Microsoft Lumia 640 XL turned out quite capable device even though it is running on the modest Snapdragon 400 chipset. The XL flavor packs a big 5.7″ IPS display with ClearBlack technology, there is a snappy 13MP ZEISS camera, plus a beefy 3,000 mAh battery. We had high expectations for the battery life and the Lumia 640 XL lived up to them.

We had the 3G dual SIM version of the Lumia 640 XL, which supports dual-standby where one of the SIMs is hooked on a 3G network, while the other works on GSM mode. There is a LTE-capable dual SIM version, as well as 3G and LTE single-SIM editions. Read more »

Here are some of the best apps and games that came out this week.

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There are a few time lapse video apps available and now Microsoft Research is throwing its hat in the ring with Hyperlapse. The app speeds up handheld videos and stabilizes them so that you don’t bore your audience or make them seasick.

It’s available for phones (Windows and Android) and computers (Windows). Read more »

Today Microsoft is officially telling us what all the different editions of the upcoming Windows 10 release will be called. On this occasion, the software giant has also revealed the naming for the Windows 10 version for phones. This will be Windows 10 Mobile, and the branding will be the same for smartphones as well as small tablets.

The fact that this variation will run on said small tablets is probably what contributed to it losing the word “Phone” from its name, though with the new moniker many people could remember the old Windows Mobile, which may not be the best thing for Microsoft. Read more »

A few weeks after debuting it in the beta version of the app, BlackBerry has added support for Channels in the latest update to its main BBM for Windows Phone app. The feature is already available in the iOS and Android versions of the messaging app.

“Starting today, Windows Phone users have a new place to join conversations happening right now between people, brands and communities,” the Canadian company said in a blog post. “In real-time you can discover and connect with other #TeamBlackBerry members on subjects that interest you.” Read more »

Microsoft has issued an update to Cortana’s Live Tile enabling users to have a quick glance at the current weather in their area.

The tile for the voice-activated digital personal assistant now shows a small weather animation (see video below), and flips to reveal weather-related information, including temperature. Read more »

Windows Phone has found its niche in the lower end of the market, so now it’s Microsoft’s job to translate that into demand for the more advanced offerings. The Microsoft Lumia 640 tries to coax users with its modest model number, but behind that is a capable mid-ranger.

The early 6-series led their similarly-priced Android counterparts with better screens, cameras and chipsets. Market pressure has brought Androids up to par, but now the Lumia 640 makes a bid to regain the lead. Read more »

These are the best apps and games that came out this week.

Read more »

Popular and award winning game Monument Valley is now finally available on Windows Phone. The Windows Phone release comes about a year after the original iOS and Android launch.

Monument Valley is a 3D puzzle game known for its beautifully designed levels. The game got praises from gamers and critics alike and went on to win many awards. Here at GSMArena, it was chosen as our Game of the Year for 2014. Read more »

The annual Microsoft BUILD conference is now well under way and we are happy to report that Windows 10 is making great progress in developing new and interesting features. Despite the slow and heavily developer-centric start, the keynote did get to four new interesting technologies that will debut in Windows 10, helping Microsoft expand its Windows Store.

The company has worked on enabling developers turn their existing Android, iOS, Web and even .NET and Web32 code to the Windows Store ready apps. It boils down to a new added ability to reuse various existing application code and repurpose it as a Windows universal application. Read more »

When it first unveiled Windows 10 last year, Microsoft briefly talked about a new feature called Continuum, but back then it was in the context of switching UIs on convertible devices based on whether you have the keyboard connected or not. And Continuum can still do that, but today at its Build conference, the software giant has announced a more interesting use case, with Continuum for phones.

This kicks in when you connect a smartphone running Windows 10 to a monitor. The UI you’ll see on the monitor won’t just be a 1:1 representation of the handset’s screen. Instead, the phone is basically turned into a makeshift PC, which will even work with a mouse and keyboard for interaction. Read more »

Just a couple of days after its last update, VLC for Windows Phone has received yet another new version, bumping the application to version 1.3.2 and bringing along some performance improvements as well as bug fixes.

The update not only fixes responsive design and UX issues in Search Pages, it also adds a new back button. The updated app now communicates better with the Windows Phone’s background audio task so it consumes less CPU resources and in turn battery. In addition, the update also brings along fixes to “a dozen of tiny bugs/crashes.” Read more »

Microsoft has released an app that enables you to make backup of all your contacts and messages and store it in your phone’s SD card. Appropriately dubbed contacts+message backup, the app is compatible with Windows Phone 8.1 devices.

After installation, you can access the app by heading to Settings on your phone – it doesn’t appear in your regular list of installed apps. The backup it creates is stored in a folder named backup+restore. Read more »

The Lumia 640 isn’t yet officially available in the US, but now you can grab one as e-tailer Expansys has started selling the mid-range device (with dual-SIM support and LTE connectivity) in the country. It is available in cyan, black, and orange color options

As for the price, the black color variant is priced at $220, while the orange and cyan models will set you back $245. An important thing worth noting is that you need to check the supported LTE bands to make sure that the device supports your carrier. Read more »

Like we told you a few days ago, Office universal apps are headed to the Windows 10 for phones preview before the end of April. It looks like they will land as part of a new preview release that’s due to be out soon for members of the Windows Insider program. The new build has the number 12544, and it’s been given a short video preview somewhere in China.

Unfortunately if you don’t speak Chinese you won’t understand the audio, but the video is still very useful because it shows us the upcoming Office universal apps on a working smartphone. Read more »