The newly released Windows Phone 8 GDR2 software update with “Lumia Amber” improved software and hardware features have now hit the select Lumia devices for customers in Pakistan.
The newly released Windows Phone 8 GDR2 software update with “Lumia Amber” improved software and hardware features have now hit the select Windows Phone GDR2 release is cross manufacturer software update and will hit Windows Phone devices periodically when available. The GDR2 software update includes some minor and major improvements and added features including FM Radio, Camera improvements with manageable default camera Lens or App, Xbox Music usability improvements with meta information. CalDAV and CardDAV sync support within Google services.
The “Lumia Amber” software update is a golden spoon from Nokia for its Lumia customers bringing advantages of features (like “double tap to wake”, “informative standby screen with a big clock”) from old Nokia smartphones to the new partnered platform from Microsoft. While the new apps and features are also important including the popular Nokia Pro Cam app first introduced with Lumia 1020.
HOW TO UPDATE YOUR LUMIA WP8 SMARTPHONE TO “LUMIA AMBER”
As the Windows Phone 8 devices support updating software wirelessly Over-the-Air (via OTA), now you can update your Lumia devices via your in-phone software update option by going through Settings > Phone Update.
A Wi-Fi connection is the best option for downloading an updating your devices to the newer software as the wireless carrier provider may cost you a lot more for the data usage.
On the arrival of the new software update your Lumia device should notify you with a prompt. You can just tap the notification and follow on-screen instructions to update your smartphone. After the download completes you will be asked to install the software right away or you can leave it for later. Later it will only install without downloading the software again.
For any case if you didn’t get a notification message, you can go through the following simple steps to check if the software update is available for your device and install from there.
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Go to Settings > Phone Update and tap the button “Check for updates”
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After the updates found for your device, you will be provided with a button labeling “download”
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Tap on the “download” button and wait for it to complete. Once the download is completed you will be prompted with the option to “install” right away or “postpone”
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If postponed, you can install later on the convenient time by going through Settings > Phone Update. You will have the option to just install the software update which has been downloaded already.
My experience with updating the Lumia 820 at house software via Over the Air (OTA) was not as expected. While going through this updated process it didn’t bring the features which were expected to come with “Lumia Amber” software update. As the software version in the above screen presents the Microsoft’s GDR2 listing, it did only bring the software features provided by Microsoft. I had to update the Lumia 820 via NSU on the PC. We’ll soon publish an how-to guide to update Lumia device via Nokia Software Updater on the PC.
COMPATIBILITY
“Lumia Amber” is compatible with Nokia Lumia 520, 620, 720, 810, 820, 822, 920, 925, 928 and 1020. While the original GDR2 software update will hit across all Windows Phone 8 devices from other manufacturers.
However features and apps from the update are limited to various devices. They depend and vary from one device to another. e.g. “Nokia Pro Cam” will be available for high-end Lumia devices only like Lumia 920+. FM Radio will be available to the devices which were initially manufactured with hardware FM receiver. Lumia 620, 810 and Lumia 928 will not be facilitated with this feature.
Here is the features we have listed in an order for your easy readability. Categorically compiled version of the one provided by AAWP.
| Nokia Lumia | 1020 | 920 | 925 | 820 | 720 | 620 | 520 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Phone GDR2 Updates | |||||||
| Improved Camera (App/Algo) | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| FM radio | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | NO | YES |
| Bluetooth Smart | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| OneNote [pin new notes] | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Lumia Amber Updates | |||||||
| Nokia Smart Camera (updated) | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Flip to Silence | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Lumia Colour Profile | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Nokia Glance Screen | YES | YES | YES | YES | NO | NO | NO |
| Double Tap to wake | YES | YES | YES | YES | NO | NO | NO |
| Nokia Pro Cam (app update) | YES | YES | YES | NO | NO | NO | NO |
Above table presents single device for its other variants. Lumia 520 and Lumia 521 share the same features. Lumia 620 and Lumia 625 share the same features while Lumia 625 also brings FM radio with the software update. Lumia 820 and Lumia 822 share the same along with the Lumia 810 where Lumia 810 lacks FM Radio. Lumia Amber software update brings the all it can, to the top notch Lumia devices Lumia 920, 925, 928 and Lumia 1020. Only the FM radio will not be available in Lumia 928.
While “Nokia Smart Camera” is updated for Lumia devices, it limits functionality between devices. Lumia 720, Lumia 620, Lumia 520 and their variants support
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7 frames of 1MP shots in burst mode.
Lumia 810, 820, 822, Lumia 920, 925, 928 and Lumia 1020 support
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10 frames of 5MP shots in burst mode.
We are preparing a detailed review on GDR2 and Lumia Amber software update and publish as soon as possible. Till then you can update your devices and experience the new software updates.
