Windows Phone 8.1 Review

After eighteen months of beingness, Windows Phone 8 is getting its first major OS update from Microsoft. While Windows Telephone 8.0 has had three minor updates betwixt late 2022 and 2022, information technology is Windows Phone 8.1 that will finally bring a modest avalanche of new features and improvements to users. The update is free and expected to arrive for all electric current Windows Phone 8 devices in the coming months, though starting today, a Preview for Developers is at present alive should you lot want to have the Os for an early on spin.

I have been using the Preview release of Windows Phone 8.i for nearly the terminal two weeks on a Nokia Lumia Icon. Reviewing a whole Os, especially one as robust as Windows Phone is no minor feat. Regardless, I'll go through what I think are the biggest new features and even some pocket-sized changes that I think users want to hear nigh.

Is Windows Telephone eight.i actually a game changer? And has Microsoft finally delivered a production that the masses can adopt? Let'south find out.

This is one huge update

Let's just get this out of the way. Windows Phone 8.ane could easily be called Windows Phone 8.5 or even 9. This doesn't feel like a 0.1 update. This feels like a long-term projection that Microsoft has been working on, delivering a massive prepare of new features to cease users. Heck, the 'reviewers guide' could pass equally a brusque novel, coming in at 239 pages.

The changes to the Bone are significant, not pocket-sized patchwork. The merely reason Microsoft is calling it '8.1' is to align information technology with its bigger brother, Windows 8.i for desktop. That's fine, although it does slightly downplay this update'south significance.

If I had to cite history, this is equivalent to the Windows Phone 7.5 update dubbed 'Mango' from back in 2022. Windows Phone 8.1, nicknamed 'Blue' is only as substantial. Mango was a much needed update as Windows Phone seven.0 was a re-launch of Microsoft'south mobile platform. Windows Telephone eight was also some other re-launch, equally Microsoft had to reboot the kernel and the entire architecture of the OS. In that regard, eight.ane makes sense. It's a grab up update. Just it'due south also more than.

New Outset screen feel, Theme syncing and UI changes

For the most part, Windows Phone 8.1 keeps the cadre of Microsoft'south design intact. There is no backing abroad from existing UI principals, but expansion and refinement.

The about interesting feature in that regard is the selection for backgrounds on the Starting time screen. Many people had requested this ability to customize farther the look of their device, as iOS and Android both have the power to set a 'wallpaper'. Many idea Microsoft would follow suit, with a groundwork image replacing the dark or calorie-free themed groundwork and the Tiles on elevation of the new wallpaper.

But this is Microsoft, and they wanted to exist different. Then with 8.1, users now have the power to basically pare the Tiles by overlaying an prototype of their choice. That's not entirely accurate though equally what is really happening is some Tiles are becoming transparent, with the user prototype showing through the Tile.

How it works is if an app uses the 'Iconic pattern' for its Live Tile, it will prove the prototype behind it.  If the tile uses a 'Flip layout', any area of the background that is transparent will show the background image. As a consequence, some apps will have a 'run across through' power with the new groundwork images, while others volition remain a solid, preselected color east.1000. Facebook. The event tin be seen within our ain WPCentral app, where we allow the user cull between an Iconic or Flip design for their Live Tile. If the user chooses Iconic and information technology's pinned, within a few minutes the Tile volition update with the transparent background consequence. That may cause some confusion amid users, at least initially, but I recollect developers will adjust their apps going forwards.

Withal, the effect is daring. Microsoft once again has called a dissimilar path, and while non everyone may like information technology, I think many will appreciate the feature once they find that ane right photo. Users can choose from a loaded library of 41 images from Microsoft, or they could choose photos from their Camera library, Saved library, OneDrive or even Facebook. Heck, you lot could even make a background of a solid gradient colour and apply that. It's up to you. If you don't like the new background paradigm, you can still choose from ane of 20 colors for the system Accent. Unfortunately, Microsoft has non given users a color selector for Accents, so that is one area where I would like to come across improvement.

Speaking of Accents, if yous're running Windows viii.1 on your Surface or PC, your Accent theme colour can now sync betwixt your Telephone and that device. The process is fantastic and works when yous choose an Accent color under Settings > Commencement + Theme. Once chosen, within thirty seconds to a few minutes your PC and all Microsoft linked devices will all change their Accent colors, as well. This is a user selection, plant nether Settings > Sync My Settings > Theme, and it tin can exist disabled should you want to keep them separated.

Finally, here are few other notable but modest changes in Windows Phone eight.1

• Signal force, data connection, Wi-Fi, Battery, Location and more all remain on the screen; they no longer automobile-hide
• New People Hub redesign with smaller fonts
• Phone history now groups repeat calls from a user with '(#)' representing number of calls
• Speed Punch is finally here under Phone
• Larger font for Time on the Lock screen; moves down on the screen if there are notifications
• Charging notification alarm has changed to a shorter, less annoying audio
• Freshly installed apps say 'new' under their titles in the App list
• Games are installed nether the App list in addition to the Games hub
• Games hub removes SmartGlass linking and adds new Friends and Messages icons

The changes that Microsoft have brought to eight.one are welcomed. Don't get me incorrect, in that location's all the same room for improvement, but there'due south enough here to brand the OS feel very fresh and to keep users busy with some new customizations. However, I'd all the same similar to see:

• Large Tile size, similar to Windows 8.1 (basically iv medium Tiles, combined)
• Accent color chooser
• Background images look improve blurred; give users a tool to mistiness images before setting as background

Move over Siri, here'southward Cortana

If there'southward i feature that is mayhap overrated in smartphones, it's voice administration. Sure, it feels futuristic to bawl commands at your phone, just to have a semi-robotic voice acknowledge and bend to your will. It feels adept. It feels empowering. It's occasionally even helpful.

But while Siri gets all the attention, I'd personally say that Google Now plant on Android phones – and exemplified on the Motorola X – is the real game changer. Google Now is non merely a voice assistant, as the service learns about your activities e.chiliad. where y'all live, where you work, and it predicts behavior, presenting information to you without prompting. That is different. That is too Microsoft'southward Cortana.

I don't want start a tirade on Google versus privacy, as many others take – and will do – a far better job than I. But let'southward but say letting Google know everything about you lot is non without its concerns. That'southward where I think Microsoft has some leverage with consumers. Cortana is across Siri, but information technology is also more than than Google Now in that it puts your privacy offset.

While Cortana can learn things about you lot, it stays local on the device, isolated in her 'Notebook'. Cortana's Notebook tin be edited by the user, and it leaves control in their hands as opposed to Microsoft's. Microsoft is even eager to point out"we practise non show advertising within the Cortana experience and currently do not use the data gathered in the notebook to send targeted ads to the user". That's somewhat refreshing, although one could make hay of the "currently do non" as something that may change in the time to come. Let's hope not.

Cortana is leaps and bounds better than the TellMe service that it'southward replacing. Like Google Now, information technology'due south powered by a search engine (Microsoft's Bing) and it is really something of a cornerstone engineering science for Redmond, as Cortana volition presumably be incorporated into Windows, Xbox and who knows what else in the time to come (smartwatches?).  Named after the fictional, artificially intelligent (AI) character in the Halo video game series, Cortana for Windows Telephone is certainly something worth talking nearly. Microsoft calls Cortana "a more personal personal assistant" than the competition. So, is information technology?

Here's what I can say about Cortana after using the service for a few days:

• The speech recognition is far better than TellMe in Windows Phone 7/viii
• The setup guide, which allows y'all to input likes and interests, is smart
• Cortana's design is fantabulous. It's minimalist and keeps in line with Microsoft's Modern UI
• The Daily Glance, which features news and information you're interested in, works well
• Cortana is relatively like shooting fish in a barrel to utilize and understand

Every bit far as raw functions, here's what Cortana is capable of:

• Phone – make a telephone call
• Messaging – send a text message
• Agenda – Add an appointment
• Flights (due east.g.: "what'southward the condition of AA 125?")
• Reminder – create a reminder (more on that below)
• Notation – create a annotation (saved to OneNote) including voice communication to text and audio recording
• Warning – set an alarm
• Music –play music; ID music due east.g. 'What is this song?'
• Places – get directions
• Settings – e.grand. 'Turn on Wi-Fi' or 'Turn off Bluetooth'
• Search – Ask a question, search for something, etc.
• Search on device – Search for an email or text bulletin from a contact
• Third-party app integration – Cortana tin can deep link into apps, so that yous tin make a call on Skype, mail service a Tweet or check-in via Foursquare

Other fiddling gems about Cortana include the ability to set up people and location reminders, in addition to your run of the mill time/date ones that we're all familiar with. A location reminder works past telling Cortana to fix a reminder. In one case she starts listening, record the reminder and mention a specific location e.g. Harry's Restaurant (or even something vague like Dunkin Donuts). Cortana, using Bing, volition and then match the location 'Harry'due south Restaurant' with local search. If constitute, Harry's Eating house volition then have an accost below information technology, displaying a hitting in the results. If you say something vague like 'Dunkin Donuts', Cortana will ask yous which location with a pre-sorted list based on your current whereabouts. The next time you are at that particular place, Cortana will automatically popular up a reminder for you. Microsoft calls this experience 'geofencing' and it's certainly a powerful tool (third-party developers will too have access to this via the viii.1 SDK).

Too, you can ready a people reminder. This prompt is based on 1 of your contacts, and it is triggered the next fourth dimension y'all interact with that person via text, email or telephone. Information technology sounds pretty amazing: "Remind me that I owe Mark Guim $20" but, unfortunately, I had a difficult time getting it to work every bit a vocalisation command. However, I was able to do it nether the 'Remind me' section of Cortana, where you can manually enter in the information and the respective triggers (time, place or person). According to Microsoft, "Cortana is the only digital assistant which can fix reminders based on the people in your life" and I have to acknowledge, it's quite attention-grabbing.

• TIP: When on the Lock screen, hold downward the Search key to launch into Cortana's vocalization way for a quick search or asking!

You can also pivot Weather or your News items to the Kickoff screen for quick access. Conditions wills how the current temperature at your present location.

Finally, another flagship feature for Cortana is Repose Hours. That feature is what it sounds like: the power to control alerts and notifications for sure times of the mean solar day. But while a certain coating setup would accept gotten the task done, Microsoft added an 'Inner Circle' and 'Breakthrough rules'. Your Inner Circle is a select grouping of users who volition become special handling with Tranquillity Hours, giving them the ability to bypass the filter. The 'Breakthrough Rules' are various options, including:

• Anyone breaks through if they call 2 times in 3 minutes
• Inner circle breaks through
• Texts: Inner circumvolve breaks through; Ask Inner Circle: Interruption through?; or No one tin can break through; Respond that I'chiliad busy correct now to contacts who aren't allowed through

That final choice, with the auto text reply is actually bright. Users are told that you are working but if they reply with "Knock knock" and their message that is then imperative, it volition bust through the Serenity Hours wall. It's perfect for emergencies and messages that need to get to the user. Again, Microsoft has taken a feature and added their own distinctive twist to information technology. That's how smartphones should exist in 2022: not just a set of rules, but something that is reactive and well, smart…

When put upwards against Google Now and Siri (we'll have that in a follow upward commodity today) Cortana certainly held her ain. Fifty-fifty though Microsoft is behind on releasing Cortana and it is still technically 'beta', the service is at to the lowest degree on par with Siri and even Google Now for virtually every function. Whereas some may lament that information technology's 'too footling, likewise late', I have to requite credit to Microsoft for making a compelling service all on their own.

Cortana's story though will get more interesting in the coming months, when the public begins to use the service collectively. Information technology'south only and so tin can Microsoft fully refine the algorithms and bring Cortana completely online. Likewise for Cortana'southward vocalization, which is a brew-up of Jen Taylor (voice of Cortana in the Halo franchise) and Microsoft'south current generation text-to-speech engine. That will begin to alter equally Taylor records more and more voice clips for the Cortana service, growing alongside the burgeoning personal phonation assistant tech.

For now, Microsoft'due south Cortana is a solid showtime endeavour for their next generation service and is more than than merely a novelty.

Action and Notification Center

While Cortana will garner a lot of headlines and popular-culture references, it's the Action and Notification Middle that users will end upwardly using dozens of times a day. For a long fourth dimension, Microsoft'southward customers have asked for a proper notification center for Windows Phone, and while Alive Tiles are certainly helpful, in today's complicated mobile globe, a single repository for all alerts is a must.

Windows Phone eight.1 breaks the Heart into two parts: the Action center with Quick-Action buttons and the Notification Center, which falls below information technology. The Center is accessed by swiping down from the top of the screen, and it even works while the phone is on the Lock screen. Withal, if you lot have the device Pin locked, you can dismiss items and even toggle the Quick-activity buttons, but you can't pull up emails, text message or read the alerts in full.

The Center is smart too. If y'all're in a game or a 'total screen experience', the Centre won't popular upwardly. Instead, y'all'll get what Microsoft calls the 'handle bar', which is a little colored handle the pops down. If you did want to get to the Notification Center, just pull it over again. This ensures that adventitious swipes won't disturb your game or video. Clever.

For the Action Heart, you accept four quick-action buttons (five if you're on a Lumia 1520 or other large screened device). Those buttons are configurable and can exist set up to toggle Wi-Fi on/off, enable Location based GPS, launch the camera, plough on VPN and more. While the list is pre-determined, it's a solid option. The only complaint I take is that there is at that place is no toggle for information, which is of import for emerging markets.

Below the Quick-activity buttons are a 'Clear all' and 'All Settings' quick links. The former is to dismiss alerts in the Notification Center, while the latter is shortcut to the device Settings. I like both and found myself using them equally in frequency.

When it comes to notifications, the Notification Heart behaves as you would expect: items testify up and are sorted by category (emails, messages, app alerts) and time of arrival. It's obvious, clean and easy to use. To dismiss, y'all swipe to the right, just like how you dismiss Banner notifications (what Microsoft used to phone call 'Toast' notifications). A footling icon also appears at the top of the screen that signals you lot accept alerts waiting in the Notification Middle. Information technology looks like a piffling newspaper, and it'due south piece of cake to spot.

For alerts, users can now configure each app to their liking. If you want Facebook notifications simply not the Banner alerts, then y'all can configure that under Settings > Notifications + Actions. Simply pick the app y'all desire, e.thousand. Facebook and from at that place y'all tin:

• Toggle if the warning is shown in the Action Centre
• Toggle notification banners on or off
• Select the notification's audio for that app (users can copy their ain sounds via the PC or Mac sync client)
• Toggle vibrate on/off

The choices Microsoft has given to users in eight.1 for alerts and notification is much more than powerful than what was found in eight.0. It's piece of cake to use, easy to understand and if my feel is anything to get by, the Action and Notification Center will be one of the first things you do each time you turn on your device.  In fact, when I would go back to using an 8.0 phone, the Action Centre was the feature I missed most. I'm simply diddled away past how often I employ information technology, and I think information technology will exist a huge hit for users of Windows Phone. Like I said, Cortana will get the headlines, but the Activity Eye will be your go-to babe each day.

Microsoft has done well with the duo Action and Notification Center for 8.1. While it'due south not revolutionary, or game changing, it is well thought out and in many ways, that'south more important new characteristic.

Give-and-take Flow and Shape Writing

Typing on Windows Telephone has always been a very skilful experience. In fact, the default (and only) keyboard on Windows Telephone has served users well over the terminal few years, generally due to Microsoft'due south splendid text-prediction engine, which is unrivaled by the competition. With 8.1, Microsoft is calculation a new feature, Shape Writing, to what they are calling their Word Menstruum keyboard.

Shape Writing is basically Swype for Windows Telephone. Swype is a popular tertiary-party app on Android that allows users to drag their finger to form words instead of touch on-typing. But Shape Writing is non Swype. Microsoft did not license their technology nor is it from SwiftKey. The Shape Writing found on 8.1 is Microsoft'southward own technology, developed past their Research team. It works with their existing text-prediction and truth exist told; it's damn powerful. I found myself using Shape Writing whenever I had to write something more a few words, and it felt much ameliorate than touch-typing.

That's non to say motorcar-correct, and text-prediction are the aforementioned either. Microsoft has added a few improver to that in viii.i also, including:

• Advise emoji – now, when y'all type certain words, not only will yous go the machine-complete total version of that word, but next to you'll have its representative emoji (aka emoticon). It's shrewd and gets you to use emoji you may have been oblivious to
• Adding contacts – Give-and-take Catamenia will automatically add together the names from your contacts into your library, automobile-correcting and machine-suggesting proper names right away

The Give-and-take Flow keyboard has likewise prepare the Guinness Volume of World Records for the fastest keyboard on the planet, besting Swype on the Galaxy South by a full vii.5 seconds. It's no gimmick.

Granted, Microsoft has nevertheless not opened up keyboard access to 3rd-party developers, so don't wait Swype or SwiftKey to appear someday soon. But because how expert the typing experience is on eight.1, I'thousand not entirely sure there is a strong need for it. Choice would exist virtuous, only it'southward non something that users are dying for, either.

If I had to cull ane of my favorite features on 8.one, the Shape writing experience in Word Flow is near the summit. I was never a huge fan of touch-typing (in comparing to a concrete keyboard), just Shape writing goes a long way in ameliorating my fat finger mistakes when typing.

Support this, back up that; Sync this, sync that

Backing upward. It automatically ranks upwards there with filing taxes. It's boring, but it's necessary and up until now, information technology's been a feature missing from Windows Phone. Users currently have the ability to back up some things on their current Windows Phone, including a list of apps and games installed and even some basic settings. Merely information technology pales to a full device restore.

Microsoft completely changes that in Windows Phone eight.1. There are now a few things that are optimally (and optionally) backed upwards to the cloud, including:

• Apps + Settings – Save browser favorites, Beginning screen design, passwords, and most settings to the cloud
• App backup – Relieve app content like high scores, notes, and settings to OneDrive for participating apps
• Text messages – Download letters from last month, terminal year, any time
• Photos + Videos – Photos (Don't upload, Good quality, All-time quality via Wi-Fi); Videos (Don't Upload; Best Quality via Wi-Fi)

Those features are found under Settings > Backup and users can opt in or out of the saving feature and fifty-fifty manage those backups. Every bit you can tell from the wording, app settings, notes and high scores for games will crave developers to configure their app to "participate". That means nosotros're non out of the woods yet, since apps and games will need to be updated in society to take advantage of these tools. But at to the lowest degree Microsoft has now provided the resources. Kickoff screen layout is a big change, as previously y'all could restore app installations, merely non their placement on your Start screen.

Clearly, backing upwards was no piffling task to implement and Microsoft appears to accept made a nifty job of giving developers the necessary tools. Permit'south promise they take advantage of them.

Likewise, users tin can now sync settings across devices. I mentioned this in a higher place with Theme syncing, which can be plant nether Settings > Sync my settings. Other options include:

• App Settings
• Internet Explorer
• Passwords

For Internet Explorer, if y'all're using IE11, you lot can now sync bookmarks across your devices and even bring down passwords. Likewise for App settings, which volition become more important in one case apps get more than unified on Telephone and Desktop.

Look, backing upward is never fun but 8.1 does an beauteous task of making device restores, picking upwardly a new phone and saving old game scores much easier and painless. It remains to exist seen just how well in functions "in the wild", but I'm content with the effort made with this release.

Cyberspace Explorer eleven, a new Store layout, Skype integration, new agenda and more

All the above is impressive for a "0.1" update, merely 8.ane certainly has much more nether her belt. Here are a few other very meaning changes:

• Net Explorer 11 – InPrivate browsing (secretive browsing mode), Reading View optimizes text in articles; Unlimited tabs, up from the previous 6 limitation; Password and bookmark syncing with your PC; Pre-fetching, pre-rendering of pages and Browser Optimization Service (BSO), which "compresses images, JavaScript, and HTML text on webpages to reduce data consumption by up to seventy percent for browser page loads"
• Store – The Store now has a new design and features analogous to Windows viii.1; App updates tin be automatically updated; Choose to update apps simply over Wi-Fi; Download history; App history; Reviews have their own page and ability to be sorted based on most helpful, most recent, highest rated or lowest rated; previously purchased apps and games now consider that, without the disruptive "purchase" screen; Location-based app suggestions and finally, Force check for app updates
• Skype integration – Believe it or not, Skype and other VoIP apps get even amend in 8.1, with Skype tying into the in-Call screen. When you are on a phone call, yous can now "upgrade" the standard carrier call to Skype with a unmarried tap. The procedure hangs upwardly the current phone call and automatically dials the contact on Skype, initiating a video call. It'due south non 100% seamless, but it's certainly like shooting fish in a barrel to utilize and crafty. If you don't like Skype, other VoIP apps tin can exist selected as the default video-calling app under Phone > Settings > Video calls
• Calendar and week view – Finally, the agenda app gets updated with a twenty-four hours, week, month and even year views. Users tin swipe to reveal the post-obit mean solar day, calendar week, month and year and even optionally display the weather forecast for those calendar days; Tasks are now integrated as are multiple calendars from Facebook, Outlook, Gmail and Reminders (from Cortana)

Those are all really excellent improvements over viii.1, and I'm glad to see nigh every nook and cranny of the OS get a fresh shine with this update. The new Store is really fantastic, although it is a bit slower to load graphics upon kickoff loading than the current version, and I do kind of miss the banner groundwork images (information technology'southward now just plainly blackness instead). Automatic app updates, forced-update checks, downloads only over Wi-Fi and seeing previously purchased apps are all exactly what the Store needed to make it i of the best around. Combined with the "Ane Shop" unification that 8.1 brings for Desktop and Phone, consumers will also begin to see single-app purchases across both platforms going forward, including in-app purchases and settings. Desire to buy a game on Windows Telephone and get information technology on Windows viii? Done. That should will be the coup de grâce for the concluding of user complaints about Microsoft's Store and give them an advantage of Android and iOS.

Sense is everywhere

Wi-Fi Sense, Data Sense, Bombardment Saver, Storage Sense. Microsoft is going all out in making the services that power Windows Phone much easier to manage. I think this is an inevitable problem with smartphones and Microsoft is not immune from it: the more advanced an OS becomes the more complicated it gets. Apple's iOS was easy to use in 2007. Today, iOS 7 is but almost every bit feature packed as Android and its complexity reflects that.

Microsoft is addressing some of that with their 'Sense' initiative on Windows Telephone. It's a skillful thought, equally information technology helps users manage things that otherwise could be a petty dull or convoluted. Let's take a await at what eight.1 brings and builds upon.

• Wi-Fi Sense – You lot can now share your personal Wi-Fi login credentials with other Wi-Fi Sense users who are also in your contacts; Automatically login into public Wi-Fi networks and agree to their Terms & Services without touching anything on your device
• Information Sense – Notice gratuitous Wi-Fi hotspots on the map with Wi-Fi Guide  (ties into Wi-Fi sense for logins); Set data limit and frequency, reset date, etc.; Browser information savings including new "Automatic Savings" mode, which will "switch from Standard to High Savings way when you are within less than 5 percent of your data programme limit."
• Battery Saver – Previously, Bombardment Saver would kick in when you only had 20% of battery left. Information technology nonetheless does that, but y'all at present get an app by app breakdown of what is consuming your precious power, including when active versus in the groundwork. You can also fix an app to override the Battery Saver function, and then that you tin proceed to get WhatsApp or Facebook update while the rest of your phone has restricted power consumption; Users can pin the Battery Saver app to their Start screen for a Live Tile that reflects the current bombardment status
• Storage Sense – This is a tool to help you manage your data on your Windows Phone by allowing you to move photos, downloads, music, videos and now apps and game to a storage menu (if your device supports it). Not just can yous shop media on a storage bill of fare, but the Os volition move them there as well; Users can pin Storage sense to your Beginning screen to get a new Live Tile that will flip to show your current remaining storage

The Sense and Bombardment Saver services certainly help in making things easier to manage on Windows Phone. Microsoft traditionally has shied abroad from giving users tools to "manage" things considering they believe users really shouldn't take to do such things. I concur, simply the reality of smartphones in 2022 is they are still complicated, and users want the control. Microsoft has given that but with some bonuses, like Wi-Fi Sense. Sharing of Wi-Fi passwords is neat simply like Rooms (which is however in eight.1), information technology assumes the user has a Windows Phone to accept advantage of the function. That'due south non Microsoft'south mistake, but information technology certainly limits how much you can use that new feature.

I really like the automobile-login to public Wi-Fi. There's zero more than abrasive than having to launch Internet Explorer to hitting an 'agree' button or even worse, type in some bogus user data so that they tin collect the information for marketing purposes. I get how 'free' Wi-Fi works, merely information technology's however dull. Microsoft has done something previously simply the hacking or modding community did: give users a style to circumvent annoying prompts. It's useful and devious, so much so you wonder how some complimentary Wi-Fi provides would react to it (assuming Windows Telephone has substantial marketplace share).

The new Battery Saver is impressive as it gives users an idea if a certain app is sucking down too much in resource. Microsoft'due south Store certification procedure should catch such apps, but it's yet a adept tool to have just-in-case.

Finally, Data and Storage Sense gives users even more control over their device and helps control costs. Data Sense is withal something carriers need to support, so while those participating in the Developer Preview may get the tool, it may not appear in the official builds due subsequently this summer. That's unfortunate, but not exactly Microsoft'due south mistake either. Hopefully fifty-fifty more carriers will cover Data Sense for 8.one in 2022.

Wrapping information technology up

I covered a lot in this review of 8.1, and I yet feel it's incomplete. Over 5,000 words, seven new hands on videos and over twenty photos still does not capture all of the improvements, changes and new features in Microsoft'southward massive update. What did I miss? How about:

• VPN support built in
• South/MIME for encrypting emails
• NFC 'trusted apps' to bypass the confirmation screen
• Tap to pay moves from Wallet to NFC
• Social Extensibility framework – Installing certain social-network apps will tie into the OS, allowing you to sign in one time and have their data integrated into the People Hub east.g. Facebook
• Facebook Messaging is removed, replaced past a new app; Facebook integration is still included in the People Hub and Me Tile
• Prepare default 'Mail service an update' and 'Check in' apps under the Me Tile; opened up to third-party developers
• Local Scout has moved to Maps
• Microsoft Maps now has new 3D aerial view
• Mute thread in text messages
• Restrict background data when roaming (Data Sense)
• Custom volume settings for Ringer/Notifications and Apps/Media
• Dual SIM back up (for new hardware)
• Enhanced YouTube and HTML5 in browser experience
• Miracast and USB support for screen projection
• Revamped Microsoft Camera app with Burst Mode, configurable settings for the viewfinder
• Collections in the Photos Hub, grouped based on location + engagement/fourth dimension + action
• Podcast integration with new app and Bing services
• Swipe down in task-switcher brandish to close out app (the 'X' still remains, too)
• Auto-download of images in e-mail
• Xbox Music and Xbox Video are at present split apps (all the same no HD video, though it is coming)
• All the backend changes for developers and OEMs, including Qualcomm Snapdragon Sensor core support, UMDF 2.0 driver support for commuter unification beyond Windows hardware, etc.

And I'm quite positive even with that bulleted listing, I've overlooked or forgotten to mention something.

But forgetting a feature listing and overview—how is the Bone now? Every bit a long time Windows Phone user, I'g quite impressed with information technology. It has certainly inverse the fashion I use my phone, including the post-obit features:

• Action Center
• Cortana
• Shape writing
• Install apps to SD card
• The OS is just smarter

That'southward non to say everything is perfect in this 'preview' release. Instagram, which itself is still in 'beta', had some network issues (they seemed to exist resolved at present); I've had issues with the power button not turning the device on and occasionally IE would bug out. Miracast, while supported by the OS, is not quite set for Nokia hardware as they will demand the Lumia Cyan update for new drivers. Likewise with USB screen projection, which I could not go to piece of work.

Merely overall, these were small-scale inconveniences for a 'preview' release. The OS feels fast; animations have been tweaked for an improved user experience. The new features don't feel tacked on, but rather well thought out in advanced. And they work. That'south the dazzler with this update as nigh all of you will get something y'all actually wanted. At that place'due south still room for comeback, but the gap betwixt Microsoft, Apple tree and Google is certainly getting narrower with today's release.

I'yard done saying Microsoft has finally defenseless up to the competition. I'm washed predicting whether or non Windows Phone will finally catch on in the Us, where it sits at around 4% market share. I call up viii.1 is a fantastic update from Microsoft, and it shows a new level of commitment to their mobile Os. I'k not sure information technology's plenty to catch upward to Android or fifty-fifty iOS, merely I'k non certain Microsoft actually needs to. The Os is solid, hardware – especially from Nokia – is outstanding, and the apps are finally beingness built for Windows Phone at the same time as Android and iOS.

For current Windows Telephone eight owners, you'll be knocked off your socks with this update. For those who are not on Windows Phone and reading this, you may finally be swayed with all of the new and improved features. What's more than, nosotros expect Microsoft to deliver ii updates to 8.i this twelvemonth with GDR1 and GDR2. What those updates will bring, we're non entirely also sure, just we're excited to see what happens next.

• If you have a Windows Phone 8.0 device, you can at present get the 8.1 Preview on your phone!

Solid Foundations

ASUS ROG Strix X570-East is the best motherboard for Ryzen 9 5900X

The motherboard can prove a blessing or a hindrance when used with high-operation processors like the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X, depending on which you lot go for. Nosotros've rounded up the best B550 and X570 motherboards that are compatible with the new Ryzen processor.

Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/windows-phone-81-review

Posted by: scalfhiching.blogspot.com

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