New Windows Phone 8.1 features revealed in developer preview leaks

[techbeck]

Microsoft has started sharing its Windows Phone 8.1 Software Development Kit (SDK) with developers, and the inevitable leaks have begun. Over on Reddit, one developer is documenting all of the updates discovered in the Windows Phone 8.1 SDK. The first significant change appears to be the initial signs of a Windows Phone and Windows RT merger. Microsoft has been hinting at this plan, and the SDK includes "Universal App" support with templates to build Windows Store and Windows Phone Store apps from the same shared HTML and JavaScript code.

 

While it?s not clear how easier it is to create apps that run across both tablets and phones, the inclusion of this support suggests that?s a big focus for Microsoft with this update. Microsoft is also switching to the .appx packaging for Windows Phone 8.1, the same format that the company uses for Windows 8.

 

 

In terms of features, Microsoft appears to be readying changes to allow Windows Phone 8.1 users to switch out their default messaging application. A screenshot shows a setting to "receive texts using" different apps. Microsoft previously made a similar change to allow developers to create replacement Camera apps that could be set as the default. Other changes include a new "Battery Power Sense" feature to monitor and track battery life, VPN support, and the obvious rebranding of SkyDrive to OneDrive throughout the OS. The Reddit poster also reveals that, as previously reported, the Music and Video apps have been separated out, and the combined Music+Video app has been removed. There?s also reportedly a new podcast app, but it?s not clear if this will finally support international markets.

 

Microsoft also appears to be making some changes to multitasking, with developers reporting that the back button no longer terminates the application. Instead, apps suspend in the background just like apps do on Windows 8. While Microsoft is also building a voice-activated "Cortana" personal assistant into Windows Phone 8.1, it appears that the company is keeping that secret as part of this SDK. Developers report that the search button and any Bing-related functionality provides errors, a clear sign that Microsoft has prevented access to this functionality.

 

Microsoft is planning to release a full Windows Phone 8.1 preview to developers at Build, where the update will be installable on devices. Today's leaks don't detail all of the new Windows Phone 8.1 features, but we'll update you accordingly if additional changes are discovered.

 

http://www.theverge.com/2014/2/11/5400660/windows-phone-8-1-features-leaked

[LittleNeutrino Veteran]

woohoo finally getting VPN support.

[ESC@PE]

The 64 million dollar question still remains...... do you STILL need to be logged in with an MS account in order to be able to receive this update? (or even upgrade to 8.1 for that matter)

Or will they finally release this as an .iso/.exe format for all to freely have?

[techbeck]

The 64 million dollar question still remains...... do you STILL need to be logged in with an MS account in order to be able to receive this update? (or even upgrade to 8.1 for that matter)

Or will they finally release this as an .iso/.exe format for all to freely have?

 

Windows Phone has downloadable ISO/EXE files?

[+Heartripper Subscriber¹]

Windows Phone has downloadable ISO/EXE files?

 

He's talking about Windows 8.1 Update 1. WP8 updates are delivered over the air.

[ESC@PE]

Windows Phone has downloadable ISO/EXE files?

DOH!! Sorry I misread. And yeah I was inquiring about the 8.1 Spring update that's coming out soon. My bad!

[vcfan]

?NEW File picker (see above image)
?NEW Geofencing API for location-based reminders
?NEW 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
?NEW Updated camera layout, similar to Windows 8.1 (see lede photo above)
?VPN (Virtual Private Network)
?OneDrive (previously SkyDrive) with integrated file browser (just like Windows 8.1)
?Filter through installed apps by usage/install date
?Select multiple tiles when customising the Start screen
?More efficient multitasking
?Ability to install apps on inserted SD Cards
?Internet Explorer 11 improved with WebGL and Normal mapping support
?Separate volume controls for ringer, media, etc.
?Bing smart search (similar search system as Windows 8.1)
?Xbox Music and Xbox Video as standalone apps instead of the Music + Video Hub (allowing more updates to be pushed)
?Redesigned Xbox Game Hub
?Twitter integrated more deeply into the contacts Hub
?Facebook account option REMOVED (updated)
?Quick settings access (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) by doing a quick swipe from the top of the screen
?Action Center accessed by doing a full swipe from up to the bottom (separate from the Notification Center)
?Silent notifications which go directly to the Action center
?Possibility to mark a Live Tile as read by swiping from the left of said tile
?'Cortana' smart agent performs the same tasks as Siri and Google Now and even more, including data from Foursquare (MS INVEST)
?Auto-updates for apps (just like Windows 8.1)
?Better backup functionality
?Improved keyboard with Swype support
?Bluetooth 4.0 LE (to non-Lumia Windows Phones)
?Feature to mirror Windows Phone screens to TVs and/or monitors

A final interesting note is how Windows Phone is referred to as WinPRT

http://www.wpcentral.com/developers-leak-new-features-windows-phone-81-sdk