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AFTER OFFICIALLY REVEALING its update at its Build developer conference two weeks ago, Microsoft has released its Windows Phone 8.1 preview to developers today.
The update, which includes the introduction of Microsoft’s long-awaited personal voice assistant Cortana (which is only available in the US for now), an action centre and an improved navigation and keyboard service, won’t be made available to regular users until the summer when the first phones supporting it arrive.
Registered Windows Phone developers can download the update now, but for those who aren’t but still want the update, they can sign up through the Windows Phone App Studio site and set up a project.
Once that’s done, you can then download the preview app which detects the update for you.
Since this version of Windows Phone 8.1 is an early version, certain features like the custom lock screen support aren’t available yet and there will be some bugs too as Microsoft prepare it for its official release.
If you do decide to update, you won’t be able to return to the previous version, Windows Phone 8.
The majority of features that was announced for the update are available in this developer preview, but only US users will have access to Cortana.
Microsoft says the digital assistant will be made available to the UK and China during the second half of the year, with other countries to follow afterwards in 2015.
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Windows 8.shite
Windows 8 is the biggest pile of muck ever, the most user-unfriendly version of the O/S ever made
On a phone or table, it’s very user friendly.
Desktop machines/Laptops, not so much. Unless you manage to get a touch screen, I think.
Granted I’ve only used it on a laptop, my other half has the tablet and it’s not that easy to navigate, random applications popping open for no reason and endless swiping at the side in an attempt to shut it down, dreading the day my Windows 7 laptop packs it in, I’ve been using Windows since 3.11 so I’m not tech adverse either
Bought windows laptop at christmas for work. I had to get it converted to windows 7 from the windows 8 it came with. I gave it a fair shot of a month but just didn’t like it. Apparently a vast amount of windows 8 laptop are being converted back to windows 7 according to the lad who done it for me. He had done a good few over the previous few months. It’s not really built for work. More an entertainment OS. Plus a lot of my business software didn’t work on it and would have had to pay a few thousand to get them upgraded. Made the 150 euro to convert it to windows 7 a steal.
You ought not to have had to stump up for yet another Microsoft f**k up.
If I had bought a business laptop I could have downgraded for free I found out after but I still ended up better as I got laptop in pc world for 500 so is cost me 650 total. Most equivalent business laptops were 800 plus.
I’m Joseph fritzl and No windows was my idea !
Any spare tickets for your gig Keith?????
windows 8.1 is a big heap of sh1t
As far as phones for Enterprise go, if you’re moving away from BES/BlackBerry OS, Windows Phone is fast becoming an excellent alternative.
Never mind the lack of apps, for enterprise you have everything you need built-in. SMS, MMS etc are natural staples. However the killer punch lies with built in Office/Exchange connectivity and best of all RMS built-in. Unlike Android, iOS and BB OS which require additional software and huge expense just to get it to work.
If you are using the bleeding edge version of BES you can save investing in a new MDM solution and chuck your Windows Phones on to that. Job done.
Personally I prefer Android as the all-rounder, but taking in to account the above, Windows Phone is becoming ever more attractive as a business solution.
Honestly in an age of incremental software updates that change little, this update has somewhat dragged Windows Phone up as a respectable platform. Not too much massive changes, but a heap of smaller ones that would make it much easier for people to switch from Android/iOS. Many people seem to want WP to fail miserable…competition is a good thing imo, even if you prefer alternatives.
Download and install classic shell
Iv a bran new windows 8.1 laptop amd its disgraceful
Journal, how about a WP8.1 app please. Been asking for ages and not a peep.
To other commentators, this is about Windows PHONE 8.1, not W8.1
Don’t mix up please the Windows Phone 8.1 with Windows 8.1. Two completely different OS/platform.
Downloaded it today switched phone region got Cortana.Its very very slick.
I have used windows phones for a couple of years and have say prefer Windows phone to Android and IOS that I have used on our IPAD. As stated above it offers the best solution for business with exchange, Lync and Office integrated. It has also great social networking and gaming features.
I have had a windows phone for the last couple of years. First a Win7 phone and now windows8. I have to say I find it great for work and pleasure. I have my work exchange account including Lync. I use outlook.com for my personal email. The Xbox games are great and a good proportion of popular app’s are available. In fact windows phone already has a voice command function. You just hold down the Windows button for a few seconds and you can call, text, search and take notes. I assume 8.1 is expanding on this.
I believe we are talking about Windows 8.1 phone. I have been using windows phones for the last couple of years. I haven’t used Windows 8.1 for desktop or laptop. I have to say my experience with Windows 8.1 Phone has been excellent. I had been using Android before that. If you use the Microsoft eco system i.e. outlook.com for mail, calendar and contacts, it’s a great experience. The availability of Apps is not as good as Android but the big social networking apps are all there and a lot a other great apps. Where it really excels is for business use as Microsoft exchange connectivity is built in. Also a stripped down version of office is on the phone, so you can open Word, PowerPoint and Excel attachments. Many people don’t realise there is a voice command function on Windows 8 phone already. You can search, call, text and take notes but pressing the Windows button for a couple of seconds. I suppose the Cortana feature will expand on this.
have your say