Hasta La Gadget!

Back in April we reported that it was possible for Hulu Plus app to be released for Windows Phone 8 soon. It was said that Hulu has been working on this app for some time now and that it is ready to be rolled out. Today the Hulu Plus app for Windows Phone 8 smartphones was finally released, making it the first app for this platform while its apps for iOS and Android have been around for a long while now.

The Hulu Plus service lets users stream unlimited episodes of current TV shows as well as acclaimed movies. Its a subscription based service that costs $8 per month. The Hulu Plus Windows Phone 8 app features a Trending Now feed that displays latest videos of the day, easy cross-platform viewing and tailored recommendations for users. The app is available as a free download for Windows Phone 8 devices, bear in mind that it won’t work on any device that’s not running the latest platform version. One of the reason’s for Hulu’s popularity is the popular content that it offers, and it now brings in a substantial number of prospective subscribers that tout Windows Phone 8 devices to further boost its brand.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Sony Xperia SP Now Up For Pre-Order In US, T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S4 Gets Update,

Microsoft is continuing to try and entice developers to develop apps for its Windows Phone 8 platform, and this time around, they are bringing new features and statistics to better support their persuasion. It touts an increasing market share (albeit by only 2%) as one of its major selling points, as well as an increased number of first time smartphone buyers opting for the Windows Phone 8 platform (debatable).

According to Microsoft, since the launch of Windows Phone 8, there has been twice as many app downloads from the Windows Phone store, and a 140% increase in paid app revenue for developers. It says that with around half of the world still using feature phones, Windows Phone is anticipating a huge growth in its market later on this year. However, Microsoft may have forgotten that many of those feature phone users may opt to purchase an iPhone or an Android phone instead.

There are also 6 new developer payout markets available, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Montenegro, Serbia, Timor-Leste, and Ukraine, allowing developers in those markets to submit apps to the Windows Phone Store. These new markets increase the number of Windows Phone markets to 191. Microsoft has also added 15 new mobile operator billing partners, bringing 25 supported partners to 19 markets. According to Microsoft, mobile operator billing allows developers to earn 3 times more per app compared to the standard credit card system.

Microsoft has also made submitting apps much easier. Developers can cancel their apps submissions, enable rotating screenshots, and automatically resize their screenshots. They are also allowed to review their app before submitting them. Microsoft also points out that there are several Windows Phone 8 devices on the market right now, and many more on their way, and because of their budget-friendly pricing, consumers may opt to purchase them over competing brands.

While Microsoft may have oversold its Windows Phone market share and attractability a bit, the new payout features may be enough to persuade developers to create apps for the Windows Store. Be sure to check out our review of some of the best Windows Phone 8 devices on the market right now, the Nokia Lumia 920 and the HTC 8X, to see what the Windows Phone platform has to offer.

[via Windows Phone Blog]

Microsoft entices Windows Phone developers with more payout options is written by Brian Sin & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Facebook released its mobile app for Windows Phone 8 back in December last year. This new app was a substantial update over the previous version and featured a new Metro based user interface. Some four months later, Facebook now has a new beta app for Windows Phone 8 which touts major UI overhaul as the app moves away from under Metro’s shadow. Apart from the redesign, the beta app offers a host of new features such as Timeline, support for post sharing and high resolution photos.

Since Facebook for Windows Phone 8 design is no longer influenced by the Metro style, the user interface is now at par with what you’d expect on the social network’s mobile apps for iOS and Android. Swiping to the right will reveal the navigation bar, and doing that gesture towards the left when at the news feed will reveal chat interface. Microsoft is now looking for “eagle-eyed” volunteers who are willing to test drive this new Facebook for Windows Phone 8 app and report any bugs they find. Despite the fact that this beta app is available for download, the existing Facebook app is still available. Store search results won’t show the beta app, it has to be downloaded via this direct link.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Leap Wireless Will Not Re-Order iPhones Despite Sales Figures, More On The Sony Honami And Its 20-Megapixel Camera,

Windows Phone has always been left out of the mobile wars, with iOS and Android mainly taking center stage and fighting in the ring. However, Microsoft is using that to their advantage with their latest Windows Phone television ad. The ad pokes fun at the constant iOS vs. Android war by basically saying that you don’t need to fight with other users if you’re using Windows Phone.

The ad takes place at a wedding, where everyone in the audience naturally pops out their smartphones (and tablets, in one instance) to take a picture of the moment. However, this leads to name-calling and sarcastic taunts to other guests. Obviously, an all-out fight ensues as people argue over what the better mobile platform is, while Windows Phone users casually stand there using their Nokia Lumia 920 devices.

Microsoft feeds off of the oft-forgotten mobile platform in the mobile wars, and uses that to their advantage, touting that if you have a Windows Phone device, there’s no need to argue over which mobile platform is the best, because Microsoft argues that you have the best in your hand in the first place.

It seems that more and more companies are aiming their sights at competitors and downplaying the features on these devices rather than market their own products and demo some of the features on their own smartphones and tablets. We get that Microsoft thinks they’re not included in the mobile wars because they’re already the best, but they fail to really list why they’re the best.

Windows Phone ad pokes fun at iOS vs. Android war is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

In an effort to wean more people onto the Windows platform, Microsoft has partnered up with popular audiobook service Audible to offer Windows users a free audiobook. The offer only applies to users running either Windows 8 or Windows Phone 8, and it seems you’ll only have your pick from three pre-selected audiobooks being offered.

The three choices that you have to pick from are “The Power Trip,” Navy Seal autobiography “American Sniper,” and F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby,” which is narrated by actor Jake Gyllenhaal and will also be hitting theaters here shortly. All three of these books seem to be really popular, especially “The Great Gatsby,” so be sure to take advantage of the offer while you have it.

Howevever, there is some fine print to be aware of. Only new Audible registrants will be able to get a free audiobook, and you’ll have to register for a new account through the Windows 8 or Windows Phone app on your computer or smartphone. It’s also only available in the US and you have until May 13 to snatch up your free copy.

While this may be an enticing offer for some users, especially the book lovers out there, we’re not so sure that this promotion alone will be enough to get people to try out Windows 8 or Windows Phone 8. It’s certainly a good deal for those who already are on one of these platforms, but we can’t see others really going for it. Either way, if you’re yearning for a free audiobook, now’s your chance.

Audible offering Windows users free audiobook is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.