Update 1 for Windows Phone 8.1 revealed by Microsoft

 

So, with all the speculation, Microsoft has finally revealed to us what will be included in Update 1, or GDR 1 for Windows Phone 8.1. This will be the first out of two major update this year for Windows Phone. This news came out from Beijing, China, where Joe Belifiore announced the update and the expansion of Cortana to other markets, like the UK and China.

So, compare to Windows Phone 8.1 update, this is nothing much, but still plenty of features waiting for you, hardware and software. Most of what we already know about GDR 1 leaked last week was pretty much true.

So, let’s start with the most awaited feature: Live Folders

This one was leaked a few weeks ago by accident, but why does it call Live Folder? Well, beside the fact that you can put all your Tiles into the folders, whatever app or games in there that have Live Tiles activated  will still be enable after be in the Files. So, your information on the normal tiles still gets update even with it being in the files. This work better than Nokia’s App Folders since it is “more consistent” to why they created the Live Tiles UI for Windows Phone 8.1. So, how to create the folder, well, like iOS, you just Tiles on each other, and they can be renamed or rearranged later.

What also included in Update 1 are Xbox Music and Windows Phone store: Live ties and adding features

Now, let’s be honest here, the Xbox Music app is not the most popular thing in the Windows Phone 8.1 update, constant lag, bug and no live tile. But not anymore, as this update brings using enhancement and the implementation of Live tiles. What’s also included is the new Quick Play playlist of recently played music. 

Talk about Live Tile, the Store is getting this implementation as well, the live tile will show latest app and games every 6 hours.

SMS merging and forwarding message, and the all new Apps Corner

This update also brings more features for you to enjoy SMS texting more, by allowing you you “to select multiple SMS messages for deletion and forwarding.”

Also, there is this new thing called Apps Corner, and I must say, it is pretty interesting. As Microsoft describes it, a “sandboxed” mode for owners to share their phone to other people, and show only a list of selected apps for this corner, and let others using their phone without the worry of them accessing your personal data.

Other minor improvement: VPN through Wi-Fi hotspots, High-voltage charging capability, Smart covers enable, Improved IE compatibility and much more

WP Central has explained these new features very carefully, and I can say it better myself, so here is their take of these features:

To close, Update 1 brings a new assortment of options and improvements, including VPN functionality through a public Wi-Fi hotspot, and improved IE rendering of mobile websites. The latter works by changing the user-agent string to let websites connect Internet Explorer as if it were a different mobile browser, greatly enhancing mobile usage and compatibility for Windows Phone users.

Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0 support for Snapdragon 800 processor is included, letting Windows Phone users with the appropriate chipset take advantage Qualcomm’s rapid, high voltage USB charging. Consequently, charging times should be upwards of 75% faster. Citing Qualcomm’s data for a 3300 mAh battery, you can see the difference in the table below:

Support for Smart covers, like HTC’s Dot View case, lets OEMs create unique flip cases that activate an app or Live Lock screen when open or closed. There are rumors of an HTC One W8 Windows Phone, complete with a Dot View case to take advantage of this feature in Update 1.

Update 1 also brings advanced support for Bluetooth standards PAN (personal area network) 1.0 profile, aptX codec support for A2DP, and browsing support for AVRCP. These new standards give customers better streaming and compatibility for Windows Phone media.

Finally, more support for device resolutions are in Update 1, including 1280 x 800 WXGA, 540 x 960 native qHD and screen sizes of 6.01″ to 7″ for the 1280 x 768 WXGA resolution. These changes are for OEMs who would like to leverage their existing supply chains from other equipment lines to make Window Phones, reducing costs and expediting releases.

More and When

Update 1 still has a lot of tricks up its sleeve, and the fact that more update is coming even when a lot of its customers still on Windows Phone 8.0 GDR 3 is a refreshing thing to see. Of course, the question that is still on the table, asked by many news outlets, including WP Central, is whether all of these is enough for the consumer and the OS game, but we already hear about the Update 2 for a November OTA, and look at the history, this update cycle is at its fastest pace.

On that note, those who are on the Developer Preview program is still getting hold back for the Lumia Cyan update, and Microsoft is working to fix that, but did not give us any time frame to go on.

So, when can we expect this update? Well, for those who are still on Preview for Developers, the update is rolling out next week, and the full version will come out within months.

Stay tune, as I will be reviewing the new Update 1 and notify you when the update becomes available.

Source: Windows Phone Blog

Via: WP Central