Windows Phone 8 “Rooms” on Android and iOS

Perhaps one of the most exciting yet under exposed features of Windows Phone 8 is “Rooms.” Rooms offers a central location for you to connect and share media, messages and even locations with who ever you please. Think of it as a BBM or iMessage with added features. Also adding to the value of room, it was developed in such a way that iOS and Android members could be kept in the look even if they weren’t on a Windows Phone device. Wow!

The folks at wmpoweruser were able to dig up a post detailing how to make sure you’re ready to get Rooms up and running on both Android and iOS.

On iOS:

To access the shared Calendar : Add your Microsoft account as an email account on your device. Then the room calendar will show up alongside your other calendars, with the same name as the room.

To access shared photos and videos: Use the free SkyDrive app and sign in to the app with your Microsoft account. The room photos will show up as a shared folder, with the same name as the room.

To access shared notes: Get the free OneNote app from your app store, and sign in to the app with your Microsoft account. The room notes will show up as a shared notebook, with the same name as the room.

On Android:

To access the shared Calendar : First get the free Hotmail app from Google Play, and sign in to the app with your Microsoft account. Then go to the calendar app on your device to turn on the room calendar. It will show up with the same name as the room. Note: Due to differences in software versions and devices, not all features may work exactly as they do on Windows Phone 8.

To access shared photos and videos: Get the free SkyDrive app from your app store, and sign in to the app with your Microsoft account. The room photos will show up as a shared folder, with the same name as the room.

To access shared notes: Get the free OneNote app from your app store, and sign in to the app with your Microsoft account. The room notes will show up as a shared notebook, with the same name as the room.