New Lumia 800 owner with few questions about Apps

[TortueG]

Hello all!

Last night I've finally jumped into the WP7 world I bought myself a Nokia Lumia 800. So far I'm ecstatic, it's even better than I thought and the OS looks fantastic (especially in traditional chinese).

I'm still in discovery phase and that's why I have few questions to ask you

1) I love apps that add filters on pictures, I've of course tried Bubblegum, it's a really nice piece of software but, in my opinion, filters are too basic, no point using them.

I've ever tried the HTC Photo Enhancer which I really like but as I don't own an HTC phone, I cannot install it. Is there a way to force the installation?

2) With my past phones I've enjoyed using 3rd party apps such as Shazam but when I try to download it, I have an error message saying that my phone may not be updated or that I don't have the right to download it.

Do you know why? Are these apps restricted? If yes, why on WP7 and not on other platform?

3) This is a very weird stuff but I can't (either WIFI or 3G) access to the website "Techcrunch.com" (all other websites works flawlessly), Am I the only one in that case?


Thanks in advance

 

[TheWeeBear]

The Techcrunch website is loading fine on my phone.

Some WP apps aren't released in every country so you get the message you mention.

No idea about attempting to force an HTC app on a non HTC phone bar getting your phone developer unlocked.

That may or may not work, not sure.

Welcome along to WPCentral jf.amadei.

 

[mprice86]

Fantasia Painter Free is a pretty good photo editing app, the pro version just removes ad support. There are plenty of alternatives though, such as Pictures Lab and Thumba Photo Editor, both of which you can try out free.

I've never tried Shazam if I'm honest, but you'll find with Windows Phone a lot of the popular apps on Android and iOS come built in. For example if you press the search button and press the music note at the bottom of the screen it works in more or less the same way as Shazam does.

 

[dreamerbala]

Regarding Shazam... give the Bing Music search a try. It worked very well for me. You can also get sound hound that essentially does the same.

 

[TortueG]

Thanks a lot for your help, welcome guys!

I will try the built in Microsoft music recognition but I think weird that Shazam wouldn't allow me to use (or buy) their apps while it's ok to do it on other mobile platform.

 

[Duvi]

Hello all!

Last night I've finally jumped into the WP7 world I bought myself a Nokia Lumia 800. So far I'm ecstatic, it's even better than I thought and the OS looks fantastic (especially in traditional chinese).

I'm still in discovery phase and that's why I have few questions to ask you

1) I love apps that add filters on pictures, I've of course tried Bubblegum, it's a really nice piece of software but, in my opinion, filters are too basic, no point using them.

I've ever tried the HTC Photo Enhancer which I really like but as I don't own an HTC phone, I cannot install it. Is there a way to force the installation?

2) With my past phones I've enjoyed using 3rd party apps such as Shazam but when I try to download it, I have an error message saying that my phone may not be updated or that I don't have the right to download it.

Do you know why? Are these apps restricted? If yes, why on WP7 and not on other platform?

3) This is a very weird stuff but I can't (either WIFI or 3G) access to the website "Techcrunch.com" (all other websites works flawlessly), Am I the only one in that case?


Thanks in advance

1 - You can get your device dev unlocked, through Microsoft ($99) or Chevron Tool ($9). At this point, you can install sideload the xap you want, up to 10 if you do not use the tool for allowing more than 10 sideloaded apps. You'll be able to install HTC's 'Photo Enhancer'.

I have Nokia Drive on my HTC Titan, but I think there is a better photo app in 'Thumba Photo Editor'. It's not free, but IMHO, well worth the investment.


2 - Have you tried SoundHound? I prefer that to Shazam.

3 - You're not allowed to go on any other blog site aside from WPCentral ... I tried that site on my Titan and it worked fine. Keep in mind, TechCrunch does have an app as well. Find it at the link below:

http://www.windowsphone.com/en-US/apps/031a4212-43d8-df11-a844-00237de2db9e

 

[TortueG]

1 - You can get your device dev unlocked, through Microsoft ($99) or Chevron Tool ($9). At this point, you can install sideload the xap you want, up to 10 if you do not use the tool for allowing more than 10 sideloaded apps. You'll be able to install HTC's 'Photo Enhancer'.

I have Nokia Drive on my HTC Titan, but I think there is a better photo app in 'Thumba Photo Editor'. It's not free, but IMHO, well worth the investment.


2 - Have you tried SoundHound? I prefer that to Shazam.

3 - You're not allowed to go on any other blog site aside from WPCentral ... I tried that site on my Titan and it worked fine. Keep in mind, TechCrunch does have an app as well. Find it at the link below:

http://www.windowsphone.com/en-US/apps/031a4212-43d8-df11-a844-00237de2db9e

Thanks a lot for your message, I'm going to grab some more info about Chevron and Soundhound right away

 

[TortueG]

Chevron seems to be a Window only tools, just lots of other apps related to WP (well it makes sense...), unfortunately I use OSX.