(Updated) All the Windows Phone 8.1 Announcements from Build in one spot

[Lloydbm41]

Here is a quick breakdown of all the new Windows Phone 8.1 features announced today at Build Conference. (Software only, not Nokia hardware). All of these features will be available on April 10th to those that have applied to Microsofts 'developer' only preview builds. Otherwise you will have to wait until the end of the month.

1. Notification Center aka 'Action Center'
Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaiydBwPvqg

2. Cortana
Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhtYIAxLl8g

3. Independent Volume Controls
Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8VCet4WoZk

4. Swipe Keyboard
Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNyteXr3KxQ

5. Internet Explorer 11
Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KDBFy5VZv8

6. New Camera app for 8.1
Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfvnAi1Bct0

7. New Podcast app for 8.1
Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAxo-I2EmdE

8. Touch focused Office apps on Windows Phone (no release date given though and only a demo given of a Powerpoint presentation)

9. Here Drive+ now on all phones with Windows 8.1 (including the 520/521)!

Also Windows Phone 8.1 is powered by HERE, but we wanted to make it even better for a mobile lifestyle. This is why we extend the benefits of free voice guided car navigation in 97 countries to everyone. No matter whether you have an entry-level Nokia Lumia 520, a Samsung Ativ S or a HTC 8X, with Windows Phone 8.1 you get HERE Drive+ for free, saving up to €35.

Maps views have been updated in HERE Drive+, along with HERE Maps and Transit. In certain countries, you can now view buildings in 3D, and aerial detail has been improved.

 

[roadbloc]

3. Independent Volume Controls
Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8VCet4WoZk

At long last! I've wanted this feature on WP for so long now. Shame I no longer have a WP anymore haha.

 

[jrswizzle]

Any news on which devices will be getting 8.1 and which won't?

Know its a longshot, but hoping my 520 somehow sneaks in and gets it.....lol. One can dream.

 

[bearda]

Any news on which devices will be getting 8.1 and which won't?

Know its a longshot, but hoping my 520 somehow sneaks in and gets it.....lol. One can dream.

Microsoft had previously indicated that it would

 

[Lloydbm41]

Any news on which devices will be getting 8.1 and which won't?

Know its a longshot, but hoping my 520 somehow sneaks in and gets it.....lol. One can dream.

No announcement on that from Nokia or the carriers that I am aware of. BUT, since the 520/521 got the Black update, I see little reason why they wouldn't get the 8.1 'Blue' update. Only feature it won't be able to handle is the adding of a 3rd column of tiles (as that feature will only work on screens of 4.5" or larger).

 

[jrswizzle]

No announcement on that from Nokia or the carriers that I am aware of. BUT, since the 520/521 got the Black update, I see little reason why they wouldn't get the 8.1 'Blue' update. Only feature it won't be able to handle is the adding of a 3rd column of tiles (as that feature will only work on screens of 4.5" or larger).

Boss! That would be cool.....rarely use the thing, but it'll be neat to check out these new features.

 

[Lloydbm41]

Official Cortana TV Advert (Look closely at the beginning of the video for 'Master Chief' - 14 second mark )

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nX9P6skzZNU

 

[nooaah]

Universal apps and swype? Ttyl android

 

[Jessica Lares]

Can't wait for the update on my 520.

Hopefully the new Office looks good.

 

[.macbookpro.]

At long last! I've wanted this feature on WP for so long now. Shame I no longer have a WP anymore haha.

Same situation. I had a HTC 8X for a year, but 8.1 didn't come soon enough, so I bought myself a Nexus 5. I don't know why, but Android just doesn't have the style or design of iOS and WP. WP was a beautiful looking OS.

 

[AppleRobert]

Something tells me I will have already bought a Windows Phone on 8.1 before my 521 gets it and it will be at least 4.5".

 

[MRU]

I thought most of the stuff was excellent and look forward to April 10th when we can download it


I'm thinking I might get a 930 in the future too.

 

[MRU]

Something tells me I will have already bought a Windows Phone on 8.1 before my 521 gets it and it will be at least 4.5".

Just sign up on windows phone developer site with your windows login, then download preview for developers from the store on your phone and you'll be able to download 8.1 on April 10/11th

 

[Lloydbm41]

Just sign up on windows phone developer site with your windows login, then download preview for developers from the store on your phone and you'll be able to download 8.1 on April 10/11th

Yep, this. Haven't been this exited for a release since iOS 5 and ICS.

 

[scott craft]

Cortana and the notification center look pretty good. I might have to check out Windows phone again in the near future.

 

[AppleRobert]

Just sign up on windows phone developer site with your windows login, then download preview for developers from the store on your phone and you'll be able to download 8.1 on April 10/11th

I'll do that. Better than nothing but the 521 has only a small amount of RAM and the small screen as well may not be optimal.

 

[Six8]

Will the 926 get this?

 

[MRU]

Will the 926 get this?

Apparently every nokia device that can run windows phone 8 will get it.

If you want to jump the queue do as we posted above and you can get 8.1 sooner rather than later...

 

[Six8]

Thanks. For some reason I have a need to purchase a 925 and give this a whirl

 

[Xe89]

Better iCloud support in Windows Phone 8.1:

http://blogs.windows.com/windows_ph...eat-features-coming-in-windows-phone-8-1.aspx

(it's under "People Hub, Email and Accounts")

 

[MRU]

Just got a stack of updates for things like SMS/Call filtering, Touch etc... I wonder if this is prep for the biggie ?

 

[Cnasty]

Have never considered a Windows phone but some of these looks great.

What is the flagship/best Windows phone out currently?

 

[jamezr]

Have never considered a Windows phone but some of these looks great.

What is the flagship/best Windows phone out currently?

The Nokia Icon or Nokia 930

 

[Cnasty]

Is there a new phone coming out soon from WP?

I will have to look at that one as I currently have a Note 3 but always looking at whats out there.

I will look into this one, thank you.

 

[MRU]

Have never considered a Windows phone but some of these looks great.

What is the flagship/best Windows phone out currently?

Lumia Icon / 930 (Icon on Verizon USA and the Lumia 930 for the rest of the world)
Lumia 1520

They all have QuadCore Snapdragon 800 processors / 2GB Ram / 20mp purview cameras & 1080p screens.


Next is the

Lumia 1020 - but thats likely to be the next flagship to be replaced with a quad core model with same 41mp camera or slightly bumped camera.

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Is there a new phone coming out soon from WP?

I will have to look at that one as I currently have a Note 3 but always looking at whats out there.

I will look into this one, thank you.

The 930 was announced at Build, it likely would have shipped worldwide sooner but they delayed it for Windows 8.1


The 930 has a 5" screen

The 1520 is exactly the same specifications wise except it has a 6" screen and a bigger 3100Mah battery.