Nothing could compare to the sh*tstorm that was last week's Windows Phone 8 SDK leak, which even pushed a ton of stories into your last serving of WPD Bits. This week was a little more mellow, despite a Metro crisis in motion, and we only have a handful of stories to quickly summarize for you after the break.
So sit back, grab a Microsoft coffee, and continue reading for the best Bits in town!
Windows 8 RTM leaks online
In case you didn't hear, Microsoft announced earlier in the week that Windows 8 had reached RTM status, which means the OS is completely done and ready to get pushed out to hardware partners. Since the internet is a thing, it should come as no surprise that an RTM build of the Enterprise N version was subsequently leaked online less than 24 hours after the announcement. WinBeta has published a silent but comprehensive video walkthrough, giving us a great look at what Windows 8 is going to look like once it's installed on every screen in your house on October 26th. [ Via: Neowin / Source: WinBeta ]
WhatsApp pulled from the Marketplace for unknown reasons
Fans of the popular messaging service WhatsApp may be disappointed to see that the app has gone missing from the Marketplace. Users noticed that the app could no longer be found via search, and while its deep link still worked the entry has been marked 'Private' which means no downloading for anyone without a whitelisted Microsoft Account. Fansite WhatsAppen got in contact with WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton, who says that a new version of the app will be submitted to the Marketplace soon. [ Via: WPCentral / Source: WhatsAppen ]
HTC struggles with lowered Q3 2012 expectations
We all know that HTC does a great job with the hardware for their Windows Phones, but they don't seem to really care about supporting them in the long-term with new apps or services. Instead the company has committed to competing in the Android space with heralded devices like the HTC One X and One S. Despite the acclaim though, it appears the Android market is still brutally competitive enough to give HTC another rough financial quarter ahead. The Taiwan based manufacturer says that they will be expecting a drop in total revenue of about a billion dollars in Q3 2012. Even more grim is the news that the company will only see growth in the Chinese market, while the rest of the global space will see "different degrees of decline". Maybe HTC has more at stake with the Windows Phone 8 launch than they may realize... [ Via: The Verge, Reuters ]
Microsoft coffee would be perfect with Live Tile sugar cubes
So apparently if you're a regular at the company's Redmond, WA headquarters you can grab yourself a Cup of Ballmer in the morning. I hate coffee, and I still want to drink this for some reason. [ Source: Next at Microsoft ]
