WindowsObserver.com

@WinObs Tweeted Links for May 20, 2012

Richard Hay — Mon, 21 May 2012 11:31:13 +0000

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Windows Phone App Flow: Let’s Get Real

Travis Pope — Sun, 20 May 2012 12:59:56 +0000

Finally folks, it’s the freaking summer! The grass is dying, my air-conditioning is on full blast, and to top it all off, I don’t have to leave the house, once! When stars align like this I usually decided to throw responsibility to the wind in sink my teeth into a good game with a decent story. Usually that means Batman Arkham City but lately I’ve been getting the itch to play some sort of role-playing game on my Windows Phone.

Neuralnet’s Imperium kicks us off this week. The fairly new game takes the idea of Pokémon styled turn-based RPGs and packages it quite nice for Windows Phone. Through the game you must collect the 60+ "Imperators" and their abilities to complete challenges. that game is a great way to test how if you are a little weary of playing this style of gaming on your phone instead of a dedicated gaming console. It’s completely ad supported so, hey if you don’t like it you don’t have to feel the need to keep playing.

This being a gaming themed edition of the column I’d be nuts not to look for an RPG with Xbox LIVE achievements. The Harvest scratches that itch nicely. Looking for very nice graphics? Check. A somewhat compelling narrative on aliens taking over the world? Check. I found the game to be excellent, even if it is a little on the expensive side at $6.99. Sure that’s a lot of dough for a mobile game, but no one else is executing RPGs on Windows Phone of this caliber. All Xbox LIVE games have free trials so once again, try it out!

Our last app is a bit niche but I love it just the same. After hearing Richard talk about the free-to-play Microsoft Flight, I decided to find a free-to-play game of my own. That search led me to Star Trek Online and I’ve been using MJCS Studio’s STO Profile Viewer to track my progress in the game ever since. Don’t play it? There’s also TorStalker for fans of Star Wars: The Old Republic, and WoW Armory if World of Warcraft is more your thing. The bottom line is, if you’ve got a favorite PC game, you should check the Windows Phone Marketplace for any companion apps that might be available.

Anywho that the Windows Phone App Flow! If you’ve got an application or a theme you’d like us to cover, send them our way via Twitter! Until next time this is Travis Pope, and yes… I want to be a Pokémon master!

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@WinObs Tweeted Links for May 19, 2012

Richard Hay — Sun, 20 May 2012 09:37:45 +0000

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@WinObs Tweeted Links for May 17, 2012

Richard Hay — Fri, 18 May 2012 09:13:28 +0000

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@WinObs Tweeted Links for May 16, 2012

Richard Hay — Thu, 17 May 2012 10:29:09 +0000

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Observed Tech PODCAST Episode 52

Richard Hay — Wed, 16 May 2012 23:00:00 +0000

Welcome to Episode 52 of the Observed Tech PODCAST.

In this weeks show we talk Windows Phone numbers; LinkedIn’s new Windows Phone App; Apple and security; the upcoming SpaceX launch of the Falcon 9 rocket with the Dragon Capsule heading to the ISS; US Postal service ban on shipping Lithium Ion batteries overseas; Apple patching Siri to give the result they want; Twitter opts you in for weekly email summary; use NASA’s data to build an app; half of teens admit to texting and driving; Reddit users respond to dying man’s request for letters and music; IE on the Xbox 360; tweeting during brain surgery; Angry Birds downloads and profits; Nokia Lumia 900 sales continue to outpace supply; Facebook provides crisis tools for US military members, vets and their families; a new WordPress and Pinterest plugin; get Microsoft monthly security updates in DVD ISO format; hackers crack 55,000 Twitter accounts; over 50,000 challengers smoked by Windows Phone; working with Windows Live ID’s and Gamertags; 35 million users and an iOS App for Twitpic; Samsung Focus 2 hands on and 86% of adults use smartphones to settle arguments.

We introduced a new twist to this weeks show as we broadcasted a Google+ Hangout On Air as we recorded this episode. You can see that video embedded below and now have an option for watching the show as well as listening.

We close the show out as we normally do by taking a look at the past week on WindowsObserver.com.

Check out the notes below for links to all the sources.

Enjoy and as always thanks for listening!

Show Links:

Windows Phone may have crossed the 12 million unit mark (The Next Web)
LinkedIn’s new app is a Windows Phone showcase (Geek Wire)
Apple Releases Flashback Fix for OS X Leopard (Mashable)
OS X Lion Flaw Exposes Login Passwords in Plain Text (Mashable)
SpaceX Capsule Slated to Soar to Space Station on Saturday (Mashable)
US Postal Service banning international shipments of smartphones and more… (WP Central)
Apple patches Siri, no longer says Lumia 900 is ‘best smartphone ever’ (The Verge)
The best of Twitter in your inbox (Twitter)
Kaspersky Labs now says quote about it assisting Apple with OS X security was wrong [Updated] (The Next Web)
NASA Wants You to Build ‘The Ultimate App’ Using its Data (Mashable)
43% of US teens say they text whilst driving, despite knowing of the dangers: AT&T survey (The Next Web)
Reddit Users Surprise Terminally Ill Man With Random Acts of Kindness (Mashable)
Microsoft to launch Internet Explorer for Xbox 360 with Kinect capabilities (LiveSide)
What Apple’s security response can learn from Microsoft (Terry Zink’s Cyber Security Blog)
Brain Surgery Tweeted Live [PICS] (Mashable)
Rovio’s Angry Birds titles hit 1 billion cumulative downloads (The Next Web)
Lumia 900 sales still ‘outpacing supply’ says Nokia US President (WP Central)
Facebook Launches Crisis Tools for Military Service Members (Mashable)
Auto-post images from WordPress to Pinterest with this handy plugin [Invites] (The Next Web)
Microsoft May 2012 Security Release ISO Image (Microsoft Download Center)
Hackers break into 55,000 Twitter accounts, leaving passwords bare (The Next Web)
Microsoft: More than 50,000 challengers ‘smoked by Windows Phone’ (Geek Wire)
My adventures with Windows LIVE ID and Xbox LIVE gamertags (Aaron Stebner’s WebLog)
35 Million Users Later, Twitpic Launches its First App (Mashable)
Samsung Focus 2 hands-on video and photos (The Verge)
86% of U.S. adults use phones to settle arguments, solve problems and meet friends (Geek Wire)

WindowsObserver.com Week in Review:

Date Produced: 16 May 2012

Length: 50:28

Format: MP3, 128KBPS

Size: 46.3MB

—–

Google+ Hangout On Air of Episode 52 Recording

This PODCAST is a member of the TechPodcast Network.

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@WinObs Tweeted Links for May 15, 2012

Richard Hay — Wed, 16 May 2012 10:37:44 +0000

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Weekly Aqua and Flora Dynamic Windows Theme Updates for 15 May 2012

Richard Hay — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:48:00 +0000

Here are some more updates to the dynamic Windows themes for Aqua and Flora (Flowers) provided by Microsoft from the personalization gallery.

Don’t forget that you can submit your own photos for these themes by sending in your pictures to the Microsoft’s open call for images.

So are you thinking about sending any in or have you done that already?

Aqua Dynamic

Flora (Flowers)

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Weekly Additions to Fauna and Terra Windows Dynamic Themes for 15 May 2012

Richard Hay — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:50:00 +0000

Continuing this weeks series of updates and this post includes those new background images for the Terra and Fauna Dynamic Windows Themes.

Just a reminder that these themes consists of photos which are submitted by the community for the Microsoft’s open call for images.

Have you sent any in yet?

Terra (Landscapes)

Fauna Dynamic

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Microsoft Xbox Community Ambassador Program Gets Major Update

Richard Hay — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:42:00 +0000

The Xbox Community Ambassador (XCA) program recently sent an email to all enrolled and active XCA’s announcing some big changes to the peer to peer assistance service.

For those who may have never heard of this program, the XCA’s provide peer to peer chat and forum support to other users of the Xbox 360 console and Xbox Live service. Ambassadors are not Microsoft employee’s but do represent the XCA Community and are expected to be courteous at all times.

When a XCA helps out another user in the forums or on live chat they get scored/reviewed by the individual they helped out and that score then turns into Experience Points (XP) that allows XCA’s to level up just like in their favorite Xbox games. Awards and benefits vary as you climb the ladder to be a Level 10 XCA.

Here is what the email said:

Hello Ambassadors!
Starting Tuesday, May 15^th, your current Ambassador chat score will be converted into experience points (XP) – going forward, XP will be awarded for each Ambassador chat completed. This XP will go toward a brand-spanking-new leveling system, through which you can earn Microsoft Points, Xbox LIVE Arcade games, shout outs from official channels, and more!

In addition, your helpful posts made in the official Xbox Support Forums will count toward your Ambassador XP! We know that there are many Ambassadors active in the Support Forums, and we’re excited to recognize those contributions in the new Levels and Loot system.

For more information about the new levels that you can achieve as an Ambassador, or the loot you can earn by doing so, be sure to read our full post on the Ambassador forums! For an even closer look, be sure to check out our updates to the Ambassador FAQ. And of course, don’t forget to check out your completely revamped profile page at Ambassadors.Xbox.com.

The revamped profile page looks like this and contains a lot of information about the XCA’s history and scores.

Joining the program is straightforward and as long as you have not had any major infractions in the last 365 days you can typically join the program. Just visit the Xbox Community Ambassador Sign Up page to get started.

The main XCA page also has lots of links and information about the program.

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Bing Aerial Imagery for Europe Dynamic Windows Theme Update for 15 May 2012

Richard Hay — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:35:00 +0000

This weeks updates for the dynamic themes are rolling out. Here are the new ones for the Bing Aerial Imagery from Europe theme.

Bing Maps Aerial Images of Europe

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@WinObs Tweeted Links for May 14, 2012

Richard Hay — Tue, 15 May 2012 10:28:44 +0000

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Windows Phone App Flow: Comfort Apps

Travis Pope — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:24:56 +0000

It’s no secret that May is a monumental month of change for a lot of smartphone users. Between watching our children graduate high school or college or being that child who just graduated high school or college, there’s a lot going on and its times like this that we seek comfort in the things we love most.

This week we’ve got the applications that will help you adjust the most.

We begin with an old favorite of mine from ashtech software – SkyMusic. Since we last took a look at it the app has been updated to allow you to browse both your local and SkyDrive collection all at the same time, (try that music + video). Let’s just say there’s nothing like being able to download that latest Chiddy Bang album without the need to loose space for all of my slightly large Xbox LIVE powered games. It’s price tag of $0 and it’s ability to make custom ringtones also put’s it over the top for me. Be sure to download Breakfast as well. If that album doesn’t make you embrace what’s coming next and boost your metal ability to do great things, well I don’t know what will.

You all know that I have a horrible sense of humor, but even I couldn’t stop smiling after loading up Rudy Huyn’s 9gag companion app for Windows Phone. I’ve only had it a few hours but there’s nothing quite as funny as uploading a and browsing the most hilarious images and captions about pop culture. My favorite is still “Jedi’s Creed”. Since it’s a Huyn app, you know all the kind of awesome platform knick-knacks you’ll find here like the ability to switch between themes, live tiles, and Facebook integration. You just can’t beat it. Did I mention it’s free?

Our last app needs no introduction. There has never, and will never ever be a way to comfort our species more than face to face communication, and although you or your loved ones may be moving away in a bid to start over, or preparing to do something different, you will always be able to talk to them face to face. I’m of course referring to Skype. If you or that other person have a smartphone that sports a front facing camera, download it and look at each other’s shiny mug.

That’s Windows Phone App Flow for this week. I’ll be aiming for our usual Thursday timeslot now that the educational demands on my time are gone. Do you have an application or a theme you’d like to see? Hit me up on Twitter, username: harlemS.

Until next time, take care of yourselves and each other .

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Xbox Companion App for Windows Phone Updated

Richard Hay — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:16:00 +0000

It looks like the Xbox Companion App for Windows Phone was updated over the weekend to version 1.2 by Microsoft.

Unfortunately, there is no changelog or any updates noted in the Xbox Companion App page at the Windows Phone Marketplace so not quite sure what they have tweaked in it.

The Xbox Companion app allows you to interact with your Xbox 360 console using your Windows Phone by letting you search for movies, shows, music and then play them on your console.

The app is very popular and has received 1,545 ratings since it was released last November and carries an average rating of 4.5 Stars.

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@WinObs Tweeted Links for May 13, 2012

Richard Hay — Mon, 14 May 2012 10:08:13 +0000

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@WinObs Tweeted Links for May 12, 2012

Richard Hay — Sun, 13 May 2012 13:44:05 +0000

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@WinObs Tweeted Links for May 11, 2012

Richard Hay — Sat, 12 May 2012 11:11:34 +0000

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@WinObs Tweeted Links for May 10, 2012

Richard Hay — Fri, 11 May 2012 09:10:41 +0000

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@WinObs Tweeted Links for May 9, 2012

Richard Hay — Thu, 10 May 2012 09:11:14 +0000

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@WinObs Tweeted Links for May 7, 2012

Richard Hay — Tue, 08 May 2012 09:24:11 +0000

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