Nimbus Notes now available for Windows Phone
Have you ever wanted to just record your thoughts and share it with others without going through the hassle of typing on a small screen.
Look no further, Nimbus Notes is a simple and intuitive Voice Recorder that lets you share your Voice Notes easily.
That’s not all, With the set of features listed below, Nimbus Notes will not only turn out to be your best brainstorming buddy, but will also help you set quick reminders.
Features:
- Upload your Voice Notes to your personal SkyDrive Account
- Share your Voice Notes over SMS and Email
- Categorize your Voice Notes for easy access
- Pin your Voice Notes to the Start Screen
- Set reminders for your Voice Notes
- Record under the Lock Screen
- Fast Launch Time
WP7 Game Review: Shuffle Party
Overall Score: 4/5
Shuffle Party has some fun gameplay and great presentation with good lasting value. And it’s free!
Gameplay: 4/5
In this game, you slide a puck across a table in order to knock down bowling pins, collect coins, or make the puck stop in certain zones. The controls are easy enough to use, and thanks to all the different modes, the gameplay is pretty fun. Bowling is your classic style of bowling, with strikes and spares, etc. There is a Challenge mode where you have to collect stars on the table while also making the puck land in a certain zone, which is a nice change of pace. Also, there’s the classic style where you have to get the puck to stop as close to the end of the table as possible.
Presentation: 5/5
The 3D visuals look great, and the physics are oh-so-awesome! There were some moments in the game where I wish I was recording it, because bowling pins would ever-so-slightly wobble and spin just like real life and I wanted to capture how cool the physics were! The sound effects are good too.
Lasting Value: 4/5
With the variety of 3 game modes plus a local multiplayer mode (pass the phone to your friend style), you can get some good lasting value. The Challenge mode has a number of levels to play, and you can always replay them to collect all three stars on each level.
Title: Shuffle Party
Price: FREE
Publisher: Microsoft Studios
WPGeek launches Marketplace for Windows Phone app development components
WPGeek Ltd, the company behind WindowsPhoneGeek.com – the leading Windows Phone development community, today announced the launch of the invitation-only beta of their new Marketplace for Windows Phone app development components.
The WindowsPhoneGeek Marketplace for Windows Phone app development components is the place where developers can buy and sell UI controls, development tools, SDKs, application templates, source code and all kind of components and tools that can be used for Windows Phone application development.
The purpose of the Marketplace is to help developers to build better apps, and more quickly by offering the components they need, but don’t have either the time or resources to build themselves. On the other side, developers that have already built reusable pieces of code for their projects will be able to share them with others and make more money from existing code. Both paid and free components can be published to the marketplace for FREE.
Boryana Miloshevska, Founder and CEO of WPGeek Ltd: “… Our purpose is not just to list thousands of low quality components, but to list those that really can bring value and can help developers to build better apps. So, quality and not just quantity is what we aim to achieve with the WindowsPhoneGeek Marketplace! ”
“We decided to make this an invitation-only beta so that, together with members of the Windows Phone development community, we can create the perfect environment for developers to share their tools and components with others. We expect to start the public beta in September 2012.” – said Yordan Pavlov, Founder and CTO
About WindowsPhoneGeek.com
WindowsPhoneGeek.com is the leading community web site for Windows Phone Development. WindowsPhoneGeek.com provides high quality development articles, tutorials, source code, examples, forums, tips, resources, demo videos, latest development news and more. WindowsPhoneGeek.com is a valued community partner and is listed on the Microsoft Windows Phone developer portal at create.msdn.com/en-us/resources/partners .
About WPGeek Ltd
WPGeek Ltd based in London, UK, is the company behind WindowsPhoneGeek.com. The founding team has many years of experience in building reusable components and is constantly looking for ways to help Windows Phone developers build great apps.
For more information and screenshots see windowsphonegeek.com
Power Planner – The Ultimate Homework Planner
Power Planner was just updated, adding new features like two-week support, multiple live tiles, and more! Plus, I reduced the price from $1.99 to $0.99!
I’m a student at the University of Arizona, and I realized there weren’t any quality homework planners for WP7. Therefore, I set out to develop the best homework app possible. Over time, Power Planner’s features have expanded and now include:
- Take a pic for a homework assignment
- Multiple live tiles for each class (paid)
- A schedule tile displays your upcoming class and room number
- Calculate your grade and average GPA (paid)
- Hyperlink detection in details text (supports phone numbers, URL’s, etc)
- Two-week schedule support
- Fastest homework entry system on WP7.
- Automatic reminders for every homework assignment
- And so much more!
Power Planner also intelligently creates reminders based off your class schedule. At the end of your day, Power Planner tells you what’s due for tomorrow. And if you didn’t complete an assignment, Power Planner reminds you an hour before the class starts. Also, the live tiles display your actual homework items so you don’t even need to open the app to see what you have due next!
There is simply no better homework app for students. Trust me, I’ve tried them all. If there was a good app, I would have never built Power Planner!
Download Power Planner for FREE or $0.99.
Lightning Task Manager for Windows Phone 7
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Lightning Task is a highly featured task manager/to-do list with a strong emphasis on speed and efficiency. Its user interface is intuitively designed to minimize the amount of tapping and finger work needed to get the job done.
Features include:
- Fast multi-view layout that can sort tasks based on category, due date, priority
- Search function that helps find specific active or previously completed tasks
- Smart view headers which tell how many tasks remain that fit a certain sorting criteria
- Smart view headers can also feature a “+” button which can automatically set a new task to fit the respective sorting criteria
- Live tile which indicates how many incomplete tasks remain and the Lightning Apps mascot “Esc” featuring different facial expressions based on the number of incomplete tasks remaining
- Customizable categories
- Automatic alarm reminders
- Macro-selection commands that can apply changes to multiple tasks at once
- Many quick due buttons such as “3 hours from now” or “+1 day” which can set the due date/time to very specific parameters automatically
- Task can have an optional specified location, which can be viewed on a map
- Task can have optional “notes” field
- Option to set how long to keep old completed tasks
- Customizable default due time
Price is $0.99 USD, and includes a 7-day free trial.
Visit CaveKnight website for more info.
TheTrainline.com gets an official Windows Phone app
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Here’s one for UK readers. thetrainline.com is the UK’s leading independent train ticket retailer. They have just released a mobile app that helps you check train times (updated throughout the day) and ticket prices as well as buy train tickets for all train companies to all national rail destinations. You can buy train tickets up to 10 minutes before you travel – and collect from over 1000 stations.
The app features:
- Access train times information from the official national rail timetable (updated throughout the day).
- See recent and save favourite journeys making it easy to re-use common journeys and stations.
- See nearby stations in a list or on a map using your phone’s location services.
- View station information including ticket collection kiosk locations.
- View your ‘next train home’. The app finds the nearest station to your current location and lists departure times of the next trains to your home station.
- Buy right up until 10 minutes before boarding the train and collect from over 1000 stations.
- Create an account and book the same range of train tickets as on thetrainline.com website.
- Save your preferred payment card making it simple to buy train tickets without having to hunt out your card details.
- View ticket collection reference for tickets you’ve bought – regardless of whether you have a signal.
If you want to jump the interminable queue and buy your tickets straight from your phone download the free app from Marketplace here.
Via AAWP
Asphalt 5 now in Marketplace … in Brazil
About a month ago Microsoft teased Asphalt 5 as an upcoming must have game.
The game is now available in Marketplace, but it seems only to Brazilian Windows Phone 7 users, where it will set you back a steep R$9.99, rather much for a game which is not Xbox Live enabled.
The game promises highly polished HD graphics which lets you see every detail and animation of the track as you speed over snow, mud, dirt and more in 12 beautiful locations around the world including St. Tropez, Aspen and Las Vegas.
If you are lucky enough to find yourself in Brazil, you can find the app in Marketplace here now.
Via the TouchNokia blog.
The 7 highest rated apps in the Marketplace…
James Booth from 7tutorials.com recently compiled a list of the top 7 apps in the Windows Phone Marketplace, based on user ratings (courtesy of AppFlow App Discovery). Here are the top 7!
RapDialer – 4.82 / 1539 ratings
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RapDialer is a fast and fluid T9 contact searching/dialing app, meant to replace the default way of searching for contacts via the typical keyboard. James over at 7tutorials.com didn’t seem to think RapDialer is any faster than a traditional keyboard, but thousands of users (myself included) would disagree! Plus, over 1,500 reviews is really impressive! |
Baconit – 4.80 / 2640 ratings
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Baconit also has a ridiculous amount of reviews, and is also one of the best apps on WP7! If you love Reddit, Baconit is an excellent choice. If you’ve never used Reddit… try it out and visit the windowsphone Subreddit, you may find that it’s an excellent source of news (after WMPoweruser of course). James personally wasn’t impressed with the whole Reddit network, but he also mentioned that he’s not a big fan of social networks in general. |
Stop The Music – 4.79 / 273 ratings
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This app is great if you’re OCD and need to clean the last playing song from your volume controls. I personally have no use for this app, but those who need this app love it! |
Power Planner – 4.79 / 222 ratings
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Power Planner is a homework planner app I personally developed, with features like the fastest homework entry system yet, class schedules, grade/GPA calculator, live tiles, picture support, and much more. As James nicely wrote, “users have said it made the difference in their grades. I can easily see how it would be a beneficial tool for any student. Based on the apps covered so far, in terms of real world usefulness, I feel it deserves a higher placement on the list.” |
Starbucks Finder – 4.78 / 144 ratings
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Starbucks Finder is a simple app that lets you locate the nearest Starbucks and get info about the stores. James points out that this app was actually created by a Windows Phone fan, not Starbucks themselves, which makes their ranking in the top 7 even more impressive! If you’re a Starbucks fan, you’ll probably love this app too. |
ZDclock – 4.78 / 422 ratings
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ZDclock is meant to be an app that reminds you to do everything… take your pills, wake up in the morning, make a bank payment, etc. James points out that all of these features could already be done with the built in Alarms or Calendar app. While that is true, ZDclock does give a more streamlined interface for creating reminders, and is worth a try. |
Relax Melodies – 4.77 / 252 ratings
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At the time James wrote his article, Flixster was actually the 7th highest rated app. As of our press time now, Relax Melodies jumped ahead. Relax Melodies allows you to create a custom soothing sound mixture that is meant to help you relax off to sleep. Reviews have been extremely positive, with one reviewer stating that the soothing sounds “make a marvelous ambiance for any situation.” |
Best Windows Phone gamer in the world says Final Fantasy and Super Monkeyball II coming to Xbox Live
According to Zebrasqual, who has been crowned the best windows phone gamer in the world based on his large number of Achievements, we can expect two major games to show up on Windows Phone soon.
The first is Final Fantasy , which is likely a mobile version of the 1987 game which was published on the iPhone in March 2011. See some iPhone screen shots below.
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Click for larger versions.
The next major game is Sega’s Super Monkeyball II: Sakura Edition, which would be a follow-up to the original Super Monkeyball which did make it to Xbox Live some time ago and which has only just been released for the iPhone and Android.
See some Android screen shots below:
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Click for larger versions.
Unfortunately no ETA accompanied the leak, but I suspect E3 2012, which starts on the 5th June, would be a good date to unveil these titles.
Via BestWP7Games.com
Get daily Bing backgrounds with Papercut
Papercut is a new app that lets you use photos from the Bing homepage as the background of your phone’s lock screen. It’s fast and easy to use, all powered by Metro UI goodness.
It also gives you a great Live Tile that shows the latest photo right on your start screen. Each image has a short headline with its description (it’s always great to learn new things, right?) – just tap the photo when it is loaded.
The best thing is that Papercut is absolutely free to use, without ads (but if you want to support the developer and donate 99 cents, there is a paid version in the marketplace). Enjoy!
Download FREE version here and the paid version here.
You can also follow @PapercutWP and its developer on Twitter.
Official Nectar app now in Windows Phone 7 marketplace
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Microsoft has been pretty good about getting official Windows Phone apps from big brand names in UK into Marketplace. These wins are particularly important, as every ad on TV for the apps which mentions Windows Phone in the same breath as iPhone and Android is a boost for Windows Phone.
Their latest achievement is an official Windows Phone app for Nectar, UK’s largest loyalty card scheme.
The service serves hundreds of brands, including Sainsbury’s, Debenhams, and even iTunes, with each 500 points worth £2.50 to spend on rewards at a host of big names like easyJet, Philips and more.
The app features:
- Bonus point offers available at your fingertips
- Easy access to your Nectar account balance
- Collect points when you shop online with hundreds of brands via nectar eShops
- Store Locator – check out all the places you can collect and spend your points
- Register via the app
Read more and find the app in Marketplace here.
Thanks Paul for the tip.
Bing Maps updated to show more traffic data
Traffic is finally useful for those who don't drive on interstates!
In the past few days, Microsoft has silently rolled out an update to Bing Maps’ traffic data, expanding the number of roads it covers.
The changes were first spotted by two of our tipsters, Sean and Bob, and also on a thread over at WPCentral’s forums. Sean and Bob noted that Bing Maps on their Windows Phone started displaying traffic on main roads, instead of just on the highways/interstates.
In my local city, Tucson, the traffic info finally covers the smaller roads. Previously, traffic was limited to the interstate or a very small amount of major roads through the city.
Bing Maps for WP7 still doesn’t support displaying traffic info yet like its bigger sibbling bing.com/maps does, but hopefully in the future you will be able to read about construction or accidents directly from your phone!
Tagado – A refreshingly new way to manage your to-do items and lists
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They said it couldn’t be any clearer. They said there was zero left for improvement. They said there’s nothing left to do.
We said "let there be innovation!"
Are you tired of the same old restrictive way of managing your to-do items, shopping lists, and notes?
Introducing Tagado!
- Create and view items with ease.
- Complete or delete items with a single swipe.
- Powerful glance and go user interface.
- Easily see all items from any number of categories.
- Share your lists via SMS and email.
- Customize your experience with your own pictures.
Don’t just do it, Tagado it!
Tagado uses advanced tag cloud technology coupled with simple gesture based control to unleash simple and elegant item categorization and management.
Gone are the days of restricting your information to predetermined structured categories.
With Tagado you simply have "items". Your items are then filed under one or more tags. To see your items, simply tap one or more tags and swipe over to the items view to see all the items containing the selected tags.
To "complete" for "delete" an item, simply swipe the item to the left (to delete) or to the right (to complete).
Easily work your shopping list with one hand while shopping. See shopping list items from all stores, all categories, on one screen. Never miss an item again.
File your to-do items under one or many tags (categories) visually see which tags contain the most items. Tag color and size is instantly adjusted based on how many items contain a given tag.
Quickly create large item lists by entering a single item title separated by commas.
Tagado will split the title into multiple items when saved. Never waste time again entering new items one by one.
Quickly file an item under multiple tags by simply tapping the tags. Easily enter new tags, one or more tags can easily be enter by comma separating them.
Remove a tag from an item by simply opening the item and tapping the tags to unselect them.
Tagado takes a new approach that feels new, exciting, and fun. Give Tagado a try and open your mind to a new way to manage your lists.
Grab the free (ad supported) version here or purchase the paid (with trial) version here. The trial limits the number of items to 5.
 Tagado Free |
 Tagado Paid |
Scan QR Codes, UPC, EAN, Code 39/128 or ITF barcodes on your Windows Phone 7 to find best prices online.
Enjoy slots? Blackjack? Video Poker? Play Crazy Casino FREE!
#1 FREE Solitaire on WP7
If your a fan of Pong then you will love this game. Heavenly Skies. Save the universe! Are you ready?
A rewarding mix of match 3 and tetris gameplay
Free, Live Tile support for Word Of The Day and so much more. Why NOT try it out?
Set up reminders with only two taps. Supports also text reminders and voice reminders.
Download the best puzzle game in WP7 Marketplace for FREE!
Are you a good Alchemist ?
Use your brain to discover Atomic Energy, Chuck Norris, Angry Birds and 1400 more !
Fun puzzle game with over 150 levels!
Fully featured, beautifully designed WP7 YouTube app.
u.n.i MEGA PACK (FREE), the ultimate addictive top GAMES bundle for Windows Phone 7! 7+ and growing!
Highly addictive word game designed for adrenaline junkies. Practice locally, but then are you fast enough to compete online?
The smartest Google reader app.
Air Soccer Fever - Realtime Online Multiplayer casual soccer game for FREE
Beat the Story Mode. When your done Bring your skill online. Rank up by winning online matches. Have 1 on 1's with anyone! Global Online Multiplayer!
Newest devices leaks, online charts and ultimate performance benchmark for every Windows Phone.
Every day, get great app deals from Windows Phone developers pushed to you!
Quick Tiles, a fully featured live tile editor for Windows Phone.
Great sports app for NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL. Pin scores/games to live tile on your home screen.
MobileFax gives you the opportunity to send fax pages from your mobile phone anytime, anywhere !
WP7 Exclusive version of Hanging with Friends
Fabulously fun, lovable, crazy! Bubble Pong Championship
A remake of the classic snake game. The snake wants to grow so don't wait and help her!
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