Joe Belfiore confirm that WP8.1 Developer Preview users will automatically get WP8.1 Update 1

@CamdenKrupala if you're on WP 8.1 DP right now, you don't need to do ANYTHING and you'll automatically get 8.1 Update 1 next week.
— joebelfiore (@joebelfiore) July 31, 2014

A vast number of our users are on the Windows Phone 8.1 Developer Preview.
The good news is that next week you should automatically be prompted to update to the next version of Windows Phone 8.1, Update 1, which brings numerous new features, including new folders, SMS improvements and much more.
Of course you would still be lacking some hardware features such as Bluetooth LE support, and it may make a lot more sense to actually downgrade and next week install the new developer preview.
What will our readers be doing? Let us know below.

Via: WMPowerUser

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BBM Beta goes public, available for everyone

Right on schedule, and as promised still in July, Blackberry Messenger for Windows Phone is now available for all to download.
It would appear that the public beta version of BBM is a different one than what was released for the closed beta testers earlier in the month. In any case, this version is apparently the one that BlackBerry is letting any Window Phone users try out.

Here's a quick description for version 1.0.0.0:

• Chat with friends on Windows Phone, iPhone, Android and BlackBerry:
• Know when messages have been delivered (D's) and read (R's)
• Quickly share photos, voice notes, BBM contacts and your location
• See when contacts are responding to your message
• Emoticons for every mood and emotion let you express yourself

Blackberry promises to continue adding features and move to the BBM version 2 soon.

Download the app from the Windows Phone Store here.

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VLC for Windows Phone is almost ready, check out the new screenshots

The team at VLC is working hard to bring the popular multimedia player to Windows Phone. Thomas Nigro, the designer/developer for VideoLan has shared some details with screenshots of the upcoming VLC app for Windows Phone.

This includes the XAML UI of the app, which is designed to be responsive, meaning the app fits itself to the shape and size of the window, making it ideal not just for full screen tablets and phones, but also for future windowed metro apps strongly rumoured for Windows Threshold.
Thomas also writes that the current version is somewhat slow, but that the VLC wrapper was recently upgraded from DirectX2D to DirectX3D, which should offer performance improvements. The current version also lacks DLNA support on Windows Phone, but this may change in the future.
Unfortunately he also writes that there are still some remaining issues with the ARM compiler which is delaying the Windows Phone app, but as soon as this is resolved they are ready to publish the app.

The screen shots certainly make it look like it is worth the wait. See more at Thomas’s blog here.

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Microsoft reveals Update 1 for Windows Phones, Preview for Developers next week

As expected, Microsoft has revealed Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 also known as GDR 1.  The news comes out of Beijing, China where Microsoft's Joe Belfiore announced the release during his keynote, in addition to the expansion of Cortana to the UK and China.
Update 1 is relatively minor in comparison to what 8.1 delivered this spring, but it still contains numerous new features for consumers, and hardware manufacturers. Leaks of these features in Update 1 came over the weekend and were accurate.
Additionally, starting next week, those enrolled in the free Preview for Developers program are slated to get an update to their phones to take advantage of the new OS refresh.

Live Folders:

As accidentally leaked by Microsoft, the new Update will feature Live Folders which allows users dynamically to create folders on the Start screen. Microsoft calls these "Live" folders because whatever app or game is included in the folder still has their Live Tile enabled. In other words, your group of Tiles in the Folder Tile still reflect pushed updates, making them highly dynamic.

Folders get created by dragging and dropping Tiles on top of each other, and they can later be renamed or rearranged according to user's needs.

Xbox Music Live Tile and other improvements:

Microsoft is continuously, working hard to make Xbox Music more personal and user friendly. Starting with Update 1, the new OS allows the Xbox Music team finally to implement a Live Tile and Kid's Corner, which are features due in a couple of weeks.

For users who do not enroll in Update 1 Preview, they can continue to get the bimonthly updates, including one due this Friday that brings some significant performance improvements and a "quickplay" of recent playback activities.

SMS merge and forwarding, Live Tile for the Store:

Update 1 also brings a few other improvements, including SMS merge and forwarding, which gives users "the ability to select multiple SMS messages for deletion and forwarding."

In addition, the Store Tile is now a Live Tile, delivering info about the latest apps and games every six hours throughout the day. This behavior now reflects the Store Live Tile for Windows 8.1.

Apps Corner:

One of the most interesting and secret feature will be the apps corner on Update 1, which Microsoft describes as a "sandboxed" mode for users to show only a select amount of apps. Considered more for businesses and retailers, Apps Corner lets employees hand their Windows Phones over to customers without fear of exposing personal data, launching unauthorized apps or where there is no Master Data Management (MDM).

VPN through Wi-Fi hotspots, High-voltage charging and more:

To close, Update 1 brings a new assortment of options and improvements, including VPN functionality through a public Wi-Fi hotspot, and improved IE rendering of mobile websites. The latter works by changing the user-agent string to let websites connect Internet Explorer as if it were a different mobile browser, greatly enhancing mobile usage and compatibility for Windows Phone users.

Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0 support for Snapdragon 800 processor is included, letting Windows Phone users with the appropriate chipset take advantage Qualcomm's rapid, high voltage USB charging. Consequently, charging times should be upwards of 75% faster. Citing Qualcomm's data for a 3300 mAh battery.

Support for Smart covers, like HTC's Dot View case, lets OEMs create unique flip cases that activate an app or Live Lock screen when open or closed.

Update 1 also brings advanced support for Bluetooth standards PAN (personal area network) 1.0 profile, aptX codec support for A2DP, and browsing support for AVRCP. These new standards give customers better streaming and compatibility for Windows Phone media.

Finally, more support for device resolutions are in Update 1, including 1280 x 800 WXGA, 540 x 960 native qHD and screen sizes of 6.01" to 7" for the 1280 x 768 WXGA resolution.

When will it come?

Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 for the Preview for Developers program is expected to begin sometime next week. Keep checking our site for all the info on it.

Source: WPCentral

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Video: WP8.1 Live Lock screens set to bring amazing lock screen weather animations

Just as we got the new animated live lockscreen from Microsoft, developers have taken this as a new opportunity and used the live lockscreen in their apps. Windows Phone India Enthusiasts showed how the developers of the popular tool app,  #1 Toolkit used the APIs in their weather app, #1Weather.
See another demo of the great looking app after the break.

Source: Windows Phone India Enthusiasts

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Nokia Superman and Tesla apparently confirmed, will be launching soon

A report has been breaking through our mailbox regarding the new leaked devices which are near completion. According to The Verge, citing unnamed sources, claims that Microsoft's devices leader Stephen Elop showed off the two phones, via a video presentation, at an internal Microsoft meeting earlier this week. One of the devices, which was previously rumored earlier this year under the code name "Superman", has a five megapixel front facing camera and a 4.7 inch display. Elop reportedly described the device as a "selfie phone" during his presentation.
The other new Windows Phone product will reportedly have a PureView rear camera but will be priced lower than previous Lumia smartphones with those high end lenses. Images of this phone may have already been leaked several weeks ago. The Verge's report did not have information on when exactly these two phones will be announced nor their specific price points.
Some high end devices are expected to arrive “very soon” according to an internal memo by Microsoft’s Jo Harlow and will probably launch with Windows Phone 8.1 GDR1.
A couple of weeks ago, Elop stated in an email to the Device Group that Microsoft will concentrate their near term efforts "by targeting the more affordable smartphone segments, which are the fastest growing segments of the market, with Lumia." This report would seem to be in line with Elop's vision.
What do you think about these new reports and is Microsoft doing the right thing by launching cheaper Windows Phone products?

Source: The Verge; Thanks to everyone for the tips; Image via WMPowerUser

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Windows Phone 8.1 + Cyan hits Lumia 1320 in India

We were getting big amount of tips from our readers especially living in India that Lumia 1320 is receiving the Windows Phone 8.1 + Cyan update and now we are able to confirm as one of our readers have send us the images of the update.
If you're rocking the Lumia 1320, you can check manually for the update by going to Settings > Phone Update > Check. As we've stated before, you need to rollback the Preview for Developers for you to be able to install the Cyan update, if you have the preview installed.
Note that these units may well be unbranded ones, with carriers to follow suit. Lumia 1320 users, are you able to install the Lumia Cyan update? What features are you liking the most? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Thanks to everyone for the heads up.

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AdDuplex founder Alan Mendelevich teases HTC device for Verizon

We are seeing many leaks of the HTC One M8 which will be coming with the latest Windows Phone 8.1 out of the box. Engadget has reported that the name of the phone is called "One (M8) for Windows," which is a little awkward, although if you drop the M8 it has a nice ring to it.
Engadget reports that they phone should launch by on "Verizon during the third quarter, or no later than the end of September" although our sources tell us that Microsoft Stores have a planning date of August 20 with a launch on the 21st. The off-contract, full price of the phone is listed at $610 with on-contract price most likely nearing $199.

AdDuplex Stats teaser: we see a lot of HTC HTC6995LVW. Must be this http://t.co/jw2U2RpCZg Sadly nothing of non-Verizon variety though :(
— Alan Mendelevich (@ailon) July 29, 2014

After these details, Alan Mendelevich teases that he has seen many phones with codename "HTC6995LVW" and it might be the HTC device for Verizon. No details have been leaked on the international version of the device.
So, what do our readers think on this? Will you be picking a HTC device running on Windows Phone OS? Sound off below.

NOTE: The image shown above is just a mock up image of Android version of HTC One M8. Original device may differ.

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Follow Indian celebrities with the new Follo app for Windows Phone

Follo (follo.co.in), a Times Internet service, is a celebrity connect service that enables fans to connect to their favorite actors, actresses, models, et al. You could read their updates, view extensive multimedia content, or listen to their voice feeds.
By follo-ing a celebrity, you could stay updated about their work and personal endeavors - breaking news, exclusive quotes, celeb gossip, trade news, event photos, candid shots, video interviews and more. Follo features celebrities from Bollywood and cine stars from regional cinema as well as Indian cricketers.
While you can look at celebrity streams and photo galleries on firing the app, you'll need to sign in to follow a celebrity and get their updates or like, comment, and share those. If these are Twitter updates, you can reply to the tweet or retweet it as well.
While the app isn't very nicely designed, and the UI is pseudo-modern, it works all well and should appeal to a lot of fans and celeb-followers.

Download the Follo app for free for Windows Phone 8 devices from the Windows Phone Store.

Source: WPCentral

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High quality Bluetooth Audio coming to Windows Phone soon

A2DP is an increasingly popular way to play back music, mainly due to the rise of Bluetooth speakers. With the wide diversity of smartphones it is the one standard which works for all operating systems.
Unfortunately A2DP transfers audio in a compressed format which reduces sound quality.
The answer is aptX, a higher quality codec often used in professional products and increasingly for Bluetooth Audio also, allowing steaming of high quality music.
The leaks of today confirmed that Windows Phone 8.1 GDR1 will support aptX, and will also support AVRCP 1.4, which allows speakers (and Bluetooth stereos) greater control over the music streamed from a smartphone.
Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP) 1.4, lets users browse media on your phone remotely, supports meta-data including the Now Playing list and supports basic search features.
The improvements should mean Windows Phone users get to enjoy the A2DP capabilities of the handsets even more, and have more access to the full range of the capabilities of their existing A2DP accessories.

Source: WMPowerUser

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