Weather Channel for Windows Phone updated while Windows 8.1 app gets new UI

An update for the recently revamped Weather Channel app for Windows Phone is now available for download, while its Windows 8.1 counterpart now boasts the same new visual makeover as the Windows Phone version.

There's no change log for the Windows Phone app update for The Weather Channel, but we have been getting reports that the version released earlier this week has been crashing for some users. Hopefully this update will fix those problems. The Windows 8.1 version now shares the same UI and libraries with the Windows Phone port, making The Weather Channel the latest universal app.

• Download The Weather Channel from the Windows Phone Store
• Download The Weather Channel from the Windows Store

Image & New Courtesy Windows Central

More screenshots of Windows 10 running on the phone leak

Some more screenshots have leaked online, claiming to reveal features of Windows 10 for the phone. While the Technical Preview of Windows 10 for phones isn't far off, it's always fun to look at what could be in store for those of us who will willingly update our mobile devices to Microsoft's preview builds.

Microsoft is still working to fix Lumia 535 touchscreen issues for some owners

Microsoft is still trying to fix what appears to be a persistent touchscreen sensitivity issue for some owners of the recently launched Lumia 535. Microsoft has already released a software update designed to fix the problem in select markets.

Windows Central has received a message that was originally posted in the Microsoft Yammer Group for MVPs by Delfin Vassallo, the Social Media Operations Manager for Microsoft Mobile, where he talks about what the company is doing to fix this bug:

"We are sorry that some of you have been inconvenienced by this situation. We've identified some models of Lumia 535 are presenting different anomalies on the touchscreen performance. It manifests itself in several ways:"

• Functionality of the scroll up/down and swipe left/right functions.
• Scrolling up/down or swiping left/right can result in an app or link being activated unintentionally.
• Functionality of the zoom in/out feature can be compromised if the user's fingers are less than 20 mm apart.
• Text editing, particularly at speed, can result in characters being missed.
• 'Ghost touch' - use of the touchscreen in wet/moist conditions.
• If the user's fingers are wet or the atmosphere is damp (i.e. entering a warm room from cold outdoors) buttons on the touchscreen can be activated unintentionally.

"An OTA (over the air) software update has been deployed in 23rd of December 2014, solving most of the problems but certainly not for all customers."

"Our Technical Support Operations team here in Finland, as well as the engineering teams in the US and China have the matter under investigation marked as urgent priority, in the meantime please use the troubleshooting offered by my colleagues in this thread."

"When our colleagues in the engineering team have identified the cause of the conflict, we will provide further information, whether this is another software update or an action performed on hardware at an authorised Care Point, (at this time Care Points have not received updated info regarding this topic, thus is useless to visit them)"

"We assure you that Microsoft does take matters like this very seriously and our teams are working frantically to resolve this concern for our customers. For the time being, we can only recommend that you use the troubleshooting provided whilst we work to ensure that the situation is properly solved, and that you accept our apologies for the inconvenience caused."

The company has also posted an FAQ on this issue on the Microsoft Mobile website that offers some suggestions for Lumia 535 owners who are having these touchscreen problems:

• Check that there's no water drops or moisture on the touch panel. Wipe out the water drops and moisture to get the touch panel to function normally.
• When typing on the keyboard, take care that you tap the center of the key. Otherwise a wrong key may get pressed if typing too fast.
• When charging, use the original charger coming with the phone. The touch screen may perform poorly if charging with an 3rd party charger that is not compatible with the phone.
• Check also that all the phone updates have been installed (Settings > Phone update > Check for updates).

We will continue to monitor this particular bug in the Lumia 535 and provide updates when we learn about them.

Image & News Courtesy Windows Central

Apologies

We would like to apologize to all our beloved readers for the 3-4 days of inactivity due to technical issues.
We are really sorry for the inconvenience. We will make sure that this does not repeat again in future.

The free year-long Windows 10 upgrade won't be offered to Enterprise users

While Microsoft will offer consumers who own a Windows 7 or 8.1 PC a free upgrade to Windows 10 for a year after it officially launches, the company won't extend that same offer for Windows 7 and 8.1 Enterprise users.

In a blog post on Friday, Microsoft stated:

"For enterprise customers and partners, we will continue to deliver exclusive value and offer extensive flexibility in how Windows 10 is deployed and managed as Windows evolves to become a service. For companies that require these enterprise-grade capabilities, Windows Software Assurance (SA) will continue to offer the best and most comprehensive benefits. Windows 7 Enterprise and Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise are not included in the terms of free Windows 10 Upgrade offer we announced last week, given active Software Assurance customers will continue to have rights to upgrade to Windows 10 enterprise offerings outside of this offer – while also benefiting from the full flexibility to deploy Windows 10 using their existing management infrastructure."

Microsoft plans to release feature updates for Windows 10 at a much faster pace compared to previous versions of the OS. However, some businesses want to simply get security updates and bug fixes. Microsoft stated:

"To support Windows 10 devices in these mission critical customer environments we will provide Long Term Servicing branches at the appropriate time intervals. On these branches, customer devices will receive the level of enterprise support expected for the mission critical systems, keeping systems more secure with the latest security and critical updates, while minimizing change by not delivering new features for the duration of mainstream (five years) and extended support (five years). "

Other business users of Windows 10 would still like to update their devices to use new features in the OS but they also want them to be tested beforehand. Microsoft stated:

"To that end, we are introducing a new approach for business customers, which we are referring to as the Current branch for Business. By putting devices on the Current branch for Business, enterprises will be able to receive feature updates after their quality and application compatibility has been assessed in the consumer market, while continuing to receive security updates on a regular basis. This gives IT departments' time to start validating updates in their environments the day changes are shipped broadly to consumers, or in some cases earlier, if they have users enrolled in the Windows Insider Program."

Image & News Courtesy Windows Central 

Cleartrip update lets users in India book train tickets directly from their phones

Cleartrip has launched an update to its Windows Phone app that allows users in India the ability to book train tickets. The added functionality is on top of the flight and hotel booking services already being offered. Along with the ability to book train tickets, users can also view schedules for up to two weeks, as well as the running status of the train, all from within the app.

Xbox Music for Windows Phone 8.1 grabs a tiny update tonight

Microsoft is not quite done with Xbox Music for Windows Phone 8.1. Tonight, version 2.6.657.0 is live in the Store, and it looks to be a rapid-release fix for an issue affecting some users.

No other details were posted on the Xbox User Voice page, so it is safe to surmise no new features were added. In addition, seeing as this is a minor number change from 2.6.656.0 just a few days ago, this looks to be more about addressing a very specific bug for some people.

"A new release is coming for the Music app on Windows Phone 8.1 which includes a fix for an issue impacting some users launching the app. Version 2.6.657.0 will be available in the store later today.

"Many thanks to those who reported the error and to those who helped us verify the fix by sharing log files from their phones."

"Please continue making your feedback known on User Voice, in store reviews, and elsewhere on the Internet. We're listening!"

Regardless, hit the Store now and grab the update. The new version of Xbox Music is still very fresh, so give it some time if you do not see the update right away.

• Download Xbox Music for Windows Phone 8.1

Image & News Courtesy Windows Central