Sneak Peek into the latest Windows Phone 8.1 update features
Your Perception about Windows Phone has been of an ergonomic phone mostly for satisfying your official wants and needs. Now windows have given the latest update to its OS that is the Windows 8.1. It has a bagful of features which will change your perspective about the phone.
It was launched at the keynote address of the Build 2014 Conference. The features of the new Windows 8.1 are :
Home Screen Makeover
Windows Phone users might have been cribbing about the fact that they are unable to change the background of the tiles (previously it had just offered in some solid colors). Now with the latest feature of ‘Start Background’ user can choose an image to be his background.
Windows Phone 8.1 update even has provision to accommodate more and more apps in a limited area.
Action Center – High-End Notification Bar
To compete Android devices with its detailed display of notification the Windows Phone 8.1 update has given a strong competition that’s the – Action Center. Basically “Action Center” features a drop-down notification bar which visually somewhat look similar to that of the android phones.
The best part of this new Action center is that you can even access it through your lock screen. In my view, it is easy, handy and comfortable.
Cortana to take on Apple’s SIRI and Android’s Google Now
One of the biggest highlights of the latest Windows Phone 8.1 Update is Cortana. Its Microsoft’s own virtual voice-based assistant. The best part of Cortana is that you can access it by pressing the search button. One problem of it is that it is optimized to US accents. Leaving the global users in a dismay
Cortana made it possible that the tough looking Phone even has a friendly corner. You can talk to Cortana about your interest, where you study, and so on. With this app, you can send messages, schedule calendar events and so on.
Word Flow
One of the recent buzzes in the market is the introduction of Word Flow in Windows Phone 8.1 update. Basically, it is similar to Samsung’s Swype. With this, you can fast type the words. As your finger moves a snaking line appears predicting words from its internal dictionary. It’s pretty good for those whose typing speed on mobile is ultra fast.
New Update, New Skype
Microsoft over the time has taken a considerable time in integrating Skype. With the latest Windows 8.1 update, you can switch a regular call with a Skype Video Call at a press of a button. With the advent of the personal Phone assistant, Cortana can assist you to set up Skype call without even touching the phone.
The Shutterbug Phone
Windows left no stone unturned by exemplifying their imaging experience. There has been a whole big revamp on the Camera Roll. The Smart Shots, Cinema graphs, and Refocus photos mode can now be easily reached via the Camera roll. It has even provided Burst mode features for Continuous Clicking of the Photos.
Sense it Everywhere
Windows has provided a big array of Sense applications which includes Data Sense, Wi-fi Sense and Storage Sense.
Data Sense gives the user a specific and concentrated overview of the data usage that can be easily divided into various time period as the user demands.
While Wi-fi sense helps to automatically connect to nearby Wi-fi hotspots in order to save your mobile data.
File managers, SD card storage issues have been a problem with the Windows Phone users. It can all be solved with the Storage Sense which helps to cope with content stored on SD card as well as the inbuilt storage by helping the movement of files from SD Card to Internal memory and Vice versa.
Other Interesting Updates of Windows Phone 8.1 Update
- The onscreen keys will now be featured at the bottom of the display rather than three capacitive buttons at the bottom of the front panel
- Internet Explorer 11 has also been introduced to allow fast browsing, in private browsing and handy reading
- Newer Lock Screens are to be displayed which gives users the delight to choose between their favorite lock screens
Are you a Windows Phone user? If yes, then what is your take on the new Windows Phone 8.1 Update? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
You may also like to read: A walkthrough Nokia History | How to use WhatsApp on Computer
Click here to find Windows Phone 8.1 devices on Flipkart.
Pics Courtesy: windowsphone.com
Woaahhhh …. amazed … good to know about the features .. thnx unn
Welcome to Telecom Panda Yashika and keep visiting to read more.
The update looks awesome and so does the review……
Welcome to Telecom Panda Harneel and keep visiting.
The article was well written . but i find that most of the update have been copied either from android devices or apple phones. For example cortana , action centre and all.theres nothing fresh and abreast about this update.
Welcome back Pulkit. End of the day nearly all mobile OS provide same features just the user interface will be different.
My friends had told that there have been a lot of problem with regard to whatsapp that you can’t send in music from your phone to other phone.are all these minor problems fixed in this update?
Welcome to Telecom Panda Nathan. In Windows Phone, earlier you even can’t send prerecorded videos through Whatsapp and all you can send is, record the video and then send instantly. But in the update they allowed to send even prerecorded videos through Whatsapp.
For sending prerecorded music or the one you got from someone else, there is a workaround which will allow you to send even prerecorded music too. Though it will not be as easy like just clicking forward and send in Android but it will allow you to send the music at least.
It is not an issue nor a bug in Windows Phone but due to security reasons Windows do not allow to send the music through Whatsapp because it could be vulnerable to your phone according to Windows. Nevertheless, you can still use the workaround for sending music to your friends through Whatsapp using Windows Phone 8.1.
So basically windows just mashed up htc sense and ios and android into one huh? While that looks good on paper, makes me wonder will it b worth buying the phone considering there arent still as many windows sw developers out there.
Welcome to Telecom Panda Faffa. Mostly every popular Apps and Games are available at Windows Phone Store. Android being open source could be manupulated by developers but Windows seems to be more secure like iOS. In the end its depends on your personal choice.
Which one you think is the best WP 8.1 phone with good camera under 15 k budget?
Welcome back Aniket. You can choose from Nokia Lumia 620 or Nokia Lumia 630. Check the below links for futher details :
Nokia Lumia 620
Nokia Lumia 630
Informative article
Welcome to Telecom Panda Anurag. Keep visiting to read more informative articles.
Buddy awesome article….thankz for the information regarding to windows update 8.1 version….I hope that every one know about this regarding article …..
Welcome to Telecom Panda Pratik . Keep visiting.
Good work. Hope to see more and more article.
Welcome to Telecom Panda Kashyap. Keep visiting to read more articles.
Fantastic one unni
Welcome to Telecom Panda Susmit . Keep visiting.
Well done bro….
Welcome to Telecom Panda Anirudh. Keep visiting.
Wow……good to see the updates thnks unni hope it helps me.
Welcome back Deep. Glad to hear that you liked the article written by Unni.
Thanks again Unni for this amazing and exceptional info about the phone:)
Welcome to Telecom Panda Mohit. Keep visiting.
Gr8!! Nw windows has improved in recent years!! Delighted n can’t wait to use!! N gr8 Unni!! 🙂
Welcome to Telecom Panda Ninad. Visit again for more such articles.
That was a great description 🙂 well done Unni 😀
Welcome to Telecom Panda Timshar. Keep visiting.
Good work 😀 Keep it up!
Welcome to Telecom Panda Abdul. Keep visiting.
Fantastically written article……
Welcome to Telecom Panda Viraj. Visit again for more articles.
I hve updated it and its awesome
Glad to hear that you are enjoying the Windows 8.1 update Akshay.
Great description unni about the phone nd hope so it will help me with my phones new apps
Welcome to Telecom Panda Siddham. Keep visiting.
Can’t wait for the update to arrive on HTC….nice descriptions (y)
Welcome to Telecom Panda Akash. Hope you get the update for HTC soon.
Good work! Unni bhai 🙂
Welcome to Telecom Panda Akash and keep visiting.
Really…. Informative forum…
It has been very confusing to understand technical difference between OS….which has been cleared here..
More lovingly… Some hidden features has been updated .
Good Unni..
Nice to read such article..
Regards
Welcome to Telecom Panda Brijesh. Glad to hear you like the article written by Unni. Keep visiting.
Good job unni…good to know so much about the features …And do keep updating us.
Welcome to Telecom Panda Vishal. Keep visiting.
The review seems verry well written and very informative. I’m buying a new windows 8.1 device!!
the site gives great info!
Thanks for it!!!
Welcome to Telecom Panda Shobik. Glad to hear that you are planning to purchase a new windows phone. Go for the best options available as per your budget.
That looks amazing! The storage sense thing blew my mind! Definitely worth a try! Good job unni.
Welcome to Telecom Panda Raoul and keep visiting.
Awesome article, Unni. Seriously, Windows is gonna give a tough beat to Android this time.
Welcome to Telecom Panda Harsh. Ya, this time Windows came with some great features in the latest update.
nice one unni… really informative and a good article….!! hope to see more and more in the coming future..!!
Welcome to Telecom Panda Chirag. Keep visiting for more stuff.