Windows Phone 8.1 is the third generation of Microsoft's Windows Mobile mobile operating system, replacing Windows Phone 8. Launched at Microsoft Build Conference in San Francisco, California, on April 2, 2014, released at the end of the form to Windows Phone developers on April 14, 2014 and reach public availability on August 4, 2014. All Windows Mobile phones running Windows Phone 8 can be upgraded to Windows Phone 8.1, with releases depending on the launch date of the carrier.
Windows Phone 8.1 is also the latest version that uses the Windows Phone brand name as it was replaced by Windows 10 Mobile. Some Windows Phone 8.1 devices can be upgraded to Windows 10 Mobile. Microsoft delayed the increase and reduced the list of supported devices from their initial appointments.
Video Windows Phone 8.1
History
Windows Phone 8.1 was first reported as Windows Phone Blue , a series of updates for Microsoft's mobile operating system that will coincide with the launch of Windows 8.1. Although Microsoft originally planned to release WP8.1 by the end of 2013, shortly after its PC release, the general distribution of the new operating system was pushed back to early 2014.
Instead of waiting for more than a year to add new features to Windows Phone 8, Microsoft chose to release three additional updates to existing mobile OS. This update is delivered with the corresponding firmware update for certain devices. Updates include GDR2 (Lumia Amber), which introduces features like "Data Sense", and GDR3 (Lumia Black), which brings support for quad-core processors, high-definition screens 1080p up to six inches, the addition of "Driving Mode," and additional lines live tiles for a larger "phablet" device.
The updated operating system final name leaked publicly when Microsoft released Windows Phone 8.1 SDK for developers on February 10, 2014, but not until Microsoft Build conference intent on April 2, 2014 when Windows Phone 8.1 was announced officially, in addition to Windows 8.1 Update. The last shipment code was released for registered users of the "Preview for Developers" program on April 14, 2014, and for the general public in subsequent months, the actual release date is determined by the wireless carrier of the device and accompanied by firmware updates, including Lumia Cyan.
Preview for Developers
The "Preview for Developers" program begins in October 2013 with the launch of Windows Phone 8 Update 3. The program is aimed at developers and enthusiasts to gain immediate access to OS updates as they become available from Microsoft, bypassing wireless and OEM operators who test changes before including firmware-specific firmware update. Users of the "Preview for Developers" program do not void the warranty in most cases and may install any firmware that is included with the official launch of their operator's Windows Phone 8.1.
Windows Phone software updates delivered via "Preview for Developers" are completed, the completed OS version, as opposed to Windows 10 Mobile build in the Windows Insider program, which is a preview version of software intended for users to try out new features before release final and may contain bugs.
Maps Windows Phone 8.1
Features
Windows Phone 8.1 introduces a number of renowned new features, mostly unveiled in a preview released to developers on February 10th.
Cortana
Cortana is a personal virtual assistant added in Windows Phone 8.1, and is similar to Google Now and Siri Apple. Cortana's name comes from the Hello video game series, which is Microsoft's exclusive franchise for Xbox and Windows. Cortana features include being able to set reminders, recognize natural sounds without the user having to enter a set of predefined commands and answering questions using information from Bing (such as current weather and traffic conditions, sports scores, and biographies).
Cortana also uses a special feature called "Notebook", where it will automatically collect information about and user interests based on usage and allows users to enter additional personal information, such as quiet hours and close friends who are allowed to pass through to the user during the hours this quiet. Users can also remove information from "Notebook" if they think it is not wanted by Cortana to be known.
The Universal Bing SmartSearch feature Windows 8.1 has been incorporated into Cortana, which replaces previous Bing Search apps that are enabled when the user presses the "Search" button on their device.
This feature, which is currently in beta, was released in the United States in the first half of 2014 and in China, UK, India, Canada and Australia in August 2014. Microsoft has committed to updating Cortana twice a month and adding features. New features may include more "easter egg" replies, improved UI and voice modulation.
Web
Windows Phone 8.1 uses the mobile version of Internet Explorer 11 as the default web browser. IE11 brings more desktop counterparts to it, which includes support for WebGL, normal mapping, InPrivate mode, Reading mode, and the ability to swipe left or right to navigate to previous web pages and back. This updated browser also includes a new HTML5 web video player with support for inline play and closed captions, Windows 8 style website tiles, and the ability to save passwords. In addition, users can now open an unlimited number of tabs instead of the previous maximum 6.
If a user logs in with their Microsoft account on both Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone devices, their tabs in IE11 will now be synced automatically.
Applications and Windows Phone Store
Application template
The app for Windows Phone 8.1 can now be created using the same app model as the Windows Store app for Windows 8.1, based on Windows Runtime, and the file extension for WP applications is now ".appx" (which is used for Windows Store apps) instead of the ".xap "traditional Windows Phone. Applications built for WP8.1 can call semantic zoom, as well as access to a single sign-on with a Microsoft account. Windows Phone Store now also updates apps automatically. Stores can be manually checked for updates available for apps on the device. It also adds the option to update apps only on Wi-Fi.
Application developers will be able to develop applications using C #/Visual Basic.NET (.NET), C (CX) or HTML5/Javascript, as for Windows 8.
Developers will also be able to build "universal apps" for Windows Phone 8.1 and Windows 8 that share virtually any code, except those specific to the platform, such as the user interface and the phone API.
All of the universal applications that have been installed in Windows 8.1 will automatically appear in the "My Apps" section of users on Windows Phone 8.1.
Applications created for Windows Phone 8 and Windows Phone 7 automatically run on Windows Phone 8.1, but apps created for Windows Phone 8.1 will not run on previous versions of Windows Phone.
Windows Phone Shop
Windows Phone Store was redesigned on Windows Phone 8.1 to become more information-intensive. The collection of apps, previously seen on different pages, is now fully displayed in the Store's front columns. Also there is no difference between Game and other applications; both now appear in the app list, although categories for apps and games (like "most popular games" or "the most popular apps") are still separate. The app rating has been designed to match Windows 8.1, with horizontal bars added to show how many 5-star, 4-star, or 3-star reviews have been received by the app. The app screenshot now no longer has its own page, but instead it can be seen at the bottom of the app description page. Furthermore, Windows Phone Store now includes the "My Apps" section under a three-dot menu that allows users to re-install any apps they've purchased previously.
New app and modified
Battery Saver adds the ability to track battery usage and determine which profile will decrease power consumption. In addition, the "Background Tasks" page, which allows users to stop or leave individual apps running in the background, has been moved from the Settings menu to Battery Saver. In addition to simply being able to stop background task from running, users can now set profiles that will prevent certain applications running only if the battery level is below a specified percentage.
Storage Sense lets users move files and apps between their mobile hard drives and microSD cards, and incorporates features previously available in the "Settings" section that gives users the ability to delete temporary files to free storage and uninstall applications.
Wi-Fi Sense automatically enters Windows Phone to a trusted Wi-Fi hotspot. It also helps share your own Wi-Fi credentials with your friends and contacts, but without any security compromise, it just shares a WiFi connection without telling your friends a password.
The Calendar app now has a week view with the current weather, similar to features in the Microsoft Outlook calendar available to desktop users. Calendar further adds support for syncing Google Calendars with your Windows Phone.
Maps has been overhauled with support for angle viewing, 3D mapping and dynamic compass. Local Scout, which has been removed from Windows Phone 8.1 in the United States due to the Cortana implementation, has been moved to Maps. The map also shows the nearest WiFi-hotspot, if any, in your location.
Calling and Skype
The Dialer app adds a "Speed ​​Dial" page, and calls from one caller in Call History are now grouped. Clicking on a group will reveal individual call details such as the time and date the call was made. A button has been added next to each caller allowing unknown callers to be added to the user's contact list or displaying information about existing contacts.
Users can now automatically upgrade existing phone calls to Skype video calls from within the phone call UI, which has also been changed with larger buttons. In addition to large photos from contacts, text with usernames and phone numbers now appear at the top of the screen, not directly above the onscreen button. Skype calls can also start directly from Cortana.
Multimedia
Xbox Music and Xbox Video provide streaming services for movies, music and TV shows, and are separated as opposed to being combined together in previous versions. Specifically, Xbox Video now has built-in support for streaming video. In addition to separating music and video streaming services, 8.1 also adds support for separate volume controls, audio and video transcoding, hardware acceleration, stereoscopic 3D, and the ability for applications to capture and record video separately from the operating system's built-in video. recorder. In addition, built-in support for streaming via DLNA to monitors and television screens, called by Microsoft as PlayTo , is also included, as well as the ability to mirror from phone to screen separately. Media editing tools have also been enhanced: apps for slow motion video capture, video effects, and audio effects have been added. Microsoft currently provides twice-weekly updates, twice a month, for both of these applications. In August 2014, A2DP and AVRCP support was also added.
The camera stock app has been updated with a more minimalist design similar to the camera app in Windows 8.1. In addition, users can now store high resolution photos directly to OneDrive, rather than just having the option to upload a 5MP version of the image to the cloud.
Multitasking
Building on the improvements made in the third update to its predecessor, Windows Phone 8.1 adds support for closing applications by swiping it in multitasking (called long press on the "back" button), similar to how multitasking operates on Windows 8 and iOS. Pressing the back button now suspends the app in multitasking instead of closing it.
Direct tile
The third direct tile column, previously only available for Windows Mobile phones with 1080p and certain phones with 720p screens, is now an option for all Windows Phone 8.1 devices regardless of screen size. Microsoft also added the ability for users to live tile skin with background images.
With the inclusion of Update 1, WP8.1 now lets users drag application tiles on top of each other to create app folders on the Start Screen. Each individual app in the folder can still appear as a Live Tile, and opening the folder just extends it on the Start Screen so that users can reset and open the app.
Social
The "My" Hub on Windows Phone 8.1 has been changed from a single hub to update and maintain all social media accounts to a single hub to the viewer allowing users to view news feeds from social networks. When a user clicks on a Facebook post, for example, they are instantly redirected to the Facebook app, instead of being allowed to like or comment on that post in the "I" hub itself, a feature available on previous versions of Windows Phone. My central notification center for social networks has also been removed, as this feature is now integrated into the Windows Phone 8.1 Action Center. Supported social networks in the "My" hub include Facebook, Foursquare, Linkedin, and Twitter, which have also been fully integrated into the Contact Hub.
"Threads", which allows users to switch seamlessly between different chat services, has also been removed from the Messaging app, which is now only for text messages. Other changes to the messaging app include the ability to select multiple text messages to be forwarded or deleted.
Lockscreen
Windows Phone 8.1 adds the ability for OEMs and individual applications to customize their custom lock screen themes even further by skinning fonts and time orientation, date, and notification text.
Notifications and settings
A new notification center known as "Action Center" has been added, and allows the ability to change simple settings like volume control. The new notification area design allows users to for example change the wireless network, enable Bluetooth and Airplane Mode, and access the "Driving Mode" of four customizable boxes at the top of the screen, while below these four horizontally placed boxes include recently. text messaging and social integration.
Apps can also send location-specific notifications to users with the addition of new geofencing APIs.
Keyboard
Microsoft has added a Word Flow keyboard in Windows Phone 8.1 which, similar to the Swype keyboard option available on Android devices, allows users to swipe the letters for typing. When users swipe, the keyboard generates space automatically for the next word to be entered.
The keyboard was mentioned for its speed and accuracy, and brought fame to Microsoft's research division when the fifteen-year-old Lakeside School student Gaurav Sharma, using the Nokia Lumia 520 equipped with Windows Phone 8.1 and the "Word Flow" keyboard, broke the Guinness World Record for the world's fastest typing on the phone, previously held by Samsung Galaxy S4 users, 8 seconds. The record was short-lived, which was then beaten a month later by Marcel Fernandes, who completed a quarter of a second faster using the Fleksy Keyboard, a competing keyboard available on iOS and Android. However, since Flesky relies on a predictive text algorithm rather than a swipe gesture, it's natural to say that "Word Flow" remains the world's fastest "swipe" keyboard on the phone.
File system
Windows Phone 8.1 allows the app to view all the files stored on the WP device and move, copy, paste, and share the contents of the device's internal file system. As a result of these changes, some file explorer applications have been released in Windows Phone Store since the operating system debut. Microsoft released its own file explorer application on May 30, 2014.
In addition to these changes, SkyDrive has been completely renamed to OneDrive throughout the operating system after Microsoft's dispute resolution of the "Sky" trademark with BSkyB. Users are also presented with several options when Windows Phone 8.1 devices connect to a computer via USB.
Enterprise upgrade
Windows Phone 8.1 adds support for VPN and Bluetooth 4.0 LE. With the release of Update 1, receiving or sending data via VPN when connected to a Wi-Fi network and Bluetooth PAN standard (Personal Area Network) 1.0 is also supported.
Application Corner is a kiosk mode that allows users to restrict usage to a specific set of apps and go directly to a particular app.
Hardware
Device
The Windows Phone 8.1 device is currently produced by Microsoft Mobile (formerly Nokia) and its hardware partners, including HTC, Gionee, JSR, Karbonn, Micromax, Samsung, Alcatel, Lava (under Lava and Xolo brands), and Blu. In addition, Gionee, JSR, LG, Lenovo, Longcheer, and ZTE have been registered as Windows Phone hardware partners, but have not released Windows Phone products yet. Sony (under the brand of Xperia or Vaio) also expressed its intention to produce Windows Phone devices in the near future, but this has not yet materialized. During BUILD 2014, Microsoft announced two additional hardware partners - Micromax and Prestigio.
Hardware requirements
Starting with Windows Phone 8.1, some hardware buttons previously required on Windows Phone are no longer a requirement for device manufacturers, a move made to enable OEMs to develop devices that can run WP and Android; HTC One (M8) for Windows is an example of such a device.
WP now supports buttons on the screen that can be used by OEMs to replace the "back," Windows ", and" search "capacitive buttons that have been required for devices running the OS since 2010. New buttons on the screen can be hidden by swiping them to the side of the screen.
Windows Phone device manufacturers are also no longer required to insert the physical camera button on the side of the phone.
Version history
Reception
Tom Warren from The Verge says that it is clear the Windows Phone OS is abandoned by its competitors. Although Windows Phone stores have many apps, there are still fewer than Android and iOS stores, and the equivalent of Windows Phone apps is lacking. However, he praised Windows Phone for its ability to run smoothly on various hardware and wise additional features.
See also
References
External links
- Official website (Archive)
- Windows Phone 8.1 in Curlie (based on DMOZ)
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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