“Lumia Denim” – Features List: brings 4K recording, ‘Hey Cortana’ voice activation to Windows Phone

lumia-denim-software-update

Today at the MoreLumia event in Berlin, Microsoft didn’t only announce the new Lumia line-up which included the Lumia 830, Lumia 730 Dual SIM and Lumia 735 but also announced the 4th Lumia software update called “Lumia Denim”.

New “Lumia Denim” software update will add extra enhancements to the already announced Windows Phone 8.1 update 1 which is currently available as preview for developers.

Windows Phone 8.1 GDR1 or update 1, already released as preview for developers and yet to come to consumers in last quarter of the year 2014 Q4. You must have read extensive detail about the software update earlier. A quick list follows below.

Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 Features
  • Cortana – will be available in the UK and China as a Beta. India, Canada and Australia will have access to Cortana as a public Alpha. For US residents, Cortana now includes an improved natural language, car kit integration via Bluetooth for contacts, snooze reminders and calendar improvements.
    If you are out of the supported country and still out of luck to use Cortana? you better head over to know how you can turn on Cortana on your Windows Phone.
  • Live folders – With the update 1 on Windows Phone 8.1 Live Folders are to categorize your Live Tiles into a group. Each folder can be renamed by tapping on the text field above the open folder. (Read more)
  • Apps Corner –  to limit access to a select apps to people who want to use your phone. Apps Corner is best for users who use their phone more for productivity and usually have personal, important and protected data into their smartphones as it’s fine to hand your phone over to your friend, colleague or anyone with a limited access to a handful of apps.
  • SMS merge and forwarding – With the update 1 to Windows Phone 8.1 will bring ability to select multiple SMS messages for deletion and forwarding.
  • Snooze Times – Update 1 enables Windows Phone 8.1 to customize the snooze time within the Alarm app.
  • Consumer VPN – Maintain privacy and security when using data while connected to public Wi-Fi hotspots or even with your home Wi-Fi.
  • Mobile Web Site improvements in IE – Connect and browse even faster with improved downloading speeds on mobile websites.
  • Store Live Tile (US only) – The Store Live Tile displays featured apps and games that are the most popular in the Store, or most relevant for you.

The above updates are not exclusive to Lumia family of devices and will Well as this article is all abe available for other OEMs too. But this article is all about the 4th software update for Lumia devices the “Lumia Denim”. Here is the list of features exclusively coming to the Lumia devices with the software update.

“Lumia Denim” Features (Exclusive to Lumia Devices)
  • Lumia Camera – Just like other Nokia labels, Lumia Camera is going to replace the Nokia Camera in Lumia smartphones while also making it faster and more intuitive.
  • Speed – Improvement in the camera shots delay which is now super fast and it only takes milliseconds going from shot to shot.
  • Moment Capture – Pressing the shutter release button of the camera button a little longer will start recording 4K quality video at 24 fps. With each frame at 8.3 megapixels, you can save individual frames as high quality still images.
  •  Rich Capture – Auto HDR and Dynamic Flash are now welcomed into the already-impressive feature set. Shoot first and adjust the camera settings later for that perfect photo.
  • Improved image processing algorithms – As with every update, this also brings improved low light shots to bring even more clearer images.
  • “Hey Cortana” Voice Activation – The SensorCore technology of Nokia in select Lumia devices enables the voice activation of Cortana avoiding to press the microphone button to wake-up Cortana. Simply say “Hey Cortana” while the phone is idle and Cortana will activate. The new “Hey Cortana” feature available will also come to the Lumia 1520, Lumia 930 and Lumia Icon, allowing you hands-free access to Cortana, waking up your most helpful digital assistant with just the sound of your voice calling out “Hey Cortana”.
  • Glance Screen – Compatible Lumia devices can now show more at a glance with Bing Weather, or Bing Health & Fitness data, in addition to time and date, notifications and application data.

Lumia Denim Update will ship pre-loaded with Lumia 830Lumia 730 Dual SIM and Lumia 735. For all other Lumia Windows Phone 8 smartphones, the update will start rolling out during Q4 2014.

Are you excited about this software update for your Lumia smartphone? Do tell us in the comments below.