Microsoft is bringing its mobile operating system up to date: the update to Windows Phone 8.1 will bring numerous useful features. These include a central message bar and a voice assistant.
App on the memory card!
A nice novelty: Under Phone 8.1, apps can now be installed on microSD cards This makes it possible to significantly reduce the load on the often limited memory of smartphones. Phone 8.1 is designed for up to 128 GB of memory. There have also been some changes to the look and usability: the so-called "tiles" can now be given a transparent finish, and the start and lock screens now also have extended design options.
The operation has several features: Setting functions such as for the WLAN are now accessed more quickly, and a message center ("Action Center") shows you the most important functions by swiping from top to bottom on the screen: Bluetooth, flight mode, WLAN status and incoming messages.
Now included in the system: dual card devices and voice assistant
Together with the new Nokia Lumia 630 Dual Sim smartphone - a so-called dual card device - Windows Phone 8.1 can now manage phone numbers either individually or together. For example, it is now possible to call family and friends with a private number and business partners with a professional number. Another new function is the digital "personal assistant" Cortana, who can use her knowledge from Microsoft's "Bing" search engine and can also look into your diary and emails. In future, Cortana will also be compatible with apps from other providers. Following the US beta version, the personal assistant will initially be available in the UK and China, with other countries to follow. It is not yet clear when Cortana will be available in German.
On board with new smartphones
Older smartphone models such as the Lumia 520 will be successively equipped with the new operating system. The newly released Nokia Lumia 630 models (already available from Sparhandy.de available), Nokia Lumia 635 and Nokia Lumia 930 are already being delivered with the new Windows Phone 8.1 out-of-the-box.
Image copyright: Thinkstockphotos, iStock, LDProd