Wednesday 12 February 2014

Windows Phone 8.1 features leaked by developers

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Yesterday Microsoft gave selected developers access to the new SDK(Software Development Kit) for the forthcoming update codenamed 'Blue'. Windows Phone 8.1 aka, Blue. Blue is the first major update for the existing Windows Phone 8 devices. While the update is rumored to announce in Build 2014, Microsoft secretly gave early access to the developers. One of those developers is now revealing the features in the upcoming SDK for developers. Apart from the developer features, there are some significant changes revealed. Read it below:

Features in the new SDK:

  • VPN included
  • You can choose the default messaging app
  • SkyDrive re branded as OneDrive
  • WP 8 app won't run on WP 8.1 until  user updates to WP 8.1
  • All existing WP 8 device will support WP 8.1
  • Apps can be installed on SD card and developers can prevent users from doing it for their apps
  • New Xbox Music and Xbox Video apps replacing Music+Videos apps.
  • The app extension is now appx similar to Windows RT instead of XAP.
  • New Battery Sense app to know which apps are causing most battery drain.
  • New Podcast app.
  • New camera UI with built-in Burst mode support. Find screenshot after the break.
  • Swipe down apps in multi-tasking view to close them.
  • New iCloud account support added. Facebook account integration seems to be removed similar to what Microsoft did with Windows 8.1
  • Internet Explorer Mobile allows YouTube videos to play in the website itself instead of full screen mode.
  • PlayTo support similar to Windows RT.
  • Internet Explorer Mobile adds webGL support.
  • File picker support for apps similar to Windows RT
  • Bing Smart Search
  • Action Center (Notification Center) and quick access settings.(Not Available)
  • Different Live Tile sizes.
  • Improved backup support.
  • Ability to sort apps in app list by different means(usage, date installed)
  • Wi-Fi Direct Support
  • Music app with volume control
  • Added more features to the list
  • Auto-updates for apps (just like Windows 8.1)
  • Better backup functionality
  • Improved keyboard
  • Bluetooth 4.0 LE (to non-Lumia Windows Phones)
  • Feature to mirror Windows Phone screens to TVs and/or monitors
  • Separate Volume for Ringer + Notifications and Media + Apps, its accessed upon clicking the arrow that shows up upon volume down/up actions. (Edit)
  • Ringtone options to vibrate during a ringtone or not.(Edit)
  • Ringtone options to vibrate in silent mode or not.(Edit)
  • Quick shortcut for sounds setting, changed Silent mode button location, its text based now.(Edit)
  • Ability to install apps on SD Cards however developers can choose to opt out in their app’s manifest.(Edit)
  • Filter through installed apps by usage/install date.(Edit)
  • Slide down to close apps. [ So far I can confirm this is the case for the multitasking view only ](Edit)
  • Back button doesn’t terminate the app. (much like Metro apps in Windows 8 and RT.)(Edit)
  • Apps can send ghost notification without alarming you, it’ll be able to change it and delay it.(Edit)
  • Live Tiles that still show already read notifications can now be cleared out by swiping them to the left.(Edit)
  • Audio/video transcoding, Hardware accelerated.(Edit)
  • Media editing: audio and video; Audio effects, video effects; Slow motion video.(Edit)
  •  Apps can capture audio/video from themselves.(Edit)
  • Dev tools: SemanticZoom, DatePicker, TimePicker.(Edit)
  • Background tasks: Bluetooth signal strength, Chat message notification, Device connection change, Device use trigger, Gatt characteristic notification, Location, Push notification, Rfcomm connection, System event, Timer.(Edit)
  • USB choices.(Edit)
  • Filter through installed apps by usage/install date.(Edit)
  • Single sign-in for apps (like on Windows 8) with Microsoft.(Edit)

Things that are not included SDK:

  • Cortana
  • Action Center + Notification Center
  • New gesture-based keyboard
Check the screenshots after a break.





PS.- I am not in this program so I can't confirm these leaks. The leaks are from the developers who got this preview program so just take this as a pinch of salt. I will be editing this article as new leaks come, so make sure you bookmark it.

Sources: TheVerge, WPCentral, MyNokiaBlog, WMPowerUser and many more(Sorry, I can't mention all the sources here).

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