What’s New in the latest Update to Windows Phone 8.1

The latest update to Windows Phone 8.1 comes with more improvements to Cortana and the way you navigate through folders, message forwarding, the Windows Phone Store, and more...

- Adeesh Sharma

Ever since Windows Phone 8.1 started shipping on new handsets it has already seen three updates to not just improve the user experience but also to keep up with competition. While the standout feature remains the improvements done to Cortana, the voice assistant, other improvements are the introduction of folders on the Start screen, the ability to combine and send multiple text messages, the Drive Mode, accessory app notifications, and more. Here’s a look:

Cortana: This voice assistant is work in progress and has currently been released to the Indian audience as an opt-in alpha program, after a successful developer’s preview worldwide. It can only be operated with UK or US English language support and shall continue the learning path to include more Indian words and phrases, learn more about Indian culture, festivals and events, and more.

They have also added more convenience to the way you access Cortana. Now you can start it from a bluetooth hands-free system in your car or through a bluetooth headset. Just tap the contact named “Cortana” and ask her whatever you want. And now you can do more things without unlocking your phone too, making your personal assistant even better.

It has already been launched globally after being customised for regional preferences. For instance, in the UK, Cortana will get a British accent, and support British spellings and word pronunciations. Sheâ??ll know more about UK-specific user interests. The Chinese version of Cortana has been given the nickname Xiao Na, along with an entirely new alternative look. She understands Mandarin, and has an English dictionary on hand too.

Folders: Now you can organise your Start screen the way you want. Simply push one tile on top of another one to create a folder much like the way they do it in iOS and Android. These folders help you keep the Start screen on your Windows Phone 8.1 organised by letting you group Tiles the way you like. You can have a folder with all your games and another with your favourite apps. Also after you create a folder, you can name it, move it, resize it and add or remove Tiles from it whenever you want.

Messaging: You now have the ability to combine multiple text messages into one and then forward them to someone else. In Windows Phone, you can send and receive text messages from the Start screen, and even send stuff like photos and songs in a text. You can also do it all hands-free with Cortana’s help or by using Speech.

Apps Corner: This feature lets you specify apps that other people can use on a Windows Phone. Good for organisations and even individuals who only want to provide the essential apps for others to use for work or at home. The Apps Corner lets you set up a custom Start screen on your Windows Phone 8.1, where you can just share the apps you choose with the people you let use your phone. You can even export your Apps Corner settings from your phone and import it onto other phones.

Windows Phone Store: The new Live Tile for this store helps you discover new apps and games. Simply pin the Store to Start and you’re good to go.

Drive Mode: Now choose what calls or notifications you’d like your attention to be diverted to while driving. You can set the names of contacts whose calls you want to take while driving. Likewise you can shut off unnecessary notifications and messages from bothering you.

Internet Explorer 11: Designed primarily for HTML5, the new IE provides a better browsing experience on your phone. So you spend less time panning and zooming and more time enjoying your favourite websites.

Accessory apps: This innovative new feature allows you to get notifications from your phone on your smart watch, active phone cover, fitness tracker or other kinds of accessories.

Sharing your Internet: Share mobile internet connection with friends over Bluetooth, so you can get an Internet connection on more kinds of devices.

Improvised Narrator: It now has touch typing and a way for you to turn off hints for controls and buttons if you don’t want them to be read aloud. Other improvements to Narrator help you unlock your phone a little more quickly, find and use the Back, Start and Search buttons more easily, and tell you when your phone screen is on or off.