All About Windows Phone Insight Podcast

In a special AAWP podcast, Neil Gilroy steps into Rafe's shoes, delivering a verdict on the state of Windows 10 Mobile and the Lumia 950 XL, from the point of view of someone usually found at the cutting edge on iOS and Android. How well does Windows and the new hardware stack up?

In AAWP Insight #164, hosted by Steve and Rafe, we have a (longer than usual) Christmas edition of the podcast. We continue our coverage of the Lumia 950 and 950 XL. This time Steve shares his thoughts after a few weeks with the new flagships, with dives deeper into design, camera performance and software readiness (or lack of it). We also discuss the Microsoft HD-500 Display Dock and the related Continuum functionality of Windows 10 Mobile, plus answer a listener letter on the app gap.

In AAWP Insight #163, hosted by Steve and Rafe, we kick off our detailed coverage of the Lumia 950 and 950 XL. Some of the key topics covered include design, performance, and imaging, with plenty of chat on other topics interspersed. We also look to set the new flagships in the context of the Nokia and Microsoft Lumia eras and the respective contribution of each to both these and future devices.

In AAWP Insight #162, hosted by Steve and Rafe, we talk about some of early (US) Lumia 950 review coverage, while awaiting the UK arrival of Microsoft's new flagship smartphones. As well as debating who is going to buy the devices, we also cover the latest Windows 10 Mobile Build and camera related app updates. We also find time for a OneDrive mention (again), a quick heads up on a Xiaomi tablet device, and a freemium busting game pick.

In AAWP Insight #161, hosted by Steve and Rafe, we start by revisiting Microsoft's recent quota changes to OneDrive, prompted by some listener feedback. We also discuss when existing devices will get the Windows 10 Mobile update, whether you should choose the Lumia 950 or 950 XL (and when they are likely to arrive in shops). The other major topic in the podcast is the Microsoft Band 2, following on from Steve's review of Microsoft's second generation wearable.

In AAWP Insight #160, hosted by Steve and Rafe, we start by talking about the top 0.1% of Windows Phone and Windows 10 Mobile apps (as seen in our recent directory/list of top apps). We also share some thoughts on the Lumia 950 and Continuum after some hand on time at Microsoft's recent Future Decoded event. We also talk about experiences with the latest build of Windows 10 Mobile (10581) and note the "retail" release is just around the corner.

In AAWP Insight #159, hosted by Steve and Rafe, we talk about the recently announced changes to Microsoft's OneDrive cloud storage space quota, considering both the "levels" of changes, the way Microsoft communicated them, and the potential long term impact. In the second half of the podcast, we discuss Steve's recent feature that compared the speed of various tasks and activities on Windows Phone 8.1 versus the latest build of Windows 10 Mobile.

In AAWP Insight #158, hosted by Steve and Rafe, we talk about Lumia 950 / 950 XL pre-orders, which are now live (and have a price adjustment) in the UK. That leads to a conversation about Microsoft's latest set of results and the poor Lumia sales numbers, which leads us back to the Lumia 950. We also cover some updates for the Maps and Calendar apps for Windows 10 Mobile. We finish by talking about zoom on camera phones through the years and what the best approach is for today's devices.

In AAWP Insight #157, hosted by Steve and Rafe, we talk about some new Windows 10 Mobile handsets that were shown off in Japan recently, the latest build of Windows 10 Mobile (10549) and look ahead to the next build (10572), and muse on the state of readiness of Windows 10 Mobile (for new devices and in place updates). We also contrast the Lumia 1520 with the 950 XL and run through our latest camera features.

In AAWP Insight #156, hosted by Steve and Rafe, we continue the discussion about Microsoft's big October 6th event. Following some comment on future devices and design, the main focus is on the entry level Lumia 550 and the Microsoft Band 2 wearable. In the second half of the podcast, we talk about the state of the Windows Phone app ecosystem, following on from Steve's recent feature on the same subject, and look ahead to some future content topics.

In the bumper length AAWP Insight #155, hosted by Steve and Rafe, it is all about Microsoft's big October 6th event, which saw the announcement of new Lumia and Surface devices, together with a number of related accessories. We cover the launch of the Lumia 950 and 950 XL, walking through the specifications and key experiences, including connectivity, camera and Continuum. We also touch on the Lumia 550 and Microsoft Band 2, before concluding with a summary of the new Surface (PC) devices.

In AAWP Insight #154, hosted by Steve and Rafe, we start by talking about Steve's recent comparison of voice assistants for mobile platforms and the role voice may play in the future. There's the usual commentary and thoughts on the latest Windows 10 Mobile build (10536), plus related app updates (Maps, Office, Photos, and more). There's also time for a rant (on finding battery spares) and a quick look ahead to next week's announcement of new Lumia phones from Microsoft.

In AAWP Insight #153, hosted by Steve and Rafe, we talk through a week's worth of news. First up is some information on the latest Insider Build (10536) of Windows 10 Mobile. We also look forward to October 6th, which is the anticipated announcement day for Microsoft's new premium smartphones (and some other devices), chat around some updates to the Photos app (and related improvement in the imaging flow for Windows 10 Mobile), before finishing with a discussion about "long press", "force touch"/"3D touch" in the light of Apple's iPhone 6s event.

In AAWP Insight #152, hosted by Steve and Rafe, we round up ten days worth of news and views. Topics covered include a series of Windows 10 Mobile app updates (Messaging Skype Beta, .NET runtime, Photos), the recent BBC iPlayer update, the Acer Jade Primo and some thoughts on Continuum, and some comments on phase 1 on the Windows 10 Mobile roll out. In the middle, we also find time to grumble about quality assurance issues related to the Microsoft app Store.

In AAWP Insight #151, hosted by Steve and Rafe, we talk about Windows 10 Mobile performance on lower end devices (build 10512), Windows 10 Mobile compatible phones (and upgrading low storage devices), and the leak of upcoming flagships (Cityman and Talkman). We also touch on ARCHOS' recently announced Windows 10 Mobile device and Steve's most recent camera head to head (Moto X Play versus Lumia 930).