Microsoft has already acquired the Finnish smartphone maker Nokia and while the latter announced the Indian-born Rajeev Suri as its new CEO today, at an event in Bangalore Microsoft also launched its latest Windows Phone 8.1 OS version. At the same event Vineet Durani, Director of the Windows Phone Business Group at Microsoft told GizBot that by the end of June all the Lumia devices will receive the Windows Phone 8.1 update.
Recommended: HTC Desire 816 Hands On and First Look: The Coming of Age Mid-Range Phablet is Here
The update was initially released in a preview form for the developers on April 14 and was expected to be released to the general public in late April or early May.
The latest OS version was internationally announced earlier this month under the shades of Microsoft Build 2014. However, the Windows Phone 8.1 was leaked several times before it was officially unveiled. Thus most fans were already familiar with the features the updated version for the OS had to offer.
The Windows Phone 8.1 version has been the most awaited one for Windows Phone users across the world and so far, the only device featuring the same version of the OS are Lumia 930 and Lumia 630.
According to the press release, new Windows Phone 8.1 OS will bring about a lot of new features in the device. Take a look at some of the features below:
Start Screen Enhancements
Users can now enjoy the start screen layout with a third column of medium tiles on all screen sizes, providing users with an expanded canvas to express their individuality. You can also personalize your phone even more by setting a background photo on your start screen and back up your start screen configuration for new devices. Your live tiles become transparent so your background photo shows through as you scroll up and down.
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.
Improved Calendar and Smart Keyboard
The new calender comes with a new design which looks like the Outlook on your Windows PC with weather embedded at the top, improved navigation between days/weeks/months tat is more intuitive and a week view showing week a t a glance and allowing you to also click into each day to see appointments. You will also find a month view with better options.
The new Windows phone Keyboard is truly personal. It knows both the users writing style and people in their contact list.
Senses
Putting customers at the center of everything, Microsoft created Senses to help look out for you and help you get the most out of your phone, keeping track of your data, storage and battery use as well. These senses consist of four basic features which include; Data sense which reduces your cellular data; Battery saver, which is self explanatory; Storage sense will help you get more idea about the storage space on your device. You will also be offered a feature to save the apps on the SD card. And lastly the WiFi sense allows the users to connect into the WiFi network automatically.
Easy Syncing of Content
The syncing of the content also applies to applications like internet explorer. Internet explorer 11 is now built in fast and simple. It provides a great tabbed browsing experience optimized for the screen and even sync favorites and open tabs for other windows devices so you can resume browsing wherever you go. Further some sites can be difficult to read on a screen like this so we've added the reading view which reformats the page into a clean view that makes it easier to read on a mobile device.
You can take a look at the more features of the Windows Phone 8.1 here.
<center><iframe width="100%" height="450" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/V-j47v9SBqU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center>