The Microsoft Store application for Windows Phone was just updated to version 2.3. The change log describes improved customer experience in the catalog, but we're having a hard time agreeing. It's still a little slow and confusing to use. For example, there's no category for phones. You also need to use search to find Nokia Lumia devices.

The new version 2.3 now also displays ratings and reviews for products, as well as letting you add shortcuts to your favorite categories.

It's time to play. Today is the 22nd and by far one of the busiest days of the year for product launches if you're in the Microsoft ecosystem. We've got the Nokia Lumia 1520, Lumia 2520 and Xbox One all available today. The devices are impressive in their own categories, but we're here to talk Xbox and play with you.

Nokia Share has hit the Windows Phone Store shelves that will allow you to connect your Lumia Windows Phone with your Lumia Windows Tablet and share photos via Nokia's Storyteller app. 

Just run Storyteller on your Lumia 2520 Tablet and open Nokia Share on your Lumia Windows Phone.  The two connect over Wi-Fi and you will then be able to share your photos on the larger screen of the Lumia 2520.

Did you pick up an Xbox One? Microsoft just announced that they've sold more than one million consoles in the first 24 hours, so odds are you did. Microsoft is claiming this launch is their biggest in the history of Xbox, sales surpassed the same numbers for the Xbox 360 launch and set new records for Microsoft.

You can now add Amazon.com (U.S.) to the list of retailers carrying the AT&T Nokia Lumia 1520.  The 6" screened Windows Phone is listed in the white, red, yellow and black models for only $99.99 (after contractual discounts).

It does not appear the AT&T Next plan pricing is available through Amazon.com and if you want to go without the contractual discounts, the Lumia 1520 will cost you $799.99.  You do get a slight break with the black model that only costs $749.99 off contract.

While the Windows Phone Store now includes an official Instagram app, we still have some very respectable third party offerings.  One of which is Rudy Huyn's 6tag.

6tag received a minor update that takes the app to version 2.2.1.  There's not a change log listed in the Windows Phone Store but, according to Rudy's tweet, the update adds a hack to prevent your password from resetting while you are traveling.  We will guess there are a few minor bug fixes thrown in for good measure too.

Apict is a rather handy Windows Phone photography app that dates back to the days of Windows Phone 7.  Apict offers photo editing to give your pictures that retro Polaroid look.  The app has been consistently through the years and remains a solid performer.

Apict received another update today, taking the app to version 4.6.  The update mainly deals with fixing a few bugs but also comes with a temporary price reduction.

The festive season is well under way and what better way to keep the kids entertained than downloading free Disney games on their Windows Phones? The company has rounded up six Windows Phone games, making each one of them available for free. It's Disney's Season of Giving.

If there is one thing we can all agree on is that Windows Phone has some talented developers. Especially when it comes to design, which is heavily inspired by Microsoft's Modern UI principals.  

Today, I'm giving you an early look at a new calendar app headed to Windows Phone. Simply called 'Cal'. The app is superbly clean and minimalist looking, really eye catching. Even though we already have some great calendar apps like Simple Calendar and Chronos Calendar, Cal ranks right up there in my opinion.

So head past the break to see my video tour and some early screenshots.

TripAdvisor is one of the first apps to integrate with Bing Smart Search in Windows 8.1. The update brings the ability to quickly and easily compare hotel prices from the world's largest travel site, TripAdvisor.

If you're a Nokia Lumia owner, today is your day. Especially if you just bought a new device. It's been known that if you bought a Lumia 1520 from AT&T, you also nabbed a $20 Microsoft Store card. If you pre-ordered thru the Microsoft Store, well you probably don't even have your Lumia 1520 yet, but you did get a $70 voucher. So what to spend it on?

Nokia's exclusive Xbox Live collection is pretty impressive and evidently, they want you to have it. That's why they slashed prices on numerous titles and will be putting other titles on sale later in the month. So what are you getting?

A new video on the official Windows YouTube channel - New Devices for the new Windows - showcases new range of Windows devices that fits a variety of lifestyle scenarios.

Sozoom by Volevi is an exclusive app for the Nokia Lumia 1020 and Lumia 1520 that lets you add "zoom balloons" to your photos. It shows off how much you can really zoom with the special Pureview cameras featured in these two devices. It's a very simple app, but it's not perfect.

Head past the break to watch our walkthrough video.

Nokia has announced another exclusive app for their Lumia customers. Redbox Instant by Verizon is now live in the Nokia Collection and will allow users to stream movie content right to their Lumia Windows Phone. After 60 days, the app will go to all Windows Phone owners, so don't fret.

The Redbox service (US only) has a free trial and normally runs for $8 a month (and a $1 for Blue ray access), which is similar to what Hulu or Netflix charge. But in addition to just streaming, you can also rent up to 4 DVDs per month. That's kind of a really good deal, if you ask us. But it depends also on how many movies you watch (and how many on your phone).

A few weeks ago we told you about Readit, a new Reddit (reddit.com) app for Windows Phone 7.x and 8 devices. We liked it so much, we gave it our editor's choice for Reddit clients. Even though its 1.0 debut was one of the best we've seen for any app, there was room for improvement. As a few of you noted in comments, memory usage and performance could be better.

Luckily, the developers agreed with you as version 1.2 just went live in the Store. Its changelog is either the most detailed we've ever seen, or it's just so massive that the developers should be commended for their hard work. In fact, it's so big it's not listed in the app or the Store.

But you're at Windows Phone Central, so we have all the details…

If you're one of the lucky ones to pick up a Nokia Lumia 1520 on AT&T this morning, you may be looking for something to protect it. While ranges of styles for cases on these devices varies, today we're taking a look at the biggest one you can get, the leather wallet style.

As a throwback to the PDA days of yore, the E LV Deluxe PU Leather Wallet, which runs for a modest $10, offers solid protection and a few surprises. While its ability to make the Lumia 1520 even larger will be off putting for some, once you go this big, does it really matter?

Head past the break for some more pics and our video review.

If you have stopped to read this article, there is a good chance that you are now the proud owner of Microsoft's latest generation gaming and entertainment console, Xbox One!

We want to give you a quick start guide for getting that superb piece of hardware out of the box and under your television.

Today, the AT&T Nokia Lumia 1520 hit the store shelves but at the last minute, many received emails last night from AT&T and Microsoft's Online Store informing them of shipping delays. 

Citing overwhelming demand, pre-orders for the new Windows Phone would not ship as first planned.  When we first reported this, we were not sure how this delay would affect in-store inventory.

Audible is a popular audiobook service from Amazon, available on Windows 8, Windows Phone and other platforms. The apps enable you to download and enjoy books in a unique way. We've just been made aware of an update that has been pushed out, version 8.1.4.8.

Today, the Nokia Lumia 2520 tablet, running Windows RT 8.1 is available in the US on AT&T and Verizon Wireless. Fetching for $399 on contract ($499 without), the tablet won some high praise from us (with only a few criticisms) in our review.

The Nokia Power Keyboard is an optional accessory for the tablet that packs quite a punch. It has a built-in battery to offer a claimed 50% more power (5 hours), two-full USB ports, the keyboard, and it acts like a cover for the device as well. In other words, it turns a high performing tablet into a reasonable work station, with nearly 15 hours of total power.

It's certainly no secret that Xbox One has launched in a number of markets, one being the UK. We went along to the launch event at Leicester Square, London last night to enjoy some live music and video game demos. We were also able to grab a day one unit from GAME at the indoor section of the evening (thank goodness as it was bitterly cold outside).

Head on past the break for some images and details from the evening as it progressed.

Style Jukebox (www.stylejukebox.com) has been available on the Windows Phone Store for some time. The team behind the apps and service has partnered with ourselves to give away 10 premium accounts. If you're using the service, but haven't yet upgraded, this special November giveaway will be right up your street.

If you're into some more minor updates this morning, we (and Nokia) have your back. The Extras + Info app has been updated, though if you're interested in some new features, you'll be hard pressed to find 'em.

Are you picking up the Xbox One today with Call of Duty: Ghosts or Battlefield 4? If you're into first-person shooter games, then there's an interesting accessory you might want to check out. It's called HipShotDot, and we've got a demo to show you.

Head past the break to watch the video walkthrough with its creator, Tim Murphy.

Good news for those on Verizon and yearning for the official version of Update 3 aka GDR3. Verizon is now pushing out that update (3 for the OS, 1 for firmware) to all HTC 8X Windows Phones now, though of course you could manually force-check the update. We hear nearly 1 GB of spare storage may be needed to install the update, which should be done over Wi-Fi.

Update 3 brings a cluster of new features to Windows Phone, including Driving Mode, Bluetooth fixes, enabled Wi-Fi during device setup and of course, screen orientation lock. You can read the full changes in our Update 3 article to learn more.