Windows Phone Thoughts - Daily News, Views, Rants and Raves

• The LG Quantum Reviewed: A No-Nonsense Keyboard Slider Windows Phone 7
• Read More

• Samsung Focus Unboxing and First Impressions Video: a.k.a. microSD Hell
• Read More

• HTC HD7 Review: Ready to Take On the iPhone? Really!
• Read More

"ScanBizCards is an essential tool for any person who wishes to scan business cards with ease. Our features include scan in 21 languages, connect to Linkedin, add contacts to your People Hub and Websync cloud service. We released a paid version for 6.99 with a one year subscription of Websync FREE for WP7 users."

If you have lots of business cards this handy app for Windows Phone 7 may help you collect and organize them. The app is frequently updated on the iOS and Android platforms, and is a pretty mature product. This is a welcome addition to the Windows Phone platform. The Read link will take you to their website for additional details.

"InstaCam is a Windows Phone Instagram client that just hit the Marketplace yesterday. It allows you to take pictures on your phone, add different effects, and then share them via Facebook, Twitter or email. You can log into your Instagram account to check "likes" and comments on your uploaded content. You can also view other people's photos and leave comments, or follow them if you're a fan of their work. The search function can find photos based on key words in pictures' tags. Not an Instagram user? No worries, you can still use InstaCam to browse content anonymously."

Instagram is a very popular iPhone app and service. While Instagram is not currently available for the WP7 platform, this new app enables Windows Phone users to get in on at least some of the fun. Hit the Read link for additional details, but be aware that with this version you cannot actually upload photos to the Instragram service.

"The Nokia Lumia 710 is the second offering into the Windows Phone arena from Nokia, following the release of the Nokia Lumia 800 late last year."

Techradar.com have done an extensive review of the Lumia 710, which looks to be Nokia's offering to the young and trendy set, as well as to the more budget conscious. What's the verdict: it's a decent handset which would be a winner if the price were a tad lower. For the details, head on through the link for the full review.

"Most modern smartphones, tablets, MP3 players, and other gadgets rely on USB-based chargers. Some of these come with their own AC wall adapters, while others include nothing more than a USB cable-meaning you have to plug them into your computer to get them charged."

The nice thing about this thing is that you just plug it into the existing outlet, so it's basically a cover. No need to replace the current outlet so you don't have to worry about shocking yourself silly. And it goes for the small sum of $15.00 USD at Lowes (currently out of stock in my area), or you can get it at Amazon.com for $12.47 USD (currently in stock with both white and almond colored versions).

"Microsoft will launch Nokia's Lumia 800 device in the US as a special bundle item priced at $899."

The Nokia Lumia 800 will be available from Microsoft Stores starting February 14th in a special bundle priced at $899. The phone will be an unlocked GSM model and come packaged with a Nokia Play 360 Wireless Speaker, Purity HD Stereo Headset and an in-ear Bluetooth headset. Not known is whether the phone will be available without the bundle or if the bundle is the only option.

Personally, I would rather wait for the Lumia 900. It comes with a bigger screen, front facing camera, better rear camera and is probably cheaper.

"Xappr is a gun accessory for your iPhone that'll instantly appeal to everyone from fans of the original Duck Hunt on Ninteno to the latest Halo or Call of Duty FPS shooters."

Awesome concept for smartphone games that are first person shooters. You can preorder yours here, and they are expected to run about $30.00 USD when it is launched this summer. Yes, this is made to use with any smartphone, be it iPhone, Android or Windows Phones.

"If you're here, we assume that's because you love Windows Phone as much as we do - but maybe you're frustrated that word's not getting out to everyone about how great Windows Phones are? Just like with your suggestions on features to add to future versions of the product, we'd like your suggestions on how we can spread the word about Windows Phone itself via advertising campaigns, community or social media involvement and other types of promotions."

One of the big disadvantages of being a big company not named Apple is that its sometimes (ok, most of the time) pretty hard to have your ear to the ground and keep track of the pulse of consumer likes and dislikes. So what's a big company to do? A couple of years back I had the chance to read Gary Hamel's "The Future of Management" and one of the recommendations was for companies to co-create with their customers. I think we're seeing that principle in action here - Microsoft wants YOU, to help them market Windows Phone 7 to the masses. Here's your chance to write copy, and break into advertising!

"We reached out to Microsoft, and it confirmed that $25 will secure Nokia's latest Windows Phone handset for you, but there wasn't any new info on how much the phone will cost in full when launch day comes around."

Microsoft's Brick and Mortar Stores are now taking pre-orders for the Nokia Lumia 900. The 900 is one of two LTE capable WP7.5 phones being released by AT&T on March 18th. The other being the HTC Titan II.

If you want to pre-order the 900, grab $25.00 and head to your local Microsoft Store.

"Microsoft has some major changes in store for Windows Phone 8, we've learned, which is the version of the platform currently being referred to by codename "Apollo" (the one scheduled for deployment after the upcoming Tango update)."

Details of Windows Phone 8 "Apollo" are now available thanks to a video meant for Nokia hosted by Joe Belfiore seen by pocketnow.com.

Looking at the features coming in Windows Phone 8 Apollo, this upgrade will definite put the OS in the running for top three mobile OSes. Here are just a few of the changes as cited by pocketnow.com.

- Multicore processor support

- Four new screen resolutions

- MicroSD card storage

- NFC wallet and tap sharing

- Windows 8 integration

- Data management

- And many more...

So, the question now is do you pick up the Lumia 900, wait for the 910 or hold out for Apollo and the phones that will inevitably follow?

"While it's been confirmed by Nokia already, the team over at WeLoveWP.hk have run some tests on charging the Lumia Windows Phone with a number of options. Turns out...the Nokia Lumia adapters provided more charge for a faster rate of recharge."

I'm not sure a "faster" charger is that much of an advantage, as bearing in mind my rudimentary knowledge of battery technology, fast charging like this tends to stress the battery more while also generating more heat. You might be trading off faster charging against a shorter battery lifespan. Of course, if you're in the habit of buying an extra battery or two, or changing phones every couple of years, that might not matter much. The nice thing though is that since the Lumia models will charge off a standard USB port, the decision is yours.