Windows Phone 8.1 Developer Preview screenshot gallery
New Start screen theme functionality lets you personalize your device
As detailed by ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley, Microsoft's Windows Phone 8.1 Developer Preview was released for developers to test out before manufacturers release updates to existing devices. WPCentral provides specific instructions for you to get it on your device even if you have never developed an application, since Microsoft allows tech savvy folks to get the update along with developers.
I've captured screenshots showing some of the newest features of WP 8.1 Developer Preview as I have been testing it out on a Nokia Lumia Icon. I will post more of my thoughts as I spend more time with this over the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, make sure to read Mary Jo's take on using Windows Phone 8.1 DP.
Further reading
- Cortana: I want Microsoft's Windows Phone 8.1 developer bits
- Cortana blows away Siri and Google Now, may bring me back to Windows Phone
- Five reasons I am done with Windows Phone after 3.5 years
- Verizon Nokia Lumia Icon review: There's a new Windows Phone champ on the block
- AT&T Nokia Lumia 1520 review: Beast of a phone, but not the best
- Five reasons I dropped my iPhone 5 for a Nokia Lumia 1020
- AT&T Nokia Lumia 1020 review: The best Windows Phone ever made
New Start theme setting
You can select different background images and then see many of your Live Tiles change to show parts of the image. It's pretty slick how scrolling up on the Start screen scrolls through the full image even if some of your Live Tiles don't show the theme image.
Application launcher clearly shows you new apps you installed
Setting up Action Center
Action Center is one of my favorite parts of the update and, unlike the failed iOS implementation, this one from Microsoft truly lets you take action on notifications and has deep support for applications.
Some available actions you can customize to your Action Center
Managing application Action Center settings
Starting up Cortana
You can toggle on Cortana and set the name you want her to call you
More Cortana settings
Here are ways you can use Cortana
There are plenty of ways to use Cortana and as more developers use the service and as you use it more personally then it will continue to improve and become a custom user experience.
And a few more ways you can use her services
Setting up Cortana's notebook
I love that you can view past searches and Cortana commands in your notebook. Cortana truly is a personal assistant, beyond what we see in Siri and Google Now.
You can use Cortana to view things, not just search the web
Quiet hours, first screen of settings
Quiet hours, second screen of settings
Who is in your inner circle?
Sync you settings
As a reviewer who tries out lots of phones, I love that I can now sync my settings and then have my theme, app settings, IE settings, and passwords synced across devices.
VPN is native to your settings
Wi-Fi Sense helps you stay connected in more places
Internet Explorer lets you open unlimited tabs
The screenshot shortcut has changed
Reviewers take lots of screenshots and as you can see the button combo has changed in Windows Phone 8.1.