14 DAY TRIAL // Over the weekend, Redmond-based software giant Microsoft made available for download new versions of the Music and Video apps for Windows Phone 8.1 devices out there, providing users with a variety of fixes and enhancements.
At the moment, the Music application for Windows Phone 8.1 is available for download as version 2.6.155.0, with the official changelog in the Windows Phone Store mentioning only bug fixes and general performance improvements for it.
However, Microsoft has published detailed release notes for the new application iteration on the User Voice support website, explaining that the software can load collections much faster than before and that users will see these improvements particularly in collection lists and artist details.
“The seventh update for the Windows Phone 8.1 Music App is now available in the store! Our focus for this release was primarily on UI responsiveness and general reliability and quality – we hope you enjoy the improvements,” Microsoft notes.
Moreover, scrolling in collection album and artist lists is smoother than before and the app has been modified to sync with users’ cloud collection when the handset is charging.
Additionally, the new app iteration arrives on devices with better messaging, as the collection builds and syncs with the cloud.
As for the aforementioned fixes, Microsoft notes that the new update resolves an issue with album art not appearing (or incorrectly using the Xbox Music catalog version) when present in local MP3s.
Scrolling through playlists has been fixed as well and it’s no longer being jerky or seeming to scroll indefinitely, while New music items will be displayed correctly now. Another problem resolved in this app release was related to shuffling a collection, which could show too few songs and duplicates.
Moving forth, the company plans on improving the performance of the app even more, while also adding Live Tile and Kid’s Corner support to it, along with UI improvements and more.
The Video application, now up for grabs as version 2.6.154.0 on Windows Phone 8.1 devices (or build number 1.6.154.0 on WP 8), has been updated with faster loading for personal video, movie, and TV show collections, said support website reveals.
Following the installation of the new app iteration, users will also see that expired rental downloads are now automatically cleaned up to free up disk space.
At the same time, the Video application has received a series of bug fixes in the new iteration, though Microsoft hasn’t provided specific info on what these are.
You should go over to the Windows Phone Store to download the new Music and Video apps for your Windows Phone devices.