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

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  • Updated task switcher on WP8

    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

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • Closing an app on WP8, Update 3

    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

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • Managing screen rotation

    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

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • Setting up Driving Mode

    Setting up Driving Mode

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • Select what actions you want performed

    Select what actions you want performed

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • Customize your text reply

    Customize your text reply

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • Choose a Bluetooth device to initiate Driving Mode

    Choose a Bluetooth device to initiate Driving Mode

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • Call and SMS filter capability

    Call and SMS filter capability

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • Custom rington selections

    Custom rington selections

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • Choose a ringtone for your preferred communication method

    Choose a ringtone for your preferred communication method

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • Custom text tone for your contacts

    Custom text tone for your contacts

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • A view of your phone storage

    A view of your phone storage

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • Some accessibility settings were updated too

    Some accessibility settings were updated too

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • Memory overview

    Memory overview

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • See how much each app consumes

    See how much each app consumes

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • Detailed view of your storage

    Detailed view of your storage

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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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.

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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

Caption by: Matthew Miller

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