Microsoft’s annual BUILD developer conference kicked off
today and one of the stars of the keynote was the newest version of the company’s
mobile operating system – Windows Phone 8.1. The new version of the mobile
operating system is packed with new features that allow it to stand toe-to-toe
with Android and iOS in terms of functionality.
For starters, Microsoft has added more customization options
in Windows Phone 8.1. Users should be able to customize both the lockscreen and
start screen with ease. For instance, the lockscreen can now be themed to
change its appearance and even its functionality using open APIs.
On the other hand, users can now set up backgrounds on the
start screen and give tiles a transparent effect. Moreover, users can now
choose whether or not they want to have a third column of live tiles on their
start screen – a feature that was previously dictated by OEM.
Microsoft is also following the lead of Apple and Google by
giving WP 8.1 its own dedicated notifications center called Action center. Just
like those found on Android and iOS, the Action Center will hold toggles for
various phone settings including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, brightness adjustment and
screen orientation lock. It will also be the place where notifications from
various apps including text messages, emails and missed calls will appear.
However, it was Cortana that made the biggest difference between
Windows Phone 8.1 and its predecessors. Acting as Microsoft’s answer to Google’s
Google Now and Apple’s Siri, Cortana is a voice assistant that lets users set
reminders, calendar events and give specific information to a user using Bing’s
intelligent search.
Cortana can be accessed by holding down the search button
and speaking or typing a command. It is also capable of providing custom
notifications to users based on their personal information and usage data. The
Redmond company has also employed Jen Taylor, the voice of the original Cortana
in the Halo game series for some added personality.
Windows Phone 8.1 also brings improved features of existing
apps including Internet Explorer 11 that brings improved password management, a
reading view optimized for mobile, InPrivate mode for incognito browsing,
easier file uploading and support for WebGL and HTML5 video player.
Sense apps have also been updated with new features. The
Battery Power Sense app helps users to improve battery life by showing which
apps are using the most power which can then be turned off to save energy. On
the other hand, Data and Wi-Fi Sense will provide users with more control on
network usage.
Other notable improvements in the OS include the addition of
on-screen keys, quiet hours and a new keyboard that supports a Sywpe-like
method of entering characters called Wordflow.
According to Microsoft, Windows Phone 8.1 will be available
in the coming months (although no exact date has been mentioned) for existing
Windows Phone 8 devices while new devices that will ship in late April or early
May will automatically have the OS out of the box.
