The tablet has taken off in a big way. Almost every device manufacturer has one, and many business users are integrating it into their daily activities. Last year, Microsoft took a stab at their own tablet and released the Surface and Surface Pro. While a brilliant idea - who doesn't want a tablet that can run Windows programs?-- the devices fell a bit short of the mark. Recently, Microsoft announced two new versions of the Surface. Will they bring a bit more to the table?

In late September, Microsoft held an event where they announced a refresh of the Surface brand. Last year's Surface and Surface Pro have both received updates which could entice businesses users to look at the platform. Here's an overview of the important specs for both new devices.

The Surface 2 Last year's naming scheme was a little confusing, so this year Microsoft renamed the Surface RT the Surface 2. This is a tablet device that is meant to compete with the iPad and Android tablets.

• Operating system - The Surface 2 will run Windows 8.1 RT, a more useable tablet-based version of Windows 8. The most popular change 8.1 RT will introduce is full support for Outlook. The Surface 2 also comes preinstalled with a touch optimized version of Microsoft Office - Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote.
• Processor - This year's device will run a NVIDIA Tegra 4 processor, one of the fastest and most powerful mobile processors currently available. It should be powerful enough to be able to handle pretty much every task with ease.
• Screen size - With a 10.6 inch screen and a resolution of 1920 x 1080, this device has a full HD display that should look great.
• Memory and storage - There are two versions of this tablet - one with 32GB of storage and the other with 64GB. Users will also get 200 GB of SkyDrive storage for two years. The device also has 2GB of RAM which should be more than enough to cover all types of use. There is also a full USB 3.0 port, so you should be able to attach an external hard drive for even further storage.
• Battery life - According to Microsoft, users should get around 10 hours of use out of the device, but this hasn't been tested yet. However, you can expect the device to last at least a full day at the office.
• Price and availability - The device can currently be pre-ordered from the Windows Store now, and will start shipping October 25. The 32 GB version costs USD$449 while the 64 HB version costs USD$549

The Surface 2 Pro The Surface 2 Pro is Microsoft's high-end tablet, but really, it’s more like an incredibly portable computer with a touch screen. This years update has even further improved specs that make it more or less competitive with most low to mid-range laptops.

• Operating system - The Surface 2 Pro will run on a full version of Windows 8.1 Pro. From what we can see, there will be no difference between this version and that found on laptops and desktops.
• Processor - This years device has seen a bump in processing speed and has a fourth generation i5 processor from Intel. This same type of processor is found in many laptops, which means there should be more than enough power to meet most, if not all of your business computing needs. It may struggle a bit with intense operations like graphics editing or gaming however.
• Screen size - With a 10.6 inch screen and a resolution of 1920 x 1080, this device has a full HD display that should look great.
• Memory and storage - There are four storage versions of the Surface Pro 2 - 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB and 512 GB. The 64 and 128 GB versions come with 4 GB of RAM while the 256 GB and 512 GB versions come with 8 GB of RAM. This means the device should be able to run almost any programs. Each device also comes with 200 GB of SkyDrive storage and a USB 3.0 port that you can plug an external hard drive into, so storage issues shouldn't be a problem.
• Battery life - Battery life of this device has not been published, but you can expect it to be similar to most current laptops.
• Price and availability - The Surface Pro 2 starts at USD$899 for the 64 GB version. The 128 GB version costs USD$999, the 256 GB version costs USD$1,299 and the 512 GB version costs USD$1,799. You can pre-order all four versions of the device from the Microsoft Store now, but the 256 HB and 512 GB versions won't ship until at least December 15. The 2 versions with the smaller hard drives will ship by October 22.

If you are looking to learn more about the Surface 2 or Surface 2 Pro, please contact us today to see how we can help.

A popular reason why many people have smartphones is to be able to check their social media profiles while on the go. While the major OSs offer some great social media apps, Windows Phone can often come across as a bit lacking. Sure, there are versions of the most popular services, but it may not seem like much else. In fact, this isn't quite the true picture and there are actually some pretty good apps available.

Here is an overview of five useful, and mostly free, social media apps for Windows Phone.

Facebook Beta The Facebook Beta app is essentially the Facebook mobile app, but with some new features that Facebook wants to introduce in the near future. The latest update includes the ability to upload multiple photos, download photos, attach images in messaging and inline tagging (being able to mention another user in a post). While these features may be appealing, they are still in beta, meaning that Facebook is testing them with users. With some beta programs apps may not be 100% stable. That being said, being able to access new features sooner is something many users welcome.

You can download the app for free from the Windows Phone Store.

Pin+ Pinterest has become one of the fastest growing social networks and many businesses have found some intriguing uses for it. The downside is that there is no official Windows Phone app. What there is instead though is Pin+. This unofficial app brings Pinterest to your phone, with almost all of the functionality available with the Web version.

If you want to use Pinterest on your smartphone, this is the app that allows it. You can download it for free on the Windows Phone Store.

4th & Mayor Foursquare is a popular social media service where you can 'check into' businesses and see who and what is around you. While there is an official app for Windows Phone, some users aren't big fans of it. 4th & Mayor is an alternative app that uses the Foursquare programming interface. It has all the functionality of Foursquare, just with a different, more user friendly layout.

It's available for free on the Windows Phone Store.

6tag It's widely known that visual content is the key to keeping users interested and invested in your social media efforts. Instagram is a great program for creating visual content with your device by allowing you to take pictures, apply filters and then upload and share images on various social media sites. Unfortunately, there is no official app for Windows Phone, and likely won't be for some time to come. What you do have is 6tag. This unofficial app was built using the Instagram system, and includes all the same features like filters, sharing on social media, uploading and even video.

The basic version is free on the Windows Phone Store, but does have ads. You can upgrade to remove ads for USD$1.29 and add video support for USD$1.49.

Social Mints Spend any time on social media and you soon understand that trends come and go at an astonishing speed. It can be incredibly hard to stay on top of them all let alone figure out what is worth looking into. Social Mints is an app that lets you monitor and follow social media trends. Put in a popular term and watch as updates pop up in real time. You can even learn through which mediums people are talking about it, including related keywords and top posters.

If you're looking for a way to keep on top of trends, this is a great app. It's available for free on the Windows Phone Store.

Looking to learn more about the Windows Phone? Give us a shout, we'd love to help you explore and exploit the full potential of what you can do and how it could potentially help your business.

Ok, we admit it, Windows Phones are not as popular as other systems like Android or Apple's iOS. But, that doesn't mean the system is no good. In fact, Windows Phone 8, launched in 2012, is a great system. In order to keep it that way, and improve on it, Microsoft has been releasing small updates, the latest of which has just been implemented. These developments introduce improvements and even some new features.

This latest update, called GDR2 by Microsoft (GRD2 stands for: General Distribution Release 2), brings a number of small features to devices running Windows Phone 8, and was released for most phones on July 22, 2013. So far, this is the second update to the platform this year, and will likely not be the last, with more updates and a new version of Windows Phone 8 - Windows Phone 8.1 - rumored to be launched later this year, or early next.

Here are the main changes GDR2 introduces

• Support for Google Calendar and Contacts - Google Calendar and Contacts can be stored in file formats called calDAV and cardDAV. It is these formats that, when other systems can support or read them, allow for seamless syncing with Google. These formats have been introduced making syncing your Google Calendar and Contacts with your Windows Phone much easier.
• Data Sense - Because most smartphone users have a data plan that comes with a limited amount of bandwidth, they could benefit from an app or way to track how much data they have used. With the update and introduction of Data Sense, you can now do exactly that. After you install the update, you will be able to find Data Sense in your App list. Open the app, and press Settings to set your data limit and plan type.
• Ability to change your camera app - There are a number of camera apps on the Windows Phone store. The problem with the older version of Windows Phone is that it didn't allow users to choose which app was their default camera. The update allows for this ability.
• Improved Skype stability - Anyone who has used Skype for an extended period of time, on any mobile platform, knows that it could use a bit of work stability wise. GDR2 improves the overall stability of Skype, making it an overall better platform.
• Improved HTML5 for Internet Explorer - HTML5 is still relatively quite new, and many phones lack full support of this language. Because it is becoming more popular amongst web designers, mobile users are starting to view these sites too. However, they may be missing out due to lack of support in the browser they are using. GDR2 brings some improvements to Internet Explorer and how it handles HTML5 on mobile devices, and improving the browsing experience.

How do I know if my phone has been updated? If you are unsure whether you have received this latest update, you can check what version of Windows Phone your device is using by tapping on Settings from the App list, selecting About followed by More Info. Scroll down until you see Software and it would tell you what version you are running. If you have GDR2 installed, it should say: 8.0.10327.77 or 8.0.10328.78 depending on the phone manufactuerer.

How do I install the update? If you haven't received the update, you can check and see if it is available by opening the Settings app on your phone and tapping on Phone update, followed by Check for updates. Should the update be available, you will be given a prompt to update and then you can press Download. It is a good idea to ensure you are connected to Wi-Fi before doing this. Once the download is finished, you should see the phone turn off and on again, and the update install. Tap Done when instructed to do so, and you should be updated.

Looking to learn more about the Windows Phone? Why not contact us today to see how we can help.

Take a step back for a minute and observe smartphone users. You will likely see numerous iPhones and Android devices, and even a few Windows Phones. The thing you may also notice is that most users likely won’t switch to another system. However, from time-to-time, new features and phones tempt a certain number to make the switch and move from say an iPhone to a Windows Phone, for example.

If you are thinking of switching from an iPhone to a Windows Phone, here is a brief guide on how you can migrate your important information and tools over to your new phone.

Switch your email

Chances are high that you linked an email account to your iPhone. Regardless of the type of account you have – Gmail, Outlook, iCloud, etc., moving email is pretty easy. In fact, Windows Phone allows you to link almost any email account. Here’s how:

1. Tap the Settings icon on your Windows Phone.

2. Select Email + accounts followed by Next.

3. Tap Add an account along with the account you want to add.

4. Enter your email address and password.

5. Tap Next, select Email only followed by Sign in.

The phone will sync with your account and your email should start showing in the email tile on the main screen. If you use other accounts, say a Google account, you can sync these in the same way.

Migrate your contacts

Contacts are an important part of any phone, and you probably want to take them with you, or migrate them over to the new system. You have a couple of options to get your contacts onto your new Windows Phone. The method you use should reflect where you store your contacts.

1. Contacts linked with an online account – If you have set up your iPhone to sync contacts with an online account like Google or Outlook.com, you can simply follow the steps in the email section above and select Email, contacts, and calendar. Your contacts should show up within a couple of minutes.

2. Contacts stored on your iPhone – If you have contacts stored on your iPhone, but not linked to an online account, the steps to get them off may be a little complicated. The easiest way is to export the contacts to Outlook on your computer. You can do this by:

   1. Plugging your phone into your computer and opening iTunes.

   2. Selecting your iPhone in iTunes.

   3. Clicking Info followed by Sync Contacts with and selecting Outlook.

   4. Clicking Apply.

If you use Exchange (which is likely at work), sign into your Windows Phone using that account, and your contacts will be migrated over automatically. If you don’t use Exchange, follow the instructions on the Microsoft site here.

3. Contacts stored on your computer – The easiest way to migrate your contacts from your computer to your phone is through Outlook. Sign into Outlook using a Microsoft account, then drag your contacts from Outlook into the account and sign into your phone using the same account. Your contacts will automatically transfer over. If you have an older version of Outlook, try the Hotmail connector, (instructions on how to transfer files are below the download link).

Import important documents

If you have files that you would like to access on your phone the easiest option is to download these onto your computer first by connecting your phone to iTunes and transferring them off. If these are spreadsheets, presentations or word processing files you should upload them to your SkyDrive.

When the files are on your computer, plug your Windows Phone in using a USB cable. The computer should recognize this and show you a window with options of what you can do with your phone. Select Explore Files and a window will open with the phone’s file structure. Double-click on Documents. Then, open the folder where you downloaded the documents to, in another window. Simply drag the files from this folder to Documents and they will be available on your phone.

Get your apps

At the writing of this article, there is no easy way to transfer your apps over from the iPhone to the Windows Phone. You will have to go into the Windows Store and search for the apps you use. The good news is that many popular apps are available.

Move your SIM card/phone number

Moving to a new phone system can sometimes be confusing, especially in relation to SIM cards. The vast majority of iPhones use micro SIMs, while Windows Phones use regular or micro. If your Windows Phone uses the same size of SIM as your iPhone, you should be able to pull it out of the iPhone and switch it over to your new phone without a problem. If your new device uses a different sized SIM, you will have to go to your mobile provider and ask them for a new card.

The one thing to be careful with is if your iPhone is on a contract. Some mobile carriers have been known to lock the SIM to the device, meaning it won’t work if you switch phones. You will have to go into the mobile carrier and pay them to switch.

In general, moving from an iPhone to a Windows Phone is a painless affair that shouldn’t take a long time, especially if you already sync your contacts, calendar and email online. If you are making the move and have further questions, please give us a call. We are happy to help.

 

Historically speaking, it has been a bit of a chore to move from one Operating System to another. You have to worry about file compatibility and then transferring all of your important information like contacts and email. When it comes to a mobile OS, it may seem a complicated process but it really isn't, especially if you are moving from Android to Windows Phone.

If you are a current Android user and either thinking of switching to a Windows Phone, or are getting one for the office, you are likely wondering how you are going to switch or get your important information from one system to the other. While you may imagine it is going to be a real chore, it's actually quite easy and straightforward. Here is a short guide on how to switch to the Windows Phone from Android.

Switch your email

Your email account is arguably the most important account you have. It is also the account you use to essentially make your phone yours. As a current Android user, you likely have linked a Gmail account to your device and probably want to continue using this account. The good news is that a Windows Phone still allows you to link your email account. Here's how:

1. Tap the Settings icon on your Windows Phone.
2. Select Email + accounts followed by Next.
3. Tap Add an account along with the account you want to add, (for most Android users this will be Google).
4. Enter your email address and password.
5. Tap Next, select Email only followed by Sign in.

The phone should sync with your Google account and your email should start showing in the email tile on the main screen. If you use other accounts, say a Microsoft account, you can add these in the same way.

Migrate your contacts

Contacts are an important part of any phone, and you probably want to take them with you, or migrate them over to the new system. You have a couple of options to get your contacts onto your new Windows Phone. The method you use should reflect where you store your contacts.

1. Contacts linked with your Google account - If you have set up your Android device to sync contacts with your Google account, (done by going to Settings, Accounts, Google and tapping on Contacts), you can simply follow the steps in the email section above and select Email, contacts, and calendar. Your contacts should show up within a couple of minutes.
2. Contacts stored on your SIM card - If you have saved your contacts to a SIM card, simply insert it into the new phone, as long as the SIM is the same size. Go to the People app on your phone and select Settings, followed by Import SIM contacts. If your new device has a different sized SIM card, your best bet is to sync your contacts with your Google account.
3. Contacts stored on your computer - The easiest way to migrate your contacts from your computer to your phone is through Outlook. Sign into Outlook using a Microsoft account, drag your contacts from Outlook into the account and then sign into your phone using the same account. Your contacts will automatically transfer over. If you have an older version of Outlook, try the Hotmail connector, (instructions on how to transfer files are below the download link).

Import important documents

If you have files that you would like to access on your phone the easiest option is to download these onto your computer first. If they are spreadsheets, presentations or word processing files on Google Drive, you should download them as Word, Excel or PowerPoint files.

When the files are on your computer, plug your phone into it using a USB cable. The computer should recognize this and show you a window with options of what you to do with your phone. Select Explore Files and a window will open with the phone's file structure. Double-click on Documents. Then, open the folder where you downloaded the documents to, in another window. Simply drag the files in the folder on your computer to Documents and they will be available on your phone.

Get your apps

As we stated last month, you can download the Switch to Windows Phone app from Google Play. Run the app, and link it with a Microsoft account. On your Windows Phone, download the companion app from the Store, open and run it. Your should be able to download compatible apps from there.

Move your SIM card/phone number

Moving to a new phone system can sometimes be confusing, especially in relation to SIM cards. For the vast majority of phones, you should be able to simply move your SIM card from one to the other and it should work. Many new phones use a new, smaller SIM card and if you use the older version, you will have to go into your mobile provider and ask them to switch your card. It shouldn't be very costly and many providers may even offer to do it for free.

The one thing to be careful with is if your Android device is on a contract. Some mobile carriers have been known to lock the SIM to the device, meaning it won't work if you switch phones. You will have to go into the mobile carrier and pay them to switch.

In general, moving from Android to Windows Phone is a painless affair that shouldn't take a long time, especially if you already sync your contacts, calendar and email with Gmail. If you are making the move and have further questions, please give us a call, we are happy to help.

For the past five years there have really been only two major smartphone systems: Android and Apple's iOS. Systems like the Windows Phone have been on the outside looking in. Microsoft aims to change that, and has been gaining ground, albeit slowly. The latest version of Windows Phone, Windows Phone 8, offers users a solid mobile system that will likely attract many business users. The problem is, it can be a bit of a chore to switch to a new system. However, Microsoft has recently released an app for Android users that makes this switch much easier.

If you have an Android phone and want to move over to a Windows Phone, Microsoft has recently released an app that can help. "Switch to Windows Phone", available on the Google Play store, is an app that scans your device for installed apps and then links them to your Microsoft Account. It will also tell you how many 'matched apps' are available for the Windows Phone.

Matched apps are either the Windows Phone version, or a similar app that has the same functionality. It is highly likely that you will see more than 70% of your Android apps available on the Windows Phone Store.

After you have matched your apps on the Android device, you can then download the companion app from the Windows Phone Store, log in to your phone using the same Microsoft Account and the app will show you the available apps and allow you to tap on them to install them.

If you have synced your contacts, email and calendar with a Google Account on your Android, you can also log into this on your Windows Phone and the three should sync automatically. This means that switching is technically as simple as signing into two accounts on your Windows Phone.

Looking to switch? Download the free Android app from Google Play here. You can find the free companion app on the Windows Phone Store here. Check back next month for an in-depth look at how to switch to a Windows Phone from another system. If you are considering switching, or would like to learn more about how a smartphone can help make business easier, contact us today.

When looking to purchase new technology for a business, many business owners or managers will take their time to shop around and look for the best option available. Nowadays, most of this research is done over the Internet. As you probably know, everyone has an opinion on the Internet, and this can make it harder to figure out which tech is actually good, and what isn't. This is especially true for Microsoft's new tablet, the Surface Pro.

Here's a brief overview of the four main pros and cons of the Microsoft Surface Pro.

Pros

1. Windows 8

The Surface Pro comes with Windows 8 Pro installed. This is the full version - all the functionality of the desktop is on the tablet. For businesses this means that almost any program you use on your Windows 8 desktop will also be useable on the Surface Pro; you can truly take the office with you.

If you don't use Windows 8 at the office, but use an older version of Windows, most programs will still work because Windows 8 supports many legacy Windows programs (Windows 7, Vista and some XP programs).

2. You can connect almost anything

Unlike similar tablet devices, the Surface Pro comes with a full USB port which can accommodate almost any USB device, including external hard drives. There is also a mini DisplayPort which, with an adapter, you will be able to connect an external monitor or projector to.

Beyond that, the Surface Pro also has a MiniSD card slot which allows for up to 64GB of extra storage space. There is also an attachable keyboard case which connects to the tablet by magnets, and gives users a full laptop style keyboard and mouse trackpad.

3. The screen is gorgeous

The 10.6 inch screen of the Surface Pro has a resolution of 1920X1080 pixels, which means the display is full HD. When comparing it to the screen of the iPad 4, most users will not notice much of a difference. For the visual experts among you, the resolution translates to a 16:9 ratio, which means the device is widescreen, much like modern laptop monitors.

4. It's powerful

The Surface Pro has a third generation Intel i5 processor and 4GB of RAM. This is similar to many mid-range laptops currently on the market and is miles ahead of any other business tablet currently available. What this means for most business users is that they will be able to run almost all of their business programs without a problem.

Cons

1. Battery life

Most 10-inch tablets will have between 6 and 10 hours of battery life under normal use conditions - some Web browsing, email, Wi-Fi on, movie playing and screen on a normal level of brightness. The Surface Pro will get around four hours, or less if you are working with programs that require more computing resources.

The reason for the lower than average battery life is largely due to the bigger, faster processor and the HD screen. On the other hand, the battery life is good when compared to similar laptops.

2. Mobility is limited

This device is meant to be held in landscape method (think of an open book). This is evident with the kickstand on the back of the device and the fact that the attachable keyboard cover is only useable in landscape mode.

What's more, the device is quite heavy for a tablet, many users won't be able to hold it for long periods. User reviews have also shown that with the keyboard cover attached, the device won't sit on a lap, only on a flat surface.

In other words, if you plan to move around a lot, or work with the tablet on your lap, you're going to have a tough time of it. It will be even harder if you have peripherals attached.

3. Storage space is limited

Looking at the Surface Pro website, you can see that it comes with two hard drive options - 64GB and 128GB. It's important to note that these numbers are the size of the hard drive before Windows 8 is installed. After the OS is installed, users will have a paltry 23GB and 83GB respectively. Want to install Microsoft Office 2013? Take off another 8GB.

On the plus side, there is a MicroSD slot which can support a card with up to 64GB of space, and the USB port allows you to connect an external hard drive, but that is hardly ideal especially if you are looking for a mobile solution.

4. The price

The Surface Pro is by no means cheap. The 64GB version costs USD$899 while the 128GB version costs USD$999. Want the keyboard cover? The soft version (Surface Touch Cover) costs an extra USD$119 while the hard version (Surface Type Cover) costs USD$129. Add in the cost of an extra hard drive, and this device could cost over USD$1,000. A laptop from a reputable manufacturer with similar hardware could cost as low as USD$500.

Should I buy it for my business?

While the price alone will put many prospective business owners off purchasing this device as a tablet, it is a viable solution that could, in theory, replace a laptop. If you are interested in purchasing a Surface Pro, or would like to know more about how it could fit into your business, please contact us today.

When it comes to mobile operating systems, the major manufacturers - Apple, Google - have been releasing new versions of the software on a near yearly basis. This has led to many to expect updates in a timely manner. When Microsoft announced that Windows Phone 7.5 users would have to purchase a new phone to get Windows 8, people were understandably upset. Now that the number of phones using Windows Phone 8 is increasing, the question being asked is if these too will be left out of the update cycle?

While Windows Phone 8 is hardly more than six months old, the next version of the OS is rumored to be in production behind closed doors. Microsoft hasn't made any public announcements, or shown off any updates so far. However, from leaks and news channels we know that the new update is code named Windows Phone Blue.

This is inline with Microsoft's rumored update scheme for Windows 8 - also codenamed 'blue' - which has proposed yearly updates. Chances are that future updates to mobiles will follow this as well. This speculation about future updates has some Windows Phone users a bit worried. Understandably so, you wouldn't want to purchase a new phone just to have to buy another a year later if you want an upgrade.

Speaking at a recent conference Microsoft's Senior Marketing Manager put users' minds at ease by saying, "we're going to have an upgrade path going forward." He also noted that the hardware and OS capabilities allow for upgrades.

What does this mean for my company? If you use an older version of any Windows Phone and are looking to upgrade, but have been hesitant to look at a newer version because of the lack of updates, this news is somewhat reassuring. We would recommend waiting until Microsoft officially announces this is in fact the case before you do upgrade. However. Any confirmations will likely be in the late spring, with an update appearing sometime after, or at the same time as the PC update.

If you would like to learn more about the Windows Phone, contact us today!

One of the keys to the success of the smartphone is usability and this usually comes in the form of programs commonly called apps. These apps are what allow your phone to be more smart - more-like than being merely just a regular, run-of-the-mill phone. Because of this, platforms are often judged by the content available in these stores. If you're a user of Microsoft's mobile platform you might have concluded that the content can be a bit sparse, but it is getting better.

The Windows Phone store is Microsoft's version of Apple App store or Google Play. Like the other platforms, this is the hub for all things Windows Phone. Almost all apps for devices running the OS can be found here.

Yes, the number of apps lags far behind the two bigger platforms, with slightly over 150,000 apps compared to Android and iOS which both have around 700,000 apps. However, this is no reason to write off the platform. In fact, in 2012 the number of apps in the Windows Phone store increased by over 75,000. Not only did the store grow, but so did the number of regional consumer markets. At the beginning of 2012 there was 35 regional markets, and by the end of 2012 this number had grown to 191.

According to a recent blog post on the Microsoft Windows blog, Microsoft is aiming to create a foundation for their mobile system. They started late last year with the release of Windows Phone 8. In 2013 they will continue to add to this foundation vetting all apps before they make it into the store, in an effort to keep malware away devices.

Phones running the Windows Phone 8 OS offer a solid platform that users can trust. Who knows, it could really take off in 2013. If you're interested in learning more about how Windows Phone 8 can be integrated into your business, give us a call.

When it comes to smartphones users are spoilt for choice as to which device they might want. When it comes to the operating system however, most chose from four options. One of these platforms uses modified versions of the Windows OS - Windows Phone. The latest release is Windows Phone 8 - an extension of Windows 8. It's enticing users to switch over and buy new Windows phones. If you do buy a new phone, you will need to set it up to meet your wants and needs first.

Here's how you can set up your new Windows Phone 8.

Email When you turn on your phone for the first time you will be guided through the setup process and be able to pick your location, time and date preferences, etc. You will also be asked to sign into your Microsoft account. For most users this will be either their outlook.com email account, or their Office 365 account. The phone will pull all of your contacts, emails and calendar dates from Outlook and add them to the respective tiles. From there you can also sign into your other accounts, and the phone should take care of the rest.

While you don't have to sign in using a Microsoft account, it's recommended that you do so as it will give you access to the Microsoft store where you can download apps and allow you to create backups and link with Microsoft's other services. You will be given the option to create a new account if you want.

Apps One thing that makes smartphones smart is apps. Apps are a largely personal choice; look at the apps on any one user's phones and each phone will be unique. The issue with apps is that we use so many, so it can be a pain to have to track them down and re-install them when you get a new phone.

If you are upgrading from an older Windows phone you can sign into your Microsoft account and go to My Phone and select Get to your apps. A list of all apps you have installed, using that account, will be shown, and you can pick and choose what apps you want to reinstall. Simply click on the app and it will be downloaded onto your new phone.

For first time users, or users who want a fresh install, you can download apps from the Windows Phone Store.

Organize start screen The Windows phone experience is oriented around tiles. A good way to think of these tiles are like advanced shortcuts, as by clicking on a tile you will open the related program. New Windows phones will have a number of pre-loaded tiles on the start screen.

The beauty of these tiles is that they are customizable. Tired of scrolling down to reach your email tile? Simply press and hold the tile and then move it around to where you like. You can also resize tiles by pressing the arrow on the bottom right of the box.

Downloaded apps will be placed into the Apps list (accessed by flicking to the left on the Start screen). You can create a tile for an app by selecting it and pressing the Pin icon which is located in the bottom left. When you do this, the tile will show up on the bottom of the Start screen.

Tinker with settings If you want to customize your phone you're going to have to tinker with the Settings. At first glance, Settings can be a little overwhelming, but after a bit of tinkering, they become powerful tools. We recommend that you take some time to play around with the settings and make the phone yours.

Most users customize their ringtone, background, backup and screens. Settings can be accessed by flicking to the left from the Start screen and selecting Settings. You can set your Ringtone or sounds by selecting Ringtones + Sounds.

After you have set up your new Windows phone how you like it, you are ready to go. Enjoy your new phone and if you have any questions, please give us a call.