Nike+ ,Kinect and Windows Phone app

Nike+ releases extended ad with Kinect and Windows Phone app

A little bit of a hubbub is making the rounds this morning of Nike+ supposedly "announcing" a companion app for Windows Phone for the new Kinect game comingthis holiday October 30th.   

But of course we knew about this way back in June during E3 when Nike released the first trailer and literally showed a huge Nokia Lumia with the Nike+ app flowing through the pivot screens.

So why the excitement? Blame it on the internet's short-term memory and a slightly revised ad coming out last week.

Nike+ Kinect Training with a Lumia back in June

Around July 30th, Nike put out an “extended” version of the ad with a new voiceover that states “and with the companion app we can send challenge reminders, track sessions and keep you connected to your friends” (It's at the 1:41 mark if you want to fast forward).

Otherwise it’s the exact same ad with some more game footage.

We should note too that we saw Ice Age 4 this weekend (and it was awesome). Before the preview started, Regal cinemas played this whole ad during it’s "pre-show countdown entertainment". No doubt it was kind of fun to see Windows Phone so huge on a screen and not an iPhone or Android in sight. That version of the ad has "AT&T" emblazoned on the phone noting that's it's a Lumia 900 with "Windows Phone" on the movie screen.

Nike+ Kinect Training is coming “this holiday” October 30th but it at least should make some fun times in front of the screen. Having a companion app is also certainly welcome.

The Nike+ app for the Xbox 360 game was shown back at E3

Although if you were really serious about exercise, you would already be using Ubisoft’s Fitness Evolved series which is a fantastic Xbox 360-Kinect exercise system. It has had a companion app for Windows Phone since last year—but you already knew that, right?

Besides a Nike+ app for this Kinect game, we’re still waiting on getting a companion app for their Fuelband. Currently iOS has that app which can sync with your daily stats for the tiny wristband and Android is slated to get it soon too. Windows Phone?No word on that front which is a shame. We’re rocking that gizmo which is a sophisticated accelerometer that measures “activity” (and estimates caloric burn and number of steps walked). Hopefully Nike+ will get around to that one soon or this new companion app can also tie into your Nike+ account for even more bio-statistics.

Source: YouTube; Thanks, Plaffo.com, for the tip
link: http://www.wpcentral.com/nike-releases-extended-ad-kinect-and-windows-phone-apps

Contacts Share app for Lumia

Nokia releases exclusive Contacts Share app for Lumia line of Windows Phone

Nokia promised back a few weeks ago that they had plenty of software to still releases yet for their Lumia line of Windows Phones and today they did so again with the Contacts Share app.

Contacts Share is yet another “fill what’s missing in Windows Phone” app from the Finnish company and should be a huge boon for business users. The app is simple enough as it allows you to send contact info via email or SMS to any phone including Symbian, Android, iOS and BlackBerry in standard Vcard format.

The contacts are then imported by email or when the app is opened and they brought right into the People Hub like any other contact...

Couple of things we would like to note: the app isn’t working right now on our Lumia 900 for AT&T. That could be because we don’t have a SIM, though it is telling us that our OS version is not up to date. We’re not sure which the case is so you can let us know.

The other is the app notes “this is not compatible with CDMA” which should not be read as Nokia not supporting CDMA phones in the future (like Verizon or Sprint), it’s simply because the app is based off of the SIM card inserted into the device, so don’t read too much into that.

Update: Confirmed for AT&T users this will not work as this app is evidently dependent on a yet-to-come firmware update (or possibly tied to Tango). That update should be forthcoming in the coming weeks.

Pick up Nokia’s Contacts Share here in the Marketplace for Lumia Windows Phones.Thanks, @JCinWinupd8 and Scott M., for the link

link: http://www.wpcentral.com/nokia-releases-exclusive-contacts-share-app-lumia-line-windows-phone

Nova strategy game

Nova is exploding with strategy on Windows Phone [Video]

When it comes to games on Windows Phone we have quite a few puzzlers, lots of zombies and a plethora of tower games. But one area we sometimes overlook is the class strategy game—the one where every move counts and requires some thought akin to chess.

Nova by Jeffrey A. Voigt fits the bill nicely and for $0.99, it’s well worth the investment.

The game is premised on the idea of a galaxy and you control various stars to dominate. You can have anywhere from two to four players where you pass your device on to friends and family for turn taking or you can play against the computer (AI).

The game laid out with a grid representing the galaxy and you can either start a new star or “grow” current ones. Each star can grow three sizes after which they supernova, exploding their star bits to the adjacent boxes. If there are smaller, enemy stars nearby they get transformed to your color which is how you “conquer” the board.

Nova's graphics are certainly eye catching

The strategy is choosing to start a new star, grow current ones or explode your star while watching what you challenger is doing as well. From that standpoint, the game is quite challenging especially with the well done AI.

The game also has a very detailed tutorials which are a must for picking up strategy tips and learning the game’s UI. There are also “Challenges”--quick little games designed to test your skill e.g. “do this with only 2 moves”.

The graphics of the game are well done with bold, colorful design and the music is very subtle (perhaps too subtle).

Overall Nova is a fun game. Since it’s a strategy game, your $0.99 is well spent as you can’t ever really beat it—you can just play and get better and better. There’s a free trial should you want to take the game for a spin. We think you should.

Pick up Nova here in the Windows Phone Marketplace and check out the game’s website here.

link: http://www.wpcentral.com/nova-exploding-strategy-windows-phone

Ben Rudolph is Smoked by Windows Phone videos

Ben Rudolph is still at it with more Smoked by Windows Phone videos

Ben ("The PC Guy") Rudolph has continued to take the Smoked by Windows Phonemarketing campaign across the states, and he's showing no signs of easing back with more videos being published to the Windows Phone YouTube account. We previously looked at a handful of new videos being added to the account and commented on how we enjoyed the new style, so it's pleasing to see the company continuing to refine and push the platform using this successful campaign.

With the active "Dare to Live" tour in the UK, which is focusing heavily on thenumber of wins the platform achieves, the Smoked campaign is relaxed to put more emphasis on how Windows Phone can make participant lives easier through a series of challenges. Check out two more videos after the break.

link: http://www.wpcentral.com/ben-rudolphs-still-it-more-smoked-windows-phone-videos