Over in the UK it's normally just the big four mobile networks that make the headlines on a regular basis. This time around though it's MVNO giffgaff - which runs off the O2 network. For the first time, the carrier is having a change in direction and from the end of November will sell smartphones in addition to just SIM only deals. 

Zomato restaurant finder app gives you restaurant recommendations around you and lets you look at menus, pictures, contact info, and directions for 120,000 restaurants in 35 cities across 11 countries. The app allows you to check ratings and reviews of restaurants in your city which you can search for by location, cuisine, or name.

NFC is an area that so far Windows Phone and Android are beating Apple at. In fact, the iPhone doesn't even support NFC. While some NFC features are still limited on Windows Phone, it's a nice feature to have in a variety of scenarios. Automatically pairing your phone to your speaker is one example that's always demonstrated, but NFC can do so much more. Here's an NFC app for Windows Phone that's pretty unique. It's called NFC Toolkit and we're going to check it out.

Confession. Nokia Music recently became one of my favorite music services out there. It's in heavy rotation for me personally with other services like Xbox Music, SoundCloud, and Songza. The offline playlists were very welcomed on my Lumia 1020 during the 17 hour journey from California to Abu Dhabi for Nokia World. I've also been using the Windows 8 version app a lot. Sadly, that one wasn't updated for some of the new features available for Windows 8.1. Today's my lucky day, since Nokia has just released an update for Nokia Music on Windows 8. Let's check it out.

Xbox Live's Major Nelson posted a video on Vine, showcasing the Xbox One's ability to easily input and redeem codes. The process is simple: give a voice command, scan a QR code, and start gaming. How long does the entire process take, you ask? As the spirit of Vine would hint – six seconds.

If you have seen someone bragging that they are getting a free Xbox One from Microsoft, it might be true. The company has been sending out emails to "fans" and surprising them with free gifts, including Xbox One consoles and games, due to their loyalty.

The Nokia Lumia 2520 is launching pretty soon here in the United States and around the world. In fact, it's a few weeks away. As we just reported, mark November 22nd in your calendars for the day to pick up not just your new Lumia 2520 tablet, but your Xbox One and Lumia 1520. If you're a Verizon customer and plan on getting the tablet, you might want to wait a week and save $100 on it. Details below.

It was two weeks ago in Abu Dhabi at Nokia World 2013 that we finally saw the next flagship Windows Phone device – the Lumia 1520. It's the biggest Windows Phone device to date, packing a 1080p display into a 6-inch screen. It's powered by a Snapdragon 800, which is a 2.2GHz quad-core processor that will help you process those photos from the 20MP sensor with ease. Are you planning on getting one? Take our poll at let us know.

Microsoft, Nokia, AT&T and Verizon are planning for a big day on November 22

Last night, Microsoft evidently jumped the gun by listing the AT&T Nokia Lumia 1520 as available for pre-order on their website. Since we reported on that news, Redmond has pulled both the 1520 and its protective case from their online Store, suggesting that it was posted in error. Windows Phone Central stated that although November 15th was originally planned for the release, it had been pushed back one week to November 22nd.

Coincidentally, the Xbox One comes out that day too.

Now, Windows Phone Central has attained evidence that indeed, November 22nd will be "D-Day" for Microsoft and Nokia. While it has been known that Microsoft's next generation console will come out on that Friday, we have now learned that AT&T and Verizon will both launch Nokia's new Windows RT tablet, the Lumia 2520 on that day as well. Likewise, the Lumia 1520 will similarly launch on AT&T.

Internet Explorer is a fantastic browser on both your Windows PC, your Windows Phone device, and even your Xbox 360. Sure, we wish we'd get some cool extensions like the Reddit Enhancement Suite, but its lack of extensions is the only mark against it. The Windows Phone community may be on board with IE, but how do you get the general tech population to change its perception and sour taste left by IE6? With an anime of course. Check out the latest ad from Microsoft after the break.

It's no secret that Microsoft's at war with Google when it comes to email. Redmond has continuously attacked Google for crawling through emails that are believed to be private to provide better targeted advertisements to consumers. Microsoft has launched Keep Your Email Private, a new campaign to fight Google regarding this very concern. Do you use Gmail and/or are concerned about activities carried out by the Search? Read on past the break.

It was only earlier today when we looked at reports hinting that Microsoft was on the edge of announcing some changes to the Windows Phone and Windows developer account management. Redmond has now confirmed these changes in an announcement article on the official developer blog. So, as a recap, what exactly is changing?

While we wait for the official Instagram app to come to Windows Phone, we're happy using third-party apps like 6tag or Instance. If you're new to the social network, we've gathered 5 tips for you to use Instagram like a pro. 

Head past the break to see our video tutorial and get links to all the must-have apps for Instagram on your Windows Phone.

10Tons Ltd is a fantastic Windows Phone game developer and their latest offering doesn't disappoint. Trouserheart is a Windows Phone 8 game where you play the role of a King who has had his pants stolen.

Clad in heart print boxers, the King must travel the kingdom battling a wide variety of goons and bosses. All in an effort to find his stolen pants and restore order to the world.

Graphics are on par with all of 10Tons offerings (great), game play challenging and overall Trouserheart makes a very nice first impression.

The Skype apps on Windows 8 and Windows Phone have been involved in a rather heated, yet slightly humorous discussion in the past. Microsoft originally made it so consumers could not close down the app completely on either platform, unless you rebooted or uninstalled the app.

Cartoonist Scott Adams has published the above Skype comic, illustrating just how annoying this problem was (and still is) for some.

The popular app 6tag has received yet another update this week, this time adding a few new features to unofficial Instagram client.

It was back in September when developer Rudy Huyn released version 1.4 with the new Modern theme. That theme eventually got an all-black color layout to join the white and mixed selections. Now, version 2.1 finally brings those color choices to 'Polaroid', giving fans of the original UI design new color choices.

Wine is a pretty popular alcoholic beverage, at least it has been since about 5000 BC. If you're pretty familiar with wine you'd be aware that sometimes a nice Chianti goes well with liver and fava beans. Otherwise you've got a new app for Windows Phone called Plonk for if you're fairly new to wine or want to expand your knowledge. Let's check it out.

One fantastic accessory for the Nokia Lumia 1020 Windows Phone is the camera grip. It gives the Lumia 1020 a little more girth for the gripping and with the built-in battery the grip extends your camera time significantly.

While it would have been great if Nokia had threaded the camera lens opening on the grip to accommodate screw-on accessories, we've seen a few reader's tips for making due without. We've seen close-up filters taped to the camera to boost the Lumia 1020's macro abilities and now we've got a lens hood to reduce any lens flare bright lights may cause.

Microsoft is not new to the concept of donating software for those in need; every year, the company uses DreamSpark, BizSpark, and their team devoted to "corporate citizenship" to donate software and services around the world to those in need. Microsoft has also been noted to donate to nonprofits and have kept Office 365 free of charge to those who qualify. Now, the team up in Redmond will be adding Windows 8.1 to that list.

Microsoft's Internet Explorer has come a long way from the days of IE6 and may even represent one of the best touch screen web browsers around. Other third party companies don't want to be left out of the future though, and Firefox has been the strongest advocate as its beta version of Firefox for Windows 8 continues to be developed. Recently, a blog post by Mozilla's Brian Bondy, revealed that one annoyance of using Internet Explorer on the desktop and modern interface, will be remedied.

Many Apple users have been asking Microsoft when Office for iPad will be released, and to their dismay, the project is being delayed. While this may be a disappointing notice for iOS lovers, Microsoft fans should be excited, because the delay is a result of the company wanting to focus on Office "Gemini" – a touch optimized Windows 8 set of Office applications.

Although DI.FM (Digitally Imported) now has an official app for Windows Phone, we shouldn't forget the fantastic Beem Plus from developer Den Delimarsky. The official DI.FM app has some great features, but Beem Plus brings SkyDrive recording, Last.FM scrobbling, integration with the Xbox and Nokia Music stores and the ability to copy the track name.

Now, version 2.2 has landed in the Store and it take along with it two new features: Sleep Timer and a notification center (which actually came in version 2.1).

As it currently stands, should you wish to develop for both Windows 8 and Windows Phone, you'll need to take out two subscriptions - one for each platform. WPDang now reports that Microsoft is looking to combine both into a combined account, making it easier for developers to move from one platform to the next and cover not only the desktop but also the smartphone too.

Late last night we reported on the pre-order page for the AT&T Nokia Lumia 1520, the massive Windows Phone with a 6-inch, 1080P display. The listing was interesting because the price and release date were denoted, both of which were previously unknown. However, the Microsoft Store listing may have been posted in error.

First the bad news. Microsoft has now pulled the pre-order, meaning it was likely posted as a mistake. Second, we've heard from a highly reliable source that the Friday, November 15th date was the original plan but regrettably, it has been pushed back to Friday, November 22nd. That would partially explain why AT&T themselves do not have a preorder up for the 1520 and why Microsoft has pulled the listing.

Aria, the Siri-like personal assistant for Windows Phone, is free for a day on Windows Phone Store in India. 

The app is different from other similar apps for Windows Phone since it uses the native Windows Phone Speech Recognition for commands instead of processing on online servers. This way the app doesn't hit your mobile data usage much and also tends to works faster. Also, apart from the obvious US and UK English language support, the app works well for Indian accent as well.