Tips & Tricks for Windows Phones

Thanks to Windows Phone 8's strict design rules, all devices running Microsoft's latest phone software operate in virtually the same way. Unlike with Android, manufacturers don't have much freedom to heavily customize Microsoft's OS with their own software. This means most tricks you use on your Lumia 920 will also work on Windows Phone mobiles, such as the HTC 8X, the Lumia 820 and the Samsung Ativ S.

• ·        Typing faster with keyboard shortcuts

With this tip, you no longer have to press the numeric or punctuation buttons to enter their respective modes on the keyboard, only to find your desired key, then tapping the key you first pressed so you can return to the standard keyboard. Instead, press and hold the numeric or punctuation button and slide your finger over to the key you want to use and then release your finger to automatically snap back into the default keyboard mode.

This is especially useful for those who wish to type faster without having to navigate into different keyboard modes. If you love to text or write a long email on your Windows Phone device, this tip will definitely improve your productivity. Go ahead, try it out!

• ·        Translate text using your camera

Did you know that your Windows Phone device can also translate text using your camera? All you have to do is hit the Search button on your phone and select the eye icon. Position your Lumia over the text and select "scan text." You can even translate the text you capture. 

This is obviously a neat feature for those looking for a quick way to translate a menu or any other text using your Lumia smartphone. 

• ·        Identify what music is playing

Windows Phone also allows you to quickly identify what music is playing (on the radio for example). All you have to do is hit the Search button on your phone and select the music note icon. Place your smartphone over the source of the music and Windows Phone will identify the track, the artist of the track, and offer you a link to the Windows Phone Store so you can purchase the track.

• ·        Switch between your apps

For those of you who tend to use more than one app at a time, this tip/trick will be useful. Press and hold the back button on your smartphone and you will be presented with the multi-tasking screen that allows you to quickly switch between apps. You can even return back to the home screen.

If you want to close an app, simply hit the "x" that is located at the top-right of each app.

• ·        Take a screenshot of your screen

If you are looking to show off your home screen or an app you have running, you can easily do so by taking a screenshot of your screen. All you have to do is quickly tap-hold the Window key while simultaneously pressing the power button. You will see a quick flash of the screen indicating that a screenshot was taken.

You can find your screenshot in the Photos app, under the Screenshot folder.

Now, these are just our top-five favorite tips and tricks for Windows Phone. There are plenty of more shortcuts and tricks to make your experience enjoyable.  Lets hear your favorite tips and tricks! Post them in the comments below.