Instagram client 6tag updated to version 2.0, lets you do collage and adds dark theme support.

I never showed any interest for Instagram on my Galaxy Nexus. The latter being an Android phone, it has the official Instagram app which I did not find appealing. Hence my non-interest for the online photo sharing platform now owned by Facebook. Windows Phone has still not been blessed with an official client of Instagram. While this is a point that Windows Phone bashers like to bring forward, I think it is a good thing because Windows Phone already has an excellent Instagram client with 6tag. This app got me hooked to Instagram while the official app on my Galaxy Nexus failed. Plus the app has been getting more updates lately then the official one. Let's not indulge into platform bashing. It's pointless.

6tag has a received a major update today bringing its version to 2.0. Besides the version number change, the app got a slew of features.

What's new:

- create collage with a lot of customization
- blur your pictures using your finger
- can display full-screen posts
- new color theme : full dark color
- save your pictures on your phone when you post in high quality (up to 2048x2048)
- upload pictures using the new instagram and better picture quality (640x640 instead of 612x612)

6tag is of course free to download on the Windows Phone Store.

IM+ gets updated with image preview and more.

Version 2.9 of IM+ has been published to the store today with a slew of new features for the multi-platform IM service. Top of the list is support for image preview in chat window. A feature that is now common in any messaging service. But remember, IM+ is a different beast in that it brings almost all popular IM platforms under one roof. As such, Skype, Yahoo! and Jabber are capable of receiving files directly within IM+. These updates apply to both the paid and free version of IM+.

Here's the full list of added features in version 2.9:

- Image preview in chat window
- Ability to receive files in Skype, Yahoo! and Jabber
- Ability to send voice and video messages
- New set of emoticons
- Arabic localization
- Option to not display "On Mobile" contacts 

- Bug fixes and performance improvements 

IM+ supports the following IM services:

Skype, Facebook, Google Talk, AIM, Yahoo!, ICQ, Jabber, VKontakte, Yandex IM, Mail.ru Agent, Odnoklassniki.ru, Mamba, Fetion, RenRen, Sina Weibo, Mig33, Gadu-Gadu, MeinVZ, Beep and MSN/Windows Live

Download: Free IM+

Download: IM+ Pro ($3.49)

Microsoft announces Windows Phone 8 Update 3 and developer preview program.

Microsoft released an announcement today about GDR3 or update 3 for Windows Phone 8. The update adds support for higher screen resolution, new features like Driving mode which lets you get from point A to point B with fewer distractions; new accessibility features; improved Internet Sharing and more. Use the link below to learn more.

Besides the update 3 announcement, Microsoft also announced the availability of the preview to developers. To participate, phone must be developer unlocked and you're a registered Windows Phone Store developer. The preview will be available sometime later today. 

Source: Windows Phone Blog