Quick Tip: Listen to music with Zune in any web browser, no device required

Here's a Quick Tip!

Sure, Spotify is the new hotness in the social music service world but one of the biggest limitations we see with the service is the lack of any other portals for you to access music. Currently if you're with the free ad-supported service the only option you have is the desktop software; only if you pay extra do you get access to smartphone apps (but Windows Phone is currently out of the picture). Well if you have a Windows Phone than you're probably more interested in Zune anyway and we have good news for you: to listen to music, all you need is a web browser.

Yes that's right, all you have to do is browse on over to Zune.net in any Silverlight-supporting browser and you can listen to all of the music you want if you have a Zune Pass. At $15/month the service is more expensive than Spotify's basic free service, but you do get 10 DRM-free song donwloads each month (worth about $10 on its own) and really amazing integration with your Windows Phone. If you want to see how Zune Pass fares, go get the 14-day free trial.

Quick Tip: Search Through Your Call History

Here's a Quick Tip for your Windows Phone:


The Search functionality in Windows Phone 7 isn't exactly as versatile as some would want. Universal Search is a feature sorely missing and even searching through apps would be welcome (which is luckily on the way). However, wherever Windows Phone 7 does search it does it extremely well. Did you know that you can search through your Call History? Here's the breakdown:

1. Begin on the Start page (if you're not there yet, just tap on your  key.
2. Tap on the Phone Tile.
3. The first think you should see is a page entitled Call History. From there just press your key. Then the keyboard will pop up from below and a search field will drop from the top (see picture above for demonstration).

That's it! It's not exactly the same as Smart Dialing on other phones, but at least similar functionality is there.

Quick Tip: Uninstalling Apps

Here’s a Quick Tip for your Windows Phone:
Unlike other phones, Windows Phone currently has an ability that really should be present on all phones: the ability to remove apps, specifically the ones you don't want. For example, if you have an AT&T device you will likely have a bunch of AT&T-branded apps you don't want (and you may have received some more today too). Luckily if for some reason you don't want apps like AT&T Radio or AT&T Address Book on your phone, here's the simple solution:

1. Navigate to your Start page. You can quickly get there by pressing the  key.
2. Now swipe your finger to the right or press the arrow button to get to the App List.
3. Now in the app list, scroll down to the icon/name of the app you want to uninstall.
4. Tap and hold on the item for a few seconds.
5. Let go once you see a white option list appear underneath the app. Then tap uninstall.

With Windows Phone 7 it really is that simple and now that app will never pester you again.

Need some more help? Read our other Quick Tips!