live games for Windows Phone? We already know about many including well-known titles like Mirror's Edge and Final Fantasy, but today we get to add another four titles to our watchlist courtesy of zebrasqual's sleuthing. Here they are:

Asphalt 5 - This popular racing franchise finally makes its way over to Windows Phone with its fifth iteration. Featuring 12 locations to shred tires and 30 of the highest end cars to wield, Asphalt 5 promises to be a fun portable racing experience.

Galaga Legion DX - An exclusive port to Windows Phone from the popular Xbox Live downloadable title, Namco Bandai reimagines their classic hit Galaga with a new wave gameplay mechanic and modern slick graphics.

Gun Bros - A freemium title from Glu Mobile, Gun Bros is a beat em up title that puts you on missions to go from planet to planet and collect "Xplodium". The game's external currency War Bucks is used to buy premium equipment, while the online 'Brotherhood' feature should keep the fights interesting. (via WPCentral)

Pool Pro Online 3 - This Namco Bandai game is a virtual pool game with slick 3D graphics and animations. Games get a little more interesting when you wage cash and see who comes out the victor.

Hopefully we'll learn more about these games (and the rest we've heard about so far) once E3 2012 rolls around later this month. So, which of these titles are you most excited to play?

Via: WP7 Connect
Source: wp7lynx

With the arrival of the Windows 8 Release Preview came a slew of new apps, and one of the most promising is from a familiar face around these parts. LazyWorm Apps, the team behind the brilliant Metrotube app for Windows Phone that was unfortunately shuttered, have made a comeback with their latest project for the new operating system.

Say hello to Tweetro, a Twitter client exclusive to the Windows 8 Release Preview (and beyond). Windows 8 has suffered from a lack of good Twitter clients and, upon this realization, LazyWorm Apps managing director Atta Elayyan says that the team decided to take on the challenge. One of the things immediately noticeable from these screenshots is how visual Tweetro instead of the usual "endless columns and a sea of text". As with any of LazyWorm's creations though, things are never just skin deep and the application balances visuals with efficiency with aplomb. Features like semantic zoom for the Main Hub for quick access to different sections of the app, dedicated sections for Photos or Lists, the app's ability to preload links embedded in tweets so they're only a swipe away, and more drive home this pursued ideal of an app that's just as powerful as it is good-looking.


So if you have the Windows 8 Release Preview, what are you waiting for? Tweetro is available in the Windows Store for free; download it by clicking on the deep link here.

More Info: Tweetro

The second generation of Windows Phones have been a tough nut to crack for the hacking world. Nokia just recently saw a pair of its devices cracked, and now HTC's original dynamic duo have also succumbed to the whims of the full unlock. Dark Forces Team earlier today released its HSPL tools for the HTC Titan and HTC Radar (but not the Titan II). While the tools will create the way for more chefs to cook up some software for the Windows Phones, there are limitations like the requirement of a certain model ID number for compatibility.

So what good are the HSPL tools without a custom rom? Once again the Dark Forces Team have come through and provided two new versions of their popular Freedom ROMs for both of the devices supported. The roms are based off of Windows Phone build 8773 (i.e. Tango) and include the following features built-in:

• Replace HTC Apps software, add Registry editor, file explorers ...etc
• Few tweaks, DFT Full Unlock, support XAP download and install through Internet Explorer, full play Xbox Live games
• Internet Sharing, Static MAC Address fix
• Keeps HTC 2nd boot screen 

As always, we have to warn you that if you have intentions to install these roms read the entire guide and take every precaution. For the most part DFT usually makes the tools simple enough for those familiar with roms to avoid problems, but there's always the risk of something going wrong. If you've already made your decision, click on through to the source link below for more information about the HSPL tools and the newest Freedom ROMs.

Source: XDA-Developers Forum

We're that much closer to a new beginning for Microsoft: the Windows 8 Release Preview is now available to download. Following the Consumer Preview from February, this latest milestone release of Windows 8 for public testing isn't as significant but continues to refine upon what we've seen thus far.

In regards to features, the Release Preview has bundled in plenty of new apps: the Bing Travel, News and Sports apps, plus the Xbox Live Games and Xbox Music apps (the latter of which finally integrates with your Zune Pass). Plus there's also a new wave of applications that have been released for the Windows Store today. Another welcome new addition is the inclusion of Flash support in the Metro version of Internet Explorer 10, but it is only permitted for use with certain whitelisted websites like YouTube.

Finally the last important piece of Windows 8 news was the return of the Windows Upgrade Offer. Beginning June 2nd (this Saturday), any Windows 7 device purchased before January 31st, 2013 can upgrade to the new operating system for just $14.99.


Also in what appears to be a coordinated move by Microsoft, Bing has just launched a significant redesign to its front page. The appearance is decidedly more touch-friendly featuring larger images for quick access to Images and Videos plus the inclusion of Search History if you're logged in. This should go hand-in-hand with the site-wide Metro-style redesign that was launched last month. Check it out by visiting Bing for yourself.

Via: Zunited
Source: Windows 8 Release Preview, Bing

Tomorrow is the first day of June, and then it's just 19 more days before we learn about the future of Windows Phone. Obviously before an exciting month of announcements there's bound to be rumors and leaks, and today we have some info to report about Windows Phone 8's support resolutions.

Earlier today WPCentral published an article in which their sources have chimed in on the supported resolutions of Apollo: 1280x768, 1280x720, 640x480 and 800x480 (the current resolution). This backs up previous claims that the OS would be flexible enough to accommodate a lot of different manufacturers to enable them to craft a range of products across price points in the market, just as Android has done. We're most surprised to see 640x480 included, since it's similar to the current generation but vertically shorter. If we were to guess, it may be intended for devices with vertical-sliding keyboards or maybe even a spinoff device like a possible Nook reader.


Inspired by their report, we decided to do some digging into our own analytics information. We spotted at least one of the resolutions in common -- a 1280x768 device from Redmond (aka Microsoft town), just as others have reported. However we also discovered something even more interesting. As you can see in the screen capture above, we found an entry for a Windows Phone with a screen resolution of 1920x1080! We are hesitant though since the resolution was never mentioned in the WPCentral report, which to be honest is probably backed up by sources way above our pay grade. It also didn't come from Redmond, but rather from London, England.

So this could be a prank, a false report from the user agent string, or if we were to be more optimistic it could be something down the road. Either way, there it is.

Related: WPCentral

SkyDrive has had a huge year thus far with the release of an excellent Windows Phone app, equally as good desktop syncing clients, the introduction of paid storage tiers as well as more. The service is only going to grow in relevance with the impending arrival of Windows 8, so it's not hard to imagine some changes could be in the works for the cloud storage service between then.

Enter a new report from Neowin citing a reliable tipster who has shared images of the SkyDrive team's internal feature release schedule. According to the images (which were withheld from the report), Microsoft has plans to introduce a new Recycle Bin feature to the service to tackle the generic example problem of "I don't want to lose my stuff if something happens to my device" (verbatim from the leaked documents). Thus there is speculation the feature will preserve files deleted from your SkyDrive storage. or as a way to backup a synced computer's files to the cloud.

The documents show that this 'milestone' release should occur in late July, along with the inevitable mobile app for Android as well.

Source: Neowin

Here we go again. Much has been made about the humor derived from Apple's disapproval of Siri's infatuation with a certain Windows Phone, but what about Samsung? It appears that despite their legal issues with their closest competitor they are still extremely committed to copying Apple after all. The new intelligent voice assistant found in the new Android flagship, the Galaxy S III, points towards a Windows Phone as the best smartphone ever...again.

The situation is even more amusing this time around because it's not the brand-spanking new Windows Phone flagship that's getting some extra promotion. Rather it's the Verizon-branded HTC Trophy that's atop the smartphone perch based on customer review average accumulated by Wolfram Alpha (see the results page here.)

Speaking of the Trophy, the sole Windows Phone offering on Verizon just rounded out its first year of life (it was originally released May 26, 2012), so consider this a belated birthday gift from ol' Sammy, with love, to HTC and Microsoft.

Via: The Inquirer

The answer to the above question is simple: Nokia's Lumia devices. Let's start off with esteemed Star Trek and Roots actor LeVar Burton, who tweeted a few messages of love directed towards his new Nokia Lumia 900. The first tweet was: "I luva my Lumia... #testdriving #someverycoolfeature. #bydhttmwfi". Meanwhile the second one was a clarification: "I'm talkin' phones, not cars... #lumia900"; that also included an image of his glossy white Windows Phone. Now judging by his other tweets, it appears he's not using it as his main device so this could be a paid endorsement but it's still enough to get his loyal following to at least give the phone a better look.

Speaking of a paid advertisement, Nokia's current and former Windows Phone flagships have both been featured in recent music videos. In Flo Rida's latest video for "Whistle" there's a blatant product placement of the Nokia Lumia 900 (in white no less). It appears the Miami hip hop artist has some kind of agreement with Nokia, since we've seen him enjoy the Lumia 710 in a previous video, but it's a wise investment considering the multimillion views each of his videos receive. Meanwhile across the pond, popular French artist M83 has also been spotted promoting a Finland imported Windows Phone: the Nokia Lumia 800. It coincidentally also happens to be in white, but the appearance in their video for "Reunion" is short compared to other product placements in the past.

Check out the music videos from Flo Rida and M83 below.

Source: @LeVarBurton 1, 2