Leading up to months of rumors and speculations, Microsoft has finally introduced the newest Windows Phone 8.1 platform, codenamed ‘Blue.'
This is the latest update to the Microsoft Windows Phone operating system, and was recently announced at Microsoft's Build 2014 conference in April, with new devices running the same arriving later that month.
Following the re-launch of Windows Phone 8 back in late 2012, the new 8.1 update has released with Microsoft's planned 18-month upgrade path for their dedicated mobile operating system.
And although the Windows Phone 8 has already experienced three different feature-adding updates inside its life-cycle -- ‘Portico', Update 2, Update 3 -- the 8.1 update is the most significant overhaul of the OS to date.
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As of now, the update is set to be released in preview form to developers on April 14 and is expected to be released to the general public in late April or early May.
So what did we learn from the new Windows Phone 8.1 update and what new changes are coming for the new platform? Let's take a closer look at the top 5 among them.
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Start screen Personalization
With the new update in place, the Start screen has been refreshed to include an extra column of Live Tiles. Also, the developer has offered more room to pin the users' favourite apps, games, bookmarks and more for an easier reach.
Also, the Start screen background now has the ability to display pictures, rather than featuring just black or white. These photos can also be seen via system tiles.
Enhanced Sensors
The new Nokia Lumia devices such as the Lumia 630 and the Lumia 635 will come with a host of new internal hardware that will be capable of taking advantage of the Nokia SensorCore SDK.
The sensors have been packed into the devices and will accurately read more into the user's day-to-day activities. Users will be able to find "how many steps you take, how fast you run and where you mostly spend your time (if you didn't already know)."
Cortana Voice Assistant
The Lumia devices (and for that matter, any WP-operated device) running on Windows Phone 8.1 will come running the personal, pro-active assistant Cortana. It will be also be capable of answering a host of questions related to any kind of queries the user might have.
Improved Action Center for Notifications
The new Action Center that comes with the new platform update is basically the one stop shop for all your notification needs on the phone. The Action Center also contains four quick settings (which are customizable) that enables the user to attain quicker access to his in-device features.
Better Camera Capabilities
The new update offers a renewed Camera Roll that offers faster access to images, editing tools and other sharing options, all this directly from Nokia Camera. An enhanced Creative Studio is also accessible from the Camera Roll with five new filters.
Moreover, Nokia Storyteller has also become more social, courtesy of the new video slideshow feature with the option of sharing the same via Facebook or Twitter.