Windows Phone 8.1 discussion

Forums › Legacy mobile platforms (Windows Mobile, Palm OS, Web OS, Symbian, Meego, Blackberry) › Windows Phone 8.1 discussion

billgates

4705 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 671

Trusted

#139543 12-Feb-2014 13:44

Strong rumors stating that Windows Phone 8.1 will be announced and shown off at the BUILD conference on April. It will also be made available later that day or week as a preview to anyone that is part of the Preview Developer Update program which anyone can enroll into for free of cost.

Greater than 70% of the API for Windows Phone 8.1 is same as Windows 8.1 so it's looking like that by 2015, it will be 1 app store to rule Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1.

Quite a few leaks released in the past 2 days from early SDK release to developers and presentation slides.

Every Windows Phone 8 device made by any OEM will get a free upgrade to Windows Phone 8.1

Credit/Reference for the below leaks including photos goes to WPCentral, Twitter, TheVerge and WMPoweruser

New additions and changes coming to Windows Phone 8.1 as per the leaks.

Here's the list of features noted by the developer with Windows Phone 8.1 SDK access:

NEW Audio/video transcoding, Hardware accelerated
NEW Media editing: audio and video; Audio effects, video effects; Slow motion video
NEW Apps can capture audio/video from themselves
NEW Stereoscopic 3d support
NEW Wi-Fi Direct, a Wi-Fi standard allowing direct peer-to-peer connections over Wi-Fi without an access point
NEW Windows Phone 8.1 apps won't run on 8.0 devices until they upgrade
NEW Documentation confirms ALL current Windows Phone 8 hardware to get 8.1
NEW Dev tools: SemanticZoom, DatePicker, TimePicker
NEW PlayTo support
NEW Single sign-in for apps (like on Windows 8) with Microsoft Account; sign in will persist across devices + apps with permissions prompt
NEW YouTube Player (see lede image) including HTML5 video support (video playback doesn't have to be full screen) And you get custom UI, so YouTube Closed Captions are in
NEW File picker (see above image)
NEW Geofencing API for location-based reminders
NEW Background tasks: Bluetooth signal strength, Chat message notification, Device connection change, Device use trigger, Gatt characteristic notification, Location, Push notification, Rfcomm connection, System event, Timer
NEW Slide down to close apps
NEW Navigation bar color selection
NEW USB choices
NEW Updated camera layout, similar to Windows 8.1 (see photo below)
Back button doesn't terminate the app
No more XAP, instead APPX
VPN (Virtual Private Network)
OneDrive (previously SkyDrive) with integrated file browser (just like Windows 8.1)
Filter through installed apps by usage/install date
Select multiple tiles when customising the Start screen [FALSE]
More efficient multitasking
Ability to install apps on inserted SD Cards
Internet Explorer 11 improved with WebGL and Normal mapping support
Separate volume controls for ringer, media, etc.
Bing smart search (similar search system as Windows 8.1)
Xbox Music and Xbox Video as standalone apps instead of the Music + Video Hub (allowing more updates to be pushed)
Redesigned Xbox Game Hub
Twitter integrated more deeply into the contacts Hub
Facebook account option REMOVED (updated)
Quick settings access (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) by doing a quick swipe from the top of the screen
Action Center accessed by doing a full swipe from up to the bottom (separate from the Notification Center)
Silent notifications which go directly to the Action center
Possibility to mark a Live Tile as read by swiping from the left of said tile
Auto-updates for apps (just like Windows 8.1)
Better backup functionality
Improved keyboard
Bluetooth 4.0 LE (to non-Lumia Windows Phones)
Feature to mirror Windows Phone screens to TVs and/or monitors

Things not included in the SDK:

Cortana
Action Center + Notification Center
New gesture-based keyboard (Swype)

http://www.wpcentral.com/developers-leak-new-features-windows-phone-81-sdk

Do whatever you want to do man.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | ... | 10

MikeB4
18775 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 12765

ID Verified

Trusted

Subscriber

#985057 12-Feb-2014 13:46

looks good, what is the eta for general release?

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

billgates

4705 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 671

Trusted

#985058 12-Feb-2014 13:47

On Screen buttons support instead of requiring physical capacitive buttons for Back, Windows and Search key. Should hopefully result in Samsung, HTC, LG etc making same standard hardware for both Windows Phone and Android. Also the new default camera application UI which is very similar to that of Windows 8.1

VPN support, Battery Sense App and you can also change the default SMS/Messaging app to a 3rd party one.

Separate volume control for different apps. Install app on SD card. Swipe down from top of screen to close app.

Miracast hopefully? Podcasts!, New Week calendar view.

Do whatever you want to do man.

billgates

4705 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 671

Trusted

#985059 12-Feb-2014 13:47

KiwiNZ: looks good, what is the eta for general release?

Strong rumors and they state 1 or 2 months from BUILD conference date which is on 2nd April. Any WP8 customer can get on the developer preview program and load WP 8.1 when it's released in 1st week of April. You do however give up your device warranty. I am currently running the developer preview program (GDR3)

Do whatever you want to do man.

Abo

78 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 35

#985329 12-Feb-2014 18:00

Looks good, will definitely sign up for developer preview.

Hopefully it also fixes the store bug..

chada398

26 posts

Geek

#985383 12-Feb-2014 18:55

everything looks awesome. I can't wait to upgrade. Not sure if I buy something now any be able to download day one through dev programme or wait for next gen handset. Don't know if I can wait that long with still being on L800.

What about Skype integration?

nathan

5695 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1630
Inactive user

#986348 12-Feb-2014 19:49

There's always some new hardware around the corner. Id be buying now if you have a need now rather than waiting.

Quic Broadband

Move to New Zealand's best fibre broadband service (affiliate link). Free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE. Note that to use Quic Broadband you must be comfortable with configuring your own router.

Ragnor

8279 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 585

Trusted

#986379 12-Feb-2014 20:35

Excellent list of changes almost everything missing or clunky is being added/improved.

One I don't see mentioned is using NTP/Internet for updating the clock automatically (given carriers have unreliable support at least in NZ).

Any word on that Nathan?

billgates

4705 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 671

Trusted

#988146 16-Feb-2014 11:30

Few more leaks revealed today along with a full feature list of new features that will be there in Windows Phone 8.1

Windows Phone 8.1 new feature changes (subject to change upon RTM)

•Sharing secured WI-Fi Networks with contacts if they have Wi-Fi Sense. They don’t get to see the shared password though
•Social notifications will now show up in Action Center by swiping from the top of the screen
•Operators can now control Data Sense limits remotely
•Operators can also install certain applications once a SIM card is detected
•Along with normal updates, there are now “important” updates.
•Options to always download emails and pictures within them
•Encrypted and signed e-mail support
•Change default SMS app. You can also change which SMS app will show notifications.
•Enterprise enrolled phones can have their passwords changed and remotely locked
•“Write, when I swipe through letters”. That should be self-explanatory
•Geofence monitoring support. Geofence is a boundary around a place of interest to you. Location services can monitor geofences to tell your apps when you’re entering and leaving them. This would be really good for IFTTT
•Office Lens support. Will scan in documents and screens
•The phone will have to update to the latest version before you can restore it to factory settings
•Option to update store apps automatically
•Option to update store apps when only on Wi-Fi
•App Suggestions by location
•Manual Update checks
•Password protected Office document support
•Trusted app list for NFC that will remove the need for asking whether you want to open a particular app.
•In-call speech commands. You’ll be able to say “Call XXXXXX”.
•Double-Tap to unlock your phone (Feature from Lumia devices on Amber Update and newer)
•Quiet Hours
•Double Tap to Power Off
•Notification if charger isn’t of adequate power
•Screenshot button combination is now Power + Volume Up
•Chkdsk for SD Cards essentially
•Apps on SD Cards are only allowed from ONE originating phone. If it detects that apps from another phone are installed on the SD Card, then it will ask to delete those first
•Voice Narrator for Accessibility
•The Search button will be the new way to open Speech instead of the Start button (Since the newer phones will have the start button on screen)
•New Email sync options with accordance to usage patterns (i.e. If you get a lot of mail on particular days and if you don’t check mail every day).
•Change the size and amount of tiles on your start screen.
•Wallet supports tickets and membership cards
•App Syncing
•Backups now include application data (ABOUT TIME)
•Screen Reader functionality (Maybe Text-To-Speech for apps?)
•Screen Recording functionality
•Inner Circle of contacts. Up to 40 contacts can be in the inner circle.
•You can favorite photos by tapping a heart icon
•Virtual SmartCard support

http://www.wpcentral.com/massive-windows-phone-81-feature-list?utm_source=wpc&utm_medium=twitter

Do whatever you want to do man.

nathan

5695 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1630
Inactive user

#988153 16-Feb-2014 11:44

Ragnor: Excellent list of changes almost everything missing or clunky is being added/improved.

One I don't see mentioned is using NTP/Internet for updating the clock automatically (given carriers have unreliable support at least in NZ).

Any word on that Nathan?

nothing I can say quite yet sorry :)

billgates

4705 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 671

Trusted

#999238 5-Mar-2014 08:49

Cortana demoed in a short video offline. Seems like it requires a MS account and you answer few questions during setup for it to know better about your likes and dislikes. Looks like a Nokia Lumia 920 and looks very fluid.

Do whatever you want to do man.

Klipspringer

2385 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 286
Inactive user

#999244 5-Mar-2014 08:58

Honestly I cannot stand having to use Windows 8 on my work PC. Why on earth would people want it on their phones?

AliExpress

Shop now on AliExpress (affiliate link).

nathan

5695 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1630
Inactive user

#999246 5-Mar-2014 09:01

maybe a phone isn't a work PC

andrewNZ

2487 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1461
Inactive user

#999248 5-Mar-2014 09:01

Klipspringer: Honestly I cannot stand having to use Windows 8 on my work PC. Why on earth would people want it on their phones?

Have you tried it?

billgates

4705 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 671

Trusted

#999275 5-Mar-2014 10:00

Klipspringer: Honestly I cannot stand having to use Windows 8 on my work PC. Why on earth would people want it on their phones?

If you are running Windows 8.1, you can boot straight to Desktop mode. Even if you are running Windows 8, the OS does not force you to the new Start/Metro screen away from your Desktop mode once you click on the Desktop tile.

Do whatever you want to do man.

toprob

126 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 8

#999311 5-Mar-2014 10:37

When I first read how Cortana was going to be represented, I couldn't help thinking of 'bit'. Now I want a virtual assistant who knows everything about me, has access to the entire internet, but can only answer yes or no...

Godzone Virtual Flight, for 'Real New Zealand' flightsim scenery.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | ... | 10