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Hands-on with Windows Phone 8 Update 3 on the Nokia Lumia 1020 (Gallery)

Microsoft released a preview version of the WP8 Update 3 change and it is quite easy to get it for yourself to try out, much the way Apple now allows people to install early betas for testing and app compatibility.
By Matthew Miller, Contributing Writer
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1 of 16 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

Updated task switcher on WP8

ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley posted the upcoming Windows Phone 8 Update 3 news yesterday and then after reading Paul Thurrott's post I was able to easily install this Update 3 release on my Nokia Lumia 1020.

Of course I was unable to test out the new hardware support, including a high-resolution display, faster processor, and bigger screen, but I did get to try out some other software features. I was worried about breaking my Lumia 1020, but this update doesn't mess with the Nokia parts at all and just updates the Windows Phone parts so you should be fine.

The functions I have up and running on my Lumia 1020 include:

  • Driving Mode: Limits notifications when you connect a selected Bluetooth device.

  • Better ringtone: You can now setup ringtones for IM, email, voicemail, and reminders, along with custom contact ringtones for text messaging.

  • Screen rotation: You can now select to rotate the display or lock the orientation.

  • Manual app closure: The task switcher on Windows Phone has always been a bit limited compared to other mobile operating systems. You can now tap the X button in the upper right to close an application.

You can also now use Wi-Fi to setup your new device and I honestly can't believe this wasn't on there before. There isn't a ton of functionality added just in the GDR 3 update, but we can likely expect more from manufacturers like Nokia when they officially release the update.

I like the ability to more closely manage my open apps, but there are still many reasons I am now focused on using Android devices instead of Windows Phone 8 for my daily driver.

Further reading

wp83update02.jpg
2 of 16 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

Closing an app on WP8, Update 3

ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley posted the upcoming Windows Phone 8 Update 3 news yesterday and then after reading Paul Thurrott's post I was able to easily install this Update 3 release on my Nokia Lumia 1020.

Of course I was unable to test out the new hardware support, including a high-resolution display, faster processor, and bigger screen, but I did get to try out some other software features. I was worried about breaking my Lumia 1020, but this update doesn't mess with the Nokia parts at all and just updates the Windows Phone parts so you should be fine.

The functions I have up and running on my Lumia 1020 include:

  • Driving Mode: Limits notifications when you connect a selected Bluetooth device.

  • Better ringtone: You can now setup ringtones for IM, email, voicemail, and reminders, along with custom contact ringtones for text messaging.

  • Screen rotation: You can now select to rotate the display or lock the orientation.

  • Manual app closure: The task switcher on Windows Phone has always been a bit limited compared to other mobile operating systems. You can now tap the X button in the upper right to close an application.

You can also now use Wi-Fi to setup your new device and I honestly can't believe this wasn't on there before. There isn't a ton of functionality added just in the GDR 3 update, but we can likely expect more from manufacturers like Nokia when they officially release the update.

I like the ability to more closely manage my open apps, but there are still many reasons I am now focused on using Android devices instead of Windows Phone 8 for my daily driver.

Further reading

wp83update03.jpg
3 of 16 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

Managing screen rotation

ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley posted the upcoming Windows Phone 8 Update 3 news yesterday and then after reading Paul Thurrott's post I was able to easily install this Update 3 release on my Nokia Lumia 1020.

Of course I was unable to test out the new hardware support, including a high-resolution display, faster processor, and bigger screen, but I did get to try out some other software features. I was worried about breaking my Lumia 1020, but this update doesn't mess with the Nokia parts at all and just updates the Windows Phone parts so you should be fine.

The functions I have up and running on my Lumia 1020 include:

  • Driving Mode: Limits notifications when you connect a selected Bluetooth device.

  • Better ringtone: You can now setup ringtones for IM, email, voicemail, and reminders, along with custom contact ringtones for text messaging.

  • Screen rotation: You can now select to rotate the display or lock the orientation.

  • Manual app closure: The task switcher on Windows Phone has always been a bit limited compared to other mobile operating systems. You can now tap the X button in the upper right to close an application.

You can also now use Wi-Fi to setup your new device and I honestly can't believe this wasn't on there before. There isn't a ton of functionality added just in the GDR 3 update, but we can likely expect more from manufacturers like Nokia when they officially release the update.

I like the ability to more closely manage my open apps, but there are still many reasons I am now focused on using Android devices instead of Windows Phone 8 for my daily driver.

Further reading

wp83update04.jpg
4 of 16 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

Setting up Driving Mode

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5 of 16 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

Select what actions you want performed

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6 of 16 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

Customize your text reply

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7 of 16 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

Choose a Bluetooth device to initiate Driving Mode

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8 of 16 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

Call and SMS filter capability

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9 of 16 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

Custom rington selections

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10 of 16 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

Choose a ringtone for your preferred communication method

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11 of 16 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

Custom text tone for your contacts

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12 of 16 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

A view of your phone storage

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13 of 16 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

Some accessibility settings were updated too

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14 of 16 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

Memory overview

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15 of 16 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

See how much each app consumes

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16 of 16 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

Detailed view of your storage

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