Hey everyone. Greetings from beautiful (and scorching hot!) Toronto. I’ve been vacationing here with family this week—and putting my Mango-loaded phone through its paces. It’s been a great holiday helper, keeping the kids entertained and helping me quickly pinpoint nice places to eat and drink near our hotel. Given my focus on relaxation, I went heavy on game-related news this week. Tell me what you think!
Tentacles wows reviewers
Looking for an app to make your fruit phone friends jealous? Fire up Tentacles, a new Xbox LIVE title that’s exclusive to Windows Phone. In their review, the folks at WMPU declared it a smash hit and shot a nice video review of the game, which debuted earlier this week. I dare you to watch the first few seconds and not run to Marketplace for a copy.
App picks from the New York Times
In his App Smart column this week, the New York Times’ Bob Tedeschi picks his favorite Windows Phone apps. If you’re new to Windows Phone, it makes a good shopping list (and even veterans might find a surprise). Tedeschi does have a few quibbles with Marketplace search results and the ability to browse apps on a Mac—both of which will be addressed in Mango. So hang on, Bob!
New behind-the-scenes Mango tours
This week we published a couple of fun videos on our official YouTube channel that take you behind the scenes of Mango. Each short clip introduces one of the engineers who make Windows Phone and provides a chatty overview of changes to various features. This one features the People Hub.
10 must-have games for Windows Phone
WMPU’s Andrew Bares provides his take on the 10 titles anyone with a Windows Phone should have in their Games Hub. ”This isn’t a list of the best games overall, it’s simply a list of games you should definitely have!” he notes. Check out the list
Win a Fruit Ninja-themed Windows Phone 7
Here’s a juicy opportunity for Fruit Ninja fans. Microsoft is offering a chance to win a Fruit Ninja-themed Windows Phone and Xbox 360 as part of its new Fantastic Fun and Fruit sweepstakes. To enter, just text SPLATTERMELON to 76060 by July 24th. (If you miss the deadline, you’ll have another chance when the contest is rerun between August 26 and 28.) You have to be 18 years old and a U.S. resident to enter. To learn more, see the official contest rules.
And finally…
The Space Shuttle Atlantis touched down this week, marking the end of a era for NASA and manned space flight. The good news: Atlantis is alive and well on Windows Phone. To commemorate the final shuttle flight, Flying Development Studio has released a new update for its popular and highly-regarded flight sim, Infinite Flight. Here’s a peek.