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Hands-on with the full release of Windows Phone 8.1 and Lumia Cyan

1 of 15 NEXT PREV
  • Windows Phone 8.1 and Lumia Cyan on a Nokia Lumia 1520

    Windows Phone 8.1 and Lumia Cyan on a Nokia Lumia 1520

    The Windows Phone 8.1 Developer Preview launched in April and I loaded it up on my Nokia Lumia 1020. My awesome Nokia Lumia 1520 just received the official Windows Phone 8.1 and Nokia Cyan updates yesterday morning and it looks like the Lumia 1520 is my daily driver again .

    Windows Phone 8.1 improvements

    The major new feature of Windows Phone 8.1 is Cortana and I have come to find it much better than Siri or Google Now over the past couple of months. I especially love the location-based reminders that let me make shopping lists appear when I arrive at the specific store applicable to that shopping list.

    In addition to Cortana, Windows Phone 8.1 brings:

    • Quiet hours and Inner Circle in Cortana
    • Action Center
    • Word Flow keyboard
    • Start screen backgrounds
    • Backup and sync options
    • Internet Explorer 11
    • Updated Calendar application
    • Wi-Fi Sense, Data Sense, Storage Sense, and Battery Saver
    • Installed and updated apps show New in app list
    • Speed Dial under Phone utility
    • Live lock screen beta

    There are many more improvements in Windows Phone 8.1; check out the Microsoft announcement with all the details. After using the Developer Preview, I just couldn't even use my Lumia 1520 again when I took it back to 8.0 as I waited for the 8.1 update to hit my device. Check out my screenshot gallery to see how some of these improvements look on a Nokia Lumia 1520.

    Nokia Lumia Cyan improvements

    Most Windows Phone devices are Nokia Lumia devices so most of you will also see the Lumia Cyan update. Windows Phone 8.1 provides backend support for some of these improvements, while others are related to Nokia's work to make their devices even better.

    Lumia Cyan improvements include:

    • Bluetooth Low Energy
    • Motion data
    • Living Images
    • Dolby sound improvements
    • Miracast support
    • Improved camera performance

    I am particularly interested in checking out the improved camera software and Bluetooth LE support that will finally allow me to use my Fitbit, and hopefully Pebble, with my Windows Phone devices. WPCentral has more details on the Lumia Cyan update.

    More ZDNet Windows Phone 8 coverage

    • Windows Phone 8.1 Developer Preview screenshot gallery
    • Cortana: I want Microsoft's Windows Phone 8.1 developer bits
    • There's a Nokia Lumia 1520 that is the best, it's just not from AT&T
    • Why Windows Phone 8.1 became my daily driver again
    • Windows Phone 8.1 Action Center provides a balanced alert system
    • Microsoft's new Word Flow keyboard is the best smartphone text entry system
    Published: July 30, 2014 -- 16:00 GMT (09:00 PDT)

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • Cortana beats Siri and Google Now

    Cortana beats Siri and Google Now

    You can use Cortana as a voice control assistant, as well as a personal assistant showing you what matters to you each day.

    Published: July 30, 2014 -- 16:00 GMT (09:00 PDT)

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • Action and Notification Center

    Action and Notification Center

    Microsoft strikes the right balance of notifications, actionable shortcuts, and quick settings access.

    Published: July 30, 2014 -- 16:00 GMT (09:00 PDT)

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • Start screen backgrounds are slick

    Start screen backgrounds are slick

    Published: July 30, 2014 -- 16:00 GMT (09:00 PDT)

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • Backup so you are always ready to go in case of failure

    Backup so you are always ready to go in case of failure

    Published: July 30, 2014 -- 16:00 GMT (09:00 PDT)

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • Sync across Microsoft devices

    Sync across Microsoft devices

    Published: July 30, 2014 -- 16:00 GMT (09:00 PDT)

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • The reading mode in Internet Explorer 11 is awesome

    The reading mode in Internet Explorer 11 is awesome

    Published: July 30, 2014 -- 16:00 GMT (09:00 PDT)

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • The new Calendar app provides handy views

    The new Calendar app provides handy views

    Published: July 30, 2014 -- 16:00 GMT (09:00 PDT)

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • Wi-Fi Sense helps you get and stay connected

    Wi-Fi Sense helps you get and stay connected

    Published: July 30, 2014 -- 16:00 GMT (09:00 PDT)

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • Data Sense helps you manage your connections

    Data Sense helps you manage your connections

    Published: July 30, 2014 -- 16:00 GMT (09:00 PDT)

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • The Live lock screen beta is pretty slick

    The Live lock screen beta is pretty slick

    Published: July 30, 2014 -- 16:00 GMT (09:00 PDT)

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • Bluetooth Low Energy support is finally enabled

    Bluetooth Low Energy support is finally enabled

    Fitbit looks to be the first to support the new BLE mode on Windows Phone. My Fitbit One now syncs perfectly and I look forward to future Pebble and UP24 support too.

    Published: July 30, 2014 -- 16:00 GMT (09:00 PDT)

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • Motion data is now supported

    Motion data is now supported

    Your Windows Phone can now track your steps and share this data with apps written to collect it from your phone.

    Published: July 30, 2014 -- 16:00 GMT (09:00 PDT)

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • Living Images capture more of the story

    Living Images capture more of the story

    Similar to an HTC One Zoe, Living Images capture movement before and after your still image capture. This adds a bit of life and context to the image you captured.

    Published: July 30, 2014 -- 16:00 GMT (09:00 PDT)

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • Dolby sound improvements are provided in Lumia Cyan

    Dolby sound improvements are provided in Lumia Cyan

    Published: July 30, 2014 -- 16:00 GMT (09:00 PDT)

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

1 of 15 NEXT PREV
Matthew Miller

By Matthew Miller for Smartphones and Cell Phones | July 30, 2014 -- 16:00 GMT (09:00 PDT) | Topic: Mobility

  • Windows Phone 8.1 and Lumia Cyan on a Nokia Lumia 1520
  • Cortana beats Siri and Google Now
  • Action and Notification Center
  • Start screen backgrounds are slick
  • Backup so you are always ready to go in case of failure
  • Sync across Microsoft devices
  • The reading mode in Internet Explorer 11 is awesome
  • The new Calendar app provides handy views
  • Wi-Fi Sense helps you get and stay connected
  • Data Sense helps you manage your connections
  • The Live lock screen beta is pretty slick
  • Bluetooth Low Energy support is finally enabled
  • Motion data is now supported
  • Living Images capture more of the story
  • Dolby sound improvements are provided in Lumia Cyan

Microsoft is actively rolling out Windows Phone 8.1 after three months of being in preview mode. The Lumia Cyan update is also coming to supported Nokia devices.

Read More Read Less

Windows Phone 8.1 and Lumia Cyan on a Nokia Lumia 1520

The Windows Phone 8.1 Developer Preview launched in April and I loaded it up on my Nokia Lumia 1020. My awesome Nokia Lumia 1520 just received the official Windows Phone 8.1 and Nokia Cyan updates yesterday morning and it looks like the Lumia 1520 is my daily driver again .

Windows Phone 8.1 improvements

The major new feature of Windows Phone 8.1 is Cortana and I have come to find it much better than Siri or Google Now over the past couple of months. I especially love the location-based reminders that let me make shopping lists appear when I arrive at the specific store applicable to that shopping list.

In addition to Cortana, Windows Phone 8.1 brings:

  • Quiet hours and Inner Circle in Cortana
  • Action Center
  • Word Flow keyboard
  • Start screen backgrounds
  • Backup and sync options
  • Internet Explorer 11
  • Updated Calendar application
  • Wi-Fi Sense, Data Sense, Storage Sense, and Battery Saver
  • Installed and updated apps show New in app list
  • Speed Dial under Phone utility
  • Live lock screen beta

There are many more improvements in Windows Phone 8.1; check out the Microsoft announcement with all the details. After using the Developer Preview, I just couldn't even use my Lumia 1520 again when I took it back to 8.0 as I waited for the 8.1 update to hit my device. Check out my screenshot gallery to see how some of these improvements look on a Nokia Lumia 1520.

Nokia Lumia Cyan improvements

Most Windows Phone devices are Nokia Lumia devices so most of you will also see the Lumia Cyan update. Windows Phone 8.1 provides backend support for some of these improvements, while others are related to Nokia's work to make their devices even better.

Lumia Cyan improvements include:

  • Bluetooth Low Energy
  • Motion data
  • Living Images
  • Dolby sound improvements
  • Miracast support
  • Improved camera performance

I am particularly interested in checking out the improved camera software and Bluetooth LE support that will finally allow me to use my Fitbit, and hopefully Pebble, with my Windows Phone devices. WPCentral has more details on the Lumia Cyan update.

More ZDNet Windows Phone 8 coverage

  • Windows Phone 8.1 Developer Preview screenshot gallery
  • Cortana: I want Microsoft's Windows Phone 8.1 developer bits
  • There's a Nokia Lumia 1520 that is the best, it's just not from AT&T
  • Why Windows Phone 8.1 became my daily driver again
  • Windows Phone 8.1 Action Center provides a balanced alert system
  • Microsoft's new Word Flow keyboard is the best smartphone text entry system
Published: July 30, 2014 -- 16:00 GMT (09:00 PDT)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

1 of 15 NEXT PREV

Related Topics:

Mobility Microsoft Smartphones Mobile OS Security Hardware
Matthew Miller

By Matthew Miller for Smartphones and Cell Phones | July 30, 2014 -- 16:00 GMT (09:00 PDT) | Topic: Mobility

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