Microsoft just
launched its latest update for developers, Windows Phone 8.1. Calling it an
update would be wrong though, it's like a whole new operating system. I tested
the WP 8.1 on Nokia Lumia 520 and here are the best new features:
Cortana: With its personal assistant named
Cortana Microsoft has added the best of both iOS' Siri and Android's Google
Now. Your personal assistant will do tasks for you as you say them. It'll even
tell you joke when you are sad.
The Notification Center: Microsoft finally added a swipe down
notification center which will contain all your notifications. All the toast
notification will get added here unless you clear them. This screen will also have
shortcuts for four or five settings' shortcuts to toggle options like Bluetooth, WiFi
etc.
Internet Explorer 11: The new internet explorer is faster
and better. It can save your passwords, handle many tabs and can play youtube
videos. HTML5 support has been added. And, finally you can
download music and videos instead of streaming them online.
The Swype Keyboard: You can now swipe through letters
and your keyboard will write the words for you. Emoticons now show up in
suggestions.
Contacts & Call: You now have an option to show
contacts only with a phone number. You can view call details by pressing and
holding a contact in the history.
Other features:
a) Apps can now be stored on SD card.
b) Installed apps can be filtered in Store by usage and install date.
c) Option to automatically update apps added.
d) Calendar has been revamped.
e) Camera app now has a new layout with burst mode.
f) VPN support.
g) Changed layout of call screen.
h) You can now search in SMS threads.
i) You can now connect your device to projector and project it.
j) You can add a wallpaper on live tiles.
b) Installed apps can be filtered in Store by usage and install date.
c) Option to automatically update apps added.
d) Calendar has been revamped.
e) Camera app now has a new layout with burst mode.
f) VPN support.
g) Changed layout of call screen.
h) You can now search in SMS threads.
i) You can now connect your device to projector and project it.
j) You can add a wallpaper on live tiles.
Note: Installing WP 8.1 (developer preview) will nullify your phone's warranty if any. Also you cannot revert back to previous version once 8.1 is installed.
- Go to appstudio.windowsphone.com and click on 'Start New Project'.
- Log in with your Microsoft ID and choose any template like Empty App for example.
- Now go to store on your Windows Phone and search for an app named, 'Preview for Developers'. Download and install it.
- Open the app, choose necessary options and log in using your same Microsoft with which you registered on AppStudio when asked.
- Close the app when all is done and go to settings > phone update and check for updates.
- You may have to download few updates before you actually get 8.1 but it is worth the wait.
- Go to settings > region (after installing 8.1)
- Change your region to United States.
- Restart the phone.
- Go to settings > languages.
- Change your language to English (United States) and move it to the top if it is not already there.
- Restart the phone.
- Now you can access Cortana by tapping the Search key.