As you may know, Microsoft's annual BUILD 2014 conference has wrapped up. At this year's conference, the Redmond company announced the hotly anticipated Windows Phone 8.1, a major update for its mobile platform. Windows Phone 8.1 brings a ton of new features, most notably the following:
CortanaiOS has Siri, Android has Google Now, so why should Windows Phone users not have their own virtual assistant? Enter Cortana, a potential search function replacement in WP that can set alarms, display reminders, make calls and send texts, and work with select third-party apps as well (Microsoft is working with Hulu Plus and Facebook). Natural languages ensures that users don't ever feel as if they are talking to a robot
The virtual assistant only gets smarter with age, learning from your past requests and searches. Microsoft says that Cortana will be able to read your email and then ask if you want to track a particular flight, something that was only recently introduced on Google Now. Additionally, asking a question like "what's up with <enter friend's name here>" will take you straight to their Facebook profile page. Cool, eh?
LockscreenMicrosoft is enabling developers to customize the Windows Phone lockscreen. Additional images, information etc. can be added to make it more interactive and useful at-a-glance, although details are still sketchy regarding the level of customization on offer. This feature is sure to get popular. Expect many lockscreen enhancement apps to pop up in Windows Phone Store in the near future.
HomescreenHomescreen wallpapers have finally arrived. Bored of the single-tone backgrounds? Well, WP8.1 allows users to set images from their gallery as the homescreen wallpaper. Also, the three-column live tile layout is coming to smaller devices (debuted on the Nokia Lumia 1520) with the update.
Action CenterEnvious of the drop down menus enjoyed by iOS and Android users? Well, you don't have to be anymore because Windows Phone has its very own Action Center. This expandable notification bar includes toggles for the most common functions such as WiFi, Bluetooth, etc. alongside app notifications (such as WhatsApp, text, emails, Facebook, etc.) in a manner that is similar to what can be found on Android.
Internet Explorer 11IE 11 brings an enhanced password manager, which will offer to save your passwords (no thanks!), thus allowing you to sync across multiple devices. inPrivate mode makes its debut, which is basically incognito browsing for you naughty fellows. Reading View can be thought of a reader extension, making it easier to read a long article on a website.
Etc.Windows Phone 8.1 will automatically accept the terms of use of networks that it deems trustworthy, and thus sign in to give you access to the internet. With snooping on the rise, one can never be careful enough. That's one area where this feature will come in real handy.
Also, Microsoft has added some IT-friendly features such as signed and encrypted messaging, enterprise VPNs, etc.
For those who text a lot, the keyboard now features Swype-like input, which can make typing and texting a heck lot faster.
AvailabilityPartnersAt BUILD 2014, Microsoft also announced several new partners for Windows Phone: Micromax, Karbonn, Gionee, Lenovo, XOLO, Prestigioare all new entrants to this field. Two Windows Phone 8.1 handsets are coming from Micromax and Prestigio, although they are still
According to Microsoft, devices with WP8.1 preinstalled should hit the market before the end of April itself, which is a pretty ambitious target. The update will be released to existing devices (support list wasn't announced) in the coming months.
source:nextpowerup
