As you may remember, Skype is now a part of Microsoft and there’s been rumors as to when Skype will be available on Windows Phone 7 devices. There’s a new rumor floating around that there are some private invitations going out to beta test a new Skype app.

The invitation is something along the lines of “Skype for Windows Phone is just around the corner and we’ve teamed up with the Skype folks to help with beta testing. If you are receiving this newsletter directly, look for an invitation in the coming weeks and be on the inside track for what is sure to be one of the hottest new apps on the Marketplace!”

For now, it sounds like it will be a standalone app and not integrated into the OS like Windows Live Messenger and Facebook chat are. This might possibly come in the next version of Windows Phone 7 along with some new devices.

Source: PocketNow

We’ve seen these rumors before, but here’s another one. Which smartphone will overtake the world by 2015? According to this study, the winner is clearly Android, but then it also shows that Windows Phone 7 will surpass the iPhone, by one-tenth of a percent. This study was done by IHS iSuppli Mobile & Wireless Communications Service.

One of the hottest new products unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show was the Lumia 900, a Windows Phone-based smartphone sporting a flashy set of features that makes it competitive with the best alternatives offered by the Android camp,” said Wayne Lam, senior analyst for wireless communications at IHS. “This hot product represents Nokia’s first step to reclaim its market share. Combined with Nokia’s efforts to drive the development of the Windows Phone ecosystem, the Lumia 900 and its successors will help Microsoft to reclaim its No. 2 ranking in smartphone operating system market share in 2015.

Source: WPCentral

So how would you like to attend a “Party” in a “special” location Cologne, Germany? Well PPCG’s has got a hunch that such invitations are being sent out – and it has to do with Microsoft and Nokia. Details were vary sprace but our own JasonFieldz has some in site to what this “party” will be about.

So Nokia has yet to officially unveil it’s Windows Phone 7 line up; but in the past month or so we have seen leaks of Nokia’s Sting Ray – which will be it’s first Windows Phone 7 Mango device. The Sting Ray has gorilla glass, polycarbonate body and a basic N9 feel to it. We always expected Nokia to release a device before 2012 so this is the first Nokia Flagship…

Nokia will more than likely try to regain confidence with it’s buyers, stockholders and general public that the move to Microsoft is the right thing to do. We have seen Nokia slip into 3rd place globally with Samsung and Apple taking the first two spots. This would be Nokia’s way of telling the World – We are Back to Play Hard Ball.

Things that we have seen about Nokia Sting Ray point that it will be a good device, solid build and yet just as fast and fluid as the previous generation phones. What do you think about this Nokia/Microsoft “special” party? I will be watching all the news channels come August 17th to give you WP7 lovers the goodies! Stay here at PPCG for your news!

Source: Mobileda

So how many WP7 users do PPCG have? Well WHO CARES! The Windows Dev Team announced that developers will get version 7712 of Mango.

Now we know that T-Mobile is pushing firmware updates to the HD7, which is pre-mango update (think Pre-NoDo). We also know that Microsoft released Mango to Manufactures (RTM). We also know that the Nokia Sea Ray used version 7710 of Mango during the announcement of the device.

We also know that the offical version of Mango is 7720, while 7712 is not final it is a sure heck of a lot closer than 7661 that we are running now. So lets all hold our breath for tomorrow when Devs get 7712 Mango flavor!

 So PPCG who is ready for a little more WP7 love? Tell me below what you expect to be improved iwth Mango, even the people running 7661 – what would you like ot see changed/improved? I want better music functionality the 7661 has a music bug that I want resolved!

 Sources; Neowin.net & WMpowerusers & WPCentral

Another Day – Another Leak – Another Grain of Salt… Yup, you got to love this time of year – see it is when all the rumors, leaks, and well future devices get set out in the wild for us to drool over and wish we had right now. Well today is no different. We have today the HTC Omega, a Windows Phone 7.1 (Mango Flavored) device, it even comes with specs!

This device will be the next version of the HTC Mozart (or AT&T Surround for us USA folks)… Check out the specs below, I think it is a nice bump from what the Surround was, but I think they could do better…like 32GB Storage…

HTC Omega

• 3.8-inch 800×480 SLCD touchscreen
• 1.5 GHz single-core Qualcomm processor
• 512 MB of RAM
• 8 MP autofocus camera with LED flash and 720p HD video recording
• 16 GB of onboard storage space,
• Bluetooth 2.1
• GPS
• Wi-Fi 802.11n
• FM radio
• 3.5 mm headset jack
• quad-band GSM connectivity, dual-band (900, 2100) 7.2 Mbps HSDPA and 2 Mbps HSUPA

Sadly that is all we know right now…But we are sure we will see more of this phone in the wild, with even pictures and blurry photos in time…You know how these “leaks” happen first we get text, then blurry pictures, followed by some guy that sneaked it out and got caught at a bar (pun on iPhone 4 launch)…

So what does this device mean to you PPCG Windows Phone 7 lovers (and users)? Does this make you drool to replace the HTC Mozart or even make a switch to Windows Phone 7 if you are an Android user? Tell me below!

So Many of us have beaten our heads against the Windows Phone 7 locked environment. We can only change the background color from black to white, and tile colors from basically preset colors by Microsoft. All the while Android phones can basically customize anything and everything. Would Windows Phone 7 be better or worse with Themes? Think about predefined task bars, overlays, dialers, colors, and pictures.

Tell us PPCG Windows Phone 7 admirers and users, what do you think of that? Would it make WP7 better or worse?

FROM OUR FORUMS! If you want to run windows Mango on your phone ahead of time, we have the way to do it! Now remember that PPCGeeks does not take responsibility for damaging your phone. We are not responsible for lost information! With that all said please check out our Forums, specifically our Windows Phone 7 forum and you shall find yourself a little Mango Love!

This forum is growing and evolving so check it out frequently this is where you can find the latest Mango discoveries! I can tell you that my Sprint Arrive never looked so fun! I have Mango and I love it. Thanks to the guys in the forum for finding this – posting this and working with it! Visit the Mango For All forum here!

Our first WP7 app is the PPCGeeks News App that will let you follow mobile/smartphone news from our homepage, link to our site, Twitter, and Facebook pages. You can read full articles from the app too! You cannot comment on articles, but you can tag them as favorites. The app just pulls from our RSS feeds, so its read-only. If you want to browse our forums from WP7, you can always use Board Express Pro or one of our mobile styles.

The PPCGeeks News app is direct, easy to digest, Metro-UI stylized, and FREE. Using the application, you can:

– And an easy way to Get your Geek On!

Download it through Zune here!

Screenshots (Click on them for the full image):

So, You always wanted a messenger program for cross platform devices, but did not want to spend $10.00 for IM+? Well if You are an Android, IOS user you know about Kik; but those of us on Windows Phone 7 got left out…NO MORE! You can now get Kik for your Windows Phone 7 for FREE! You can join your buddies in using Kik messaging.

Never heard of Kik you say? Well let me explain it – it is sort of like BBM (BlackBerry Messenger). It sends a message to a friend and it lets you know that it was Sent, then it notifies you when it was Delivered, and even when it is Read. IT will even tell you when your friend is typing a message back to you. It is really nice and you never have to guess if it go to them because it tells you the status of each message!

You can find it here in the Marketplace. So what are you waiting for? GO GET IT! Tell me what you think, and if you dare give me your username – I am always looking for a Windows Phone 7 Kik friend!

Nowadays, you can’t really claim to have a mobile OS worthy to mention unless you can produce an Angry Birds title…Well today Windows Phone 7 enters that category. Windows Phone 7 has got Angry Birds in the market place for $2.99.  So now we can shot those birds at the pigs and get our eggs! There is a trial version that gives you the first few levels free – this is really just for those who never played the addicting game and need a reason to spend $2.99. Find it here in the market place.

Today seems to be some sort of Windows Phone 7 News day; what do I mean? Well it appears that we have been given the names of the next Windows Phone update names. Microsoft is rolling Mango out this fall that is to bring over 500 new features to Windows Phone 7. But reports are that they are already working on other major updates for the platform as well.

Digitimes reports on Tuesday that Compal Communications, which manufacturers devices for Acer and Nokia, recently inked a Microsoft deal confirming that it will build devices for Mango as well as the next-generation Tango devices. Microsoft has yet to discuss Tango yet, so it’s unclear what will be included or how big of a jump it will be from the long awaited Mango release. Reportedly, Tango will be then phased out in favor of a new “Apollo” OS, which I suspect we could call Windows 8.

Now this is all rumors but rumors are good to drive hype of a platform. We already know what Mango has instore so lets start the rumors off good – what will be in Tango? You tell us PPCGeeks, and remember Microsoft may very well find this and think “hmm DAMN that is a good idea.” So think big and speculate bigger!

Source: BGR

Big changes are coming for Windows Phone 7 users. Microsoft has leaked some of the things that Windows Phone 7 users can expect with the Mango update.

The beta version of Mango was due to release this week, but there has been a delay in the release of the beta version, and finally there is some news on why. It was leaked by an un-named source at Microsoft that there were build issues with the beta versions of Mango. Apparently there was a faulty script that pointed at a Microsoft Corporate share file that would keep phones from working properly outside of the company.

But fear not WP7 users, your Mango updates are coming and there are some pretty sweet features that will be added to your already sweet phones. Some of those features will include…

Several camera enhancements, including the ability to tap the screen and have it focus in on the item you want before snapping that pic.

Phone lock delay – meaning you won’t have to enter the pin code every time your pin every time you set the phone down. If you’ve opened it within the past 15 minutes you’re good. But beyond that 15, you’ll still have to enter the pin number.

Lastly the “audio stutters” in NoDo and RTM have been resolved

However there is going to be a process for downloading the update. It will be a two part download. You will first have to download a file that will update the Zune software you’re phone syncs with. This update will tell the Zune software where to look for the pre-release update. Apparently the only way to update from pre-Mango to the official Mango update will be to revert back to the pre-Mango form and then to perform the updates. It looks like you’ll have to preform these updates via your PC.

One final thing, the source leaked that the App Hub would be released within a week of the Mango update. So that will be a big thing to look forward to for WP7 users.

It will be wonderful to see the new updates that come with the Mango updates. Check back with us for more updates on the Mango update for Windows 7 Phone!

Source: Neowin

Microsoft seems to be right on task with this Mango thing. It seems that they are getting ready to hand out Mango flavored devices for app Dev’s next week! The article cites anonymously “sources familiar with the company’s plans” so take it with a very very fine grain of salt. Still, this is just a matter of when, not if, for Microsoft, so next week sounds as good as any other week.

Now one would think that with Windows Phone Developers most have a Windows Phone 7 right? Well you are probably correct, and would suspect that Microsoft would just send out a test ROM, and allow the Dev’s to side-load them right? Well that is where you would be completely wrong. It seems that with the issue of putting the device back to a “normal” state for the official Mango release would prove to be a huge task, one Microsoft is not wanting to attempt – so their solution Developer devices to the Dev’s to use! Now these devices are loaned out to them – think of a “try before you buy” type of idea…Sounds good to me; can I beta test it for you Microsoft?

So the bigger question is who gets the device first? Well that is currently unknown, or even how to register to get the device. Tell me Windows Phone 7 Geeks, would you like one of these devices? I suspect that we would all say YES! but what would you want to use it for? Tell me below, or even if you think Mango is worth it…The words are not in your court Geeks!

Source: WPCentral

Steve Jobs stole the WWDC 2011 conference this year with iOS5, iCloud, and the new functions of the iPhone. But I want to point something out. The things that Apple announced as their new features Microsoft ALREADY DID 8 months AHEAD of Apple. Yes folks – Let’s just see who is copying who!

 “Feeling flattered today. Lots of great WP ideas headed to iOS. (Camera button/above lock, auto-upoad [sic] of pics, better notifications … ) … wi-fi sync, built-in twitter, background download service, short-messaging chats (though we do Facebook!)” Joe Belfiore

Responding to one particularly enthusiastic tweet about the volume button in iOS5 working as a camera shortcut, Belfiore pointed out “with a wp7 you get a dedicated camera button..that wakes the phone from sleep and humps u to a camera.” He also couldn’t help but mention that it had “been shipping for 8 months!”

There’s certainly plenty of overlap in the usage dynamics we’ve seen of iOS5 so far, though how much of that is idea sharing and how much is the various platforms shifting to a central point of “good” design is unclear. We have a feeling people wouldn’t be so quick to label Apple derivative if the company itself hadn’t made such a song & dance about others firms copying their idea.

Ok PPCGeeks, I call BULLSH&T here. Apple is copying other people’s ideas. First iMessage – can you say Blackberry Messenger. Second Camera button – Windows Phone 7. Third – iCloud – Google Music & Microsoft Zune…HMM How about Apple gets their act together and says what they really are doing. “Apple Running out of idea’s – so we just use our competitors”. But tell me PPCGeeks – what does this all mean to you?

Source: Slashgear

So Acer has finally stepped up and came to the Windows Phone Party, they have released their first Windows Phone 7 – dubbed Acer W4. This is a new partnership that was announced just last week, but as it seems to me Acer was already aboard developing phones before the official announcement. Let’s take a look at the specs of the phone.

• 3.5-inch WVGA Capacitive screen
• Screen Resolution: 480×800
• 5MP Camera with auto-focus
• HSPA/GSM Support
• Qualcomm MSN8255 running 1GHz
• Windows Phone Mango Edition

So with this little tid-bit of Windows Phone love do you think that with Acer coming into the picture will make a big difference? This is an interesting phone, smaller than the others, but just the same power house phone. PPCGeeker’s what do you think – is this worth it? I did notice it is built with Mango flavoring that in itself makes me want to sink my teeth into the phone already…

Take a look at some more pictures. The page is in Japanese but hey they are pictures. Here

source: wmpoweruser.com

We’ve heard rumors about Microsoft’s “6 Weeks Of Must-Have Games” promotion, but we never got a solid date. There were rumors that Angry Birds would be released for Windows Phone 7 on May 25th. While Angry Birds is a part of the lineup, its not the first game, its actually the last. The good news? The promotion begins next week, on May 25th (just before the Trophy launches on Verizon).

The first game is Hydro Thunder Go, which is a Windows Phone-only exclusive (not a port like most other games).

“Blast through 12 ferocious courses with the powerboat of your choice and compete against 15 devious opponents with strategic use of your Hydro Boost power, Mighty Hull and Hydro Jump abilities. In addition to visually stunning environments and insane track layouts, the ever-changing water conditions keep the races varied and interesting.”

Doodle Jump – June 1, $2.99
“Jump, jump, jump to the top, top, top with “Doodle Jump,” the runaway hit! Guide the Doodler on a springy journey up the never-ending sheet of graph paper to see how far you can climb. Leap from platform to platform, finding your way higher and higher using brilliant contraptions such as springs, propeller hats and jet packs. Avoid broken platforms, menacing black holes, UFOs and baddies. Blast them with your nose balls!”

geoDefense – June 8, $2.99
“Obliterate a horde of vibrant, vector-styled enemies in this fast-paced tower defense game. Devastate creeps with blasters, lasers and missiles and watch their energy debris swirl through the gravity wells of your vortex towers Demonstrate your pixel-blasting skill to all your friends on Xbox LIVE Leaderboards and earn Achievements as you hone advanced defense strategies.”

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I – June 15, $6.99
“The sequel fans have waited 16 years for is finally here!
Featuring enhanced gameplay elements, including the classic Sonic Spin Dash, and the versatile Homing Attack, Sonic 4 picks up right where Sonic and Knuckles left off. Dr. Eggman’s back, and in an effort to finally rid himself of Sonic, he revisits and improves the very best of his creations. Get ready for the next chapter in an all new epic 2D saga built for old and new fans alike.”

Plants vs Zombies – June 22, $4.99
“Get ready to soil your plants – Plants vs. Zombies is coming to Windows Phone! A mob of fun-loving zombies is about to invade your home, and the only defense is your arsenal of plants. Use peashooters, wall-nuts, cherry bombs and more to mulchify 26 types of zombies before they reach your front door. The fun never dies!”

Angry Birds – June 29, $2.99
“Angry Birds is coming to Windows Phone! The survival of the angry birds is at stake. Dish out revenge on the green pigs who stole the birds’ eggs. Use the unique destructive powers of the angry birds to lay waste to the pigs’ fortified castles. Each of the 195 levels requires logic, skill and brute force to crush the enemy.”

Are you guys impressed by this lineup? Which ones of these games are you willing to buy?

Source: WPCentral

For those of you on Verizon who have been waiting for a Windows Phone 7 device, your wait is finally over. Verizon has announced that the HTC Trophy will be available on May 26th for $149.99 (2-year contract and $50 mail-in rebate).

The specs (like most WP7 devices):

• 1 GHz Snapdragon® processor
• WVGA 3.8-inch touchscreen
• Surround sound through SRS WOW HD
• 5-megapixel camera with autofocus and LED flash
• 720p HD video capture
• 16 GB on-board storage
• Wi-Fi connectivity: 802.11 b/g/n
• Global ready – allowing customers to enjoy wireless voice and data service in more than 200 countries, with more than 125 with 3G speeds
• HTC Hub-customization through downloadable applications that offer even more entertainment and productivity

If you buy before July 15th, it looks like you can also get a free XBox game (up to a $60 value), including Halo: Reach, Kinect Sports, and Lode Runner.

It looks like it’ll also cost $149.99 at Costco (on contract) without a mail-in rebate. Best Buy will also offer it contract-free for $599.

For those of you on Verizon, are you going to run out and get one? How do you think this will compete with their hefty “Droid” lineup? Be sure to visit our Windows Phone 7 forums too!

Source: WPCentral

Windows Phone 7 Mango update has just had some features leaked that I thought we would all like to know about. It does seem Microsoft is actually listening to people and and working to improve their OS. With Mango being the BIGGEST update for Windows Phone 7 to this point, we have some sweet tropical leaks that make us all salivate over the new features.

Features include:

1. Bing Audio – Allows us users to find the title of the song like Shazam does – but all in Bing.
2. Bing Voice – Allows for transcription of words to text – This will be amazing in text messages.
3. Bing Maps – IMPROVED – Microsoft is giving us Turn-By-Turn native support with Bing Maps (Think Google Maps).
4. Bing Vision – Think Google Goggles – This allows for searchers to scan bar codes, QR Tags, Microsoft Tags, and other camera assisted
5. MULTI-TASKING – which we already knew of but this is still the biggest anticipated update to the system since then.
6. IE9 – HTML5 support – we saw this at MIX11 this year – but still going to be part of Mango.

So Geekers, with these updates who is ready to salivate over the new and improved Windows Phone 7? This update could be the biggest thing that will drive up the sales and users since it began! This tropical fruit flavor sneak peek has me salivating all over myself and all I can say is I want it NOW! How about you fellow Geekers, is this going to help Microsoft get their numbers where they want? Tell me below – and remember Microsoft does watch pages like this – so you never know – maybe one of your comments will make a new feature for Windows Phone…

Source: MobileTechWorld

UPDATE: According to this article, people are saying the Marketplace is back online. It was down for about 7 hours, and there hasn’t been an official statement from Microsoft as to what caused the outage.

There are reports going around this morning that the Microsoft Marketplace for Windows Phone 7 devices is down, throwing an error that says “Can’t get this info right now. Check back in a little while.” I didn’t bring my WP7 device to work today, so I can’t check it out on my Surround, but so far the reports are that it only seems to affect those that have NoDo (build 7390 or higher) and its been down for at least the past 4 hours. Its also been reported that its worldwide. Microsoft has only given the following statement, “We are investigating these reports and will provide an update when we have more to share.”

For our WP7 users out there, are you experiencing this problem too? Please provide your build number and the phone you’re using.

Source: WinRumors

Angry Birds is a hugely popular game available on Android and iOS. If you haven’t heard of it, you must be living under a rock! Today, Microsoft has officially announced that it will be available in the Windows Phone 7 Marketplace on May 25th. As of now, it looks like its the classic version of the game, not the Seasons or Rio editions.

Windows Phone 7 already has quite a few great games, especially for being such a young OS. Given how widely popular Angry Birds is, I’m glad to see it making its way to WP7. This was one game on my list of things I wanted to see on WP7.

Source: WPCentral