Live, love, laugh

Hi! I'm Katie. This used to be for my Windows ambassador musings, but now it'll just be me chatting about anything I fancy - musical theatre, technology and maybe the odd holiday snapshot.

[katieh91]

After the new developer preview update for Windows Phone 8.1 became available this morning, I decided to have a play with my background and tiles as they've been unchanged since I got 8.1 a few months back. Now I just have to choose which one's my favourite.

All pictures are ones I've taken myself, let me know if you'd like any of them for your phone.

[katieh91]

Competition time!

Windows Access All Areas are giving you the chance to win a Sony Vaio! 

Head over to their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/windowsaccessallareas?fref=nf

and follow the instructions on the post! 

T&Cs: http://msft.it/61859ZiD 

Good luck!!

[katieh91]

Nokia Storyteller app

Holiday photos - amazing to look at, dull to organise.

After a week in Tuscany I decided to check out an app I've had on my phone for a while but never used - Nokia Storyteller Beta.

I don't think I've ever been more impressed by an app. This little gem organises your photos by location and time, giving your photos a whole new meaning and making them into life events which you can share with friends and family, or simply reminisce over!

Not only does it show you neat groups in the timeline, but you can zoom in and out of the map to see exactly where you took them (which is surprisingly accurate) - much easier than trying to remember which photo was taken where!

You can find out a more here: http://www.windowsphone.com/en-in/store/app/nokia-storyteller-beta/b0940143-e67e-4f74-8f68-16b7ad872dd2, but I'd seriously recommend having a play with this app for yourself!

[katieh91]

Nokia camera tested to the max

I've just got back from a wonderful holiday in Tuscany, seeing the tourist towns (Florence and Pisa) and a few others too. The one thing that bugged me while I there though was the way people walk straight across in front of your camera when you're taking a photo meaning you have wait for the perfect opportunity to take the photo again, which, in busy tourist areas, are few and far between!

Luckily for me, I didn't have such a problem as I had my Nokia Lumia 925 with Smart Cam app/Smart Sequence. If you haven't seen this amazing app, you NEED to check it out!

Simply put, it takes a 'burst' shot (5 photos in quick succession) and then lets you choose the best one. When someone walks in front of you while you're taking a photo you can simply remove them from the shot - incredible!

Here's just one of the photos I took in Florence. You'd never guess I've removed a car:

Check out more about the app here: http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/app/nokia-smart-cam/73e1801b-916e-4db5-87ba-65fbc8dfd8fc

[katieh91]

Voting is now open in the University of Surrey Students' Union elections 2014!

By registering your vote you not only have a say in the union's future, but you are also in with the chance of winning a Microsoft Surface Windows RT tablet - what more could you ask for?!

Check your emails for your unique voter code, or find one of the voting booths on campus today and tomorrow.

[katieh91]

The snap function in Windows 8 and 8.1 is one of my favourite for productivity, which all students can do with a helping hand in! Some of these features are only available in 8.1, so if you haven't updated yet but are interested, drop me a note and I'll give you hand.

P.S. Apologies for the shaky video, my stand isn't working so it's all handheld today!

[katieh91]

People are always wowed by the picture password on my Windows 8 devices. Here’s how to set it up!

[katieh91]

The search function in Windows 8 and 8.1 allows you to search your device, apps and the web, making your searches more productive every time.

[katieh91]

The next of my video demos is the Charms bar. This tool can help you find your way around Windows 8/8.1, and has a never ending list of useful features. Have a play and see what you can discover!

[katieh91]

Over the holidays I did a couple of demos via Snapchat to friends who had got Windows 8/8.1 devices for Christmas.

This got me thinking that a lot of students might have been given new devices for Christmas that they're a little lost with, so over the next few weeks I'll be uploading video demos of some of the most common features people ask me to help with.

Today's demo is of the start screen and live tiles, one of my favourite bits of Windows 8.

If you have anything specific you'd like me to cover, or any questions about what I've covered in the videos drop me a note - I'm here to help you!

[katieh91]

Haven't managed to grab me for a Windows Phone demo yet? You can now meet your Windows Phone on this great site. Just sign in with Facebook and start discovering your very own start screen!

[katieh91]

Microsoft internships/placements

The deadline for intern/placement year applications is just 3 weeks from today!

I was lucky enough to get an internship with Microsoft last year, which helped me get my ambassador role. The experience you gain and responsibility you are given are second to none. I had the best year of my lie last year, so why not give it a try - who knows where it could take you!

Make sure you don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity - apply now! 

For some great application and interview advice, check out the intern and graduate run BeYourFuture blog.

[katieh91]

Today, Windows Phone UK showed us some of their favourite cityscape shots taken with a Lumia.

Here's one of my best shots from Chicago this summer. What's your best cityscape from your smartphone?

[katieh91]

Lumia black update is here!

It's been a while since my last update (been too busy demoing to you all!), but today's a good one.

As I read the Windows Phone Central blogs I stumbled across this great article about 2 new Nokia apps which are available with the Lumia black update: Storyteller and Beamer.

I quickly ran an update check on my phone, and voila! I'm now on Lumia black! (If you're eagerly awaiting the update, I'd recommend checking manually. Although my settings will install automatically once the push comes through, you can often get it earlier by manually checking! Simply go to Settings > Phone Update > Check for updates)

Available for Lumia 925 and 1020, what does Lumia black actually include?:

App folder application - allowing you to group applications and clean up your stat screen

Glance Screen - New colours for night mode, notifications, pedometer, custom text and calendar information

RAW camera support for both the Lumia 1020 and Lumia 1520

New camera algorithms, notably for the Lumia 1020 with tone mapping and noise reduction

Bluetooth 4.0 LE

Find out more with this video from the Nokia guys themselves!

[katieh91]

Is a tablet on your Christmas list? Or do you know someone who wants one? As a student you can now get the 32GB Surface RT for under £225, and great deals are also available on the Surface 2, Pro, and Pro 2!

As I've mentioned previously, I couldn't think of a better device for students, but I've found these are loved by everyone, old, young, tech-savvy or just wanting a tablet for games and books, so don't miss out this Christmas!

[katieh91]

As you'll have seen, I love my Lumia 925, so today I took it out for a stroll around our stunning campus here at Surrey. Here are just a few of the shots I took...

[katieh91]

Snapchat and Instagram now available for Windows Phone #switch

For all those Instagram and Snapchat lovers out there, you may like to check out the Windows Phone store.

Intagram's official client launched yesterday, and Rudy Huyn's eagerly awaited "6snap" is also available, and looking rather wonderful!

On top of all of this, Windows Phone are giving away a Nokia Lumia 1020! Just follow them on Instagram for more details: http://msft.it/6183jbKL

Now there's no excuse not to #switch