Microsoft has confirmed that the new EdgeHTML.dll rendering engine for Internet Explorer is being used in the newly launched Windows 10 techical preview for phones. The new engine is already being used in the Windows 10 preview for desktops.

At the moment, the just-released Windows 10 preview for phones supports just six low-to-mid end Lumia devices. As luck would have it, Amazon is running a sale on the AT&T Lumia 635 for just $49.84 and it happens to be one of those lucky six Lumia Windows 10 preview devices.

Sadly, there are no official plans to launch phones or tablets in Western markets

Speaking at a press event today in San Francisco, Hugo Barra of Xiaomi said that the Chinese company intends to launch its direct-to-consumer Mi.com store in the U.S. very soon. The current time table given for a launch is “a few months” — but unfortunately for fans (or potential fans) of Xiaomi’s phones and tablets the initial launch will be limited to simpler, non-phone products.

Xiaomi makes far more than just phones — headphones, power banks, routers, smart home items, even air purifiers, and those items are far easier to bring to market in new areas. Issues with localization of hardware and software of phones, as well as certification to run on new networks and sell in new countries, present very interesting challenges to entering a big new market like the U.S.

If you decide to take the dive and install today’s Windows 10 phone preview, chances are you’ll encounter some bugs along the way. If things get a little too hairy for you, Microsoft has a nifty recovery tool available that will roll your device back to Windows Phone 8.1.

There’s some good news for iOS developers and those looking for higher quality games alike: Apple has increased the size limit of apps on the App Store from 2GB to 4GB. From Apple:

The size limit of an app package submitted through iTunes Connect has increased from 2 GB to 4 GB, so you can include more media in your submission and provide a more complete, rich user experience upon installation. Please keep in mind that this change does not affect the cellular network delivery size limit of 100 MB.

While this change will mostly effect game developers, allowing them to use higher quality assets in their games, Apple notes that developers and users will still have to contend with the 100MB cellular download limit per app.

Microsoft has posted a list of current known issues with the just-released Windows 10 Technical Preview for phones. Many of those issues do have workarounds or will be fixed in future preview releases:

Apple has announced a change to TestFlight, its beta distribution platform, that allows developers to designate specific groups for testing. With this change, developers will be able to push specific builds and instructions to different groups of testers.

From Apple:

Now it’s easier than ever to manage external testers in TestFlight. Organize your testers into groups to quickly send specific builds, provide separate instructions on where to focus, and apply an action to several testers at once in TestFlight.

This change should make it easier for developers to pinpoint and assign testing of certain issues to specific groups of testers.

Source: Apple

Windows Central Roundup: Windows Phone Apps for Valentine’s Day

In case you’ve forgotten in all the excitement over the release of the Windows 10 Technical Preview for phones, Valentine’s Day is this Saturday. If you have completely forgotten about this special day, we have a few Windows Phone apps that might keep you out of hot water with your significant other. There’s no guarantee that these apps will save your kiester but may make the difference in showing up empty handed or having to wait at the restaurant without a reservation.

These Windows Phone apps may also help those who have already planned for Valentine’s Day add a little something, something to help make the day more special. We’ll toss out our choices and if you have any to add to the list, jump in and toss out your recommendations in the comments below.

NewEgg has apparently become the first US retailer to sell the unlocked Lumia 435. It’s official website has the low-end Windows Phone from Microsoft available for the price of $109.99.

Safe Mode is a useful tool, provided you know how you got there in the first place

Safe Mode is one of those “features” that you’re more likely to stumble across accidentally than seek out and use on purpose, but in either case it’s important to know what it’s all about. It’s a very helpful troubleshooting tool to diagnose when you’re having problems with your phone, letting you temporarily turn off user-installed apps. But even if you don’t end up needing it for its intended purpose, knowing how to get back from an accidental boot into Safe Mode is also a helpful bit of knowledge to have.

Let us show you the ins and outs of Safe Mode on the Galaxy Note 4.