[DEAL] 4th of July Windows Phone Games discounts

Yesterday we saw some iOS titles discounted over on the Apple App Store. Now Microsoft wants to get in on the Independence Day celebration with some discounts of their own on the Windows Phone Store.

The titles come from publishers like Electronic Arts, Chillingo and PopCap, and they have six games on discount for you: Battleship, Bejeweled Live, Contre Jour, Need for Speed-Hot Pursuit, The Sims 3 and Tetris.

[Windows Phone app] Facebook updated

The Facebook for Windows Phone app has been updated to version 2.9 for Windows Phone 7 and version 4.2 for Windows Phone 8. Facebook for Windows Phone makes it easy to stay connected and share information with friends. It features Microsoft’s Modern UI design and includes Facebook Chat, which is fully integrated into Messaging on your Windows Phone.

You can download the update directly on your device through the Windows Phone Store or by using the link which follows:

[Windows Phone app] Angry Birds Seasons now available for Windows Phone 7 devices

Rovio has released Angry Birds Seasons for Windows Phone 7 devices on the Windows Phone Store. Angry Birds Seasons takes the captivating gameplay of the original to a whole new level. From Halloween to Chinese New Year, the birds are celebrating different festive seasons around the world. The game features all 15 level packs with over more than 300 challenging levels and the promise of regular free updates.

You can download the game directly on your Windows Phone through the Windows Phone Store or by using the link which follows:

Here's why Microsoft should bring Windows Phone 8 to the Nokia Lumia 900, Lumia 800 and other new handsets

I was one of the early adopters of Windows Phone 7 and championed Microsoft’s new operating system to anyone I knew for its fluid performance and innovative interface. Little did I know that my newly purchased Nokia Lumia 800 would soon be obsolete when Microsoft announced Windows Phone 8.

I strongly believe Microsoft made a very poor choice not to support Windows Phone 7.5 devices and I have written the following post on why I think Microsoft should bring Windows Phone 8 to all Windows Phone devices. I have also suggested some features which should be made available to WP7 users.

[Windows Phone app] Facebook updated (2.8) for Windows Phone 7

The Facebook for Windows Phone app has been updated to version 2.8.0.0 and brings a few new features and improvements. Facebook for Windows Phone makes it easy to stay connected and share information with friends. It features Microsoft’s Modern UI design and includes Facebook Chat, which is fully integrated into Messaging on your Windows Phone.

You can download the update directly on your device through the Windows Phone Store or by using the link which follows:

Xbox Music will not be available for Windows 7 or Windows Phone 7

Microsoft recently unveiled their Xbox Music service for Windows 8, Windows Phone 8 and Xbox 360. which will offer free music streaming on Windows 8 based PCs and tablets. Unfortunately this service will remain an exclusive to the above mentioned platforms and will not be available to users of Windows 7 and Windows Phone 7 devices.

Windows Phone 7 apps will work on Windows Phone 8

Windows Phone 8 (codenamed Apollo) is the next major version of Windows Phone and is expected at the latter half of 2012. It will follow Windows Phone Tango (7.6) and Windows Phone Mango (7.5).

It has been assumed that Windows Phone 8 will borrow some parts of the Windows 8 kernel and thus be incompatible with the current generation Windows Phone apps.

[Guide] How to take screenshots on your Windows Phone

iOS users have been able to take screenshots natively on their devices from the very start. Android is now offering it as an option on Android 4.0 leaving only Windows Phone out in the dark.

However a homebrew tool has now been made available to help you get passed this obstacle.

HTC 7 Mozart - Review

The HTC 7 Mozart is among the first lineup of Windows Phone 7 devices. The device features a 3.7 inch display, 8GB of internal storage, 8MP camera with Xenon flash and is powered by a 1GHz processor with 448MB of RAM.The Xenon flash on the device allows taking photos even in low light conditions and you can capture 720p HD videos. Specifications Photo Samples Video Samples

[Windows Phone app] Foursquare

The Foursquare for Windows Phone app helps you explore the world around you. Meet up with friend. find places to go. save money with specials.

You can download the latest version of Foursquare on your Windows Phone or using the link below:

Microsoft WPC 2011

The Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) is an annual gathering for the Microsoft partner community to learn about Microsoft’s roadmap for the upcoming year, network and build connections, share best practices, experience the latest product innovations, and learn new skills and techniques.

Windows Phone 7 - Indoor Maps

Check out one of the upcoming features of Windows Phone 7 with their Mango update. The Indoor Maps feature allows you to preview locations of stores within large malls in the U.S. This would be very useful to find our way around some of the bigger malls.

The Windows Phone 7 Mango update is expected during the fall of this year. and promises a lot of new features and enhancements.

Windows Phone Mango update is official

The Mango update for Windows Phone 7 is now official. It promises 500 new features including multi-tasking and improved social network integration to include Twitter and LinkedIn.

This update will be available for existing devices for free and will be available on all new phones released this fall. Alongside Nokia who will be releasing Windows Phone devices, we will also see devices from Acer, Fujitsu and ZTE.

Windows Phone "Mango" update to be previewed at VIP event

Microsoft has announced that they will preview their upcoming "Mango" update for Windows Phone 7 for analysts and members of the media at a VIP event in New York on May 24.

The developer tools for Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango) are also expected to be released during this event.

Windows Phone receives (7.0.7392.0) software update

Microsoft has released a security update for Windows Phone 7. This is a minor update which includes a critical fix to an industry-wide issue with nine untrusted digital certificates that were issued by one root certificate authority. These third-party digital certificates are used to access popular websites and email portals.

Windows Phone 7 - Tablet Concept

Check out the video which follows of a concept tablet device running Windows Phone 7. I sometimes wonder why most of these concepts don't make it into mainstream devices, the ideas are quite brilliant.

Windows Phone 7 IE mobile browser aces HTML5 drawing test

Microsoft put a lot of work into Internet Explorer 9 to play catch up with its competitors. It turned out that they did quite a good job with it. Now it's time for Windows Phone 7 OS to get some of that love, and it looks like Microsoft is ready to deliver.

The upcoming Mango update offers a mobile version of Internet Explorer 9 which beats both Apple's mobile Safari on the Apple iPhone 4 and Google's Android browser on the Google Nexus S in hardware accelerated graphics rendering test, which was demonstrated during MIX 11.

Check the video demonstration of the three web browsers compared below:

Windows Phone 7 will receive NFC support in future update

Microsoft may have been late to the game with Windows Phone 7, but they have a good product which is quickly playing catch up with it's competitors in terms of apps and features.

Windows Phone receives (7.0.7390.0) NoDo software update

Microsoft has released a firmware update for all Windows Phone 7 devices. This update codenamed 'NoDo' brings the firmware to version 7.0.7390.0 and brings the copy and paste feature for Windows Phone among other features.

The full change-log follows:

Windows Phone 7 sees stronger sales in Europe

Windows Phone had a large hurdle to climb when it was released alongside Apple's iOS and Google's Android, but which was probably it's biggest hurdle was it's own Windows Mobile platform which drew much of it's customers away. It doesn't look like the U.S. market is too forgiving as Windows Phone sales don't seam to pick up despite the high quality of the operating system and Microsoft's marketing methods.