Windows Phone 8.1: Features List – update to rollout in coming weeks

Microsoft has announced the Windows Phone 8.1 software update that will come pre-installed with new devices as well as it will be rolled out to existing devices running Windows Phone 8. There are namely exciting features which include background on start screen, themed lock screens, Cortana (personal assistant like Siri in iPhone), Action center, word flow keyboard and more.

Action Center:

Currently Windows Phone 8 offers a glance view on notification count on the live tiles as well as a quick short alert on the tile. With the new Windows Phone 8.1 software update the most awaited “Action Center” brings the whole new interface of notifications. It’s customizable to quickly access the settings, like Wi-Fi, Flight Mode, Bluetooth and Rotation Lock.

Cortana: 

Cortana is like Siri in iOS devices to assist the smartphone owner by voice. It’s powered by Bing is capable of knowing you, building a relationship with you and gets better over time by asking questions based on your behavior. It detects and monitors the stuff you do on your smartphone and helps filter out the noise so you can focus on what matters to you. Cortana will launch shortly here in the U.S. first as a “beta,” and then will launch in the US, the U.K. and China in the second half of 2014 with other countries to follow afterwards into 2015.

Word Flow Keyboard:

If you know how Swype keyboard works, you are already familiar with the Windows Phone’s Word Flow keyboard for how does it work but it’s said to be smart enough to learn your writing style and even knows the names of people in your contacts for faster typing. Just like Swype keyboard, Word Flow Keyboard lets you glide your fingers over the keys to type quickly.

Start screen and Lock screen: 

Start screen on Windows Phone 8.1 is more customizable than before. Previously added third column on the devices with 5 inch or larger screens will be added to all devices with Windows Phone 8.1. Additionally the  ability to customize your Start background with a picture of your choice which will make many of the tiles on your Start screen become clear so you can see the background you selected as you scroll up and down.

The Lock screen can be set with a wide range of “Lock Screen Themes” which show all kinds of different visuals and animations.

Photos & Camera:

The Photos application jumps directly to your most recent photos and shows as collections automatically organized, in a view grouped by date and location. Online photo albums are now supported via app-extensibility, so 3rd parties can plug in their services. In the Camera, UI allows to shoot in “burst mode”.

Other features include upgraded Skype, People Hub, Email and Accounts, Music, Video, Podcasts, Calendar, Data Sense, Wi-Fi Sense, Storage Sense, Battery Saver, Windows and Windows Phone Together, Great for Business Users and IT Managers.

Availability and Roll out:

Windows Phone 8.1 will start rolling out to existing Windows Phone 8 users and will come preinstalled on new phones, including the Lumia 630 and 635 and Lumia 930 announced by Nokia today. If you want to try out Windows Phone 8.1 and you are a registered developer, you can update your phone as part of the Developer Preview Program in the first part of April.

source: Windows Phone blog