Software : Instagram arrives on Windows Phone today, lacks some major features |
| Instagram arrives on Windows Phone today, lacks some major features Posted:  Instagram is finally arriving on Windows Phone, filling a major hole in Microsoft's mobile OS ecosystem. Users won't find it in the Windows Phone Store yet as it won't be available until 11 a.m. PST/7 p.m. GMT/6 a.m November 21 in Australia, but that time is fast approaching. The Instagram app is a welcome if not overdue addition to the platform, one users have been clamoring for as iOS and Android owners have snapped and filtered to their Hudson hearts' content. Nokia too put the vice on Instagram, perpetually deflecting that an app would come to its Lumia line, eventually. That day is indeed upon Windows Phone owners, however the Instagram app they're about to enjoy is still very much a work in progress. According to the Facebook-owned company, because it wanted to get the app out on WP as quickly as possible, it only has core Instagram features to start. More features and functions will arrive with future updates, the company assured. Instagram is will only be available on Windows Phone 8, meaning owners of non-upgraded phones are out of luck.
Lack of video capture, in-app captureLet's start with what the app does have. In the vein of WP, Instagram Live Tiles will refresh with new Start screen info, and the app supports fast resume. As you can see from the image to the left, all the photo effects you need to Instagram-ify your snaps. Windows Phone users will also find their feed intact and the ability to search for users and hashtags. As for what's missing, the app doesn't have video capture or upload, meaning 3-15 second clips aren't going to populate Windows Phone feeds anytime soon. Photo tagging is also MIA as is viewing geotaxis. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, in-app capture is sorely lagging. |
| Xbox One SmartGlass hits iOS, Android and Windows Phone ahead of Friday's launch Posted:  Microsoft seems to be getting all of its ducks in a row ahead of Friday's Xbox One launch after rolling out the new console's second screen companion app, SmartGlass, across the major mobile platforms. The new and improved version of SmartGlass, which can be used as a remote and a controller, to watch DVR clips on the go, browse Xbox Live and interact with friends, landed on Windows Phone on Tuesday. As the day progressed, the free download turned up on Google Play and, as the evening came to a close, up popped SmartGlass on the App Store for iOS devices. Gamers will also be able to use SmartGlass for Xbox One to browse the Xbox Store, read and reply to messages, and pin content to view on the console, as part of the improved functionality. 'Almost magical'Back in September TechRadar spoke with Ron Pessner, the man behind the SmartGlass app, who enthused about the new speedier connection, which is 3.5x faster than the Xbox 360 version. "The pairing should feel almost magical," he said. "It should be really delightful, like when you take your laptop home and it automatically connects to your Wi-Fi. "As proud of we are of the Xbox 360 SmartGlass one of the main pieces of feedback was around the connection latency time – but now it should feel instantaneous." Unfortunately, expectant Xbox One fanciers will have to wait until Friday at the earliest in order to give the smarter, speedier SmartGlass a spin for themselves.
|
| You are subscribed to email updates from TechRadar: All latest Applications news feeds To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
No comments:
Post a Comment